December 14 – 20, 2017
FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE
FOU N D ED 1991 • VOL. XXVI I NO. 43
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A 17-year-old George Mason High School student was arrested last Friday and received a felony charge for making threats against his City of Falls Church school The charge for making threats to bomb and/or damage a building and arrest were made after a multi-day investigation beginning Dec. 8. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 9
F.C. Council, Schools Face 2 Percent Budget Growth Limit in Coming Year Guidance for FY19 B����� ��� B���� Based on Cost of New High School
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
that covers the City of Falls Church and holds court at City Hall two days a week, and City Treasurer Jody Acosta who all spelled out in graphic terms the dangerous shortcomings of the current City Hall from a security standpoint. and why after 10 years of talking about this project, it was time to delay no further.
Knowing the cost at the onset of the high school renovation project approved by voters last month will add six cents to the real estate tax rate, the Falls Church City Council Monday voted 5-2 to limit the rate increase on the rest of City operational and school costs to two percent above levels in the current year, or slightly below revenue growth projections. The dispute was over whether the growth should be limited to two percent, as recommended by City Manager Wyatt Shields, or three percent, even with estimated revenue growth over the year to date. Because of the pressures on taxpayers to meet the challenges of the high school renovation, on top of renovations of both City Hall and the voter-approved Mary Riley Styles Public Library, also getting underway, the target two percent will put extraordinary pressures on both the City’s operational budget and the School Board budget. But Shields pointed out that in order to hold costs down, “tough things will be brought to you” in the spring, when the Council will adopt the Fiscal Year 2019 budget for the period from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. He said that priorities for him will be to maintain competitive salaries, and while the same holds for the School system, Superintendent Peter Noonan told the Council Monday night that with 84 percent of the schools’ budget already going to teacher and other personnel costs, the cost of a single “step” increase and a cost of living adjustment will exceed three percent, right there.
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The News-Press is here to tip you off to some out-ofthe-box gift ideas that may be what each person on your list wants, they just don’t know it yet. And best of all, they’re all a short walk around the City. SEE PAGE 11
P��� K������: GOP �� R������ T������� T�� B��� Today’s Republicans are apparatchiks, who have spent their whole lives inside an intellectual bubble in which cutting taxes on corporations and the rich is always objective No. 1. SEE PAGE 16
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The George Mason High School girls basketball team’s ability to win no matters who’s on the court was on full display last Friday when they thumped Broad Run, 58-34. SEE SPORTS, PAGE 21
INDEX Editorial.................6 Letters...................6 News & Notes12–13 Comment ....... 14–16 Sports .................21 Business News ...22
Calendar .......26–27 Classified Ads .....28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ..........29 Critter Corner......30
FALLS CHURCH POLICE DETECTIVE Jesse Ortiz gets a shape up at The Neighborhood Barbershop Monday during the police department’s Beards for Buddy movement. The third annual event is in support of City parking enforcement of�icer Buddy Turner who has been living with pancreatic cancer since 2015. Each year in November, F.C. police and other City employees join the Movember Movement in unity for Buddy in his cancer �ight and to raise awareness for men’s health. (P����: C���� A�������)
City Hall Renovation Underway, Council Split on Overall Cost BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Following a parade of impassioned existing City Hall personnel pleading for a “yes” vote to proceed with the long-overdue renovation of the Falls Church City Hall, the F.C. City Council Monday voted 5-2 to approve a $13.35 million do-over. The project, which has technically already
begun with the relocation of key functions of the police department to the property yard, is slated to be completed by a year from now. Compelling testimony was provided by 17-year Falls Church Police veteran Lieutenant Joe Carter, Officer James Brooks, Sheriff’s deputy Matt Kaye, Chief of Police Mary Gavin, Judge Richard J. McCue, a judge from the 17th General District Court
PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017
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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 | PAGE 3
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PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017
LO CA L Come enjoy a Sunday Brunch... on us
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
A NUMBER OF MEMBERS of the Falls Church Police Department led by Chief Mary Gavin (far left) were on hand to urge the Falls Church City Council to move ahead with the renovation of City Hall Monday night. (P����: N���-P����)
$13 Million City Hall Renovation Underway Continued from Page 1
“The health, wellness and dignity of our employees” demand no less, Chief Gavin said, noting four inspections of the facility since 2005 that all found it wanting in the worst way. “It is dangerous, vulnerable and a risk to even discuss in public,” Gavin said. Judge McCue said he’s served for over a decade on the Court Security Committee when two reports detailing the severe security shortcomings of the current City Hall configuration were prepared. The Council’s disagreement was over whether to stick to a strict $13 million price tag for the effort, or whether to add in funds for two add-on improvements, a green screen around the parking lot and an open ceiling in the main corridor. The proposal to add an extra $350,000 to the cost earned “no” votes on the motion from Council members Letty Hardi and Karen Oliver. Plans are to have the Sheriff’s Department and Housing and Human Services offices relocated
before Christmas, and the building will be entirely empty from April 2018 to the December 2018 target for the completion of the work. “Times have changed, and we have to change to meet the new reality,” said Councilman David Snyder in announcing his “yes” vote. Among the renovations that will occur are a secured onelevel parking garage behind City Hall that will offer parking for police, sheriff and court officials and secured prisoner and weapon transport. They will include a central front entrance to enhance public safety, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and visitor convenience, two new hallways, one secured for staff, connecting the east and west wings of the building. Provisions will be provided for “shelter in place” locations for the public and staff, along with upgraded electrical, sprinkler and plumbing systems, and replacing the 60-year-old HVAC unit and generator.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
LO CA L
F.C. Council Votes to Limit Budget Growth in Coming Fiscal Year Continued from Page 1
issue emergency regulations to provide Virginia’s colleges and universities the option to offer an undergraduate major in teaching for the first time. Such a fouryear program would be in addition to the graduate programs that are the only pathway to a teaching certificate currently. McAuliffe’s plan, Noonan pointed out, covers five other initiatives, as well, to automate the teacher licensure process, to support recruitment and retention efforts for principals in the state’s most challenged school divisions, to increase tuition assistance grants (TAG) for students to enter into teaching, new funding to help cover the cost of tests and testing preparation programs for provisionally licensed minority students, and to improve the state’s teaching scholarship loan program, such as making students eligible for $20,000 if they teach two years in a top five critical shortage area, in a division with a 50 percent free and reduced lunch
Holiday Savings
student population. “We have to think about addressing compensation in all its forms, including by providing professional development and learning opportunities,” he said, praising the work of the nonprofit Falls Church Education Foundation for its fundraising efforts to provide grants in this area. “Teaching is a hard job,” Noonan said. “Teachers need to know, among other things, that they’re held in high esteem and respected.” Other actions by the Council included a tabling of a vote on new City financial policies, including its unassigned fund balance policy, to Jan. 8, when the new Council — Ross Litkenhous coming on, and Karen Oliver leaving — will be seated. The Council adopted a proclamation designating the Martin Luther King holiday on Jan. 15, 2018 as the “City of Falls Church Day of Service,” at the initiative of Council member Letty Hardi. The Council tasked City Manager Wyatt Shields with exploring the feasibility of David Tax’s request for a median cut in the 100 block of N. Washington St. to allow a left turn for southbound vehicles into Park Place to enable access to the Clare and
Don’s Beach Shack and Argia’s restaurants there, needed especially in the context of expected development of the Insight project at the Broad-Washington intersection. The Council approved 7-0 a provision to introduce a $100 fine for vehicles not carrying a current windshield tag indicating payment of personal property taxes, to go into effect on April 1, 2018. The Council received a report from City Registrar David Bjerke and members of the Electoral Commission about the smoothlyconducted election last month, when the City, according to Bjerke, again led all jurisdictions in the Commonwealth with the highest voter turnout in the offyear election at 54.6 percent of active registered voters turning out to vote. T:11.5”
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And while the schools experienced virtually no enrollment growth this year, that “breather” is expected to be an anomaly as enrollment should surge again next September. Also, this year the inflation rate is at 1.7 percent, but Council member Letty Hardi expressed anxiety over the impact of the new federal tax law on local governments, in general, and Northern Virginia, in particular. Her concern was echoed by Councilman David Snyder, who called the new tax law being hammered out for final approval in Congress now, “an attack on local government,” burdening it with additional challenges, and Metro is also pushing for one or even two $500,000 increases in its bill in the City next year. Even under the best circumstances, however, home owners in Falls Church will confront the burden of the six cent hike for capital projects to jump the real estate tax rate from $1.33 per
$100 assessed valuation now to $1.39, while there is expected to be a 3.3 percent increase in real estate assessments. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly and Councilman Dan Sze were the no votes, favoring the three percent limit. When Superintendent Noonan took the news to the School Board meeting in the same venue Tuesday night, it was not met favorably. Earlier in the day Tuesday, Noonan told the NewsPress in an interview that the two percent limit challenges the School Board “with an uphill climb. We will sharpen our pencils and work diligently.” He noted the limit also challenges the need to provide incentives to reverse the disturbing national trend, which also applies to Virginia, leading to severe teaching shortages. He cited the initiative taken by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe this week to address this problem with his Executive Directive 14, directing the State Board of Education to
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 | PAGE 5
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PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017
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Vol. XXVII, No. 43 December 14 – 20, 2017 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •
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Civil, Compassionate Identity of F.C.
We’ve been seeing across the Potomac this year what political and ballot box decisions based on selfish-self interest produces. Angry prejudice against “persons unlike ourselves,” based on race, religion, ethnicity, disabilities and economic status produces the kind of fiasco that the White House and Republicans on the Hill walked into this Tuesday. It needs to be stressed that ownership of this mess for the GOP belongs to the GOP leadership, and not to some unfortunate accidental circumstances. That leadership allowed and abetted the rise of racial hatred during the Obama years, thinking that it would only help them win elections. The more civil among those leaders sought plausible deniability and separation from this ugly phenomenon, but they’re as fully responsible for it as any rabid alt-right radical, and they know it. The pathway toward a new American majority that is going to exclude all those tainted and unrepentant by this mess can be found in ordinary appeals to civility, cooperation and compassion. It’s not that hard. America’s corporate elites, and their oligarchical friends in Russia, are simply going to have to pull back from this failed approach and reboot, or else they will be swept over by a new mass movement here that they won’t be able to control. That’s right, there will be revolution. There won’t be any precedent, but there also will be no holding it back. So far, the financial institutions of Wall Street have been by and large insulated from the ferment that has been stirring in 2017, but the November 2018 midterm elections could change that big time. There could be a massive redistribution of wealth in this country, which is exactly what we need. Meanwhile, simple things symbolic of this holiday season, like the Falls Church City Council’s adoption of a proclamation designating Martin Luther King Day next month as a “Day of Service,” set the right tone, and is a useful educational tool for “revolutionaries” of all ages, sizes and shapes. The proclamation says that Falls Church “is a welcoming and respectful place for people of all faiths, all races, all cultures, all sexual orientations, and all backgrounds.” This community “wishes to reaffirm the long-standing community values of equality, inclusion and diversity,” “always taking a strong stand in opposition to discrimination against any.” The Council “encourages positive action to combat intolerance,” embracing Dr. King’s assertion that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?, and affirms that “ordinary citizens, armed with compassion and a willingness to serve, can come together to change the world and pursue the nation’s highest ideals.” Signed by Mayor David Tarter, the proclamation naming January 15, 2018 the “City of Falls Church Day of Service” encourages “all citizens to observe this day with appropriate civic, community and service projects in honor of Dr. King and to affirm our City’s commitment to the values of equality, inclusion and diversity.”
