Falls Church News-Press 11-22-2018 by Falls Church News-Press

November 22 – 28, 2018

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The final schematic rendering of the new George Mason High School was unveiled to the public for the first time Sunday and, if all goes according to plan, construction on the project will begin next summer and be completed and occupied by the winter of 2021. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 9

EYA, PN Hoffman, Regency Team Chosen For $500 Million West End Development

Group’s 10.3-Acre Plan Has Wide Promenade, Hotel, Parking Garage

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

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Ms. Horewitz, published on the Cappies’ website and posted to the News-Press: Jazz, sequins, fringe, love, silhouette, and murder. The audience had it comin’. George Mason High School’s “Chicago” is a fantastic retelling of one of the most produced musicals of all time. Written by Maurine Dallas Watkins in 1926, Chicago was originally a straight play inspired by her own

The development team of EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency Centers was chosen by the Falls Church City Council Monday night to orchestrate a dense and diverse $500 million development of 10.3 acres of City-owned land where its George Mason High School currently sits. By a 6-1 vote, the Council ratified the unanimous recommendation that came from the City’s talented and exhausted Evaluation Committee that met eight times and made its choice known to the Council in a closed meeting on Nov. 5. The Council vote Monday was for an interim agreement subject to a final comprehensive agreement next May. The winning team was chosen over a second finalist team of Rushmark and Hitt Development. An overview of what the team has proposed was unveiled to the public for the first time Monday, building on what was a much more general public submission when the selection process began last February with six bidders. What was presented Monday night includes a wide boulevardlike street with a promenade down its middle that would run through the project from south to north and could be extended, if redevelopment agreements are reached with adjacent Virginia Tech Grad Center and WMATA properties, to run from W. Broad all the way to the West Falls Church Metro station and make for a comprehensive development area as large as the Mosaic District in Merrifield.

Continued on Page 4

Continued on Page 5

A ceremony to light the downtown street lights for the holiday season is set for Monday at 6 p.m. in the 100 block of W. Broad St. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 9

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Another brewery joins the area mix as Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. is now open and pouring craft beer on Fallfax Dr. in Falls Church.

SEE BUSINESS NEWS & NOTES, PAGE 15

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INDEX

Editorial............... 6 Letters................. 6 News & Notes 10–11 Comment ..... 12–13 Business News . 15

Calendar ..... 18–19 Classified Ads ... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ........ 21 Critter Corner....22

A RENDERING OF ‘‘THE LITTLE CITY COMMONS” area from the architectural design package by the EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency Centers team selected by the Falls Church City Council Monday night to develop the economic portion of the City’s West End Development project. This view is from the perspective of looking towards Route 7, seen toward the horizon. (R��: EYA, PN H��, R�� C��)

Cappies Review Hails George Mason High School’s ‘Chicago’ Production

Last weekend’s spectacular George Mason High School production of “Chicago,” was called “a fantastic retelling of one of the most produced musicals of all time” by W.T. Woodson High School’s Marlaina Horewitz, selected by the Cappies of the National Capital Area program to write the student review for the show. In its 19th year, the Cappies organizes students and mentors to attend and draft reviews of selected high school drama productions

throughout the region. “Chicago” was a smash hit at Mason High last weekend, performed to sell-out crowds all three nights. In a creative move, the school’s jazz band, under the baton of music department instructor JoAnne West, was positioned elevated at the rear of the stage to assume a central role in the production, which was directed by the school’s drama instructor Shawn Northrip. The following is the review by

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NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2018 | PAGE 3

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Mason High Theater Excels With ‘Chicago’ Continued from Page 1

reporting experience. Embracing the popular vaudeville vignette style characteristic of the 1920s, Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb, and John Kander created a musical loved by audiences everywhere. The star of the show is Roxie Hart (Meggie Ferguson), a woman who yearns for fame. She finds it in the most unlikely place: death row of the Cook County Jail. Ferguson plays the role quite humorously; over the top facial expressions and dynamic vocal choices add to the overall vaudeville style. She has palpable stage chemistry with her suave lawyer, Billy Flynn (Miles Jackson). Jackson’s impeccable comedic timing and stellar vocals outshine the sequins on the costumes behind him. Featured in “They Both Reached for the Gun,” Jackson hypes up the audience with a high F held for over 20 counts. It is impossible to ignore his contagious energy. Billy’s other fame-desperate client is Velma Kelly (Mithi

Penaranda). Her strong belt-mix guiding the audience through “All That Jazz” sets the high energy tone for the show the second the light comes up. Dancing next to Kelly is Liz (TiKa Wallace) another woman locked up. Wallace commits to playing an intense murderess whom the audience cannot take their eyes off of. Fred Casely (Sasha Ronning) also captivates the audience. Ronning leaves the audience gasping and laughing every time he is killed. And who could forget the adorable and invisible Amos Hart (Hansin Arvind), who has a tiny personality but a huge heart. During dance numbers Rebekah Ayre and Kevin Hong entrance the audience. Ayre plays Hunyak whilst in pointe shoes. She floats eloquently across the stage adding an exquisite contrast to the harsh numbers like “Cellblock Tango.” Hong plays Harry, enthralling the audience with flawless tumbling passes and wonderful stage presence in every number.

GEORGE MASON’S Miles Jackson as Billy Flynn and ensemble in the high school’s production of “Chicago.” (P��: R�� D��/G�� M�� H�� S��) To compliment a strong cast is a detail-oriented crew. Stage manager Greyson Smith has over 170 cues which he executes with precision. The costumes and props are carefully crafted with care for minor details including significant

numbers on the prison uniforms and accurate headlines. The pit is also fantastic, handling a difficult jazz score without missing a beat. Seated on stage and supplying perfectly timed sound effects, the orchestra and cast function as one

unit. Never overshadowing the actors but milking every violin or trumpet solo. For a night of criminal amounts of fun, go see George Mason High School’s “Chicago.” Just be sure to bring $5,000 for a lawyer.

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EYA, PN Hoffman, Regency Team Selected for West End Development

Continued from Page 1

But while that is far off as a distant possibility, the City’s 10.3 acre site, which would begin development in 2021 after a new $120 million George Mason High is completed on adjacent land to its west and the current school is demolished, could yield to the City upwards of an estimated $6.374 million in revenues annually, according to a report from the City’s consultants on the project, Alvarez and Marsal. At that level of annual yield, it would cover virtually the entire City debt service obligation on the $200 million school bond approved by City voters by a 64 percent majority a year ago. Moreover, the project would provide a wide mix of uses addressing the wishes of citizens here for a diverse and charactercentric site, to be built in two phases. In phase one, 276,000 square feet of multi-family apartments would be complemented

by 40,000 square foot of grocery, 67,100 feet of retail, 175,000 square feet of senior (55 and up) housing, 126,500 square feet of office space, a 23,600 square foot civic music and entertainment venue, an 81,000 square foot full service hotel, 151,100 square feet of residential condominiums and possibly a parking garage that would be adjacent the new high school to serve both the school and the development itself. Phase Two, the element further from the new high school, would include 6,400 square feet of retail, 265,000 square feet of office space and another 154,800 square feet of residential condominiums. The total transaction value to the City could go as high as $55,200,000, including $34,500,000 for a 99-year lease on almost all the land (except that set apart for privately-owned residential condos), which will come in the form of an initial $500,000 payment this month, a $6.5 million payment upon

completion of the comprehensive agreement next May, then four annual $7 million payments, and an additional $5.3 million if the City decides it wants the parking garage. There is another prospect of an added $3 million yield from the formation of a Community Development Authority (CDA) that can tax the businesses in the 10.3-acre area, “capital event fees” (or recordation taxes) of approximately $2.4 million for each time the land may change hands or be refinanced, and a final $10 million payment (or higher, if appraised values exceed that amount by then) for the initiation of Phase 2. These numbers, of course, are estimates and drew fire from Council member David Snyder for being too vague, and he became the only “no” vote Monday night as a result. “There is an unacceptable degree of uncertainty,” he said. The plan includes provision for six percent of all residential hous-

NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2018 | PAGE 5

FALLS CHURCH CITY MANAGER Wyatt Shields (left) chatted after Monday night’s vote with EYA’s Evan Goldman (center) and PN Hoffman’s Shawn Seaman. (Photo: News-Press) ing to be offered as an “affordable” rate, or 60 percent of the area mean income, but the Council retains to the right to take that value in the form of a cash payment, if it prefers, to invest in a separate affordable housing building elsewhere. Environmental sustainability is considered another premium of the winning bidders’ proposal, with everything LEED gold and the hotel LEED silver.

