Falls Church News-Press 10-14-2021 by Falls Church News-Press

Oct. 14 — 20, 2021

Falls Church, Virginia • w w w . fc n p . c o m • Free

Founded 1991 • Vol. XXXI N o . 35

The City of Falls Church’s Independent, Locally-Owned Newspaper of Record, Serving N. Virginia

W&OD Dual Trails Offically Open

Live Shows Return to Creative Cauldron “Having Our Say” partners with Meridian High School. by Amanda Snead Falls Church News-Press

After over 18 months of waiting, live theater is back at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church. The 20212022 season opened on October 7 with “Having Our Say,” a play based on a Pulitzer Prize winning book about the Delany sisters, two centenarian African-American women. The production is being conducted in collaboration with Meridian High School. Creative Cauldron was founded almost 20 years ago as an educational arts program that has grown over the years into something much bigger in the community. Eleven years ago, they moved into their current location— a 3,000 square foot black box theater where they have been putting on performances ever since. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Creative Cauldron held close to 200 performances, events and classes every year but it has been over a year and a half since their last in-person

Continued on Page 4

LOCALS GATHERED last Thursday to celebrate the ribbon cutting and offical opening of the Washington & Old Dominion Dual Trails. Bikers made their way down the trail to ride through the ribbon to mark the opening of the newly improved trails. (Courtesy photo)

Whipples Honored By Kaine at Fête for Years of Service

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

Virginia’s famously hard working U.S. Senator and former vicepresidential candidate Tim Kaine carved out time in his busy schedule last month to headline a near-

by event honoring the venerable and deeply beloved Falls ChurchArlington married political team of Mary Margaret and Tom Whipple. “I value my Sundays as my days off and usually don’t like to go anywhere then,” Kaine told the 100 or so gathered at the home of

a local Arlington political leader, “But there was no way I was going to miss this one.” The couple has been mainstays on the Northern Virginia political scene since moving here in 1965, since Mary Margaret’s appointment to the Arlington School Board

in 1976, election to the County board in 1982, and to the state senate in 1995, a post she held while being named the first ever woman chair of the Virginia Senate Caucus and named by Washingtonian

Continued on Page 5

Inside This Week Falls Real Estate Guide And WETA Feature

School Board Candidate Comments

See Real Estate guide, Pages 11 — 15

See Commentary, Page 7

Get more information about local real estate agents and houses currently on the market and read about Falls Church City’s recent feature on the WETA real estate show “If You Lived Here.”

Ilya Shapiro, Kathleen Tysse and Lori Silverman have provided statements to the News-Press ahead of the upcoming election. Statements from the other four candidates, published last week, can be found online.

Index

Editorial................................................ 6 Letters.................................................. 6 Comment............................................. 7 News & Notes................................ 9,10 Real Estate Guide.................... 11—15 Calendar............................................ 16 Crime Report..................................... 17 Classified Ads.................................... 20 Business News.................................. 21 Critter Corner..................................... 22

PAGE 2 | OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2021

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www.FallsChurchChamber.org/events/calendar/

Meet the City Council Candidates

OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2021 | PAGE 3

October Networking Mixer

Join us as candidates for Falls Church City Council share their views regarding the

This mixer will be hosted by the Falls Church VFW Post 9274. Come meet

city—present and future. Moderated by Andrew Painter of Walsh Colucci.

veterans who have served our country and continue to serve our community.

Pre-select your lunch

Refreshments will be

choice during registration.

served, as we mix and mingle with local business

Registration is required—

leaders and chamber

please use the QR code or

members.

visit our website. $30 members $35 non-members

This event is free to chamber members and members of the community.

Partner Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors Body Dynamics John Marshall Bank John N. Rodock

Baker, Donelson Staples—Bailey’s Crossroads

Falls Church Education Foundation Falls Church Home & Garden Tour

showcases the beautiful homes and gardens of Falls Church City.

Event is set for this Sunday Sunday, October 17, 2021 from 1-5 pm.

Go to fcedf.org/tour for more information or use QR code to purchase now.

Thanks to our Title Sponsor!

Thanks to our Gold Sponsors!

Thanks to our Bronze Sponsors! Thanks to our Silver Sponsors!

PAGE 4 | OCTOBER 14 — , 2021

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Creative Cauldron Brings History to Meridian High School Continued from Page 1

performance with a live audience. Laura Connors Hull, founder and producing director of Creative Cauldron, decided to open the theater’s season with a play that covers a wide span of history. Based on a true story, the sisters were the daughters of a formerly enslaved man who went on to become the first Black bishop in the Episcopal church. Born in the late 1800s, the sisters lived through an incredible amount of history in the United States. “I thought, given the place that we are in at this time in our country and the fact that we seem to keep really forgetting our history, sometimes younger people don’t really even know the roots of the systemic racism that we live with today,” said Hull. “The roots really trace back to the Jim Crow era, the reaction after the Civil War, and just so many pieces of systemic racism came out of that. It’s a time that’s been kind of glossed over in our history classes I think when we’re in school, or at least they certainly were in my era. So,

I thought it would be important to do this piece.” Creative Cauldron is partnering with Meridian High School on this piece as a way to bring this piece of history to life in the classroom. Some teachers at the school are currently covering the book “Having Our Say” in their plans of study as well. Creative Cauldron will be visiting the school four times to bring 25 to 30 minute segments of the play to the school for students to watch, followed by a postpresentation discussion. Hull said the piece is meant to “stimulate conversation” and should go hand in hand with the discussion of the book in classrooms. Representation and inclusivity have always been a goal of Creative Cauldron since it was founded almost 20 years ago. Following the murder of George Floyd in May of last year, Creative Cauldron, amoung many other businesses and people, have gone through “a long period of introspection, reflection, learning” and “participated in anti-racist and anti-oppressive workshops.”

Hull and her team worked to establish a “JEDI” (justice, equality, diversity and inclusion) committee on Creative Cauldron’s board. Together they worked to create a list of value statements and corresponding action steps in order to make sure the organization is doing its best to create a safe and inclusive environment for both patrons and participants. “We went on a journey to address that the only way I could think of addressing it. I can’t change the fact that this is a white-led organization but I could take a look at all of our power structures and particularly when it comes to artistic control over work,” said Hull. “Having Our Say” runs from Thursday, October 7 through Sunday, October 31. Shows take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings or on Sundays with a matinee at 2 p.m. and a regular showing at 7 p.m. The theater is currently operating at 50 percent capacity for the audience in order to maintain social distancing. It is recommended that tickets be purchased

CREATIVE CAULDRON’S “Having Our Say” featuring Ayesis Clay and Lisa Hill Corley (P��: W�� G��) Hull concluded by saying, in advance online at https://www. creativecauldron.org/ or over the “We’re very excited to get back phone at 703-436-9948 in order to live theater, this will be the to ensure your seats. Masks are first performance since we closed also required while attending per- down for Covid so the first performance in 18 months that is live formances. This will be the first play of with an audience. We just want to the season, with many more per- make sure that everybody knows formances in the works through that we are working very hard to the spring including “Into the make sure that that is as safe and Woods,” “Aesop’s Fables” and enjoyable experience for them.” more.

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Political Power Couple Tom and Mary Margaret Whipple Honored By Peers

Continued from Page 1

Magazine as one of the 100 most powerful women until her retirement from the senate in 2011. That same year she was named the President’s Choice Award winner for “her lifetime of unwavering support for affordable housing” by the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) and she was appointed to the vice-chair of the Virginia Women’s Monument Commission culminating in the dedication of “Voices from the Garden,” the first monument in the U.S. dedicated to women that is located on the state capitol grounds in Richmond. As for Tom, he has been Mary Margaret’s loving and loyal companion along the same road all these decades, sharing the raising of their children, since embarking on his own career in 1965 that lasted 35 years with the CIA, becoming an election data analyzer and newsletter editor for the Arlingtonians for a Better Community. In 1996 he launched a daily service, “Whipple Clips,” that gathered and disseminated online newspaper stories from throughout the state. From their basement, Tom began the Campaign Support Center in

1997, the first computer operation in Virginia that produced registered voter lists for the state that grew to include a printing operation that was eventually moved to the headquarters of the Arlington Democrats supporting campaigns throughout the state. That year he became the first recipient of the state Democratic Party organization’s Tom Whipple Award for Service, given annually to an exemplary Virginia Democrat ever since. In the last decade, as Mary Margaret has continued her service on the Women’s Monument Commission, she was appointed by Gov. McAuliffe to the Virginia Board of Health, has served as president of the Alliance for Housing Solutions, and currently serves as the regional director for community and member outreach for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. Meanwhile, Tom continues his activism as a fellow of the PostCarbon Institute and writes articles for the Energy Bulletin covering the economics of oil prices, supply, climate change and more. Recently, Mary Margaret has been a strong supporter of the election and service of Arlington Commonwealth Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti.

In her role as state senator, Mary Margaret wrote regular columns on state and local politics for the Falls Church News-Press, and Tom wrote frequently for the News-Press as well on national and global energy issues. Tom Whipple originally met Mary Margaret Hierth in 1958 at Rice University in Texas. They married in 1958 and moved to this region. As Mary Margaret continued for an undergraduate degree in English, obtaining a master’s degree and teaching at the Northern Virginia Community College, Tom attended the London School of Economics. Their lives of service have been described by the Arlington Democrats Joint Campaign that hosted the event honoring them as “filled with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.” At the Sept. 26 event, in addition to Sen. Kaine, Virginia U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, Maryland U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, and other current electeds Barbara Favola, Dick Saslaw, Ken Plum, Alfonso Lopez, Rip Sullivan and others were present, along with the legendary former U.S. Senator and Virginia Gov. Chuck Robb and his wife, Linda Bird, daughter of the late U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.

LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN TIME, former State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple and spouse Tom Whipple were honored at a special event last month that drew over 100, led by U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and a host of other dignitaries. (P��: N��-��) The countless events and campaigns the two have attended and supported in Arlington and Falls Church over the years included more than 70 held at their own home. Their own travels were scaled back, of course, by the pandemic, but a drive up to Toronto to attend a friend’s funeral took place earlier

this month, following a trip to Texas in June, to Colorado in July and time set aside every year to hang out at their summer cottage in August, almost exclusively to visit family. And, like Tim Kaine, they wouldn’t have missed the big event in their honor last month for anything.

PAGE 6 | OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021 

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E D I TO R I A L

The Next Two Local Debates

Let’s hope the next round of candidate forums — starting tonight — throw more light onto the Falls Church City Council and School Board elections, now underway, than we’ve seen so far. Despite the best efforts of the City’s formidable League of Women Voters chapter, hosting online forums for both races and an information-laden five-page spread in this paper last week, we fear that citizens of our election-happy berg (Falls Church has almost always had the highest voter turnout in the state) still may not be sufficiently clear about who’s who and what’s what on the ballot. The Falls Church registrar notes that over 630 have already cast ballots under new no-excuse early voting rules, which obliterates all previous voting records with the exception of presidential elections. It will always mystify us why so many more people feel the urge to vote for president, an office the greatest of remoteness from their own lives, than for City Council or School Board, where their voices can be heard loudly, where new stop lights or crosswalks in front of their houses can be ordered, perhaps saving lives in immediate neighborhoods. Is it something to do with our national character, or with the nature of democracy, itself? A great subject for divining a definitive answer, and even better, a corrective. But perhaps it is in our human DNA to feel more compelled to impact the biggest picture possible. In that case, it may not be a bad thing at all to seek to drive our entire species forward. As in all things taken to the grandest level, however, there is likely to be considerable error. Thank heavens that, on balance, the vast American electorate has gotten it right more than wrong over 250 years in its presidential choices, even if stumbling blocks have been allowed to persist, such as in the case of the outdated Electoral College, which under criminal influences like Trump and those hoping to capitalize on his evil machinations make us vulnerable for the worst. People too quickly forget that without the safeguards of democracy, and with sufficient empowerment for good people to prevail, lives can quickly descend into terror, mass jailings, tortures, genocides and world wars. History is pretty plain about that. So in this election, Falls Church voters have choices before them ranging from the Virginia gubernatorial race which, in the candidacy of Republican Glenn Youngkin, has now become a surrogate for Trump’s reelection plans in 2024, and local City Council and School Board races where where pro-Trump GOPers aim to spread the Trump poison, if not by violent interventions like those we’ve seen in Fairfax and Loudoun. In this context, we cannot allow obfuscation and appeals to “Falls Church Nice” cloud our powers of discernment. Tonight’s forum and next Thursday’s, hosted by the Citizens for a Better City, will hopefully bring us closer to the actual nature of things, and help voters make good choices.

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Founders Row 2; It’s Affordable Component Editor, I was delighted to read in the September 30 issue that the Mill Creek project developers committed to 12 percent of the residential units to be permanently affordable at Founders Row 2. Then I saw the gotcha: Mill Creek is offering “cash in lieu of” said units if the City Council wants to accumulate resources for a “bigger, standalone affordable housing project”. Call me cynical, but I’ve been living in the City for 20 years, and seen “bigger standalone” affordable housing initiatives die over and over again, even ones for seniors. Homeowners simply do not want such development, either due to concern about adding to the school rolls, or maybe because it might result in more BIPOC residents moving in (Whites have greater overall wealth and income). Even if there was support for a standalone development, where at this point would it go? The commercial land is nearing overbuilt, in my opinion. Let’s hope that the Council isn’t tempted to take this “proffer”. That was tried in Bethesda a decade or so ago, and guess what, those promised added affordable residential units never materialized.

that could be funded instead, which would bestow benefits on the whole of the community — including private businesses. Robert Lajeunesse Falls Church

ADVERTISE IN THE

Chris Raymond Falls Church

In Response to EDA Relief Fund Request Editor, I was appalled to read that the EDA would seek any of the Covid (ARPA) relief funds for the private benefit of small business, let alone $2.5M. No other group of constituents is asking for such direct payments. First, it probably isn’t permissible. Second, it shouldn’t be needed since there were plenty of other relief programs available to businesses and the people that run them. Third, it isn’t a wise investment as many of those business may be ephemeral. Fourth, it is unethical to subsidize low-wage businesses that are having trouble attacking workers with subpar wages and working conditions. There are plenty of other infrastructure and public works projects

Call 532-3267 or visit www.FCNP.com

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OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021 | PAGE 7

3 FCCPS School Board Candidate Statements

Statements from other canidiates available online.

Ilya Shapiro

Kathleen Tysse

Lori Silverman

I’ve never run for office before. As I filed my paperwork in June, I thought of nothing but my two sons. My oldest is in kindergarten at Mount Daniel, and my youngest is at Dulin Cooperative Preschool—where my wife Kristin is the president, and where I’ve helped out as perhaps the first-ever Jewish Santa Claus. We moved to Falls Church for the same reason most of you did: to give our kids the best educational opportunities. I dearly want that for all children in our Little City. I learned the importance of education from my parents. They made tremendous sacrifices to get me out of the Soviet Union. We immigrated to Canada, where I had a typical smalltown childhood, full of sports and Boy Scouts, working hard and dreaming big. I came to the U.S. for college and law school and am one of the few people you’ll meet who’s naturalized twice. Like most immigrants, I do a job that most native-born Americans won’t: defending the Constitution. Indeed, as a constitutional lawyer, I have unique experience understanding how legal policy can affect people’s lives. My professional background, including filing Supreme Court briefs and testifying before congressional committees, has made me familiar with education law. That’ll help Falls Church navigate state and federal regulations. I’m also a member of the Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serve on nonprofit boards, and, most importantly, help coach my son’s tee-ball team. I know what it is to be a fair arbiter, to earn the praise and ire of politicians and—similarly—to settle the tantrums of five-year-olds. If elected, I’ll represent everyone, including non-parents. Our tiny district continues to lead the state and region in overall quality, and I’m thankful to the teachers and staff who make that happen. Still, last year, when parents were most concerned about learning loss and getting back to in-person school, the board repeatedly deferred to the superintendent and instead debated whether to change school names—and then did so against the super-majoritarian weight of public opinion. Those mistaken priorities, that lack of executive leadership, have led me to focus on accountability. That means: Responsiveness: I’ll represent community members and respond to your concerns. Transparency: I’ll explain all my votes online. Independence: I’ll bring a fresh perspective instead of going along with groupthink or the path of least resistance. Accessibility: I will quickly respond to emails and hold regular office hours. Local engagement is where we build the society we want, which is why I’ve been humbled by the local support I’ve gotten. In sponsoring Education Foundation events, knocking on doors, and canvassing at the farmers market, I’ve learned that people want a diversity of thought on the school board. Indeed, whenever this newspaper takes a gratuitous swipe at me, donations and yard-sign requests go up. That’s gratifying—and shows that people want a board that’s serious about governance. I’m running to maintain excellent schools while improving accountability. I’d be grateful for your support.

I have always been passionate about education and service. I’m a former teacher and a mom of four kids who attend three FCCPS schools. While home with my kids, I continued to pursue my passions: regularly volunteering in the classroom of our cooperative preschool and eventually serving as its President; serving on the Mary Riley Styles Library Board of Trustees and eventually co-creating a Development Committee for the library’s foundation; serving as a room parent in our elementary schools and eventually as the elementary PTA’s President. It is important to me to serve a community well and understand its needs before leading it. I believe our schools, leadership, teachers, and staff are indeed excellent. But we can still be better. After nine years of community engagement, I understand how we can improve. I want to be a strong, positive voice on our school board that recognizes and leverages our community’s many strengths to better serve our students and families. I believe we can do that equitably, in partnership with our professional teachers and staff, and with open communication. How do we ensure each of our students maximizes their potential? All of our students, in general and within specific populations such as ESOL, Special Education, and those from lower income families, should be fully valued and able to achieve their goals. I support our equity policy and the important steps we have taken in this effort. However, I want our schools to be a leader in equity and that means continuing to take action. I support our recent assessment’s recommendations to increase the diversity of our employees and to implement a curriculum audit. I encourage Falls Church to open its doors wider to welcome more people of all kinds to our Little City. I respect the professional expertise of teachers and staff. Our teachers should be treated like the highly trained professionals they are: they should be held to a high standard, their work valued, and their voices heard. I want to lead with responsive communication. The pandemic has been difficult and divisive. I haven’t always agreed with our leadership, but because I understand our schools and have worked closely with our decision makers, I trust that countless impossible decisions were made in good faith. I believe more community members would share that trust if the decision making process had been more clearly communicated, acknowledging nuance and compromise while ensuring stakeholders felt heard. I’m an introvert who finds myself regularly out in the community because I believe in Falls Church. I’m proud of my grassroots campaign which has raised a modest but sufficient amount of money through small, local donations built on the foundation of my sustained involvement around town. No amount of money replaces engaging with community members one on one and I’m grateful for each opportunity I’ve had to connect and serve. I hope to continue that service as a school board member who works hard for positive change, celebrating our strengths, and challenging us to always be better.

