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News & Notes............................... 9,10 Real Estate Guide ...................11—15 Calendar
OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021 | PAGE 16
CALENDAR
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALLS CHURCH 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.
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.
Spooky Movie Night: Goosebumps. Families are wel-
come 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. 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.
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.
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 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).
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18
VIRTUALEVENTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14
THEATER&ARTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14
BILLBOARD CHART TOPPING ARTIST, Damien Escobar will be performing at the Birchmere in Alexandria on two separate nights this week. (Photo: Robert Steshetz)
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.
Gerry Timlin. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 8 p.m. 703-534-8999.
Rusty’s Lost Highway Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.
Bill Frisell Trio. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $35-$45. 9 p.m. 703237-0300.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
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, 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.
5X5 Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17
Erin McKeown + Steve Slagg. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7 p.m. 703-2551566.
Judy Collins. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $59.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.
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.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
COMMENT
A Penny for Your Thoughts
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.
C��� �� F���� C����� CRIME REPORT
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, Oct 8, between midnight and 6 AM, unknown suspect(s) removed a vehicle’s catalytic converter.
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PAGE 17 | OCTOBER 14 — 20, 2021
Last Week’s Answer
Just Published. Order at Amazon today!
PAGE 18 | OCTOBER 14 – 20, 2021
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
OCTOBER 14 THURSDAY
Honeyfunk
Jammin’ Java
7 p.m.
227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
703-255-1566 • jamminjava.com
15 FRIDAY
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
16 SATURDAY
5X5 Band
JV’s Restaurant
4 p.m.
6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
703-241-9504 • jvsrestaurant.com
BY AMANDA SNEAD
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
with Town Mountain
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 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
TOWN MOUNTAIN. (P����: C������� R�� L�������)
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.
These singles whet the appetites of the FCNP editorial team this week:
Nicholas F. Benton – Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd Amanda Snead – Goodbye Earl by The Chicks
Nick Gatz – Lightning Crashes by Live
Ted White – Walk Away Renée by The Left Banke
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
F���� C����� 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.”
OCTOBER 14 — 20 , 2021 | PAGE 19
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.
