Falls Church News-Press 12-12-2019 by Falls Church News-Press

December 12 — 18, 2019

Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee

Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. XXIX No. 43

Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads

Inside This Week School Board Mulls Pre-Labor Day Start

A pre-Labor Day start to the school year was the most-supported option of those laid out in a 20202021 Calendar Survey by the Falls Church School Board. The option starts school on Aug. 24, includes a two-week winter break, and ends school on June 10. See News Briefs, page 9

‘Santamobile’ Tours Begin Sunday

West End Plan’s Architectural Look Draws Mixed Reviews from Council Also, Scooter Vote Tabled Until After The New Year by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The annual tradition returns as the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department decorates the reserve engine and escorts Santa Claus through the streets of the Falls Church area starting this Sunday. See News Briefs, page 9

Council Passes LGBTQ, Gender Protections

The Falls Church City Council approved a measure Monday that outlaws discrimination based on “sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status.” See News Briefs, page 9

Press Pass with Gilbert Gottfried

Gilbert Gottfried takes the stage at the State Theatre this Saturday with the same abandon he’s been defined by throughout his nearly 50 year career. See page 25

Index

Editorial................6 Letters..................6 News & Notes.12,13 Comment.... 14,15 Business News.19 School News.... 21

Calendar..... 26,27 Classified Ads... 28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword........ 29 Crime Report.... 30 Critter Corner.... 30

A GROUP OF SOLDIERS huddle outside the Falls Church, used as a Union hospital during the Civil War, sometime between 1861 and 1865. The church is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its historic building, shown here, first opened on Dec. 20, 1769. (Photo: Library of Congress)

Historic Falls Church Episcopal Celebrates 250 Years Sunday by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The congregation of the City of Falls Church’s iconic, living historical monument, the Falls Church Episcopal Church, will celebrate the church’s 250th anniversary at a series of special events at the church site in the center of the City this Sunday. The original church was opened in 1734 and the existing historic church building, since renovated and still fully functional, now one of the oldest church buildings in the

U.S., was opened on Dec. 20, 1769, prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution, under the leadership of George Washington and George Mason among others. Mason was elected a vestryman of the Falls Church in 1745 and Washington in 1762. In a proclamation signed by current Falls Church Mayor David Tarter at this Monday’s City Council meeting, it is noted that the Declaration of Independence was read to the public from the steps of the church in 1776 and the church served as a recruiting location

during the Revolutionary War. During the Civil War, the building served as a stable and a hospital for soldiers of both armies, and the church’s graveyard is the final resting place of many prominent area citizens over the years, as well as soldiers from both sides in the Civil War, including John Read, a Union soldier who, because he educated AfricanAmerican youth in the area, was singled out by troops from the Confederacy for capture and hanging.

Continued on Page 4

EYA, Hoffman and Regency, co-developers of the City of Falls Church’s massive 9.7-acre West End Gateway Project, presented some visuals to a joint work session of the Falls Church City Council, Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority on the kind of architecture they’re currently considering for seven buildings of their project, and the reviews were mixed. As the Council moved to table action on scooters in Falls Church, the Gateway project’s architectural design issue became the highlight of Monday’s Council meeting, along with a review of a proposed West End Small Area Plan and a novel ordinance to sidestep the Virginia Dillon Rule to offer protections for persons based on LGBTQ and gender identity (see News Briefs, page 9). The images displaying a warehouse traditional look for the Gateway project were met with less than overwhelming enthusiasm by the representatives of the three groups in the session, held in the middle of Monday’s Council business meeting. The color scheme presented was a mix of soft grey, brown, white, red and yellow. “Everything is square, is there no arch?,” quipped Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly as a typical response. While some expressed appreciation for the designs, others deferred saying they are subject to individual aesthetic tastes, with

Continued on Page 5

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

He won’t forget his family when he deploys. And neither will we. Veterans who work at Dominion Energy are in good company: 1 in 5 new hires has served in the military. And should they be deployed while on the job, we’ll proudly continue their family’s benefits for up to five years and cover the difference between their current salary and military pay. Because family watches out for family, and they’ll always be a part of ours.

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Falls Church Episcopal Celebrates 250th Year

Continued from Page 1

The writings of the immortal Walt Whitman, who worked as a nurse during the Civil War, includes a poem, “The Ranks Hard-Prest, the Road Unknown,” about his experience at a Northern Virginia church turned into a hospital following a very bloody battle during the Civil War. The church was unnamed but, if not the Falls Church Episcopal per se, describes a scene that was surely identical with what often occurred at the Falls Church site. Following the Civil War, the surrounding community, the town established in 1875 and the City established in 1948, took the name of the Falls Church in honor of the church. The original church building was preserved and enlarged in 1959 by Virginia architect Milton Gregg, and throughout its history has been a center of Falls Church community life, and, as stated in the proclamation, “a witness to key events in the evolution of the Falls Church community

and the nation, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.” The church’s role in the surrounding Falls Church community has been especially strong since the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia reclaimed the church property seven years ago from a group of defectors who voted to leave the denomination in 2006 but continued to occupy the church property. Those defectors opposed the ordination of women and were especially incensed by the election of an openly-gay priest, the Rev. Gene Robinson, as a bishop in the national Episcopal denomination in 2003. A Virginia Supreme Court ordered the removal of the defectors from the historic premises to, now, a new church location on Arlington Boulevard in Fairfax County. The “continuing Episcopal” congregation of the historic Falls Church that was invited to worship, organize and maintain it distinctive identity in the fellowship hall of the Falls Church

Presbyterian Church across the street, returned to the historic location, and its growth has been remarkable the last half-dozen years under the leadership of Rector John Ohmer, who left to a new assignment in Asheville, North Carolina, earlier this fall. It is now being led by a new interim minister, the Rev. Andy Anderson and the associate minister the Rev. Kelly Moughty. The church’s current congregation has played a major role in acknowledging and supporting pro-civil rights events in the City of Falls Church, hosting annual marches and seminars sponsored by the Tinner Hill Foundation on Martin Luther King Day (including one planned for next month) and the foundation’s Social Justice Committee’s co-sponsorship with the Falls Church News-Press of a panel presentation in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, recognized as the starting point of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The church has also installed a

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West End Building Design Met With Mixed Reviews

Continued from Page 1

only Tim Stevens of the Planning Commission suggesting that he personally prefers a more modern look. Others felt that the hotel or the condominium buildings should exhibit a “more luxurious” look, and Melissa Teates of the Planning Commission added that “white does not age well,” subject to “looking dirty.” Councilman Dan Sze said the project would need to create the appearance of being broken up more to overcome a “sense of sterility.” Councilman Phil Duncan said that it should have a more “futuristic” look, reflecting a “citizencentered community,” touting freedom of expression and First Amendment values. He urged transportation options to the nearby Metro station, no dog park and a waterfall feature. Council members Letty Hardi

and Ross Litkenhous focused on a stairway planned for the middle of the block along Haycock Road that would take pedestrians up to the level of the commons area in the center of the project. “The stairs have to be a gateway to the project from the City, truly inviting the City and the Beyer property to the center of the project,” Litkenhous stressed. The developers are scheduled to hold a public forum tonight at 7 p.m. to present their initial architectural concepts to the wider Falls Church community. Their final plans will follow their site plan submission in mid to late January.

Scooter Ordinance Tabled On the scooter ordinance, upon learning that the City of Falls Church already has on its books an old ordinance prohibiting the use of electric-powered scooters on sidewalks, City

Attorney Carol McCoskrie recommended a tabling of a new ordinance pertaining to a scooter policy pending a “cleaning up of the existing ordinance.” The effort cancels out the first reading given to a new ordinance last month that would have prohibited use of scooters on sidewalks except on Route 29 and 7, and a new proposed ordinance can be expected to come forth in late January or February, she said. Meanwhile, a lot of comment has been received by the Council to permit use on sidewalks cautioning about the relative dangers to scooter riders of being limited to the streets. It was noted that the advent of scooters conforms with the City’s goals of encouraging alternatives to gas-fueled autos and would encourage retail commerce downtown. McCoskrie noted that as things currently stand, “The

DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019 | PAGE 5

Virginia Code provides that motorized scooters and skateboards are permitted to ride on sidewalks unless an ordinance provides otherwise. The (current) City Code, both in the definitions and in Section 26-108(b), prohibits motorized bicycles and other vehicles from riding on the sidewalk. City Manager Wyatt Shields confirmed that the City has complied with the state requirement to submit a general policy guideline for scooters before the end of the month, and that the City will accept applications from scooter companies to operate in the City following the beginning of the new year, though none will likely be granted licenses before April. The Council voted to table the measure by a 6-0 vote.

West End Area Plan On the West End small area plan review, Erik Pelton of the Economic Development Authority suggested that plans for the far west end commercial zone integrate the W&OD Trail into the area plans, with perhaps a bike trail connecting the trail to Haycock Road behind the Falls

Plaza shopping centers. Litkenhous said the plan should recommend a “more prescriptive approach” by the Council to help insure “we get what we’d like to see there,” noting that the future lies with the rise of data centers, that offer “the single best income generating potential.” Hardi noted that the area includes two of the City’s five schools, and that the slogan, “A place to live, work and play” should have “and learn” added. Transportation, parks and green space should not be “afterthoughts” in the planning, she added. Connelly said that education needs more attention as a critical component of the economic development of the area, as well as “tourism” that could derive from sports tournaments that the new George Mason High School could host. Duncan said that there could be a “water way” provided in the area, while Mayor David Tarter suggested that retail be encouraged on Haycock Road, connecting the existing developments to the upcoming West End Gateway project.

PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 

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E D I TO R I A L

No Dystopian Architecture

The kind of grunge, renovated-warehouse look of the seven buildings going onto the 9.7-acre West End Gateway project was met with mixed reviews when it was first unveiled at the joint Falls Church City Council, Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority work session in City Hall Monday night. The building designs looked collectively like kind of an inner city street gang and the public art potentially assembled around them we expect might resemble all the graffiti and body tattoos that they could be assumed to sport. Of course, this presentation was not the final word. While some of the assembled Monday said they really like the look, no one was really willing to say they didn’t, but there was considerable polite deference to a generous appreciation of “to each his own when it comes to tastes in art.” Gradually, however, over the course of the meeting, some modest expressions of, shall we say, alternative options began to be expressed. We hope that the public will use the brief window it now has to weigh in on this matter, including at a town hall tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to junk postmodernism’s dystopian death throes nightmares. This architecture is one step up from scenes from a Mad Max movie. The idea is that it’s supposed to be “cool” to occupy formerly bombed out inner city tenements and warehouses. It’s time for our art and culture, alike, to recover the notions informing the great Renaissance city builders, to celebrate the mix of industry and art dedicated to a better, more optimistic world, which is what, functionally, the West End Gateway project will represent in conjunction with its Virginia Tech and new George Mason High School neighbors. In the late 19th century, with the invention of the elevator, came tall buildings for really the first time in history. There came fabulous architectural achievements, the powerhouses of the great American architect Louis Sullivan, called the “father of the skyscraper.” The great works of the art nouveau period prior to the Great War were integrated into the architecture, and after that horrid war came a morphing into a somewhat more muscular art deco style all the while preserving the uplifting notions of beauty and optimism. It was only in the 1950s that great buildings were designed stripped of notions of beauty and art, and subsumed totally to box-like efficiency and maximized floor-to-area ratios. The rise of postmodernism more recently has sought to celebrate the decay of those boxes with the modes that are included in the current plans for the West End Gateway. (Apologies for the oversimplifications, the purists will eviscerate us). We prefer a look reflective of a more optimistic time, a willful decision for embracing our future. As Bob Young has tried in his flower, Read and lily buildings in the City, an art nouveau revival better reflects a love of life, nature and peace.

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Whole Foods is Not Worth Hurting 2 F.C. Restaurants Editor, Once again changes are proposed for a development alreadyapproved by the Falls Church City Council. Insight now wants changes to the Broad-Washington plan. They want to acquire the City-owned parking space adjacent to their property so they can build more apartments and

a 50,000-square-foot supermarket. This would probably mean that Clare and Don’s Beach Shack and Thompson Italian restaurant would be driven out of business if they lose their parking for the period of construction. This is dreadful. Clare and Don’s is a fixture in Falls Church. When the Thompsons took a lease on their

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fairly new restaurant did they expect to lose the parking? We have a Whole Foods market 2.5 miles from the proposed new one! I would much rather keep Clare and Don’s and Thompson in business than have another supermarket in this area. But the City of Falls Church thinks it is OK to kick two wellknown and respected business out after all that they have done for this community. Attention Insight, if you ruin these two businesses, I won’t shop in your Whole Foods! E. Bogdanoff Falls Church

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DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 7

G � � � � C � � � � � �� A Housing Affordability Crisis in Northern Virginia B� C�� F�� C�� H�� C��

Housing affordability has reached a crisis level in Northern Virginia and will only intensify with the anticipated economic and job growth that is expected to further accelerate over the next several years. Since 2012, the stock of affordable housing in the City of Falls Church has decreased drastically from 470 homes to 287 homes. The loss of 183 homes in only seven years is largely due to market-rate rentals becoming unaffordable. In short, Falls Church is simply too expensive for the average wage earner. Not only is affordable housing a moral obligation, it is essential for a local community’s social sustainability; to attract people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to live in close proximity to where they work in a range of professions, including teachers, school administrators, first responders, and local government employees. As the City Council considers how best to address the affordable housing crisis within the City, the Housing Commission has identified policies and programs it believes will address the continuing decline of affordable housing in Falls Church. Specifically, the Housing Commission proposes the following: 1. Allocate funds to the Affordable Housing Fund. Currently, there is an estimated $300,000 in the Affordable Housing

Fund In the past several years no new money has been budgeted for affordable housing in the City of Falls Church. The City’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) could be funded through additional property

“The housing affordability crisis is a barrier to the City becoming the diverse and welcoming community we advocate for.” taxes, reallocation of the hotel and occupancy tax, or a modest increase in the meals tax. Possible uses of funds include: establishing a down payment assistance program, providing gap financing for an affordable housing development, and expanding the Falls Church Homeless Shelter. The City Council recently adopted guidance for the FY21 budget and, for the first time in many years, it directed the City Manager to fund affordable housing. There is no shortage of worthy causes, so let’s hope the amount funded will have a significant impact on addressing housing needs in the City. 2. Revise local zoning ordinance to allow for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADs).

Allowing ADs on single-family properties will incentivize the provision of more affordable housing which will enable “aging in place” by allowing in-law suites or “granny flats,” and support the “missing middle” by providing rental options for persons entering the workforce for the first time and lower wage earners. 3. Prioritize Affordable Dwelling Units (“ADUs”) in negotiating voluntary concessions with multifamily market rate developers. Not only has the City lost 183 affordable housing units in the past seven years, but unless the City takes action, an additional 120 committed affordable units will be lost in the next eight years due to expiring affordability restrictions. Included in the expiring 120 committed affordable units is The Fields, a 96-unit development, which has affordability restrictions due to expire as early as 2026. The only way to ensure affordable housing in Falls Church is to impose affordability restrictions for an extended period of time (or for the life of the building, which the City has recently done). The Falls Church Affordable Living Policy recommends that all new multifamily developments set aside at least 6 percent of units as income-restricted affordable units. Even a 6 percent set-aside (which is not mandatory) will not replace the lost housing stock, let alone keep up with the increased demand. The City Council, in negotiating voluntary concessions with developers, should prioritize additional

units (above 6 percent), with an emphasis on two-bedroom and three-bedroom units or homes affordable to families at lower wage levels. This housing affordability crisis is not simply a problem for a few among us, but is a cause of anxiety for half of all renters and one-quarter of homeowners. It is a barrier to the City becoming the diverse and welcoming community we advocate for. By ignoring this problem, we are ignoring our neighbors, our children’s peers, teachers that want to live and be more invested in the City where they work, lifelong community engaged citizens who desire to agein-place, and families attempting to escape poverty by breaking through the economic walls our City has built. The Housing Commission believes the foregoing proposals are minimum steps that are highly achievable and will meaningfully address the most pressing issues of housing affordability facing the City. We urge the residents of Falls Church to contact their City Council members, share your stories with others in the community, and listen to others’ as well. Let them know your housing priorities and press them to act decisively and boldly before it is too late. The City of Falls Church Housing Commission is comprised of Peter Davis, MT Gutmanis, Brenda Heffernan, Jordan Hicks and Joshua Shokoor. Members are apointed by the City Council for three-year terms.

Q�� W�� Would you like an industrial-style look or an art nouveau/deco look for the West End development? • Industrial

• Art nouveau/deco

• Other

• Not sure

Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

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A WELL DRILLING RIG (left) begins digging holes so construction workers can lay the vertical geothermal piping for the railroad cottage community in the City’s western end. The team behind the new George Mason High School looks to do the same process on a much larger scale, creating 180 wells that will go over 500 feet in depth. (Photos: Left – Courtesy Kate Ward/Right – News-Press)

New School’s Geothermal Tech Brings Benefits by Brian Indre

Falls Church News-Press

As the City of Falls Church takes steps towards its future environmental sustainability goals, geothermal technology is being used in some homes and development projects in the area, including the new George Mason High School currently under construction. Using geothermal for the project at Mason will ultimately be the best return on investment for the long-term cost for heating and cooling it. Besides its environmental benefit, another advantage of geothermal is that traditional heating and cooling units have a shorter lifespan resulting from their outdoor location and their exposure to the elements, leading to significant repair and replacement costs. Kate Walker, the environmental programs coordinator for the City of Falls Church, said that the decision to use geothermal for

the new high school took lots of planning and expertise to make sure that the ground is suitable for digging the deep wells needed to make the system work. The project will consist of just shy of 200 wells that reach down to more than 500 feet deep. The city collaborated with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to make sure that the project was possible within the space of the site that the city had available. To ensure that holes could be drilled down the required depth without collapsing, thorough research on the ground stability and soil and rock properties was needed. Calculations on the thermal conductivity of the local ground conditions determined how many wells would have to be drilled. Once approved, the city has been waiting on drilling permits. Allied Well Drilling company will be in charge of digging the wells,

while Pro-Air Inc., a mechanical contracting company, will be taking care of the heat pump and other mechanical installations. Geothermal HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) systems are a more efficient way to heat and cool buildings like homes, office buildings and schools than traditional gas and electric units that rely on fossil fuels. By using the ground below, geothermal units can harness the natural stable ground temperature as a more moderate starting point for heating and cooling. “Geothermal is a workable technology in this area because of the moderate belowground temperature, so it works well in both the winter and the summer as a heat exchange medium,” said Walker. At about four-to-six feet below the ground, the temperature stays at a consistent 56 degrees in the F.C. area, and is not affected much by the seasons. The pipes for a geothermal system are placed in

a loop, either horizontally or vertically in the ground, that contains a mixture of water and antifreeze liquid that absorb the stable ground temperature from below and transport it back inside. During the winter, the warmer ground temperature is absorbed and brought indoors to the pump. In the summer, the system runs in reverse by absorbing the heat from indoors and sending it underground to cool it and then circulate it. Geothermal HVAC systems are more energy efficient than traditional HVAC systems and can reduce the load on the electric grid, especially during peak times, which makes it ideal for saving money and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in homes and buildings. That’s part of the reason why the Railroad Cottages completed this past spring opted for geothermal technology. “Minimizing the noise was also a decision factor for Railroad Cottages. When you’re using the

ground to preheat or precool the air, then you don’t have to have the loud and forceful outdoor AC units, especially since the cottages are so close together,” Walker said. The cost effectiveness of geothermal depends largely on federal tax incentives that help influence developers and homebuilders to implement green energy. Geothermal tax credits are slated to go away in about two years, unless Congress acts to extend them. “You can’t discuss this issue without stepping into national politics,” said Dan Sze, a Falls Church City Councilmember and the liaison to F.C.’s Environmental Sustainability Council. “This is why we need someone who recognizes the value of being a part of the Paris Agreement,” Sze added. A groundbreaking ceremony for the geothermal well drilling is scheduled at the site of the new George Mason High School this Monday, Dec. 16.