Communication. Collaboration. Community. I’m deeply committed to our wonderful Little City and its schools. Creating a culture of caring is of upmost importance as we rebuild after a difficult year. I will work hard to ensure we give our children every opportunity to succeed. Teaching our children to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, openminded, caring, risktakers, balanced and reflective are important attributes that I try and teach my children at home. I’m thankful our public schools further instill these values. Education is not just about academic success. It’s about teaching our children to leave the world a little better than it was before them, making a difference, and understanding people from different backgrounds. This past year and a half was challenging, and decisions were difficult, whether you were looking through the lens of a student, parent, teacher or administrator. I will be a thoughtful and reasonable voice in these uncertain times as we navigate ahead together. I am a good listener, a critical thinker, and an advocate for the principles in which I believe. I bring a distinct and diverse background if I have the privilege to serve on the School Board, as a single mom and a small business owner. Being cognizant of the fact that many families in our Little City have different family structures will always be a part of my decision-making. As our community opens up after over a year of struggle, I want to ensure that our schools continue to remain open to our families and teachers, full time with as few disruptions as possible, but in a safe and responsible way. This means implementing every mitigation measure recommended by the Center for Disease Control or the American Association of Pediatrics. I applaud our school district for opting into ViSSTA, a program to have on-site Covid testing of our children. This not only benefits our children, but also our greatest resources: our teachers and staff. Providing academic, social, and emotional support, especially after a trying year, is critical. The teachers and staff need these supports funded in order for them to do their job best. With this additional support, our children will continue personal growth to become the best versions of themselves. Maintaining small class sizes is critical to ensuring our children’s success. While we have a great diversity, equity, and inclusion statement, I want to ensure it is properly funded and that money goes into the classroom to implement the curricula. It is crucial that our parents and teachers have an authentic voice and that everyone receives the respect they deserve. I promise I will always have an open-door policy. Understanding that everyone may not agree with me on every issue, please know that I will consider all information, listen to all voices, and my final views will always come from being committed to do what is right for our children. If you want to learn more, please go to www. lorisilverman4fcc.com or email me at: loriforfccsb@ gmail.com.

OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021 | PAGE 8

The Wisdom of Fiona Hill

It was not officially a solar eclipse. When the sky began turning dark last Saturday, it was the result of what CNN correspondent Jim Acosta is now openly calling “evil” associated with the machinations of Donald Trump. But the evil was not manifested by Trump himself in his rally in Iowa that evening, carried live on Fox and C-Span. It took more the shape of an aged, slumping visage, that of Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who ignored all his own misgivings about Trump in the wake of Trump’s January 6 insurrection at the Capitol FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS to veritably kiss the ring of the Prince of Darkness. Grassley’s grovelling presence adjacent Trump on the stage, along with other Iowa Republican electeds there, marked the official turning point that may define our history for eons to come. It was the signal that for the entire GOP, bygones being bygones just a few months after Trump sicced lynch-crazed rioters on his own vice-president and others of both parties, has acknowledged The Donald as standard bearer of their once-respectable but now thoroughly degenerate party. The sometimes-prescient Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson marked the dark day under the headline, “The Trump Nightmare Looms Again,” a nightmare he described as a “unified Republican control of the federal government in the hands of a reelected, empowered Donald Trump in 2025.” It was HBO commentator Bill Maher who argued, almost solely, that if Trump was defeated in 2020, he would not go quietly, but would attempt a coup. Now Maher contends that a “slow coup” is occurring right now. Americans have no idea now how bad it would get if Trump came back into power. Among the growing legions of former Trump administration officials who were propelled out of it and have subsequently written scathing indictments is Fiona Hill, a product of the British lower classes whose talents were recognized and who rose to a seat next to the president of the U.S. for a time. In her book out last week entitled, “There’s Nothing for You Here,” Hill brings important new elements to the conservation, starting with her humble coal miner’s daughter working class upbringing in County Durham, where “coals were brought to Newcastle,” and the musical “Billy Elliot” grew up as a contemporary. That has advantaged her with an ability to relate to the appeal of Trumpist and other populist fakery to the disadvantaged masses. They combined with her astute insights into the mind and operational mode of Russia’s populist Vladimir Putin based on her scholarship in the field, and her astute observations of Trump’s pathetic groveling before Putin, having witnessed it up close. Fiona Hill was made famous among insider D.C. circles for her sharp testimony against Trump in the first impeachment trial before Congress. Her lucid and articulate insights, spiced by her British accent, were among the most impactful and damning of all. They combined her knowledge of Putin (at the Brookings Institute, where she still is, she co-wrote a scholarly book on him during the last decade) and of Trump’s very considerable and easily exploitable personality weaknesses. But while all the TV interviews with her focused on her criticisms of Trump, Hill has devoted the book to solutions to Trumpism. Unlike J.D. Vance in “Hillbilly Elegy” or Tara Westover in “Educated”, her focus is not on how individuals can succeed against the odds. “Neither offered much in the way of observation about how others might follow,” she notes. In her own case, Hill observes, “I succeeded not because I was exceptional, but because I had help. No one does anything completely alone. Life is a team sport.” “For every rung of the educational ladder, I found a subsidy or a grant to pull me up,” she writes. “Most deprived and disadvantaged will continue to be preyed upon by unscrupulous politicians who offer them a promise of opportunity for their votes...But as long as they feel that there is no hope for them, there will be no hope for the rest of us.” She concludes by laying out agendas for “creating opportunity in the 21st century” for underprivileged families, grounded in education and mentoring. She makes an extraordinary contribution.

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Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

“Conduct Us!” instructed the sign held up at this August’s county fair by Scott Wood, artistic director of the Arlington Philharmonic. I was tempted—orchestra conducting being a common fantasy of us dilettantes--after hearing the 12-piece mini-orchestra’s repetitions of “Pachelbel’s Canon” and Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik.” I was honestly a bit shy—conducting is harder than it looks. But this professionals-meetnovices display boosted my appreciation for the commitment of Arlington’s classical musicians to spreading their hard-won cultural fruits. Local ears are blessed with multiple sources of homegrown classical. WETA-FM (“It just works!”) originates 24/7 from its studio in Shirlington. The National Chamber Ensemble has announced its return to live performances at Gunston Arts Center for its 15th season Nov. 6. For the Arlington Philharmonic, the county fair gig was a first, and “we didn’t know what to expect,” said Wood. The crowd was “steady,” and there was payoff to limiting the selections to two. Elizabeth Fogel, the Philharmonic’s president and a violinist, told me the reach-out is likely again next year for the nonprofit that receives funding from Arlington Cultural Affairs, the Arlington Arts Commission, plus state and federal sources and private donors.

“When the pandemic hit, all of us had to pivot as we postponed the rest of the season,” Fogel said, recalling their last live performance— Feb. 29, 2020, at St. George’s Episcopal Church. “We were on top of the world when the world came crashing down.” With summer concerts at Lubber Run cancelled, “we opted, given the uncertainty and with no vaccine yet, for a fully virtual season.” The creative team came up with “lecture recitals” on Zoom, which allows the performers to talk before they perform. “Musicians over the holidays recorded themselves from home doing a Christmas musicgram. It was put on YouTube, something we’d never done before,” she said. “There was a big learning curve, but we’re taking more advantage of a resource like YouTube for archiving.” Founded in 2006, the Philharmonic has a core group of 25 performers and about two dozen freelancers it hires for specific concerts. There are no full-time employees, and the volunteer board plans events with a part-time operations manager. “The arts is a business where you’re always looking for the next season,” said Fogel, who joined the board in 2019. “When you consider revenues from 2020 with no in-person performances, it was difficult to cultivate new donors.” This year was “a strange season to plan, with venues just opening back up.” The Arlington Philharmonic economizes by owning no building. But the rented stages at high

schools “have restrictions and cleaning protocols.” With recent efforts to attract funding and “get back in touch with donors, we’re in a pretty healthy situation.” How do these classical “high brows” reach out to the hoi polloi? Director Wood “is a phenomenal musician who’s always thinking strategically on how to weave a story together,” Fogel enthuses. “He connects to the audience by sharing facts about composers, and we have variety of styles.” That includes collaborations with the Bowen McCauley Dance Co. and military bands such as the Singing Sergeants, plus doing “light classical pieces people recognize from movies or commercials” at their Pops in the Park. Surprisingly, the performers “have diverse musical interests and perform in a variety of groups, not only in an orchestra setting.” Next year, I will conduct. *** Local high school swimming standout Torri Huske now races in the waters of Stanford University following her silver medal-worthy laps at the Tokyo Olympics. Though her rise to fame this summer seemed sudden to the general public, the Yorktown High School community since the 20182019 school year had been witness to her record-setting. The trophy case in the public lobby of Yorktown Aquatic Center displays no fewer than 15 plaques bearing Huske’s name. They were issued by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association and USA Swimming.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

THE NEWS-PRESS’ Nicholas Benton was honored by the Falls Church City School Board at its Tuesday meeting this week being named onto the Virginia School Board Association’s 2021 Media Honor Roll. Shown here with Benton are Board Vice Chair Laura Downs, Sonia Ruiz Bolanos (on screen), Board Chair Shannon Litton, Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan, and Board Student Representative Ariana Hameed. (Not shown: board members Greg Anderson, Susan Dimock and Ed Henderson) (Photo: News-Press)

Fa l l s C h u r c h

School News & Notes Potential Double Runs for School Buses Beginning October 12th, some

bus runs may be delayed due to double runs. The Transportation Department will experience intermittent driver shortages that will require some drivers to do a dou-

LO CA L ble run for Mount Daniel, Oak Street, Mary Ellen Henderson and Meridian in the coming weeks. This will not occur every day but may occur on some days where there are not enough drivers to operate all routes. Transportation will work diligently to communicate the affected bus routes at least one day in advance. The schools will include announcements in Morning Announcements, FCCPS Alerts and direct messages to parents. Transportation is continuing to recruit drivers. More information on job openings can be found online on the FCCPS website.

