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January 18 - 24, 2024 Founded 1991 • V o l . X X X III N o . 49
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Over 40 SNOW, SNOW, SNOW! Restaurants Participating In Dining Week ‘Restaurant Week’ Resumes In F.C. Starting This Friday by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
An amazing array of new restaurants have opened up in the City of Falls Church in the last year, and many more are set to come. A total of over 40 Falls Church restaurants will welcome families, foodies and any hungry paying customers during the City’s newly revived Restaurant Week that starts this Friday, Jan. 19 and runs for 10 days through Jan. 28. The 40 restaurants representing a wide variety of international cuisines will feature top selections from their menu in lunch or dinner specials, and some will IT’S BEEN TWO years since we’ve gotten any significant snow in this area, so kids of all ages were quick to break out the sleds and such to revel in some chilly outdoor celebrations of the seasons. Who knows how much more of this is in store? (News-Press photo) offer three course meals. They event is designed to celebrate Falls Church’s diverse and vibrant food culture such as Afghan, American, Bolivian, by Sarah Snyder Chinese, Greek, Iranian, Irish, Creative Cauldron ers the world often overlooks or Serene Feldman Werblood. The in this localized version of the Italian, Jamaican, Japanese, takes for granted: the teacher, production runs from February show, saluting and celebrating Mexican, Peruvian, Russian, Next month, Creative the waitress, the trucker, the 8 — March 3, 2024. Creative Cauldron and its place Salvadorian, Thai, Vietnamese, Cauldron, Falls Church’s pre- fireman, the housewife, among Creative Cauldron is pro- in the history of Falls Church.” and more. mier theater production and many others. After its Broadway ducing the “localized version” The talented cast of “Working” education, black box stage, premiere in 1978, “Working” of the “Working” script which will include Creative Cauldron Continued on Page 3 while awaiting is move to new received a major revision in gives companies the ability to veterans Erin Granfield, Sally digs now under construction on 2012 with new and updated add the stories and experiences Imbriano, Chelsea Majors, and Broad Street, will finalize its songs written by Tony Award- from workers in their local com- Molly Rumberger. Granfield was Camps & Schools Guide 14 year history at its S. Maple winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, munity into the production. seen most recently at Creative location by mounting a produc- as well as Stephen Schwartz, Director Matt Conner spoke Cauldron as Mevroux Van Tassle tion of “Working,” a musical Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, about his concept for the show, in “Ichabod: The Legend of based on the Studs Terkel book: Micki Grant, and more. saying “As Creative Cauldron Sleepy Hollow.” The baker’s “Working: People Talk About Helen Hayes Award win- embraces its move from S. wife in “Into the Woods,” Louise What They Do All Day and ner, and Cauldron’s Associate Maple Ave. to Broad Street next Seger in “Always…Patsy Cline,” How They Feel About What Artistic Director Matt Conner is season, ‘Working’ is the perfect Agnes Davis in “On Air,” (Helen They Do.” directing. Paige Rammelkamp moment to highlight the com- Hayes Award Outstanding Adapted by Stephen is music director, and Stefan munity of workers who have Ensemble nomination) and Schwartz and Nina Faso from Sittig is the choreographer. been a part of our journey for Elmira in “Nevermore.” Terkel’s interviews, “Working” “Working” is sponsored by Mark the past 14 years. ‘It takes a See Pages 11-15 creates a vivid portrait of work- F. Werblood, attorney at law and village’ will be on full display Continued on Page 4
Cauldron to Produce Stud Terkel’s ‘Working’
LO CA L
PAGE 2 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
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Study Says F.C. Home Values Highest in Entire Mid-Atlantic
Home values in the City of Falls Church are the highest on average in any of the some 70 jurisdictions in a six-state Mid-Atlantic region, according to a new study by a regional multiplelisting service. Bright MLS reported that Falls Church’s were the highest in terms both of median sales prices and average prices, the average coming in at $956,408, Though down three percent from the previous year according to the report, the City’s numbers still finished well higher than second place Arlington ($849,606), D.C. ($849925), and Fairfax County ($790,367).
N-P’s Benton Assails Sinclair Purchase of Baltimore Sun “Truth, which is an essential component of democracy, has taken another serious hit with the handing off of the once-magnificent urban daily, The Baltimore Sun, to the rightwing 2020 election denying Sinclair Inc. chair David D. Smith, a conservative backer of Donald Trump,” said Falls Church News-Press owner Nicholas F. Benton yesterday.
$8 Million Lincoln Ave. ‘Greening’ Project to Seek Public Input
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At its work season this Tuesday, the Falls Church City Council was provided an update on the $8 million Lincoln Avenue “Greening” project being developed by the City’s Public Works division. The project, now 15 percent designed, includes storm water management, roadbed reconstruction, bio-retention, sidewalk improvements, bike lane and traffic calming components, features and will be the subject of at least two town hall meetings, plus walking tours, where the public will be welcomed to share its views.
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The design features are due to be sufficiently completed by May 1 to begin receiving public engagement, and a potentially controversial element will be an up to 33 percent decline in the number of on-street parking spaces Funding of the project is coming from federal ARPA funds, VDOT and the City.
Tinner Hill District Plan Advances, F.C. Council Told
By this May, the introduction of a completed Tinner Hill Historical and Cultural District will be ready tor takeoff, inclusive of a core section off S. Washington Street that will be composed mostly of historic residences where the first rural chapter of the NAACP convened, A wider concentric circle of the project will include such features at the Galloway Methodist Church and the Tinner Hill monument that now stands at the entrance ot the recently departed Target store and was the gathering point for Monday’s march in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the annual day of service.
Value of Quinn Senior Living Plan Set at $800k Annually The tax revenue yield to the City of the planned 1.8-acre Quinn/Homestretch senior living project on S. Maple St. that seeks a height variance to 115 feet will be over $800,000, advocate Andrew Painter told the F.C. Council at its work session this week. The sum is based on an estimated yield of $464k per acre. Painter announced a number of new features for the project and the public park space that it will include. The work session at City Hall Tuesday night was the first public Council meeting with Letty Hardi functioning as the City’s new mayor, and with Erin Flynn and Justine Underhill attending as new Council members.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 3
40 Restaurants Taking Job Hiring in Northern Virginia Part in F.C.’s Dining Week By Fairfax Economic Authority
Continued from Page 1
This family friendly 10-day event will draw the local community, foodies and tourists to Falls Church food service establishments. With options for everyone ranging from hole-inthe-wall specialty restaurants to high-end dining establishments, this event provides customers with the opportunity to find their new favorite haunt and gives restaurants the chance to showcase their best menu items, according to the event’s website. Falls Church City Restaurant Week is sponsored by the City of Falls Church Economic Development Division, The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is a Tourism Recovery Program. The event’s goal is to promote and increase visitors to restaurants and businesses within the City of Falls Church and increase awareness and consideration of Virginia’s culinary experiences. It is planned in partnership with Tricia Barba of Preservation Biscuit Company in
Falls Church. Previously, a Restaurant Week in Falls Church was organized and run by the Falls Church News-Press in August, but that ended with the onset of the pandemic. Participating restaurants include the following: Audacious Aleworks, Badd Pizza, Banh Cuon Thang Long Bakeshop, Borek-G, Cafe Kindred, Caribbean Plate, Chasin Tails, Clare and Don’s, Cuates Grill, Disturbingly Delicious Foods, Dogwood Tavern, Dominion Wine and Beer, Ellie Bird, Harvey’s, Hot N Juicy Crawfish, Ireland’s Four Provinces, Izaka Donburi, Kyo Macha, Kyurmen, La Tingeria, Luzmilla’s Bolivian Restaurant, Moby Dick’s Kabobs, Northside Social, Nue Elegantly Vietnamese, Panjshir Restaurant, Pho Ga Vang, Pizzeria Orso, Preservation Biscuit, Rare Bird Coffee Roasters, Roll Play, Scramble, Sfizi Cafe, Solace Outpost, Taco Rock, TeaDM Plus, The Falls, The Happy Tart, Thompson’s Italian and Vivi Bubble Tea.
At the doorsteps of our Nation’s Capital, thousands of employers are hiring. Currently there are more than 100,000 jobs open in Northern Virginia and nearly 30 percent of those jobs are in tech. On Jan. 30-31, 2024, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is hosting a free, twoday tech and cyber networking and hiring event, to connect job seekers and employers to help fill thousands of high-priority positions. “In Northern Virginia, there is a job for everyone looking to get hired. As of today, there are more than 100,000 jobs open in our region, and more than half of those jobs are in Fairfax County,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of FCEDA. “If you are looking for new opportunities or want to switch careers, our companies across sectors from government contracting to healthcare and professional services are looking to hire you.”
