JANUARY 9 - 15, 2025
Dems Win
2 Special Elections In Virginia
Hold Onto Slim Majorities as Session Opens in Richmond
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
In what some political insiders are calling a “harbinger of things to come” in 2025 and beyond, special elections in Virginia this week saw Democrats winning two critical races in Loudoun County to retain their majorities in both the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates for the coming legislative session in Richmond, which began this week.
Later this year, in the fall, all state delegate seats will be on the ballot in Virginia, as well as those for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Insofar as Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is prohibited by state law from seeking a second term, his replacement could be former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger.
She is the Democrats’ only declared candidate, running against the GOP’s likely standard bearer, lieutenant governor Winsome Earle-Sears. If Spanberger wins, the outcome could result in Democratic control of all three branches of the state government, opening the door for some major reforms.
This week’s races were the first official elections in Virginia since November’s presidential election. As a result of their outcomes, Democrats will retain a narrow 21-19 edge in the state senate and a 51-49 lead in the House of Delegates, preserving
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GERRY DUTY
TO AN ENTHUSIASTIC assembly of area Democrats, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly drIves home important points as his colleague, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, listens from his front row seat. (Photo: News-Press)
Demolition Now Imminent at Old
by Nicholas F. Benton
The one remaining eyesore along W. Broad Street between the N. Washington intersection and Founders Row in the otherwise lovely downtown Falls Church will be disappearing not a minute too soon.
One of the two buildings of the vacated and fenced in old Stratford Motor Lodge site in the 300 block of West Broad is slated to be demolished and removed within two weeks, the
News-Press has learned. The building is a two-story structure that is composed of rooms for tenants.
Once work on the site is completed, it will surely become another very appealing addition gracing the Little City’s downtown. It will be a classy new restaurant going by the name of the Stratford Garden under the skilled ownership of Arash Tafakor, a member of the team that now operates the Dominion Wine and Beer up the street in the 900 block of W. Broad.
Stratford Motel
Meanwhile, another eatery is opening in Falls Church, this one in the Founders Row 2, still under construction. It will be Tatte, offering pastries and brunch bites, one of 17 locations for the outfit, which is due to open in July.
The Stratford project is being done “by right,” requiring only a site plan approval from the F.C. Planning Commission, which was approved on December 20, 2023, just over a year ago.
The site currently has no trees, and the new development
would plant 10 canopy trees and sevcn understory trees. Once the building is demolished, work will begin on the open space and a 3,772 addition that will be made to the front building where an existing kitchen is located. The design of the project is being done by Francois Frossard Design of Miami, and the architect is Matt Lee of Lee Design Studio.
In an email circulated at City Hall by economic development
Continued on Page 4
Falls Church News-Press
their majorities through Youngkin’s final year in office.
In northern Loudoun County, Democrat Kannan Srinivasan defeated Republican Tumay Harding in the race to succeed Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat elected to the U.S. House in November.
In an overlapping House of Delegates district, Democrat JJ Singh bested Republican Ram Venkatachalam in an election to replace Srinivasan. In a third special election this week, Republicans held onto a state senate seat west of Richmond.
Democrats were upbeat at the Fairfax Democratic Committee’s annual Road to Richmond brunch last Sunday in Vienna, where U.S. Reps Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly were the keynote speakers.
Beyer urged the crowd to be more upbeat, noting that the GOP’s victory in November was very narrow and “definitely not a mandate.” He said that a combination of confidence, optimism and hope is a formula for success. Take heart, he said, “in the fact that we’re on the right side of history.”
“We are the children of the Enlightenment, and stand for justice, freedom and basic human rights that apply to every living person.” It is not so much that “God is on our side” as “We are on God’s side,” and rather than “peace through strength,” we stand for
“strength through peace.”
Connolly, who is battling cancer of the esophagus, was energetic asserting that “we are obligated to fight Trump at every step,” to recognize that Democrats “are poised for a comeback” in the special elections of this past week, and “happier days are around the corner.”
The ability of Democrats to keep winning in Northern Virginia has to do with “our ability to emphasize kitchen table issues that translate into common sense,” he said. Connolly will be the ranking Democrat on the important House Oversight Committee.
Also speaking Sunday was Jeff McKay, chair of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, who noted that while Fairfax County continues to grow rapidly, it has cut carbon emissions by 30 percent, and applying its “red flag law,” 600 firearms have been removed from 72 percent held by persons with known mental health issues and from 30 percent from known domestic abusers.
“It’s a badge of honor to get sued by the NRA. And we won,” he said.
He also hailed the gains in collective bargaining that have been made in the county, and that Fairfax County has been named the safest jurisdiction in the U.S.
A challenge will be to address whatever may happen as Trump takes office to the 70,000 federal workers who live in his county, he said.
Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that Rep. Beyer will hold a key post on the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), being reelected by the coalition’s 100 Congressional members as a vice chair.
In a coalition statement, it was stated that “the 118th Congress was a time of significant growth for SEEC, including reaching a 100-member milestone, demonstrating the resonance of SEEC’s mission to champion a positive vision for a clean economy and healthy environment for all Americans. The efforts have helped to pro-
pel $372 billion in private investments and 330,000 new jobs and counting.
Beyer added, “Today, SEEC’s mission is as momentous as it has ever been, with upcoming fights to protect the environment, maintain recent climate progress, and safeguard the booming green economy. Defending scientific research and striving to continue U.S. leadership on climate change were formative experiences for many of us who served in Congress during the first Trump Administration, and that work is more important than ever.”
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January 7, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Culmore Community Library 6101 Knollwood Drive, Falls Church, VA 22041
January 9, 2025, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Westover Library – Longfellow Room 1644 North McKinley Road, Suite 3 Arlington, VA 22205
January 14, 2025, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library 6500 Landsdowne Centre Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315
January 23, 2025, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Central Library – Bluemont Room 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201
Stratford Motel Demolition Will Make Way for New Eatery
specialist Becky Witsman this Tuesday, officials were told that permits have been obtained and “the demolition of the old Stratford Motel is imminent, as in probably the week of January 20.”
