20 minute read
Comment .........................................7,9 News & Notes ....................... 10,11,15 Crime Report ...................................... 8 Calendar
NOVEMBER 14 - 24, 2021 | PAGE 16
CALENDAR
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALLS CHURCH CALENDAR
LOCALEVENTS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Thursday Evening Book Club.
For November, the Mary Riley Styles Library group will be discussing “Nemesis” by Philip Roth. Need a copy of the book? Please search their online catalog or our Overdrive ebook/audiobook collection to check the availability of this book. Special book group copies are also set aside roughly one month before the discussion and can be requested on a first come, first serve basis by emailing circ@ fallschurchva.gov. (120 N Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 — 8 p.m.
DMV Connect. Can’t get to the DMV? The DMV is coming to you at Tysons-Pimmit Library. DMV Connect mobile offices can assist you with driver’s licenses and ID cards, titles and registrations, license plates, driver transcripts, disabled parking placards or plates, address changes, testing, Virginia vital records, E-ZPass transponders, hunting and fishing licenses and much more. Please visit the DMV appointment selector online to make an appointment. Walk-ins will be considered. When you register for an appointment, select “DMV Connect” and choose “Tysons-Pimmit Library” as your location. Registration is now open. For more information please see the DMV website at https://www.dmv.virginia. gov/general/#mobileoperations. asp. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
Turkey Leaf Craft. Come join Tysons-Pimmit for a fun fall craft! Bring your own leaves (3 — 6) or alternative craft supplies will be provided. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 4 — 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Falls Church Farmers Market.
The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday at City Hall, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov/547/FarmersMarket-To-Go. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Native American Life. Curious about the history and culture of Native Americans in Fairfax? Join Thomas Jefferson Library to explore the material culture of Native Americans, learn about food ways, grind corn, and play games! All ages. (1545 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 10:30 — 11 a.m.
Tiny Turkey Trot. Come join Tysons-Pimmit Library for the 2021 Tiny Turkey Trot. Put on your running shoes and test your running speed on their Turkey Trot Course. Enjoy crafts, games and fun. Weather permitting, the Turkey Trot will take place outside. In the event of inclement weather, participants will run indoors. Ages 0 — 6 with an adult. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 11 a.m. — 12 p.m.
City Council Meeting. 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). Public comment can be made inperson or via MS Teams on any topic; sign-up by noon on the day of the meeting, fallschurchva.gov/ PublicComment. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 7:30 — 11 p.m.
Aesop’s Fables. Fun for the whole family! “Why do we procrastinate? What should we do when we find ourselves outfoxed? And what if the Boy Who Cried Wolf had access to a smart phone?” All these questions and more are explored in this fresh adaptation of Aesop’s Fables, inspired by the classic morals of these stories AND the troupe of student actors who will bring them to life. Catch the The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Lion and the Mouse, have weathered the test of time. Our Learning Theater crew bring them to life with a 21st century twist and their classic heart. 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. Accommodations available for students under 12. November 5 — 21, 2021. Fridays 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. Adults tickets are $20. Student tickets are $18. Get a free ticket when you sign up as a volunteer. November 5 — 21. (410 South Maple Avenue, Falls Church). 703436-9948.
Shatrel & Hume. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Golden Girls. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
THEATER&ARTS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
SINGER AND SONGWRITER Joan Osborne will be bringing her tour to Vienna on Sunday, November 21 at Wolf Trap. (Photo: Jeff Fasano)
LIVEMUSIC
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 7 p.m. 703237-0300. Chris Smither. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $40. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.
Paula Pondstone. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.
Gerry Timlin. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-534-8999.
Automatic Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Sharif. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.
Red House Jazz. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.
My Generation. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.
Paula Pondstone. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.
Joan Osborne. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $42+. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Gerry Timlin Live and in Concert. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-534-8999.
Cactus Liquors Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.
Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood
Mac Tribute. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $24. 9 p.m. 703-2370300.
Sean Tracy. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Jimmy Cole: Tribute to Barry Hart.
JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 3:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Open Mic Night. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.
Joan Osborne. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $42+. 7 p.m. 703-255-1900.
Shenandoah Run Live and in
Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 7 p.m. 703255-1566.
Paula Pondstone. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.
Wolfs Blues Jam Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:15 p.m. 703-2419504.