Meridian Works To Preserve School History Before the old high school was demolished, FCCPS preserved 68 years of memories in digital format for everyone to enjoy. The Falls Church Education Foundation sponsored two Legacy Kiosk touch screens in the new Meridian High School, along with a website link that anyone can access from anywhere. Content is continuing to be

Vote Ilya Shapiro for School Board Maintain our excellent public schools while improving the board’s accountability and responsiveness to the community.

Accountability means accessibility: I will quickly respond to emails and hold regular “office hours” around town.

OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021 | PAGE 9

added and updated. If you have photos and text to add to the Athletics section, please contact Laurie Clark at clarks208@ gmail.com. For other sections, send information to kiosk@fccps. org.

Vaccinations Required for Students in Sports and Other Activities All FCCPS students (age 12 and over) who wish to participate in FCCPS winter or spring athletic and/or academic activity, including sports teams, extracurricular clubs, and indoor activities, will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks post-final dose of the vaccine administered. This requirement is not retroactive to the fall sports season. If your student has a verified medical exemption due to a health condition or is seeking a religious exemption, please provide proof of the exemption to Brian Parke, Director of Student Athletics and Activities (bparke@ fccps.org). You will be notified if your exemption is approved.

Students will not be able to try out or join the respective club until this exemption is approved.

Home and Garden Tour This Weekend Will Benefit Schools

The annual Falls Church Home and Garden Tour will take place this Sunday, October 17. The event is hosted by the Falls Church Education Foundation and proceeds from the event will benefit the Education Foundation and the Falls Church City Public Schools.Tickets can be bought in advance for $30 or $35 on the day of the event. Tickets and more information can be found online at fcedf.org.

Mustangs Win Over Warren County Mustangs took on Warren County on Friday and came away with a decisive win 48-22. The Mustangs are 5-2 on the season and ranked 2nd in the 3B Region. in TDs with 12. The Mustangs take on Clarke County for the last regular-season home game on Friday. It will be Senior Night.

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OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021 | PAGE 10

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News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes Falls Church Local Competes in Boston Marathon Susanna Sullivan, a graduate of George Mason High School (now Meridian High School) and 5th grade teacher at Haycock Elementary School, competed in the Boston Marathon on Monday. Sullivan placed 16th overall with a time of 2:33:22, a personal record for the former cross-country runner.

New Dominion Chorale to Present Free Concert In-person concerts for the New Dominion Chorale will return on October 24 at Saint Luke Catholic Church in McLean. This concert will be free and feature the New Dominion Chorale and orchestra performing Maestro Beveridge’s Yizkor Requiem and several of Mendelssohn’s Psalm settings. Proof of vaccination and masks are required for concert goers. All performers have been vaccinated and will be wearing masks for the performance. More information can be found online at newdominion.org.

CBC and PTAs To Host Virtual School Board Candidate Forum Falls Church Citizens For a Better City will co-sponsor a virtual candidate forum with the PTAs. The forum will take place on Thursday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. CBC seeks to provide multiple opportunities to showcase the candidates given the large number running for office in this election cycle. More information and a link to the Zoom meeting can be found online at fallschurchcbc.net.

Live Performances Returning to NOVA Nightsky Theater NOVA Nightsky Theater will open this weekend with “Picnic” by William Inge, a show set in a small Kansas town in the 1950s that explores themes of sexuality, repression, rites of passage and disappointment. The show will take place at 6:30 p.m. on October 15, 16, 22 and 23. A limited number of tickets are available for each showing. Visit www. novanightskytheater.com for more

information and to secure tickets.

Outdoor Halloween Carnival for Kids On October 30 Kids ages 2-11 and their families are welcome to attend an outdoor Halloween Carnival at Cherry Hill Park. The Carnival will be open with two time-slots: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Timeslots are not age specific (i.e. the same activities for both age groups are available at both time slots). The cost to attend and participate in carnival activities is $1 per person (adults and children), cash only. For more information visit http://www.fallschurchva.gov/halloween.

Early Voting Weekend and Extended Hours In preparation for the upcoming election, City Hall will be open on select weekend dates for those looking to vote early in-person in addition to their regular weekday hours. City Hall will be open from 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 23 and 30 and from 12 — 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 24. Weekday hours are 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27. The last day to vote early in-person is Saturday, October 30.

Halloween Window Painting Concludes Saturday Falls Church residents of all ages are invited to take part in the 12th Annual Halloween Store Window Painting Festival on October 16. Store windows along Broad Street and other locations will come alive with scenes of ghosts, pumpkins, bats and more in the Falls Church Arts-sponsored event. Paint and window assignments will be distributed at 10 a.m. on the painting days at Mr. Brown’s Park in the 100 Block of West Broad Street. Registration is required. Please contact Marty Behr, behrmarty29@ gmail.com, with any questions.

Upcoming School Board Office Hours FCCPS School Board Chair Shannon Litton and Vice-Chair Laura Downs will be holding “office hours” at Liberty BBQ (370 West

FALLS CHURCH’S ANNUAL FARM DAY took place over the weekend at Cherry Hill Park. Families from the community gathered to enjoy a day filled with outdoor activities including pony rides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making and more. (Photo: Gary Mester) Broad Street) on Wednesday, October 20th from 6—8pm. Residents may drop by (no registration required) to ask questions and offer feedback in a casual environment. As this will not be a private setting, community members who prefer to have a private exchange with the School Board can locate members’ email addresses on their website:https://www.fccps. org/page/school-board

Northern Virginia Walk to End Alzheimer’s Is October 24 The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. While plans are moving forward to host the Walk in person, the health and safety of participants, staff and volunteers remain the top priorities as

decisions are made about event details. Options will be offered to participate online and in local neighborhoods. Register online to receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Northern Virginia. Sign up as a team captain, join a team or walk as an individual. For more information, contact Shiri Rozenberg at 803-3719793 or shrozenberg@alz.org.

Reston Farm Garden Market Fall Fest This Weekend Ninety minute time slots are available for the annual Fall Fest in Reston for families to safely enjoy a petting zoo, bounce houses, games and more. For an additional cost, there will be balloons, face painting, pumpkins, food trucks and apple cider.

Tickets for children are $28 and $6 per parent. More information on the event and tickets can be found online at https://www.restonfarm.com/fall-fest. The festival will be taking place on October 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31.

Book It for Books! 5K Run/ Walk This Saturday Book It For Books 5K run/ walk will raise money to provide free books to children at schools and other sites in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties. This event will take place on Saturday, October 16 at Bluemont Park in Arlington. For more information about the Book It For Books 5K run/ walk, visit rifnova.org

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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R��F��E�� 2021

Falls Church City Real Estate Featured on “If You Lived Here”

BY AMANDA SNEAD

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Falls Church was recently the subject of WETA’s second season of “If You Lived Here,” a locally-focused show highlighting different cities throughout the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia [DMV] area with the goal of teaching viewers more about the city being featured, whether they have any intention of moving there or not. This episode takes viewers into the City of Falls Church to look at three different properties for sale in the city at three different price points, as well

as highlighting the history of the area. Local realtor from Long and Foster, Bethany Ellis was approached by the show’s team to introduce hosts Christine Lousie and John Begeny to the city and view three very different homes— the first, a starter home perfect for a single person or a couple, the second, a mid-level ranch style home for a family and finally, a larger “dream” home. “The benefit of living in the City of Falls Church is that you’re close to everything,” said Ellis, who has worked in the area for many years. “It’s

definitely a community feel, it’s a small community. It’s walkable. It’s also in the middle of everything. It has easy access to everything. If you want to be out in the country, it’s close by; if you want to be downtown you’re close by. It’s center to everything so you can go out wherever you want to go. It’s a great location.” Besides showing a wide range of homes, the show also makes an effort to educate viewers on the city they are visiting each week. John Taylor, the owner of Brown’s Hardware, shares his knowledge of the history of Brown’s as well as other

IF YOU LIVED HERE hosts John Begeny and Christine Lousie visited Falls Church to tour three different homes at three different price points. (P��: WETA) local businesses and Quang Le, owner of Huong Binh Bakery, provides insight into the history of Eden Center. The difference between Falls Church City and the greater Falls Church area is also explained, a topic that often

comes into conversation and is misunderstood when looking at real estate in the area. The show’s Executive Producer, Glenn Baker, has been

Continued on Page 13

INSIDE: Useful Home Tips �� 12 | F.C. Real Estate Market #s �� 15 For a smarter, personalized approach to buying, selling, and investing in real estate.

WIN

NER

THANK YOU FALLS CHURCH! We are honored to have been voted 'Best Real Estate Group' and look forward to continuing to help you with your real estate needs.

KW Metro Center | 2111 Wilson Blvd, Ste 1050, Arlington VA, 22201 | 571-775-0468 Each office is independently owned and operated

R EA L E STATE

PAGE 12 | FALL 2021

3 Ways To Use Your Garage

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

4 Tips For Installing Wood Siding

Garages are versatile spaces that can serve multiple purposes. Here are a few ways you can use this part of your home. 1. AS A WORKSPACE If you plan to use your garage as a workshop, you’ll need plenty of storage. Consider installing shelves along the walls to give yourself enough floor space to work on various projects. In addition, you should invest in a large workbench as well as sturdy hooks that can hold heavy tools.