It added that “the demolition permit is all but issued, and the property owners are meeting with the police staff tomorrow [yesterday] to talk about some training exercises at the old motel. The fire department has also made a similar training request with the building that is being torn down adjacent to the Christian Science reading room, and that meeting is coming soon, too.”
The 0.72 acre property is located on the corner of West Broad Street and Little Falls Street, across the street from the Harris Teeter building. It is comprised of two buildings. While the long building will be demolished, the remaining lobby section, situated near the street corner, will be renovated and extended to form the restaurant. There will be a large area of outdoor dining wrapped around two sides of the building. This open area is partially covered.
When the Planning Commission approved the site plan a year ago, they expressed enthusiasm for the project.
Commissioner Andrea Caumont said it was “the kind of community gathering place that was needed in the City.”
Commissioner Derek Hyra liked that the developers were keeping some of the old structure and hoped that they would
be able to create something edgy out of a motel that was once known by local police as a haven for illicit activity.
The indoor-outdoor restaurant concept will come from the team behind Dominion Wine and Beer in Falls Church, Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg and Georgetown Square Wine and Beer in Bethesda, with plans to introduce an indoor-outdoor restaurant concept. The idea emerged when the business owners met the motel property owner to discuss their vision.
“This property was supposed to be developed a couple of times, and those developments fell through, so they were trying to find a use for it, because they’re paying a mortgage on this,” Tafakor said in a recent interview. “We came in and we looked at the property, and we’re just like, kind of, like, wow, there’s so much space here. It’s a really good location. We wanted to possibly do some sort of restaurant beer garden type.”
As for Tatte, a lease was signed in late November. It will be on the ground floor of Modera Falls Church still under construction on the southwest corner of W. Broad and S. West that will begin to accept tenants this spring.
Tatte’s menu will include tartines, hearty breakfast sandwiches and quiche and a variety of sweet treats, pastries and lunch items. In addition to coffees and teas, it will offer specialty sodas, lattes and fresh-squeezed juices.
Another retail tenant has been confirmed for the site, as well, MyHome Thai Bistro.
Ringing in The New Year, A Spectacular Celebration in F.C.
The Social Justice Committee of Falls Church and Vicinity & the Chi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. invite you to... MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY CELEBRATION: ANNUAL MARCH FOR UNITY AND FREEDOM & SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2025 10 A.M. – 3 P.M. ET
The Falls Church 115 East Fairfax Street, Falls Church, VA Guest Speaker: Civil Rights Activist: Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
SCAN QR CODE FOR DONATIONS TO THE PATRICK HENRY SHELTER OF FALLS CHURCH, VA
SPONSORS: Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation (THHF), the Social Justice Committee of Falls Church & Vicinity, an Initiative of THHF, and The City of Falls Church.
IT WAS A unforgettable evening of celebration, reflection, and community at Watch Night 2025 in downtown Falls Church—where they rang in the new year with joy, music, and togetherness! (Photo: Gary Mester)
15, 2025
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Vol. XXXIV, No. 48 January 9 - 15, 2025
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ditorial
The World We Are About to Enter
As many others are saying, it is hard for us to actually believe what is about to happen with the inauguration of the U.S.’s next president just a week away.
During the last four years of the truly commendable leadership provided by Joe Biden, thinking back to what it was like with Donald Trump in the White House seemed like a bad dream. “How did we ever live with that?” we often thought to ourselves. But now, dear reader, it is about to happen again, and this time, we fear, it will be far worse than the last. There is a part of us that wants to believe it really won’t be so bad, that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, and we’ll muddle through. Some people will get hurt, we may think, but the impact on the nation and world will not be that severe. We’d love that, but don’t count on it.
Doubling down will be the impact of Elon Musk in this equation. As much as many of us would like to take comfort in the tension between Trump, and the Trumpists, and Musk, the tandem will be effective in ways we would not have thought possible before now. The American people have been sold on the idea that money is everything – it defines their politics, their passions, their news, their truth. The last flickers of the idealism of the 1960s are in the process of being extinguished as we speak. But if you are true to that flame, and we hope you are, then you are living like us with a frustration and increasingly desperate hope that new fuel can reenergize that which our nation has been losing and has almost lost.
Yes, there is much to fight for and with. This week, Democrats in Virginia held onto their slim majorities in the state senate and house of delegates in spe cial elections. Trump did not win the White House with any kind of resound ing mandate. What will also help will be the sheer ineptitude of Trump, Musk and the people they are bringing into the government. This will highlight to everyone more than anything else what an atrocity these next few years will be. This crowd will be like the dog who caught up with the car he was chasing.
We can save this nation, the idea and institutions of democracy, probably more easily now than if Trump had lost. Yes, there needs to be a “shadow government,” which is constituted of each and every one of us doing all we can to throw the spotlight on everything that will be going on, the good and the bad. Write about it. Talk it up. Push the boundaries of the timid. Make the world around you more passionate for truth and kindness.
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Why I Am Not a Christian Nationalist, Part 2
Nicholas F. Benton FALLS
It was discussed as a matter of the difference between the evangelist Billy Graham and his son, Franklin. Was it merely a generational thing, Billy the dad being born in 1918 and Franklin, the son born in 1952? One was a member of what’s been called the Greatest Generation and the other a Baby Boomer.
Maybe not as dramatic as the difference between Jerry Falwell and his son by the same name, but it’s still indicative of something that’s happened to religion in the last century, and leaves the U.S. going forward with the most amoral leader in its history, though elected largely due to the influence of what’s now called Christian Nationalism.
It’s a relatively new phenomenon, though there are those who try to trace its roots to an earlier time when there were plenty of tangents of religions. But I argue that this Christian Nationalism (I am not convinced that’s the best thing to call it), is pretty new, uniquely American, arising in the 1970s as the product of a deliberate attempt to “weaponize” fundamentalist Christianity against a rising trend toward fairness, equal rights and justice.
It began as Nixon’s so-called Moral Majority was part of an organizing effort to wipe out the effects of FDR, the rising civil rights movement of the 1960s and Lyndon Johnson’s so-called War on Poverty.
