Falls Church News-Press 10-28-2021

Oct. 28 — Nov. 3, 2021

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

Founded 1991 • Vol. XXXI N o . 37

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

Big Issues Area Latinx Leaders Rally For McAuliffe In Election Day On Tuesday Gubernational & Local City Council, School Board Races on Ballot

by Nicholas f. benton

Falls Church News-Press

The most important election in the U.S. this year will culminate with official election day voting next Tuesday, Nov. 2, when the City of Falls Church’s three polling locations and those of all the rest in Virginia will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Virginia is one of only two states in the U.S. where major officers are up for election in 2021, and in this case the race for governor between the Democratic one-term incumbent Terry McAuliffe and Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin, polls indicate the race is currently in a dead heat.

That is vexing news for Democrats in the state who have made consistent electoral gains in Virginia since 2000 to the point they currently control the governor’s mansion and both houses in the state legislature.

Whereas McAuliffe used his first term (2014—2018) to veto over 130 bills, mostly anti-women’s rights, annually when Republicans held con-

Continued on Page 4

NEW U.S. SENATOR Alex Padilla of California spoke at a pro-McAuliffe rally of area Latinx leaders near Falls Church last night.

(Photo: News-Press)

Petition Made to Form F.C. Race & Equity Body

by Nicholas f. benton

Falls Church News-Press

Leaders of important Falls Church civic organizations took turns coming to the microphone at the newly-revived in-person Falls Church City Council meeting last

Monday to urge the Council to follow through on the suggestion

by Council member Letty Hardi and a letter sent to the Council over the summer that the Council call into being a Race and Equity Commission.

Members of the indepen-

dent Falls Church Social Justice Committee, the F.C. Chapter of the League of Women Voters, the Citizens for a Better City and the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, a disability advocate and a Meridian High School member of its Students of Color Association (SOCA) were

among those prominent citizens who petitioned a receptive Council.

The student participant, Kiana Collins, and among other things spoke to the racial incident at Meridian last week that led to a

Continued on Page 5

Inside This Week Falls Church Prepares for Halloween with Decorations

City Council Candidate Comments

See Photos Page 14

See Commentary, Page 7

The Little City is in the holiday spirirt with decorations covering houses all over town and windows of local business covered in spooky paintings with the help of city residents.

Dave Snyder, Debbie Hiscott and Stuart Whitaker have provided statements to the News-Press ahead of the upcoming election.

Statements from the other three candidates, published last week, can be found online.

Index

Editorial................................................ 6 Letters.................................................. 6 Comment............................................. 7 Business News.................................... 9 News & Notes........................ 10,11,16 Crime Report..................................... 12 Calendar......................................18,19 Classified Ads.................................... 28 Comics............................................... 29 Critter Corner..................................... 30

PAGE 2 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Issues at Fields Apartments Brought to Housing Commission

BY AMANDA SNEAD

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

The Fields Apartments on Ellison Street in Falls Church are among the few affordable apartments for low income families in the area.

Many of those who live there do not have another place they can move to because of the lower pricing but tenants have reported issues.

The Falls Church Housing Commission met with tenants from the complex earlier this month to discuss the issues and potential solutions. Some of the issues mentioned included mold, mice and problems with landlords.

The property was recently taken over by new management, which was left with the remaining unsolved issues from the previous staff.

At the Housing Commission Meeting on October 12, there was a debriefing of the meeting with tenants.

City Council member Debbie Hiscott stated that many of the tenants told her that it was the first meeting they had been a part of and were happy to have someone willing to listen to their problems and help address them.

Emma Calvert of the management company that recently took over the property, told the Commission, “If there have been issues that have been present for a long period of time, we’re working to address those and have addressed several things already. Our plan is to continue to work with residents as long as they’re making us aware and willing to work with us through some of these issues.”

However, Calvert was not present at the meeting with the tenants.

She stated that in order to fix these issues she would have to hear from the residents in order to know what apartment was having the issue.

Housing Commission member Pete Davis noted that if he were the one in charge of a complex and heard complaints of mold, he would proactively reach out to everyone in order to try and solve the issue as quickly as possible. Calvert seemed to disagree, saying it would be easier for management to know exactly which apartments have complaints.

It was also brought up that many tenants had previously felt uncomfortable coming forward with issues such as mold complaints due to the way problems had been addressed in

communication.

the past, including threats of eviction.

Davis made a promise to keep a close watch and make sure residents feel safe and protected.

Regarding the issue of mold, any reports are legally required to be looked at within five days but tenants have been left with mold in their apartments much longer than that.

Complaints of mice, floors peeling, water issues and more were brought up during the Commission’s meeting with tenants.

“In terms of proactive outreach, we threw this meeting together in two weeks by putting out flyers and knocking on doors,” said Joshua Shokoor, Chair of the Housing Commission. “I think at the very least, the property managers who understand the units and the residents who live there could do the same thing in terms of letting them know that we are aware of the issues and to please feel free to come forward.”

While many promises were made by management at the meeting earlier this month, it is unclear if they have been met yet or not.

Council Member Letty Hardi commented that “the Housing Commission did an excellent job facilitating the community meeting.

Besides the immediate maintenance issues, it was apparent that residents have been frustrated and haven’t gotten the previous management to take action. I’m glad the city stepped in and brought the parties together to make sure their voices were heard.

We’ll need to stay on this even after the current issues are resolved.”

Kettler, the management company of the building, will be invited to an upcoming City Council meeting to give an update on progress made.

Karl Polzer from the Center on Capital and Social Equity told the News-Press “Falls Church and Northern Virginia are among the wealthiest places in the country.

Political leaders here tend to focus on real estate and business development and growing the revenue base. As reflected by the gubernatorial campaigns’ responses to our questionnaire on specific plans to help struggling families, the needs of low-income workers are not a priority for them – even though these voters make up a large part of the population.

He added, “Elected officials here respond most to monied interests including high-income residents whose property is appreciating in

value. Unfortunately, as the price of housing rises faster than wages, fewer people who provide services in Falls Church can afford to live here. They include essential workers and many young adults raised here entering the workforce. Many young people can’t afford local rents and end up living in their parents’ basements. The rising cost of living makes it harder for many middleincome people including teachers to live here as well. Affordable housing is especially needed for people with disabilities and suffering from serious mental illnesses.”

He said “a one bedroom apartment here is estimated to cost about $16,000 to $20,000 a year. That’s unaffordable for workers like waiters and home health workers making $25,000 a year – especially if they are single parents. According to economists at MIT, a ‘living wage’ in Fairfax County covering the needs of a single parent with one child would be $38.77 an hour. That’s more than $80,000 a year!”

The current conditions at the Fields Apartments put residents at risk and unfortunately many of them do not have any other options to find affordable housing.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 3

FCCPS Strives to Offer IB Education to All Students

BY AMANDA SNEAD

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Falls Church City Public Schools have become one of only nine school divisions in the United States that offer International Baccalaureate (IB) learning all the way from preschool through high school graduation.

Falls Church’s Public School System (FCCPS) was one of the first to begin utilizing the IB Programme after it was originally founded in 1968 in Switzerland to provide education through standardized courses and assessments to students with families who were international workers all over the world with their Diploma Programme.

The FCCPS originally started with the Diploma Programme (DP) for 11th and 12th graders, then went on to add the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 6th—10th graders in 2016 and the Primary Years Programme for preschoolers through 5th graders a few years before MYP. FCCPS was the first school

system in Virginia to add IB to the curriculum and now is one of only a few school divisions in the U.S. to offer the curriculum from preschool through 12th grade.

One thing that makes IB unique is the fact that it is offered to all students, regardless of where they are academically. Other programs like AP classes involve expensive exams and are only offered to certain students.

“The IB program is international, so the subjects, the requirements, the objectives that students learn are all the same whether you’re in Falls Church or overseas,” said Rory Dippold, Acting IB MYP Coordinator. “In Falls Church we do have a lot of international students so we’ve had a lot of transfers come from schools overseas who have integrated into MYP or DP.” The IB learner profile consists of creating students who are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring,

UPON ENTERING MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL, students, staff and visitors are greeted by a mural showcasing the IB learner pro�ile. (P���� C������� FCCPS) risk-takers, balanced and reflective. These skill sets are valuable to students as they progress through school and into the “real world” after graduating regardless of if they choose to enter the workforce, go to college, go to trade school or join the military.

Students showcase these traits and learning skills in a variety of different projects that take place in 5th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades, from community projects to research papers.

While online learning isn’t ideal for most, educators felt confident that they and their

students were more prepared than most for the transition due to the skills being taught through IB. “I do think that us having the continuum of the IB practices and principles that we focus on

Continued on Page 15

www.MarcusSimon.com

Vote Early or on Election Day to Re-Elect Delegate Simon!

Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Marcus Simon.

PAGE 4 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. Prepares for Tuesday Election at State and Local Level Continued from Page 1

trol of the legislature in Richmond.

His vetoes were never overridden, and they haven’t been necessary with the now Democraticcontrolled House of Delegates and State Senate bodies in the last two years. But that could readily change with Tuesday’s election and all the House of Delegates and a half of the State Senate on the ballot next year.

So that’s what is up for grabs in next Tuesday’s voting, particularly problematic for the Democrats since it is the first major election, nationally, in the wake of Donald Trump’s sound electoral defeat last November and his attempt to remain in office by advocating the infamous violent disruption of certification of the final vote at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

If Trump’s favored candidate in Tuesday’s election, Youngkin, wins, it is feared that it will inflame a perpetuation and escalation of the kind of Trumpian electoral disruption methods that exploded last January. The validity of all future U.S. elections should subsequently be called into

question.

While this is singularly the most important issue on the ballot next week, there are also important elections for City Council and School Board posts in the City of Falls Church, as well. Four of the seven seats on each body are being contested in this election.

Already so far, according to Falls Church Registrar David Bjerke, a whopping 23 percent of eligible voters have cast their ballots as of Tuesday night with mail in or no excuse advance voting, and another 90 people had already voted as of midday yesterday.

For the City Council, while three incumbents are seeking new four-year terms— David Snyder, Marybeth Connelly and Debbie Shantz-Hiscott, in order of the length of their current terms of service on the Council— out of six total contenders, it is not the same for the School Board race, which has become the most contentious.

There are no incumbents or previous office holders among the seven candidates competing in that race.

In the Council race, Snyder has made it a point in pursuit of a

seventh term on the Council that his work over the past decades has contributed to the Little City being ranked third in the entire U.S. by U.S. News and World Report for its overall quality of life. That speaks to the credit of all the incumbents, and three others— Scott Diaz, Caroline Lian and Stuart Whitaker — are essentially vying for the one open seat. (First-term incumbent Ross Litkenhous is the only member of the current Council who is not seeking re-election this fall.)

In the School Board race, where no incumbents are running this year, the seven candidates for four seats in contention have been working hard, with none among them having held public office before.

The candidates, all running fully engaged races, are (in alphabetical order) Jerrod Anderson, Coutney Mooney, David Ortiz, Ilya Shapiro, Lori Silverman and Kathleen Tysse.

All spoke extensively to the effects of the past year’s Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the schools in F.C., and have, like their Council candidate counterparts, have had extensive opportunities

provided them in the News-Press to publish their views, including with a Falls Church League of Women Voters special section and an invitation by the News-Press to all to submit for publication about 500 words. Some have also chosen to take out display advertisements in this paper.

Additionally, at last Thursday’s virtual online candidate’s debate 112 citizens tuned in to the live event, according to CBC President Hal Lippman, and that event remains accessible to citizens online.

Two of the candidates— Courtney Mooney and Ilya Shapiro — were among the most vocal critics of how the School Board and Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan fared through the Covid-19 crisis of the last year.