An extensive series of public town halls and previews of the plans will commence next month, with special exception and other entitlements applied for by late January, a Planning Commission recommendation by April 1 and the May 2019 final action by the Council to supercede the interim agreement with a final comprehensive one, should all go well.

Continued on Page 22

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Most Valuable Real Estate

Present at Monday night’s meeting of the Falls Church City Council meeting when the team of EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency Centers was chosen to spearhead a $500 million development of 10.3 acres at the City’s West End was a man who’s been involved in Falls Church politics longer than anyone else in the room, the developer’s land use attorney, former F.C. City Manager David Lasso. Lasso’s tenure in Falls Church goes back to the 1980s when he was first hired as the City Attorney. In the 1990s, he became the Interim and then full time City Manager. He’s had his law practice in the City in recent years and with his wife, Judge Karen Henenberg and sons Kenneth and Benjamin, has been a long-time resident of the City. It was when he was the City Manager in the mid-1990s, long before the City embarked on its mixed use development drive, that Lasso was quoted in this newspaper saying the George Mason High School land, by its proximity to the West Falls Church Metro station, was “the most valuable real estate on the eastern seaboard.” What he, and the rest of us, saw at the Council meeting Monday night could be the opening salvo of the realization of just that vision, especially if, over time, Falls Church’s 10.3 acres becomes married to the adjacent Virginia Tech Graduate Center site and WMATA’s 24 acre surface parking area by the Metro station, which it now wants to develop. Back in the mid-1990s, a vision for the Mason High site was much more of a pipe dream because, for one, the land was in Fairfax County and anything done there would be totally subject to county wishes, and, for another, the county had a deliberate policy of keeping the land around that Metro station undeveloped. For Falls Church, a huge breakthrough developed three years ago, when after years of painful litigation over the vast Falls Church-owned water system that penetrated deep into Fairfax County, the City agreed to sell the system to the county for an enormous financial gain to the County. In addition to cash payments, the county agreed to pay for the system by altering the boundary line with the City to bring all 39 acres of the George Mason High campus into the City limits. Some were surprised that the county was willing to do this, except that it coveted acquiring the water system so much. But the upshot was to set the stage for what has happened since. With solid citizen support — the $120 million school bond referendum last November passed with a solid majority support of more than 64 percent — the City has moved with dispatch to build a brand new state of the art high school, and follow on that with the West End Economic Development that might someday be called a “miracle,” especially as last week’s Amazon deal makes it even more viable.

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Independent Commission Should Do Redistricting Editor, I share Delegate Marcus Simon’s hope that the results of the November 2018 elections will encourage members of the General Assembly to listen to their constituents on a range of important issues (“Richmond Report,” November 15) Although Delegate Simon called for “meaningful ethics and campaign finance reform,”

he did not specifically support a constitutional amendment to create an independent commission to draw legislative and congressional boundaries when the next round of redistricting occurs in 2021. (In her Guest Commentary in the same issue of the News-Press, Delegate Jennifer Boysko did.) To put an independent commission in place in time for the

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next redistricting, the General Assembly will have to approve a constitutional amendment on first reading in 2019. (The amendment would then have to be approved by a new General Assembly in 2020, and by the voters in November of that year.) It would be a grave mistake for Virginia Democrats to conclude from their recent victories that the tide is turning and that they will soon be positioned to control the next round of partisan gerrymandering. Now is the time for both parties to abandon more than two centuries worth of political gamesmanship, and follow the lead of a

growing number of states that are taking this job out of the hands of politicians and turning it over to the people. Sara Fitzgerald Falls Church

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NOVEMBER 22 – 28, 2018 | PAGE 7

G � � � � C � � � � � �� Concentrating our Approach to Help Students In Need B� D�� H�� C�� S��

During this time of giving thanks, it is important to recognize those in need, including families in Falls Church City who are challenged in meeting basic needs. The Falls Church Education Foundation is partnering with the Falls Church City Public Schools Family Assistance Fund to meet these needs, but we need your help. The Falls Church Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, partners with the Falls Church City Public Schools to support all preschool through twelfth grade students and staff. We provide funding for innovative grants, advanced teacher training and programs to support underserved populations, including English language learners and students with special needs. We also steward over 20 scholarships benefiting our George Mason High School students. While our “Little City” continues to grow and thrive overall, there are students and families within our community who face significant challenges and need extra support to ensure their academic success. Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF) has several programs in place to assist these students, such as our after-school mentoring, literacy and numeracy tutoring program for English language learning students, No Holidays for Hunger (a hunger abatement program for holidays and weekends for Falls Church

City School families), diabetes support for students with Type 1 diabetes, summer camp programs for English language learning students at Falls Church Parks and Recreation summer camps, and internet “hotspots” for families without internet.

“Recognizing a critical need, Falls Church City Public Schools social workers created a Family Assistance Fund to raise and maintain funds to support their work.” There are two ways that Falls Church City Schools and the FCEF are concentrating their approach to helping families in need: through FCEF’s expansion and stewardship of the Family Assistance Fund and through a newly formed Falls Church City Public Schools Family Resource Center. The Center is available for families to ask questions, access school and community resources, use computers, and participate in activities. The Center is located at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and is open during school hours.

More than 10 years ago, recognizing a critical need, Falls Church City Public Schools social workers created a Family Assistance Fund to raise and maintain funds to support their work. In addition to their day-to-day social work with students and families in Falls Church City, social workers have handled the fundraising and used donations to support students and families with whom they work. For many of our families, the support of the social workers allows their students to go to school well-fed, rested, healthy and ready to learn. The Family Assistance Fund provides help in many forms from school supplies to snack programs, clothing and emergency transportation needs, “bridge” funding to allow students to stay in school until other social service agencies take over, and more. Raising the funds to support this program has taken considerable effort and time by our social workers. After extensive conversations with Falls Church City Public Schools leadership and social workers at all five schools, the Falls Church Education Foundation is excited to support this critical program by taking over centralized stewardship of the Family Assistance Fund. The foundation has the established fundraising and financial mechanisms to support management of the fund and provide prospective donors with a simplified approach to giving. This will allow our social workers to meet additional needs throughout the year and allow them to focus where they have the greatest impact

– identifying student needs and delivering services and assistance with privacy and anonymity – and not on fundraising to meet their students’ needs. The Falls Church Education Foundation has committed to raise $15,000 for the Family Assistance Fund during the balance of the 2018-2019 school year to enable the social workers at each school to expand their reach and scope to an additional hundred students. With your generosity, we can reach the $15,000 goal. During this time of Thanksgiving, please consider helping students in our own community who live with unmet basic needs. Thanks to those who have given to this fund in the past; we count on your continued support. We hope that many more community members will follow your lead. To donate to the Family Assistance Fund, visit the FCEF website at www.fcedf. org and click on the Donate tab. You may specifically designate your donation to the Family Assistance Fund. Payment may also be made via check, payable to FCEF and mailed to the FCEF office at 800 W. Broad Street, Suite 203, Falls Church, VA 22046. If you would like to learn more about the FAF or the Falls Church Education Foundation, contact FCEF Executive Director Debbie Hiscott at dhiscott@fcedf.org. Debbie Hiscott is executive director and Cecily Shea is president of the Falls Church Education Foundation.