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DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019 | PAGE 9

NEWS BRIEFS F.C. School Board Mulls Pre-Labor Day Start With 1,240 responses received, the Falls Church School Board began reviewing the results of the two-week-long 2020-2021 Calendar Survey this Tuesday night. The PreLabor Day “Option B” received the most overall support. The option starts school on Aug. 24, includes a two-week winter break, and ends school on June 10. The option also received the support of nearly three out of four Falls Church City Public Schools staff members. Citing the equity benefit of the additional instructional days before assessments that the option provides, Superintendent Peter Noonan also recommended the Option B to the board. A final vote on the calendar is scheduled for next Tuesday, Dec. 17.

F.C. Council Passes LGBTQ, Gender Protections The City of Falls Church’s City Council, by a unanimous 6-0 vote, approved a measure Monday night that outlaws discrimination based on “sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status.” The move was in the form of an attachment to existing anti-discrimination laws based on “sex” in hiring, employment and housing policy by extending the definition of “sex,” thereby extending the anti-discrimination policy in a way that does not run afoul of current Virginia state law. The measure was sponsored by Council member Phil Duncan at the initiative of Patrick Cochran, chair of the LGBTQ Caucus of the Young Democrats of Virginia, who was present with his partner Chris Munden, to speak in support of the second and final reading of the ordinance Monday night. The law goes into effect within 10 days of its passage. State Sen. Dick Saslaw commented on the move, saying, “I commend the City of Falls Church on its historic, unanimous vote to ban housing discrimination against LGBT residents. I’m proud of the Falls Church City Council and the Virginia Young Democrats — and especially City Councilman Phil Duncan and VAYD LGBTQIA Chair Patrick Cochran — for their tireless efforts to make this important measure a reality.”

Stormwater Task Force Appointed Out of more than 30 citizen volunteer applicants, the Falls Church City Council voted eight members onto a new Stormwater Task Force tasked with helping to establish priorities for stormwater relief in the City of Falls Church. Voted onto the task force by the City Council Monday were Lauren Pinkus, David Deitch, Dave Gustafson, Jeff Jardine, Rolf Anderson, Ellen Heather, Matthew Ries and Hans Miller. The Council also appointed Michael Trauberman to the Environmental Sustainability Council, Amy Crumpton and David Braun to the Urban Forestry Commission and Shirley Connuch to the Towing Advisory Board.

‘Santamobile’ Tours Begin Sunday in F.C. The annual tradition returns as the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department decorates the reserve engine and escorts Santa Claus through the streets of the greater Falls Church area. Santamobile begins this Sunday, Dec. 15 and will run through Monday, Dec. 23. On the first five nights, Santa and his elves will visit each neighborhood in the City of Falls Church. The remaining nights are reserved for make-up routes and excursions into neighboring Arlington and Fairfax counties. During each night’s three-hour run, Santa’s helpers will be handing out candy canes — and, to canine friends, dog biscuits (but only if they’ve been “good”). Anyone who wishes to receive these treats are encouraged to greet Santa’s helpers at the curb. For the street schedule, check www.facebook.com/ FallsChurchVFD and the FCVFD Facebook page: Dec. 15: South of W. Broad Street in the St. James Cemetery and Virginia Forest neighborhoods up to and including Seaton Lane and S. Oak south of the Tripps Run bridge, Dec. 16: North of W. Broad Street including Little Falls Street, Dec. 17: South of W. Broad Street in the Winter Hill and Virginia Forest neighborhoods south of Seaton Lane; also includes streets north of the Tripps Run bridge (Hillier, S. Oak, Lee, Rees, Chanel), Dec. 18: The Little Falls neighborhood, and streets east of Washington Street including the Madison Park and Whittier Park neighborhoods, Dec. 19: Broadmont neighborhood and streets on the north side of Hillwood east of Cherry Street.

Thank you to our incredible Body Dynamics team and the Falls Church community for recognizing us as the Business of the Year!

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PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019

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Route 29 Task Force Refines Scope Ahead of Final Report by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

A grassroots community effort focused on addressing a variety of issues along Route 29 met for the second time Monday night, where attendees reviewed data from its first meeting and discussed the upcoming steps in the process to improve the roadway. “This really grew out of a genuine desire from residents of both sides of the City [of Falls Church]-[Fairfax] County boundary to come together,” Andrew Painter, one of the group’s organizers, said, citing the Greater Hillwood Association as another community that also brings residents from both jurisdictions together. “This area, maybe by virtue of the fact that it’s split between the two [municipalities], has never gotten the attention it deserved. So beautification and pedestrian safety primarily are of concern.” Formally known as the Falls Church 29 Task Force, the group got its start after reaching out to City director of planning James Snyder in February about its qualms with the stretch of Rte. 29, S. Washington St./Lee Highway that runs from Tinner Hill Road to Graham Road.

Snyder advised the citizens to reach out to Virginia Tech’s Urban Affairs & Planning Department, based at the satellite campus in the City’s west end, to do some pro bono work, according to Painter. That way the residents could package up a proposal and submit it to both Falls Church City Council and the Providence District Supervisor’s office for review, Painter added, since neither could dedicate much attention to it with their own staffers. Though F.C. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly and councilmember Letty Hardi both made appearances, with Hardi reminding the audience of roughly 35 people that despite an absence of City resources being committed to this effort, it doesn’t diminish its importance. State Delegate Marcus Simon and a representative from Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s team were also at the meeting. The Monday meeting piggybacked off the inaugural meeting in October where the community got to see what the consensus was on its concerns, followed by recommended solutions and the timeline of events moving forward. Sidewalks, crossings, traffic signals

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE mingled with interested citizens before and after the meeting to help clarify next steps as well as discuss the best forms of action to take. (Photo: News-Press)

and bus stops constituted the top issues according to the data. Graduate students from Virginia Tech suggested the sidewalks be widened, particularly in the west end toward Graham Rd., as well as looking into mural programs to beautify the strip and adding a community gateway to establish a sense of place. The students acknowledged that there is a Bus Stop Master Plan for the City, but residents specifically noted the lack of access at the stop in front of the clinic at 900 S. Washington St. and wanted crossings synced up relatively close to bus stops. Crossings themselves were another area of focus, with the crossing at Marshall St. receiving special attention and residents generally wanted more crossings as well. Lastly, a traffic signal was wanted at the intersection S. Maple Avenue and S. Washington St., which the Virginia Tech students reported was in the works and slated to be completed sometime in the next year. Other topics covered during the Q&A session included grant funding sources and distribution and the possibility of streamlining the confusing Lee-Highway-S. Washington St., signage Devin Pharr, the president of the Jefferson Village Civic Association, also asked whether the many businesses that dot the streetscape had been alerted to this effort. Painter told the crowd that the task force wanted to wait until the report was finalized before reaching out to retail operators and property owners to get their input, though organizers had put some time into preliminarily filling the businesses in on its plans. Allison Richter, Virginia Department A VIRGINIA TECH GRADUATE STUDENT reviews some of the residents’ key concerns and what part of Route 29 they were most attributed to. (Photo: News- of Transportation’s liaison for Arlington and Fairfax Counties, told the News-Press Press)

that the group’s all-encompassing approach makes its priority to the jurisdictions more optional than if it were mainly targeting a safety concern. She added that the portion of the route that’s being emphasized by the group isn’t any more dangerous than others just like it throughout the region. For example, the Shreve Road Community Working Group was able to get Fairfax County police to add an electronic speed monitor near Shrevewood Elementary School while VDOT updated the road’s signage and reduced the speed in certain parts of the byway. The changes were largely brought on in the aftermath of a felony hit-and-run accident that killed one woman and injured a child back in early August. The Shreve Rd. group also threw its weight behind a City of Falls Church grant proposal submitted to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority that would make multimodal improvements from Route 7 to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossing within the northern third of the neighborhood. However, Richter also noted that it has been a regional trend lately to retrofit neighborhoods designed for car usage with more pedestrian accommodations. Outside of Shreve Rd., another local example of a soon-to-be retrofitted residential area that also has a major state route running through it is the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood near Seven Corners, which has a sidewalk installation project currently underway. The Virginia Tech students will submit its draft of the report to the task force in early 2020 with the last community meeting being held in March. The report aims to be finalized in June of next year and presented to City and county officials in late June, prior to the July 4 holiday.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019 | PAGE 11

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News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes

LOUISE INGALA turned 103 on Dec. 2, potentially making her the longest living resident in the City of Falls Church. She is the grandmother to Peter Laub, a George Mason High School English teacher and the adviser to The Lasso, the school’s student newspaper. Ingala lives with Laub’s parents on Poplar Drive. (Photo: Courtesy Bev Laub)

VIRGINIA’S 2 U.S. SENATORS, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, appeared together at a forum hosted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce in Tysons Monday, to talk economic policy. Kaine remarked about the importance of “human capital, saying, “The top priority in the success of an economy is talent, our human capital. Capital should serve talent rather than vice versa,”

New Dominion Chorale to Perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’

free. For more information go to newdominion.org.