It was part of a collective act of terrorism perpetrated against the American population that began with the assassination of JFK in 1963. That constituted an assault on the U.S. psyche like nothing else. It was a murderous raid with assault weapons on Camelot itself. In short order, we were assaulted further, like the victims of terrible domestic abuses, by the assassinations of Malcolm X, Bobby Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Vietnam War was dragging our young into a remote jungle to be killed by the tons of thousands and assailing those who lived through it with social abuse, and a relentless attack of depersonalized sex, debili-
tating drugs, and joblessness, creating the “Me Decade” when drugs and cults flooded the market, so to speak, orchestrated to disable an entire young generation.
This maelstrom, this downward spiral of national moral decline was given a huge boost from premeditated social philosophy, introduced as the rationale for a plunge into dionysian hedonism and social fracture, alienating each from all. That was called generically “postmodernism,” where radical individualism would constitute a groundwork for assaulting organized labor and social protests.
Fundamentalist Christianity was a fertile ground for this assault, and was nurtured to promote antireality, anti-reason, anti-rational approaches to life, right along the lines of what postmodernism represented. Cults of all types were also tossed into the toxic cauldron.
Billy Graham held to the prime, basic value of personal character, just as Dr. King did (“Not by the color of your skin, but by the strength of your character”). Billy Graham would despise what his son has become, a craven apologist for the worst sociopath that has ever held high office in this nation.
Nonetheless, the world is deeply in need of a legitimate revival of all the basics of an ethical life, centered on an appreciation of what an amazing universe we live in, and are, as human beings, a vital and responsible representation of.
It’s not all about money. Truth and knowledge are being suffocated by a lack of the resources they need to thrive among all us as everything, everything is being valued only by the pocket book. The money is going to $600 concert tickets, or to watch huge and fast grown men subjecting themselves to irreversible brain damage. Why not put 22 men out on a field armed with two-by-fours, whaling away at each other’s helmets? That’s our new national pastime.
The postmodern fracturing of our culture has left us bereft of the kind of uplifting affirmations of the simple deeds that make for a good life. We gravitate instead toward instant gratification, and the sense that, if it feels good, it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not.
Feeling good has become more important than being right.
So, what would Jesus do in light of all this?
COMMENT
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
The passing of former president Jimmy Carter last week stimulated multiple reminiscences of his one term in the White House, fraught with challenges of inflation, an energy crisis, and the Iran hostages, but perhaps more about his post-presidential activities. No president ever had such a long post-presidential span – 43 years – or inspired volunteerism and human rights advocacy as Jimmy Carter and his beloved wife, Rosalynn.
Carter’s inauguration on January 20, 1977 was a sunny but very chilly event. Snow from an earlier storm still was on the ground; crowds were enthusiastic but smaller as his was the last presidential inauguration to take place on the East Front of the Capitol, an area which can accommodate far fewer attendees than the expansive West Front and National Mall.
Our daughter was not quite four when she attended Carter’s inauguration on the shoulders of her dad. Looking for a good spot to observe the ceremony, she told her dad “When I am president, I’m going to put the little people in the front!” Some Senate offices hosted informal activities for visiting constituents before the noon ceremony. I was an aide for Senator Frank Church (D-Idaho), who had run in, and won,
several presidential primaries against Carter. Hot chocolate seemed to be a good idea for the 50 or so Idaho constituents who had seats for the inauguration, but I planned for 100, just in case. Somehow, our little gathering was published as an “official” inaugural event, and by noon, we had served hot chocolate, tea, and whatever else was available, to about 250 people!
Carter was our third president in just two-and-a-half years, and many were looking for stability in governance and the cabinet. For westerners, Carter’s choice of some cabinet members was welcome, and close to home. Idaho’s Governor, Cecil Andrus, was tapped to be Secretary of the Interior. “Cece” was a great friend of Church’s and all of Idaho was proud of his selection. Shirley Hufstedler of California, a Stanford Law School classmate of Church’s, became the first Secretary of Education, and Neil Goldschmidt, who was a year ahead of me at the University of Oregon, was Secretary of Transportation in the latter part of Carter’s term. Being on a first name basis with some cabinet officials is heady, but I always had to remember that protocol requires use of their titles, regardless of familiarity.
Jimmy Carter’s victory over Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential
City of Falls Church CRIME REPORT
Week of December 30 — January 5 , 2024
Larceny from Building, S Maple Ave, Dec 31, between 12:28 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., an unknown suspect stole a package from the victim’s front porch.
Reckless Driving, S Washington St, Jan 1, 12:11 a.m., a male, 22, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Reckless Driving.
Driving Under the Influence, S Washington St, Jan 1, 1:18 a.m., a male, 69, of Haymarket, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.
Fraud – False Pretenses, N Fairfax St, Jan 2, 1:47 p.m., victim reported sending money to an unknown suspect after receiving a phone call in which the unknown suspect claimed to be with the Falls Church Sheriff’s Office, and that the victim had a federal warrant out for their arrest.
Larceny from Building, W Broad St, Jan 2, 4:00 p.m., an unknown suspect stole an electric scooter from an unsecured shed of a business. The suspect is described as a male with black facial hair, wearing a puffer jacket, skinny jeans, and Jordan 5 shoes.
Embezzlement/Fraud – Identity Theft, Park Ave, Jan 2, 4:06 p.m., victim reported a known party embezzling money from the victim’s business. Investigation is ongoing.
Abduction/Sexual Battery, Chanel Ter, Jan 2, 8:29 p.m., victim reported being abducted and sexually assaulted by a known suspect. Investigation is ongoing.
Unlawful Entry, Haycock Rd, Jan 4, between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., victim received a Ring notification for motion at their front door, and saw their previously locked front door open. Upon returning home, their front door was closed and locked, but items in the home had been moved.
race was close – 50.1 percent to 48 percent. Total votes cast in 1976 for a host of candidates was nearly 81 million; the winning margin was about 1.68 million votes nationwide. In the 2024 presidential election, total votes cast was close to 155 million, almost twice the 1976 turnout, but the percentage was closer – 49.9 percent for the victor; 48.4 percent for the loser, a 2.28 million vote margin nationwide. In the 48 intervening years, the U.S. population increased from 218 million to 334 million, a testament, perhaps, to the promise of America – democracy, freedom, and human rights.