Are you thinking about installing wood siding on the outside of your home? If so, here are four things you’ll need to do to protect the wood from getting damaged. 1. Properly fasten the siding

2. AS A STOREROOM If your garage will be used to house all your odds and ends, it’s a good idea to invest in a variety of vertical storage solutions including shelves, racks and pegboards. Just make sure you leave enough space to move around a parked vehicle. In addition, you can install magnetic strips to hold your tools and ceiling hooks to hang bikes and ladders. 3. AS A LIVING SPACE

You must use the correct type of fasteners to prevent your wood siding from buckling or becoming stained. In addition, using the appropriate number of fasteners and properly positioning each one will keep your siding looking its best for years to come. room, crafting area, rehearsal space or home gym. Keep in mind that you’ll need to insulate, light and heat the space.

Before you decide to make upgrades to your garage, it’s a good idea to set a budget. For a complete make over, consider hiring a professional contractor.

If you don’t have a car, you can turn your garage into a living

2. Stain the wood

Stain helps protect wood siding from rot and deterioration. That’s why it’s important to apply it to any bare wood and along all cut and planed surfaces, even if they won’t be visible after the siding is installed. In addition, wood siding should be refinished every five years to prevent premature aging.

3. Create an air gap

It’s important to leave a small gap between the wood siding and the exterior wall. This allows moisture and warm air to circulate and escape. Without a gap, there would be a risk of water seeping in and damaging the wood. 4. Install flashing

You should install flashing both above and below all windows. This will help prevent water and snow buildup from compromising the integrity of your wood siding. Installing wood siding requires special care. If you want to ensure yours is properly mounted, consi der hiring a contractor.

Helping Our Clients Buy, Sell and Invest! Kathy Pippin, Realtor

McLean

N. Arlington

Falls Church

Website: Kathypippinproperties.com Email: Kathy@Kathypippinproperties.com Call/Text: 703-408-0838

6707 Old Dominion Dr. #315 McLean, VA 22101

Falls Church

Please SCAN the QR code to hear what our clients say by working with us!

Licensed in VA

Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FALL 2021 | PAGE 13

F.C. Real Estate Featured on WETA’s “If You Lived Here” Continued from Page 11

living in Falls Church for the past 25 years. “It wasn’t hard to convince everyone else that it was an area that deserved to be in the show. I know all of the charms of ‘the Little City’ from firsthand experience and wanted viewers across the region to get a sense of that as well,” he said. The hosts, Christine and John, are not professional oncamera talent for WETA but have quickly been able to thrive in their roles on the show. After they tour each house, each host makes a guess as to how much the listing price is without any clues as to what the cost may be. “They absolutely have no clue what the listing prices are, all of that is completely legit,” said Baker. “It wouldn’t be any fun if they had a clue and you can tell sometimes they’re way off and sometimes they’re shockingly close and it’s because they’re truly making educated guesses based on their own knowledge and expe-

rience.” While the actual homes that were toured are no longer available, viewers are still able to get a sense of what the market looks like in the area, from a starter home to a dream house. Real estate shows have remained popular for many years, beginning with “This Old House,” a PBS show that has aired for over 30 years now. “If You Lived Here” takes the charms of this type of show and makes it appeal to a more local audience, allowing viewers to learn more about their own cities and cities in their backyard. The show is now available for streaming with the free PBS app which can be downloaded on any streaming device including Roku, Apple TV and more or online at https://watch.weta. org/show/if-you-lived-here/.

LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENT Bethany Ellis from Long and Foster guided “If You Lived Here” hosts John Begeny and Christine Lousie around three different properties in Falls Church City, all at thee different price points. Ellis is pictured here alongside the hosts and crew in front of the final and most expensive home toured on the show, a four bedroom and three and a half bath home renovated in 2016. (Photo: WETA)

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R EA L E STATE

PAGE 14 | FALL 2021

A Falls Church News-Press Advertorial

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

M e e t Fa l l s C h u rc h’ s Re a l E s t a t e E x p e r t s Albert Bitici – Keller Williams – Metro Center -

Covid-19 has had an abrupt impact on our housing market and we find ourselves in one of the most unpredictable real estate markets in a generation... Who you are in business with matters now more than ever. Several years ago, I created The Bitici Group with a focus of providing the right advice to clients, backed by the highest level of customer service, and the best marketing. To show your house in the best light, we hire top designers, writers and photographers... Which is why The Bitici Group attracts forward-thinking clients and exceptional real estate to prove that fantastic results are achieved with a tailored approach. With over 15 years of real estate experience selling homes in major national and international cities like New York & London, I have successfully negotiated hundreds of real estate transactions while representing my clients best interests at all times. There is no better time to sell a home than right now, and no better team to help you than The Bitici Group, voted best Real Estate Group in Best of Falls Church 2021. For a smarter, personalized approach to buying, selling and investing in real estate, contact The Bitici Group at Keller Williams.

Albert Bitici – The Bitici Group – Keller Williams Metro Center 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22201 571-775-0468 • TheBiticiGroup.com

Bethany Ellis – Long and Foster Bethany Ellis owns and operates a highly successful real estate business in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. She is an experienced REALTOR® whose goal is to exceed your expectations. Her knowledge of the local market, attention to every detail, excellent negotiating ability, and effective communication ensures that your real estate transaction will go smoothly from start to finish. Bethany has direct access to lenders, home inspectors, new home developers, settlement groups, and local service providers (painters, plumbers, carpet suppliers, handymen, electricians, plumbers, and more). If you’re looking to find a new home, build your dream home, get market statistics for your home or neighborhood, sell your existing home, make improvements to your current home, buy or sell an investment property or need answers to any real estate questions, make Bethany Ellis your real estate resourc

Bethany Ellis – Long and Foster

1355 Beverly Road, Suite 109, McLean, VA 22101 703-307-7003 • BuyandSellWithBethany.com

Tori McKinney – Keller Williams – Metro Center Tori’s passion is helping her clients find their dream homes. Along with her team, she rolls out the red carpet to ensure you are treated like the VIP that you are. While purposefully participating in the community, Tori is the Falls Church Real Estate expert. She and her Rock Star Realty Group are here for you every step of the way eager to provide Rock Star service to all homebuyers and sellers. Tori is ever so grateful for each client and the neighborhoods she serves. After moving to Falls Church in 1998, she immersed herself in community advocacy as a Housing Commissioner and ongoing public school volunteer and sponsor. Since 2010, Tori has directed her philanthropic efforts to the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, whose mission is preserving, presenting, and celebrating the African American Legacy. As the Executive Producer of the Tinner Hill Music Festival, she dedicates her time and adoration for music to the Foundation’s premier charity event that took place this year on August 21, 2021 - Follow @TinnerHillMusicFestival for 2022 announcements! Call 703-867-TORI to help you find the home you LOVE!

Tori McKinney | CEO & Realtor® | ROCK STAR Realty Group, KW Metro Center

2111 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201 703-867-8674 • RockStarRealtyGroup.com

Alison Miller – Keller Williams – Falls Church I have been in the DC and Virginia residential real estate markets as a full-time professional since 2008 as a buyer, rehabber, seller, commercial property owner, and KW United-Falls Church agent helping others buy and sell. I have been fascinated by real estate and a student of the markets ever since I bought my first house at 25 years old. I moved to Falls Church City in 1999 with my husband Thor Christensen, and both our daughters went all the way through the Falls Church City schools. I enjoy participating in local organizations and am an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Village Preservation and Improvement Society board of directors, and the board of the Business in Education group supporting the schools. In 2021 I won the Best of Falls Church vote in the Realtor category, and in 2019 won the Neighborhood Favorite honor on NextDoor.com. It’s my privilege and honor to be able live, work, and serve all within our community. Prior to going into real estate full-time I earned an MBA degree with dual concentration in information technology and real estate finance. I worked for 25 years in the information technology industry for organi-

zations including Marriott International and Fannie Mae before launching into real estate in 2008.

Alison Miller – Keller Williams Realty Falls Church 105 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 703-298-9495 • AMatKW.com

Kathy Pippin – Samson Properties Kathy Pippin grew up in Northern Virginia since 1986, attended Wakefield HS and got an engineering degree in Maryland. She has seen the changes in our area and is proud to call Falls Church home. She brings her local knowledge, great negotiation skills and top-notch marketing to her clients, whether they are first time home buyers, repeat buyers, sellers, or investors. Her engineering skillsets have equipped her with being methodical, pragmatic and have a consultative approach when helping clients buy or sell. When it comes to marketing, she has a dedicated team to produce amazing results for each sale. She has been a Top Producer Realtor for years and loves to educate clients and other realtors. She is a mentor and a coach to many other agents. Kathy believes in giving back to the community and supporting charities in the areas of children’s cancer research, survivors of abuse, and worldwide medical assistance. Kathy also believes no two buyers, or two sellers are the same. She understands that every client has a different situation, and that is why she takes time to understand their plans and strategizes with them for a winning outcome. She believes when you go to see a professional of any kind, expecting to discuss options and weighing pluses and minuses are essential, so that you can make an educated decision, and that is exactly how she works with her clients. Kathy loves to spend time with her kids, listen to audio books, walk, cook, paint & be around friends/family.