New Dominion Chorale and Orchestra will present G. F. Handel’s “Messiah” on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College (4915 East Campus Dr., Alexandria). The performance, conducted by artistic director Thomas Beveridge, will feature four vocal soloists who are well known to Washington area audiences: Soprano Natalie Conte, MezzoSoprano Melissa Kornacki, Tenor Patrick Kilbride and Bass Jeffrey Tarr. Beveridge has chosen music from Handel’s vast oratorio which

depicts the Old Testament prophecies, the New Testament accounts of the birth of Jesus and the words dealing with the fulfillment of God’s Promise to all people. New Dominion Chorale, now in its 29th season, has distinguished itself in Washington, D.C.’s choral music scene. It operates as a “singers’ cooperative” without paid management and is one of the area’s largest choral societies, with 185 members. Tickets may be purchased online at newdominion.org or at the door at the time of the performance. Ticket prices are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors 62 and older and $15 for students ages 5 – 22. Group tickets are available for groups of 10 or more at $25 per ticket. All tickets are for general admission, and parking is

(Courtesy Photo)

Walk Through Bethlehem At Christ Crossman Church On Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 – 7 p.m., Christ Crossman United Methodist Church (384 N Washington St, Falls Church) will open its doors to the community for a historic walk through Bethlehem. “Christmas is Afoot” is a family friendly event with a petting zoo and live nativity. Inside, children will enjoy craft stations and can participate in a community service project assembling Power Packs for students in need through Food for Others. There will also be live Christmas music and carols from

members of the George Mason High School band, warm cider and hot chocolate. This event is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit christcrossman. org or call 703-532-4026.

Accordion Society’s Holiday Show to be in Sleepy Hollow The Wa s h i n g t o n Metropolitan Accordion Society will hold its annual holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church (3435 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church). An $8 donation is requested, and everyone is invited to stay afterwards for a potluck dinner and more music. (WMAS members and children under 12 enter free of charge.)

For more information, visit washingtonaccordions.org or call Peter at 703-919-5701.

F.C. Resident Celebrates Century of Life City of Falls Church resident Evelynda Castle will be celebrating her 100th birthday in the coming week. Castle was born in Nashville, Tennessee in on Dec. 21, 1919 and moved to Farmville, Virginia in 1948 where she worked at the Prince Edward Hotel — which is famous for both Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulyssess S. Grant staying there at different times. When she moved to town the hotel was owned by her aunt and uncle. In 1950, she married John Castle and soon after moved to

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Northern Virginia when her husband got a government job. Castle lived in Buckingham Historic District in Arlington County for 40 years until she moved to the Park Towers Condominiums to live there for the next 23 years. She is best known for her collection of decorative pigs, which total at 516 and come in all shapes and sizes. Castle also has pigs emblazoned on t-shirts, sweatshirts and more. Her daughter, Diana, is a retired teacher at Mount Daniel Elementary School where she now works as a substitute teacher.

F.C. Democrats Have Holiday Party on Dec. 18 The Falls Church City Democratic Committee’s annual holiday party will take place on Wednesday, December 18, at 7:30 p.m., at Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). There is no admission fee. All are welcome to celebrate with friends, neighbors and some of the area’s elected officials. The holiday party is in lieu of the regular monthly meeting. For more information about the event, email fallschurchdems@ gmail.com.

Sinfonietta’s Holiday Concert Held at F.C. Espicopal The Washington Sinfonietta will be holding its annual Family Holiday Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Falls Church Episcopal (166 E. Broad Street, Falls Church). A free reception with holiday-appropriate refreshments will follow the concert. From timeless classics like “Greensleeves” and Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” to the upbeat tunes of “Sleigh Bells” and choruses from Handel’s immortal

Messiah — the concert is stuffed fuller than Santa’s sleigh with music the whole family can enjoy. This year, the Sinfonietta will welcome back George Mason High School Chamber Singers as part of the program. There will also be the ever-popular audience sing-along to classic carols. And Santa Claus himself might stop by. No tickets are required – admission is free of charge for adults and kids of all ages.

DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 13

McDonald’s Charity Program Seeks Digital Donations On Tuesday, McDonald’s launched Round-Up for Ronald McDonald House Charities, a new technology that makes it easier for customers to donate to RMHC by giving them the option to round up their purchase to the nearest whole dollar. This is a critical development to the charities’ fundraising goals as consumers have mainly become cashless in recent years and donations across the country dropped 15 percent last year alone.The technology will be available across the 14,000 McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. RMHC has two locations in the Washington, D.C. metro area, including one at the local INOVA Fairfax Hospital (3312 Gallows Rd., Falls Church) that provides a “home away from home” to keep families together when their sick children are being treated. For decades, customers have donated spare change via RMHC donation boxes in McDonald’s restaurants. Over the last 20 years, customers and local McDonald’s owner operators have donated more than $13.5 million to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C (RMHCDC) alone. These donations are essential — specifically in Falls Church and Washington, D.C., as RMHCDC

DULIN COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL had its annual holiday brunch on Saturday. Students performed “Jingle Bells,” “Twinkle, Twinkle” “Chanukah Lights” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and there was even a visit from Santa. The crowd was so big at the brunch that you’ll have to visit fcnp.com to see all the children! Open House for the preschool is on Jan. 15. More information about the preschool can be found at dulinpreschool.org. (P��: C�� D�� C�� P��) recently announced plans for a $5 million expansion project in 2020. The expansion will increase the number of guest rooms in its houses — a critical need as newly opened oncology treatment units and the creation of specialized disease centers at major area hospitals is expected to cause a rapid influx of families in need over the next 2-3 years.

‘Frosty’ Comes to Alden Theater in McLean The Alden, a division of the McLean Community Center (MCC — 1234 Ingleside Ave.,

Got Lunch? OPHRESTAURANTS.COM 7395 Lee Highway 703-698-6292

McLean) presents the family friendly holiday musical “Frosty” for two performances only on Saturday, Dec. 14. The hour-long production by the Barter Players Encore Company will be presented at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for MCC district residents. A young orphan named Billy discovers magic in a stolen hat. When he places the hat on a snowman’s head, that snowman comes to life. The audience will join Billy and Frosty on a New York City adventure filled with thrills and chills as the two discover that the real magic of Christmas

is love. The Barter Players Encore Company is comprised of a group of professional artists who perform world-class theater for young people. They perform at Barter Theatre in Abingdon for a portion of the season, then perform on tour at a variety of schools and organizations all over the Eastern seaboard. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit aldentheatre.org or call 703-7900123. For ADA accommodations, contact Patron Services Manager Evelyn Hill at evelyn.hill@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 571-296-83 85.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

“It takes a village to educate our children.” And we are the village. That was the message brought to the ACCA Child Development Center in Annandale by Governor and Mrs. Ralph Northam on Tuesday, when they announced that the Governor’s biennial budget will contain nearly $100 million designated for early childhood education for three and four-yearold in Virginia. Mrs. Northam talked about the “ACCA magic” imparted by the child care program that began as a volunteer program in the late 1960s. Founders Emily and Fred Ruffing determined that quality child care was a significant barrier to women joining the workforce, and encouraged many faith communities to join together to start the non-profit that now is ACCA, the Annandale Christian Community for Action. Part of that “magic” was demonstrated by a gaggle of four-year-old students who performed a “Thank You” song in multiple languages, and remained on the stage as a backdrop to the Governor’s announcement. Virginia ranks number one for business, but is in the bottom third of states for early childhood education. Forty percent of children in the Commonwealth enter kindergarten without the math, reading, and social skills needed to succeed, and need to be trained for tomorrow’s workforce, starting as early as possible. Governor Northam’s plan will provide helpful tools, rather than just rules, and marks the largest investment in the care and education of children in the Commonwealth’s history. Scanning the youngsters sitting behind him, the Governor noted that they represent our society’s diversity and inclusion, and that there is power in every one of those children. His plan would ensure that every at-risk three and four-year old has access to high quality early childhood care and education. His budget proposal includes $26 million for a pilot program for the Virginia pre-school initiative,

$59.5 million in new investments, and would move the early childhood education subsidies from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Education where, he said the program belongs. His overall budget plan will provide and additional $94.8 million for educational investment and associated policy improvements. The Governor concluded by saying that every child deserves access to a “smart start,” and that his goal is to see Virginia emerge as a national leader in educating our littlest learners. Based on the excitement in the room on Tuesday, the Governor has a lot of support to make that happen! The 24th annual Mason District Holiday Town Gathering will be held tonight, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. This annual event at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale, features live musical entertainment by local talent, refreshments, door prizes, and a look back at some local events in 2019 during my State of Mason District Report. The Holiday Town Gathering is open to all residents, including children, and I look forward to seeing you there. The Inauguration Ceremony for Board of Supervisors, Constitutional Officers, and Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Directors will be held on Monday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center Forum, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Penney S. Azcarate will administer the oath of office to the elected officials, whose terms of office begin Jan. 1, 2020. The inauguration ceremony is open to the public. For more information, or to request reasonable ADA accommodations, call the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187.