(There are some yard signs around town calling for the entire School Board to be ousted.)

Shapiro included that the board’s “credibility was lost during the school name changing process.” He also criticized the board for “deferring to the superintendent too much,” adding there have been “spins to cover up”

shortcomings.

Silverman said she wants to be “a reasonable, thoughtful voice, not antagonistic,” and Tysse called for “collaboration and mutual trust.” Gould added that he wants “no caustic relationships,” noting that with the pressures of the last year, that “teachers are exhausted,” while Mooney said the board “should reflect the community.”

Silverman, Tysse and Gould all spoke to the benefits for teachers of the new state law allowing for collective bargaining, while Ortiz called on a rotation of board members to visit the City’s five public schools every month.

Anderson spoke to “teacher burnout,” the bus driver shortage, the loss of enrollment down 150 from last year and the low pass rate for math in the sixth grade.

Tysse said the board in the last year “made a lot of difficult decisions in good faith,” and said the issue of affordable housing and its impact on the lack of diversity in the community cannot be ignored as a School Board issue.

The final News-Press endorsements appear on Page 6 of this edition.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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PAGE 5 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

Key F.C. Social Justice Leaders Appeal to Council at Meeting Tuesday

Continued from Page 1

brief walkout from classes by hundreds of students onto its football field last week in protest to the incident of loud racial slurs emanating from some students which members of SOCA felt had not been taken seriously enough by the school administration.

Collins, a City resident and Meridian student who is a student member of the F.C. Social Justice Committee, said that minority voices need to be better heard on issues that effect them at the predominantly white Meridian high school.

Debbie Massey of the F.C. Social Justice Committee recalled that in June, under the umbrella of her organization, representatives of a number of the groups who had representatives there drafted a letter to the Council seeking the formation of a formal City commission on race and equity.

Hal Lippman, former Council member and now president of the Citizens for a Better City (CBC), and Allison Brown on behalf of the Falls Church chapter of the League of Women Voters, joined Collins, Kate Singleton and Massey coming to the microphone to urge formation

of the new commission.

Their petition was for the formation of a body that would look at issues of inclusion, diversity and equity and include at least one paid staff person to look at all the City’s issues, including its annual budget, “through an equity lens.”

They noted that similar bodies with paid staff have been formed in the last year by Falls Church’s neighbors, Fairfax and Arlington counties.

“Diversity is a beautiful thing,” exclaimed Collins, saying that “as a member of the marginalized, our voices need to be heard.”

Singleton said the heightened social awareness that grew out of the George Floyd murder case last year needs now to be kept alive by “an institutionalized and funded” effort to “keep the City accountable” with conversations that are ongoing in a “vulnerable, honest and perceiving manner.” It needs to extend to black, indigenous and all people of color (BIPOC) people, those with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and self-identified “queer” (LGBTQ) persons.

Massey said that the Council should take “a deliberate, intentional and strategic step” to form such a

commission, noting the good work that happened earlier in the year as a result of the formation of a social equity review of all its board and commissions and a Use of Force Review committee’s work with the F.C. police department.

Such a group would be able to link up with similar groups in the region to form “a strong region-wide coalition.”

In other developments from Monday’s Council meeting: It was announced that virtual town hall meetings were scheduled for last night, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Nov. 4 at noon to take citizen input on how to expend the City’s $18 million in federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds.

City Manager Wyatt Shields confirmed the 20—25 percent shortage of labor at City Hall, reported in last week’s News-Press, and that “recruit and retention” efforts are aggressively being pursued. “This has our full attention,” he said, even as labor shortages are “a national trend that is requiring us to reshape our views of the role of work in our lives.”

Jobs have to become more flexible with more employee empowerment and more tools to support a workforce, he added

AMONG THOSE WHO APPEARED at this Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting to speak out for the formation of a Race and Equity Commission to be formed by the City, an initiative of Council member Letty Hardi, were Debbie Massey, Kate Singleton, Hal Lippman on behalf of the Citizens for a Better City, Allison Brown on behalf of the F.C. League of Women Voters and Kiana Collins of the Meridian High School’s Students of Color Association. (Photo: News-Press) Steve Mason, the City’s Human Resources Director, spoke about the need to place more emphasis on talent acquisition. Shortages currently are at 18 percent in the Department

of Recreation and Parks, five in the police department including the retirement of long-time employees and predominantly in the Department of Public Works.

PAGE 6 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 

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E D I TO R I A L

Our Final Endorsements

Being as next Tuesday’s election day in Virginia marks the first major election in the U.S. following the defeat of Trump last November and his attempted coup in January, its importance to all of us simply can’t be overstated. How it turns out here next Tuesday will set the tone for the coming period both nationally and even globally. If Trump can pull off what gets characterized as a victory for him, then we’re all in for a ton of hurt going forward, not to mention that momentum toward another coup attempt against our democratic institutions will be ensured.

Accompanying that will be a huge up-tick in violence and chaos. The best answer to the violence we’re already seeing escalating even at school board meetings around the U.S. is to send a loud message that the Trumpian approach to our politics is soundly rejected at the polls, beginning right here.

It is vital that our readers act as “fighting optimists” to vote and get out the votes of everyone they can at the polls Tuesday, if not before. The fate of our democracy is quite literally at stake, and consequences at the state and local level also cannot be overstated. At the state level, the election of the GOP’s thoroughly Trumpian slate for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general would set Virginia back half a century. Such throwbacks to an unhappy earlier time are guaranteed to foment angry discord and divisions among us.

To blithely cast a vote in the direction of someone simply because he or she is seen as a thorn in the side of a perceived establishment, for example, is playing with fire in times like these. Our political situation is simply too fragile in this period to cast a single vote that way.

We are uniquely challenged to vote as real adults this time, responsible for the world we’re tasked to lead and pass off to our children.

The Falls Church races are pronounced echoes of the national temperament, and happily there are excellent choices available that reflect an adult, responsible commitment.

Given that a new no-excuse advance voting option was available for us for the first time since September, the News-Press weighed in on our early best assessments for our readers. We’ve learned a lot in the meantime, and remain unapologetic in calling attention to what we believe are key issues to consider in advancing the best path forward for our city, nation and world. Now, in the last week before the election, we endorse the following: Governor of Virginia: Terry McAuliffe. Lieutenant governor: Hala Ayala, Attorney General: Mark Herring. State Delegate: Marcus Simon.

Falls Church City Council: Marybeth Connelly, Deborah Shantz-Hiscott, David Snyder, Caroline Lian.

Falls Church School Board: Tate Gould, David Ortiz, Lori Silverman, Kathleen Tysse.

We also endorse all three Constitutional officers running unopposed but worthy of our support, Treasurer Jody Acosta, Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton and Sheriff Met Kaye.

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School Board Candidate Seeks Clarification Editor, Thankfully, more and more voters know that your jejune shots land well wide of the mark. Still, I do need to correct one particular falsehood: I have never disparaged our schools, and I never will.

Like many of us, my family moved here to be a part of a worldclass public education system. Falls Church schools earned their reputation over decades of stellar performance by teachers and staff -- and dedication by parents and local leaders. But success can breed complacency, which is why the board should be more accountable and responsive.

That message is clearly resonating, as board members have done more to engage the community over the last two months than in the last two years. Meaningful public outreach should be the norm, not the exception, in a community with our resources and commitment to students.

Ilya Shapiro Falls Church

GOP Candidate: “I’m Losing Faith in 2 Party System Editor, Centrist, middle, Rino, Dino, Conservative Democrat, Liberal Republican, and the list goes on for the million ways to describe so many people that feel lost in a two party system. The people that feel orphaned by all of the hateful rhetoric that goes on between the extremes in each party. I hear it all of the time on the campaign trail. I understand it, because I find myself in the same situation.

I care about social issues. I also care about our businesses and how much we pay in taxes. It is possible to be more than one thing. My confusion comes in when the mainstream parties tell us we have to choose. It isn’t ok to use your head and your heart when making decisions.

Both parties need to be big enough to have people with many different beliefs, backgrounds, and ideas. We need to be open to hearing people even if they do not think just like we do. That is often how the best solutions to problems are found. This openness could also lead to more cross party negotiation and conversa-

tion. We need to care more about our communities than our party lines.

Both parties need to renounce the ugly style of campaigning where you trash another person. We need to stop idolizing leaders who belittle and insult others. We should be proud of our leaders. Not just their accomplishments, but the way they treat others. There are great leaders out there who can unite our country and we need them to step up for us.

Sarah White GOP Delegate Candidate

Shapiro’s Big $ Giving and Receiving Can’t Be Ignored Editor, The news is flooded with reports from around the country that local elections have now become the target of those seeking to inject national partisanship into local governance.

Let’s hope that’s not the destiny of Our Little City.

The Falls Church News-Press has devoted an incredible amount of space to candidates to express their views and the recent City Council and School Board candidate forums provided invaluable time for the candidates to express their opinions. I am impressed by all of these candidates and the qualifications and commitment they would bring to their roles.

However, in the interest of time and fairness to the candidates, the forums have had their limitations. It’s in the interest of every voter to dig deeper.

Contributions to the campaign of Ilya Shapiro for Falls Church School Board have raised eyebrows and concerns of longtime residents for their size and out-of-state sources; his war chest is unprecedented. When one candidate for School Board outraises all six other contenders— with many contributors residing out of state— concern for the continuation of local control of our local schools is justified.

Financial support for candidates is an expression of free speech that we treasure in our democracy and should not replace a carefully considered review of a candidate’s positions and qualifications for office.

But in the spirit of understanding who our candidates are and what they might inject into something as critical to our future as a community as the School Board, these facts cannot be ignored.

When local candidates say they will be accountable and responsive, the question is “to whom?”

Don Foley Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CO MME NT

OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 7

3 F.C. City Council Candidate Statements

Statements from other candidates appeared in print last week.

Dave Snyder

Debbie Hiscott

Stuart Whitaker

U.S. News and World Report this summer ranked the City of Falls Church 3rd healthiest out of nearly 3,000 jurisdictions for our quality of civic life. This results from our shared values and the hard work of our citizens and government over many years.

Maintaining this quality of life with all its components is and has always been my first priority as an elected official.

The future of the City is now in hands of the voters. I ask only that you judge the candidates not by our words but by our past actions and our record of performance for this community.

I grew up in a small city in the Western Pennsylvania coal region and was blessed with parents who were community activists. Following law school, my wife Edie and I found this community with great schools where you can raise a family in safety and make a difference. After serving on the board of the Falls Church Housing Corporation, I have been elected to City Council since 1994, served as Mayor and Vice Mayor, and chaired regional transportation, emergency preparedness, and environmental bodies. During this time, we’ve gone through good and tough times—9/11, the snipers, natural catastrophes, the financial crisis, and now the pandemic.

Working together, we have prevailed, and together, we can do even better. Here is where I stand: Budget Priorities—Support highest quality schools and public safety, including police, fire, and traffic safety; fill essential vacant positions on City staff and review and improve current management and working conditions; identify best uses for new federal money for immediate pandemic relief and permissible long-term, high-cost capital projects such as stormwater infrastructure; and look for ways to reduce the tax rate consistent with these priorities.

Diversity and Equity—Back our review of City expenditures and programs to ensure they are fair, equitable, and cost effective; support the maintenance and repair of existing affordable housing and increase affordable housing in new developments when they otherwise benefit the City and neighbors; and engage in a community conversation where all voices are heard on any zoning changes.

Environment and Climate Change—Collaborate regionally to meet critical climate goals; ratchet up mandates on new developments to achieve highest environmental standards; and provide better incentives, information, and support for voluntary actions by homeowners on energy saving, renewable energy, and stormwater management.