Kathy Pippin, Samson Properties

6707 Old Dominion Drive #315 McLean, VA 22101 703-408-0838 KathyPippinProperties.com

Treena Rinaldi – Korte Realty Korte Realty, the 56 year old family real estate firm on West Broad Street in Falls Church, is the business of Treena Rinaldi, along with Mostafa (Mosi) Shah. Treena’s mother, Katreen Korte, started the firm back in 1965. Now a 30-year veteran in the industry, Rinaldi said she learned a lot about the business from her mom. They are a small but full-service company that sells both residential and commercial properties in Northern Virginia. “We’ve developed many faithful clients over the years, but we always look forward to new friends”, says Rinaldi. They have helped many buyers in the search for a new home. They believe in taking an educational approach with their clients. When they go on tour, they point out the pluses and minuses of the homes they view, so that their clients can make an educated decision. They believe the adventure of the home search is pretty special, and the memories of those searches last a lifetime, almost like the memories from your best (or worst) vacation. In most instances the purchase of a home is the most important personal investment, and Korte Realty does everything they can to make sure their clients are happy over the long term. For clients who are out of town, they are happy to videotape homes which are on the market, as well as give our opinions on those homes. Korte Realty provides significant industry knowledge and personal attention to the home buying experience.

Treena Rinaldi, Korte Realty

712 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 703.532.7704 • Korterealty.com

Win Singleton – Long and Foster I’m Win Singleton and I love what I do! Having lived here in Falls Church City since 4th grade, I really know our city! I have been a Realtor® and Associate Broker now for over 4 decades, specializing in Falls Church City, but my real estate experience extends throughout Northern Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County, too. I learned a long time ago that I’m really in the “people business.” My strength is really listening to you and working to understand your needs and wants to help you make the best decision - whether you are selling or buying. I put my expert knowledge as a successful broker and a Virginia certified real estate instructor, combined with my negotiating skills and decades of experience, to use it all into structuring a “winning” real estate transaction for you. Most importantly, I’ll be with you all the way through to settlement, ensuring as smooth a sale for you as possible. As a National Association of Realtors® Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), I believe that the three keys to a successful sale are preparation, presentation, and pricing. If this is the kind of experience, knowledge, and expertise you’re looking for to help you make a wise decision, call 571-220-3018 today or visit my website.

Win Singleton, SRS, SFR, E-Pro, Long & Foster 3060 Williams Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031 571-220-3018 • winsingleton.com

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

SOLD!

Falls Church Area Housing Market — 3rd Quarter 2021 Report Zip Code Area Median Price

22046

City of Falls Church

FALL 2021 | PAGE 15

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Mosi Shah

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alisonmiller@kw.com AMatKW.com 105 W. Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021 | PAGE 16

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FALLS CHURCH

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CALENDAR LOCALEVENTS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14 Baby Storytime. Parents and children can join Tysons-Pimmit Library for songs, rhymes, stories and activities to build an early literacy foundation while enjoying time together. Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration, customers will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. This class is best for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 Falls Church Farmers Market. The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday at City Hall, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov/547/FarmersMarket-To-Go. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. — 12 p.m. Kids In Motion. Kids can join Tysons-Pimmit Library outside for motion and movement! This is an interactive experience that engages kids to form healthy fitness habits and empowers them to enjoy movement and fitness. Best suited for ages 3-8. Weather permitting this event will be held outdoors in the grass, in the event of rain it will be canceled. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 11 — 11:30 a.m.

Acrylic Pouring. Try out acrylic pouring art at Tysons-Pimmit Library to create a fun and unexpected masterpiece with colors to celebrate autumn. This event is for adults only. Masks are required inside the library. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 6:30 — 7:30 p.m. City Council Work Session. The City Council meets in-person in City Hall’s Council Chambers. In-person capacity may be limited due to Covid-19 safety, and all attendees must wear a mask and stay socially distant at all times. The meeting can be viewed live online (fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings) or on FCCTV (Cox channel 11, RCN channel 2, Verizon channel 35). There is no public comment at a work session. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) 7:30 — 11:00 p.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14 City Council Candidate Forum. Citizens For a Better City is hosting a virtual candidate forum for city council candidates on Zoom. CBC seeks to provide multiple opportunities to showcase the candidates given the large number running for office in this election cycle. More information and the Zoom link can be found online at fallschurchcbc.net. 7:30 — 9 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 18

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14

Spooky Movie Night: Goosebumps. Families are welcome to come and celebrate spooky season at Woodrow Wilson Library’s showing of the 2015 movie Goosebumps. This movie is rated PG. This program is for all ages. No food or drink will be allowed during the movie to ensure safety. Per county standards all library visitors ages 2 and up must wear a mask while in county buildings. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church). 6 — 9 p.m.

Having Our Say. This play follows the real-life centenarian Delany sisters as they welcome attendees into their home where they share 100 years of American history recounting fascinating events and anecdotes drawn from their rich family history and careers as pioneering African American professionals. All patrons must wear masks. Social distancing and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test is required for everyone 12 and over. Tickets available

BILLBOARD CHART TOPPING ARTIST, Damien Escobar will be performing at the Birchmere in Alexandria on two separate nights this week. (Photo: Robert Steshetz) online. Tickets limited for each show to allow for social distancing. October 7 — 31. (410 South Maple Avenue, Falls Church). 703436-9948. Picnic. A small Kansas town in the 1950s is the setting for William Inge’s bittersweet melodrama “Picnic”, which explores themes of sexuality, repression, rites of passage, and disappointment. Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy This show will take place outdoors at the American Legion Hall. Picnic under the NOVA sky. Tickets available online, quanitities are limited. October 15, 16, 22, 23. (400 N Oak St, Falls Church).

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14 Adam Knudsen Live and In Concert. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-8589186. Honeyfunk: JJ’s 20th Anniversary Live Outdoor Concert Series. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m. 703-255-1566. Damien Escobar. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $59.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Gayle Harrod Blues Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-2419504. Linda Eder. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $52+. 8 p.m. 703255-1900.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 Shartel & Hume Duo. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Sidewalk Soul. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-858-9186. The Manhattans. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500. Will Hoge. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Alexandria). $29.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Gerry Timlin. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 8 p.m. 703-534-8999. Rodney Crowell. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $42+. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900. The Rockits Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504. Smooth As Funk. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 9 p.m. 703-255-1566.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17

Gerry Timlin. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 8 p.m. 703-534-8999.

5X5 Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Rusty’s Lost Highway Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186.

Bill Frisell Trio. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $35-$45. 9 p.m. 703237-0300.

Erin McKeown + Steve Slagg. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7 p.m. 703-2551566.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

Judy Collins. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $59.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

Skinnier Wallace Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504. Old Dominion Trio. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186. Raven’s Night. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave,

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $26-$30 8 p.m. 703-237-0300 To see more events happening this week, please visit fcnp. com. Have any event for the calendar? Email calendar@ fcnp.com.

CO MME NT

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A Penny for Your Thoughts

PAGE 17 | OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

Absentee voting is underway in Virginia, as voters select statewide candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates. Fairfax County voters also will consider a school bond referendum. Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, just more than three weeks away but, based on inquiries to my office, many voters are not waiting until November, preferring to get the task done and off their “to do” lists. If you have requested a ballot by mail, you may be surprised to find the ballot envelope with a warning, to the effect of “open only in the presence of a witness.” Although that longtime warning was waived in the 2020 general election, because of the pandemic emergency declared in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor Northam lifted the state’s emergency declaration this summer. Thus, the previously used language was returned to the ballot envelopes. Fairfax County still is under a local emergency declaration, but the state’s status governs the ballots. Anyone can witness your signature on your absentee ballot; it does not need to be notarized. A family member, a neighbor, or a friend can witness your signature on the ballot envelope. They are not witnessing your selections – your ballot still is secret; they are witnessing that you are the person who signed the ballot envelope. It shouldn’t take more than a minute of their time, unless you invite them in for tea and a chat, too! Early in-person absentee voting will be held at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale, and the Thomas Jefferson Library, 7415 Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church, as well as 11 other county locations, October 21 through 30. Voting hours are 12

noon to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturday (October 23 and 30) from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday, October 24, from 1 until 5 p.m. Covid19 protocols will be observed at all locations, and masks must be worn in all Fairfax County facilities. Please bring a current and valid photo ID. Any registered voter in Fairfax County may vote at any county satellite facility; you do not have to be a resident of the specific magisterial district where the satellite is located. More information is available on-line at voting@fairfaxcounty.gov. The George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, will be the site of a fun HomeWise Demonstration Event this Saturday, October 16, from 2 until 4 p.m. Learn about quick and easy ways to reduce your monthly utility bills, and get your questions about home energy and water conservation answered on the spot by experts. The first 200 attendees will receive a free HomeWise improvement kit with LED lightbulbs, faucet aerators, weatherstripping and more. Experienced volunteers will show you how to install that free faucet aerator, too! HomeWise is a program of the county’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), created by the Board of Supervisors in 2019. The program educates, empowers, and enables residents to make changes that reduce energy use, water use, and associated costs in their homes. Bring the whole family to the library – the kids can find a favorite book, and parents can learn more about reducing utility costs.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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C RIM E R EPO RT Week of Oct. 4 – 10, 2021 Fraud, Highland Ave, Oct 5, 10:25 AM, an incident of Fraud was reported. Commercial Burglary, W Broad St, Oct 6, 5:10 AM, two unknown suspects described as two males dressed in black and wearing gloves broke the front glass door of a business. Commercial Burglary, W Broad St, Oct 6, 6:56 AM, a White male, 33, of no fixed address, entered an unsecured, but closed business and took items of value. He was arrested and charged

with Burglary, Petit Larceny, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Motor Vehicle Theft, Flagmaker Dr, between 8:15 PM, Oct 5 and 8:48 AM, Oct 6,an unsecured Jeep Renegade was stolen by unknown suspect(s). It was recovered in Washington, DC. Larceny, Mustang Alley, Oct 6, between 8 AM and 3 PM, unknown suspect(s) took a secured purple Trek 7000 bike. Larceny of Vehicle Parts, Roosevelt Blvd, between 6 PM, Oct 7 and 9 AM, Oct 8, unknown suspect(s) removed a vehicle’s catalytic converter.