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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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Republicans, Have You No Shame?

At the outset of his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Monday, Barry Berke, the attorney representing the House Intelligence Committee presenting the case for the impeachment of Trump, quoted his young son. “Dad, does the president have to be a good person?,” he quoted his son asking. The question, he said, typical of many by young people, brought “a certain clarity” to the issue of impeachment, but was not easy to answer. “It’s not a requirement, but it is hoped for,” Berke said he replied. He went on to answer, paraphrased, “He doesn’t have to be good, but he cannot abuse power, he cannot risk national FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS security for his personal gain, and he cannot be above the law.” Yes, it’s a tough question. It was simpler when I was growing up in a small fishing town on the central California coast and looked behind the counter of the post office cubicle at the local grocery to see a portrait of our president with the name “Truman.” How appropriate that the president be a “True Man,” I often thought. In our democracy, it is legal to elect a bad person to public office. It goes with the notion of democracy. But that person cannot break the law. That’s the deal. He swears an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the land. How many of our elected officials have ever broken the law? In the late 1990s, President Clinton broke the law by allegedly committing perjury while trying to cover up an extra-marital affair, and he was impeached for it. But breaking that kind of law is vastly different than what Trump is accused of today. Trump’s violations go to the heart of what an oath of office is designed to prevent. He’s accused of gross abuses of power, of risking the national security of our nation for his personal advantage and of repeatedly acting above the law. But at their core, these violations point to a man who is simply, as the young person’s question suggests, not a good person at all. It is ironic that this is what matters to a young person, a future voter whose concerns probably reflect those of a majority of young people his age or near it. It is in his question, and not in his father’s reply, where the hope for the future of America and democracy lies. It can be asserted credibly that bad actors and democracy are incompatible. There is a very strong moral imperative associated with the seminal phrase that undergirds the very notion of democracy, the radical idea embedded in the Declaration of Independence that “all men (that is, persons) are created equal.” That notion is so powerfully basic, and so antithetical to any notions of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, national origin or any other category one can think of. Our culture today can be defined on the basis of a division between those who believe in this core concept, and those who don’t. I believe that there are more people who believe in this core notion than don’t, but that is not guaranteed. But there are times, like the present, when this assertion is put to the test more than others. By this measure, Trump is a very, very bad person. So it is not surprising in this context that he is also a crude, rude and disgustingly vile person who resorts to the worst forms of insults against those who don’t agree with him, no matter how honorable, professional and dedicated to the national interest they may be. He has no honor, none, nor any serious notion of what that means. What’s doubly sad is that the Republican Party has adopted the same rude and reprehensible conduct as the president himself. GOP members of Congress have sullied themselves by their childish, potty-mouthed rants and repeated disruptions of the somber proceedings of our highest deliberative bodies. I suppose it should not be surprising that all the worst such violators of decorum are white men. Their children are watching. Do they not care? Gentlemen, you should be ashamed.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

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DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 15

Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

If you harbor gripes that our county government gets too ambitious, consider an episode from the 1930s. In what probably ranks as the most disruptive Arlington project ever, our entire street grid was renamed. The modern system of (mostly) logical groups of streets by numbers and syllables was an engineering and citizen consultation feat that foreshadowed what we call the “Arlington Way.” The tale was told in a 1959 Arlington Historical Magazine by C.L. Kinnier, who directed Arlington’s Engineering Department when the streets were renamed. Authority came after 1932, when Arlington switched to the county manager system and the board appointed Roy Braden to the new job. Braden’s recommendation for a new street system diagnosed a status quo that inflicted multiple hassles. Duplication: too many “improperly named” streets labeled Washington, Lee, Arlington or Fairfax. Some residents had to add their subdivision (Radnor Heights, Country Club Hills) to their address to receive mail or deliveries. Rural folks had to use “Alexandria RFD.” The old streets were a hodgepodge of “tree names” followed by streets named for friends or family, local or historical, Braden noted. The problems were traced to understaffing and the county’s growth from 16,040 persons in 1920 to 26,615 in 1930.

The board farmed the job out to the Engineering Department after naming a committee on March 1, 1932, chaired by Monroe Sockett. It heard pleas from the Arlington Civic Federation and the Chamber of Commerce, which pointed out that reforms were vital if Arlington was to get a central Post Office. The committee also sought advice from the American Municipal League, the County Managers Association and engineering firms. Kibitzers suggested new street names, even whole schemes. Some wanted a continuation of District of Columbia streets. “Each thought it better to change the name of the other man’s street rather than his,” Kinnier wrote. The planners hung a giant map in their work room. They had to divide the county into North and South (rejecting a proposal for quadrants). They considered what today is Washington Blvd. as the divider. (At the time, that road had sections called Memorial Dr., Garrison Rd. and Brown Ave.) Instead they chose Lee Blvd. (now Arlington Blvd.). The list of must-keep old names included traditional Virginia standbys and state roads — Lee Highway, Old Dominion Dr. and Jefferson Davis Highway (that lasted until 2019). Rules required that streets at right angles to the divider have names; that streets parallel be numbered. Sockett’s monthly work sessions for a year had been open, but the final system was formally vetted at a June 21, 1933, hearing.

Thirty months after its start, the committee saw its recommendations win board approval on Aug. 30, 1934. The county then reassigned house numbers. “Houses on the south and west sides of the streets would have even numbers and those opposite would have odd numbers,” Kinnier wrote. They had to update and scrub all Courthouse information and create signs at 3,000 intersections. Total appropriated funds: $7,500. The new system took effect July 1, 1935. The board passed an ordinance declaring that “if any majority of the citizens of one street did not like the name selected, and wished to change it to some other name that would fit the ordinance, it could have the change made provided they would pay for the signs.” *** Fun memory of Hollywood glamour in 1960s Arlington comes from my boyhood friend Gary Glover. Gary’s grandfather Joe Fuschini, founder of the old Progressive Cleaners in Cherrydale, kept an immaculate home and yard on Huntington St. in Westover. One day Ira Beaty, father of Washington-Lee (now Washington-Liberty) grads and movie stars Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty, knocked on his door and offered to buy the property. Fuschini slept on the proposal and then called Beaty to accept his offer. Two weeks later, however, it was daughter MacLaine who showed up and wrote the check for her dad at Joe’s price. In business back then, Gary said, “Your word was your bond.”

PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019

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DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019 | PAGE 17

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Business News & Notes F.C. Chamber Members Meeting, Holiday Wear Contest Next Tuesday

DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 19

Guuanteein g Succcs ff

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The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce will host its annual members meeting, networking luncheon, and ugly holiday sweater and tie contest on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Italian Café. The event will include a review of the past year and an announcement of the 2020 board and officers. Tickets for the event with advanced registration are $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers. An additional $5 will be charged for walk-ins, should space be available. The Italian Café is located at 7161 Lee Highway in Falls Church. For more information or to register, visit the events page at www.FallsChurchChamber.org.

Have Breakfast With Santa at Chesterbrook Saturday Chesterbrook Residences is hosting a breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 – 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. The nonprofit, nondenominational assisted living retirement community is located at 2030 Westmorland Street in Falls Church. For more information, call 703-531-0781.

Racial Equity & Inclusion Meeting Hosted by OAR on Dec. 19 OAR is hosting a Racial Equity & Inclusion Monthly Action Networking meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 7 – 8 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library. OAR provides services for those incarcerated in Falls Church, Arlington, and Alexandria to support those recently released and help reduce recidivism. The community-based Racial Equity and Inclusion Action Network provides a forum to openly discuss race-related subject matter that centers the lives of those impacted by the criminal justice system. The Arlington Central Library is located at 1015 N. Quincy Street in Arlington. For more information or to RSVP, go to bit.ly/oaractionnetwork.

Bitici Group Pledges Support to Posse Foundation Falls Church City resident Albert Bitici and his real estate team, The Bitici Group of Keller Williams Metro Center has pledged long-term support to the Posse Foundation. For 30 years, Posse has identified and trained young people with extraordinary potential who might be overlooked by elite schools. The program places scholars in supportive, multicultural groups of 10 students called posses. With mentoring and full-tuition leadership scholarships from their partner colleges, Posse Scholars graduate at a rate of 90 percent. An alumnus of Middlebury College and a Posse Scholar himself, Albert Bitici founded the Bitici Group in 2018, following more than a decade of New York and London real estate experience and work to help his mother and wife launch Zoya’s Atelier. The Bitici Group has pledged to make a donation from every closed real estate transaction to further support the Posse program. For more information, visit www.possefoundation.org and www.thebiticigroup.com.

Spring Ball Registration Now OPEN!

2 Businesses Welcomed to Falls Church With Ribbon Cuttings

Ribbon cuttings were held for Children’s Therapy Center (left) and Nothing Bundt Cakes (right) on Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 respectively. The Children’s Therapy Center, located at 803 W. Broad Street, provides pediatric and adolescent physical, occupational and speech therapy. Nothing Bundt Cakes, located at 6286B Arlington Blvd in Falls Church, offers Bundt cakes, Buntinis, Buntini Towers, and bite-sized Bundtlets in a wide variety of flavors available for pick-up or delivery along with select gift items.  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.