Q�� W�� Will Falls Church benefit from Amazon coming to Arlington? • Yes • No

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PAGE 8 | NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2018

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MARNI PENNING stars in "The Agitators," which details the, at times, mutalistic and contentious relationship of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. (Photo: Courtesy Stan Barouh)

F.C.’s Penning Continues Prestigious Career On Stage with Susan B. Anthony Portrayal by Patricia Leslie

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There’s only a few days left to catch the Little City’s very own thespian, Marni Penning, in her latest display of theatrical excellence. A 10-year Falls Church resident and a lifelong actress of stage and screen, Penning’s finishing up her run portraying Susan B. Anthony in Mosaic Theater Company’s “The Agitators.” In “The Agitators,” she is the ardent suffragette (1820-1906) who worked decades advocating for the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote. Anthony did not live to see it adopted in 1920. Her half-century friendship with abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1818-1895, played by Ro Boddie) and their hopes and dreams for an improved society form the basis for the play which is much more than two people sitting and reminiscing, but struggling and growing together. “[The play] is about how we can agree to disagree,” Penning said. “We really need that now, even if we have been sufficiently disappointed in our lives, especially politically, if we as individuals experience a setback. They [Anthony and Douglass] never stopped fighting for what they believed in.” Many scene and costume changes, historical events, a hilarious baseball scene and an innovative musical score of hip hop, rap and traditional 19th century pieces whet interest in the dialogue. (Never mind that

a few contemporary songs have four-letter words; they are barely noticeable.) Penning’s six-year-old son saw the play and loved it! “He came away from it saying it shows how important it is to be good to one another and try and see how others feel so we can help each other out, even if it’s in someone else’s best interests instead of your own,” she said in a phone interview. Penning’s on-stage embodiment of Anthony is just the latest feather in the cap of her storied theatre career. Penning began theatre work at age six when she wrote a script praising the PTA at Claremont Elementary School in Arlington where her family lived. She ended the play doing splits. She and her three sisters (none of whom continued in theatre) used to put on “little skits” in their house and in the backyard. Penning’s Shakespeare specialty (she’s performed 54 productions of 23 Shakespeare works) began with her first Shakespeare when she was eight and “an amazing fourth-grade teacher who changed my life.” Then it was on to the Kennedy Center for a show at age 11 and the Little Theatre of Alexandria for “The Chalk Garden” at 12, all the while taking theatre classes. Throughout secondary school and college she continued acting, graduating from Arlington’s Washington-Lee High School and James Madison University with a degree in theatre and graphic design. From there it was on to tour Europe and Scotland with the American Shakespeare Center

for three years, followed by a few years with theatre classmates in Cincinnati (where she founded the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company now celebrating its 25th year) and then, New York. She came home for a high school reunion and happened to meet the man of her dreams, her soon husband-to-be and a Falls Church resident. “I love this area...I don’t want to live away from my family. I waited so long to start a one.” She treasures every moment with them, especially her son since she’s at work six nights a week when it’s his bedtime. She takes him often to shows at Falls Church’s Creative Cauldron and 1st Stage in Tysons. About five years ago Penning founded D.C. Theatre Parents which now numbers 300 members. “It’s such a great area for theatre.” Penning has been in productions at all the major theatre companies in the D.C. area, and acted in soap operas, “Law and Order” and “Saturday Night Live” several times. Next up on her performance calendar is a show at Studio Theatre, “Admissions,” which starts in January. Last shows of “The Agitators” are this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees, 3 p.m. which have post-show discussions. Tickets may be bought at mosaictheater.org or the box office, 202-399-7993, ext. 155. Mosaic Theater performs at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E. Washington, 20002.)

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Final Schematic Design Unveiled for New Mason High Falls Church City Schools’ Superintendent Peter Noonan at a town hall meeting in the Community Center Sunday unveiled to the public for the first time the final schematic rendering of the new George Mason High School, which if all goes according to plan, will begin construction next summer and be completed and occupied by the winter of 2021. Working with the team of Gilbane Construction with Stantec and Quinn Evans architects changes and tweaks to the original plan first unveiled last summer keep the essential components of a two-vertical building structure, one now affectionately called the “skinny” bar and the other the “fat” bar with a heart of the school between them, and attached at a point to the existing Henderson Middle School with a common kitchen. “We have a plan for a school that works for us, not against us” providing critical elements of education including communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity, Noonan said. “We can do all these with this design.” There will now be four months of detailed design development in collaboration with teachers, students, the school board and the community, he said, before the work begins the day after school lets out next June. Students will stay in the existing high school while the new one is built around it, and the demolition of the current school will occur after the new one is completed and occupied. Modifications to the schematic design presented Sunday included more outdoor spaces, a “welcoming” entrance area, additional parking, a LEED Gold net-zero project, a memorial garden space, an additional outdoor space for the middle school, lights on the new soccer field, bollards for safety in front of the entrance to the school, two vomitoriums to connect the dressing rooms in the building with the sports fields, a full-sized gym floor with a 1,500 seat capacity, a 600 fixed seat capacity auditorium (capable of adding another 75 loose seats) with a wider (50 foot) proscenium opening on the stage that is deeper front to back, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the softball field. There will be gender neutral dressing and bathrooms, a black box theater space, a music lab, and a staircase that goes five floors up the spine of the school. The school is also well equipped with security measures, and the second floor will have the media center (library) and upper level of the auditorium with another 100 seats possible. Classrooms (now called “learning studios”) will be augmented with science and visual arts labs with robotics and fabrication areas, and an interior open “learning stair” and TV studio on the third floor.

Downtown F.C. Holiday Tree Lighting Launch on Monday A new Falls Church tradition of launching the street tree lights in the downtown section of W. Broad Street will resume this Monday, Nov. 26, when Mayor David Tarter will hit the switch to power up the holiday lights in a ceremony in the middle of the 100 block of W. Broad at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by the singers from Creative Cauldron and George Mason High School and Santa will also make an appearance, escorted by the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department.

Walkinshaw Announces for Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw, for 12 years a key lieutenant on U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly’s team, has announced he’ll seek the Democratic nomination to run for the Braddock District Supervisor in Fairfax County next year.

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Community News & Notes Marshall Coach Wins Nat’l Competition & $25K Prize Darrell General was announced as the winner of FloTrack’s “Hometown Hero” competition on Monday evening. The George C. Marshall High School cross country and distance coach was previously announced as one of five national finalists in the beginning of November, and after the conclusion of a two week public polling period, General will receive the $25,000 grand prize for winning the competition. A public event will be held following the Thanksgiving holiday to celebrate General’s accomplishment.

‘Civil War Christmas’ Opens Nov. 29 at 1st Stage A DOUBLE DIP FOR BAILEY’S ROTARIANS: Members of the Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary Club and Interact students from Justice High School partnered with the Safeway at Crossroads Center Way to deliver food boxes to help make the holiday a little brighter for area residents. This year nearly 30 Rotarians and friends plus 30 Interact students delivered 100 meals to families in the Culmore section of Bailey’s Crossroads. (Photo: Courtesy David Borowski)

AND A FEW WEEKS AGO, Bailey’s Rotarians also distributed more than 450 dictionaries to third graders at three Fairfax County elementary schools: Parklawn, Glen Forest and Bailey’s Upper. (Photo: Courtesy David Borowski)

The 1st Stage Theater (3007, 1524 Spring Hill Rd., McLean) will open its production of “A Civil War Christmas” by Paula Vogel on Thursday, Nov. 29 for a month-long holiday season run. It’s 1864 and Washington, D.C. is settling down to the coldest Christmas Eve in years. “History lessons and holiday warmth sit cozily alongside each other” (The New York Times) in this pageant of carols by Paula Vogel, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of “Indecent.” Stories of many intertwining lives – spanning from the battlegrounds of Northern Virginia to the halls of the White House – demonstrate that the gladness of one’s heart is the best gift of all. Music is by Daryl Waters with features from Suzy Alden, Rebecca Ballinger, Demitrus Carter, Tiziano D’Affuso, Ayanna Hardy, Billie Krishawn, V. Savoy McIlwain, Gary L. Perkins III, Karma Price, Russell Rinker, Sophie Schulman and Joshua Simon. 1st Stage artistic associate Deidra LaWan Starnes returns,

following her Helen Hayes Award nominated production of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” to direct the production. “A Civil War Christmas,” will run at 1st Stage from Nov. 29 – Dec. 23 with show times as follows: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket information can be found at 1ststagetysons.org.