L������
Falls Church Sidewalks Need Improvement
Editor, It is nice to see all the upgraded street crossings that the City has completed this past year, but what about the sidewalks? I enjoy walking every day on our City’s wonderful network of sidewalks. But there are some notable gaps in the network that could use a more attention. For example, there are sidewalks all along Virginia Ave., except for one section on North Virginia
Ave between Park and Great Falls Streets. This street borders the west side of Cherry Hill Park and is near the library so there are generally cars parked on both sides, leaving pedestrians the choice of walking down the one lane in the middle of the street dodging passing cars, or walking on people’s lawns. In addition, the City school buses use the street to pick up and let off elementary kids in the middle of
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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the block, so that the children and parents meeting them also face the peril of walking down the middle of the street. To improve the walkability of our City and better ensure the safety of pedestrians and children, let’s address these gaps and properly compete our sidewalk network. Ben Stoner Falls Church
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DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017 | PAGE 7
How to Have a Merry Christmas This Year B� G���� M�������
Christmas is the most depressing time of the year for many people. New Year’s Eve is another difficult time. There are lots of reasons why depression and suicide rates soar during these holidays. Feeling alone, financial distress, health issues, family problems and the list can actually be long. Here are some quick tips for you. Keep this column handy for reference over the next two weeks. Plan to be connected to people during these holidays. Even if it’s sitting on the sofa making telephone calls all day at least you are talking and hearing people. Actually this is a good idea anyway. Make a long list and call people and wish them a Merry Christmas or a Happy New Year. Or, divide your list and call some on the holiday and the rest on New Year’s Eve. Too many people sit back with the attitude, “Well, they haven’t called me.” Don’t worry about that because we are talking about your self-preservation here. Have people in your home whether it’s family or people in your neighborhood. Have them for just coffee and a cookie. Better yet, if you have family, relax and just roll with the holiday punches. There is absolutely nothing else to do on Christmas. Your local convenience store
or truck stop might be open but that’s it. Enjoy and love the people you might be around – it’s only once a year that you are truly stuck all day with them. You can survive it. Do not fuss about anything. Be nice to
“Be nice to everybody. Let the stupid things that people say to you roll off your back. Smile and act like you are having a wonderful time even if some relative is driving you crazy. Just laugh and have fun.” everybody. Let the stupid things that people say to you roll off your back. Smile and act like you are having a wonderful time even if some relative is driving you crazy. Just laugh and have fun. Keep it simple. Don’t overspend your
bank account. Don’t rack up a big credit card debt. Let other people help you with any cooking, kitchen details and clean up. Share the joy with other people. Most people are happy to chip in and it makes them and you feel better. Allow yourself plenty of time. My wife starts cooking Christmas dinner two weeks early. She makes something and then puts it in the freezer. If she makes one thing every day we normally end up with enough food for the neighborhood. There was a time when she tried to do it all on one day. This drove her and all of us crazy. Last minute cooking, shopping and leaving home late to travel a long trip is all nerve racking and takes some of the fun out of the holiday. Help one or two people along the way. No one person can save the world but you never know when your assistance might be a miracle for someone.Years ago a man had tied up all of his money into a house when suddenly he lost his job and had no way to keep the house. The bank secured everything he owned and there were zero dollars available to do anything. He didn’t know what he was going to do including buy groceries or even find another place to rent. A financially secure man in the town heard about the plight of the other guy and called him into his office one week
before Christmas to announce to him he was going to buy his house from him. The man was overwhelmed with joy and was able to eventually secure another place to live, another job and move forward with his life. However for some time he lived each day feeling and knowing that his life and family were in severe peril. He told me once that what happened was truly a life saving miracle. You probably aren’t in the position to just buy somebody’s house in order to financially save him or her. However, maybe a good word, a small financial gift, or even trying to help somebody find a job might be miracle life saving acts that you might give to someone. Christmas only comes once a year if we are blessed to see and enjoy the day. Be thankful. Give thanks to God Almighty for His blessings. Don’t give ugly gestures to people on the highway. Be nice to Republicans and Democrats and Independents and all other parties – at least on Christmas. We need more joy, smiles and happiness in America. Do your part. You are one person. If every person contributes we can truly all have a more Merry Christmas. Dr. Glenn Mollette is President of Newburgh Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana.
Q������� �� ��� W��� Do you agree with the F.C. Council vote to limit budget growth in FY19? • Yes • No • Unsure
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Editor & Guest Commentaries. Letters to the Editor should be no more than 350 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four weeks. Guest Commentaries should be no more than 800 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four months. Because of space constraints, not all submissions will be published. All submissions to the News-Press should be original, unpublished content. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar and accuracy. All submissions should include writer’s name, address, phone and e-mail address if available.
Email: letters@fcnp.com | Mail: Letters to the Editor, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church 22046 | Fax: 703.340.0347
PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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Christmas
NEWS BRIEFS
WITH
THE FALLS CHURCH
F.C. School Board Appoints New COO
All are Invited
The Falls Church School Board has approved the appointment of Kristen Michael as the district’s first Chief Operating Officer. “I am so excited to bring the talents of Ms. Michael to our school division” Superintendent Peter Noonan said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ms. Michael for the past decade in a neighboring school district, and have seen her creativity, thoughtfulness, care, and compassion come through in ways that support our teachers, students, and broader community while also seeking ways to create efficiencies that ultimately help our division. ” According to a FCCPS press statement, Michael will oversee FCCPS Operations and Budget and Financial Kristen Michael. Departments. She will succeed Interim Assistant Superintendent of (FCCPS photo) Finance, Deirdra McLaughlin when she reports for duty on January 16, 2018. Michael arrives from Fairfax County Public Schools where she is currently Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services. She began her career with FCPS in 2005 as a Budget Analyst. Since then she has held positions of coordinator, assistant budget director and budget director before being named assistant superintendent in 2014. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree Cum Laude from Loyola University and has a Masters of Public Administration degree from George Mason University.
Sunday, Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent 9:00 a.m. “Godly Play”Advent Children’s Pageant with Holy Communion in the Main Sanctuary
11:15 a.m. A Service of Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion in the Historic Church
Sunday, Dec. 24 10:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent Service with Holy Communion in the Historic Church
5:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Eve Pageant with Holy Communion in the Main Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. Candlelit Service of Holy Communion in the Historic Church 10:00 p.m. Candlelit Service of Holy Communion in the Historic Church
Monday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the Historic Church
Student Arrested for Threats Against George Mason High School A 17-year-old George Mason High School student was arrested last Friday and received a felony charge for making threats against his Falls Church school. The charges for making threats to bomb and/or damage a building and arrest were made after a multi-day investigation beginning Dec. 8, City of Falls Church Police Chief Mary Gavin and Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan announced in a press conference Dec. 8. That day, a student alerted Mason’s school administration about the suspect’s threats that included entering the school with weapons and explosives to “take out people and certain aspects of the school,” per Gavin. “We applaud the courage of the student who came forward and helped to take care of our community that we live in everyday,” Noonan said. According to Gavin, the suspect’s desire to commit violent acts on school property came from an anger toward the school community as a whole. Gavin later explained that “In [the suspect’s] mind, he had [specified] particular people, but…I do not have electronic, digital evidence yet.” During a search of the suspects home, police discovered four replica weapons, all of which were BB guns, however one was altered to appear like a real weapon by modifying the federally mandated orange tip on the gun’s muzzle. No explosives were discovered during the home search. Gavin indicated that one witness had heard about the suspect’s threats as early as two weeks ago.
115 E. Fairfax Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 • 703.241.0003
www.TheFallsChurch.org
Shop Local. It Matters!
Regional Women’s Circle of Influence Breakfast Friday, December 15th, 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Police Look for Suspects After Bailey's Crossroads Carjacking Fairfax County Police detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying two carjacking suspects and finding a stolen BMW sedan. The incident happened last Friday, Dec. 8 around 10 p.m. in the 5800 block of Oakview Gardens Drive near Bailey’s Crossroads. A 39-year-old man was standing by the trunk of his car while it was running when two men approached. One displayed a gun and demanded his keys. After learning the keys were already inside the car, the two suspects hopped in and left the area. The victim was not injured and the car has not been seen since. The missing car is a burgundy 2006 BMW 750i with tinted windows and a sunroof. When stolen, it had Virginia license plates VVC-7801. It is possible the license plates have since been removed or replaced with other tags. No suspect description is available at this time. Anyone with information about the carjacking or the whereabouts of the stolen car is asked to contact Detective Hoffman of the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS. They can also be sent in via text by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637).
Sen. Kaine Signs Onto #MeToo Bill Tuesday, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) as a cosponsor of the Member and Employee Training and Oversight on Congress Act (ME-TOO Act), introduced in response to recent sexual harassment allegations in Congress and revelations that the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) process places an unfair burden on victims. The bill would reform the CAA to eliminate the mandatory steps that must be exhausted before an employee of the legislative branch can sue in federal district court and implement other provisions to expand protections and update policies at the Office of Compliance.
The Hilton Garden Inn — 706 W. Broad Street, Falls Church Featuring Rachel Adler, Digital Media Native & Executive Director of SMWi Fairfax, on Social Media Marketing: Best Practices to Market Your Business Efficiently and Effectively.
Reservations are required email info@fallschurchchamber.org or register online at www.FallsChurchChamber.org. $25 registration fee.