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During the two-day event, candidates will have the opportunity to network with dozens of hiring organizations from Fortune 500s to government agencies and rising start-ups. Top national employers including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Microsoft, Capital One and Inova Health System are actively hiring for positions across a variety of sectors including IT, aerospace, cybersecurity, and healthcare. To view the full list of companies participating and to register, visit workinnorthernvirginia.com/career-fairs/. In-person networking and hiring — Tuesday, Jan. 30, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. EST, at Capital One Hall, 750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, VA, 22102. Virtual networking and hiring — Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1:00-4:00 p.m. EST, via online meeting portal Brazen. All backgrounds and experience levels are welcome, and attendees do not need to live in Northern Virginia to meet with
participating companies. As a bonus, you will get to have a professional headshot taken at the event for free! As the tech sector continues its rapid growth in Northern Virginia, thousands of technology companies continue to thrive here, and more than 10,000 of these tech companies call Fairfax County home. With its proximity to major federal agencies, major educational institutions, and Fortune 500 headquarters, Fairfax County tech and cyber firms have access to industries and resources that are unique to the area. To support this growth, FCEDA and its partners have been organizing networking and hiring events since 2020 to attract, retain and nurture talent by connecting job seekers to companies in the region. To date, more than 250,000 job seekers have been directly connected to opportunities online and at events, and the talent pipelines of 17,000 employers have been impacted. To find out more, visit workinnorthernvirginia.com.
PAGE 4 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
As Creative Cauldron Sets to Move, It Presents ‘Working’ Musical
Continued from Page 1
Additional credits include Francesca Johnson in “The Red Branch Theatre,” the National Tour of “The Music Man” where she understudied and performed the role of Marian. Sally Imbriano has performed in multiple Cabarets at the Cauldron and was seen as Patsy in “Always… Patsy Cline” and in Creative Cauldron’s Helen Hayes nominated ensemble of “Disenchanted!” Other DC area credits include: Nextstop Theatre Company: “Lucky Stiff” (Annabel Glick) [Helen Hayes Nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer], “Matilda” (Ms Phelps); Olney Theatre Center: “Brothers Paranormal;” Pipeline Playwrights: “Heartland” (Janet); Kennedy Center TYA: “The Dragon King’s Daughter,” “The Mortification of Fovea Munson,” “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus;” Keegan Theatre: “Seussical;” Adventure Theatre
MTC: “Winnie the Pooh,” “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day;” Imagination Stage: “New Kid.” Molly Rumberger also appeared in Creative Cauldron’s Helen Hayes nominated production of “Disenchanted” and received an Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical nomination for her role as Cinderella. At Monumental Theater she appeared in “Spring Awakening,” “Be More Chill” and won a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Performer. Other regional credits include: “The Wedding Singer” (Next Stop Theatre), and “Big Fish” (Keegan Theatre). Chelsea Majors first appeared at Creative Cauldron as the Angel in last season’s “The Christmas Angel,” she understudied and stepped into the role of Miss Clavel in this season’s “Madeline’s Christmas.” She appeared recently in “The
Great Gatsby Musical” (Landless Theatre) and in Elephant and Piggie’s “We are in a Play!” at Virginia Repertory Theatre. Making their Creative Cauldron debuts in the “Working” ensemble cast are Oscar Salvador and Tony Lemus. Oscar Salvador is making his mainstage debut after understudying as Luis in Creative Cauldron’s East Coast premiere of “Monarch: A Mexican American Musical,” and as Usnavi in “In The Heights” at Next Stop Theatre and can be seen performing in “Casita” at Disney Encanto x CAMP Immersive Experience. Tony Lemus has appeared locally in “Night of the Living Dead” (Rorschach Theater Company), “Our Town” (St. Mark’s Players), “Grease” (Toby’s Dinner Theatre) “Little Women” (Next Stop Theatre), and “Tick, Tick… Boom” (Monumental Theater). Swing actors for this production will include some more familiar faces in Pat Mahoney
and Gretchen Midgley. Pat Mahoney was most recently in Creative Cauldron’s East Coast premiere of “Monarch: A Mexican American Musical” and as Humphrey Bogart in “Audrey — The New Musical.” Gretchen Midgley also returns as a swing after her critically-acclaimed performance as Ana in “Monarch: A Mexican American Musical.” Conner, Rammelkamp and Sittig are joined on the Creative Team by Creative Cauldron’s Resident Designer, Margie Jervis, Sets and Costumes, Helen Hayes nominated Lynn Joslin, Lighting Designer, and James Morrisson, Projection Designer. Together these three designers are creating an innovative and flexible scenic environment reminiscent of a metropolitan subway where workers come and go to their jobs. Nicholas Goodman is the Stage Manager. Tickets can be purchased at creativecauldron.org or by calling 703-436-9948.
Creative Cauldron is an award-winning non-profit theater and educational arts organization whose innovative programs in the performing and visual arts embody collaboration, experimentation and community engagement. It was founded by Artistic Director Laura Connors Hull in 2002. In 2023 Creative Cauldron launched a $500,000 New Home-New Horizon capacity campaign to raise funds for a move into a new theater at the corner of Broad and Washington in Falls Church in the Fall of 2024. Programs are presented in part through grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsFairfax, the City of Falls Church, the Little City CATCH Foundation the Ross-Roberts Fund for the Arts, and the Robert W and Gladys S Meserve Charitable Trust. Generous corporate and individual sponsors also support Creative Cauldron’s programs.
2024 Winter Real Estate Section Coming February 1st
Contact: sjohnson@fcnp.com 703-587-1282
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 5
LEARN MORE FALLSCHURCHRW.COM
JANUARY 19-28, 2024
Join us at these participating restaurants for 10 days of deliciousness! Audacious Aleworks - Badd Pizza - Bakeshop - Borek-G - Café Kindred Caribbean Plate - Chasin’ Tails - Clare & Don’s - Cuates Grill - Disturbingly Delicious Foods - Dogwood Tavern - Dominion Wine & Beer - Ellie Bird Harvey’s - Hot N Juicy Crawfish - Ireland’s Four Provinces - Izaka Donburi Kyo Matcha - Kyuramen - La Tingeria - Luzmila's Bolivian Restaurant - Moby Dick’s Kabobs - Northside Social - Nue: Elegantly Vietnamese - Panjshir Restaurant - Phở Gà Vàng - Pizzeria Orso - Preservation Biscuit - Rare Bird Coffee Roasters - Roll Play - Scramble - Sfizi Café - Solace Outpost - Taco Rock TeaDM Plus - The Falls - The Happy Tart -Thompson Italian - Vivi Bubble Tea
PAGE 6 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
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E ditorial
E D I TO R I A L
The CBC & DeLong Eras Celebrated
Last weekend was “Blasts from the Past” weekend in the City of Falls Church. It began with a reception hosted by the City’s venerable civic organization, the Citizens for a Better City (CBC) that was attended by over 50 local civic activists with histories of intense involvement in local politics in some cases dating allo the way back to the 1970s. There is a page of photos and a transcript of the remarks by CBC President Hal Lippman printed elsewhere in this edition. Then there was a well-attended memorial service held at the Falls Church Presbyterian Church last Saturday for former Falls Church Mayor Carol DeLong, who served eight years as mayor here in the 1980s. The CBC was in its heyday in the 1980s as well, holding nominating conventions at the outset of every two-year City Council election cycle when anyone looking to run for the Council would come and make their pitch at what was often held in an auditorium full of more than a hundred local citizen activists. In those days, it was very important for a candidate to score the most prominent person available to nominate them on stage prior to their own remarks. The CBC was founded in the context of the federal Hatch Act, which forbade anyone working for the federal government to seek partisan political office. So the CBC was judiciously non-partisan and, yes, a lot of members of each of the two major national political parties wound up with CBC endorsements, which were handed out at the conclusion of the nominating conventions after secret ballots were cast by all the citizens attending the events. Mayor DeLong was a product, so to speak, of that process, getting elected to the City Council at the outset of the 1980s and repeatedly being elected mayor by her Council colleagues because of her clear talents for detail and fair play. Former 1980s CBC-endorsed Council member John Gannon delivered the main remarks at DeLong’s memorial last Saturday and attested to her enormous skills in that regard. She remained an active advocate for the CBC system well into this century, often attending Council meetings and speaking out during the public petitioning period from time to time. It was always a special treat for active citizens when either she or Lou Olom, another late legend of Falls Church credited with introducing the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum in the City’s public schools (now expanded to encompass pre-K through 12th grade here), would step to the podium with well-crafted and intelligent commentaries. Sometimes there was a strident opposition that rose up and toppled key CBC nominated candidates. In the early 1970s, Chamber of Commercebacked candidates won seats on the Council in opposition to the CBC, and in the late 1980s, a group calling itself the Falls Church Citizens Organization was created that won three seats on the seven-member Council. The CBC abandoned the nominating convention about 15 years ago, but has remained active, nonetheless.