For a full list of events happening this week in Falls Church, please visit fcnp.com. Have an event coming up that you’d like to have in the calendar? Email calendar@fcnp.com.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
SPORTS
NOVEMBER 18 - 24, 2021 | PAGE 17
Meridian High School Field Hockey Completes Season
X-Country Season Completed Meridian Football Defeats Armstrong In Regionals
The field hockey team at Meridian High closed out its season with a loss to Tabb High School in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Tabb went on to win the state title.
The Mustangs qualified for the state tournament for only the third time in history, advancing in the district tournament with a 1-0 victory over Fauquier High and advanced to the regionals that featured a double overtime win against Culpepper High.
Named to the all region first team were seniors Sarah Ettinger and Eleanor Gleser, while named to the second team were senior Caroline Sherard and junior Mia Meyer. Coach Anne Steenhoek was named Northwestern District coach of the year.
Meanwhile, Mustang alum Ashley Zigler is now a freshman playing at Trinity College in Connecticut which is heading to the final four tournament this weekend.
The Meridan Mustangs cross country teams battled the chilly weather filled with windy conditions. They finished their season with a strong performanace at the 3A State Meet in Salem. More than 25 schools competed on the 5K course.
The Meridan Girls’ team placed 3rd with 117 points. This was the Mustangs highest finish since 2016. Lauren Mellon paced the girls team with a 15th place. This was Lauren’s first All-State medal. Closely behind was Molly Moore who finished in 21st place and Alexis Niemi finished in 29th place. The Lady Mustangs team had 5 come in the top 60.
The Mustang Boys raced to a 7th place finish with 191points. The Boys finish was two spots above where they placed in 2019. Tucker Albaugh led the boys team finishing in 19th place, followed by Sean Pala in 41st place and Henry Hladky in 46th place. The boys had 4 finish in the top 70.
Lady Mustang cross country team finishes 3rd . (Photo: Carol Sly)
The Boys cross country at the Virginia state meet in Salem. (Photo: Carol Sly)
The Mustangs are headed to the regional semi-finals after a huge 45-0 win over Richmond-based Armstrong High School. Evans Rice and George Papadopoulos scored 2 TDs each, and Ben Varner and Griffin Harrison each added 1. Noah Holmgren went six for six on extra points and also kicked a field goal. The Mustangs will take on Goochland this Friday at home at 7 pm. Tickets will be $7 at the gate.
The Mustang sideline looks on as the football team secures a win in route to an appearance in the Regional Semis. (Photo: Julie Felgar)
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PAGE 18 | NOVEMBER 18 - 24, 2021
A Review of George Washington Parke Custis, A Rarefied Life in America’s First Family By Charles S. Clark
by J. Roslyn
Special To The News-Press
There are multiple reasons that Charles Clark’s biography of George Washington Parke Custis should be read by historians and anyone with an interest in American history, especially Virginians, including those living in Arlington County. First, as Clark points out, his book is “the first detailed biography of Custis, capturing all phases of his eventful life. Until now he has been sketched as a bit of a cardboard figure, making cameo appearances in dozens of treatments of George Washington and Robert E. Lee.” For whatever reason the recorders of history have “forgotten” or ignored Custis, and Clark makes short shrift of those reasons with this excellent biography.
Moreover, Clark has not presented a dry recitation of facts and dates. Instead, Clark does a yeoman’s job of describing Custis’s life as a young man in a way that depicts an increasingly exasperated Washington as a grandfather trying his best to guide Custis into becoming a decent man. Clark in turn depicts the young Custis as an extraordinary character whose antics reminds one of a modern day Eddy Haskell or Ferris Bueller.
Washington had very high hopes for young Custis. Custis’s father was Martha Washington’s child from her first marriage, and after his father’s death, he and his sister went to live with her, becoming the adopted step-grandchildren of George Washington, with Custis as his only male heir. As he grew into a young man, however, Custis seemed to disappoint everyone, especially Washington. He washed out at the College of New Jersey, later called Princeton, as well as a preparatory school in Philadelphia that later was affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania. At his last school, St. John’s College, in Annapolis, Washington expected a letter every two weeks detailing Custis’s academic progress. Custis wrote that he was “pursuing the study of Natural Philosophy, and hope to distinguish myself in that branch as well as others. Arithmetic I have reviewed, and shall commence French immediately with the professor here.” Washington subsequently wrote to the head of the school, “Mr. Custis possesses competent talents to fit him for any studies, but they are counteracted by an indolence of mind which renders it difficult to draw them into action.”