December Networking Luncheon
Join us for the Annual Report to the Members, and the Annual Ugly Sweater & Tie Contest! Tuesday, December 19th 11:30 am - 1:15 pm
The Italian Café — 7161 Lee Highway, Falls Church
Reservations are required email info@fallschurchchamber.org or register online at www.FallsChurchChamber.org. Tickets are $27 for Chamber members, $32 for non members. An additional $5 will be charged for walk-ins. Partner Plus
Gold
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Silver
www.FallsChurchChamber.org
Bronze
Dougherty DDS Fairview Park Marriott Oshinsky Family Limited Partnership Pearson Square Tax Analysts
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
New Council, School Board Electeds Sworn In, Start Jan.1
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
This has been the week for transition on the Falls Church City Council, on Monday, and School Board, on Tuesday. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, retiring Council member Karen Oliver was hailed by her Council colleagues for her thoughtful and poignant contributions to the Council’s deliberations the last four years. She is the only member of the Council who did not seek re-election to another term last month. Mayor David Tarter presented Oliver with a plaque expressing appreciation on behalf of all the Council. Three incumbents were sworn into new four-year terms commencing January 1, 2018 – Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, and Council members David Snyder and Dan Sze. Sworn in by City Clerk Celeste Heath to fill Oliver’s seat was Russ Litkenhous. The next night, on Tuesday, the School Board went through a similar change, with only one of the incumbents, Chair Lawrence Webb, re-elected (the other three
SWORN IN MONDAY in advance of beginning their new terms on the City Council in January were (left to right, left photo) Dan Sze, Ross Litkenhous, David Snyder and Marybeth Connelly. On Tuesday at its meeting, the F.C. School Board swore in its November winners (right photo, left to right) Lawrence Webb, Shawna Russell, Shannon Litton and Gregory Anderson. (P�����: N���-P����) choosing not to run). He was sworn in along with newly-elected members Gregory Anderson, Shawna Russell and Shannon Litton. Hailed for completing their service on the School Board were Michael Ankuma, John Lawrence and Margaret Ward. They were told that their names and dates of service will be placed onto bricks
that will adorn the entrance to the new George Mason High School building. In Oliver’s case, she chose not to seek election to a second four year term this fall. The long-time City resident said she decided to run in 2013 when she read an article in the News-Press that there were only four candidates seeking
Fender | Martin | Jackson | Eastman Cordoba | Seagull | Schecter | Godin
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four open seats on the Council, and her friends challenged her to step up and contribute to the necessary conversation to make the City a better place. “This is a beautiful, vibrant City,” she said, citing the trees, the walkability, the art scene and the farmer’s market. She expressed thanks to everyone who helped
make her contributions make a difference. In her final meeting on the Council last night, Oliver had a lot to contribute and, among other things, joined the dissenting vote on the key issue of funding for the City Hall renovation. The transitions will all become effective on Jan. 1, 2018.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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Nifty Stocking Stuffers Locals Can Find Walking Around F.C. BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
‘Tis the season for holiday family gatherings, annual traditions, long nights in cozy settings...and white-knuckled, hairraising trips to every mall and store in town before they run out of the gift that you have to get. Or else, those first couple of things listed just become dissatisfying set pieces that remind you of your failed attempt to broaden the natural joy this time of year brings. No worries, the News-Press is here to tip you off to some outof-the-box gift ideas that may be what each person on your list wants, even though they just don’t know it yet. And best of all, they’re all a short walk around the City.
Breakout Games 1073 W Broad St., #201 What says the holidays more than being locked in a room with your family members and having forced interaction? Nothing really, but Breakout Games in Falls Church prompts everyone with a shared incentive to get out of that room as fast as you can so you can return to your normal life! Kidding aside, Breakout Games is an enjoyable experience that has as little as two or as many as eight people attempting to find clues, solve puzzles and, yes, break out of their holding in less than an hour. Its emphasis on teamwork, communication and problemsolving make it a boon for company retreats (which goes nicely with the store’s team-building package for weekdays) but is also a great family-bonding activity that demands every ounce of the group’s attention. “Whatever is going on in their life, they’re pulled out of it and sucked into our immersive puzzles,” Adam Walker, the local owner of Breakout Games, said in a telephone interview with the News-Press. Walker went on to add that the hour spent working together to bust out of the room may be the only time that every member of the family will be off their phones. Breakout is sweetening the pot by offering some holiday discounts, including up to 20 percent
off a two person game, 25 percent off a four person game and 30 percent off an eight person game throughout the season. And if you and your family can’t get enough of Breakout, there’s also the new take-home game, Dispatch, which combines physical clues delivered in a box as well as researchable clues online that will be used to solve a murder mystery. With four rooms serving about 30 people every hour, Breakout is great way to spend weekend afternoon. And don’t worry parents, this isn’t a haunted house, so children of all ages can come and help break you out.
Cyclebar 301 W Broad St. Just under a month old but already making a splash in the Little City is Cyclebar, the newage cycle studio that’s helping exercise junkies get their workout fix without having to brave the winter elements to do so. The store comes equipped with everything you want: complimentary cycling shoes, showers with heated floors and and even weights attached to each of the 55 bikes in case you want to tone your upper body along with your lower body. Once strapped in for a class, riders can track their live stats on a personal monitor and see how they stack up to the rest of the participants on two flat-screens at the front of the studio that act as a leaderboard. And though the main demographic is currently women in their 30s, Cyclebar is gaining attention from male and older runners who are looking to move on to something a bit more lowimpact as their knees begin to wear down. “Most people come to be a part of community in a small setting,” Leanna Rizkalla, director of ridership, said. Rizkalla also added that weekly community events such as “Wine-down Wednesdays,” Sunday brunch and occasional sessions hosting a guest DJ all contribute a different twist on the cycling experience while reinforcing the studio’s communal nature. Since the studio is still relatively new, the three-week free ride promotional period that started after its opening on Nov.
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 | PAGE 11
20 has been reduced to three free rides for interested customers. Along with that, the studio is offering gift cards for a dollar amount or separate packages, such as 10 rides for $160 or five rides for $85. Regardless of how you wrap this present, it’s sure to please any loved one itching to get their body moving without it being in wintry conditions.
Falls Church Distillers 442 S Washington St., Ste. A At a glance, gifting alcohol to someone may not be the most thoughtful present. But when it comes from a hometown distillery that creates and sells its own vodka, gin and bourbon (and in the near future, rum and brandy) and doubles as a restaurant peppered with local art for sale, a gifted bottle of libation can become a ticket to a fun and surprisingly dignified night out on the town. That’s where Falls Church Distillers come in handy. The store’s simple but signature Italian eats go great with a cocktail or beer in-house, while its supply of spirits can serve as a take-home dessert of sorts to keep the night...spirited. For most customers, that means a bottle of the distillery’s Church Bourbon Whiskey, which has been selling like hot cakes throughout the holiday season. But the Frozen Falls Vodka and Great Falls Gin have also become so popular they’ve spurned spinoffs with pepper-flavored vodka and lemon-flavored gin. “If you’re local especially, having a distillery in your hometown is pretty unique,” founder and owner Michael Paluzzi said. “You can wrap an ornament around the bottle and send it to your kids, family or friends that have moved away and now they can be reminded of home.” Paluzzi also added that buy one, get one half-off deal on merchandise, such as t-shirts and sweatshirts, along with monthly raffle for a free bottle have served as the only special offerings to the distillery. By next holiday season expect FC Distillers to take their game to the next level. But for this year, who can turn down a homegrown bottle of their favorite spirit? No one on the nice list, that’s for sure.
THESE UNCONVENTIONAL PRESENTS are sure to make you the hit of any holiday gift exchange between friends, family or co-workers this season. Whether it’s a group trip to Breakout Games (top), a package of classes at the newly-opened Cyclebar (center) or a night out for dinner that ends with a purchase of bourbon, gin or vodka from Falls Church Distillers, it’ll be hard to disappoint with these unique offerings. (P�����: M��� D������)
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Community News & Notes Marymount Professor Recognized by City Council Dr. Diane Murphy, a Marymount University (MU) professor, was commended by Falls Church Senior Center volunteers and the Falls Church City Council on Nov. 27 for her work in helping seniors learn and adapt to new technologies. “She has relieved technology anxiety for a lot of us,” Ellen Salsbury, a volunteer, said. “She brings in graduate students to assist in our tech classes, and as a result we seniors are much more comfortable with technology and social media. We’re even texting!” Salsbury introduced Professor Murphy, and Bridget Murphy, associate provost, who accepted a
plaque from Falls Church Mayor David Tarter “in appreciation of the Marymount University faculty volunteers for exceptional generosity and expertise in providing outstanding practical and academic classes that enrich the lives of seniors.” Salsbury said 11 different Marymount faculty members had volunteered their time and more than 220 seniors had been enrolled in eight classes since the partnership began in 2014. She credited Dr. Liane M. Summerfield, an MU professor who was then associate vice president for academic affairs, with helping start the popular classes. Dr. Murphy, chair of Marymount University’s Information Technology, Management Sciences and
Cybersecurity Department, has enjoyed her involvement. “It’s been very satisfying to teach seniors the technology that has been promoted by their children and grandchildren and see them develop some skills,” she said. Falls Church Recreation and Parks Director Daniel Schlitt said that since MU became involved they’ve helped take the Senior Center workshops “over the top.”
Latin Dancer Studio Holds Winter Recital The Latin Dancer Studio (1057 W Broad St., Falls Church) is holding its winter recital, D.C. Hula Girls Winter Showcase, on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 4 – 6 p.m. During the first hour, attend-
SAYING FAREWELL to one-term Falls Church City Council member Karen Oliver (center, red jacket) was a group of the City’s who’s-who at a City Hall reception on Monday night. Everyone thanked Oliver for her hard work the past four years, but also felt obliged to grab some pizza while it was still hot, too (Photo: News-Press)
ees can come take pictures with Disney characters Moana, Maui and the hula girls. Along with the photo opportunities, holiday shopping courtesy of The Burning Spear, a local island style clothing line, will be on site, as well as hot dinner plates will be served Hawaiian style, which will include: Kalua pig (pulled pork) with a Hawaiian sweet roll, mac salad, mixed veggies and a special island dessert. Starting at 5 p.m., Moana and the hula girls will take attendees on a journey through the South Pacific. Some guests will be prompted to volunteer for audience participation as Moana and her friends will teach participants how to hula. A special Christmas dance will conclude the event. Tickets are $10 and guests
are encouraged to purchase them early as space is limited.
City Treasurer Opens Vehicle Decal Design Contest The Office of the Treasurer of the City of Falls Church announces the beginning of the third annual Vehicle Decal Design Competition — a cash-prize contest for high school students. The winners will have a unique accomplishment to highlight on their college applications and resumes. The first-place design will have a City of Falls Church theme and will be displayed on the windshields of more than 13,000 vehicles registered in the City of Falls Church. “All the designs last year were
SLEIGH RIDES on this fine steed were one of the many attractions from this Saturday’s Country Christmas Celebration at St. James Catholic Church. The church grounds were transformed into a winter wonderland (thanks to some help from Mother Nature) that came complete with hayrides, a petting zoo and a bonfire (Photo: Courtesy Catholic Diocese of Arlington)
Send Us Your News & Notes!
The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!
Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
fantastic,” said Treasurer Jody Acosta. “We had almost twice the submissions last year compared to the first year of the contest. I can’t wait to see what great artistic designs are submitted this year, showing pride for The Little City. This is a great way for students to learn about local government, and an excellent ‘vehicle’ for displaying their art.” This contest is open to high schools students who either reside in or go to school in the City of Falls Church. Only one entry per student is allowed. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top four entries: $750 for first place, $500 for second place, $250 for third place and $150 for fourth place. All submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at the City’s Treasurer’s office (300 Park Avenue, Suite 103 East, Falls Church, VA 22046) or treasurer@fallschurchva.gov. A citizen panel will choose the top four finalists. Online voting on those finalists will open the week of Jan. 15 and will close on Feb. 22. For design guidelines, submission instructions and voting information (once open), visit fallschurchva.gov/DecalContest.