Registration open at FCKLL.org Boys and Girls 4-12 Scholarships Available Volunteers Needed Save $20 If You Register By 12/31 Learn more about all of this at:

www.fckll.org

PAGE 20 | DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019

Swimming

WHEN GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL’S swim team made its Class 3 debut last Saturday against John Handley High School, Mustang swimmers did not expect to emerge from the pool with season opening wins. Yet they earned their first victory with final scores of 125 to 38 for the boys and 96 to 66 for the girls. Mason’s combined points totaled an impressive 221 over 104 for John Handley. Mason swimmers dominated from the opening to final events, starting with first and second place finishes for A and B relay teams in the Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay, as well as the Boys 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. Mustangs won 14 of 16 individual races and took first in every relay event. In four events, Mason swimmers swept first, second and third place, compounding points. (Photo: Ari Autor)

SPO RTS

Mason Boys Split Opening Games by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

Younger faces take on bigger roles both on and off the court for George Mason High School’s boys basketball team as it started its season with a 55-43 loss over Independence High School and, coincidentally, a 55-43 win over Park View High School. “We have a team of nine newcomers and the four returners are all in new roles so essentially we are starting anew,” Mason’s firstyear head coach Michael Gilroy said. “We have talked about how this is going to be a process, each game will be a battle and I don’t expect to blow anyone out. We just need to keep working in practice, learn from the good and bad, and hope that come mid-January that we are starting to peak and play our best ball.” The novelty of the season with new responsibilities was apparent in the Mustangs’ (1-1) season opener against new Class 3 opponent Independence. Though Mason was able to stay even with the Tigers throughout much of the first half — despite

junior guard Bobby Asel spending some time on the bench due to foul trouble — junior guard Deven Martino’s empty-handed trip to the free throw line followed by a quick bucket on the other end by the hosts had the Mustangs trailing 25-21 by halftime. A 7-0 sprint from Mason opened up the third quarter reclaim the lead; however, the Falls Church locals would find themselves down one heading into the fourth quarter. It was there that the Mustangs got away from their game by becoming trigger-happy from beyond the arc. Mason failed to sink any of those shots while Independence ripped off nine straight points, which safely knocked the Mustangs out of contest. “Our effort and energy from warm-ups to the game was where we needed it to be,” Gilroy said. “Our IQ and ability to execute on both sides of the ball was not.” A sluggish start had Mason playing flat-footed against Park View on Friday. It didn’t help that offense possessions were few and far between either. But even after a less-than-ideal entrance into the

game, the Mustangs were down only three at 22-19 by halftime. Still, Gilroy and his coaching staff challenged the team to kick it into high gear come the third quarter, which clearly resonated with Mason. The game seemed to turn when the Mustangs passed out of Park View’s attempt to trap them toward the end of the third quarter and led to an exclamation point of a dunk from varsity newcomer Ben Yimaj. It was the program’s first jam in two years and the spark carried Mason across the finish line in the final frame. Asel led the way with 21 points and five rebounds and got a nod from Gilroy for his aggressive play all night. Senior forward Daniel Miller also patrolled the boards while getting key buckets and assists as well. The only knock from the win was a weak showing at the line, where the Mustangs went 14-23. They looked to clean that up in the team’s home opener against Manassas Park High School last night, though results weren’t available by press time.

Second Half Slump Costs Mustangs vs. W-L by Caitlin Butler

Falls Church News-Press

SWIMMERS WINNING TWO INDIVIDUAL EVENTS included Anna Dickson (top picture), 200 Yard IM and 100 Yard Freestyle; Hedda Jagerskog, 50 Yard Freestyle and 100 Yard Breaststroke; Eleanor Gilmore, 200 Yard Freestyle and 100 Yard Butterfly; and Alec Autor, 200 Yard IM and 100 Yard Freestyle. First place finishers in single individual events were Ian McCracken, 50 Yard Freestyle; Carson Ruoff, 100 Yard Butterfly; Nick Sharrer, 500 Yard Freestyle; Ian Fry, 100 Yard Backstroke and Ella Reithinger, 100 Yard Backstroke. The Mustangs have a packed upcoming week, participating in a tri-meet on Dec. 13 against James Wood and Sherando High Schools, then competing in the Holiday Hundreds Invitational at Colgan High School on Dec. 14. (Photo: Ari Autor)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A scoreless third quarter set up a 52-44 loss by George Mason High School’s girls basketball team to Washington-Liberty in its second home game of the season last Thursday. The Mustangs got a hot start by tallying 33 points in the first half to the Generals’ 18, seemingly paving the way for a safe win. However, the teams appeared to swap mojos in the second half as Mason added only 11 points to Washington-Liberty’s 34. “The second half came and I think when we were not making our shots it was really hard to get back on transition when we’re missing those shots,” senior guard Julia Rosenberg said. “We were getting frustrated and in our own heads and we were not hustling back as much as we did in the first half.” By the end of the third quarter the Generals scored 15 unanswered points to tie up the score. The Mustangs, meanwhile, had a hard time breaking out of an extended shooting funk and let that affect their defense on the

other end. Mason was able to, somewhat, get back in a groove. The Mustangs successfully scored a total of 11 points in the fourth to stay competitive. But Washington-Liberty continued to gain momentum and added a whopping 19 points in the closing period to secure the game’s final score. It was a shame given how much the game’s flow favored Mason early on. In the first quarter the Mustangs came out strong on their home court with a crucial three point basket by Rosenberger to have the Mustangs down by one to W-L at 9-8. After the timeout the Mustangs came out on a scoring frenzy, with an assist by freshman guard Elizabeth Creed to sophomore guard Bella Paradiso for a smooth layup for the Mustangs. The first quarter ended with a 17 second possession followed by a buzzer beating three pointer from sophomore guard Zoraida Icabalceta. Mason’s 7-0 run gave it a 13-9 entering the second quarter. “We started off with a really great energy and we played real-

ly well as a team. On defense we were really scrappy and had each other’s back to help the defense the whole time,” Rosenberger added. In the second quarter the Mustangs continued to nail down shots from long distance. The Mustangs also pressed the Generals and played close to their man to try and rattle the visiting team’s offense. The approach had a great amount of success for the entirety of the second quarter. The Mason built up its lead with a timely three pointer from the hands of Rosenberger. The second quarter ended when the Mustangs took a 15-point advantage into halftime, prior to W-L’s resurgence in the second half. “Were looking forward to this new district and season (because) it is a new competition for us.The competition is going to be much different and I feel like our team dynamic is really strong,” Rosenberger said of the remainder of the season. The Mustangs will next host Flint Hill School on Friday with tip off set for 7:30 p.m.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 21

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THE CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL debuted its new design labs to a select crowd on Dec. 3. The labs were constructed with the intent of having students apply their academic lessons in real world settings, or to help them create visualizations of the curriculum. The labs come in the two sizes — “Big” and “Little” — and possess high-end technology, such as a 3D printer. For more images of the labs and the ribbon cutting, visit fcnp.com. (Photo: News-Press)

Fa l l s C h u r c h

School News & Notes Henderson Robotics Team Advances to States Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School’s FIRST Robotics team, RoboTigers, competed for the first time in the local FIRST Tech Challenge competition last weekend. Team members Mya Taheri, Elena Clark Wilson, Ashwin Colby, Anand Colby and Christopher Draper placed 10 out of 36 teams in the qualification round and will compete again in Centreville on Dec. 15 for a chance to advance to States.

Beech Tree ES Teacher Supports Fellow Educator Beech Tree Elementary second grade teacher Nadya Abu-Rish is one of 15 teachers who met at a conference and have stayed in touch, sharing teaching strategies, advice and successes with each other. When one of the teachers in the group went to New York for that city’s marathon, Abu-Rish was one of the teachers who traveled to the city to support her colleague. An article in Scholastic’s On Our Minds stresses the importance of professional colleagues supporting

each other at work and in their personal lives. The full story can be read at oomscholasticblog.com/ post/educators-travel-thousandsmiles-support-teacher-running-262

POP Tots Returns for 2nd Year at Mason High Falls Church City Band Boosters will host the second annual POP TOTS concert for young children at George Mason High School (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) auditorium on Dec. 17 from 10 – 10:45 a.m.. Tickets for the public are available through the Band Boosters atbandboostersfcc. org/events/pop-tots. For more information, contact fccps.bandboosters@gmail.com

Winter Carnival Held for Lack of Hootenanny The WinterFest Carnival will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 5 – 8 p.m. This new event is George Mason High School’s Student Council’s way to fill a gap in their community charitable work. The fall’s annual Halloween Hootenanny fundraiser for the Arlington Food Assistance Center

was canceled because of the construction. To make up for that, this winter-themed event for elementary-aged students will give kids and families the option to participate in snowball fights, carnival games, a photo booth, Chick-Fil-A, raffle and prizes and refreshments. The event will be held in Mason’s (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) cafeteria and auxiliary gym.

F.C. Schools Family Fund Seeks Holiday Donations The Falls Church Education Foundation, which stewards Falls Church City Public Schools’ Family Assistance Fund, is seeking contributions for the holiday season. Donations specified for this fund are used by FCCPS’ four school social workers to assist families in need in the community. The fund provides school supplies, meals, emergency transportation and shelter as needed. The goal this year is to raise $20,000. Donations may be given online at fcedf.org by choosing “Donate Now” and specifying “Family Assistance Fund,” or by sending checks to FCEF, 150 S. Washington St, Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22046.