Marshal HS Begins X-Mas Tree Sale this Saturday The George C. Marshall High School (7731 Lessburg Pike, Falls Church) Boosters will run the annual Christmas Tree Sale from Nov. 24 – Dec. 22. The boosters will sell Christmas Trees, wreaths, garland, White House Ornaments and Marshall Statesmen Spirit Wear. All proceeds from the sale will benefit Marshall’s athletic teams and other organizations. Hours will be as follows: • Monday – Friday: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. • Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. • Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.

Tysons-Pimmit Book Sale Back in Time for Holidays Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) will be holding its quarterly book sale with a large selection of books and media for all ages and interests next weekend, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2. On Nov. 30, the book sale will run from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; on Dec. 1, it will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, it will run from 1 – 4 p.m. On the final day of the quarterly book sale, all books and media will be half price and there is a special offer that allows customers to fill up a bag full of books for $10 per bag. For more information, call

Send Us Your News & Notes!

The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!

Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046

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NOVEMBER 22 – 28, 2018 | PAGE 11

DURING OPENING NIGHT of the Falls Church Arts gallery show “Brushes,” artists watched the Sumi-e’ brush painting method demonstrated by Carla Jaranson (left, in blue), president of the Nat’l Sumi-e’ Society of America, and secretary Jean Seelig. (P��: C�� D�� L��)

IT WASN’T MUCH, but Saint James Catholic School first grader Bridget Edwards made the most of the season’s first snowfall last Thursday. (P��: C�� K�� E��) 703-790-4031, 703-338-3307 or contact tysonslibraryfriends@ gmail.com.

Forum on Safety in City Schools to Be Held Dec. 2 The League of Women Voters of Falls Church, the Falls Church City Public Schools and the City of Falls Church will hold a public forum Sunday, Dec. 2 to discuss the school district’s measures and procedures to protect students. The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 2 – 3:30 p.m. in the cafetorium of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (7130 Leesburg

Pike, Falls Church). School and city officials will discuss practices that are currently in place. In addition, a representative of the architectural firm chosen for the George Mason High School rebuilding will discuss safety features incorporated into the new school’s design. A question-andanswer session will follow the presentations. In a statement, the League of Women Voters of Falls Church said, “School emergencies, including natural as well as humancaused events, are a matter of community-wide concern. This forum is intended to inform students, parents, and all interested

citizens of how the City is prepared to deal with such emergencies, and to get the public’s reaction to those plans.” For more information on the forum, contact Sara Fitzgerald at 703-534-1235 or sarafitz@aol. com.

McLean Woman’s Club Hosts Annual Holiday Homes Tour The McLean Woman’s Club will host its annual Holiday Homes Tour on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The tour will feature four large, elegant homes in the Langley Forest, River Oaks, Odrick’s Corner and McLean Hamlet neighborhoods in McLean. A boutique selling jewelry and holiday items and raffling quality gift certificates will be at the River Oaks house. Cost of tour is $30 before Dec. 6 and can be paid at Mesmeralda’s

(1339 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean); Karin’s Florist (527 Maple Ave. E., Vienna) and Great Dogs of Great Falls (9859 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls). Cost on Dec. 6 will be $35 at those same locations as well as at the tour houses. For more information, visit mcleanwomansclub.org or call 703-556-0197.

Red Cross Urgently Seeking Blood Donations The American Red Cross is facing a blood shortage and needs blood and platelet donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter. During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and

platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Fewer blood drives in September and October coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, which caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage. Donation locations in the local area are as follows: Falls Church: Saturday, Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Kempner Macon Ware Lodge (411 Little Falls St., Falls Church). McLean: Thursday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Federal Highway Administration (6300 Georgetown Pike, McLean). Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-7332767).

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A Penny for Your Thoughts

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

#BeUnderstood

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

Happy Thanksgiving! The announcement last week that Arlington and Alexandria will be Amazon’s HQ2 location is exciting news for Northern Virginia and the metro region. On the plus side, the prospect of creating 25,000 high paying jobs over the next two decades reinforces our region as a good place to live, work, play, and learn. Most likely, some of those new employees already are living in the metro region, since one of the reasons Amazon chose this area is its skilled and well-educated workforce. Amazon noted that it will advertise for about 500 jobs in 2019, so the growth will be gradual, allowing time for some transportation improvements. The real buzz, however, seems to center on housing, its affordability, availability, and location, to serve employees and the businesses that will be needed to provide services to the new Amazon employees and their families. The metropolitan region already is tens of thousands of housing units short, and growth in the region, even before the Amazon announcement, means the demand for all types of housing — apartments, condominiums, townhouses, single family detached — will increase. If people want to live near where they work, avoiding long commutes, they need housing choice, with commercial and recreational amenities nearby. Fortunately, Mason District, especially Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners and the Skyline area, provides a terrific opportunity for housing that is close to work sites. Conversion of a former office building at 5600 Columbia Pike into live/work units is underway. Right now, all the work — interior demolition, new walls and floors, and internal systems — is happening on the inside, with landscaping and outside work to begin in the spring. The first units are expected to be available for rent in the Fall of next

year. In Seven Corners, the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2015 permits significant housing opportunities with mixed use redevelopment. The Amazon announcement provides the impetus for developers to invest in these areas that already are planned for increased housing density, with existing transit and transportation, commercial and recreational amenities, and good schools. Parks are desirable amenities, and two parks in Mason District got special attention last week. On Friday, the Friends of Green Spring Gardens (FROGS) received the Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award at the annual Elly Doyle Park Service Awards event. The FROGS are celebrating their 25th anniversary of service to the park, and have more than 1,500 dedicated members. At the same event, Nancy Wilson of Lincolnia received the Eakin Philanthropy Award for her financial support of county trails in memory of her late husband, Bill Vesey. On Saturday, renovations to Backlick Park in Annandale were celebrated with a ribbon-cutting. The 8.9-acre park was constructed in the early 1980s, but sorely needed an update due to heavy use and overgrowth. Neighbors partnered with the Park Authority, to invest nearly one million dollars of 2016 park bond money to install a new shelter and picnic tables, a fabulous playground, a new fitness area, new tennis court lighting, and other upgrades. The trail network provides easy access to nearby neighborhoods, a good way to walk off that Thanksgiving turkey!

SOME PARENTS WANT THEIR KIDS TO TRY HARDER. SOME KIDS ARE TRYING AS HARD AS THEY CAN. Learning and attention issues can look different to parents and kids. That’s why there’s Understood, a free online resource with answers, advice and tools to help your child thrive. Go from misunderstanding to understood.org.