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L etters to E ditor Politicians Propose Abandoning Ukraine
Editor,
Representatives Gaetz of Florida and Greene of Georgia and joined by Senator Hawley of Missouri have made wild statements and taken absurd positions. The three of them want to abandon Ukraine, which will allow Russia to overrun Ukraine. Their geopolitical ignorance is astonishing. Greene stated “Under Republicans, not another penny will go to Ukraine, our country comes first.” Gaetz proposed a resolution calling for an end to aid for Ukraine and Hawley said the U.S. policy of supporting Ukraine’s survival has to stop. Governor DeSantis of Florida has joined them by saying the Ukraine War is “not a vital national interest but a territorial dispute”. These government officials put politics first to the detriment of our country. They are trying to make
President Biden look bad, and don’t consider the impact of their positions on the world stage. Thankfully, the majority of our government officials understand the world situation and the need to stand up to Russian aggression. They should not allow politics to threaten our national security and the security of other countries. Vital military funding for Ukraine is hung up in the House of Representatives because the Republicans want to tie it to tightening U.S./Mexican border security. I agree we have to stop the influx of illegal immigrants entering our country. However, preventing Russia from conquering Ukraine, attacking NATO countries, and then drawing the U.S. into a major war with millions of casualties and costing hundreds of additional billions of dollars should be a very high strategic priority.
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CO MME NT
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 7
Trump’s Victory in Iowa Calls Us to Rise Up Now Nicholas F. Benton FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
“There are some things within our social order to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which I call upon you to be maladjusted. I never intend to adjust myself to segregation and discrimination. I never intend to adjust myself to mob rule. I never intend to adjust myself to the tragic effects of physical violence and militarism. I call upon you to be maladjusted to such things, as maladjusted as Amos who in the midst of the injustices of his day cried out in words that echo across the generations, ‘Let justice run down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.’” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., excerpted from “The Power of Nonviolence,” a 1957 address to students. How ironic this year that the holiday celebrating the life and ministry of Dr. King was also the occasion for the successful kickoff of the 2024 presidential election campaign of the man most responsible for dashing the hopes and aspirations that Dr. King inspired more than half a century ago. There was nothing good, nothing, no good news or silver lining, coming out of the GOP primary in Iowa Monday. Trump crushed his opposition, reminding us how little time, actually, has transpired since King’s remarks quoted above were spoken in 1957. Remember also, those remarks came just over a decade after the final defeat of Hitler and the Nazi perpetrators of the horrible genocides of the Second World War, and just a decade before Dr. King, himself, was gunned down. How sorely does America and the world need a Dr. King now! The election in Iowa this week represents for us the fact that the American social order of the 1950s against which Dr. King urged us all to be maladjusted is still with us to a very large degree. The fascism that Trump em-
bodies is not something being foisted upon our culture from without. No, it grows from within, with all its facets and variations needing only the spark of a charismatic con man to erupt into a mass movement. We are not far removed at all from the horrors of the last century’s two great world wars and the tens if not hundreds of millions of lives that were so horribly lost to them. In the second war, not only were tens of thousands of young men killed by Stalin for deserting during the siege of Stalingrad in 1942, but when Hitler was finally defeated in Europe, and the British released to Stalin tens of thousands of Russian prisoners of war, including Cossacks, who’d joined Hitler to fight Stalin, they were all summarily murdered. That was before the final burst of over 200,000 mostly civilian deaths arose from the dropping of two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To continue the quote from Dr. King in 1957, he said, “Nonviolent resistance avoids not only the external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. At the center of nonviolence stands the principle of love….To retaliate with hate and bitterness would do nothing but intensify the hate in the world. Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate. This can be done only by projecting the ethics of love to the center of our lives.” In this war- and slaughter-sick world, we are called to stand up on the side of justice for all. After the troubling news of this Monday, when we are compelled to realize that enough Americans have bought into the lies and deceptions of Trump to possibly return him to the White House, how can any person with the slightest sympathy or respect for the freedoms and democracy that so many of our fellow citizens gave their lives to defend in this centurieslong bloody struggle not rise and take a stand? We all must do our part in the battle for the soul of our very existence as a human species on this planet. We’ve too clearly seen the face of evil in our immediate past to ignore its emergence once again in our very midst. It’s time to arise.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s
Richmond Report The 2024 legislative session kicked off on January 10 with the House of Delegates unanimously electing Don Scott of Portsmouth the first African American Speaker in the 405-year history of the body. Scott’s ascension to the Speaker’s dais was the result of Democrats winning 51 of the 100 seats up for grabs in November’s election, putting the party back in the majority in the House by the slimmest of margins. Along with the ability to elect the Speaker, majority status means Democrats will be in charge of the Committees and Subcommittees in the House where the real work of legislating happens. As the 26th most senior member of the House and one of the most senior members of the Democratic Caucus, I’ll have a lot of leadership responsibilities this session. I’m honored to have been appointed Chairman of the House Public Safety Committee by Speaker Scott, as well as Vice Chair of the Courts of Justice Committee. I’m looking forward to once again serving on the General Laws and Rules Committees as well. For subcommittees, I’m chairing the Civil Law Subcommittee of Courts of Justice and the Housing and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of General Laws this session. As Chairman of Public Safety, I’ll be charged with shepherding through a number of caucus priorities in the area of gun violence prevention, including HB2 our assault weapons ban, my bill to ban unseri-
alized, untraceable ghost guns, and a number of bills requiring safe storage of firearms. The Courts of Justice Committee is among the busiest in the General Assembly, hearing hundreds of bills in the short 60-day session. As Vice Chair of the full committee and Chair of Civil subcommittee, I’ll be working on legislation to improve access to justice by making Virginia the 49th of the 50 states to allow class actions. I’ll be working on leveling the playing field between landlords and tenants when they find themselves in court and working on fine tuning of family law and civil procedures. On the General Laws Committee, I’ll reprise my role as the Chairman of the Housing and Consumer Protection Subcommittee where bills regulating real estate transactions, landlord tenant law, fair housing and other important subjects are addressed. If those assignments weren’t enough to keep me occupied, I’m also patroning roughly 20 bills myself, including my perennial effort to make it illegal for candidates to convert the funds in their campaign accounts to personal use. I also have a bill to establish a public financing option for candidates who choose to rely on small donations to fund their campaigns. On behalf of the City of Falls Church, I’ve reintroduced legislation to allow the city to change their charter to allow residents who aren’t citizens to participate in local boards and commissions.
My bill, HB 81, will finally abolish the common-law crime of suicide. An outdated provision that needs to be removed from the Code of Virginia. As I mentioned previously, I’ve reintroduced my bill to prohibit the manufacturing, importing, or selling of ghost guns. To further my gun violence prevention agenda, HB 175 prohibits individuals from carrying assault weapons in public areas and HB 183 requires firearms to be properly stored in a locked container when minors are present. Related to the election process, HB 185 requires that challenges to a candidate’s ballot qualifications be made at least 60 days before the election date. This will hopefully prevent deceptive challenges from being submitted for political purposes. I’ve also got a bill that will enhance consumer protection in Virginia, which allows for class action lawsuits in Virginia’s circuit courts. Working with the Legal Aid Justice Center and Justice Forward, I’ve got two bills that will further improve the criminal justice process by allowing defendants to have more flexibility in jury sentencing as well as protect them from being charged with “failure to appear” when the circumstances are beyond their control. I’ve got a full legislative agenda, to say the least, and I’m looking forward to working on the issues that my constituents care about the most. In that vein, you can contact my office in Richmond any time, sharing your concerns about a bill or if you have questions about what’s happening at (804) 698-1013 or delmsimon@house.virginia.gov.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
PAGE 8 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
Citizens for a Better City Hail and Farewell
Editor’s note: the following are remarks given at a special CBC Hail and Farewell ceremony last Friday. by Hal Lippman
President, Citizens for a Better City
Entering our 65th year of existence and looking back on our record as an organization, one thing perhaps above all is crystal clear: public service and civic engagement are in CBC’s DNA. As prescribed in its by-laws CBC has been working “to protect and improve the quality of life in our
community, promote good government, [and] sustain Falls Church’s status as an independent City.…” As we’ve followed this mandate, we’ve been guided by a number of key principles, including: citizen participation; effective, accessible, and responsive city government; and, commitment to independent, high-quality public schools. Bearing these thoughts in mind, this evening we are pleased and honored to celebrate those special leaders in our community who’ve served and/or are entering into that role
as City Council and School Board members. First, we turn to the City Council where Phil Duncan, longtime CBC pillar and son-in-law of the most esteemed and beloved CBC stalwart, Carol DeLong, and record shattering former Mayor, David Tarter, are leaving office after having made extraordinary contributions to our Little City. Their accomplishments have been widely chronicled on numerous occasions already so we won’t repeat the long list here, but instead will offer our own special CBC acknowledgement.