Cafe Kindred Hosts ‘Meet the Author’ Event on Friday Café Kindred (450 N Washington St., Falls Church) and One More Page books will jointly host an evening forum and podcast recording session with author Jeff Cioletti and his book “The Drinkable Globe: The Indispensable Guide to the Wide World of Booze,” on Friday, Dec. 15 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Cioletti shares from his latest beverage book, “The Drinkable Globe.” Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the author, get a signed book and imbibe some of the worldly cocktails featured
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in his latest work. This is a fun and festive evening (plus the book makes a great gift!). Guests will have the option to buy Cioletti’s book, cocktail sampler or both throughout the course of the evening. Cioletti’s tenure in liquid literacy has exposed him to some of the best libations the world has to offer and given him access to the producers and purveyors of those very same refreshments. He combines his love of drink with a passion for travel and one usually involves the other. He served for fourteen years as an editor at Beverage World magazine, including eight years as editor in chief of the publication. He’s also the author of the books “The Year of Drinking Adventurously” and “Beer FAQ.” Cioletti is the founder of beverage and travel site, The Drinkable Globe (DrinkableGlobe. com) and the winner of multiple North American Guild of Beer Writers awards.
McLean Community Center Class Registration is Open McLean Community Center (MCC) tax district residents (Small District 1A-Dranesville) can register now for the Center’s winter and spring session classes and activities. All others can register starting on Monday, Dec. 18. Winter session classes will begin the week of Jan. 21. While the center’s Ingleside Avenue facility is being renovated, classes are being offered at three locations: the MCC Class Programs Office (6645 Old Dominion Dr., McLean); The Old Firehouse Teen Center, (1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean); and the MCC Dance Program Studio, (1374 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). SPARK Business Academy, an organization dedicated to promoting children’s financial literacy and entrepreneurship, is offering a new series of classes at MCC this winter and spring, including Young
SPROUTING UP all across the Northern Virginia region and throughout the country ever since President Donald Trump’s election last fall are these yard signs that spread an inclusive message voicing its support for diversity in Spanish, English and Arabic. (P����: N���-P����) Diplomats, Bulls & Bears Stock Market Club and The Business of Sports. Classes for teenagers include Still Life Painting and Composition, Hip-Hop III, Intro to Djembe Drumming and First Aid with CPR. Supervised Bridge, Core Conditioning, Zumba, History of Flamenco, Sketching on Site, Watercolor Studio and Writing: Fine Tuning, are just a few of the variety of class options available to adults. The Senior Moments Adult Learning Program (for adults age 55 or older) offers classes that address the special concerns of senior adults, such as Fighting Elder Fraud Together, Settling an Estate, Social Security: Know Your Options and How to Keep Your Brain Sharp, among others.
Voted #1 Again
District residents should receive the Winter-Spring Program Guide in the mail; the guide also is available at the center and online at www.mcleancenter.org. The Center offers 24-hour online registration. To view detailed descriptions of classes or to register, visit the Center’s Website, www.mcleancenter.org. Online registration is not available for tours and day trips. Please contact the registrar at 703-7449365, TTY: 711, for registration options. For more information, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711.
Mad Fox Festivus Party And Glass Giveaway Mad Fox Brewing Company (444 W Broad St., Falls Church)
will be holding its Festivus Party and glass giveaway on Wednesday, Dec. 20 from 6 – 10 p.m. The evening’s festivities signify the re-tapping of the Festivus Ale at Mad Fox as well a holiday glass giveaway for those who arrive early enough. Attendees are also encouraged to air their grievances from the past year before a new one begins.
Ferocity Dance Company Holds Auditions on Tuesday The Ferocity Dance Company (100-A East Fairfax St., Falls Church) is holding auditions for training-level, amateur (semi-professional) and professional-level dancers on Tuesday, Dec. 19 from 7:30 – 10 p.m. $10 registration fee is required to audition.
In the bleak midwinter …
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Falls Church Presbyterian Church 225 East Broad St., Falls Church, VA • 703-532-6518 www.fallschurchpresby.org
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PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017
A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
Excitement reigned at Belvedere Elementary School on Monday as Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe visited the school to announce some new teacher initiatives in his proposed biennial budget, which will be released next Monday. Licensing, recruitment and retention, and tuition expense for obtaining advanced degrees while on the job are barriers to teaching as a career field, the governor said. Teacher shortages continue to increase in Virginia, affecting the Commonwealth’s future economic growth and prosperity. Automating the licensure process will reduce the time to obtain teaching credentials. The current burdensome process, incredibly, is paper-based. Minority students pursuing teaching careers pass exams at lower rates than their peers, so the governor is recommending new funding to help cover the costs of tests and test-preparation programs for provisionally licensed minority students. The governor’s budget proposal also would increase the Tuition Assistance Grant program to encourage students attending Virginia’s private colleges and universities to enter the teaching profession. Funding also would improve the Teaching Scholarship Loan Program to incentivize teachers to teach for two years in a top five critical shortage area. While at the lectern in Belvedere’s library, Governor McAuliffe signed an Executive Directive that would institute an undergraduate major in education for the state’s colleges and universities. The current five-year program is too long, the governor said, and too expensive, for students eager to get into the job market. He added that the State Board of Education should promulgate the new emergency regulations by Mar. 1, 2018. Behind the lectern was a banner that recognized Belvedere as one of the top 100 Title I schools in
the nation, a designation that was announced earlier this fall. Under the direction of principal Cecilia Vanderhye, Belvedere’s students have the opportunity to participate in the only elementary school International Baccalaureate World School program in Fairfax County. When I visited last spring’s end of school Primary Years Program, or PYP, small groups of students had spent months preparing their research projects, including an analysis of women in leadership roles, coding as a career, caring for animals, and language learning. Great things are happening in our Fairfax County public schools, and you can help by volunteering as a tutor, a mentor, or with the Grandinvolve program that matches senior citizens with students in the classroom. Learn more about this 50+ Community Action program at www. grandinvolve.org. Last week’s spike in opioid overdoses, resulting in six deaths, stunned longtime Fairfax County Police investigators. Administering Narcan, a medicine that can reverse an overdose when used quickly and correctly, has saved many overdose victims, but police suspect that the easily available street heroin may be laced with fentanyl and carfentanil. Both are synthetic opioids that can be lethal even in the smallest doses. The recent victims ranged in age from 22 to 34, but opioid addiction can afflict people of varying ages, even into their mid-60s. Help is available 24 hours a day. Call 9-1-1 if you suspect an overdose. Call the Community Services Board at the Merrifield Center at 703-573-5679 to help find appropriate treatment and recovery services. Opioid addiction is a disease, and needs to be treated as such. Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
From the Front Row: Kaye Kory’s
Richmond Report We all know that we are living in volatile times, and the FBI’s recently released data on the national incidence of crimes motivated by bias (in other words, hate crimes) reinforces that perception. This report showed a very unsettling increase in hate crimes since last year. FBI records show 6,121 incidents were reported by police in 2016. Compare this to the 2015 data, when 5,850 incidents were reported. We see a nearly 7 percent increase which tells us that Americans are demonstrating their prejudices in public in growing numbers. While 7 percent may not seem particularly alarming, a breakdown of the character of these crimes motivated by bias does give cause for alarm. Approximately 58 percent of these attacks were motivated by racial bias, about half of which were directed against African Americans. 21 percent of the crimes reported were motivated by the victim’s religion; in more than 50 percent of the incidents the victims were Jewish, and a quarter were anti-Muslim. The sharp increase in the number of hate crimes aimed at Muslims is painful to see, but not a surprise given the inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric coming regularly from our president since his campaign for the office first began. Hate crimes against Muslims jumped 67 percent in 2015 and again rose about 20 percent last year. Racially motivated crimes against Arabs grew 38 percent over 2015. 2016 has the highest number of hate crimes targeting Muslims since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Crimes attacking transgender people went up 44 percent. Although the FBI does not present conclusions in its report, before he left office Director James Comey commented that “...hate
crimes are [very] different from other crimes. They strike at the heart of one’s identity.” Hate crimes are meant to humiliated and intimidate, as well as physically hurt a victim. Hate crimes reveal an ugliness that is hard for us to admit and address as a society. But in order to begin to slow the rise of these attacks, we must first work to collect reliable and uniform data. Reporting criteria is not at all uniform from state to state, and neither is the thoroughness of the reporting. Aside from the reluctance of victims to report hate crimes, prosecutors find proving hateful intent is sometimes difficult, as intent is not easily demonstrated even though much of our criminal justice system is based upon doing so. This brings me to House Bill 10, which I have filed for the 2018 session. The current Virginia Code defines ‘hate crime’ as a crime with a restricted motivation: racial, religious or ethnic bias. Clearly these motivations do not include many of the biases driving Americans to shockingly discriminatory violence today. Therefore, I have updated the description of those likely to be discriminated against to read “..harassment or violence motivated by racial, religious, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or ethnic animosity.” This broadened language applies to both the crime committed and to the clarity of police reports. We cannot adequately address the current groundswell of hate crimes unless we collect data that reflects reality and report criminal charges accordingly. Delegate Kory represents the 38th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. She may be emailed at DelKKory@house. virginia.gov.
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The slow-motion clash continues in the Westover community, where builders are tearing down aging apartments to erect $800,000 townhomes. Residents await a drawn-out county decision on protecting World War II-era garden apartments via a proposed historic district, which would bring strict regulations on improvements. And the county is proceeding with a narrower measure — a phased-in change to the general land use plan to create a Housing Conservation District at a dozen sites. Leaders hope loose incentives, rather than heavy regulation, will combine with a nonprofit’s investments to preserve affordable housing. Among the locals impatient for a solution is John Reeder. This frequent letter writer and housing activist, along with Westover tenants, in May 2016 proposed the historic protection, noting that Westover had already been recognized on the national Historic Resources Inventory in 2006. “About three months ago, two apartment buildings adjacent to Westover Park were demolished and construction of more townhouses began,” Reeder said last week. “More are scheduled.” He is pressing for faster action by the Historical Preservation Office and the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board. “It is wrong for the county to delay while the bulldozers work, whether in Westover or anywhere in the county,” Reeder said.
DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017 | PAGE 15
The county’s proposal for the Housing Conservation District would “seek to ensure that townhouse development does not unduly interfere with the character and form of development in those neighborhoods,” a board release said. Staff noted that a proliferation of townhouses clashes with zoning for older, multi-family subdivisions. They would “reclassify by-right townhouse development to special exception use within the Housing Conservation District, meaning such development would be considered on a case-by-case basis.” But the county board’s priority for a Housing Conservation District does not rule out the stricter historic designation for Westover. Historic Preservation Program Coordinator Cynthia LicceseTorres told me that inventory work on Westover garden apartments continues in conjunction with the county’s ongoing Study of Market Rate Affordable Housing. “The designation process is not stalled, but has been deferred,” I was told by Joan Lawrence, chairman of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board. She and county staff are considering both the garden apartments listed on the National Historic Inventory and the market-rate affordable housing within them. Her board has not set a date for a hearing. Since 2012, 80 market affordable apartment units in nine buildings in Westover have been lost to redevelopment, noted Housing Division Chief David Cristeal. Hence the county also provided an Affordable Housing Investment
C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h
CRIME REPORT
(A) Weep softly. (B) Create a diversion. (C) Hire a tutor. For yourself.