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 Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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NOVEMBER 22 – 28, 2018 | PAGE 13

Conformity & The Holidays

A reminder that as we enter into “the Holidays,” that everyone’s experience of them is not as sugar-coated as many may like to believe. For many who need room to grow in their lives, breaking out of behavior patterns and expectations developed in their childhoods, family gatherings can be a source of friction and conflict. How often this is true when it comes to a young LGBTQ person struggling with pressures both inward and outward to conform to parental and societal expectations that remain so real among us. In Chapter 37 of my best-selling book, “Extraordinary Hearts: Reclaiming Gay Sensibility’s Central FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS Role in the Progress of Civilization” (Lethe Press, 2014), I described my own experience one holiday season that was a turning point in my young life. I wrote: “The social ferment for justice and equality caused me to realize that, just as Dr. King said about African-Americans, I could not be leaned on if I refused to stoop over. So, I decided to stand up. “It was the most important thing I’ve ever done, even though my relationship with the gay world has been a spotty one at best, including what I considered extensive periods of virtual exile while the irrepressible surge of radical hedonism in the 1970s set the stage for the AIDS epidemic. “But once I stood up by coming out, it compelled me immediately to devote whatever talents I had to building the gay liberation movement so that my experience could be shared by as many others as possible. “Even more importantly, it provided me with the personal strength, through a new-found integrity of my inner soul, to throw off the accumulated burdens suffered through years of emotional and physical submission to the whims of a tyrannical father. “My father died in 2002 and toward the end of his life we became close as I respected, loved and helped him despite everything. After all, he’d passed onto me certain strengths of character that not only gave me the courage to come out, but also to confront him at the risk of violence when I had to. “It was Christmas Eve 1970, and when I arrived from San Francisco by bus to our family home on the Southern California coast, I had long hair and a beard. My father didn’t need to know anything more than that. He dictated that I would not be welcome at the family dinner, even though my two brothers and their wives and my grandparents would be there. “It was a long day leading up to the dinner, with my brothers and their wives debating in the living room of our grandparents’ home next door whether or not to boycott the meal in my defense, and bemoaning our shared lives of putting up with our father’s arbitrary, violent and tyrannical ways for so many years. But in the end, they all decided to cave in and show up, leaving me isolated and excluded. “I decided I could not allow that to be the final word, even though my father’s physical strength was legendary and he had a history of inflicting pain on my mom and us boys. I knew if I confronted him, he could pulverize me. I opened the front door to my parents house to find everyone at the dinner table, all, upon seeing me, frozen with forks and knives in hand and looking at me speechlessly with stunned, wide-open eyes. I assumed a pose as one steeled for a fight, and unleashed a stream of loud, angry invectives against my father. “When I’d spent myself I was surprised that my father made no move toward me. He continued to sit and sputtered, ‘So, you want to ruin our dinner?’ “I turned on my heels and strode out, slamming the door. As I walked away, not my father, but my brothers chased after me, threatening me for my violation of their shameful compact of subservience that they knew was wrong. “That night, which I viewed as sealing my ‘coming out’ by claiming my identity and my life, freed me to become whatever life had in store, never again to kowtow to unreasonable convention or fear.”  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

County board member Erik Gutshall heard the big news of Amazon’s coming on a Monday night, via a call from County Manager Mark Schwartz, the night before the Nov. 13 announcement confirming the long-trickling rumors. Schwartz had been told by Gov. Ralph Northam. When word reached me via old-fashioned newsprint, I found it fun to witness our fair county in the worldwide spotlight. And I wondered about the corporatization of our landscape, pondering the company nameplates that decorate the high-rises on our horizons. In Crystal City, if Amazon mounts a logo, it will join well-displayed monikers of Boeing and SAIC. In Rosslyn, the glass skyline brand names now include BAE Systems, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Grant Thornton, the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School and the Corporate Executive Board. (I can see most from my office across the Potomac.) In Ballston, daily passersby can look up and behold neon for Willis Towers Watson, CGI, CACI, Accenture, AES, the Virginia Tech Research Center and Jacobs (engineering). The signs play no small role in the modern Arlington identity. They also cost their sponsors a pretty penny, not to mention detailed negotiations for rights and placement. In my view, some signs are misleading, in that they create

an impression that each company is headquartered in Arlington and owns the building. In fact, the brander might be a branch office and one of several tenants leasing a few floors of the high-rise. “The rule of thumb has been that it is hard to obtain the main sign on a building if you aren’t occupying at least half the available space,” I was told by Dave DiNardo, a longtime commercial real estate broker and former managing director of the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust. If you award the best visibility signage rights to a tenant occupying 40 percent, another company with a greater share might get miffed. Signs reflect prestige branding, and “are a big deal for a company in showing it has ‘arrived,’” he said, though some securityconscious tenants don’t want a sign. Our county government regulators, of course, have a detailed say. Arlington in 2012 did a deep review of sign zoning standards to add flexibility for branders to “facilitate creativity and innovation,” according to documents shown me by planner Nick Rogers, zoning amendment coordinator. Responding to urging by developers, landlords and business improvement districts, authority for approval of comprehensive commercial plans was shifted from the county board to administrative staff, to streamline the process and promote consistency. But rules still require math and precise measuring to police against, well, tackiness. Signs

must comply down to their luminescence, the number of feet for lettering and their placement near the roofline and on frontage overlooking shared public space. No changeable text at heights above 40 feet. Companies that meet performance standards can earn flexibility in other areas, according to Rogers. Yes, there are First Amendment questions. Out in Seattle, where Amazon’s existing headquarters is spread over multiple sites, the main Amazon tower (called Doppler and fronted by giant streetside glass spheres) does not conspicuously sport the company’s familiar logo. But if the online giant plans a branding nameplate for its Crystal City HQ (in the area it has nicknamed National Landing), it will have to humbly play by Arlington’s rules. One hopes. I will be looking (up), with interest. *** Michael Stiefvater, the commercial specialist at Arlington Economic Development, heard the big Amazon news like Joe Citizen, on NPR. Speaking Nov. 14 to the Committee of 100 on the state of retail in Arlington, he noted that Crystal City developer JBG Smith is bringing in a movie theater, grocery store and bowling alley to help humanize the rapidly evolving airport neighborhood. Accompanying him was Sasan Rashidi and wife Nasrin, owners of the LA Moves clothing store who’ve logged 35 years in Arlington. His plea: Given all the county incentives bestowed on Amazon, how about some help for locally owned small businesses that give the area character?

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B�� N�� N�� George Mason High Seeks Career Presenters George Mason High School is looking for career presenters to speak to high school students during its upcoming Mustang Career Chats for freshmen on Dec. 5, juniors on Jan. 30, seniors on Feb. 20, and sophomores on April 24. Each Mustang Career Chat will take place at the high school from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. with a short orientation for the presenters to take place at 9:30 a.m. To sign up, contact Marybeth Connelly at connellym@fccps.org.

Small Business Saturday Brings Discounts Nov. 24 is Small Business Saturday during which shoppers are encouraged to patronize small businesses. In addition to taking advantage of the small business Small Business Saturday discounts, shoppers can also save time, gas, and money while also supporting their community by shopping small locally. For more information on the benefits of shopping locally or the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s #LiveLocalFC campaign, visit www.FallsChurchChamber.org.

Falls Church Adds Another ‘Nano’ Brewery Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. has opened at 2822 Fallfax Dr. in Falls Church. The new “nano” brewing operation’s mission is to provide the discriminating craft beer consumer with a high quality, approachable, selection of specialty craft beers and seasonal varietals. While the establishment does not include a restaurant, it has partnered with El Tio and have a taco stand in the brewery. Patrons can also call in orders to El Tio and have it delivered. No other outside food is currently allowed. Settle Down Brewing is open. For more information, visit www.settledowneasybrewing.com.

Mad Fox Hosting ‘Bend & Brew’ Yoga Class Mad Fox Brewing Company is hosting Bend & Brew, a 60-minute beer and CorePower Yoga class, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, and the fourth Tuesday of every month. The event includes yoga instruction and a flight of Mad Fox’s award winning beers. For more information, visit www.MadFoxBrewing.com or www.corepoweryoga.com.

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Free Hot Chocolate at City Tree Lighting Thanks to Lemon Lane Lemon Lane Children’s Consignment will be offering free hot chocolate at the City of Falls Church’s tree lighting ceremony to be held Monday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. The event will also include a visit from Santa along with the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department, and a performance by Creative Cauldron’s Madeline singers. Following remarks by Mayor David Tarter the trees along the 100 and 200 blocks of W. Broad St.will be officially lit for the season. The ceremony will take place in the municipal park located on the north side of the 100 block of W. Broad St.

Chesterbrook Hosting Holiday Food Drive Chesterbrook Residences is hosting a holiday food drive for Homestretch through Dec. 15. Nonperishable food donations can be dropped off at the nonprofit senior living home located at 2030 Westmoreland Street in Falls Church. For more information, visit chesterbrookres.org.