Flying the American flag at halfstaff for 30 days is a standard part of the mourning process following the death of a president or former president. Donald Trump has protested this tradition of respect and remembrance as a personal affront to his inauguration, but this is not the first time that flags will be lowered during an inauguration. Harry Truman died on December 26, 1973, and flags were at half-staff for Richard Nixon’s second inauguration on January 20, 1973. Unexpectedly, Lyndon Johnson passed away two days later, on January 22, 1973, so the flags remained at half-staff well into late February that year, perhaps foretelling the scandal-ridden demise of the Nixon Administration in August of 1974. It would be wise to remember that the same respect will be shown when Donald Trump dies, something I am sure he would demand despite his antipathy to Jimmy Carter.
Simple Assault, S Washington St, Jan 5, 9:19 a.m., victim reported they were assaulted by a coworker following a disagreement.
Simple Assault, Chanel Ter, Jan 5, 5:56 p.m., victim reported they were assaulted by their girlfriend during a disagreement. Public Intoxication, Hillwood Ave, Jan 5, 10:53 PM, a male, 58, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
F.C. Council to Mull Monday
Exercising Eminent Domain
The agenda for Monday’s regular meeting of the Falls Church City Council at City Hall will include a discussion of a staffrecommended exercise of “eminent domain,” or the “taking,” of a portion of the private property at 140 S. Maple owned by the V Bowl Falls Church, namely the long-standing bowling alley now operating under the name Bowlero that has been the beneficiary of a significant revival of interest in the sport.
The exercise of eminent domain, also called a “condemnation,” on part of the land is for the purpose of the City’s intent to modify the Maple at Annandale Road intersection to turn it from a standard intersection into a roundabout.
The staff report accompanying the agenda for Monday’s meeting states that “All good faith efforts to purchase the property over the past 18 months have failed.” It adds that the portion of the land, 1,090 square feet, that would be taken will be used to establish a permanent right of way. and another 1,905 square feet would be used for a temporary construction and grading easement. The appraised value of the land in question is $134,800 and would be paid to the bowling alley owners if the condemnation is approved.
Tinner Hill Foundation Prepares for MLK Day
Falls Church’s Tinner Hill Foundation is preparing for its annual march on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The theme is “Mission Possible, Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy.”
The day will begin by
Falls Church News & Notes
gathering at the Civil Rights Monument at 455 S. Maple and marching up Route 29 to the Falls Church Episcopal Church at 115 E. Fairfax at about 11:30.
Then there will be a presentation at the church by Joan Trumpauer Mulholland and social justice discussions hosted by the Social Action Committee of the Tinner Hill Foundation. Further information on the events can be found at www. tinnerhill.org.
Wallace Street Rendered One Way With Sidewalk
Wallace Street, an important one-block connector between Rt. 29 and S. Maple adjacent to Fanny’s restaurant, has been worked on by City public works crews who introduced a sidewalk on one side of it and repaved the street, but with striping that leaves only three feet on the eastbound lane. That lane has now been shut off to traffic, making the street an effective one-way east-to-west with parking on the north side only.
F.C. Planning Commissioner Phil Duncan examined the street Tuesday and noted to the NewsPress , “Why there is a yellow stripe in the middle of a one way street, I can’t figure. Seems like that stripe shouldn’t be there at all. And why there is a Stop sign at the intersection with S. Washington? That’s a puzzle, too. Is the yellow stripe and stop sign intended for bicycles? Apparently bikes are allowed on Wallace both ways.”
Bill Introduced to OK Casino in Tysons
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell introduced a bill Tuesday that would authorize a casino in Tysons Corner,
and Comstock Holding Cos. Inc. began circulating details of its proposal for a major mixed-use development featuring a casino at the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons, according to a report in the Washington Business Journal
The bill would allow the casino as part of a “coordinated mixeduse project development” on the Silver Line. The bill does not designate a site, but it includes provisions such as proximity to a Metro station and regional enclosed mall that limit potential sites to Tysons.
Surovell’s bill adds the requirement that casino-anchored development must be of no less than 1.5 million square feet which would make it one of the largest mixed-use projects and economic development initiatives in the wider region.
Hypothermia Prevention Service Provided In Region
Since 2005, a regional Hypothermia Prevention Program has prevented death and serious injuries among Northern Virginia’s most vulnerable residents by ensuring that no one must sleep outside during the winter months. The program is available to any adult in need of immediate shelter.
Accommodations are provided within existing shelters that serve single adults as well as in auxiliary programs that are administered in partnership with various faith communities throughout the area. The program provides warm shelter, food, and other supportive services to connect guests to a variety of basic needs to include clothing, employment, housing and more.
If someone is seen who is unsheltered and thought to be at risk of hypothermia, citizens are urged to call the Falls Church
(703-241-5050) or Fairfax County (703-691-2131) non-emergency police number. If a person is seen in distress, call 911.
Merrifield Office Site Considered for Housing
A project to convert a vacant office building in Merrifield into workforce housing could move forward this year. The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and private developer Conifer Realty are in the midst of negotiations with Inova Health Care Services to acquire the fourstory office building at 2990 Telestar Court, according to FCRHA spokesperson Allyson Pearce in a Fairfax Now report.
Supported by up to $8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds authorized in July 2023 by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the housing authority anticipates closing on the property in the first half of 2025, Pearce told FFXnow. The repurposing is expected to result in 80 new residential apartments, all of them aimed at low to moderate-income households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income, which is currently $108,300 for one person, according to the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development.
Rev. Rodriguez Joins Falls Church Episcopal
The Reverend Julius Rodriguez has joined the clergy team at the historic Falls Church Episcopal Church. She is described as “a seasoned leader with 20 years of experience in operations management, maritime compliance, and team development as a U.S. Coast Guard officer who honed exceptional skills in strategic
planning, safety oversight, and leading teams in high-pressure environments.”
Born in Seoul, Korea, Julius grew tip in California as a Korean American immigrant, and she is the first in her family to graduate from a university and proudly represents a second-generation military tradition.”