Next, we turn to the departing School Board members, Laura Downs, Susan Dimock, and Phil Reitinger. Their outstanding contributions and accomplishments have also been described, so again we won’t repeat them here; save to add our particular admiration and appreciation for their roles in helping see our treasured Public Schools through the momentous and fraught Pandemic years and aftermath. For them, too, we have our own special CBC acknowledgement. And, last but by no means least
we acknowledge, salute, and wish well those reelected, Letty Hardi and Jerrod Anderson, to the City Council and School Board, respectively; and those commencing their service, Erin Flynn and Justine Underhill on the City Council and Amie Murphy and Bethany Henderson on the School Board. In closing, once again, to David, Phil, Letty, Justine, Erin, Jerrod, Amie, Bethany, with our admiration, affection, and gratitude we of CBC say: thanks so much — and Hail and Farewell!
ENTERING ITS 65th year as a Little City mainstay, the Citizens for a Better City (CBC) feted the incoming and outgoing City Council and School Board Members at a special Hail & Farewell ceremony last Friday at the home of Nancy Brandon. Nearly 50 City residents attended the event, which was filled with stimulating conversation, camaraderie, and an overall happy vibe that surrounded the ceremony to celebrate and honor these special leaders’ public service. Immediately following the ceremony CBC held its Annual Meeting, where a new Executive Committee and slate of officers were approved for the next two years.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
ARTS
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 9
Painting and Music Harmonize in Newest Falls Church Arts Exhibit by Mark Dreisonstok
Leonardo Da Vinci, discussing the “sister relationship” between painting and music, once wrote of that “which delights the eye in one moment, just as music delights the ear.” The current exhibition at Falls Church Arts “Music to My Eyes” is a feast for eyes and ears, as area artists look at music through the sister art of painting. Various genres of music are given visual texture through silkscreen, photography, oil and acrylic paintings on canvas, and many more media. Joan Slottow’s “Bach Counterpoint Concerto in Three Movements” was made in “celebration of Bach’s counterpoint style of music composition.” Artist Slottow was inspired by Wanda Landowska’s harpsichord recording of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” during her university studies. The artist depicts her artwork in three variations or panels. The colors of blue, yellow and brown (each color representing a melodic line) remain the same in the three panels but
are varied in terms of shape. At the left panel, we see organic forms of lines with a wave-like pattern. Taking a closer look, if one tilts one’s head to the side, sixteenth notes can be seen. This represents the A variation which may sound more fluid. The middle image can be seen as the “bone structure” of the music. Each color or music line is meticulously articulated into clear shapes without clashing into each other. One can almost “hear” these shapes as staccato notes. In the image at right, the relationship between the colors intersect with one another in interesting, “counterpointing” ways. Julia Glatfelter’s oil work “Practicing Brahms” is an impressive and virtuosic exhibit of photorealism in painting. The work portrays a room shrouded by veil-like curtains upon which the shadows of window frames are projected from just beyond. Outside these windows, we see a nearly “blown out” expanse of foliage, and the brightness and handling of light suggest that this painting is in fact made
from a photographic reference. In the foreground just below, we espy the close to silhouetted outline of a man practicing his cello. We learn from the artist that this is her husband, practicing Brahms’ “Symphony No. 1” in their “breezy home on a summer day.” This work with its cool but realistic colors invokes a feeling of calm, something almost meditative, and brings the viewer into the world of this home and the skilled musician within it. Imagine yourself in a jazz night club and the band is playing Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” or Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing,” and you feel the music vibrations as the trombones slide as a big band is swinging! Such is the feeling Bob Biedrzycki’s pen drawing “Trombones” exudes as it brings to life three musicians playing trombones in the brass section of a swing band. The artwork is in retro black-and-white, giving it period flare through the style of a “graphic art pen.” Continuing in a jazz vein,
the Cubist mixed media artwork “Jazz” by JoAnn Laboy presents rounded and straight geometrical shapes. Music staff lines can be seen with numbers, representing the unusual time signatures of jazz. As for the musical notes, they are drawn in circular and in triangular shapes. The artist uses warm, monochromatic colors, reminiscent of such Cubist works as Georges Braque’s “Violin and Palette,” with its similar musical theme. In a unique work by Kelsey Joyce, the artist has chosen to paint upon a vinyl record. “Eye of The Tiger-Pink” sports the exotic face of a tiger with stripes, bluish-green eyes, and pinkish fur, all blending thematically with the exotic longplay record on which it is painted: “Far-away Places,” a late1950’s-era “Stereo Orthophonic High Fidelity” album by exotica music maestro Lee Addeo, His Orchestra, and Chorus. While on the topic of vinyl records, the photograph “Any Fidelity Is Fine” by James Hengst shows
MUSIC TO MY Eyes submission “Trombones,” by artist Bob Biedrzycki, also on display in the gallery at Falls Church Arts, now through February 25. (Photo: FCA)
the iconic storefront of CD Cellar in Falls Church, a shop where long-play records are sold to this day. Following further on our harmonic line through the exhibit, we meet vintage jazz artists Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton, given visual presence in linoleum cut prints by Eric Stewart. Rock and roll is seen in steel in Chelsea Tinklenberg’s “Heavy Metal” and remembered in Rosemary Gallick’s “Jimi H Playing” — “Jimi H” being rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix. A further point of interest — and surprise — is multiple images of physicist Albert Einstein with violin in Jennifer Murphy’s “Einstein & His Violin,” created from puzzle pieces on canvas. As suggested in our brief survey of “Music to My Eyes,” showing through February 25 at Falls Church Arts Gallery, as many visual stylistics as musical genres are on display. The viewer will be intrigued by how the two “sister arts” of painting and music interact and indeed throw light on each other.
JOANN LABOY’s “Jazz,” on display in the Falls Church Arts “Music to My Eyes” exhibit through February 25. (Photo: FCA)
PAGE 10 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
Fa l l s C h u r c h School News & Notes
SCHO O L
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
ON JANUARY 7, TATE GOULD (left) was elected as Chair, and Kathleen Tysse (right) as Vice Chair, of the F.C. School Board. (Courtesy Photo)
FCCPS SUPERINTENDANT Peter Noonan presented his FY2025 Budget, including a roughly six percent salary increase for faculty, at a School Board meeting this month. (Courtesy Photo) THANKS TO a F.C. Education Foundation super grant, this year all Mt. Daniel students will learn to play keyboard. (Photo: Nicole Guimmaraes)
MERIDIAN ANATOMY students embark on a skeletal inquiry, aiming to master all 206 bones in the human body. (Photo: Kish Rafique)
FIRST GRADE Ambassadors served the community during “GIVE Day” on January 15, a National Day to Serve which honors the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through community service. (Photo: Jenn Beck)
THIRD GRADER Grace Hardy and fourth grader Kylie Fine earned rare perfect scores in the WordMasters Challenge. (Photo: Lisa Mueller)
Check out the expanded stories (and more) on the FCNP website! fcnp.com
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
CA MPS A ND SCHO O LS
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 11
2024
Camps & Schools Guide
See Pages 11-15
PAGE 12 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
CA MPS A ND SCHO O LS
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
How Local Camps Create an Environment for Creativity
Rob Carl
Unleash the power of imagination at one of the many creative camps, where every day is a canvas for innovation, expression, and boundless artistic exploration. Join one in a world where young minds blossom into creative visionaries, and every brushstroke, note, or idea is a step towards unlocking the extraordinary. Ignite the spark of creativity, embrace the joy of self-expression, and let your child’s imagination soar in a camp where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary masterpiece of endless possibilities! In a world filled with screens and schedules, the importance of fostering creativity in children has never been more crucial. Creative camps stand as beacons of inspiration, providing a nurturing environment where young minds can flourish, imaginations can run wild, and artistic expression becomes a gateway to personal growth. These camps go beyond the conventional, offering a myriad of benefits that extend far beyond the summer months. 1. Cultivating Imagination: Creative camps serve as playgrounds for the imagination. Through a
diverse range of activities such as arts and crafts, music, theater, and dance, children are encouraged to think outside the box. These experiences empower them to dream big, explore the unknown, and approach challenges with innovative solutions. 2. Building Confidence: Engaging in creative endeavors fosters a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s mastering a new musical piece, creating a unique artwork, or delivering a theatrical performance, children gain confidence in their abilities. This newfound selfassurance often extends beyond the artistic realm, positively influencing various aspects of their lives. 3. Enhancing Communication Skills: Creative camps provide a platform for children to express themselves freely. Whether through words, movements, or visual arts, participants learn to articulate their thoughts and emotions effectively. This improvement in communication skills is a valuable asset that transcends the creative sphere and proves beneficial in academic and social settings. 4. Fostering Collaboration: Many creative activities involve
collaboration, teaching kids the importance of teamwork. Whether working on a group project, participating in a play, or creating a collective art piece, children learn the art of compromise, effective communication, and the joy of creating something beautiful together. 5. Resilience and Adaptability: Creativity often involves navigating uncharted territories. As kids experiment with different mediums and ideas, they develop resilience and adaptability. They learn that setbacks are part of the creative process and that the ability to adapt to changing circumstances is a valuable life skill. 6. Stimulating Critical Thinking: Creative pursuits stimulate criti-