OAR Toy Drive Runs Through Dec. 7 OAR (Offender Aid and Restoration) is hosting its annual toy drive until Dec. 7 to collect new, donated toys and gifts for children of parents who are incarcerated locally. These gifts are given to the children, ages newborn to 18 years, in December as a part of OAR’s Project Christmas Angel. OAR does this in an effort to bridge the gap between those involved in the criminal justice system and their children. For more information, contact Heather Pritchett at 703-228-7435 or hpritchett@oaronline.org.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

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PAGE 16 | NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2018

FALLS CHURCH’S JENNIFER JACOBS (right) and Arlington’s Jessica Stern are the co-founders of Connect Our Kids, a charity on mission to revolutionize the foster care system through technology. (Courtesy Photo)

Falls Church Woman Seeks to Modernize Foster Care System by Bruce Horovitz

Special to the News-Press

Client: AD COUNCIL

more than 5,000, according to Virginia State records. The charity’s ultimate ambition: to supply state-of-the-art family connections software — at no charge — to every foster care worker in the country. The technology would replace antiquated systems that are outdated by as much as 40 years and in some cases are simply paper-based. With the new software, Jacobs says, every child who enters the foster care system would immediately start being connected to family. Typically, if 150 to 200 adults who are related to the child — or who are somehow connected to the child (like a teacher or coach) — can be found, at least one will be ready and able to step up as a

permanent parent, says Jacobs. Connect Our Kids’ cloud-based, family connections software platform could work like a technology-based adrenaline shot to the entire foster care system. The alternatives are frightful. By the young age of 26, twothirds of former foster youth who aged-out, or never found a forever family, have experienced homelessness, been incarcerated, or are dead, says Stern. We age-out over 20,000 youth every year in the U.S., including hundreds in Virginia. These youth die at about 10 times the rate of their peers, she adds. “Starting a charity is hard, but improving the foster care system is even harder,” says Jacobs, 47, who holds a PhD in nuclear science and was previously a White House Fellow. To create the advanced software, the two women aim to raise $5 million over the next five years to fully fund a national deployment. It will cost about $500,000 to build and operate their first pilot, scheduled for late 2019. They’ve already raised about $200,000, with the software development itself already halfway completed. Each of the two women is driven forward by a life-changing childhood experience. For Jacobs, it was the childhood confusion she faced waiting for the school bus every morning outside of her rural Michigan home. Waiting along with her were multiple foster children from the farm down the road. “I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that these children were living with strangers,” says Jacobs, whose husband, Shawn Carpenter, is advising the charity on the complex technology. For Stern, the memories are even more personal. “Being separated from my family is the most traumatic thing that ever happened to me,” says Stern, 44, who currently lives in Richmond but owns a home in Arlington. “One week after losing my mother, I was living with a stranger,” she says. Even though the foster family was very kind, she says, she remembers crying every day for the first year. “If I can reduce the trauma

Final Art

NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL THEY BUCKLE UP.

that I suffered for others, well, that’s my mission.” It’s all about the data. This is where Jacobs lives. As a long-time nuclear consultant and government contractor, she’s been a professional data miner for decades. For years, she was a nuclear scientist trying to use data to find illicit nuclear materials floating around the world. Now, she’s taking that same data-crunching ability and turning it towards a cause for which she’s personally passionate. “I’m a data person. This is not about wishing and hoping for some random person to show up and adopt someone,” says Jacobs, who was pregnant with her son, Sam, over seven years ago when she got the kernel of the idea for Connect Our Kids from an article about data and foster care in Time magazine. Besides her son, Jacobs also has twin daughters Bonnie and Lucy, 10, who are fifth graders at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Plans for several local fundraisers for Connect Our Kids already are in motion for 2019. The group is planning to participate in 5K runs in March and August. (Details will be posted on their website.) Finding permanent families for youth can be extremely difficult, says Jacobs. And the holidays are when many foster children face their greatest emotional challenges. Perhaps no one understands that better than Stern. Shortly after she got married, her husband asked her all about her family’s Thanksgiving traditions, so they could blend the best of the traditions. That was a particularly painful moment when Stern realized she had no Thanksgiving family traditions. “They died when my mother died,” she says. Now, she is trying to create new family traditions with her husband and their two-year-old son, Samuel. Those interested in creating a special Thanksgiving tradition for a foster child — and for themselves, can visit ConnectOurKids.org — and click donate.

VISIT SAFERCAR.GOV/ KIDSBUCKLEUP

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Falls Church resident Jennifer Jacobs never imagined that she’d co-found a charity which would bring space-age technology to the nation’s foster care system and potentially change the way 437,000 foster children coast to coast find a home. Likewise, former Arlington resident Jessica Stern, who lived with a foster family at age 10 when her mother suddenly died, never imagined that she would join CEO Jacobs as co-founder and COO of this groundbreaking venture. Two women. Two life stories. One shared goal: to revolutionize

foster care through technology, so that every child is part of a loving, permanent family. With the holiday season here, the two determined women — who both quit high-powered jobs to devote their lives to modernizing the nation’s $9 billion foster care system — are asking Falls Church area residents and Northern Virginia area companies to join the revolution by supporting their locally based charity, Connect Our Kids, on social media, or with donations, corporate sponsorships and technological support. The need is great — even right here in Falls Church. Nearly 300 kids are in foster care in the Arlington and Fairfax counties and the state of Virginia has

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“2-Night Free Vacation!” LAST WEEKEND at the 32nd Annual Model UN Conference held at William and Mary, over General Assembly committees. The students also had many roles in specialized and crisis committees. After three days of discussion, diplomacy and collaboration Mason walked away with some awards. (P��: FCCPS P��/T�� V��N��)

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S�� N�� N�� Specialist Green Presents at Nat’l Council with Authors At the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Mount Daniel and Thomas Jefferson Elementary’s own specialist Beth Green presented a session about how to use picture books with kids of all ages in ways that will inspire civic action. Green’s co-presenters were children’s book authors Emma Otheguy and Julie Segal Walters. The three presenters’ joint message was that fostering care plus confidence plus skills is the key in teaching elementary students.

Ed. Foundation & Other Nonprofits at Tree Fest If any area residents are considering purchasing a holiday tree over the Thanksgiving break, they are encouraged to mesh their goals of spending time with family with a plan to support a non-profit organization at the fifth annual Falls Church Tree Fest, which will include Falls Church City Public Schools’ freestanding non-profit ally, the Falls Church Education Foundation. Attendees can also bid on any of the many decorated trees lending support to a variety of non-

profits at the event. The festival will be at Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad St., Falls Church) on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Fairfax Co. Awarded for Student-Career Partnership Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been named one of two 2018 Community Partners of the Year by Genesys Works National Capital Region. The award was presented at the organization’s third annual Breaking Through Ceremony, recognizing high school seniors who were recently awarded professional internships at Washington, D.C., area companies. FCPS was honored for its association with Genesys Works since the organization began working in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in 2016. It offers high school students with challenging backgrounds the opportunity to achieve college and career success through training and internships while still in school. Students complete an eight-week workforce training program and are then placed in a year-long internship. Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand serves on the Genesys

Works Board of Advisors. Approximately 130 students have participated in the Genesys Works summer training and internship program, with some coming from the following local schools: Falls Church High School, Justice High School and Marshall High School. Of the 40 FCPS alumni of the Genesys Works program, eight students have received job offers.

Lemon Road ES Receives New Salad Bar as Donation Fairfax County Public Schools announced the donation of new salad bars to the district at an event earlier in November at Lemon Road Elementary School (7230 Idylwood Rd., Falls Church VA 22043). The salad bar donations are providing students with increased access to a variety of fruit and vegetable choices at lunch. Earlier this year, the district received a donation of three salad bars from the National Potato Council, arranged through a partnership with the United Fresh Start Foundation and the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative, which promotes salad bars as an effective strategy for increasing children’s produce consumption at school.