Larceny of Vehicle Parts, Roosevelt Blvd, between 7 PM, Oct 7 and 7:30 AM, Oct 8, unknown suspect(s) attempted to remove a vehicle’s catalytic converter. Larceny of Vehicle Parts, Roosevelt Blvd, between 4:30 PM, Oct 7 and 11 AM, Oct 8, unknown suspect(s) removed a vehicle’s catalytic converter. Larceny of Vehicle Parts, Roosevelt Blvd, Oct 8, between midnight and 6 AM, unknown suspect(s) removed a vehicle’s catalytic converter.

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PAGE 18 | OCTOBER 14 – 20, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

with

Town Mountain

OCTOBER

14 AY

SD R U H T

Honeyfunk Jammin’ Java 7 p.m. 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna 703-255-1566 • jamminjava.com

FRID

Sidewalk Soul Falls Church Distillers 7 p.m. 442 S. Washington St, Falls Church 703-858-9186 • fcdistillers.com

Bill Frisell Trio Live and in Concert

The State Theatere 9 p.m. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church 703-237-0300 • thestatetheatre.com

RD U T A S

BY AMANDA SNEAD

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Phil Barker, vocalist and mandolin player of Town Mountain, grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, an hour and a half south of Asheville, North Carolina. He grew up in a musical family, with his grandmother, mother and sister all playing piano. He first became interested in music in high school, occasionally playing guitar. But it wasn’t until after graduating that he found a passion for music. “I saw the Del McCoury Band at a local record store in Greenville and that was the first time I had seen a high level bluegrass band live and that was what piqued my interest in playing bluegrass,” said Barker. “From there I managed to get a cheap mandolin and just started plucking away at it and self-taught and listened to a lot of Bill Monroe early on and Sam Bush, David Grisman, those are all kind of big influences for me.” The mandolin, an eight-stringed instrument in the lute family, plays the role of a snare drum in bluegrass music. “I was kind of drawn just to the rhythmic energy of it,” Barker said when asked how he got interested in the unique instrument. “When I saw it being played live by high-level musicians, I was just drawn to that and then it’s just got a real versatile tone, like it can go from a screaming rock ‘n’ roll solo to a real pretty tremolo, mellow sound so it has a super wide range. I just got hooked once I started playing.” Barker joined the band in 2007, a few years after the band had gotten its start. Phil met the other members of the band in Asheville and when their mandolin player couldn’t make it on a tour, he stepped in and soon became a permanent member. “In the early 2000s in Asheville there was a big influx of young like-minded bluegrass musicians hanging around the area. There were jams and picking parties most nights of the week so

TOWN MOUNTAIN. (P��: C�� R�� L��) we all kind of met through that scene and they had already met and I joined in a little later,” says Barker. From there, the band began to find success. The band has over 280,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 12,000,000 streams on their rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire”. In 2016, the band made their Grand Ole Opry debut, a dream venue for country and bluegrass musicians. “It was kind of an intimidating thing to do the first time,” said Barker when asked about the experience. “It was nice, all of our parents and families came up and everybody was there for our big Opry debut. Everybody there was super nice and encouraging. It’s been a super rewarding relationship. We’ve gone on to play it a few more times since then and every time is just as special.” After months of being unable to tour due to the pandemic, the band is excited to be back on

the road again and thanked all of their fans for the support and being willing to go through the necessary hoops to make touring safe and possible again. “We’ve been touring all over the country for almost 15 years now. The music is definitely evolving and growing and we are as musicians and people as well. Still having a lot of fun with it. We try to focus on writing original material and playing songs that nobody else is playing. We like the attitude and stylings of original bluegrass music but we kind of stretch it and make it our own thing. We want people to be able to have a good time and dance and enjoy the music as much as we do.” Town Mountain will be performing in Washington, D.C. at the Hamilton on October 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found online at https://www.townmountain. net/tour.

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These singles whet the appetites of the FCNP editorial team this week:  Nicholas F. Benton – Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd

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 Amanda Snead – Goodbye Earl by The Chicks 

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 14 — 20 , 2021 | PAGE 19

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NEWS BRIEFS Falls Church Schools ‘Move Beyond SOL Tests’ In his presentation to the Falls Church City School Board Tuesday, Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan announced the Falls Church school division this fall is following earlier challenges by the School Board “to look beyond the SOL (Standards of Learning) tests ”for data “that more fully reflects who we are” by including elements such as K-12 International Baccalaureate programs, community service, engagement in the profile of a Virginia High School graduate. Coming off impacts on the schools of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, “This is the year to execute on making the shift and becoming more global and robust in our data presentations.” Notwithstanding the Covid-19 challenges, “We were proud to be the first school division in this area to offer full in-person instruction on February 23,” and “for as good as it was a tough year to gain instructional momentum.” He recalled that the last time the division was “in person for a full year...our scores were over 90 percent in every tested content area and were between Nos. 1 and 3 in the state in almost every category.” Scores dropped for all students in every school division in the state due to Covid, and “we were not immune,” he said. “The good news is that we dropped significantly less than most and are on the path to recovery with every student by name and by need.” However, the SOL test scores “should only be used for purposes of identifying students who need extra time and support this year,” and “we have done that.” Those scores, however, “should not and cannot be used for comparative purposes” due to the disruptions of the last year, he said. “We are clear that there are students who suffered from the Covid slide and I will reiterate that those who need extra time and support for learning, and those who are in gap groups, have been identified based on the SOL data and are receiving the extra support,” he added. “If the School Board wished to make comparisons from one year to another, we will do that

with the data from the end of this year after we’ve had our students back in school full time since the first day of the school year, and therefore the comparative data is reliable,” he said. “Therefore, our team made a bold decision to pay less attention to the division SOL scores to start building a new set of benchmarks and data points that are more meaningful and reflective of who we are as a school division.” The night’s presentation was made by Dr. Peter Weilenmann, the director of the division’s Director of Assessments and Accountability.

Biden Signs Law Creating ‘National Memorial Trail’ Tuesday in the Oval Office, President Biden signed bipartisan legislation to designate the “September 11th National Memorial Trail,” a trail route linking the National September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Introduced by Northern Virginia Reps. Don Beyer Jr. and Gerald E. Connolly and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, the bill previously passed the House of Representatives 423-0 and in the Senate by unanimous consent. Rep. Connolly said, “The September 11 National Memorial will serve a particularly significant role, honoring the families and loved ones who were victims of the attack, and the heroes who saved countless lives on such a tragic day.”

Fairfax Govt. Workers Now Must Show Proof Fairfax County government workers must now show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or submit to weekly testing, and the vast majority have chosen the former option, the county says. The county’s new policy officially took effect this Monday, and within 24 hours, 12,799 employees provided proof they were fully vaccinated, as it has been at least

two weeks since those employees received both doses of the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine, according to the county. Another 295 employees are partially vaccinated, and the county is currently reviewing 492 requests for a medical or religious exemption.

Winter Coat Drive at Cherry Hill Park Oct. 23 A winter coat drive will be held Saturday, Oct. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cherry Hill Park pavilion benefitting ComunidadVa.org, Coats, hats, gloves of any size are welcome. Communidad is an after school literacy program.

Beyer Calls for End of Debt Ceiling U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, who represents the 8th District of Virginia that includes the City of Falls Church, is a cosponsor of legislation to permanently eliminate the debt ceiling. Beyer delivered remarks on the eve of the vote to temporarily lift the ceiling this week, noting that 97 percent of the debt subject to the current increase was passed before President Biden took office. “The big drivers of this debt limit increase were CARES Act programs we all supported, higher defense spending under the previous president, and enormous Republican tax cuts that were not paid for which mostly went to the wealthy.” Since 1960, Congress raised the debt ceiling 78 times, he noted. “Mostly when a Republican was in the White House. This has always been a bipartisan vote in the past. If Congress failed to raise the debt ceiling it would mean we refuse to pay our debts, and that would lead to default. “Defaulting on our debt would cause a financial crisis on the level of the Great Recession. Millions of Americans would lose their jobs, and the unemployment rate would shoot upwards. Payments would be halted for Social Security recipients, veterans, and hospitals that

take Medicare and Medicaid. Our federal workforce and our troops wouldn’t get paid. Trillions of dollars in household wealth would be wiped out, and ordinary Americans would see interest rates go up on their mortgages, car payments, student loans, and credit cards. It could take decades to recover from the impact of a default. Our credit rating would also be downgraded, and we would see a big increase in borrowing costs, which means that a default would actually grow our budget deficit and increase the national debt. “Even a near-miss on a debt ceiling breach could cost the government money,” he added. Ten years ago the Government Accounting Office said the U.S. had to pay an extra 1.3 billion dollars in borrowing costs because of debt limit brinkmanship. “It is a concerning prospect that we have to do all of this again in two or three months, and Republican leaders are already promising even stronger opposition to avoiding the self-inflicted destruction of our economy,” he added. “Sooner or later if we don’t all recognize the risks and take a rational approach to governance, the worst will happen and we will default. “It may not happen this year or this presidency, but if a faction of Congress keeps taking the U.S. economy hostage it is going to end in disaster someday. The clear long term solution here is removing the debt ceiling, which serves no constructive purpose. Congress should abolish the debt limit.”