Week of Dec. 4 – 10, 2017 Drug/Narcotic Violation, 400 blk S Maple Ave, Dec 4, 1:51 AM, a male, 34, of Alexandria, VA, was issued a summons for Possession of Marijuana. Larceny-Shoplifting, 1003 W Broad St (RiteAid), Dec 4, 8:48 AM, numerous items were taken by a suspect described as a black male, approximately 6 foot tall, 180 pounds, 24 years old, black curly hair, wearing black jeans and black winter jacket. He was last seen entering the passenger seat of a black Honda vehicle with Maryland tags. Investigation continues.
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Larceny, 140 S Maple Ave (Bowl America), Dec 4, 2:44 PM, a taxi driver dropped off an individual who did not pay. Suspect described as a light skinned male, approximately 40 years of age, with a thin build and about 6`4“ tall, wearing a small backpack. Hit and Run, 352 W Broad St (Palm Beach Tan), between 7:40 and 8:10 PM on Dec 3, a parked car was struck by another vehicle which
left the scene. Trespass, 200 blk S West St, Dec 6, 9:12 PM, a male, 22, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested for a trespassing incident which occurred Dec 3. Larceny from Building, 1000 E Broad St (24 Hour Fitness), Dec 5, between 10:50 PM and 12:00 AM, an Apple iPhone 6S left unattended on a bench was taken by an unknown suspect. Larceny from Building, 6763-R1 Wilson Blvd (Planet Fitness), Dec 5, between 4:30 and 6 PM, keys left in an unsecured locker were taken by an unknown suspect. Bomb/Burn Threat, 7124 Leesburg Pike (George Mason High School), Dec 6, authorities were made aware of a possible bomb threat. A male juvenile was taken into custody. Investigation continues. Simple Assault, 6757 Wilson Blvd (Eden Center), Dec 6, 2:35 PM, officers were called for a verbal altercation between two female subjects. Prosecution was declined. Larceny from Building, 400 blk Park Ave,
Fund loan to the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing to preserve 68 market affordable apartments in Westover. I spoke to Huy Phan, the builder and property owner who is developing 45 townhouses at 11th and Kensington Sts. “We have other buildings in Westover that we will preserve and continue to run as apartment buildings,” he said, citing nine buildings with 72-75 units. But he is not wild about a historic district. “It’s hard to eliminate the by-right nature of the development of these properties,” he said. “It’s problematic taking away an inherent right that came to property owners when they bought it.” To Reeder, the less-restrictive Housing Conservation District may be okay in the long run. “But it’s going to take awhile, and I’m still concerned about saving Westover buildings, keeping the green space, the trees, the setbacks and lawns of the garden apartments.” *** I’ve been enjoying the recent memoir of plugged-in Washingtonarea DJ Cerphe Colwell (Titled “Cerphe’s Up”). For radio listeners in our area in the late ‘60s, ’70s and ‘80s, it brings back a flood of memories of concerts (the Cellar Door!) and his encounters with Bruce Springsteen, George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac and Jackson Browne. Though Cerphe made his bones in a “bunker” at Bethesda-based WHFS, he has a warm spot for Arlington-based WAVA — at Lee Highway and George Mason Dr. “WAVA had a strong signal,” he writes. “And there were windows, with sunlight, where you see trees.” Dec 6, between 4 and 6:15 PM, a Blue Trek Men’s bicycle with mountain tires and a black water bottle holder was taken from an unsecured garage. Drunk in Public, 300 Park Ave, Dec 7, 1:07 PM, a male, 50, of Washington, DC, was arrested for being Drunk in Public. Larceny from Vehicle, 200 blk Gundry Dr, Dec 8, a vehicle’s license plate was taken by an unknown suspect. Destruction of Property, 301 W Broad St (Harris Teeter parking lot), Dec 8, 6:30 PM, two cars were damaged when a shopping cart was wedged between them by an unknown suspect. Larceny from Vehicle, 600 blk E Columbia, Dec 10, 4:15 AM, items were taken from an unlocked vehicle parked in a driveway. Suspect described as a white male wearing a black leather jacket with a grey hooded sweatshirt underneath, dark colored jeans and black sneaker shoes. Officer located the items taken and returned them to owner. Investigation continues. OTHER ARRESTS Dec 4, 11:07 AM, a male, 30, of Falls Church, was arrested on an outstanding Falls Church Capias. The underlying charge was Driving Under the Influence. Dec 6, 4:30 PM, a male, 22, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested on a Falls Church Felony Warrant for Embezzlement.
PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017
NATI O NA L
Sweet Win, Alabama!
Sweet win, Alabama! A U.S. Senate seat that was downright owned by Republicans, win victory margins over 90 percent, was captured by a moderate Democrat in a special election Tuesday, closing the gap in the Senate between Republicans and Democrats to a razor-thin 51-49. Everything, everything, is changed in American politics by that surprise electoral result. The Washington Post’s Aaron Blake did a good job summarizing the winners and losers resulting from the election in an article entitled, “Blue Gains and Red Pains in Alabama Race.” The winners, he enumerated, have been the Democratic Senate majority hopes, the #MeToo movement, Democrats’ pulse in the Deep South, The gender gap, and the AfricanFALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS American turnout. The losers have been President Trump, Senate Republicans, Mitch McConnell and Roy Moore’s surrogates. “It was painful,” he concluded, “and now, thankfully, it’s over.” But, of course, none of these trends resulting from the election are over, not by a long shot. As if the swift kick that Virginians gave to the Trump-led GOP last month wasn’t enough, now this electoral latest outcome carries far greater consequences for the future of American politics that will not only spill over into next year’s midterm elections, but will resonate far beyond. It represented a lethal blow to the hyper-ugly culture that the Republican Party has cultivated in the last 50 years, and provided an unprecedented opening for Democrats to step up with something new and much better. In terms of economic class warfare, the super-rich benefactors of the GOP are looking at a new, rising, angry coalition of the “other 99 percent” that is beginning to overthrow all the false divisions that have been set up between them to taste the effectiveness of working together. There are a lot of factors contributing to this new day, but at their core is the incredible stupidity of the leadership of the GOP and its elite class masters. The stopgap measures they’ve used all along since the rise of industrial capitalism haven’t advanced in sophistication one iota. On the contrary, in the false and ridiculously stupid belief that FDR’s New Deal and similar social entitlement efforts represented a fast path to their obliteration, rather than to their preservation, they’ve contracted with the Devil himself to advance a simplistic policy of nothing other than slamming and disenfranchising their perceived enemies, which for them, is just about everybody but their own fraction of one percent. Zealots like Rep. Paul Ryan, as evidenced in his wish list for the current tax reform effort, want to repeal the entirety of the New Deal and social safety net programs that have been advanced in the last 80 years, including of course, Obamacare. Their Mad Hatter extremism, reflected in the bogus election of Donald Trump, is what has sparked the just-started broad-based American public resistance. This political posture represents a pure oligarchy, which is why it is so compatible with the objectives of Russian President Putin, himself now likely the richest man in the world and an archetypical oligarch. Putin hates with a fiery passion the notion of a publicly-elected, democratic government apparatus interfering with his designs, and he’s found a witting fool to join his effort in Trump, as well as antidemocratic zealots like Mike Pence and Ryan. And this American culture they have crafted, with the full-blown support of covert operations, has put the nation on a spiral to selfdestruction, a Maelstrom sweeping everything along with it to disable the civil rights movement with drugs and police state tactics, the feminist movement with “sexual freedom” and pornography excesses, and everyone else with a combination of deadly opioids, violent, militant games of death with perpetual wars and brain-mashing professional sports on the one hand, and brainwashing religious cults, the hyperhypocritical and wantonly judgmental so-called “evangelical movement,” that exploited residual pre-Civil War racism, on the other. Postmodernist nihilism is a unifying theme of this cascade to hell. A simple universal humanism is the antidote the rest of us can set in motion to rescue the nation from all this, as embodied in, say, the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, or the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, hardly “socialist” alternatives. Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Nicholas F. Benton
GOP is Rushing Terrible Tax Bill So, it seems that Republicans are responding to the devastating defeat in Alabama — which is part of a sustained pattern of underperformance in special elections, demonstrating that bad polls reflect reality, not bad polling, by ... doubling down on a massively unpopular tax plan, whose main focus is on cutting corporate taxes. In fact, they’re rushing to jam the thing through before Doug Jones can be certified, in a stunning act of hypocrisy from the same people who demanded that Obamacare wait until Scott Brown was NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE seated and held up a Supreme Court seat for a year. It’s outrageous. But it also looks like really bad politics, especially given what we know is coming: calls next year for cuts in popular social programs, because of a deficit Republicans just voted to explode. So what are they thinking? I don’t know for sure, but I’d suggest three possible factors in this mad rush. First, Republicans may be suffering from an officeholder’s version of the Pundit’s Fallacy: “belief that what a politician needs to do to improve his or her political standing is do what the pundit wants substantively.” For example, “Obama can win the midterms by endorsing Bowles-Simpson,” which the vast majority of voters never heard of. Today’s Republicans are apparatchiks, who have spent their whole lives inside an intellectual bubble in which cutting taxes on corporations and the rich is always objective No. 1. Their party used to know that it won elections despite its economic program, not because of it — that the whole game was to win by playing on social issues, national security, and above all on racial antagonism, then use the win to push fundamentally unpopular economic policies. But over the years the party has seemed increasingly out of touch with that reality, imagining that if only it preaches the gospel of supply-side economics loudly enough voters will be won over. Second, the GOP may also be engaged in the fallacy of points on the board thinking — I’m taking the phrase from Rahm Emanuel, who believed that Obama could gain electoral capital simply by rack-
Paul Krugman
ing up legislative victories. The idea is that voters are impressed by your record of wins, or conversely that they’ll turn away if you don’t win enough. The truth is that this strategy didn’t work at all for Obama, who won a lot of stuff in his first two years then got shellacked in the midterms. And think about the things that have been going wrong for Republicans in special elections: desertions by highly educated suburban voters, massive African-American turnout, weak turnout by rural whites. Which of these is likely to be improved by a massive, unpopular corporate tax cut? Still, the idea that you have to win something seems to have a grip on the GOP, and of course especially on our childlike president. Finally, for some significant number of Republicans we may be seeing what I’d call the “K Street end game.” Suppose you’re a GOP Congresscritter representing an only moderately Republican district, say in New York or California — and you see growing evidence of a huge Democratic wave next year, with election results so far suggesting something like a 15-point swing. What do you do? Well, you could say, “Gee, I’d better buck the party line and show my independence to win over swing voters.” But how likely is that to work? How many people even know how their representative votes? Or you could say, “Well, I guess I’ll be looking for a lobbying job/think tank position/commentator role on Fox News in 2019” — in which case your mission in what remains of your congressional career is to keep donors and the party machine happy, never mind the voters. Now, all of these stories work better at explaining the House than at explaining senators like John McCain or Susan Collins, who are working quickly to destroy all the good will they won by taking a stand on health care. Still, I think it makes sense to tell these stories about what the Republican Party is doing in general on taxes. And while Democrats should and will fight this attempt to ram tax cuts through with the vote of a lame-duck senator, if I were a Democratic strategist looking toward next November I’d be looking at current Republican moves and thinking, “Make my day.”