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CA L E NDA R

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FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Farmer’s Market. The awardwinning, year-round market is filled with fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and much more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. – noon. 703248-5034. A Very Victorian Christmas. Interested residents can start their holiday season with A Very Victorian Christmas at the Cherry Hill Farmhouse. Reenactors from the 1860s will welcome friends and soldiers for holiday cheer in the midst of Civil War conflict. Attendees will step back in time with period carols, parlor games, light refreshments and decorations including a Victorian-period Christmas tree

and a children’s craft room. A special thanks is extended to the Victorian Society at Falls Church for hosting this event. Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 703-248-5171.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Preschool Storytime. Stories and fun for children ages 0-5. Dropin. All storytimes are followed by playtime with the Early Literacy Center toys. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 10:30 – 11 a.m. 703-2485034. Playtime with Early Literacy Center Toys. Explore educational and manipulative items (aka toys) to teach early literacy through play. Ages birth to 5 years. Drop in. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 11 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034.

Downtown Tree Lighting. It’s that time of the year again. City of Falls Church residents can join local businesses, neighbors and Santa for a celebration of the holidays during the City’s annual Downtown Tree Lighting ceremony. Parking is available in public spots on the street (look for signage), the Kaiser-Permanente Garage and the George Mason Square garage. Visit fallschurchva.gov/Parking for details. 100 block of W. Broad St. (pocket park between Dogwood Tavern and Hot N’ Juicy Crawfish). 6 – 7 p.m. 703-248-5014. ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group for adults learning English as their second language meets every Monday. No registration required: Dropins welcome. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m. 703-2485034.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Fur, Scales and Slime. Interested residents can come learn why different species have a variety of outer coverings and attendees can touch some live animals, too. Ages: 3 – 5 years. Parents are invited to stay and observe. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). $5 per child due at registration. 1 – 2 p.m. 703-228-6535. Ojibwe Inspired Dreamcatchers. Students will make the well-known Native American Dreamcatchers inspired by the Ojibwe people, one of the largest Native American ethnic groups. For Grades K-5, registration required. For more information contact the Youth Services desk by phone or in person. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8 p.m. 703-248-5034.

THEATER&ARTS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 “Billy Elliot.” All 11-year-old Billy wants to do is dance. While the 1984 miners’ strike squeezes his family and splits his town, Billy’s passion for ballet first divides, then ultimately unites, the community—and changes his life in extraordinary ways. Based on the powerful and acclaimed film, “Billy Elliot” swept the Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier awards for Best Musical, by combining a dynamic score by the legendary Elton John with sensational dance to create a heartwarming, inspirational and triumphant experience for the entire family. Signature Theatre (420 Campbell Ave., Arlington) $40 – $80. 8 p.m. sigtheatre.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 “Anything Goes.” Dubbed “musical comedy joy” by The New York Times, this rollicking maritime rom-com follows the adventures of Billy, a young Wall Street broker who falls head over heels

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

for a wealthy heiress, and stows away on the ship carrying her to London. All kinds of on-board antics ensue as Billy tries to find, woo and win back his true love, with the help of showgirls, sailors and even a gangster or two. Showcasing Tony-winner Cole Porter’s signature wit and masterful composition skills, “Anything Goes” features timeless tunes like “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and, of course, the title track. Arena Stage (1101 Sixth St. SW, Washington, D.C.) $92 – $125. 8 p.m. arenastage.org. “Anastasia.” The musical “Anastasia” is on a journey to Washington at last! From the Tony Award–winning creators of the Broadway classic “Ragtime,” this show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. “Anastasia” features a book by playwright Terrence McNally and a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Creative Kennedy Center (2700 F. St., Washington, D.C.) $49. 7:30 p.m. kennedy-center.org.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 “Cry It Out.” Jessie is a corporate lawyer in a Manhattan firm. Lina is a community-college dropout and born-and-bred Long Islander. They don’t seem to have anything in common, but marooned at home with infants, they strike up a fast friendship. In the yard between their houses—as far as their baby monitors will reach— they bond over sleep deprivation, unreliable childcare, and “having it all.” A candid comedy about who gets to make which hard choices in the tinderbox of parenthood and class in the United States. Studio Theatre (1501 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C.) $20 – $90. 2 p.m. studiotheatre.org.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Dave Chappell. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23

NOVEMBER 22 – 28, 2018 | PAGE 19

Happy Hour: Shartel & Hume. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703241-9504. Holly Montgomery. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186. The Seldom Scene & Dry Branch Fire Squad. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $39.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. An Evening with Willie Nile. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $30 – $45. 8 p.m. 703255-1566. The Nighthawks with Billy Price. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300. JR Cline & The Recliners. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-2419504. 2 From the Heart. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Dimestore Pony Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504. DC All Star Funk Band. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. Newmyer Flyer: Janis Joplin & Jimi Hendrix Tribute at The Barns. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $25 – $29. 8 p.m. 703255-1900. Andy Shauf (Solo) with Fenne Lily. Union Stage presents at The Miracle Theatre (535 8th St. SE, Washington, D.C.). $20. 9 p.m. 703-255-1566. Poultry in Motion: A Burlesque Show Most Fowl. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $15. 9 p.m. 703237-0300.

CHARLES ESTEN will be at The Birchmere on Sunday. (Photo: CharlesEsten.Com) Reggie Wayne Morris Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504. Damion Wolfe. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Jimmy Cole. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-241-9504. The Giving Gathering: Supporting Your Art Community. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $5. 2 p.m. 703-255-1566. John Eaton with George Gershwin & Friends. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $25 – $27. 2 p.m. 703-255-1900. Ty Braddock & Kevin Dudley. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703241-9504.

Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186. Charles Esten with Jones Point. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. The Superchargers, Venray. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Memphis Gold All-Star Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

The Lobby Bar Presents: Trivia Nite. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12 – $25. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Model Child, Sonic Eddy. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.

Majestic: Drag Show. Diva Lounge (6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Melissa Etheridge – The Holiday Show (encore performance the following night at the same time and price). The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $115. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500

M4TR’s “Rock To Resist By” Benefit Show. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

The New Respects with JUXT. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave.

Bob Hume & Martha Capone Open Mic. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Arlington). 8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340.

Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046

Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.

PAGE 20 | NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2018

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Public Notice ABC LICENSE SALON NORDINE & DAY SPA LLC., Trading as: SALON NORDINE & DAY SPA, 2905 District Avenue Suite 175, Fairfax, Virginia 22031-2277. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Day Spa license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Noureddine Elabassi, Owner. 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.

ABC LICENSE FIDEL LLC., Trading as: FIDEL RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, 3815B South George Mason Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3786. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer on Premise and Mixed Beverage Restaurant. Helen Kebede, President and Member, Rahel Hagos, Member. 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.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The ordinance referenced below was given first reading by the City Council on October 9, 2018; and second reading and public hearing are scheduled for Monday, December 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TO18-11) AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, BY REZONING A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 34.6527 ACRES OF LAND FROM R-1A, LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO B-2, CENTRAL BUSINESS FOR THE PROPERTIES AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51-221-001, 52-221002 AND 51-221-003), ON APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH AND THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH The ordinance referenced below was given first reading by the City Council on November 13, 2018; and second reading and public hearing are scheduled for Monday, December 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TO18-09) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 22, “HOUSING,” SECTION 2282; CHAPTER 40, “TAXATION,” SECTION 40-497; AND CHAPTER 48, “ZONING,” SECTIONS 4-2, 48-235,48-393, 48-423, 48-453, 48-486, AND 48-521 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH TO UPDATE LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND ALIGN THE DEFINITION OF GROUP HOME WITH STATE CODE All public hearings will be held in the Falls Church Community Center, Senior Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA. 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). CELESTE HEATH

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PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 3, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the School Board Conference Room, 800 West Broad Street, Suite 203, Falls Church, VA 22046, to consider the following: (TO18-09) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 22, “HOUSING,” SECTION 2282; CHAPTER 40, “TAXATION,” SECTION 40-497; AND CHAPTER 48, “ZONING,” SECTIONS 4-2, 48-235,48-393, 48-423, 48-453, 48-486, AND 48-521 TO UPDATE LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND ALIGN THE DEFINITION OF GROUP HOME WITH STATE CODE. Information on or copies of the proposed ordinance can be viewed at the Development Services Counter or City Clerk’s Oﬃce at City Hall (temporary location), 400 North Washington Street, Falls Church, VA, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You may contact the Planning Division at 703-248-5040 with any questions or concerns. This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)