Transportation—Advocate for increasing traffic calming and enforcement of lower speed limits on our streets; enhance bike and pedestrian infrastructure; continue to achieve funding for local projects as I have done for the W&OD Trail enhancements, Bikeshare, and Park Avenue improvements; and move forward the Route 7 Bus Rapid Transit Study.

Regional Leadership—Provide regional leadership on emergency preparedness, transportation, and environmental/ climate issues; acquire funding for Falls Church projects, adding to the $40 million in transportation grants I have helped the City obtain; and focus on improving Metro from the top down.

Thanks to all who have voted and to everyone planning to vote on or before November 2nd.

I have served Falls Church City in professional and volunteer capacities for over 25 years, and as a City Council member for the past year. One of many reasons I am running again is to support the business development on the ten acre site in West Falls Church.

After spending almost twenty years as an advocate for building a new high school, as a parent and founding member of the political action committee that promoted the bond referendum for its construction, I feel personally and morally responsible for ensuring that the promises made to the voters are kept. We need to ensure that the development is successful financially and enhances living and working here.

I am proud to have played a collaborative role in the successes of the Council this past year including: opening the sustainable high school, expanding city hall and the library, working to support local businesses and residents with financial and logistical assistance during the pandemic, focusing on equity through our boards and commissions, increasing affordable housing, highlighting environmental issues, and working with task forces on the issues of Stormwater and the Use of Force. Simultaneously, the Council also lowered the tax rate for the first time in many years.

While much is improved, we have significant work ahead. There are opportunities to use funds we are receiving from the American Recovery Plan Act. We must focus our spending on stormwater and infrastructure projects to enable our community to better withstand climate change, reduce environmental impacts on residents and to decrease the debt financing otherwise incurred to complete these projects. The savings allow us to support other city programs and maintain or lower our tax rate.

We have significantly missed stated goals established for both affordable housing and climate change. We need to take aggressive action to improve in both areas.

Additionally, we must staff effectively and invest in systems to support the work of city and school employees.

We need to maintain the current affordable housing stock and ensure its quality; pursue options for more mixed-use affordable housing; apply for grant funding and invest in our own fund; and follow our neighboring jurisdictions’ lead on zoning. To enact environmental changes for progress, we need to focus on resiliency investments, leading with city projects and encouraging residential investments to benefit the climate.

Through decades of working, volunteering, and raising my family here, I’ve developed broad and deep relationships that help me be effective as a member of the City Council. Ideas are important, and I have many, but there is no replacement for experience. My strong interpersonal skills are backed up by decades of work in corporate finance, business development, strategy, and budgeting.

I’ve worked to earn the trust and confidence of our leaders and have the skills it takes to be a strong member of the Council. It would be an honor to continue serving the community through this critical role. Please vote for me, Debbie Hiscott, for City Council on November 2nd.

Representatives from 200 countries will begin meeting on Halloween to “put the world on a path to aggressively cut greenhouse gas emissions and slow the Earth’s warming.” George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication found “large majorities of registered voters, including many Republicans, support a variety of climate and energy policies.”

The Rhodium Group found “Joint action by Congress, the executive branch, and subnational leaders can put the 2030 target within reach, but all must act.”

Falls Church City can and must act to live up to its values. Unfortunately, we have fallen short. Falls Church City set as a 2020 goal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction of 20 percent below the 2005 level yet emissions were reduced by only 2 percent. The City’s draft Climate Change Mitigation Energy Action Plan (Action Plan) found that transportation is the leading source of emissions at 42 percent. Transportation emissions can be reduced by utilizing lower emission transportation modes including hybrid and electric vehicles, walking, biking, telecommuting, and transit. Members of the City Council also serve on numerous bodies that affect regional issues. Despite the need to reduce transportation emissions, the City Council supported the I-66 toll road expansion agreement that restricts extension of Metro’s Orange line until ten years after toll service has begun—putting its finger on the scale against transit and in favor of high emissions and increased automobile congestion.

With the passing of Dan Sze last year, the City lost one of our strongest environmental proponents. The draft Action Plan says the City “will strive to be a leader in environmental sustainability,” yet goes on to say the “City Council resolved to adopt the regional goals established by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG).” I want Falls Church City to be a true leader by exceeding the regional goals.

The first thing to do is move forward on the plan, long on the drawing board, to implement a high performance Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system running along Broad Street to reduce emissions, reduce congestion, and foster greater access to commercial businesses. Other things to do include making the City more attractive to pedestrians by adding benches, and building more bike paths.

Beyond climate I am a strong supporter of the Falls Church City Public Schools, affordable housing, diversity, LGBTQ rights, economic development, infrastructure investment, and measures to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

I have worked with a number of organizations such as the Sierra Club, participated in numerous civic meetings, met with numerous elected officials, and published opinion pieces in the Washington Post on climate and transportation. I was privileged to grow up in the middle class—my father was a social worker and my mother was a librarian. I am a financial economist by training with an MBA from the University of Chicago, I have worked in the private sector in the US and internationally, and I’ve worked blue collar jobs. I have been a sole proprietor since 1986 and am a new member of the Falls Church Chamber.

PAGE 8 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NEWS BRIEFS FCNP Urges Passage of Federal Local News Support Legislation

er at: Regist www.fccps.org/StrategicPlan

www.fccps.org/StrategicPlan

Yesterday, Nicholas Benton, owner-editor of the Falls Church News-Press, weighed in to support passage of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act before Congress this week.

The act is designed to ease the national community news crisis through a series of federal tax credits.

The bill would provide three tax credits for a five-year period, as news consumers would be able to write off $250 a year that they spend on subscriptions or on donations to nonprofit news organizations, news organizations would receive tax benefits for hiring or retaining journalists, and local small businesses would receive tax credits for advertising in local newspapers and news websites and on television and radio stations.

LWV Assures Voters It’ll Be Safe at Polls Next Tuesday The League of Women Voters of Virginia issued a statement yesterday to encourage all eligible Virginians to vote in the November 2 election and to take advantage of the many safe early voting mechanisms in place. “Virginians can vote with confidence and know that their ballot will be counted and processed safely,” says LWV-VA President Deb Wake.

She explained, “Our members include local electoral board officials and experienced elections officers. We observe the logic and accuracy testing that ensures that every piece of voting equipment is operating correctly and is locked until used for voting. We recently studied Virginia’s electoral processes in depth in order to develop our current position. Virginia’s standards for cybersecurity, for instance, exceed federal standards for voting machines, plus the state, unlike the federal government, has standards for electronic pollbooks. From preprocessing absentee ballots through post-election audits and certification of elections, League members participate in or observe every step.”

About Halloween: Trick ‘R Treater Do’s & Don’ts This Sunday’s Halloween will involve for many a return to usual drills for costuming and Trick ‘R Treating when it gets dark. The City of Falls Church has issued some “safe vs. scary” guidelines for enjoying the day.

In the “safe” category are the following: 1. Incorporate a cloth or surgical mask into the costume, 2. Trick ‘R Treating in small

groups outdoors or enjoying other outdoor activities, 3. Wash hands before eating candy and 4. Get the Covid-19 vaccine (ages 12 and up) and a flu shot.

In the “scary” category, it says “beware and don’t take part in:” 1. Indoor parties and gatherings, 2. Inviting Trick ‘R Treaters inside, 3. Using a costume mask instead of a cloth/surgical mask, 4. Crowded doorsteps and 5. Trick ‘R Treating if you feel sick.

A Halloween Carnival on the day before Halloween will be held completely outdoors this year in Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Avenue). Those ages 2-11 are invited to celebrate Saturday, Oct. 30, either 1 – 3 p.m. or 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Wristbands are $1 (adults and children), cash only.

Activities will include games, inflatables, and snacks. Guests are encouraged to wear masks and to stay at home if not feeling well.

Va. Emergency Department Opens Equity Office Yesterday, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) officially announced the opening of the new Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion located in the Chesterfield, Virginia VDEM Headquarters.

The official opening establishes Virginia as the first state in the nation to create such an office within a state emergency management office. The office will provide subject matter expertise, strategic leadership, and technical assistance to VDEM staff, partners, and key stakeholders on best practices for ensuring emergency management plans are equitable and prioritize vulnerable and at-risk populations before, during, and after disasters.

Fairfax County ‘Safest in Nation,’ McKay Says “Fairfax County is the safest jurisdiction of its size in the nation,” Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay reported yesterday. “This is in large part due to the dedication of the brave men and women who serve as members of our Police Department.”

“We are proud of our low crime rates – especially in light of all of the stresses on our community relating to Covid-19.

Compared to a year ago, 3,500 fewer people have been victims of a crime this year. While any victim is too many, context is really critical. Overall, crime is down by 13.2 percent. While we have sadly seen 19 homicides so far this year, a third have been cases of domestic violence.”

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 9

B������� N��� � N���� Town Hall Meeting on ARPA The City of Falls Church has announced two upcoming Town Hall Meetings to discuss the ARPA Funds. The first one was on Wednesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. The second Town Hall is scheduled for Thursday, November 4 at 12 noon via MS Teams or call in to 540-5665466 (ID 332 104 25). The video will be available after the event on the city’s webpage.

Capital Bikeshare Price Changes The D.C. area bicycle-sharing system raised rental prices for non-members on Oct. 1, dropping a flat $2 fee for 30-minute rides in favor of charging 5 cents per minute and a $1 “unlocking fee.” Officials say the changes will help cover increasing operational and maintenance costs as well as future improvements and expansion plans.

Trunk or Treat Columbia Baptist Church is hosting their annual Trunk or Treat on October 31, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at 103 W. Columbia Street, Falls Church. Families are invited to come in costume and practice their best “trick or treat” at 40+ themed trunks. This is a free event open to the public.

For more information, visit the website: http://www.columbiabaptist.org/trunkortreat.

Trick or Treat at Plaka Plaka Restaurant is hosting a family-friendly trick-or-treat and Halloween Costume Contest on Sunday, October 31st, no purchase necessary. A 10 percent discount is available to those who stay for dinner. To enter the contest, post a photo of children or pets on Facebook and the staff will select a winner in those categories. Winners will receive a $25 Plaka gift card digitally in their email. The submission deadline is November 3 and winners will be announced on November 6.

Eden Center Movie Night Families are invited to Eden Center where options for dinner are plentiful and enjoy the Free movie, “Hocus Pocus”, in the parking lot. Sit in your own car and listen through your vehicle stereo speakers. Free popcorn and assorted Halloween candy will be provided. The first 50 children to attend in costume will receive $5 Eden Center gift certificate.

Halloween-Inspired Windows Welcome All to Shop and Stroll Shop local businesses and enjoy the Halloween-themed windows of Falls Church. These restaurants and retailers participated in the Falls Church Halloween window Painting Festival sponsored by Falls Church Arts, running since 2008. Take in the artwork before it disappears.  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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Bring the family to Eden Center for a delicious dinner and stay for a FREE movie in the parking lot!

Sit in your own car and listen through your vehicle stereo speakers. FREE popcorn and assorted Halloween candy will be provided. The first 50 children to attend in costume will receive $5 Eden Center gift certificates!

PAGE 10 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes String Quartet Concert on November 7 The Left Bank Quartet will give a concert on Sunday, November 7, at 4:00 pm at Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna. Their program will feature Schubert’s well-known “Death and the Maiden” string quartet together with works by Haydn and the 20thcentury composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The ensemble’s four musicians are faculty members at the University of Maryland’s School of Music and have been playing together for more than twenty years, in addition to pursuing active careers both locally and at many of the major music festivals in the United States and abroad. Admission is free, with donations requested to support the church’s music program and concert series. The Church of the Holy Comforter is located at 543 Beulah Road NE in Vienna; more information is available at https:// holycomforter.com/ or by calling 703-938-6521.