cal thinking skills. Whether solving problems in a storyline, deciding on artistic elements, or experimenting with different musical compositions, children engage in activities that enhance their analytical and problem-solving abilities. 7. Providing a Sense of Belonging: Creative camps create communities where children with shared interests come together. This sense of belonging fosters friendships and a supportive environment, allowing kids to feel accepted and appreciated for their unique talents and perspectives. 8. Nurturing a Lifelong Love for the Arts: Exposure to various forms of
art at a young age often sparks a lifelong passion. Creative camps provide a foundation for a lasting appreciation for the arts, potentially leading to continued involvement in creative pursuits throughout a child’s life. In conclusion, the impact of creative camps on children goes beyond the surface of artistic expression. These camps sow the seeds for a future generation of innovative thinkers, confident communicators, and resilient individuals. As children immerse themselves in the world of creativity, they not only create beautiful masterpieces but also embark on a journey of self-discovery that will shape their lives in profound ways.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
CA MPS A ND SCHO O LS
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 13
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CA MPS A ND SCHO O LS
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Local Camps & Schools Set For Joyous Summer Exploration
Rob Carl
Escape to a world of endless sunshine, laughter, and adventure — where each day is a canvas for unforgettable memories. Dive into the rhythm of summer fun, where the warmth of the sun meets the cool breeze of excitement, painting a perfect picture of joy and camaraderie. Your ultimate summer awaits, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of laughter echoing under the sunlit skies. Are you ready to make this summer the one your kids will never forget? From exciting games to handson activities, the stage is set for a summer of joyous exploration. Let the adventure begin – because when it comes to creating lifelong memories, our kids’ camps are where the magic truly happens! As you embark down the path of Planning your kids camps for the summer pay careful consideration to these aspects to ensure a safe, engaging, and memorable experience for the young participants. Here’s some tips to help you in the planning process: Diverse Program Offerings:
Summer camps often provide a range of programs, including outdoor activities, arts and crafts, sports, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and more. Check for the variety of offerings available. Inclusion of Educational Components: Camps may incorporate educational components to support learning and address any educational gaps that students may have experienced during disruptions caused by the pandemic. Registration and Enrollment: It’s advisable to check the registration process, enrollment deadlines, and any specific requirements for participation in summer camps. Flexible Cancellation Policies: Given the uncertainties surrounding public health, some camps may offer flexible cancellation policies or alternative arrangements in case of unexpected changes. Communication Channels: Stay updated with communication channels such as camp websites, social media pages, or direct contact with organizers to receive the latest information
about schedules, activities, and any updates related to the camp. Safety Measures: Camp organizers are likely to implement safety measures to ensure the well-being of participants, including health screenings, hygiene protocols, and adherence to local health guidelines. Online and Hybrid Options: Given the special needs of many children and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, some camps may continue to offer online or hybrid options to cater to different
preferences and safety considerations. Local and Global Opportunities: Explore both local and global summer camp opportunities. Some international camps may provide unique cultural experiences and educational insights. Feedback and Reviews: Look for reviews and feedback from previous participants and parents to gauge the quality and reputation of the camp. This information can be valuable in making
informed decisions. Financial Considerations: Check the cost of enrollment and inquire about any financial aid or scholarship options that may be available to ensure that the camp is accessible to a diverse range of participants. To get specific and up-todate information about summer camps in 2024, consider reaching out directly to camp organizers, checking their official websites, or contacting relevant local authorities.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
CA MPS A ND SCHO O LS
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 15
Transforming Education Through Modern Technology
Rob Carl
Millennials were part of the start of a revolution that was quietly taking place—one that would redefine the very essence of classrooms and learning. It was the Digital Classroom Revolution, an epoch where technology became the guiding force in shaping the educational journey for students and educators alike. As many are now the ones with children and schools, we examine what has taken place in the classroom. The revolution commenced with the introduction of computers and continuing onto interactive whiteboards, replacing the traditional chalk-and-talk method. These intelligent boards, responsive to the touch, transformed lessons into dynamic, engaging experiences. Teachers wielded digital pens like magic wands, bringing subjects to life with vibrant visuals and interactive elements that captivated the attention of their eager students. As the revolution gained momentum, students found themselves equipped with tablets, the enchanted keys to a world of knowledge. The weight of textbooks lifted, replaced
by sleek devices that held the entire curriculum within their electronic pages. The once-static learning experience metamorphosed into a dynamic, interactive adventure where students could explore, collaborate, and create in ways never before imagined. The library, once a haven for dusty volumes, emerged as a digital wonderland. E-books beckoned readers into captivating tales, while virtual reality experiences transported them to distant lands and historical epochs. The library became a portal to discovery, where students could journey through time and space without leaving the confines of their school. In the science labs, drones buzzed with purpose, becoming tools of exploration for curious minds. Tiny robots whirred across tabletops, teaching coding and programming to a new generation of tech-savvy students. The traditional playground became an augmented reality arena, where physical activity seamlessly blended with digital challenges, transforming recess into a realm of adventure. Teachers, the architects of this revolution, embraced their roles as
guides and facilitators. No longer confined to traditional teaching methods, they seamlessly integrated technology into lesson plans, catering to diverse learning styles. Virtual classrooms have erased geographical boundaries, connecting students globally and fostering a sense of collaboration that extends beyond the confines of brick-and-mortar walls. The innovation lab, a sanctuary for budding inventors, witnessed the marvel of 3D printing. A shy artist discovered the transformative power of turning digital designs into
tangible creations, transcending the boundaries of traditional artistry. Creativity flourished as students embraced technology not as a barrier but as a catalyst for innovation and self-expression. Yet, the Digital Classroom Revolution was not solely about gadgets; it was a paradigm shift in the way students acquired skills for the future. Graduating from this digitally infused environment, students emerge as tech-savvy trailblazers, ready to navigate a world where adaptability and technological flu-
ency are prerequisites for success. As the revolution continues to unfold, the educational landscape is evolving into a landscape where the digital and the traditional seamlessly coexisted. The Digital Classroom Revolution has became a symbol of progress, a beacon of inspiration for educators, students, and institutions worldwide. In this ongoing transformation, the power of technology continues to shape the future of education, chapter by chapter, in the everevolving narrative of learning.
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News-Press
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Community News & Notes Medicaid benefits need renewal and discussed the available resources for those seeking support. If you or someone you know has lost Medicaid benefits or requires more information about it, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus encourages you to call Cover Virginia to update a mailing address and renew Medicaid benefits, on their dedicated hotline at 855-242-8282.
‘The Magic Flute’ Wins Juror’s Choice Award for FCA ‘Music to My Eyes’ Exhibit
MEMBERS OF the Reston chapter of Jack and Jill of America enjoy a morning of service in Falls Church supporting Food For Neighbors. (photo: Food For Neighbors)
Food For Neighbors Kicks Off 2024 with New Partners and A Record Food Collection On Saturday, January 13, over 800 Northern Virginia volunteers braved the cold to collect, sort, and deliver a record-breaking 25,000+ pounds of food and toiletries to 45 schools partnering with Food For Neighbors to tackle teen food insecurity. Spirits were high as car after car arrived with donations from 1,956 households and food drives from a number of organizations. Such generosity and community spirit has enabled Food For Neighbors to expand its programming every year, with January’s “Red Bag” food and toiletry collection including three new partnering schools: WashingtonLiberty High School in Arlington, Riverside High School in Leesburg, and Cedar Lane School in Vienna. “We’re thrilled to add these three new school partners to our Food For Neighbors family,” shared Anne O’Flaherty, Food For Neighbors’ Director of Operations. “We thank our Red Bag donors and volunteers for making it possible to provide supplemental nutrition to more students in need.” Also rallying to address teen food insecurity are Food For Neighbors’ 45 partnering schools. There, school staff identify students in need of help
and connect them with supplemental food, toiletries, and/or grocery store gift cards. “The new partnership between Food for Neighbors and Cedar Lane School is making a dynamic impact on our school community,” said Dr. Cheronda Farrish, Principal of Cedar Lane School. “They are truly a testament to the power of community organizations supporting schools to help students reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances …. Their generosity will not only change the lives of our deserving students, but also contribute to the betterment of the entire Fairfax community.” To learn how you can make a difference in the lives of nearby students, please visit foodforneighbors.org or email getinvolved@foodforneighbors.org.