When Washington was reinstated as Commander in Chief of the military in preparation for a possible war with France, Custis wrote, “Let an admiring world again behold a Cincinnatus springing up from rural retirement to the conquest of nations and the future historian in erasing so great a name insert that of the Father of His Country.” Custis’s attempts to flatter his step-grandfather at best made Washington suspicious of what Custis was not reporting. Washington wrote to Custis’s mother and stepfather, “If you . . . could by indirect means, discover the state of Washington Custis’s mind, it would be to be wished, . . .He appears to me to be moped & stupid, says nothing—and is always in some hole or corner excluded from company.” The detailed descriptions of Custis’s academic failures and his similar failures at keeping to a budget, paint a picture of a weak young man who could not be changed by his grandfather.
Clark also does great service to his “hometown” of Arlington County, where Custis’s luxurious home became “‘Arlington House—The Robert E. Lee Memorial’” which was “closed in 2017 for renovations so the National Park Service could bolster its presentation of slavery.” There are many other Arlington County landmarks described by Clark, including Arlington National Cemetery, that were part of Custis’s extensive land holdings or that touched his life in a meaningful way.
The slavery issue is prominent throughout the book and Clark pulls no punches on this issue. He writes that Custis “had inherited one of the nation’s largest enslaved workforces, and Custis’s handling of the peculiar institution is central to America’s tale.” Later in his life, Custis had at least one child with a slave. Slavery was an abomination that left a stain on America’s history, and its repercussions still exist today. This book is a clear eyed look at the issue of slavery in the lives of Custis and his family, which included Robert E Lee as his son-in-law.
Clark has written a biography of an important figure in the family of one of the most important founders of this country, a figure largely ignored until now. It is also a research and teaching tool that includes a chronology of “Key Dates in the Life of Custis,” and an extensive list with descriptions of mostly Arlington County sites where Custis lived or was affected by or he created. These sites include: Arlington House—The Robert E. Lee Memorial; George Washington’s Mount Vernon; Mount Airy; Abingdon Plantation ruins, and Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, to name a few.
This is not a book that should gather dust in the stacks of a research library, it deserves to be much more than that and hopefully it will be. FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Air Travel Minus the Runway
Electra.aero, based in Falls Church, has recently debuted the design of its hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing airplane, which is a lowemission aircraft that can transport up to 1,800 pounds of cargo or seven passengers, for up to 500 miles. The plane can take off with only 100 feet, no runway. “You start your journey, and you end your journey closer to where you are or where you really want to be, without these long detours through a conventional airport,” said CEO John Langford.
Local Taco Bamba Going National
Taco Bamba began in Falls Church as a carryout restaurant in 2013 and has built up a following with locations across the region. With the seventh location set to open in Alexandria’s Landmark area in 2022, it has been approached about a major expansion – to become a national brand. Stuart Frantz, president and CEO of Investors Management Corporation (IMC) was struck by the food, music and aroma and entered into a partnership with Chef and owner Victor Albisu and are considering new markets along the East Coast.
Falls Church Tree Fest Organizing
The annual tradition of Falls Church Tree Fest will continue this year with VPIS now organizing the event. Non-profit organizations, companies and individuals are sought to sponsor a decorated 4 foot tree that will exhibit during the Tree Fest during the weekend of December 3-5 outdoors at the Four Provinces. The event raises for designated charities and organizations. Please contact Lorraine O’Rourke at Lorourke1@cox.net.
Settle Down Easy Expands to Oakton
Three-year old Falls Church nanobrewery Settle Down Easy is planning a second location in Oakton, Virginia at Hunter Mill Plaza in the late spring of 2022 with a 4,000-square foot taproom and a petite, one-barrel brewhouse. Announced at Settle Down Easys’ third anniversary celebration, the new space will also offer cider and wine as well as artisanal meats and more through an exclusive food partnership with The Fermented Pig. The taproom will pour wine, local ciders, Settle Down Easy beers, as well as beers on tap from other Fairfax County breweries. Settle Down Easy opened its first location in 2018 with five barrels and the second location will be the first brewery for Oakton.
Virginia Employers: Get reimbursed for bonuses
The Return to Earn initiative, launched in June, is an effort to assist small businesses and organizations in finding and retaining talent while also bringing the unemployed back into the workforce. There are basic eligibility requirements and the SkillSource Group, Inc. and Virginia Career Works Northern are available to make access to this program easy and the application, enrollment, and reimbursement process as simple as possible. The program encourages a $500 reimbursable bonus as helpful to retention and workplace morale for qualified businesses. To learn more, go to https://vcwnorthern.com/return-to-earn/.