McLean Antiques Show & Sale returns to the McLean Community Center in November The McLean Antiques Show & Sale is back at the McLean Community Center (MCC) in November, and it is better than ever. The show is Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m.— 4 p.m. Admission is $10, and free for children ages 17 and younger.

The admission price is good for both days and a $1 off coupon is available on the center’s website, www.mcleancenter.org. Proceeds from the show benefit the James C. Macdonald Scholarship Fund.

MCC is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave. Featuring an exceptional group of dealers representing American, Continental and Asian antiques, the show has returned after a oneyear postponement due to Covid19. Shoppers will find decorative accessories, furniture, folk art, ceramics, silver, paintings, prints, Oriental rugs, jewelry, vintage clothing, fine glassware, inkwells, steins, bronzes, rare books and

FALLS CHURCH AREA LITTLE LEAGUE T-BALL SEASON WRAPPED UP LAST WEEKEND, AND IN THE CASE OF THE POLAR BEARS, THEY HONORED THE NEWS-PRESS’ SPONSORSHIP OF THEIR TEAM BY PRESENTING A SHIRT SIGNED BY ALL THE TEAM MEMBERS AND GIVEN BY COACH LARRY WRIGHT TO THE NEWS-PRESS’ NICK GATZ, SHOWN HERE WITH HIS STEP DAUGHTER EMMA ROSE BIGDEN. TEAM MEMBERS SHOWN ARE (L. TO R.) IN THE FRONT ROW: BRENNA MORGAN, NICHOLAS WRIGHT, HARVEY MOBERLY (ON ONE KNEE), JACK JONES, SEAN FLYNN, WALTER PAINTER, BROOKS BAKER, MADELINE DIMUZIO, BARRON PAINTER, AND MURPHY DUFF. ABSENT WAS ARDEN ALLARD. IN THE BACK ROW, COACH ANDY DUFF IS SHOWN WITH COACH WRIGHT, GATZ AND STEP DAUGHTER. (Photo: News-Press) much more! In addition, an onsite café will provide delicious snacks, beverages and lunch options for shoppers.

According to show manager Dordy Fontinel, this year’s show will feature some favorite dealers as well as wonderful new dealers to the event. “Antiques are the ultimate in recycling and shoppers can invest in the future by recycling the past at the show,” she said.

“Buying quality antiques with a rich history that lasts for centuries is a very sustainable and good practice for the planet.”

All visitors to MCC are required to wear face masks and observe social distancing. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the building.

For more information, visit www.dfshows.com or call MCC at 703-790-012

Manassas Fall Gallery Walk November 5 Come out and enjoy this free event. The merchants of Historic Downtown will be displaying art-

work by local, featured artists.

Follow the balloons to each destination. A map of participating locations will be available closer the event date.

The streets will be closed for this event, and the Sip and Shop ABC permit will be in effect throughout the evening.

For a map of participating locations and more information, go to visitmanassas.org.

Junior League of Northern Virginia Winter Fundraiser on November 6 The Junior League of Northern Virginia is excited to announce that their winter fundraiser, The Enchanted Forest, is back for its 21st year. It will take place on Saturday, November 6, 2021.

This year, TEF will feature a combination of in-person and virtual events, including StoryTime with Santa, personalized Zoom calls with Santa, exercises classes, cooking demonstrations, an online silent auction, an elegant gala and so much more.

The Enchanted Forest “Winter Wonderland” Gala on November 6 from 7—11 p.m.

The TEF Gala will be held at the International Country Club on November 6 from 7-—11 p.m. and will feature a silent auction, open bar, dinner, a live D.J., and dancing. Tickets are on sale now. You can purchase in advance.

Please note: The last day to purchase tickets for the gala is October 29th.

To purchase tickets or find out more information, visit www.jlnv. org/tef/.

Bull Run Festival of Lights Begins November 11 The Bull Run Festival of Lights is a 2.5 mile drive through of festive light displays, walk-through Christmas Village and Carnival.

The show is open nightly from November 11, 2021 through January 2, 2022.

The hours are Monday— Thursday nights from 5:30—9:30 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday nights from 5:30—

10:00 p.m. Holiday nights include November 25, December 24, December 25, December 31 and January 1.

Timed entry tickets are available on Monday—Thursday nights from 5:30—7:30 p.m. and 7:30— 9:30 p.m. On Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday nights, timed entry tickets are available from 5:30—7:30 p.m. and 7:30—10:00 p.m. You may arrive at any time during your ticket hours. The lights are not turned off at closing time.

Closing time is when the last car is let into the show. As long as you arrive before closing time, you will be able to see the entire show.

Please visit www.bullrunfestivaloflights.com for full details and information.

Alexandria Film Festival Takes Place November 11—25 The festival’s footprint is enlarging this year with the launch of “Homegrown: American Stories in Music and Film,” undertaken in partnership

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and kicking off Nov. 6. Ticket holders will be treated to an exceptional blend of movies and music, as films commissioned exclusively for this event will screen “in concert” with the live performance of the orchestra.

The ASO chose six orchestral pieces— all by American composers— while the AFF conducted a national search and both jointly selected six filmmakers to bring to life a corresponding cinematic vision of the music. The results are extraordinary and can only be experienced in person. All filmmakers will be on hand personally to take questions from the audience. Film Festival All Fest Pass purchasers receive a code to purchase discounted tickets for this event only at AlexSym.org.

The festival film showcases kick off on Nov. 11 and will be offered virtually, again on the Eventive platform. Tickets and passes will available beginning Friday, October 15.

Accessing the films online is simple. Viewers can watch the films anytime within the two-week period beginning November 11, through midnight on Thanksgiving Day. Showcase tickets are $12 while an all-festival pass is $75.

Showcases—blocks of films organized around a theme—include numerous Q&A sessions with film directors, producers, actors, and composers. Purchase tickets and All Fest Passes at AlexFilmFest. com.

Festival patrons can again look forward to the popular Burke & Herbert Bank Family Showcase, which features films by and about young people. Two “Salute to Service Members” Showcases are offered free of charge to active and retired service members to celebrate the Veteran’s Day Weekend falling on the same dates as the festival.

For more information, visit https://alexfilmfest.com/the-festival.

Catoctin Holiday Art Tour November 13 and 14 This year you can ease into your holiday shopping with the 10th Catoctin Holiday Art Tour.

In 2021, they have added new artists working in glass, textiles and painted wood. There are also two new tour stops, both right in Lovettsville.

They’re still keeping things cozy, with all studios located within a five mile radius, so you can get to all the stops in a day or slow it down, stop in town for lunch or brunch, and spend the

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OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 11

weekend.

This group of Loudoun artists has been busy throughout the pandemic, creating original works in paint, wood, clay, glass, metal, fiber and more, and can’t wait to see you.

They will be observing recommended Covid-19 protocols for indoor spaces at each studio to keep everyone safe as they prepare for a happy holiday season.

“Having Our Say” Final Weekend Live theater has returned to the little city. Follow the real-life centenarian Delany sisters as they welcome you 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. Thursdays 7:30 p.m., Fridays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. through Sunday, October 31.

Please note: social distancing between parties and masks will be required along with proof of vaccination or proof of negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of visit.

Get tickets: https://www.creativecauldron.org/having-our-say. html.

Fairfax 2021 Holiday Craft Show November 20 and 21 Fairfax City’s Parks & Recreation Department welcomes you to their 35th annual Holiday Craft Show on November 20 from 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. and November 21 from 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. at Fairfax High School.

What started out in 1987 as a very small show has grown to become a premium arts and crafts festival. Artisans from all over the United States, including many local artists, are participating in this year’s show and they are delighted to be able to offer you so many wonderful holiday gift choices. There really is something for everyone on your shopping list.

Please take your time and visit all the areas of the show — you won’t want to miss a single one.

Take a rest during the show to enjoy a hot lunch.

Falls Church Ghost Tours This Weekend Falls Church Ghosts and History Tour will take place on Friday, Ocotber 29 and Saturday, October 30.

The tour starts at Cherry Hill Farmhouse (302 Park Ave.)

SWORN IN at Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting as volunteers to official City bodies were Jon Ward to the Environmental Sustainability Council and Joseph Rollo to the City Employee Review Board (Photo: News-Press) promptly at 6 p.m. The event is 90 minutes long and covers 1.5 miles. Please bring a flashlight and a donation of five dollars or three cans of food as this event benefits local food drives.

More information and the link to reserve your spot can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ FallsChurchGhostTours/.

Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights The 2021 Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is open nightly Thursday, November 11, 2021, through Sunday, January 2, 2022, including all holidays.

Enjoy even more lights this year as Meadowlark Botanical Gardens sparkles with displays of flowers, animals, wrapped trees, and winter holiday scenes.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite by searching “2021 Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights”

Mosaic District Co-Working Space

Opens

In need of an alternative workspace? Welcome to NICHE, Mosaic’s brand new meeting and co-working space.

NICHE provides a convenient and comfortable space, dedicated to helping you network, connect, and collaborate.

Enjoy complimentary highspeed Wi-FI, access to power outlets and charging stations, free coffee from Mom and Pop’s for the first 100 users, single-person and team-sized tables and ability to book the space for presentations, group meetings, trainings, or simply an alternative to office or work-from-home Learn more at https://mosaicdistrict.com/niche/

NOVA Parks Offers Skating, Lights and More NOVA Parks is proud to bring a new winter event, Ice and Lights— The Winter Village at Cameron Run beginning November 9.

The event includes skating, photo opportunities, light displays and more.

All ice skating tickets must be purchased online in order to provide a great skate experience.

Skating ticket sales have been significantly reduced in order to provide a safe experience on the ice.

Please be advised that spectators will be limited in the ice rink area. only children under the age of 12 may have one chaperone in the ice rink are--benches are provided for putting on and removing skates only. All skate sessions include free skate rentals. There is no discount if you bring your

own skates this year.

Skate sessions are limited to one hour, starting with your ticket time.

All skaters will receive a colored sticker that signifies their skate time. At the end of the hour, the ice will be cleared, rental skates must be returned in order to complete cleaning procedures, and cleaning and resurfacing procedures will begin for the ice rink.

More details about the event and a link to purchase tickets can be found at https://www. novaparks.com/events/ice-lights.

Northern Virginia Veterans in Manassas on November 6 Honoring all Veterans and their families. Thank you and Welcome Home!

Join VetPar Inc. on Saturday November 6 at 11 a.m. in Old Town Manassas for their 12th Annual Parade dedicated to CPL Bryan Nason, USMC. All participants are requested to arrive between 9 a.m. and no later than 10:15 a.m.

Marshals will be assigned to each of the division in the parade and will be available to answer questions and assist as needed.

Participants are reminded that all performances must be done with forward motion and not impede the flow of the parade.

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PAGE 12 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Voters are turning out in force to vote early at satellite polling locations across Fairfax County.

Although media reports expressed concern about voter apathy in Virginia following last year’s record-breaking turnout for the presidential election, veteran elections observers were surprised by the onslaught of early voters last week. Lines were long, but the lovely autumn weather kept spirits positive during the wait. Early in-person voting continues this week at all satellite locations: weekdays 12 noon until 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 30, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. If you have not voted early, you should go to your regular polling place on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., to cast your ballot. Bring a current and valid photo identification, or other acceptable identification, with you to the polling place.

Yard waste collection, or lack of same, in Fairfax County Sanitary Service Districts, continues to lag. The county has hired outside contractors to catch up the collections, but it may be a few more weeks before collections are caught up fully. Residents in the service districts are reminded to leave their yard waste bags and rigid containers at the curb until picked up, which might not be on your regular collection day. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services anticipates that vacuum leaf collection will be minimally affected as the warm fall days, fortunately, are delaying leaf drop.