School coffee parents meeting. Moreno’s engaging presentation aimed to empower parents and community members with the knowledge needed to navigate the Medicaid renewal process seamlessly. She highlighted key indicators to help individuals identify when their
On January 13, “Music to My Eyes” opened the 2024 Falls Church Arts exhibit season with 49 artworks from 29 artists on display, all inspired by music. The Juror’s Choice Award went to Beth Nogay Carenbauer for her artwork, “The Magic Flute.” “Music to My Eyes” is on view through February 25 at the FCA gallery (700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church). The gallery is open Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Masks are optional and guests are asked to postpone their visit if they are not well. Artworks can also be viewed online at fallschurcharts.org. All pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.
One More Page Invites Community to Celebrate 13-Year Anniversary
One More Page Books invites the community, friends and family to celebrate their 13th anniversary on Friday, January 19 from 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. at OMP (2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington, VA). Cake and refreshments will be provided and along with some special OMP themed prizes for lucky winners. OMP Books is an independent bookstore located in North Arlington, on the border of Falls Church City. OMP’s goal is to provide a place for the community to come together to share a love of reading and books. OMP is dedicated to being a part of the community, providing excellent customer service and being a place of discovery and welcome. Over the past 13 years, they have hosted hundreds of author events, wine tastings and book club meetings. Visit onemorepagebooks.com for more information.
Assistance League of Northern Virginia Releases ‘Tushies and Toes’ Wish List
Throughout 2024, Assistance League of Northern Virginia (ALNV) will have monthly opportunities for friends and supporters to
Anthem HealthKeepers Plus Continues Medicaid Renewal Outreach in 2024
Anthem HealthKeepers Plus remains dedicated to ensuring Virginians have access to essential healthcare benefits by continuing its Medicaid Renewal Outreach efforts. Patricia Moreno, a representative of Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, recently conducted an informative presentation at the Braddock Elementary
A PORTRAIT of Mary Riley Styles is unveiled at Mary Riley Styles Public Library during their 125th Anniversary Year Kick-off Celebration on January 13. (photo: Gary Mester)
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
help celebrate its 20th anniversary as a chapter by purchasing items from its wish lists. Your donations will ensure that the nonprofit can continue its philanthropic programs. In January, Assistance League is featuring its “Tushies and Toes” wish list to provide muchneeded underwear and socks for the elementary school students it serves. Many supporters have already purchased items from the wish lists and helped ALNV’s year get off to a great start. To help with this month’s campaign, visit tiny.alnv.org/wish/ tandts, choose the items you want to donate, and select Assistance League of Northern Virginia as the shipping address to ensure prompt delivery.
plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, case overwrap, pallet wrap, and stretch film. Participating students at Meridian started their second year of the challenge, and have until January 2025 to reach their goal of collecting 800 pounds of material. If they reach their goal, NexTrex will award Meridian with a bench made from recycled material. Learn more about the challenge at nextrex.com.
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MEHMS Theatre Department Presents ‘Greek Myths, Comedy Style’ Next Week
From January 25-27, the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Theatre Department will perform a production of “Greek Myths, Comedy Style,” in the Meridian H.S. auditorium (121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church). Tickets are available at the door for $10, cash or card accepted.
Meridian Students Join NexTrex Challenge, Seek Plastic Film Donations
NexTrex, a nationwide competition for students, challenges schools to collect as much plastic film — plastic that cannot be recycled and would otherwise end up in landfills — as possible within a year. This includes items like plastic grocery, dry cleaning, salt, ice, cereal, produce, and bread bags;
FALLS CHURCH citizens join the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation’s Annual MLK Day March for Unity and Freedom. (Courtesy Photo)
FCNP MANAGING editor Nick Gatz celebrated his 40th and got married to his wife Ellie last weekend in Last Vegas, NV. (FCNP Photo)
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
THIS WEEK AROUND F.C. efits, how to effectively update information, add events and hot deals, and more! Register at fallschurchchamber. org. Chesterbrook Residences (2030 Westmoreland St., Falls Church), 5:30 p.m. — 6:30 p.m.
Env. Sustainability Council Meeting
JANUARY 18
Legislative Committee Meeting Legislative Committee meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Oak Room, Falls Church), 8:30 a.m. — 9:00 a.m.
Arts and Humanities Council Meeting Arts and Humanities Council meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 9:30 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.
Board of Equalization Case Hearing Board of Equalization hears case appeals. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Laurel Room, Falls Church), 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Chamber Orientation Are you thinking about joining the F.C. Chamber of Commerce? Have you recently joined? Are you already a member, but would like a better understanding of your benefits? If you answered yes to any of these questions, join for a Chamber Orientation. An overview will be provided of the Chamber's mission, ben-
Meridian High School Cheer Clinic
Environmental Sustainability Council & Energy Transition Subcommitte meet. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Polar Plunge at Mosaic
Falls Church Restaurant Week
THURSDAY
JANUARY 20
Meridian Cheerleading holds a Cheer Clinic for ages 5-12 in the MEH cafeteria. $40 registration due at the door (cash or check). Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (105 Mustang Alley., Falls Church), 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
JANUARY 19
BETH NOGAY Carenbauer's "The Magic Flute" won Juror's Choice in the "Music to My Eyes" exhibit at Falls Church Arts on Monday. (Photo: FCA)
SATURDAY
Celebrate the City of Falls Church's diverse and vibrant food culture such as Afghan, American, Bolivian, Chinese, Greek, Iranian, Irish, Italian, Jamaican, Japanese, Mexican, Peruvian, Russian, Salvadorian, Thai, Vietnamese, and more! This family-friendly 10-day event, January 19-28, will draw the local community, foodies, and tourists to the City’s food service establishments. With options for everyone ranging from hole-in-the-wall specialty restaurants to high-end dining establishments, this event provides customers with the opportunity to find their new favorite haunt, and gives restaurants the chance to showcase their best menu items. More information about F.C. Restaurant Week, including participating eateries, menus, and more, are avaialble at at fallschurchrw.com. Participating venues (Various Locations, Falls Church), all week.
Love & Bossa Nova Love & Bossa Nova performs. Part of Creative Cauldron's "Passport to the World of Music Festival," weekends through February 3. Tickets at creativecauldron.org Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.
Break out your swimsuit, because it’s time for a chilly pool plunge with several hundred of the coolest Special Olympics supporters in Northern VA, with cool incentives and a costume contest for the fanciest plungers! Never taken the plunge? It just might be the coolest thing you ever do! The water might be a little chilly, but the only thing you’ll feel is great during this big day of feel-good fun for an even greater cause. Register at mosaicdistrict.com. Mosaic District (2905 District Ave., Fairfax, VA), 12:00 p.m.
Shen Yun: China Before Communism
Shen Yun invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing the boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops, and an orchestra like no other. Be prepared for a theatrical experience that will take your breath away! Playing January 20-21. Tickets at cfa.calendar.gmu.edu. GMU Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax, VA), 7:30 p.m.
Telemasters of the Anacostia Delta Telemasters of the Anacostia Delta performs. Part of Creative Cauldron's "Passport to the World of Music Festival," weekends through February 3. Tickets at creativecauldron.org Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
Beer & Hot Drinks Festival
JANUARY 21
Stay warm and find some new favorite drinks at the Beer & Hot Drinks Festival. Free to attend. Shipgarten (6579 Colshire Dr., Tysons, VA), 1:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
The Murder of Andrew Johnson
Stephen Arnold & Sea Change Stephen Arnold & Sea Change performs. Free registration at mrspl.org. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Lower Level Conf. Rm., Falls Church), 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Music + Literature: Murakami Music Devoted chamber musician and imaginative soloist, pianist Yvonne Chen, performs. Tickets at mcleancenter.org.
A discussion with local author Burt Solomon, a mystery/ thriller writer known for his "John Hay Mysteries." We will be celebrating the recent release of his newest novel, "The Murder of Andrew Johnson," the next John Hay historical thriller. Free registration at mrspl.org. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Lower Level Conf. Rm., Falls Church), 2:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Guitar Alchemy Guitar Alchemy performs. Part of Creative Cauldron's "Passport to the World of Music Festival," weekends through February 3. Tickets
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
CA L E NDA R
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 19
EVENTS, LIVE MUSIC, & ART at creativecauldron.org Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 2:00 p.m.
Drag Bingo with Evita Peroxide Miss Evita Peroxide hosts her monthly Drag Bingo. Enjoy bingo games and drag performances. Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP0124db. Clare and Don's Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church), 5:00 p.m.
The Guitar Renegades The Guitar Renegades performs. Part of Creative Cauldron's "Passport to the World of Music Festival," weekends through February 3. Tickets at creativecauldron.org Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.
MONDAY
JANUARY 22 Teacher Work Day Falls Church City and Fairfax County Public Schools are closed for a teacher work day, reopening January 23. FCCPS (School Buildings, Falls Church), all day.