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 | PAGE 17
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Only Five Performances Remain – Join Us! Fun for the Whole Family! Norton Juster’s acclaimed fantasy adventure comes to life onstage! Milo is bored and the Demons of Ignorance keep telling her, “If you get the urge to do anything — don’t. It could be dangerous.” To the rescue comes the Phantom Tollbooth! Aided by a trusty timekeeping dog named Tock, they meet many memorable characters in the Land of Wisdom on their quest to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Based on the classic young adult novel, The Phantom Tollbooth is outstanding entertainment for the whole family.
Final Dates and Times Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. December 14 – 16 Saturday & Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m. December 16, & 17
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Your Award Winning Community Theater Troupe - Performing Just Around The Corner PERFORMING AT The James Lee Community Center Theater 2855 Annandale Road Falls Church, VA 22042
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GI F T GUI D E
PAGE 18 | HOLIDAY 2017
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
A Falls Church News-Press Advertorial
Falls Church Holiday Guide
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Dorothy and Ralph “Curly” Fox first opened Foxes Music in Falls Church on President Eisenhower’s Inauguration Day in 1953, and the store has remained a proudly independent and locally owned operation ever since. Many of you know Foxes as the place to go for the best deal on rental instruments for your child’s school band and orchestra. But you might not be aware that we also have an extensive selection of competitively priced intermediate and professional level instruments when your child is ready to advance. If you have a current or potential guitarist in the family, you should check out our vast guitar inventory, ranging from $99.00 beginner models to top of the line custom shop instruments.
The Holiday Farmers Market returns to the City Hall parking lot for four Saturdays in December! Enjoy the produce, meat, dairy, chocolates, flowers and plants you already love, infused to perfection with a little holiday spirit. Stroll along the expanded market, listen to local musicians, gobble on fresh donuts or crepes, sip on hot coffee, and shop for wreaths, gifts, and so much more. Open 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday December 2, 9, 16 and 23. The Farmers Market is open year-round, every Saturday.
City of Falls Church Holiday Farmers Market www.fallschurchva.gov/Holiday www.facebook.com/FallsChurchFarmersMarket
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BRINGING SOME JOY to masses of parents, relatives and neighbors alike was the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School chorus with performances from the sixth, seventh and eighth graders on Monday covering everything from classic holiday tunes from the U.S. as well as from other nations. The group pictured here is the seventh grades’ Mixed Choir, which features both male and female performers. (Photo: Carol Sly)
Fa l l s C h u r c h
School News & Notes Mock ACT Test Available at Mason this Saturday
The toy drive concludes this weekend.
The George Mason High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) is offering the Mock ACT practice test this Saturday, Dec. 16. The test helps students practice and identify areas to improve before taking the official exams. The fee is $15 per test, which is donated to the PTSA. Check out Falls Church City Public Schools’ Morning Announcements newsletter from Dec. 12 to sign up for the Mock ACT. The PTSA is partnering with, but does not endorse the test proctor, Educational Connections.
Accepting Nominations for Teacher of the Year Award
Toys for Tots Toy Drive Open All Week at Jefferson The Student Council at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (601 S Oak St., Falls Church) is sponsoring a toy collection for Toys for Tots all this week. Students, parents and members of the community are invited to drop off unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps annual program at TJ’s main entrance or the lobby off Seaton Lane.
There is one way to give a special teacher in your life or your child’s the recognition they deserve. Nominate the teacher for the Falls Church Education Foundation’s (FCEF) Teacher of the Year award. The winner will receive $1500 from the FCEF and will be the Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) finalist and nominee for the Washington Post award. It’s more than the money, it’s a great honor for the teachers who are accomplished enough to be recrognized for all their work. The deadline for teacher nominations is Friday, Jan. 5. Find the form on FCCPS’ Morning Announcements newsletter from Dec. 12.
FC Education Foundation Seeks Federal Philanthropy The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) promotes and supports philanthropy by streamlining the donation process for federal employees. CFC is the
world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, raising millions of dollars each year. For all federal employees within the City of Falls Church, please consider keeping your donations local and contributing to the Falls Church Education Foundation during the campaign which is open through Jan. 12, 2018. The CFC number for the FCEF is #57949.
Wheaton College Local Earns Esteem in Soccer Wheaton College student Isabelle Oliver of Falls Church was named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region Team. Oliver earned First Team honors. Wheaton College sponsors 21 varsity sports, and Thunder teams compete at the NCAA Division III level. The Thunder Athletics program has won five NCAA Division III Championships since 1984, and Wheaton student-athletes have won 31 Division III individual National Championships all-time. For more information, visit athletics.wheaton.edu.
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 | PAGE 19
PAGE 20 | DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
SPO RTS
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 | PAGE 21
Mustangs Keep Rolling, Improve to 4-1 After 2 Weeks BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Continuing their season’s month-long march through outof-conference (and out-of-classification) opponents is George Mason High School’s girls basketball team, who soundly defeated Broad Run High School 58-34 last Friday. The Dec. 8 win over Broad Run was another example of Mason’s (4-1) ability to win no matter who’s on the court. A backcourt that blossomed into a three-headed monster last year with seniors Nicole Bloomgarden and Victoria Rund and junior Maddie Lacroix looks to add a fourth member with senior guard Elizabeth Dodge getting a bump in minutes in her third year on varsity. And with senior forward Kaylee Hirsch’s early foul trouble forcing sophomore forward Daria Douglas off the bench, the firstyear varsity player handled it like an upperclassman — though one good showing isn’t enough to convince Mason head coach Michael Gilroy she’s “arrived.” “[Douglas] has the ability to be a big difference maker for us this season, she can guard all five
SENIOR GUARD Elizabeth Dodge’s development is seen as the final piece of the puzzle to Mason’s strong backcourt. Once she becomes more comfortable in her role and gels with junior guard Maddie Lacroix, the Mustangs will have four potent guards in their rotation. (P����: C���� S��) positions,” Gilroy said. “But she has to figure out that she needs to come to work every day and have a bounce in her step at practice, the rest will take care of itself.” The Mustangs grabbed an early lead against the Spartans and never looked back. A 14-3 advantage after the first quarter made way for a 30-12 lead
by halftime. Coming out after the break, Mason added 14 more points in their favor while keeping Broad Run in the single digits for the third consecutive quarter and building up a 44-17 margin. The Spartans were able to operate their offense efficiently in the fourth quarter, but the game was out of reach.
Defense has been the most decisive key for the Mustangs’ early success. In all four of their wins, Mason held their opponents to single digit scoring totals for three quarters. However, the depth and diversity at the guard position has also been a plus for them. Bloomgarden’s prevalence to
attack the rim and draw fouls goes well with Rund’s strength defending her man, snagging rebounds and setting up scorers on offense. It’s why Gilroy is so intent on developing Dodge to compliment Lacroix, so he can have two backcourt pairs that can be rotated in and out without missing a beat. Even with the group’s prowess, they still struggle against presses and traps that aim to logjam ball handlers before they can set up the offense. Proving that the pressure doesn’t affect Mason is the next box to check. “I need a few kids who want the ball in their hands, who can settle us down when need be,” Gilroy added. “I can’t teach a kid to want to have the ball in their hands in crunch time, that is built from within someone. [Bloomgarden] is my closest at the moment, she needs to improve and be a coach on the floor.” Mason faced Bishop Ireton High School last night, but results weren’t available by press time. Next, Mason will host John Paul the Great Catholic High School on Friday before another home game versus Washington-Lee High School on Dec. 19.
Mason Boys Eke Out Tight Win Over Broad Run, But Blitzed by Potomac Falls BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
An upsetting 55-27 loss to Yorktown High School last Wednesday lit a fire under George Mason High School’s boys basketball team. It worked as motivation for their strongest win of the season so far with a 57-54 victory over Broad Run High School two days later, but that feat was dampened with a 78-48 loss to Potomac Falls High School on Tuesday. Last Friday’s game against Broad Run was a tale of two wildly different halves. After a clunker of a first half that saw both teams put up only 37 total points, the floodgates opened during the second half where Mason (2-4) and Broad Run doubled their output and combined for 74 points. Most of the offensive explosion came in the fourth quarter where the Mustangs were outscored 26-20 and clung to a slimming lead due to foul calls and bad turnovers down the stretch. “They trapped at just the right times. [Junior guard] Max [Ashton] tends to spin, and when you spin against the trap you can’t see the other guy coming,”
head coach Chris Capannola said. “[But] they only went ahead once in the last minute, so we calmed down just enough.” The Mustangs led 44-35 with 4:51 remaining to play after senior guard Anish Chatterjee drained a three. Broad Run answered right back with a three-pointer of their own and started a two-minute run where Mason turned the ball over on four consecutive possessions that translated into eight straight points and a 46-44 advantage for the Spartans. Another Chatterjee trey and a fulfilling trip to the free throw line for Ashton put the Mustangs up by three, but Broad Run countered with four points to take a narrow 51-50 lead with 47 seconds remaining. However, on Mason’s following possession a common foul and a technical foul awarded Ashton four free throws, of which he made three. Ashton turned the ball over with under 10 seconds to play and set up Broad Run’s chance to tie the game at 55 from the free throw line, but their shooter split the pair and assured the Spartans’ defeat. Capannola confessed that the Mustangs “snuck out” with the win, especially in light of the parade of foul calls that prolonged
FINDING HIS SPOT in the corner for three is Anish Chatterjee, pictured here against Trinity School at Meadow View. Chatterjee’s shooting has been an important part of Mason’s offense this season and kept them afloat against Broad Run High School. (P����: C���� S��) the game, though he hopes this will finally steady the ups and downs of the early season. “I always tell the kids that the basketball season’s a ladder,” Capannola continued. “You climb up a rung, the rung breaks off and you can’t go back down, and if you do, you go all the way back down. I think we climbed a couple of rungs today by getting a
lot of confidence against a pretty good team.” Any hope that Mason would play spoiler on the road against Potomac Falls was gradually quelled as the contest wore on. The Mustangs were down 21-12 after the first quarter and were able to keep it under 10 going into halftime down 37-28. By the third quarter the Panthers began
blowing the game open and went into the fourth quarter up 55-39. Mason was outscored 23-9 in the final frame and secured the win for Potomac Falls. The Mustangs will host Loudoun County High School tonight before traveling to Arlington to play WashingtonLee High School next Tuesday, Dec. 19.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
B������� N��� � N���� Social Media Marketing Presentation at Hilton Garden Inn Friday The Regional Women’s Circle of Influence is sponsoring a breakfast meeting on Friday, Dec. 15 from 8 – 9:30 a.m. featuring a presentation on social media marketing by Rachel Adler, who serves as social media business development manager for the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Hosted by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, the event will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn Falls Church. Members of the regional group, which focus on the local small business community, include the Asian American, the Greater McLean, Regional Tysons, and Falls Church Chambers of Commerce and the Merrifield and Vienna Business Associations. To register, visit www. FallsChurchChamber.org.