More than two dozen walkers, children, and pets stepped off last Sunday to explore the proposed Annandale Greenway, which winds for about four miles from Green Spring Garden in Lincolnia, all the way through Annandale to Hidden Oaks Nature Center and Annandale Community Park. The Greenway uses existing park trails and public sidewalks, generally flat and easy to traverse, but not fully ADA-accessible, for most of the route. At some points, though, the Greenway seems to fade away, which is why

easements and wayfinding signs may be needed to make the Greenway a vital part of connecting neighborhoods. “Connecting the Dot” puzzles are easy for children; reality makes connecting the dots more challenging, which is why a joint meeting between public agencies and Greenway volunteers will be scheduled soon. Using what is already on the ground (the built environment) is an efficient method to provide additional passive recreational opportunities for residents. Little River Turnpike was one of the first toll roads in our area more than two centuries ago; the Annandale Greenway parallels some of that first toll road, but it will be free!

The long-awaited opening of the Jefferson Fire Station, also known as Station 18, south of Arlington Blvd and east of Graham Road, will be celebrated on Saturday, October 30. The short ceremony, abbreviated by Covid-19 protocols, will feature Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler and Fire and Rescue staff. Completion of the new station, which replaced a decades-old building on the same parcel, was plagued with pandemic and contractor-related issues. The new apparatus bays permit fire engines to enter from the rear and pull-through. No more backing up into narrow bays that snagged side mirrors, often a test for rookie firefighters assigned to the station!

The new station will have separate accommodations for male and female staff, as well as new kitchen and dayroom facilities. Fairfax County fire stations are staffed and on alert 24/7/365, so the new facility is a welcome change from both the old station and the temporary station on South Street. The South Street location will be used by Station 28, Fort Buffalo, during its forthcoming renovation.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h

C RIM E R EPO RT Week of Oct. 18 — 24, 2021 Larceny-Shoplifting, W Broad St, Oct 20, between 8:09 and 8:39 PM, unknown suspect, described as a male, approximately twenty years old, wearing all black, took items of value without paying.

Larceny, N Washington St, Oct 20, between 8 and 9:30 PM, unknown suspect took a green AllCity bicycle.

Destruction of Property, Buxton Rd, Oct 23, between 10:45 AM and 12:30 PM, unknown suspect(s) shattered the front glass exterior door of a residence.

Destruction of Property, W Broad St, between 7:30 PM, Oct 21 and 12:30 PM, Oct 22, unknown suspect(s) destroyed the contents of planters surrounding a patio.

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Larceny from Vehicle, W Broad St, Oct 21 between 3 and 3:45 PM, items of value were taken from a vehicle.

Drunk in Public, W Broad St, Oct 21, 10:39 PM, a White male, 45 years old and a male, 39, both of Fairfax, VA, were arrested for being Drunk in Public.

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Cato Institute & the F.C. School Board

The Cato Institute, where a Falls Church School Board candidate is a prominent staffer, is a high-profile D.C. think tank whose purpose is to influence the national political discourse in favor of libertarian policies. Far from the popular notion of libertarianism as a marginal and relatively harmless “live and let live” philosophy, in the hands of some of the most powerful financier interests, like Cato Institute co-founder, Charles Koch, it has been a battering ram against consumer protections and other forms of government regulation..

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS The brother team of Charles and David Koch (David now dead) was notorious for using the Republican Party as a battering ram against regulations that threaten to put limits on their ability to exploit land for its natural resources and people for their almost-slave labor. It is “live and let live” for the wealthiest and most exploitative in society and it deploys deft camouflage and obfuscation to mask a Social Darwinist “might makes right” posture.

As of 2011, Koch Industries was listed as the second largest privately held company by revenue in the U.S. and the Koch brothers were two of only four Cato shareholders.

The Cato Institute has been able to swim with big fishes in the D.C. scene, leaving its stamp on almost every social, political and legal discipline. It has been ranked among the 15 top 501(c)(3) non-profit think tanks in the world with an annual budget of over $30 million.

Its posture is almost exclusively anti-government, in favor of the privatization of everything, from Social Security to the Affordable Care Act and much more. It plants its libertarian bias on every issue, including on civil liberties and foreign interventions. It claims to speak for the true meaning behind the U.S. Constitution and has taken strong stands against the scientific case for global warming.

It worked closely with former Rep. Dick Armey of Texas, who founded the “grass-tops” Tea Party movement of Republicans organized after the installation of Barack Obama as president in 2009. The group engaged in disruptions of countless Congressional town halls in the summer of 2009 that were thinly racist and became the incubator for the social forces behind the election of Trump in 2016 and the violent attempt on January 6 to stop the certification of President Biden’s victory.

It’s Cato philosophy that gave rise to Trump’s claim that in the 2017 white supremacist march on Charlottesville, “There were good people on both sides.”

The connection between the Cato Institute and the Ayn Rand Institute has always been there philosophically. Cato’s former president and current board member, John Allison, is an “ardent devotee” of Rand, having served on the Ayn Rand Institute board.

“Neo-classical liberalism” is an historical antecedent to modern Catostyle libertarianism. Among other things, it took sides against Teddy Roosevelt’s trust busting in the first decade of the 20th century aimed at freeing the nation from the grip of monopolistic corporations like Rockefeller’s Standard Oil and others producing sugar, steel, railroads and meatpacking.

Cato scholarship has consistently called for the privatization of many government services, in addition to Social Security and ranging to NASA, the postal service, Transportation Security Administration, public schooling, public transportation systems and public broadcasting. It opposes minimum wage laws, extending overtime regulations, universal health care, affirmative action and public sector unions.

As for public education, Cato publishes a “Public Schooling Battle Map,” designed to highlight the conflicts that result from public education.

And as Cato big shot Ilya Shapiro is seeking a spot on the Falls Church School Board in an election next week, the Cato Institute’s published policy on public education is instructive: “The reason public schools don’t improve is not a lack of funds. State and local governments have continually increased spending for K–12 education.

Rather than throw even more money at the problem, states should institute school choice on a broad scale, moving toward a competitive education market. The only way to transform the system is to break up the long‐​standing government monopoly and use the dynamics of the market to create innovations, better methods, and new schools.”

So, does this help better illuminate Shapiro’s Falls Church School Board candidacy?

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OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

The frightening job losses imposed by the pandemic are perhaps harshest on one group among the vulnerable: day laborers.

Those mostly recent, oftenundocumented immigrants who’ve gathered mornings at the county’s Shirlington Employment and Education Center have been moved from a designated pavilion near the Weenie Beanie. After nine months at a temporary tent at S. Nelson St., adjacent to the Arlington Food Assistance Center, they and prospective employers are now urged to register with the county by phone and online.

Participation is “down significantly because of a fear of contagion among families and homeowners who don’t want workers around their house” due to Covid, I was told by center Executive Director Andres Tobar.

On the October morning I visited the old site across from the Weenie Beanie, I encountered a half-dozen men from Central America signaling to passing cars in a fenced-off strip. Why weren’t they at the new SEEC site? “There’s nothing over there,” one replied. “We’ve been here a long time.”

Travis Hackney, owner of the Weenie Beanie, which posts “No loitering, No soliciting” signs, said the loitering that can hurt business “was very bad 10 years ago, but not too bad at present. When the day laborers are there, they do buy from us, so we are handling it as best we can.”

The official pavilion got started 21 years ago when Tobar and allies noticed as many as 150 laborers standing along Four Mile Run. Back then the nearby ABC Lumber Co. picked up workers for deliveries to construction sites.

But that business closed, and the Dunbar homes were torn down for craft homes, producing “a whole turnover in the neighborhood,” he recalls.

(Area changes continue with renovations of Jenny Dean Park, the coming arts and industry district and WETA’s planned modernization.)

Wary of neighbor complaints about traffic, the county in 2003 built a shelter “to demonstrate that Arlington is a welcoming community,” Tobar said. Many established restaurant workers and cleaning workers have thanked Tobar because that operation helped them find “temporary jobs until they could find something more permanent.”

But the users, who live mostly on Columbia Pike and Alexandria, have shrunk to 10-20. “The outdoor site is no longer there, and it’s only a matter of time before jobs disappear from there,” Tobar said. Despite a “negative” atmosphere from the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, the reduction “was a definite sign” the Arlington program worked The county “wants to provide a helping hand to immigrants,” Tobar stressed. The office and bilingual staff of three now at Arlington Mill Community Center work remotely to match employ-

ers with workers. His team does not quiz laborers on immigration status—“we know they’re in some type of transition.” But if an employer says they need legals, we ask who has a permit.” Only occasionally do employers commit wage theft, and only occasionally do workers exaggerate their skill sets.

As for workers still by the Weenie Beanie. “They have freedom to be out there, unless they’re obstructing work.” *** A special add-on to the hourly changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier unfolded at noon Sunday, Oct 24.

The Arlington Sister City Association previewed the 100th anniversary of the tomb by inviting French dignitaries, war vets and civic activists to travel here for a wreath-laying. A parallel ceremony took place in the French town of Chalons-en-Champagne, where the unidentifiable body of a deceased American fighting man was selected one century ago to the day by Sgt. Edward Younger (buried nearby).

This wreath bore ribbons for Arlington County, Chalons, the association and our sister city of Reins. I accompanied the group on an impromptu tour of the Tomb Guard Quarters, where we learned of that prestigious Army unit’s history and training. County board member Libby Garvey, though conversant in French, asked that a bilingual guest perform the translating. The French Air Force military attache did the honors.

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Boo! Falls Church Scares Us Before Halloween

Halloween frieghts from around Falls Church. (Photos: Gary Mester)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 15

IB Education Being Taught PreK—12th Grade Continued from Page 3

really helped us in a virtual setting because a lot of those common themes that we would be trying to teach our students came through consistently whether we’re online or in person,” said Julie Macrina, Director of PK—12 Curriculum and Instruction.

“Our classes don’t involve just sitting and getting lectured,” added Dan Coast, IB Coordinator.

“Inquiry-based learning takes over and often that happens in small, collaborative groups. With distance learning we were still able to have that approach with breakout rooms on our online platforms.”

The program has now also been extended all the way down to the Pre-K level, with the school working on receiving its authorization and training teachers this year.

The most recent addition was the MYP program in 2016. “I think MYP has brought a lot of consistency across the board— using the same rubrics, using the same kind of language which has really strengthened our programs at the secondary schools,” said Dippold.

“I think it’s really helped support the DP program as well— building consistency and having strong assessment practices.”

The newly rebuilt Meridian High School was also constructed with IB in mind. During the reauthorization process, the school must showcase its collaborative learning spaces, which the old building lacked outside of the library and cafeteria when lunch wasn’t being served.

The new school includes a vivarium with fish and plants, outdoor study spaces, the “learning stairs” and more.

Additionally, new sustainability aspects were added to the building which the school hopes can be a part of the Career-related Programme (CP) aspect of IB, which they hope to add to their curriculum in the near future.

Once students reach 11th grade, they have the option to pursue the IB Diploma Programme. IB Diploma candidates find out in July after they have graduated whether or not they have received the diploma.

After their first semester of col-

STUDENTS PICTURED HERE are working on a project in the vivarium at Meridian High School.

(Photo Courtesy FCCPS)

lege, Coast invites the students back to receive their diplomas and have a panel discussing the program.

“In the panel discussion, we discuss why they took IB and how it prepared them for college,” says Coast. “I also have a question I ask every year, which is to rank your most academically stressful time of your life from the junior year of

the IB diploma, senior year of the IB diploma and first semester of college. 99 percent of our students say the exact same thing— that the IB DP prepared them for the rigors of that first semester of college and they feel extremely well prepared compared to many of their colleagues in a freshman classroom who did not attend an IB school.