PAGE 22 | DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Sunday, Dec. 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:00 a.m. A Service of Lessons and Carols in the Historic Church

Tuesday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the Historic Church

4:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Eve Pageant with Holy Communion in the Main Sanctary

8:00 p.m. Candlelit Service of Holy Communion in the Historic Church

Wednesday, Dec 25 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the Historic Church

LARRY RICE (left) hangs with students Harrish (middle) and Taarun during one of his usual outdoor Buskapades in 2018. The musicians will get to experience a change of scenery when they play their �irst indoor show this Saturday. (P��: C�� L�� R��)

‘Buskapade’ Goes Indoors At Famille This Saturday BY ORRIN KONHEIM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

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Local music teacher Larry Rice will be showcasing his students’ talents this Saturday at his first indoor “buskapade” at Famille Cafe. A multi-instrumentalist string musician, Rice has become a fixture at the Falls Church farmer’s market for busking and is inviting some of his students to do the same. The concerts are free and his students get to keep the tips. “I do a recital once a year with my students at Clare and Don’s [Beach Shack] but the idea of playing in front of other people like this and making a little bit of money gets them excited,” said Rice. Rice opened Little House Studio in 2007 out of his own house after 25 years working a day job. A quick study in learning instruments, Rice offers instruction in banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, fiddle/violin and ukulele. “I love teaching and it’s very rewarding to me to see the kids grow and to get yourself confident in getting in front of people and people will see students having fun,” said Rice. While many of Rice’s students are children as is par for the course, the Little House Studio has some adult pupils and he prefers the multi-generational vibe of his concerts. As someone who added the fifth and sixth instruments of his repertoire — mandolin and ukulele — only a decade ago, Rice can certainly appreciate the ability of someone to learn later in life. With daughter Lea Mae, former student Holly Rose Webber and associate Chris Bugmore, Rice is also a member of the Big Cheese band that performs locally. He describes his band’s style as Americana with Bruce Springsteen’s late work, Don Henley, the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons as influences. As for his teaching, Rice caters to whatever his students want to learn whether classical, hard rock, or anything in between. The three-hour buskapade (a self-invented spoonerism of “Busk” and “Ice Capade”) will consist of twelve 15-minute concerts and the set list will be very eclectic ranging from folk tunes to classical to songs by Green Day and Bon Jovi. This is the first partnership with Rice and the Famille Café and if the format works well, he hopes to bring it back next year. The concert will be on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Famille Café at 700 West Broad Street in Falls Church.

A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 25

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Starliner Falls Church Distillers 8 p.m. 442 S. Washington St., Falls Church 703-858-9186. • fcdistillers.com

Sund

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Few people can make it through life without an introduction. All it takes to recognize famed comic Gilbert Gottfried is listening to his novelty car horn of a delivery before you realize you’re in the presence of [gasp] a celebrity. But the living legend has always felt he’s anything but one, though that won’t stop Gottfried from taking the stage at the State Theatre on Saturday with the same abandon he’s been defined by throughout his nearly 50 year career. Whether you know him from his days as a young standup comedian in New York City in the 1970s, as Iago from Disney’s “Aladdin” or even one of his many raunchy sets for celebrity roasts, Gottfried is one of those Hollywood characters who finds a way to stick with you no matter how long he occupies the stage or screen. Surprisingly, he doesn’t hold the same opinion as his audiences do. “I feel like show business is a party I snuck into and any day now somebody’s going to come over to me with a clipboard and say ‘Oh, your name is not on the list,’” Gottfried said, turning his trademark sardonic sights on himself. Gottfried believes that his career is, in his own words, an accident. He concedes that he didn’t decide on being a comedian with any well-thought-out purpose. However, Gottfried does acknowledge a secret weapon — “stupidity” — where he was able to ignore the odds that were against him and not consider how ridiculous it would be to scratch out a meager living, let alone be successful. Try as he might to downplay his own path, Gottfried’s self-described stupidity lends him an ingenious knack for tapping into society’s Id while performing. Some notables include “If only ‘The Simpsons’ could wipe its ass in

GILBERT GOTTFRIED (P��: A�� G��) front of Seth MacFarlane, he could learn to do it, too” and for making the first joke about 9/11 just over two weeks after the attack took place. “Everybody enjoys those kinds of jokes, but nobody wants to tell anybody that they enjoy those kinds of jokes,” Gottfried added. “They just feel like they have to cover their face and laugh when they hear them.” While Gottfried prefers to long jump over the line instead of merely crossing it, his delivery serves as the “Ba Dum Tss” to let people know they’ve got the greenlight to chuckle along. Though the origin story of his joke cadence eludes even the comedian himself. He likens it to the intuitive way one swings their arms when they walk...it just kind of happened. What’s been more of a concentrated effort for the Brooklyn native has been his transitions from stand-up to movies to now the internet and podcast realm. Right when Gottfried

thought he figured the business out, it changed up on him by becoming so geared toward digital audiences. And with that change, he’s also seen people’s attitudes toward celebrities take on a new life as well. Where before they were practically demi-gods, now people are quick to try and tear down anyone with status the moment they utter something that is deemed unsavory — especially comedians. But Gottfried continues bumbling his way to prominence, remembering the good fortune he has to be where he is. He’d seen millions of people follow their passion into show business, only to end up with nothing. It’s why for him, every time he takes the stage, he’s still trying to be reminded he’s funny. Gilbert Gottfried will be performing at The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church) on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 9 p.m. For tickets, visit thestatetheatre.com.

Exit 245 with the BluesTones These singles whet the appetites of the FCNP editorial team this week:

Jammin’ Java

2 p.m.

 Nicholas Benton – Snow, Snow, Snow by the “White Christmas” movie ensemble 

227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna 703-255-1566 • jamminjava.com



Jody Fellows – Battleflag by Lo Fidelity Allstars

Matt Delaney – 4 Words to Choke Upon by Bullet for my Valentine

CA L E NDA R

PAGE 26 | DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 Town Hall: West Falls Church Project. Interested residents can join members of Falls Church City Boards and Commissions at a special presentation from the West Falls Church Project developer about their Special Exception Site Plan preview. Dogwood Room A and B @ City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 9:30 p.m. 703248-5106 (TTY 711).

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 DMV2Go at City Hall. The fullservice DMV2Go bus will be in front of City Hall on this date. Customers should come prepared with the required documents to complete transactions. Open to all Virginia residents. No appointments are necessary. Find out more about the full-service DMV

2 Go and select-service DMV Connect by visiting fallschurchva.gov/1359/DMV-2-Go-DMVConnect. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 703248-5450. Arm Chair Travel: Scandinavia. Interested attendees can see the world from the comfort of a chair the group will watch a video about a different part of the world. No registration required. This program is sponsored by the Falls Church Senior Center & Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Teen Center @ Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 10 – 11 a.m. Living Nativity Scene. Dulin United Methodist Church will be showcasing its Living Nativity scene on church grounds on this date. This event is appropriate for the whole family. Dulin United Methodist Church (513 E. Broad St., Falls Church). 7 & 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

Farmers Market. The award-winning, 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. 703-248-5034.

Santamobile. The annual tradition returns as the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department (FCVFD) decorates the reserve engine and escorts Santa Claus through the streets of the greater Falls Church area. Santamobile goes from Dec. 15 – 23. On the first five nights, Santa and his elves will visit each neighborhood in the City of Falls Church. The remaining nights are reserved for make-up routes and excursions into neighboring Arlington and Fairfax counties. Anyone who wishes to receive these treats are encouraged to greet Santa’s helpers at the curb. This provides the safest conditions for Santa’s helpers and ensures they have an opportunity to visit the largest number of our friends and neighbors. Visit facebook.com/ FallsChurchVFD to find out when the Santamobile will be in a given neighborhood. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Gingerbread Houses @ the Library. Interested attendees can construct and decorate their own graham cracker gingerbread house. Two sessions will take place at different times — 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Event is for children grades 1-5, registration required. Children must be present at the time they registered for to enter the room; at five minutes past the start time the spaces will go to children on the waitlist. Registration opens Nov. 30 by phone or in person. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 10 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034.

THEATER&ARTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 “Madeline’s Christmas.” “In an old house in Paris, covered in vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” And with that phrase, Ludwig Bemelman sets in motion the adventures of the brave Madeline. In this musical adaptation, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are sick in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to go home for Christmas. Madeline comes to the rescue for a Christmas journey they will never forget. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). $16 – $80. 7:30 p.m. creative cauldron.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 “Airness” When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend; it’s about finding yourself and performing with raw joy. 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NEWS-PRESS & HELP US KEEP COMMUNITY JOURNALISM ALIVE & WELL IN THE LITTLE CITY. Since 1991, the News-Press has been on a mission to provide independent and honest journalism to the Falls Church community. We recognize and appreciate the support the City, its businesses and residents have shown us for the past 28 years. Now, we need your help to con�nue with our mission. Become a member of the Falls Church News-Press today and help us keep you informed on all the happenings — big and small — in The Li�le City. Monthly members get stylish FCNP merch, access to exclusive mixers and networking events, discounted or free �ckets to Li�le City performances plus more member-only opportuni�es. Never before has the ﬁght to ensure a free press been more important.

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Rd., Tysons) $42. 2 p.m. 1ststagetysons.org.

“A Chorus Line.” Signature continues its tradition of big musicals in intimate spaces with one of the most iconic musicals ever written. Up close in the audition room, feel every heartbeat and heartbreak as hopeful dancers pour out their dreams, memories, loves, and why they dance in a breathtaking display of the tremendous talent it takes to be in a chorus line. With one of the largest casts in Signature history, “A Chorus Line” is the one singular sensation for the holiday season. Signature Theatre (420 Campbell Ave., Arlington) $40 – $103. 8 p.m. sigtheatre.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 “White Pearl.” Clearday is a cosmetics company on the rise: Based in Singapore, launching a global skincare line, and bringing a start-up mentality to the big leagues. But a draft ad for their latest skin whitening cream surfaces on YouTube, gathering views and outrage. As morning nears in the U.S. market—19,643 views. 467,327. 654,398.—Clearday’s allfemale team hustles to contain the damage before Buzzfeed weighs in. Someone’s definitely getting fired. Studio Theatre (1501 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C.) $20 – $90. 2 p.m. studiotheatre.org.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 Randoll Rivers Elvis Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 5:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Norman Brown’s Joyous Christmas Special with Bobby Caldwell & Marion Meadows Live and In Concert. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse (full band), Joe Pisapia Live and in Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20 – $35. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

CA L E NDA R

Karaoke. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186.

DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 27

Blackcat Zydeco Band with White Carrier. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:45 p.m. 703-241-9504.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 Skye. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703532-9283. Bret Beale Duo. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6:30 p.m. 703-237-8333. Not Nameless. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-241-9504. Ohio Players. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $69.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Chris Pureka + Kris Delmhorst. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $18 – $25. 8 p.m. 703255-1566. Red Shoe Band. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186. Cactus Liquors. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504. Chasing Autumn. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 Josh Christina Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504. Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $49.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Mike Colbert & Friends feat. Mary Lou and The Drugstore Lovers + The Splint. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

ROB HORNFECK ENTERPRISE will be at Dogwood Tavern on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo) Starliner with Quiet Erp. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186. Gilbert Gottfried. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $30. 9:30 p.m. 703237-0300. Jose Ramirez Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504.

E, Vienna). $10. 2 p.m. 703-2551566. Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186. Alex Hasson Trio Live and In Concert. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-436-9948.

Rob Hornfeck Enterprise. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703237-8333.

Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun with Very Special Guest Junior Brown “A Honky Tonk Holiday!” The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

Last Minute Holiday Shop. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church).Noon. 703-532-9283.

Union Stage Presents at The Miracle Theatre Mount Eerie with Julie Doiron. Miracle Theatre (535 8th St. SE Washington, D.C.). $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Exit 245 with The BluesTones. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave.

Wolf’s Open Mic Blues Jam. JV’s

Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Sam Tayloe (of Time Sawyer) with Mike Ramsey. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Jus Cause Country Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Music Makes Life Better For The MusicianShip feat. Mama’s Black Sheep + Christine Havrilla. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20 – $30. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. A John Waters Christmas. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

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 28 | DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019

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Public Notice ABC LICENSE BADD PIZZA CORPORATION, Trading as: baddpizza, 346 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046-3319. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for Wine and Beer On and Oﬀ Premises/Delivery Permit license. Joel Salamore, 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.

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC HEARING The City of Falls Church Historic Architectural Review Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 7:00 PM in City Hall’s Laurel Room (one ﬂoor down), 300 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22043 to consider the following:

We are pledged to the letter and spirit 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.

PROPOSED ALTERATION OF 212 EAST JEFFERSON STREET DEMOLITION OF A PORTION OF STRUCTURE THAT WAS AN ADDITION IN THE EARLY 1900s IN ORDER TO MEET SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBDIVISION OF THE LOT. Information on or copies of the proposed alteration can be viewed at the Community Planning and Economic Development Services (CPEDS) counter at City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You may contact the Planning Division at plan@fallschurchva.gov 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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Thanks for stuff you all donated. We celebrated & so needed. In this area you are the best: gave what you could, so blessed!

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

43 45

21 23

41 44

56 61

54 58

1. Sound in Greek but not in German 6. Bickers (with) 11. Moray ____ 14. Toward the stern 15. VCR inserts 16. Firefighter’s tool 17. Blow one’s own horn again? 19. Place to unwind 20. Brian who composed “The Microsoft Sound” on a Mac 21. Extra 22. On 23. Tale of a Biblical character climbing a 29,000-foot landmark? 28. “Danny and the Dinosaur” author Hoff 29. Zero-calorie drink 30. Mrs. Addams, to Gomez 33. First name on the U.S. Supreme Court 35. “Learn about the UV Index” org. 38. “Okay, then come to the aid of the least significant deity”? 42. Actress Gasteyer 43. Things picked up by the perceptive 44. Grimm villain 45. Cologne’s river 47. Slump 49. “Use your leash!”? 55. Texter’s button 56. River in a 1957 Best Picture title 57. Kylo of the “Star Wars” films 59. Grp. opposed by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence 60. “Enough already!” ... or this puz-

STRANGE BREW

Across 1. Sound in Greek but not in German

DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019 | PAGE 29

zle’s theme 64. Auction action 65. Kaffiyeh wearers 66. Inning for closers 67. Boardroom VIP 68. Kris Kringle’s employer in a 1947 film 69. Make ____ of things

DOWN

1. Wonderland tea party attendee 2. Gladiator’s milieu 3. Put in a new lawn 4. “Can’t Help Lovin’ ____ Man” 5. One of Sir Georg Solti’s record 31 6. Like a disciplinarian’s talk 7. Couldn’t sit still, say 8. 4/ 9. Rock’s ____ Speedwagon 10. Dir. opposite NNE 11. Hidden DVD feature 12. Their first and last games ever were both against the Mets 13. Sprang 18. Frog and ____ (friends in a children’s book series) 22. “____ you mad?” 24. Tennis great Arthur 25. Still-life subjects 26. Barn attachment 27. LAX guesses 30. LAX safety org. 31. “Positively Entertaining” TV network 32. 2013 disaster film that spawned many sequels 33. Glowing coal

JOHN DEERING

Sudoku

34. “Chi-Raq” director 36. ____ favor 37. Drink suffix with Power 39. Number of Heinz flavors in old Rome? 40. Ben & Jerry’s buy 41. “I, Claudius” attire 46. “I knew a man Bojangles and ____ dance for you ...” (1968 song lyric) 47. ERA or RBI 48. “7 Rings” singer Grande 49. “Morning Joe” airer 50. American Eagle clothing line 51. Barely manage 52. Like Roger Federer 53. “Fame” singer Cara 54. Tree houses? 58. Unspecified degrees 60. Group of whales 61. Apt name for a banker 62. Shop-____ 63. Salted part of a margarita glass Last Thursday’s Solution T A D A

B A R S

I S M R O I F B E A D S

O X L I P

T H A W I A C N K O O T I V I R N E C D E D N I T

G O L D A R E I S E V E E G O M E O U P T H R E E M E S A I P A I N E A S L U O D R T P E E N S

A M N A N I A N N E I O N E N T T D I T T I S T L E D S M A C H N I O

I N C O L O R

L I E G E

I O O N M E A H O A K A Y

N T I L E

E S T S C E S M E M E

By The Mepham Group

Level 1 2 3 4

6. Bickers (with) 11. Moray ____ 14. Toward the stern 15. VCR inserts 16. Firefighter's tool 17. Blow one's own horn again? 19. Place to unwind 20. Brian who composed "The Microsoft Sound" on a Mac

21. Extra 22. On 23. Tale of a Biblical character climbing a 29,000-foot landmark? 28. "Danny and the Dinosaur" author Hoff Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

29. Zero-calorie drink NICK KNACK

E A T E N

12/15/19

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. © 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

E R I N

LO CA L

PAGE 30 | DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2019

dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . pas

20 s Yearo Ag

is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . p a s is the Now for all time cows good me to to coaid of the their.

BACK IN THE DAY

20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press

Falls Church News-Press Vol. IX, No. 40 • December 16, 1999

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 Vol. XIX, No. 42 • December 17, 2009

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Critter Corner 10 Year s Ago

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

Council OKs 3-Year Deal For Video Service to Nab Red Light Violators Here

F.C. Council Moves Ahead to Shift Elections from May to November

Motorists tempted to run red lights in the City of Falls Church might think twice once a new, automated camera surveillance system is installed here in the spring capable of identifying and mailing stiff $50 fines to violators. The Falls Church City Council gave final approval Monday to a three-year contract with Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc. for installation of the system.

While the Falls Church City Council backed away from giving final approval to a measure changing the month for holding municipal elections from May to November Monday night, it did act with an eye to finalizing the shift early next month. In what has become a contentious issue in the City of Falls Church, Monday’s meeting revealed a division on the Council.

YUMMY. Charles is a 3-foot male ball python that resides in Winter Hill. He’s enjoying his favorite food — a small rat — which he must first strangle, then unhinge his jaws in order to swallow whole. He eats every 10-14 days. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

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

KNOW FOR SURE

IF YOUR CHILD IS IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT.

CRIME REPORT Week of Dec. 2 – 8, 2019 Driving under the Influence, Unit blk, Hillwood Ave, following a traffic stop, a male, 24, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for driving under the influence.

Share Curiosity. Read Together. w w w. r e a d . g o v

Larceny from Vehicle, 600 block Knollwood Dr, between Dec 2, 3 PM, and Dec 3, 6:45 PM, a suspect took items of value. Fraud, 200 block E Fairfax St, Dec 5, 10:10 AM, unknown suspect(s) obtained items of value through fraudulent means. Larceny from Building 100 block Park Ave, Dec 5, 2:47 PM, an unknown suspect took an item of value which has been recovered by the owner.

Larceny of Vehicle Parts, 300 block Gundry Dr, between Dec 5, 7 PM, and Dec 6, 8 AM, unknown suspect(s) removed a license plate. Fraud, 100 block S Spring St, between Nov 22 and 26, unknown suspect(s) obtained items of value through fraudulent means. Identity Theft, 100 block S Spring St, between Feb 1 and Aug 1, unknown suspect(s) fraudulently obtained personal information and used it. Identity Theft, 300 block W Columbia St, Dec 6, 12:30 PM, a report of electronic identity theft was reported. Larceny from Building, 700 block W Broad St, between Dec 6, 12 PM and Dec 8, 11 AM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value.

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We reach some of the

DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2019 | PAGE 31

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