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We are pledged to the letter andspirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

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Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

21 24 28 34

53 58

57 61

Across

1. Random guess 5. iPad purchases 9. Wolfgang Puck restaurant 14. Firehouse fixture 15. ____ Mix 16. Tribe with a lake named after it 17. Give ____ of approval 18. ____ sci (coll. major) 19. Shade of green 20. “It’s okay ... you didn’t mean anything by it” 23. Hindu teacher 24. Preschooler 25. Preschooler’s break 28. A breeze to use, in adspeak 33. “Roman J. Israel, ____” (2017 Denzel Washington movie) 36. It’s mined 37. Some paid rides 38. They’re often frowned upon by grammarians ... or a good title for this puzzle 43. Actress Donovan of “Clueless” 44. Cookie holder 45. “Spring forward” hrs. in NYC 46. Bodybuilder’s mantra 51. Air-escaping-from-a-tire sound 52. Susan of “L.A. Law” 53. Tree houses? 57. It’s #37 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 61. When Otello dies in “Otello” 64. Salmon variety

STRANGE BREW

1. Random guess

65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71.

NOVEMBER 22 – 28, 2018 | PAGE 21

“The Big Lebowski” director “That was awesome of me!” Smooth-talking Oil grp. “Copy that” Bookies give them Loch ____ monster

DOWN

1. Bridges 2. Thus far 3. Warm welcome? 4. Curse 5. Clock radio toggle switch 6. Unpaid intern, jocularly 7. Game in which it’s illegal to play left-handed 8. Jonathan and Taylor 9. Public recognition 10. Word on a door handle 11. The Diamondbacks, on scoreboards 12. WhiteHouse.____ 13. ____ Direction (boy band) 21. “Her name is ____ and she dances on the sand” (1983 pop lyric) 22. Suffix with ball or bass 25. Cuatro + cinco 26. Comparable to a beet? 27. “Hey! … yeah, you!” 29. Cartoon seller of Duff Beer 30. Coffee container 31. Manage 32. Former org. for James Comey 33. Utopias 34. Performs unaccompanied

JOHN DEERING

Sudoku

35. Many Conan O’Brien lines 39. Youth org. since 1910 40. Had a break between flights 41. Musician’s booking 42. Funnywoman Gasteyer 47. Just-made 48. “Black Panther” actress Lupita 49. Business with a guestbook 50. The Weekly Standard reader, perhaps 54. Listerine alternative 55. For whom the Lorax speaks 56. Matches up 57. One with a big mouth in Africa? 58. Gross growth 59. Gung-ho 60. Slaps the cuffs on 61. It’s thin on top of Everest 62. ____-Magnon man 63. Yank (on) Last Thursday’s Solution A R M A D A S

R E A L I S M

I S S A R A E

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Level 1 2 3 4

5. iPad purchases 9. Wolfgang Puck restaurant 14. Firehouse fixture 15. ____ Mix 16. Tribe with a lake named after it 17. Give ____ of approval 18. ____ sci (coll. major) 19. Shade of green

20. "It's okay ... you didn't mean anything by it" 23. Hindu teacher 24. Preschooler 25. Preschooler's break 28. A breeze to use, in adspeak

NICK KNACK

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

11/25/18

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2018 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | NOVEMBER 22 – 28, 2018

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BACK IN THE DAY

20 � 10 Y�� A�� N��-P��

Falls Church News-Press Vol. VIII, No. 37 • November 26, 1998

North Carolina is the nation’s turkey capitol, producing 1.4 billion pounds in 1997 – about one-fifth of the U.S. total of 7.2 billion lbs. Rounding out the top ten states are Minnesota (1 billion lbs), Missouri (590 mil. lbs), Arkansas (525 mil. lbs), Virginia (485 mil. lbs), California (481 mil. lbs), South Carolina (368 mil. lbs), Indiana (352 mil. lbs), Pennsylvania (235 mil. lbs) and Ohio (218 mil. lbs).

Continued from Page 5

Mayor David Tarter crowed Monday night, “This is an exciting day for the City of Falls Church, culminating years of work.” Council member Letty Hardi said, “This has been a long time coming, and it will help cover the cost of the new high school and will be a vibrant, walkable site that will be a destination for the whole region and a catalyst for the west end of the City.” Councilman Phil Duncan noted that the City had to give up nothing for this agreement, but that “it will more than cover the cost of the bond for the new high school.” While the plan includes two 15-story buildings, he said “there is no absolute cap set on height except non-threatening numbers, and that greater height can create more open space and affordable housing. He added that he hopes the final version of the project will have a “more distinctive Falls Church look,” making it a “com-

C�� C�� 10 Year s Ago

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XVIII, No. 39 • November 27, 2008

It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the the ir pas ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up

Scott, Whipple Warn F.C. Of State Budget Shortfall

Thanksgiving Reflections On Facts About Turkeys

West End

It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A massive $3.2 billion shortfall walloping the current budget and next fiscal year budgets in Virginia will take a deep toll in state funding of localities, Falls Church’s two representatives in Richmond, State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple and State Del. Jim Scott, told the F.C. City Council Monday night. The two lawmakers were at the meeting to receive Falls Church’s annual legislative agenda and wish list.

pelling visual corner” that “will impress outsiders.” Councilman Dan Sze hailed the “world class team” that won the bid, and said “this is our best chance for a successful project.” This interim agreement is “only the end of the beginning,” he said, but he loved the idea of the wide center street and promenade evoking a European look. Councilman Ross Litkenhous said is was “an honor” to be part of the evaluation process that led to Monday’s vote, this is a “community-centric” and “multigenerational decision,” he said, with “substantial upfront value for the City.” Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly said, “I am very confident voting on this, because of how this was done.” The plan epitomizes “place making,” she said by interfacing a school, Metro, inward and outward focus. Tarter said the plan “is the best long-term value to the City” and offers student enrichment next door to the new high school. He said he hopes it will catalyze the development of adjacent proper-

ties, including Fairfax County, Virginia Tech and WMATA. Evan Goldman of EYA and Shawn Seaman of PN Hoffman spoke to the Council after the vote, Goldman saying, “We are humbled to be accepted.” Raphael Munoz of Regency Centers, the point person with the City for that element of the team, was unable to be present. Former Falls Church City Manager and longtime City resident David Lasso was present as the team’s land use counsel. Also speaking representing the Planning Commission was its chair Russ Wodiska, who called it “a wonderful project,” and “transformational for the City.” He said participating on the Evaluation Committee was like “an embarrassment of riches.” Besides Wodiska, others on the Evaluation Committee were the School Board’s Erin Gill and School Superintendent Peter Noonan, Councilmembers Hardi, Tarter and Litkenhous, Bob Young of the Economic Development Authority, consultant Bob Wolff, Planning Director Paul Stoddard and Shields.

OL’ RILEY saunters his way back on to the Critter Corner, this time to show his winter digs – a thick coat and his favorite turtle pillow Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

Jimmie & Mindy Married February 14, 2016

MAKE YOUR PET A STAR! Snap a pic of your critter and email it to:

CRITTERCORNER@FCNP.COM or mail it to Critter Corner c/o Falls Church News-Press 200 Little Falls St. #508 Falls Church, Va 22046

Critter

Corner

Jimmie was fired from her job as a teacher because of who she loves.

In 31 states in this country, it’s legal to discriminate against LGBT Americans. That means you can be fired from your job, evicted from your home, or even denied medical services because of who you are or who you love. Everyone has the right to marry. Not everyone has basic rights.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2018 | PAGE 23

The Perfect Little City Gift This Holiday Season! To order online, visit FCNP.com/frontpages1

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | NOVEMBER 22 - 28, 2018

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