Vote Ilya Shapiro for School Board

Maintain our excellent public schools while improving the board’s accountability and responsiveness to the community.

After what we’ve seen the last 18 months, my focus is accountability.

Accountability means representation: I will represent all community members.

Accountability means transparency: I will explain all my votes and official actions online.

Accountability means independence: I will not go along with groupthink or the path of least resistance.

Paid for and authorized by

Shapiro for Falls Church P.O. Box 7104 Falls Church, VA 22040

Responsibilidad quiere decir inclusión: Trabajaré para que todos los niños reciban una buena educación.

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

Accountability means diversity of thought: I will apply independent analysis, bringing a fresh perspective.

That’s always been my testimonial at the strength of this program.”

Following the positive feedback over many years, leadership in the schools and city as a whole took note. FCCPS is now well into its mission to provide “IB for all” and if the preschools are authorized this year, that mission will be on its way to being accomplished.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

School News & Notes Standards-Based Learning & Grading Parent Session

Student ATL Asynchronous Day on November 2

The Secondary team (Henderson and Meridian) will be having a Zoom StandardsBased Learning & Grading parent and guardian session on Monday, November 1st at 12:30 p.m. This session will provide an in-depth opportunity to understand the reporting and grading approach.

The Secondary team will send out the link on Friday (October 29th).

Note: All Henderson courses are SBL&G, and the Meridian courses that are SBL&G are mainly 9th-grade core classes.

The next student Approaches to Learning Day (ATL) will focus on International-Mindedness on November 2nd. Students will have an opportunity to engage in learning experiences of their choosing on each of these days based on teacher-created lessons shared with students during the virtual school day.

Meridian CyberPatriot Club Competition Held in New Computer Lab Last Friday, the Meridian CyberPatriot club, sponsored by Mr. Knight and Mr. Snyder, held their first competition of the year in the brand new 5th-floor computer lab. In this national competition held by the Air Force Association, five teams composed of six students are tasked with securing a Windows and Linux operating system from intrusions. The veteran Juniors led by Danny Oppenheimer and Sean Lester had a great start to the season, receiving the second-highest possible score in the nation. The other four teams are both new to these competitions and performed admirably.

Mt Daniel Kindergarten Teacher Honored by the Capitals Hockey Team Mt Daniel Kindergarten Teacher, Nan Hof, was nominated and selected to be the Washington Capitals Educator of the Year. On top of this prestigious honor, she was chosen to be the Grand Prize Winner! Nan was recognized and celebrated at Saturday’s game.

George C. Marshall High School Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Live theatre returns to George C Marshall High School with Statesmen Theatre’s production of one of William Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In the play, four young lovers become intertwined in a quarrel with fairies of the forest.

Meddling, mischievousness, and magical entanglements ensue creating romantic and comedic chaos for all. Throw in some bumbling actors, a donkey head, and a mangled play-within-a-play, and it’s a night of classic comedy on the Marshall stage.

While Shakespeare’s original play takes place in ancient Athens, Greece, this production has been updated to Athens, Georgia in the early 1980s, a creative hotbed which birthed the modern alt-rock music scene, a time and place that multiple music and cultural critics refer to as “magical.”

Performances are Thursday, November 11th through Saturday, November 13th at 7:30 p.m.

The box office opens at 6 p.m, theatre doors open around 7 p.m. Marshall High School’s Auditorium is at door 13, at the front right of the building. There is parking up front, and additional parking around back. Please note that masks are required for admission.

Due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic, concessions will not be available at these perfor-

THE MUSTANGS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS competed in the Northwestern District competition last week. The boys team won the District title with 40 points. The girl team placed second with 42 points.

(Photo Courtesy FCCPS)

mances. Running time is approximately 2 hours.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.statesmentheatre. com or the Box Office before each performance. For more information, please visit www. statesmentheatre.org.

Meridian Football Ranked #1 The Virginia High School League (VHSL) released their top 20 weekly ranking, ranking Meridian High School as number one.

They hold a slight edge over Brentsville heading into this week’s match against Manassas Park.

MHS Student Walkout Against Racism At noon on Wednesday, October 20, more than 400 students paused their day to focus on uniting the campus. The studentled walkout was in response to concerns of racial discrimination incidents. Led by SOCA (Students of Color Association) and with support from BSU (Black Student Union), the organizers shared their accounts of racism they have experienced with the student body. Eight brave young women— Jacqueline Connolly, Mena Hailemariam, Saron Heruy, Aurora Lupi, Ashly Penate-Soria,

Aaliyah Smith, Aniya Smith and Elissa Smith— shared their raw testimonies and kept the crowd of their peers in silent awe during the 30 minutes of speeches.

FCCPS School Board Work Session Updates At its monthly Work Session on Tuesday, the School Board received an update on the community engagement work surrounding its Strategic Plan before members weighed in with their own thoughts. Also discussed are the board’s Legislative Priorities for the upcoming session, pandemic funding, and a one-time salary enhancement proposal for FCCPS employees. Plus a preliminary discussion on the division’s anti-harassment policies and whether more work is needed. A recording of the meeting can be found on the FCCPS YouTube page.

Justice High School Field Hockey Wins National District Conference Champs This past Friday, Justice High’s field hockey team beat Falls Church High School 3-1 to win their second National District Conference Championship in a row.

Tuesday evening they beat

Lake Braddock of the Patriot District 4-0 in the first round of the Occoquan Regional Tournament and will host South County on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Quarterfinals.

They are led by a talented group of seniors including most of their defensive unit: defenders Katie Sponaugle, Riley Grant and Grace Martin, as well as their goal keeping Natalie RomeroMarves. They have kept the team in many close games and helped them to have 14 shutout games.

On offense seniors Maria Papas and Brooke Hothem and junior Samantha Schrecker are the leading scorers and playmakers.

Input Needed for FCCPS Strategic Planning Complete the Community Assessment Form, available on the FCCPS website. It is open until this Friday, October 29, and will provide all community members an opportunity to comment on the FCCPS Strategic Plan.

Meridian Field Hockey Advances in Districts In the team’s first-ever District Playoff game, Meridian Field Hockey defeated Kettle Run in the District Semi-Finals on Tuesday 1-0 to advance to the Championship Game.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 17

Falls Church Arts 12th Annual Plein Air Festival Biggest Yet

Hundreds of art lovers and curious onlookers showed up for the Falls Church Arts “Scenes in the City” Plein Air Festival competition on Saturday, Oct. 23. Strolling among the easels set up on the Falls Church City Hall grounds, they watched artists create works during the three-hour Quick Draw event and took in the 82 Falls

Church City scenes painted outdoors by festival artists during the previous three weeks. While juror Jean Schwartz made her selections, festival visitors chose their favorite artwork, with 442 casting votes for the People’s Choice Award.

Thirty-six artists competed for $4,750 in prizes donated by Falls Church Arts and festival spon-

sors Beyer Auto Group, Rock Star Realty Group, June Beyer Art, New Editions Consulting, Inc., The Kensington of Falls Church, and The Young Group.

Winning the Rock Star Realty Group’s People’s Choice Award and Artists Choice Award was “The Calm Creek” by Rajendra KC. This work also was the juror’s

choice for the Beyer Auto Group Plein Air Prize.

“Mount Hope,” by Tracy Burk captured the New Editions Consulting Prize. The Barb Cram Prize went to Marci Green for “Still Standing” (Cherry Hill Farmhouse).

“Saturday Market” by Robert Gilbert was awarded the

Kensington Prize, and Kelly Coffin took home the Young Group Prize for “View of St. James Catholic Church.”

The June Beyer Art Quick Draw Prizes went to Rajendra KC (1st place, “Farmers Market”), Vicky Zhou (2nd place, “Vegetable Stand”), and Theresa Miller (3rd place, “Early Fall”).

Scenes From the Falls Church Arts Plein Air Festival. Clockwise from top left.

1. Falls Church Arts 2021 Plein Air Festival onlooker admiring triple prize-winning work, “Calm Creek,”

by Rajendra KC (photo courtesy of Shaun van Steyn) 2. Falls Church Arts 2021 Plein Air Festival results coming in (l. to r.): Keith Thurston, John Ballou, juror Jean Schwartz (photo courtesy of Shaun van Steyn) 3. Falls Church Arts 2021 Plein Air Festival juror and happy Young Group Prize winner (l. to r.): juror Jean Schwartz, artist Kelly Coffin (photo courtesy of Shaun van Steyn) 4. Falls Church Arts 2021 Plein Air Festival visitors (photo courtesy of Molly McCracken) 5. Falls Church Arts 2021 Plein Air Festival awards ceremony (photo courtesy of Molly McCracken)

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FALLS CHURCH CALENDAR LOCALEVENTS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28 Woodrow Wilson Storytime.

Join Woodrow Wilson Library with your children to read stories, move your feet and have fun. Attendees will also be learning Spanish words as they fit with the theme of each program. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Baby Storytime. Caregivers and their children are invited to Tysons-Pimmit Library for songs, rhymes, stories and activities to build an early literacy foundation while enjoying time together in your lap.

Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration, customers will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the Children's Information desk for tickets. This class is best for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30 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/Farmers-MarketTo-Go. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Early In-Person Voting Extended Hours. Registered voters in the City of Falls Church can vote early in-person for the November 2 General Election at City Hall. Bring a mask and valid voter ID. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. — 5 p.m.

Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange. Tired of completing the same puzzle over and over again? Join Thomas Jefferson Library for a puzzle swap! Bring in a gentlyused puzzle you no longer want and take home a different one in a one-to-one swap. Please be sure that your puzzles have all their pieces. (1545 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church).

Halloween Carnival. Come enjoy a spooktacular family fun Halloween Carnival in Cherry Hill Park for ages 2—11!

This year's event will include games, inflatables, live music, and snacks. The Mount Daniel Elementary Second Grade class will perform at 1:15 p.m. The Carnival will be open with two time-slots: 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. — 5:30 p.m.

Time-slots 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.

(312 Park Ave., Falls Church).

1 — 5:30 p.m.

Paws to Read with Lucy. Read aloud to Lucy, a trained therapy dog, at Thomas Jefferson Library. Bring your own book from home or choose a book from the library. Walk-ins welcome. Age 6 — 12. (1545 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church).

2 — 3 p.m.

Hocus Pocus Movie Showing at Eden Center. The Eden Center will present the free outdoor showing of the movie "Hocus Pocus". There are many restaurant options to purchase dinner, and free popcorn and assorted Halloween candy will be provided. The first 50 children to attend wearing costumes will receive Eden Center gift certificates. You can watch the film from your car at the Eden Center (6751-6799 Wilson Boulevard, Falls Church). 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31 Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church Howl-O-Ween. Bring your pets and your kids and drivethrough the Sleepy Hollow UMC parking lot for some Halloween fun! They will have goodie bags for your pets and trick-or-treat bags for the kids. Come in costume if you like! They will take pictures and bless your pets.

It's drive-thru, stay-in-your-car fun. Masks not required for the fully-vaccinated. To register for the event, go to http://sleepyhollowumc.org/. (3435 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church). 2 — 4 p.m.

Columbia Baptist Church Trunk or Treat. Columbia Baptist Church’s annual Trunk or Treat is a fun, safe and convenient way for children and families of the community to celebrate Halloween in one location. Vehicles are parked together, decorated in a Halloween theme and are full of candy and goodies. Children can walk from trunk to trunk to look at the decorations and receive candy and other treats. This provides a controlled and safe family environment for trick-or-treaters (preschool — middle school). They hope that your kids will join them in wearing their Halloween costume and practicing their best "trick or treat" at the 40+ themed trunks.

This is a free event. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit www.columbiabaptist. org.(103 W Columbia St., Falls Church). 3 — 5 p.m.