News-Press Holiday Party Set for Tonight The Falls Church News-Press is hosting its 28th Annual Holiday Party for the local community on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, 222 N. Washington Street in Falls Church. The party will be catered by Ledo Pizza and feature performances by George Mason High School quartets. See the announcement elsewhere in this paper for more information.
F.C. Chamber to Present Annual Report to Members Dec. 19
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The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual report to the membership at its Dec. 19 luncheon. The event will include an overview of the Chamber’s efforts in 2017, recognition of departing board members, and announcements of new board members and 2018 officers. The event will include an ugly holiday sweater and tie contest and take place from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the Italian Café. For more information or to register, visit www.FallsChurchChamber.org.
Arab American Business Group Hosting Holiday Networking Event The Arab American Business Council is hosting a holiday networking celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 20 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at Levant Restaurant & Lounge, 8411 Old Courthouse Road in Vienna. Those interested in networking with members of the AABC and other business leaders are invited to attend. For more information, visit www.aabc-dc. org.
Pancake House Still Collecting Clothes & Toys The Original Pancake House continues to collect new and gently used outerwear and new toys for attendees of their 14th Annual Christmas Breakfast for homeless families and those less fortunate. Donations can be dropped off at 7395 Lee Highway from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. any day of the week through Dec. 21. For more information about OPH, visit www. ophrestaurants.com. Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.
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T h e G r e at E n e r gy T r a n s i t i o n
A Progress Report by Tom Whipple
Falls Church News-Press
On Nov. 24 in Stockholm, there was a demonstration of the progress that the Italian, Andrea Rossi, has made in his decades-long effort to develop a new source of energy based on Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR). As Rossi’s last demonstration of an earlier version of his energy-producing device was back in October of 2011, it seems worthwhile to note his progress and compare it to the other new energyproducing technology which may be coming on the market soon. It should be obvious to all that the world’s leaders are not making a sufficient effort to curtail the use of fossil fuels to at least mitigate what almost certainly will be centuries of climate-induced disasters. These disasters will range from the flooding of the world’s coastal cities; to insufficient food and water to support a growing world population that is now at 7.4 billion; to large portions of the earth becoming uninhabitable. Although some countries, mostly in Europe, are trying to slow the use of fossil fuels, these efforts are being hampered by the imperative that economic growth trumps all other concerns. The leaders of the nations that burn the bulk of the world’s fossil fuels still are not willing to implement the sacrifices necessary to make a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Even the Chinese who are taking many steps to cut the use of the most polluting types of fuel are more concerned with the effects that polluted air is having on their cities than trying to reverse global warming. While many scientists are warning that megadisasters are just ahead, most of the world’s population either do not understand the problem or believe that situation will not become serious enough in their lifetimes to justify the sacrifices and increased
government regulation necessary to reduce emissions. Even in the U.S., a series of devastating hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, droughts, and fires in the last year have not been enough to convince the nation’s leaders that what might be the most serious threat that the nation has ever faced is only decades away. Recognizing this, perhaps fatal, human weakness, we must ask if there is a way out of the situation in which mankind finds itself. The answer is a resounding “yes.” We must develop and widely deploy energy producing technologies that are non-polluting and so cheap in comparison with other sources of energy that they will quickly replace fossil fuels for economic reasons alone. What can be thought of as bursts of economic progress in the last few centuries have come almost entirely from technological innovation – think steam engines, mass production, internal combustion, electricity, electronics, etc. It is almost certain that the advent of extremely cheap energy would be the catalyst for another round of rapid economic growth and prosperity similar to what occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is for these reasons that tracking the progress in alternative energy technologies is of critical importance to the wellbeing of future generations. We are all familiar with what might be termed “conventional” sources of alternative, non-polluting energy — wind, solar, tides, waves, geothermal, etc. While good progress has been made in reducing the cost of several of these technologies in recent years, there is still a way to go. While these alternative sources of energy can produce heat and electricity, much of our fossil fuel consumption is used for transportation. Solar and wind energy may someday power much of our transportation; however, better and cheaper
batteries will be needed before they can fully replace fossil fuels. At the present, there are two technologies on the horizon that seem to offer the possibility of replacing fossil fuels in the immediate future. These are Rossi’s version of LENR and Randell Mills’ hydrinos. Unfortunately, much of mainstream science backed itself into a corner years ago by declaring prematurely that these technologies could not possibly work. In the last decade however, much solid and verified evidence has emerged to the contrary that has been largely ignored. The lack of a blessing of these technologies by mainstream science has resulted in little significant support from Washington and not much from other governments (that we know of). It is indeed ironic that the very technologies that have the potential to solve global warming and produce a new wave of economic growth are almost universally ignored despite considerable progress in recent years. Given this situation, it will take obvious and incontrovertible proof – think the Wright brothers flying over Dayton – that these technologies are valid before it they come to public and governmental attention as possible replacements for fossil fuels. Even then there is bound to be a major backlash from those currently dependent on fossil fuels for their economic well-being — think OPEC, Russia, Alberta, and Texas. Even for those aware of their existence, it may come as surprise that the LENR and hydrino technologies could be quite close to becoming commercially viable. They both have been under development quietly in private laboratories for many years only surfacing now and again to report progress publicly. There now is no question that enough verified experimentation is available to conclude that the underlying science of these technologies is valid in that they
DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017 | PAGE 25
are producing more useful energy than they consume and without significant pollution or radiation. While the demonstration by Andrea Rossi of his latest device was not particularly spectacular (it only warmed up a bowl of water), it was intended to show the attentive public and potential collaborators that he has developed a very small and presumably reliable LENR reactor that can produce considerable heat. The details of the device were not revealed other than its compact size and the claims that it requires a very small power input in comparison to what it can produce. During the demonstration Rossi noted that the small reactors should be able to run for six months or more before needing refueling. His efforts to secure his new device from reverse engineering by potential competitors meant that only snippets of new information as to how his device works were revealed in the November demonstration. After the demonstration, Rossi reported that he had meetings with people interested in collaborating with him and made “an important agreement” that will make it much faster to start commercial production. However at least one scientist who has been following Rossi’s efforts for many years opined that it would likely take from one to three years to turn the device demonstrated into a useful commercial product. Back in New Jersey, it has now been more than two months since we last heard a progress report on Brilliant Light Power’s efforts to bring its hydrogen-powered SunCell to market. Last spring Mills announced that he was revamping the SunCell project so that he would develop a thermal version of the SunCell, suitable for heating a boiler, before completing a second version that would produce electricity directly. The new electricity-generating version would initially be equipped with cheaper conventional solar cells rather than the more sophisticated and expensive concentrated photovoltaic cell that had been planned. At the time, it was hoped that these changes would shorten the time it
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would take to bring the SunCell to market. In mid-September Mills told a gathering in Denver that good progress had been made in automating a prototype device that can run continuously under computer control. He listed nine key engineering challenges that have been overcome in recent months, but he did not indicate when the automated SunCell would be ready for a public demonstration. He did indicate that the “science” required for the SunCell had been completed and that it was now up to sub-contractors doing the engineering of the prototype to complete their work. Having no known competitors working on his technology, Mills has been quite open in discussing his technology in comparison to Rossi, keeping only a few details of his device confidential. Mills has published the scientific theories behind the SunCell in great detail. To an outside observer who has followed the course of the LENR and SunCell technologies for many years, it would seem that Mills and his SunCell have several major advantages over Rossi and his LENR. Mills has well thought out plans for bringing the SunCell technology to market and is already developing a network of manufacturers and distributors waiting for the day when prototypes are ready for testing. While development schedules slip, it looks possible that we will see a working prototype that is close to being a commercial product in the coming year. If and when it gets into commercial production Mills’ device could take over the market quickly. The Rossi reactor will run on a mixture of metal powders and hydrogen that will have to be replaced at least once a year. Mills’ SunCell would seem to have an advantage as it can make its own hydrogen fuel from water and run for years without maintenance. Perhaps there is a place for both these technologies in a future world. The LENR technology, for instance has may be able to deactivate radioactive material from power plants. This too is a sorely needed technology.
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FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 News-Press Holiday Party. All are invited to the Falls Church NewsPress’ annual holiday party, where the staff and friends will celebrate the end of another year with Ledo’s Pizza and libations. CenterSpirtual Enlightenment (222 N Washington St., Falls Church). 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 703-532-3267. High School Book Club. The high school book club meets once a month at the library. December’s book is The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Book Club for teens in grades 9 – 12. Limited copies of the book are available to borrow from the Youth Services Desk. Registration is required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8 p.m. 703-248-5034. More information can be found at fallschurchva.gov/627/Book-DiscussionGroups.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 Used Book Sale. Stop by the library’s regular monthly megasale, which is usually held on the last weekend (Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5) of every month in the library’s conference room. There are tables and tables covered with used books for adults and children that cover multiple genres and interests, all at rock bottom prices. Proceeds support library programs and services. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N Virginia Ave., Falls Church). The One-Man Band Peter McCory at the Library. Peter McCory is a real one-man band, playing many musical instruments and singing all at the same time during his performances. Kids can sing, jump, stomp, dance and play along with hand instruments with the master of multitasking himself. Fun for the whole family. Drop-in, no registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 11
a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18 Origami for Beginners. Origami, or the art of folding paper, has been practiced for generations. Yoshi Hazen, an experienced origami artist, will teach interested attendees about the history and culture of origami, as well as show the class how to create pieces of their own. This class will focus on beginner shapes and using them to create seasonal greeting cards. Space is limited, please call ahead. Arlington Mill Community & Senior Center (909 S Dinwiddie St., Arlington). 10 a.m. – noon. 703-228-7369. Crazy Good and Good For You. Expert baker and former Advisory Committee Chair Sue Lang will demonstrate and compare two different recipes for the same cookie – one with all the calories, fat and sugar and the other without. Walter Reed Community & Senior Center (2909 16th St S,
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Arlington). 11 a.m. – noon. 703228-0955. ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group (for adults) learning English as their second language. Meets every Monday at regularly scheduled time. No registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8 p.m. 703-248-5034.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 PAWS to Read at the Library. Children can come and read books from the library’s extensive collection with a canine companion. Activity is geared towards readers in rising grades K-5th. Registration required. Registration opens two weeks prior to the date of every program at the Youth Services desk by phone or in person. Registration will not accepted by e-mail or any other methods. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 5 – 6 p.m. 703-248-5034.