F.C. Voting Begins to Pick Up, Bjerke Says Early voting, having been made easier by recent new Virginia laws, is starting to pick up in the City of Falls Church, Registrar David Bjerke is reporting. In person voting at City Hall has increased from about 50 a day to 75, he said, with a total of 634 such votes through this Tuesday. A total of 1,663 have applied for mail-in ballots so far, he added. Voters are reminded they can vote at the Registrar’s Office at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and on Saturdays Oct. 23 and 30. The deadline for a request for a ballot by mail must be received by Friday, Oct. 22, and a mail-in ballot which will

require a witness signature must be received back at the Registrar’s Office by Nov. 5. Election Day itself is Nov. 2.

F.C. Council Plans on Plastic Bag Tax The Falls Church City Council will move to add a tax on plastic bags in conjunction with surrounding jurisdictions, they determined at their meeting Tuesday night. It is not a tax to raise revenue, but to deter the use of the bags for environmental reasons, it was stressed. The preliminary plan will be to add a 2 cent tax starting January 2023, to be increased to 5 cents after that, and the preliminary OK is expected to be voted on by the Council Nov. 8.

‘One City Center’ Plan Updated for F.C. Council Falls Church’s Andrew Painter led an updated presentation by Atlantic Realty on its plans and requests for special exceptions for the development of the Broad at Washington property above the current Ireland’s Four Provinces at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Council member Letty Hardi remarked that with the largescale mixed use development plan for 4.63 acres being on the same central F.C. intersection diagonally from the alreadyapproved Insight Company plan that includes a major Whole Foods store, that “something should be planned really spectacular” for the intersection, itself. “This location represents the hopes and aspirations of Falls Church,” added Council member Phil Duncan. Seventy percent of the 246 housing units on the site, which includes George Mason Square, the BB&T Bank, the Matt’s Taylor boutique and a five-story office building with parking deck, will be studios, one bedrooms or one bedrooms with work spaces, Painter said. The maximum height will be 115 feet, nine floors. Of the developed space, 33,733 square feet will be office, 66,430 retail and 321,034 residential, with nine levels of structured parking. All the spaces involved are currently owned by Atlantic Realty.

PAGE 20 | OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2021

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In accordance with the Virginia Self-Storage Act, section 55-419 F, notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental storage spaces located at Fort Knox Self-Storage will be oﬀered for sale:820 & 946-Manager’s Unit. Sale will be held online at LockerFox.com. Pictures can be viewed at that site. Bidding will begin at 9:00am on October 20th and will conclude at 9:00 am on October 25th winning bidder will be required to pay a $100.00 per unit refundable clean-out deposit (cash). Other Payments by Credit Card Only

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Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Oﬀer valid at time of estimate only 2 The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suﬀolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Fa l l s C h u r c h

Business News & Notes

OCTOBER 14 - 20 , 2021 | PAGE 21

Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program returns millions to rightful owners every year!

Local HITT Contracting Awards Bonuses HITT Contracting has dedicated more than $4 million to employees who worked through the Covid-19 pandemic. These funds were awarded in one-time hardship bonuses to frontline workers in appreciation for their dedication to construction projects, which included hospitals, vaccination clinics, research labs, warehouses and logistics centers tied to home deliveries, and data centers to support the increased telecommunication needs for remote home and work.

Falls Church Arts’ Plein Air Festival Ends Saturday The 2021 Falls Church Arts “Scenes in the City” Plein Air Festival is running through October 15 and culminates with a competition and quick draw event at the Falls Church Farmer’s Market on Saturday, October 16. During this period, artists will be outdoors painting local houses, businesses, and scenes in Falls Church City. It is open to all and winners will be announced at noon. Rain date is October 23. For more information, visit www.FallsChurchArts.org.

What is unclaimed property?

Inactive or dormant accounts from stocks, dividends, customer refunds or credits, uncashed checks, safe deposit box contents, bank accounts, insurance policy proceeds, etc.

Go to our free website today to search and start the claim process for your unclaimed property.

Home and Garden Tour Benefits the Falls Church Education Foundation The Falls Church Home & Garden Tour is on Sunday, October 17th 1—5 p.m. and benefits the Falls Church Education Foundation. Tickets are available online at www.fcedf.org through Friday, October 15th or in person on Saturday and Sunday. Your guidebook is your ticket! Pick up your guidebook at Botanologica (817 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA) on Saturday, Oct 16 from 11 a.m.—2 p.m. or Sunday, Oct 17 from 11 a.m.—3 p.m.

DMV Updates to Onsite Services Schedule The Virginia DMV has switched to appointments only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with walkin service available on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. After offices were reopened in May 2020 to appointment only, customers who were surveyed want to see this continued. Since the pandemic began, most business has been conducted online and by mail. This has resulted in over a 10 percent increase in transactions weekly cumulatively through all service options. There are currently over 50 services available online, others by mail, and with these changes, customers have more options than before.

Kensington Falls Church Teams with Body Dynamics Inc.

Virginia Department of the Treasury

Medicare has changed. Find out how it can affect you.

For FREE Medicare Supplement information from Physicians Life Insurance Company, call:

1-833-657-1636 or visit MedSupBenefit.com/vapress

We are not connected with, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. I understand I have no obligation. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. (MD, VA: These policies are available to people under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to a disability). (VA: For a complete description of policy exclusions, limitations, and costs or other coverage details, please contact your insurance agent or the company). Policy form number L030, L035, L036, L037, L038, F001, F002 (OK: L030OK, L035OK, L036OK, L037OK, L038OK; TN: L030TN, L035TN, L036TN, L037TN; L038TN, F001TN, F002TN; L030VA, L035VA, L036VA, L037VA, L038VA).

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The Kensington Falls Church is sponsoring Body Dynamics Inc. for free group exercise classes. The 30-minute virtual classes are offered weekly through December, teaching ways to incorporate movement throughout the day for a boost to productivity and health.

Eden Center to Receive Historical Marker The Virginia Board of Historic Resources has approved a new historical marker titled “Vietnamese Immigrants in Northern Virginia” to be located at Eden Center. Nomination for the historical marker was made by students at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School who were participating in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Historical Marker Contest. Falls Church Public Works recently met with an Eden Center official and a prominent location along Wilson Blvd was chosen for the historical marker. A public ceremony unveiling the historical marker will be held in Spring 2022.

 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@fallschcurchchamber.org.

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PAGE 22 | OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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25 � 10 Y�� A�� N��-P�� Falls Church News-Press Vol. VI, No. 30 • October 10, 1996

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No. 34• October 13,, 2011

City Council Could Be Breaking Law By Denying Church RIght to Run Shelter

In Mason District, Veteran Incumbent Penny Gross Faces GOP Challenger

The executive director of the Falls Church Housing Cooperation told the News-Press last night that there “seems to be a very similar situation” between the impending repeat denial of Dulin Methodist Church’s request to operate an emergency overflow homeless shelter and a recent case in Washington, D.C.

On both sides of the party line, the goal for the Mason District of Fairfax County is the same: Revitalization. But sitting four term Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and her challenger, Republican David Feld, a political newcomer, see the path toward a renewed Mason District differently.

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BROTHER KITTEN is a fun loving member of the Gatz Family. Kitten spends his days hunting and chasing animals. When not outside he loves playing and being adored by his family members Penny Harper, Emmie, Nick and Ellie. He wishes to send his Mom Ellie a very happy birthday! Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

WWW.FCNP.COM

WITH A LOT OF ENCOURAGEMENT from the Falls Church business community, Carissa Englert opened TINT right on West Broad St just behind The Neighborhood Barbershop. On this day I caught up with this Ohio native as she celebrated the two year anniversary of her yarn and fabric shop being open. (P��: J. M�� W��)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2021 | PAGE 23

PAGE 24 | OCTOBER 14 - 20 , 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

- Top Left: FOR SALE - 212 E Jefferson St, Falls Church City - Burst Open Sun 2-4 Top Right: FOR SALE - 105 W Annandale Rd, Falls Church City Bottom Left: FOR SALE - 310 N Oak St, Falls Church City Bottom Right: JUST SOLD - 605 Knollwood Dr, Falls Church City

Find your home with Merelyn Kaye and McEnearney Associates! McEnearney Associates provides our buyer’s guide as a resource for the ever-changing process of buying a home. Whether you have purchased a home before or are considering owning your first home, the buying process is almost never the same. The information in our buyer’s guide will help you navigate the process of finding, negotiating, and settling on your next home. Request your digital copy of the Exclusive McEnearney Buyer's Guide today!

ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service

Open Sun 2-4

FOR SALE!

Open Sun 2-4

310 N Oak St , Falls Church City

New Price $740,000

105 W Annandale Rd, Falls Church City Steps to Shopping & Dining

4 Bedrooms

Renovated Kitchen

3 Bedrooms

2.5 Bathrooms

New Stone Patio perfect for entertaining!

2 Full & 2 Half Bathrooms

FOR SALE!

To receive a digital copy of our exclusive guide, visit MerelynKaye.com/buyers

Renovated Kitchen & New Hardwood Floors

FOR SALE! New Price

If you prefer a printed copy text or email me today! mkaye@mcenearney.com • 703-362-1112

$749,900

$1,750,000

6619 McLean Ct, McLean

Top left - Jefferson $1,750,000 Top Right - Annandale $750,000 Bottom Left - Oak $895,000

5 Bedroooms

Historic Gardens

3 Bedrooms

Hardwood Floors

3.5 Bathrooms

Tree-top Owner's Oasis

3.5 Bathrooms

Private, Fenced Backyard

CALL 703-867-TORI

Tori@ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com 2111 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

105 W Annandale has a new photo attached that should work better so it can be horizontal if possible like the others And, for the bottom left, let's say SOLD IN 1 DAY! above the address in the gray bar you add under the photo.

REALTOR®

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Falls Church News-Press 10-14-2021

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