Trick-or-Treat at Plaka. Plaka Restaurant is hosting a family-friendly trick-or-treat and Halloween Costume Contest, no purchase necessary. A 10 percent discount is available to those who stay for a fa-boo-lous dinner. To enter the contest, post a photo of children or pets on Facebook and the staff will select a winner in those categories. Winners will receive a $25 Plaka gift card digitally in their email. The submission deadline is November 3 and winners will be announced on November 6. (1216 W Broad St., Falls Church). 6 — 8 p.m.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Storytime Fun for Preschoolers.

Join Tysons-Pimmit Library in the Children's area for a story and a song. No registration. Limited to 10 kids. Please get a ticket at the Info desk. Masks are once again required at the library regardless of vaccination status. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church).

10:30 — 11 a.m.

Baby Lap Time. Babies and their caretakers are welcome to join Thomas Jefferson Library for stories, songs and lapsit activities for pre-walking babies. Space is limited to ticketed attendees for in-person events. Tickets are free and first-come, first-serve at the information desk 30 minutes before each program. (1545

Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1:30 — 2:30 p.m.

Outdoor Sharpie Tile Art for Kids.

Join Tysons-Pimmit Library outside and use Sharpies to create a watercolor-style artistic design.

For ages 5-10. Weather permitting this program will be held outdoors in the grass; in the event of rain it will be canceled. Please call the branch at 703-790-8088 (option 4) if you have questions about the program. Registration required, please register on the library website. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 7 — 8 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.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Election Day. There are three polling places in the City of Falls Church. Check your polling location on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Voters must be in line by 7:00 p.m. to vote. All voters must wear a mask or face covering inside their polling location and bring a valid Voter ID. Voters without valid Voter ID can vote by Provisional Ballot. Visit www.fallschurchva. gov/Vote for complete election details, including a sample ballot.

(Locations vary). 6 a.m. — 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Pre-K Time. Join Thomas Jefferson Library. for stories, songs and activities to get ready for kindergarten. This event is intended for ages 3 — 5 and their caregivers. Space is limited to ticketed attendees for in-person events.

Tickets are free and first-come, first-serve at the information desk 30 minutes before each program. (1545 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.

THEATER&ARTS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28 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.

October 7 — 31. (410 South Maple Avenue, Falls Church). 703436-9948.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28 Michelle Swan & Cherith Yuly.

Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Grady Spencer & The Work.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 7:30 p.m. 703255-1566.

Free Flowing Musical Experience.

The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church).

7:30 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Sol Roots Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29 Bruce Turner Acoustic Soul. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Moonlight Ride. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 7 p.m.

703-858-9186.

Born Cross Eyed: Jammin Java’s 20th Anniversary Outdoor Concert Series. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m.

703-255-1566.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Ave, Alexandria). $59.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

Brook Yoder: Live and in Concert with Encore Show Saturday.

Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church). 8 p.m.

703-534-8999.

Young Relics: Halloween Show.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m.

703-241-9504.

MIYAVI. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $35—$75. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Nandan Kenkeremath. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30 The New Rockwells. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 1 p.m.

703-858-9186.

Alex “The Red” Parez. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.

Day of The Dead! Stealing Liberty.

Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Rocking Horror Cover Show featuring Pulses, Zach Benson, Dear Spring and Bluewreck. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10—$20. 7:30 p.m. 703-2551566.

Tom Paxton & the DonJuans with John McCutcheon. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $45. 7:30 p.m.

703-549-7500.

TAUK. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $25 8 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Josh Allen Band Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Broke Superstar: Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Hayes Carll with Kirby Brown: Live and in Concert. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $29.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

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

Skinny Wallace: Live and in Concert for a Halloween Show.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m.

703-241-9504.

The Legwarmers. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $25. 9:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 19

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

Laura Benanti: Live. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $42+. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows. 703-2551900.

Super Funk 5. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 7 p.m.

703-858-9186.

CA L E NDA R

The FIXX with Fastball: Live and in Concert. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $59.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

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Noel Schajris. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $50—$100. 8 p.m. 703237-0300.

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PAGE 20 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

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NOVA Nightsky Theater’s “Picnic” Proves Show Must Go On

by Amanda Snead Falls Church News-Press

On a clear night with temperatures in the mid-60s, NOVA Nightsky Theater returned with an outdoor production of William Inge’s “Picnic.” Theater-goers brought their own chairs, blankets and snacks to enjoy the fall weather, eat some dinner and watch the show.

This was the first production by the newly formed group that proves the old saying “the show must go on.” Jaclyn Robertson, co-founder of NOVA Nightsky Theater and actress in the show, was injured in a serious accident right before tech week.

“Live theater is just that, it’s live,” said an update posted on their website in early October. “And much like life, it can be unpredictable, exciting and scary all at once.

NOVA Nightsky has experienced this in the past couple of weeks as we have had to regroup after our producer/one of our actors was injured in a serious accident. This week we should be heading into our dress and tech rehearsals, but instead we are re-blocking and restaging to accommodate a less mobile actor so the show can go on. In ordinary

circumstances, re-blocking a show this late in the game is a challenge, but lucky for us, we have a group of actors so committed to this show and to each other that it has been nothing short of a joy to experience. We are excited for you to join us for our new version of Picnic!”

While some small adjustments were made to the set in order to make it more accessible, they were hardly noticeable to anyone in the audience.

“Picnic” takes place in a small town in Kansas in the 1950s. Despite the fact that the entire play revolves around the characters going to a town picnic, the play all takes place on the back porch of the Owens family.

Hal Carter arrives in town looking for work and to reconnect with his college friend Alan Seymour who just so happens to be dating the most beautiful girl in town, Madge Owens. Hal finds some work doing jobs for the Owens’ next door neighbor, Helen Potts.

Flo Owens, mother of Millie and Madge, finds herself distrustful of Hal but agrees to allow him to take Millie as his date to the picnic but

Hal finds himself more attracted to Madge, Millie’s older sister and his friend’s girlfriend.

Madge also finds herself falling for Hal and the two skip the community picnic to spend the night together. Alan finds out and calls the police on Hal who has to run away before he gets caught, leaving Madge behind before she makes the decision to go after him.

While the play is dramatic and deals with heavy themes, there were plenty of moments for comedic relief as well. Actor Chuck O’Toole provides laughs to the audience through his over-the-top movements and dancing.

Madge, played by Jaclyn Robertson, pulls the audience in, making them truly feel the heartbreak she is experiencing after her night with Hal comes to an end.

While this play in particular is no longer taking place as of the publication of this review, I would absolutely recommend seeing their next production as the acting, set design and costumes for this piece were all incredible, particularly considering the obstacles that came into place during the lead up to the production

PICTURED HERE sitting in chairs are Jaclyn Robertson, who plays Madge, Mary Fettes, who plays Flo. Seated on the ground is Melody Dillon, who plays Millie. (Photo: Kx Photography) and the fact that this was the group’s very first play.

NOVA Nightsky Theater’s next performance will take place in January with the play “Leaving Bedrooms,” a romantic comedy

written by the group’s co-founder and director of “Picnic”, Ward Kay. More information can be found on their website at https://www.novanightskytheater.com/upcoming-performances .

“Having Our Say” Brings 100 Years of History to Stage

by Amanda Snead Falls Church News-Press

“Now, no pressure, but this performance has gotten a standing ovation every single night,” joked Laura Connors Hull, the producer of “Having Our Say” at Creative Cauldron, before the show began.

After more than a year and a half of being unable to hold live performances, Creative Cauldron returned to kick off their 2021-22 season with “Having Our Say,” a play based on the true stories of the Delany sisters, two inspiring Black women who lived to be over 100 years old, living through many events in our history.

The play invites the audience right into the home of the sisters, who share their history for two hours.

While the play only consists of one set and two actors, the audience is immediately drawn in through the way the actors interact with the audience, the use of a projector to show pictures from the events being talked about in between scenes and the fascinating stories being told.

Sadie Delany, played by Lisa Hill-Corley, was born in 1889 and died in 1999, living to be 109 years old. Bessie Delany, played by Ayesis

Clay, was born in 1891 and died in 1995 at the age of 104.

The sisters share their stories on everything from being the daughters of a formerly enslaved man to the Civil Rights Movement and their work in activism and more.

And just as Hull suspected, a standing ovation was given at the end of the performance.

The theater has also been working hard in order to ensure the safety of both the actors and patrons during the pandemic. When purchasing tickets online, attendees are automatically socially distanced from those outside of their group. Additionally, proof of vaccination must be shown upon entry and masks must be worn at all times inside the theatre.

Creative Cauldron has also been working hard to keep their theater a safe, diverse and inclusive space.

“We will also re-imagine our work through a new anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens and develop policies and programs that speak to our values,” said Hull in the Playbill for the show. “Opening our season with ‘Having Our Say’, seemed like the right play for our times. Hearing the incredible stories of resistance

HAVING OUR SAY tells the real life stories of the Delany sisters, played by Lisa Hill-Corley (left) and Ayesis Clay (right). (Photo: William Gallagher) and resilience of the Delany Sisters, is truly inspiring. But their stories also remind us that in some ways, little has changed. We must find a way to do better as a country, a community, and as individuals to stamp out racism.”

Additionally, the theatre part-

nered with Meridian High School on this production, bringing a shortened version of the play to the school for students to watch followed by a discussion about the piece.

This production was absolutely incredible and a must-see for all ages.

“Having Our Say” will run

through October 31 and takes place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.creativecauldron.org. Creative Cauldron’s next production will be “Aesop’s Fables” which runs from November 5 — 21.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 21

Late F.C. Resident’s Art Evokes Dream-Like Feelings

BY MARK DREISONSTOK

Waking up from a dream, one usually remembers bits that seem at first unrelated, but which follow a theme. The art exhibition “Nocturne Eternal,” currently on display at the Salve Regina Gallery at the Catholic University of America, follows this pattern. John Figura (lifetime resident of the Annandale/Falls Church area and late professor of painting at Catholic University) vividly captured the moments of awakening, clearly shown in this exhibition of his nocturnally-themed oil paintings.

The Figura style is partially indebted to Romantic painters such as Caspar David Friedrich and Albert Pinkham Ryder, with frequent touches of the surreal. Such influences show in many of his images, which are often untitled and feature a single tree standing alone against a moonlit night sky with clouds and sometimes lightning. These paintings express traditional Romantic themes such as longing, solitude, and the mystery of the self. On the other hand, his paintings contain modern elements as well: an airplane, a woman in a contemporary dress standing alone, and a car with lights on in the middle

of a desolate landscape, all of which bring Figura’s art into contemporary life experience.

As such, this exhibition is an extended walk through the nighttime imagination, as we see with the painting “Allegory;” here we view a woman wearing an hour-glass shape dress, walking on a path towards us and away from a burning house.

Surrounding the path are trees on both sides and a blue sky, containing yellow clouds and a bright crescent moon. Is the allegory about love, that the woman is walking away from a once-important love commitment, represented by the house being destroyed by flames?

“Nocturne with Two Skeletons (for Haruki Murakami)” is of a very different nocturnal mood, depicting two skeletal figures using a ladder to climb out of a grave, all under a luminous moon. Though these figures should be dead and unmoving, they are not only climbing, but also seemingly engaged in lively discussion. This spooky night painting with skeletons, on the one hand, is appropriate for our Halloween season. However, the painting is actually a literary reference to a scene in

Haruki Murakami’s novel, Dance, Dance, Dance.

In another scene, we see a painting with a plane descending before the clouds which themselves may contain plane-like shapes. The moon in the middle of the painting both illuminates the painting, while also providing an anchoring point of focus. The viewer is invited to imagine the background story, for the painting, like many in the exhibition, is untitled.