Takumi Top Rank for Sushi
DC’s Eater Newsletter has its eyes on Takumi and ranked it the 19th top sushi restaurant in the region. Takumi is known for dishes like seared scallop with yuzu and a delicate chirashi bowl. Chef Jay Yu has worked
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.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Falls Church NEWS BRIEFS
Fairfax Co. Health Dept. Issues Statement on F.C. Covid Data
The Fairfax County Health Department, which covers Falls Church on matters pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic, issued the following statement Tuesday regarding confusion with the data being reported about cases in F.C.:
“The Fairfax County Health Dept. is aware that there is an issue with data on the VDH dashboard concerning case numbers in Fairfax City and City of Falls Church. Staff have connected with the Va. Dept. of Health to understand the cause of this anomaly.
“Local health department responders investigated, documented, and reported these cases appropriately; however, due to a technical issue they were not posted accurately to the VDH external data source. We do believe that these are actual cases that took place in these cities. However some of them are not recent and, according to our records, are several weeks old. We continue to assist VDH in the investigation and cause of this technical issue.”
Young Group Acquires 603 W. Broad Building
Falls Church’s Young Group announced this week that it has acquired the old SunTrust Bank building at 603 W. Broad St., which it plans to renovate and modernize. According to Bob Young, a new ground floor tenant is nearing agreement to terms and two tenants will also be sought for the second floor.
Overall, 5,900 square feet of retail space will be provided by the building and it includes a drivethrough window.
‘One City Center’ Developers Agree to 10% ADUs
In one of a number of major modifications in plans for the One City Center mixed use development adjacent the Ireland’s Four Provinces at the major Broad and Washington intersection in downtown Falls Church offered to the F.C. City Council Monday night, Andrew Painter, representing the Atlantic Realty team, said his group has upped its offer for the affordable housing component of its voluntary concessions from six to 10 percent of all residential units.
This follows similar offers of other developers in the downtown area and is a significant increase over earlier levels. The other major change, also cohering with what other recent offers have been, has been to make the affordability of the units permanent, and not limited to 15 or 20 years.
The step reflects the City of Falls Church’s recent more robust and serious push for affordable housing components to its new mixed use developments.
Painter also noted that a letter of intent has been obtained from a grocer looking to occupy part of the ground floor retail component of the project, although the name was not disclosed. In another concession, the developers have agreed to drop one floor off of its planned parking garage.
Mayor David Tarter called the new offers “steps in the right direction,” though he said the parking garage was still too high, and a new facade needs to be put onto existing buildings that will be part of the overall project.
Councilman Ross Litkenhous was more critical of the architecture, saying the existing George Mason Square building that will be included in the project is “boring,” and needs a major facelift to “be in harmony with the rest of what’s planned there.”
Fairfax Revives 7 Corners ‘Ring Road’ Proposal
For the first time in seven years, the Fairfax County plan to modify and modernize the convoluted Seven Corners intersection adjacent to the City of Falls Church was revisited in a presentation to the Falls Church City Council this week.
It was not stated if the revival had to do with the just-passed $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill. Since the matter last came before the F.C. Council in September 2014, the improvement of a bridge on Wilson Blvd. at the intersection has been the only action taken.
But Monday’s presentation included the development of a “ring road” around the intersection that would have the effect of widening and reducing the number of roads leading into it from seven to four, thereby making it safer and easier to navigate.
Plans still do not involve the “ring road” passing through City of Falls Church territory, except at its fringe at the eastern parking lot of the 24 Hour Fitness location.
The first phase of the project would extend off of Route 7 and from there over Rt. 50 to the Sleepy Hollow Road and Castle Street crossings in the county.
Last week, the county held pop-up informational events at the Seven Corners transit center and in the Eden Center in F.C.
ARPA & Budget Surplus $ Votes Due This Monday
The Falls Church City Council will take an initial stab at how to deploy $18 million in federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Covid-19 recovery funds and a $3.2 million local Fiscal Year 2021 budget year-end surplus at its meeting this week. Funding for programs ranging from employee compensation, sidewalks, storm water mitigation, small business relief, bolstered communications and tax cuts were among the range of possibilities discussed by the Council this week.
Preliminary votes will come this Monday, and a final set of decisions are expected to come by Dec. 13. NOVEMBER 18 - 24, 2021 | PAGE 19
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