With Meta Policy Shift, Local News More Critical
In response to Meta’s announcement that it will end its fact-checking program with independent third parties and pivot to a “Community Notes” model that uses crowdsourced fact-checking contributions from users, America’s Newspapers issued the following statement:
“Meta’s recent decision to replace third-party fact-checking with a crowdsourced system called “Community Notes” further highlights the importance that local newspapers play in providing reliable, vetted information to their communities. While social media platforms approaches to content moderation are often politically-oriented and vulnerable to bias and manipulation, local newspapers continue to prioritize accuracy, fairness and accountability.
“The trust placed in local newspapers stands in sharp contrast to the declining confidence in broader media and social platforms. Recent findings from the America’s Newspapers Trust in Media study reveal that 80 percent of Americans believe their local newspaper is essential for keeping their community informed, and 85% recognize its critical role in supporting democracy. This trust is earned through a commitment to ethical news-gathering and deep community engagement.”
AT FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR in neighboring Arlington, the drag entertainer Tara Hoot (she hails from Terre Haute, Indiana) delivered a masterful storybook hour to the delight of an audience filled with happy children. Ms. Hoot is a veteran of 27 years teaching second graders and it was evident in her talented presentations. She is shown here flanked by Freddie veteran server James (left) and bar owner Freddie Lutz
AT THE ‘ROAD TO RICHMOND’ annual brunch hosted by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee last weekend, former Fairfax Mason District supervisor Penny Gross (left), who continues her weekly column in the News-Press, State Sen. Saddam Salim (center), who represents Falls Church in Richmond, and News-Press owner Nicholas Benton hung out together. (News-Press photo)
(right). (News-Press photo)
FALLS CHURCH native Teddy Wiant, proprietor of Teddy’s Services, braved the elements Monday to provide community outreach by shoveling senior citizens’ walkways free of charge. (News-Press photo)
THIS WEEK AROUND F.C.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Chamber of Commerce
Informal Breakfast , 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Original Pancake House, 7395 Lee Highway, Falls Church. Stop by for an informal gathering to meet fellow Chamber members. No agenda and no cost other than the cost of your breakfast.
Solace Outpost Trivia Night, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., 444 West Broad Street, Falls Church. Free to play. Join us for live trivia every Tuesday and Thursday presented by Pour House Trivia! First place teams $30 gift card. Second place teams $20 gift card
Board of Equalization Hearing Meeting, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Laurel Room
Board of Zoning Appeals, 7:30 p.m., Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Council Chambers/Court Room
Falls Church Fiber Artists, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Mary Riley Styles Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave, Falls Church. Drop in for this informal weekly group to knit and crochet. Share what you're creating. Get advice from other knitters and crocheters. Or just chat while you work on your own project! All are welcome
New Yorker Discussion Group, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Mary Riley Styles Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave, Falls Church. Enjoy reading The New Yorker but wish you had someone to chat about it with? Drop into the monthly
New Yorker Discussion Group to share your thoughts on what you’ve read in a variety of articles. To participate via Zoom email psullivan@fallschurchva.gov
Secrets, Spies, Sputnik and Huntley , Take a stroll with us to uncover the history of spies, espionage and how the Cold War struggle between the US and the USSR shaped Huntley and the Fairfax County we know today. Meets at South King Highway entrance includes a 2.4 mile walk over flat terrain. Historic Huntley Location, 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria, $10.00 fee, register at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov
Friday, Jan. 10
Kensington Memory Café with Insight Memory Care, 10:30 am – 11:30 am, 700-B West Broad Street, Falls Church. Free admission, a monthly gathering for caregivers and loved ones with mild memory loss
Meridian High School Boys JV Basketball plays Brentsville at Meridian High School, Falls Church, 6:00 p.m., Main Gym.
Meridian High School Boys Varsity Basketball plays Brentsville at Meridian High School, Falls Church, 7:15 p.m. Main Gym.
Managing Salt Damage in Your Garden , Friday January, 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.11:30 a.m., ONLINE. The use of salt-based products on roads, driveways, and sidewalks during winter poses a challenge to gardeners. Join Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills to learn about the effect of salt
spray and salt runoff on plants and soil as well as treatments, the use of alternative products, and protective garden practices. She will also introduce the native trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and grasses that have been rated as most salttolerant. Free. RSVP at mgnv.org/ rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.
Saturday, Jan. 11
Sing Books with Emily, Mary Riley Styles Library. This is a singing story time with picture books based on songs for children of all ages. Join Emily to sing songs from a wide range of musical styles accompanied by bespoke sing along tracks and Emily's fun Symphony of Silly Instruments including ukulele, glockenspiel, and kazoo. It's a musical adventure sure to delight everyone. Ages 5-11, 11 a.m.
Birth Art with Amoula the Doula, Mary Riley Styles Library. 2:00 – 3:00 pm In this 1-hour session, we explore selfdiscovery through art, using non-verbal practices to express the emotions surrounding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Creating art slows down fleeting thoughts and images, allowing you to truly see and connect with your feelings. We return to the simplicity of childhood, when you first picked up a pen and drew what came from your mind and heart. No prior art or drawing experience is required!
Sunday, Jan. 12
Accessory Dwellings Open House, Mary Riley Styles Library Con-
tinue the conversation on accessory dwellings! Join City staff to review and provide input on the first draft framework for potential updates on the City’s accessory dwelling regulations. The draft framework considers the size, placement and use of accessory dwellings. Led by F.C. Planning Director Jack Trainor, 10 a.m.
Sunday Morning Walking Club, 7:30 am – 8:30 a.m., meet at Karma Yoga Studio, 246-A West Broad Street, Falls Church. Free to join.
American Sign Language Class, Mary Riley Styles Library, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Interested in learning American Sign Language? Come learn from members of the Meridian High School American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS). This four-session series of classes is intended for beginners. Register at www. mrspl.org
Monday, Jan. 13
Falls Church City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, 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 www. fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. Watch the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings and FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV.
Board of Equalization Hearing Meeting , 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Dogwood Room A.