2024 Helen Hayes Awards Nominations An exciting evening celebrating outstanding achievements and contributions to the Washington, DC-area theatre community. Tickets to the Helen Hayes Awards Nomination are free and open to all with reservation, and tickets for the Victor Shargai Leadership Award and Nominations following the HHA program are available for purchase, at bit.ly/FCNP0124hh. Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. NE, Washington, DC), 6:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting The City Council meets the
second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period. Sign up to speak at fallschurchva.gov/ publiccomment. All members of the public may view the meeting live or on-demand after the meeting at fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings and on FCCTV. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/ Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 11:00 p.m.
TUESDAY
JANUARY 23 Board of Equalization Case Hearing Board of Equalization hears case appeals 017-23AB and 030-23AB. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Laurel Room, Falls Church), 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Chamber Networking Mixer The Chamber's January Networking Mixer, co-hosted with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce! Mix and mingle with seasonal refreshments at Founders Row in the Club Room on the second floor. This is a great opportunity to catch up on long term business relationships, and make new ones. Free to attend and free parking in the retail garage, but RSVPs are appreciated at fallschurchchamber.org. Founders Row (109 Founders Ave., Falls Church), 5:30 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.
School Board Work Session FCCPS School Board work sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month. The public is invited to attend inperson or virtually at meet. google.com/mei-wpsq-yuo. Meetings can also be viewed on the FCCPS YouTube channel at youtube.com/fccpsorg. Central Office Conference Room (105 S. Washington St., Suite 400, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 10:30 p.m.
DEVOTED CHAMBER musician and imaginative soloist, pianist Yvonne Chen, performs this Saturday at McLean Community Center. (Photo: McLean Community Center)
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24
Gov't Operations Committee Meeting Government Operations Committee meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Oak Room, Falls Church), 4:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra Members of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra emerge from the orchestra pit and take their place on the Millennium Stage to share the rich and varied chamber music repertoire. Each musician plays a solo part and the interaction among them creates an astonishing range of sounds and emotions. Free to attend; first come, first served. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC), 6:00 p.m.
PAGE 20 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice
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JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 21
N. Va. Natives in the Mix at Upcoming U.S. Figure Skating Championships by Lois Elfman
When the U.S. Figure Skating Championships kick off next week in Columbus, Ohio, there will be a Northern Virginia presence. Obviously, the best known is defending Senior Men’s Champion Ilia Malinin of Reston, but there will also be junior ice dancer Matthew Sperry, who was born and raised in Falls Church. He and partner Kristina Bland are aiming for a spot on the medal podium in their event. Sperry currently lives and trains in Michigan, but he did spend a few days in Falls Church at Christmas time, which energized him. “I love Falls Church,” he said. “I only get to go home two or three times a year because we train year-round. Every time I go home, Falls Church keeps evolving…which is really interesting to see.” Among the senior disciplines, ice dance has had the most sustained success over the past two decades. To give insight into the top teams vying for medals in the senior ranks, we’ve turned to veteran coach Keith Lichtman, who previously coached numerous ice dance teams at the U.S. Championships. The undisputed frontrunners are defending U.S. and World Champions Madison Chock, 31, and Evan Bates, 34. “As
long as Chock and Bates skate even reasonably well, the title is theirs,” said Lichtman. The U.S. has three ice dance berths for the World Championships. “The compelling part of this event at Nationals will actually be the battle for the next two spots,” said Lichtman. “Each of these couples have had very respectable world rankings in past years without a huge distinction in their placements.” First up, Caroline Green, 20, and Michael Parsons, 28, both of whom grew up in the Washington, DC area. After training in Virginia for several years, the duo is now based in Michigan. Not far behind them are Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, both 23. These teams finished in the top 10 at the 2023 World Championships. Also, to be considered are 2022 Olympians and four-time World competitors Kaitlin Hawayek, 27, and Jean-Luc Baker, 30, who did not compete in 2023 as they recovered from injuries. “That’s going to be a bit of a nailbiter,” said Lichtman. “The spoiler team could be [Emilea] Zingas (21) and [Vadym] Kolesnik (22). They’re very dynamic. They’re nipping at the heels of those other three couples.” To assess the senior women’s and men’s events, we enlisted
JUNIOR ICE dancers Matthew Sperry, who was born and raised in F.C., and partner Kristina Bland. (Photo: Courtesy of Bland and Sperry)
Naomi Nari Nam, who as a competitor earned podium finishes in both senior women and pairs and is now a prominent coach in Southern California. Defending champion Isabeau Levito, 16, is the obvious favorite among the senior women. Levito won silver and gold at Grand Prix events last fall. “I think Isabeau has done a wonderful job in being so consistent,” said Nam. “She’s dealt with obstacles with such grace and beauty. I do believe she can defend her title.” Unfortunately, the U.S. only has two women’s spots for the 2024 World Championships, so the battle for silver will be ferocious. The competition will be between Amber Glenn, 24, Lindsay Thorngren, 18, Starr Andrews, 22, and Ava Ziegler, 17. “The U.S. Championship is such a hard competition because there is such high pressure,” said Nam. “When you’re trying to get on the World team, the pressure obviously rises. I do love Amber Glenn’s strength (last fall Glenn became the sixth U.S. woman to land the triple Axel) and her consistency has gotten so much better. However, she hasn’t been able to pull herself together for two programs (short and free skate) in a high pressure situation. I’m hoping that the training she has been doing both physically and mentally will help her get that spot at Nationals.” Malinin, 19, comes into Nationals after a stellar fall season, during which he won the Grand Prix Final. The quadruple Axel remains in his repertoire, he’s added the quad loop and his artistry has improved. Nam said he’s on a trajectory to be the next Olympic Champion. Lichtman praises Malinin’s musical choices this season. The U.S. has three men’s berths for the World Championships. Twotime Olympian Jason Brown, 29, an artiste extraordinaire, will likely take the silver, but it’s wide open for bronze. “Jason is one of those forever skaters,” said Nam. “He will be remembered for the grace and beauty of his skating. I don’t think anyone can beat him in the second mark (program components/artistry).” Nam said the battle for bronze is wide open. Contenders include Liam Kapeikas, 19, Maxim Naumov (like Malinin, the child of Olympic skaters), 22, Camden Pulkinen, 23, and Andrew Torgashev, 22. A wildcard is Daniel Samohin, 25, 2016 World Junior Champion, who competed in the U.S. as an intermediate and
N. VA NATIVE Ilia Malinin will compete at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships next week in Columbus, OH. (Photo: U.S. Figure Skating) novice skater, but in recent years has represented Israel, the country of his birth. The pairs field is not strong. Two-time World medalists Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier are not currently competing. Emily Chan and Spencer Howe, last year’s silver medalists who finished fifth at the World Championships, have not yet competed this season due to injury. It’s not clear whether they will compete in Columbus and if they do how they will skate. There is no clear favorite. For the ice dance team with the Falls Church connection, Bland, 19, and Sperry, 21, are both students at the University of Michigan, and they are bringing their enthusiasm of the Wolverines national championship in football to the upcoming Nationals. This is likely their final competition at the junior level, as they are both aging out in terms of eligibility to compete at international junior events. They’ve made some choreographic revisions to their programs since their autumn competitions.
For their 1980s themed rhythm dance, they’re skating to Paula Abdul music. They appreciate the variety of musical choices that dance teams have made. “It’s really nice to see the diversity of different song choices and different choreography moves too. There’s whacking, hip hop, r&b and jazz. It’s been a lot of variety,” said Bland. “80s music has some very danceable songs, and you can take them in many different directions with choreography. You see that at the junior and senior levels,” said Sperry. After receiving the highest technical score in the junior free dance at the Ice Dance Final (qualifier for Nationals), they’re now working to improving their components (artistry) score. “We’re focusing, still preparing and improving,” said Bland. “We’re doing that last push to make sure that we are at our best at Nationals… I’m looking forward to putting out two clean programs… that show how well we’ve developed the programs this season.”
LO CA L
PAGE 22 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
I n M e m o r i a m : Edna Elizabeth Stewart
Edna Elizabeth Stewart Edna Elizabeth Stewart, age 76, of Manassas, VA, tragically passed away at Prince William Hospital in Manassas, VA, on January 2, 2024. Edna was a devoted sister, aunt, and friend to many and will leave behind cherished memories with all who were lucky enough to know her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilmer and Helen Stewart of Arlington, VA, and her sister, Grace Shultz of Midland, VA. Edna is survived by
her sister, Florence Doggett of Frederick, MD, and four nieces and nephews as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews. Edna worked for Data Inc. in Arlington for 20 years. After moving to Tyson’s Corner in the early 2000s, she worked for Day and Night Printing before retiring. She enjoyed crafting, cooking, and traveling, collecting unique toothpick holders, tiny salt and paper shakers, and a wide variety of Christmas Santas from her various trips and her many friends. Edna was loved by her family, friends, and community. She attended Arlington United Methodist Church for many years, living her Christian faith through words and deeds. A thoughtful aunt, she doted on her many nieces and nephews, never forgetting to send cards to remember all special occasions, birthdays, and holidays. She would even call on birthdays to serenade the birthday boy or girl with a not-ready-for-prime-time rendition of Happy Birthday! Bingo! Edna was often the
lucky bingo winner in her retirement community, much to the chagrin of the other residents. She kept a lucky set of bingo cards in her walker (three in fact) with an uncanny ability to win frequently. The lucky cards have since been put back into circulation for another resident of the retirement community to enjoy. We will all miss Edna’s hearty “Hi there,” greetings and bear hugs. May she rest in eternal peace and be carried to heaven on angels’ wings. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Fairmont Retirement Community, 9852 Fairmont Ave, Manassas, VA 20109, on Friday, January 19, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Services will be held graveside at Union Cemetery, 323 North King St., Leesburg, VA, 2076, on Saturday, January 20 at 10:00 AM. Online condolences may be expressed at bakerpostfh.com/memorials/edna-stewart/5355163/index.php. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Children’s Miracle Network at cmn.org.