Two of the paintings involve alchemy, at least of a spiritual sort.

“Dream of the Alchemist” shows a ladder, perhaps symbolizing ascent to higher spiritual truths. At the same time, it is a very common-looking ladder, suggesting that the sublime might be achieved through everyday experience. The other painting of a mystical bent is “Quincux” (perhaps “Quincunx” is meant), which shows five flashes of light, perhaps fireflies or stars. Mysteriously, a sixth light, cast by fire, may symbolize the creation of something new via alchemical tradition.

As we continue our nocturnal journey through the exhibition, “Ghosts” shows a burning house

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DREAM of the Alchemist. (P���� C������� S���� R����� G������) seen from the grass, depicting an act of revenge with a boat prepared for the getaway of the perpetrator.

Yet floating stars give this painting an oddly peaceful feel. Trees are lit by the reflection of the moon in the water. When the water takes on the reflection of the moon and the trees take on their illumination from the moonlit sheen on the water,

the painter builds illusory reflection upon reflection upon reflection.

Romantic nocturnes transform into modern questions on the reliability of the truth we see here and elsewhere in the many moonlit paintings of the exhibition.

The “Nocturne Eternal” art exhibition runs through December 17, 2021.

SPO RTS

PAGE 22 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Both Mustang Cross Country Teams Impress At Districts

by Julie Felgar

Under a clear blue sky and unusually warm weather, the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams put on an impressive performance at the Divisional Meet last Friday.

The Boys’ team defended their Northwestern Divisional Title from last year and came away with a first-place trophy by edging out William Monroe.

Monroe has some very talented individual runners, but the Mustangs have a deep bench and placed 5 runners in the top 15 spots, who all finished within 35 seconds of one another in the 3.1 mile race. This is not surprising. According to Eli Wildman, a senior and team captain, “We have been trading places for top finishes most of the season. In our last six races, we’ve had four different champions on the guys side and each of those four came in the top ten at the district meet.”

The Girls Team came in second place, just edged out by a talented Warren County team. They kept their streak alive of nineteen years in a row with a top two finish in

the district competition. Lauren Mellon, the girls top place finisher and a senior captain, stated that, “From the perspective of a senior, the team competing this year is the strongest it’s been in a while. We have several very talented underclassmen, experienced returning upperclassmen and a close bond between all the girls.”

Top finishers for the Boy Mustangs were Henry Hladky in 3rd place, Sean Pala in 5th place, Eli Wildman in 7th place, Tucker Albaugh in 9th place and Troy Ehrlich in 15th place. The girls had Lauren Mellon finish in 3rd place, Molly Moore in 4th place, Alexis Niemi in 7th place and Ally Campbell in 11th place.

The top 15 finishers are named to the All-District Roll. Mellon, Hladky Niemi and Wildman are all repeat All-District finishers.

Approximately 60 runners for girls and boys compete in the district race. The team with the lowest score, based on finish times, wins.

The teams are now eyeing the Regionals and beyond. The Regional Finals will be held in Culpeper this coming Saturday

with 7 runners from each of the qualifying teams. According to Coach Jeff Buck, “Both the Boys and the Girls teams have the goal and ability to qualify for States as a team.” Last year, the Mustangs only had one runner advance, Colson Board. Coaches Buck and Hollinger are confident their teams have what it takes and are looking for very strong individual performances from key runners including Mellon, Hladky, Moore, Niemi, Pala, and Albaugh.

The 3B Regional Meet will be at 1420 Achievement Drive, Culpeper this Saturday. The Girl’s Race is at 10:00 a.m. and the Boy’s is at 10:30 a.m. The top three teams and the top five individuals (regardless of team finish) will qualify for States. Trophies will be awarded to the top 2 teams in each race and All-Region medals will be awarded to the top 15 individuals.

Wildman is focused on winning, “The team has really come together and improved so much.

I think we have a chance to make a serious impact at Regions.

We’ll be vying for that ticket to

BOY’S MUSTANG XC TEAM brings home 1st place at districts.

(Photo: Jeff Buck) .

the State Meet and the Regional Championship this weekend.”

Mellon is equally confident.

“As captain, I am excited to lead my teammates through these last post season meets. We hope to per-

form well at Regionals and qualify for the State Meet in November.

Our coaches have put so much time and effort into this program and we have really seen that hard work pay off in our races so far.”

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OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 27

PAGE 28 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 ABC NOTICE Viet Fire Kitchen LLC, Trading as: Viet Fire Kitchen LLC, 44650 Waxpool Road Ste 125, Ashburn, VA, 20147. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Beer and Wine On Premises and Mixed Beverages. Tam Le, Owner, Authorized Signatory Viet Fire Kitchen LLC, the Operating Member of Viet Fire Kitchen LLC. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA City Council scheduled public hearings and final action for the following items for Monday, November 8, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matters may be heard.

(TR21-33) RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO AMEND SECTION 4.14 “APPOINTMENTS” OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH TO REPLACE QUALIFIED VOTER STATUS CRITERIA WITH AGE OF AT LEAST 18 YEARS This amendment to the City Charter would remove the requirement that members of boards and commissions appointed by City Council be qualified voters, but would retain the requirement that members be at least 18 years of age.

(TR21-30) RESOLUTION TO NAME THE CITY PROPERTY AT 7100 GORDON AVENUE AS “THE ROBERT L. GOFF PROPERTY YARD” This resolution would name the City’s property yard as The Robert L. Goff Property Yard.

All public hearings will be held in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA. Public comment will be heard from those attending the meeting. Public comment will also be heard remotely from those who complete a speaker form at www. fallschurchva.gov/PublicComment before noon on the day of the Council meeting. Written public hearing comments may be sent until noon on the day of the meeting to cityclerk@ fallschurchva.gov.

For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@ fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

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OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 29

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

32. Be wrong 36. Boil 37. African adventure 40. Humanities 41. Sheep’s coat 43. Pencil’s middle 45. Has a mortgage 46. Farm building 47. Solely 49. Cat’s sound 51. Allow

Copyright © 2021, Penny Press

ACROSS 1. What it takes to tango 4. Lather 8. Poems 12. Torn cloth 13. Again 14. Phooey’s kin 15. Feel sick 16. Grand party 17. Plunged 18. Court response 20. Glass part 21. Gusto 22. Diamond or pearl 24. Cram 27. Painters’ stands

30. Interlace 33. Mix thoroughly 34. Happen again 35. Razors 37. One who drenches 38. Trim rind from 39. Social insect 40. Puncturing tool 42. Mischievous creature 44. Not bad: hyph.

48. Wander 50. Kind of duck 52. Succeed 53. Pitch 54. Jack rabbit

55. House addition 56. Large number 57. Correct 58. Asian sauce DOWN 1. Catch 2. Lament 3. Stare rudely at 4. Hang loosely 5. Disables 6. Sandwich mart 7. Bogs 8. Weird 9. Punter’s action: 2 wds.

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 107

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

SPORTS QUIZ

By Ryan A. Berenz 1. “The White Mamba” was the nickname for what member of the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics PUZZLE NO. 109 team?

34. Pleasing 37. Coal source 39. Breakfast fare 17. Hospital garb 41. Honking birds 3. What 2003 first-round NFL Draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens was named NFL Defensive Player 22. Metropolitan 42. Iranian ruler, of the Year in 2011?

24. Competitor once 25. Thrust 43. Post 4. Name the legendary tennis player who, in 1964, became the first Black golfer44.onFreshly the LPGA Tour?

26. Fury 27. For every 46. Baggage 5. Name the annual award presented to the NHL player exhibiting “the best type48.ofOx’s sportsmanship 28. Dwelling harness and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

29. Appropriate 49. Nights before holidays 30. Negative 6. Malik Sealy, who was killed in a car crash by a drunk driver inword 2000, had his 50.

No.Snooze 2 jersey retired by 31. Couple 52. Sweet root what NBA team?

10. Church ceremony

2. On April 21, 2012, right-hander Philip Humber threw a perfect game pitching for what MLB team?

11. Cafe sign

7. In the past decade, Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Taylor each have won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back playing for what Big Ten team?

Last Week’s Answers Copyright © 2021, Penny Press 32. How ____ 56. ____ out ACROSS you? (barely Answers 1. Fashionable makes) Pacers • 2. “This Week in Baseball.”

33.Pistons Part of aand knifethe Indiana 5. Bring up Detroit 1. The 57. Chop 35. Whack!

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58. Pierre’s mom 36. “The Little 12. Painful TO PUZZLE NO. 109 5.

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PAGE 30 | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No. 35• October 27,, 2011

Permit OK’d for Homeless Shelter at Business Suite

Sharp Divisions Persist Ballot Referendum on Date of F.C. Elections

Without difficulty, the four members of the Falls Church Board of Zoning Appeals present at last Thursday’s meeting granted a special use permit allowing the establishment of an emergency overflow homeless shelter on the second floor of an office building at 1115 W. Broad Street.

The battle lines are drawn, and emotions continue to run high among community activists in the City of Falls Church, as the Nov. 8 election day approaches when City residents will vote on whether to keep the City’s municipal election in May of even years, or shift them to November of odd years.

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READY FOR THE SEASON! Jasper is a wacky character who loves dogs and can’t drink out of a bowl. He’ll create a spiderweb death trap in the house if you leave him with a ball of yarn and has been known to jump 5 feet up a wall for no reason.

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

DANA, A NATIVE OF PENNSYLVANIA has lived in the DMV area for the last 10 years, though she has called Falls Church home for only the past three. When not walking her dog Bowie, Dana enjoys being outdoors and hiking. (P����: J. M������ W�����)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 3, 2021 | PAGE 31

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FALL IS IN THE AIR

For the top 2, could we do: FOR SALE - 212 E Jefferson St photo collage with the pictures attached.

3 to be update to: The bath count also needs -3.5 Bathrooms

Bottom Left: FOR SALE - 7323 Allan Ave, Falls Church Bottom Right: JUST SOLD - 613 Laura Dr, Falls Church City

For Sale in Falls Church City!

ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service

Open Sun 2-4

FOR SALE!

TM

FOR SALE!

$530,000 $530,000

$1,750,000

157 S Virginia Ave, Falls Church City

Sleek and stylish! This stunning end unit townhome in rarely available Rees Place has been renovated(2021) from top to bottom with impeccable taste and attention to detail. Loads of natural light pour in through walls of windows on three sides of the home. The main level features 9-foot ceilings, gorgeous hardwood flooring, a formal living room and dining room, a chef's delight gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line design and appliances with an adjoining breakfast area. The main family room is a perfect, casual gathering place featuring a brand new Cozy electric fireplace. French doors lead to a pleasant deck.

A dramatic curved staircase leads to the upper level, again with gorgeous hardwood flooring. The spacious primary suite features vaulted ceilings, a huge walk-in closet and luxury bath with a separate shower and a double vanity. Two additional bedrooms feature 13-foot ceilings, great closets and share a hall bath. The walkout lower level offers a good sized recreation room, powder room, laundry room and access to a private brick patio with stairs leading to the upper deck. Priced at $1,070,000.

3 Bedrooms

Renovated Kitchen & Baths

5 Bedroooms

Historic Gardens

1.5 Bathrooms

Walk to Shops, Dining, & More!

3.5 Bathrooms

Tree-top Owner's Oasis

FOR SALE!

JUST SOLD!

$1,625,000 7323 Allan Ave, Falls Church

2303 Brilyn Pl, Falls Church

6 Bedrooms

Stunning New Construction

6 Bedrooms

Stunning New Construction

5.5 Bathrooms

High-end Finishes

5.5 Bathrooms

High-end Finishes & Green Features

CALL 703-867-TORI

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

REALTOR®

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

© 2021 Tori McKinney, LLC