Living With Daily Pain and How to Manage It. This interactive lecture will discuss the full spectrum of how to manage daily aches and pains through better diet, sleep, and exercise. Instructor Mercedes Motz is a National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF) certified personal trainer. She has spent the last 15 years working in the field of health and wellness and with professional athletes. She was an adjunct at Yale for 3 years teaching classes on Pain Management and Anatomy & Physiology. Body Dynamics (located here in Falls Church) is presenting a free 4-part health information series in the library. Each stand-alone session covers a different topic to help you live your healthiest life! Register at www.mrspl.org
Parkinson’s Foundation Communication Club , 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., virtual presentation, This program establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. This program stresses the importance of speaking louder to be heard in social settings. Please register with Kayla Peters at kpeters@kensingtonsl.com
Selling Your Home. Free, online educational seminar. Learn about the mistakes to avoid when selling a property and ask the experts your questions. 6:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m., virtual, to register email Kathy Pippin at kathy@ kathypippinproperties.com
CALENDAR
JANUARY 9 - 15, 2025 | PAGE 11
THIS WEEK AROUND F.C.
Winter Storytime, Mary Riley Styles Library, 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., for ages 2-4 with a caregiver. Join our children’s librarians for songs, stories, and rhymes!
Chapter One: Book Club
Join us for an hour of sampling new chapter books and beginner chapter books! A librarian will read aloud the first chapter of a few new chapter books to help you decide if you want to check it out! The number of books we try out will depend on the length of the chapter and the amount of discussion. Mary Riley Styles Library, 6:00 pm – 7:00 p.m.. For grades K-8.
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Improv Workshop, Unexpectedly Funny, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Mary Riley Styles Library. An exhilarating improv workshop suitable for all ages! Discover the joy of spontaneous creativity as we explore the fundamentals of improvisation in a fun and supportive environment. Through engaging games, exercises, and group activities, participants will sharpen their quick-thinking skills, enhance their communication abilities, and build confidence in their ability to think on their feet. Whether you're a seasoned performer or brand new to improv, this workshop offers something for everyone. Nikki Frias is a comedy teacher in the DMV area with over a decade of experience. She fosters a supportive environment for students to explore their creativity. Known for her dynamic teaching style, Nikki emphasizes confidence and collaboration in improv, while her writing workshops focus on storytelling and finding one's voice. Her unique approach integrates improvisation into writing, inspiring students to unleash their artistic potential onstage and on the page.
Great Books Discussion
Series. Mary Riley Styles Library, 7 p.m. The group will discuss Murder in the Cathedral, by T. S. Eliot (1935). This program will be held virtually on Zoom unless otherwise noted. Email Amy Azzam (amyazzam@gmail.com) (the group's volunteer coordinator) for a Zoom invite or more information.
Solace Outpost Trivia Night, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., 444 West Broad Street, Falls Church. Free to play. Join us for live trivia every Tuesday and Thursday presented by Pour House Trivia!
First place teams $30 gift card. Second place teams $20 gift card. Board of Equalization Hearing Meeting, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, virtual meeting, to receive meeting link email DeAndrea Jones at drjones@fallschurchva.gov
Aurora House Girls Group
Home Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting (In-person with Virtual Option), 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Laurel Room.
Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Senior Center Room, 223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church.
Housing Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Dogwood Room A & B.
Meridian High School Girls JV Basketball plays Potomac Falls at Meridian High School, Falls Church, 6:00 p.m., Main Gym.
Meridian High School Girls Varsity Basketball plays Potomac Falls at Meridian High School, Falls Church, 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday,
Jan. 15
Operation EarthWatch at the Mary Riley Styles Library, 4:30 p.m. Students in Grades K-5, accompanied by their caregivers, are invited to the library conference room to work on the month's activities. Registration is requested for this program so that Operation EarthWatch knows how many participants to prepare for. For more information visit www.mrspl.org or call 703-248-5034. Operation EarthWatch is a free environmental action program open to students in Grades K-5 and gives children the opportunity to learn about and promote environmental action at home and in the community. Each month (October- March), students will complete an activity sheet about a different area of Earth stewardship. Students who complete and submit all the activity sheets will receive a free t-shirt, a certificate, and the chance to walk with Operation EarthWatch in the Falls Church Memorial Day Parade. The program is a partnership of the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) and the Falls Church Environmental Sustainability Council.
Body Dynamics Class: Dance Fitness 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 410 S. Maple Ave, Falls Church Register by emailing Gwynn Hegyi at ghegyi@bodydynamicsinc.com
A 55-minute dance class for all levels. No previous experience necessary. Dynamic warm-up, mobility and stability challenges, aerobic challenges, all through the lens of a lively dance class. Emphasis will be placed on use of proper body mechanics to facilitate increased body awareness. Each class will devote time to learning a dance combination which challenges the dancer to develop their own style of movement!
Wednesday Nights: Sangha & Philosophy
7:30 p.m – 8:30 p.m., Karma Yoga Studio, 246-A West Broad St, Falls Church Sangha night is free to join, bring your own food or snacks to share. We start with mantra and close with a philosophy reading and discussion. Each week will be a different topic. Sangha means "community" is community led, meaning you can volunteer to choose the topic and lead sangha.
Board of Equalization Hearing Meeting, 5:00 p.m. –8:00 p.m., Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Laurel Room.
Public Utilities Commission Meeting, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Oak Room.
Meridian High School Boys JV Basketball plays Trinity Christian at Meridian High School, Falls Church, 5:30 p.m., Main Gym.
Meridian High School Boys Varsity Basketball plays Trinity Christian at Meridian High School, Falls Church, 7:00 p.m., Main Gym.
Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life, Mary Riley Styles Library, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., The practice of mindfulness meditation gives the skills to step out of your habitual mode of doing, and allows us to have mindful recognition of what is present here and now. Open to beginners and experienced meditators. Register at www.mrdpl.org
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing and possible recommendation for City Council action on the following is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.
(TR24-30) RESOLUTION TO AMEND CHAPTER 7 OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADD: “BICYCLE MASTER PLAN”
The amended Bicycle Master Plan: Connecting Communities, is a guiding document for implementation of future bicycle facilities included in the Comprehensive Plan, and notes the numerous benefits of enabling bicycling as a safe and accessible form of transportation.