C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h
CR IM E R E PORT Week of January 8 - 14, 2023 Public Intoxication, W Broad St, Jan 8, 3:44 AM, a male, 38, of the District of Columbia, was arrested for public intoxication.
Animal Bite, Rollins St, Jan 10, between 9:30 and 9:45 AM, victim was bit by an unknown leashed dog. The dog and owner have since been identified.
Assault, W Westmoreland Rd, Jan 8, 10:15 AM, victim reported being assaulted by a known suspect (delayed report).
Larceny from Building, Wilson Blvd, Jan 11, between 5 and 6 PM, an unknown suspect took a cell phone.
Computer Trespass, Mustang Alley, Jan 9, 7:19 AM, victim reported a private database being accessed via a compromised account.
Assault – Simple Domestic/ Assault and Battery, W Broad St, Jan 14, 4:04 PM, a white female, 66, of Vienna, was arrested for Assault – Simple Domestic, and Assault and Battery.
Shoplifting, W Broad St, Jan 9, 10:30 AM, a male, 35, of no fixed address, was arrested for Shoplifting.
Destruction of Property/ Extortion, Wilson Blvd, Jan 14, 3:30 PM, three individuals entered
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
C ritter C orner
MOUSIE WAS BORN on the streets of Moscow, Russia and spent the first year of her life in an animal shelter. She was adopted from overseas and now lives her life to the fullest in the Little City! She loves drinking herbal tea, watching firetrucks from the window, listening to college math lectures and trying new foods! Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com!
a business and destroyed property, as well as attempted to extort the owner. One of the suspects is described as an older Asian male wearing a blue hat, black jacket, blue jeans, and black shoes. Attempted Malicious Wounding/ Animal Cruelty/Destruction of Property, W Broad St/S Maple Ave, Jan 14, 9:21 PM, an identified suspect attacked a dog unprovoked, stabbing it multiple times, as well as attempting to wound the owner and active bystanders. The suspect, a black male, 25, of Broadlands, VA, was arrested the following day by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police.
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The LGBTQ+ Reach
by Brian Reach
Falls Church News-Press
Here We Go Again As the 2024 legislative session begins, so does the trend of sweeping antiLGBTQ+ bills being introduced across the country. So far, in just the first 17 days of 2024, 278 bills targeting LGBTQ+ people have been introduced across 32 states and Puerto Rico, with a number of legislatures not having convened this far, and several without a regular session (like Texas, where the legislature primarily meets on odd years). Six Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills in Virginia Here in the Commonwealth, six bills have been introduced targeting LGBTQ+ people. With the deadline to introduce bills coming this Friday, we should know by early next week whether this is the full list. HB 8: Medical Ethics Defense Act R. Lee Ware, Jr., a Republican delegate representing parts of Chesterfield County south of Richmond, introduced this bill with no additional sponsors. If passed, the bill would allow medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payers to deny medical procedures or services that violate their conscience; it also inoculates them from legal liability for doing so, and would forbid any penalization for refusing care as “discrimination,” labeling their refusal as “engaging in speech or expressive activity.” The bill would also allow any health care provider or entity to only employ, staff, contract, or admit patients consistent with their religious beliefs. HB 670: Sage’s Law Nicholas J. Freitas, a Republican delegate representing Culpeper, introduced this bill with no additional sponsors. If passed, the bill would require the principal at any elementary or secondary school to inform at least one parent of any minor student that either expresses they are experiencing any “gender incongruence,” or requests that they be socially affirmed as any gender other than their biological sex at birth. The bill also calls “referring to and raising the child in a manner consistent with the child’s biological sex, including related mental health or medical decisions” as abuse or neglect — essentially giving faculty and parents a free pass to deliberately misgender a Trans child, force an attempt to “pray the gay away,” or generally reject the child’s identity at home. SB 37: Sage’s Law John J. McGuire, III, a Republican state senator representing parts of Appomattox and Hanover Counties west of Richmond, introduced the bill with no additional sponsors. It is identical to HB 670.
HB 1229: Student Participation Geary Higgins, a Republican delegate representing parts of Loudoun and Faquier Counties, introduced this bill with no additional sponsors. If passed, the bill would require that schools only allow students to participate in an “interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport” that corresponds to their biological sex at birth. The bill also limits access to restrooms or changing rooms to individuals that were assigned the same biological sex at birth. HB 1120: Student Participation Delores Oates, a Republican delegate representing Warren County, and Mark L. Early, Jr., a Republican delegate representing parts of Chesterfield County south of Richmond, co-sponsored this bill. If passed, the bill would require all “interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport” to expressly designate the biological sex at birth required to participate; if a student’s biological sex is under dispute, only the student’s reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup may be used to determine their participation. The bill also prohibits any adverse action against an institution enforcing the bill, and creates a civil cause of action for any institution, school or student who “suffers harm as a result of the violation of the bill.” SB 68: Student Participation Mark J. Peake, a Republican state senator representing most of the area between Roanoke and Lynchburg, introduced this bill with no additional sponsors. Similar to House Bills 1120 and 1229, the bill would require any athletic teams to be designated based on the biological sex of the participants, and “prohibits any student whose biological sex is male and who has not physically transitioned to female prior to puberty” from participating in girls’ sports. The bill also “creates a civil cause of action for students and schools that suffer harm as a result of a violation of the provisions of the bill” within a two year statute of limitation. Things Are Different This Year Unlike 2023, Democrats have a narrow majority in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, meaning not only will the aforementioned bills have trouble passing either chamber, but Democrats will have the opportunity to send progressive bills to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk. In addition to LGBTQ+ issues, this will provide Democrats with their first opportunity to force Youngkin to go on record on a number of hot-button topics, including gun control and abortion, that he has previously avoided taking positions on.
JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024 | PAGE 23
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Local Sale Albert Bitici of the Bitici Group at KW Metro Center facilitated the sale of 106 Little Falls St. in downtown Falls Church City. Anastasiya and Enzo Algarme, founders of Puppatella, have acquired the property, with plans to transform it into a Creperie/French cafe.
Joint Business Networking Founders Row is hosting the next Falls Church Chamber Networking Mixer on Tuesday, January 23, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Club Room. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce will join in this joint networking opportunity. Members may bring guests and prospective members are welcome. The event is free, but advance reservations are necessary this month and can be made at fallschurchchamber.org.
West Falls Gets a Sweet Addition The West Falls development has announced an addition, Ice Cream Jubilee. The Washington, DC-based shop expects to open in the Commons central outdoor space in summer 2024. It offers vegan and dairy-free options as well as pup cups. This will be the third location, and will join Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, BurgerFi, and SEOULSPICE in the West Falls project.
Vote For Your Favorite Businesses Virginia Living magazine is running the 13th annual Best of Virginia survey where leaders can vote on their favorite businesses in the state. There are more than 100 categories in four sections: Food and Drink, Living and Recreation, Services, and Shopping for five regions of the state: Central, Northern, Eastern, Shenandoah Valley, and Southwest. All votes count, even those where readers don’t complete the entire ballot. There is a write-in option for all categories – note that the drop-down menus are populated by last year’s top twenty vote-getters. The survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on January 31 and the issue will go on sale in May.
DOD Move from Falls Church The Department of Defense has signed a lease for space moving from Skyline property in Falls Church to the Mark Center in Alexandria. Cushman & Wakefield brokered the deal for 46,000 SF. The move was prompted because Skyline Towers couldn’t accommodate the growth needed by the Department of Defense.
Intro to State Government Contracting with SBDC The Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is holding a free webinar on Tuesday, January 23, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. about small business opportunities to sell goods and services to the Commonwealth of Virginia and local governments. The workshop will explain the Virginia procurement process (the eVA system) and the benefits of SWaM certification. Chris Ley, Business Service Manager of the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, will lead the session. The link to the session will be shared upon clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=900440001.
registration
at
Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.
PAGE 24 | JANUARY 18 - 24, 2024
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