The materials for the above item will be available on the city’s webpage prior to the public hearing: http://www.fallschurchva. gov/PC. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. For copies of materials and other information, contact Kerri Oddenino koddenino@ fallschurchva.gov.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov.
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 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@ fallschurchva.gov.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
The City Council of the City of Falls Church will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., for the purpose of receiving comments on, considering, and possibly voting on the resolution referenced below: (TR25-04) RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE “QUICK TAKE” CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY IN FEE SIMPLE, TOGETHER WITH VARIOUS PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS ON REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 140 MAPLE AVE, (TAX MAP and REAL PROPERTY CODE # 52-309120) AND OWNED BY V BOWL FALLS CHURCH, LLC
The proposed resolution, if adopted, would authorize the City to file a certificate of take to acquire 1,090 SF in fee simple for public right of way; 161 SF for a permanent sight distance easement; and 1,905 SF for a grading and temporary construction easement on the real property at 140 S. Maple Ave, in the City of Falls Church, owned by V. Bowl Falls Church, LLC.
The S. Maple Avenue and W. Annandale Road Intersection Improvement Project (“Project”) is a transportation project that involves intersection improvements between S. Maple Avenue and Annandale Road (Route 649). The City and property owner have been unable to reach an agreement
for the purchase and sale of the necessary property and easements. Due to the deadlines imposed in conjunction with the Project and the inability to reach agreement, the initiation of condemnation proceedings utilizing “quick-take” procedures may be necessary.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-2485014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www.fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. 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 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.
CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
The following public hearing was set at the September 23, 2024 City Council meeting. Public hearings and possible City Council action are scheduled for Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.
(TR24-30) RESOLUTION TO AMEND CHAPTER 7 OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADD: “BICYCLE MASTER PLAN”
The Bicycle Master Plan has a vision for bicycle facilities that provide connections to and between the City’s commercial areas and neighborhoods, transit facilities, schools, regional bicycle facilities, and designated bicycle routes in neighboring jurisdictions for comfortable and safe travel by people of all ages and abilities. The amended Bicycle Master Plan: Connecting Communities, is a guiding document for implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and notes the numerous benefits of enabling bicycling as a safe and accessible form of transportation.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. 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 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.
CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK
AUCTIONS
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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 3679753.
The Toy Nest Makes the National News
The Toy Nest was featured on the CBS Evening News nationally on Thursday, December 26. Coverage noted the business for being eco-friendly, economical, and building community. This March will mark the 5th anniversary of the business. Congratulations to founder Lisa Bourven! cbsnews.com/video/how-toy-libraries-cutdown-on-waste-of-spending/
K-One
Design Build Adds New Destination
Class A general contractor, K-One Design Build, brought a new cultural restaurant to Falls Church. It completed the Midori Tea House which opened last month. This gives residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a traditional tea house. K-One completed the project from design and permitting through final inspections.
Snow Removal Policy for Businesses
Given the winter weather, please note the City policy for businesses on snow removal: Commercial property owners must remove snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding the property 6 hours after the snow stops falling. If the snow falls at night, businesses have 6 hours after sunrise to remove it. Snow and ice must not be placed on city streets. For more information, visit: fallschurchva.gov/WinterWeather.
Career Opportunities in Senior Care
Kensington Falls Church is hosting, “New Year, New Career: The Potential of a Career in Senior Living, via Zoom on Thursday, January 16, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Learn about the rewarding opportunities in the industry and how it offers personal fulfillment, professional growth, and the chance to make a lasting impact. Robert May at The Kensington Redondo Beach and other industry leaders will share their career journeys, insights on leadership and tips for advancing in the field. Contact Christina Phan, Manager of Human Resources & Team Member Services at cphan@kensingtonsl.com with questions and RSVP here: thekensingtonfallschurch.com/events/ new-year-new-career/
Fish Taco to Join Founders Row
The Fish Taco restaurant chain is expanding to Falls Church signing on for space at Founders Row. This will be the fifth site with the Baja-inspired cuisine from Francis Namin. It joins restaurants Chasin’ Tails, NUE, Roll Play, Ellie Bird, Kyu Ramen and Seoul Prime which opened last month. Paragon Theater expects to open in the spring.
New Restaurants to Try
Northern Virginia Magazine recommended two new restaurants to try in Falls Church. Shaghf, a Dubai-based coffee shop, is located at 3400 B Washington Drive and also serves desserts. The second, Blazin Chicken and Gyro, hails from New Jersey and New York with a new restaurant at 7502 Leesburg Pike. The menu offers chicken, lamb, steak, sandwiches and salads.
Keep Falls Church Among the Best
Virginia Living has opened the 13th Annual Best of Virginia Readers’ Survey for voting on favorite businesses in over 100 categories in four sections of the state: Food and Drink, Living and Recreation, Services, and Shopping. Several local businesses are currently in the drop-down list, but participants may submit their own write-in nominations. The deadline to nominate is January 31.
BAE System Contract
Local BAE Systems has received a $68 million contract from the U.S. Army for additional 44 Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles or CATVs. This is an addition to the full-rate production contract. The CATV is based on the unarmored Beowulf, a dual-body amphibious vehicle for extended operations.
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.
In Memoriam: Adelaide Marguerite “Midge” Wang
Adelaide Marguerite “Midge” Wang of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away December 20, 2024 at the age of 91.
Midge was born January 20, 1933 to Mildred and Cecil Haas in Schenectady, New York and grew up in Scarsdale New York. She received her BA degree from Randolf-Macon Women’s College where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and later earned a
Masters of Fine Arts degree from George Washington University. She taught high school art in Fairfax County for twenty years, and later worked at Laura Ashley for ten years.
In 1956, Midge married Ernest Augustus Pinaud Jr. in Brooklyn, New York and had two sons. She later divorced and married Benjamin Knapp in 1967. She was widowed in 1974, and later married An Pang Wang. They were married until his death in 2013.
She is survived by her two sons, Ernest Augustus “Gus” Knapp and Michael Gaffney Knapp, their wives Terry Hooper and Amy Knapp, and two granddaughters, Ellen and Emma Knapp as well as many cousins and cherished friends.
As a young woman, Midge joined the Daughters of the American Revolution, which she was a member of for over seventy years. She served as the State
Historian for the DC chapter and worked on many projects for the DAR, including a fundraiser for Congressional Cemetery.
Midge had an avid love of history and historic preservation. In 1963 she and her parents purchased Mount Hope, a historic house in Falls Church, Virginia. She was instrumental in restoring the property to its former grandeur and listing it as a Virginia Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. She generously supported various causes by opening her home for tours.
As a Falls Church resident, she served on the board of the Village Preservation and Improvement Society for several decades and was famous for her Special Treasures table and luncheons in period attire at the annual Attic Treasures sale. She served on the City of Falls Church Historical Commission for twenty years,
In Memoriam: Ashley East Rogers
Ashley East Rogers, loving mother of Graham and Sebastian Rogers, beloved wife of Aaron Rogers and daughter of Marlys East, a philanthropy professional who built and grew programs to advance arts, culture, science, education and international development, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 25th in Falls Church, Virginia. She was 45.
Ashley died from complications of Leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that she bravely fought for nearly two years with dignity, grace and perseverance. She demonstrated a rare strength throughout her battle while still working, advocating for her health, and also giving everything she could to help others.
Ashley led an amazing, full life. She was born in Columbia,
Maryland and raised by her mother, Marlys, with whom she shared a love for the arts and culture, a devotion to community, and a deep faith in God. She inherited her mother’s strong work ethic, attention to detail, and empathy for others which was clear in every interaction.
Ashley attended the Garrison Forest School before going on to study Government and Art History at Bowdoin College. While in college Ashley spent a summer interning in Boston where she met Aaron, who would become her partner in life for more than twenty-five years. Their love for one another grew out of a strong core of shared values, and a passion for adventure and seeing the world. From their first time together in Paris that firmly anchored their bond, to many other trips around the globe, she never shied away from the chance to explore and experience other cultures, people, and places. As soon as their boys were born, they got passports and were included alongside. Domestic adventures spanned the country but always included an annual return to Drakes Island in Maine, which her mom introduced to her when she was young. This place became a second home to celebrate her favorite holiday,
the 4th of July, sharing with her boys the pleasures of days on the beach and lobster bakes surrounded by family and friends.
Her professional life was a testament to always seeking to do what you love. She began her career in philanthropy at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts where her passion for the arts and talent for building meaningful relationships came together to launch a twenty-three-year career creating impact for organizations and institutions advancing arts, culture, science, journalism, education, and international development. Along the way, while working full time, she earned graduate degrees in Management from Harvard University and International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Ashley loved her work and found inspiration in creating, building, and growing teams throughout her time at Johns Hopkins University/SAIS, Women for Women International, and ultimately the Smithsonian Institution.
Ashley truly found her home at the Smithsonian where she served as Director of Principal and Planned Giving until her passing. She thrived with the support of leadership mentors there and felt a sense of pride
was a leader in establishing the local historic markers, designing the signs herself, and later worked on the inclusion of Falls Church in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker program.
In 1995, Midge co-founded the Victorian Society at Falls Church and served on the Board of Directors and as the Program Chair for the remainder of her life. She worked tirelessly to promote the Victorian Heritage of Falls Church including the Falls Church Victorian walking tour map. Midge was forever enthusiastic and talented at attracting others to a cause. She was the driving force behind the Victorian-Style restoration of Frady Park including the installation of the fountain and gazebo. In addition, she helped support Cherry Hill Farmhouse through activities such as establishing the recreation of an 1860s Thanksgiving and the annual Civil War Day.
and purpose in the programs she built in partnership with her team and an inspirational donor community. The Leaders for Change program was particularly meaningful to Ashley as it created an internship program across the U.S. that allowed college students to learn more about the important role museums play in their communities with the goal that they become business or civic leaders who are lifelong advocates for art, science, and culture. She often reflected that one of the highlights of her career had been seeing the successes of those that she hired, mentored, and grew alongside with.
Remarkably, Ashley balanced everything going on with a seemingly effortless, yet always accessible composure. At the center of her world were always her children. She was diligent and intentional, patiently guiding Graham and Sebastian through meaningful exchange and experience. They were her greatest achievement, and she was immensely proud of the young men they’ve become. Ashley delighted in organizing absolutely anything for her family. Summer camp planning for the boys was her competitive sport, with love equally poured into elaborate birthday celebra-
In 2018, Midge was recognized as Grand Marshall of the Falls Church Memorial Day Parade. In 2020, she received the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Recognition Award and is honored each year during the Falls Church Women’s History Walk. Midge was a devout Episcopalian and was a member of the Church of The Ascension and Saint Agnes in Washington, DC for many years.
In addition to her love of history, Midge was a great animal lover. In lieu of flowers donations should be sent to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (bestfriends. org), or Alley Cat Allies (alleycat. org), two of her favorite charities. Midge will be laid to rest at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. A memorial service will be held at Everly Funeral Home in Falls Church, January 17 at 2:00pm.
tions, dinner parties, and holiday occasions that she treasured. She grounded and set the direction ahead for her family and their lives beyond that of her own.
The night before Ashley passed, she and Aaron met with her Pastor, Reverend Burl Salmon of the Falls Church Episcopal. They shared emotions, blessings, and took a final communion. She noted that she was ready to go to heaven. Ashley was truly a beautiful, one-of-a-kind person, and will be deeply missed.
Ashley and her family have been residents of the Little City since 2018, establishing deep roots with the community and friends. A celebration of life will be held at The Falls Church Episcopal on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. The service will be held in the Historic Church located on South Washington at Fairfax Street with a reception to follow. Per her instructions, people should dress like she would, with fun and creative style, and lots of color.
In lieu of flowers, Ashley has requested donations be made to the Smithsonian Leaders for Change program to create an endowed internship to give college students the opportunity to come to Washington and experience museums across the country.