THEATER&ARTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 “Madeline’s Christmas” She’s Back! After a sold out run at the Cauldron in 2014, the theatre welcomes back everyone’s favorite precocious little Parisian. “In an old house in Paris, covered in vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” And with that familiar phrase, author, illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans sets in motion the adventures of the brave and resourceful Madeline! In this musical adaptation, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are all sick in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to go home to be with their families. So, it’s Madeline to the rescue! And with the help of a magical rug merchant she takes her friends on a Christmas journey they will never forget. Creative Cauldron (410 S Maple Ave., Falls Church). $25. 7:30 p.m. creativecauldron.org.
THURSDAY, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY DECEMBER 216 “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Norton Juster’s acclaimed fantasy adventure comes to life onstage! Milo is bored and the Demons of Ignorance keep telling her, “If
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
you get the urge to do anything — don’t. It could be dangerous.” To the rescue comes the Phantom Tollbooth! Aided by a trusty timekeeping dog named Tock, they meet many memorable characters in the Land of Wisdom on their quest to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Based on the classic young adult novel, “The Phantom Tollbooth” is outstanding entertainment for the whole family. James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church) $20. 2 p.m. providenceplayers.org.
“My Name is Asher Lev.” Adapted from the celebrated novel by Chaim Potok, a humorous and compelling journey of a young Jewish painter torn between his Hassidic upbringing and his desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise unfolds. As art and faith collide, Asher must choose between his cultural roots and his vast artistic promise. This stirring adaptation of a modern classic presents a heartbreaking and triumphant vision of what it means to be an artist. 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Rd., Tysons). $33. 8 p.m. 1ststagetysons.org.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 ”Crazy for You.” Beloved songs meet sensational dance in the ultimate feel-good musical comedy for the holiday season. A musical-loving banker sent to foreclose on a small-town theatre decides to revive it instead with the magic of the Follies, some slapstick comedy and a whole lot of charm. Flush with mistaken identities, a classic love story and 1930s glamour, The Gershwins’ and Ken Ludwig’s “Crazy for You” radiates with playful humor and highenergy show-stopping numbers. Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Falls Church). $40. 2 p.m. sigtheatre.org.
LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 Carbon Leaf with Sawyer. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. 19th Street Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls
CA L E NDA R
Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017 | PAGE 27
Damion Wolfe. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 Angel Olson with White Magic. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington D.C.) $25. 8 p.m. 202265-0930. Unwrapped: A Burlesque and Variety Show. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $12– $15. 9 p.m. 703237-0300. NRJ Is Coming to Town! Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. Cactus Liquors. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504. Bah Humbug Burlesque & Variety Fundraiser Show. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $15. 9 p.m. 202-667-4527. Raul del Mauro duo. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 City Bus. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504. Kara & Matty D. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. Ryan Kinder. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12 – $20. 6:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Southside Johnny & The Asbury Junkies. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $45. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Victor Wooten Trio featuring Dennis Chambers and Bob Franceschini Live and In Concert. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington D.C.) $30. 8 p.m. 202265-0930. Saved by the 90’S – A Party with the Bayside Tigers. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $17 – $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.
EXIT 245 will be at Jammin’ Java in Vienna on Sunday. (Photo: Jammin’ Java)
40 Dollar Fine. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Macabre and many more. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington D.C.) $20. 7 p.m. 202-265-0930.
JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Killer Deluxe “Holiday Party” with Choose Your Own Adventure. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 9:30 p.m. 703255-1566.
Chris Pureka with The Harmaleighs. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $18 – $25. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.
Rocket City Riot. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.
Andrew Burleson Duo. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 Bentwood Rockers Bluegrass. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703241-9504.
Oz & the Revue Motown. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Spirit Plots, Plrls. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18
Exit 245 + The BlueStones. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 2 p.m.
Street Corner Symphony + Gabe Dixon. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20 – $22. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.
Josh Allen. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Up and Vanished Live. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington D.C.) $30. 8 p.m. 202-265-0930.
Municipal Waste featuring NAILS,
Wolf Blues Jam Weekly Show.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Team Rowland with Skyward Story. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $25 – $35. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Mark Wenner and the Blues Warriors. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 Good Old War with Kirby & The Vibe Tribe. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $22 – $30. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Vernon Santmyer. JV’s Restaurant (666 Arlington Blvd., Arlington) 8 p.m. 703-522-8340.
Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046 Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.
PAGE 28 | DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017
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& Sushi Bar by I-Thai. 8603 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 100, Vienna, Virginia 22182-2230. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine, Beer and Mixed Beverages On Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Gunlaya Boonyaket, Owner. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
ABC LICENSE NAZRET CULTURAL FOODS LLC.,
Trading as: Nazret Cultural Foods, LLC., 3821 South George Mason Drive, Unit D, Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3763. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On and Off Premises. license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Aftataw Mullunhe, Owner. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
ABC LICENSE FALLS CHURCH DISTILLERS, LLC Trading as: Falls Church Distillers, LLC , 442 South Washington Street, Suite A, Falls Church, Virginia 22046-4419. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Mixed Beverages On-Premise license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Michael E. Paluzzi, CEO. 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 AUCTION In accordance with the Virginia Self-Storage Act, section 55-419 F, notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental storage spaces located at Fort Knox Self-Storage will be offered for sale: 225 Catherine Childs, 471 Keith Conyers, 204 Daniel Austin, 718 Cruz Orellana, 479 Blue Tigra Coleman. Sale will be held online at storagetreasures.com. Pictures can be viewed at that site. Bidding will begin at 1:00 pm on December 20th and will conclude at 1:00 pm on December 25th winning bidder will be required to pay a $100.00 per unit refundable clean-out deposit. Payment by Credit Card Only.
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jb@jbentonlaw.com We Assist: government contractors small & large businesses
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Janine S. Benton, Esq
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, to consider the following resolution: (TR17-45) RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE CITY’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO (1) AMEND CHAPTER 4 TO ADD A “SPECIAL REVITALIZATION DISTRICT FOR EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”; (2) DESIGNATE ON THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP APPROXIMATELY 34.62 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (PORTIONS OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51-221-001, 51-221-002, AND 51-221-003) PARTLY FOR “PARKS & OPEN SPACE” USE WITH TWO SCHOOL SYMBOLS (24.28 ACRES) AND PARTLY FOR “MIXED USE” (10.34 ACRES); (3) DESIGNATE A “SPECIAL REVITALIZATION DISTRICT FOR EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT” OVER THE ENTIRE 34.62 ACRES OF THIS LAND; (4) DESIGNATE APPROXIMATELY 2.40 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 7100 GORDON ROAD (REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBER 52-101-012) AS “BUSINESS” ON THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP; AND (5) DESIGNATE APPROXIMATELY 0.62 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 1230 WEST BROAD STREET (PORTION OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBER 51-219-011) AS “BUSINESS” ON THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP Information on or copies of the proposed resolution can be viewed at the Development Services Counter or City Clerk’s Office 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 703-248-5040 with any questions or concerns. This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)
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Fax: 703.832.3236 400 Maple Ave., So., Suite 210, Falls Church, Virginia 22046
CITY OF FALLS CHURCH FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) RFP No. 0117-17-GMHS-PPEA: GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL PPEA DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION – CONCEPTUAL PHASE Sealed proposals will be accepted by the City of Falls Church at the Purchasing Office, 300 Park Ave., Room 300E, Falls Church, VA 22046 for the provision of a George Mason High School PPEA Design and Construction – Conceptual Phase Qualifications. The due date for the receipt of sealed proposals is January 17, 2018 by 2:00 PM. A copy of the RFP which includes all details and requirements may be downloaded from the City of Falls Church’s procurement website: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Bids. In addition, a copy of the RFP Notice may be accessed via eVA, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s electronic procurement portal for registered suppliers: https://eva.virginia. gov. For more information and/or questions regarding this RFP contact the City’s Purchasing Agent at (703) 248-5007; jwise@fallschurchva.gov. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703 248-5007 (TTY 711).
We are pledged to the letter andspirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.
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A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Crossword
ACROSS
By David Levinson Wilk 1
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© 2017 David Levinson Wilk
Across
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1. Burl who won an Oscar for "The Big Country" 5. Immigrant's course, for short 8. Its chief exec, Rick Wagoner, was ousted by the U.S. government in 2009 14. Knight club 15. Moo goo ____ pan 16. Less stuffy 17. Lamar who married a Kardashian 18. It may be obtained before leaving coll. 19. Singer with the 1994 hit "Bump n' Grind" 20. 1970 Jose Feliciano classic that includes "Merry Christmas" in the lyrics ... in case your Spanish is rusty 23. Movie release day, often: Abbr. 24. Extended stretch 25. It may be obtained before going to coll. 26. Prime meridian std. 29. Batting fig. 30. 2003 Justin Timberlake hit that includes "girl" in the lyrics ... in case your Spanish is rusty 32. Wolfgang Puck's flagship restaurant 35. Bud 36. Open a smidge 37. 1999 Ricky Martin hit that includes "crazy life" in the lyrics ... in case your Spanish is rusty 40. It could be fishy 41. Working without ____ 42. Needs a bath badly 43. 1999 Enrique Iglesias hit that includes "we dance" in the lyrics ... in case your Spanish is rusty 45. The "L" of L.A.
1. Burl who won an Oscar for "The Big Country"
STRANGE BREW
DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017 | PAGE 29 29. 2008 Katy Perry hit "I Kissed ____" 30. Reliever's stat 31. Wheezy chest sounds 32. Pigs 33. March 14, to math lovers 34. Sidestep 35. Shoe designer Blahnik 38. Politician with a limited future 39. Rice-____ 44. First movie to gross more than $2 billion (2009) 45. Dish eaten with chopsticks 48. Kelly who went from Fox News to NBC News in 2017 49. Nontext part of a text 50. Helper with a relocation 51. Fantasy league deal 52. "____ la Douce" (1963 film) 53. Tennis' Nadal, to friends 54. No ifs, ____ or buts 55. Abbr. in an office address 56. Nonkosher entree 57. Sphere
46. Hip-hop's ____ tha Kyd 47. Speed: Abbr. 48. Many a fed. holiday 49. Defib expert 52. 1991 Color Me Badd hit that includes "my love" in the lyrics ... in case your Spanish is rusty 55. Vowel sound in "puzzle" 58. Get older 59. ____ Scotia 60. Airport landing area 61. "In case it's of interest ..." 62. Spun records 63. Set sail 64. ____ Arbor, Michigan 65. "Your majesty"
DOWN
1. "Gotta run!" 2. Kenobi's trainee 3. Reason for a food recall 4. Big rig 5. Traditional beverage 6. Glad alternative 7. Schreiber who won a Tony for "Glengarry Glen Ross" 8. Tended the flowers 9. Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, with "The" 10. Street ____ 11. "Texas tea" 12. Cousin, e.g.: Abbr. 13. "I don't mean to ____ ..." 21. Warren with the 1978 platinum album "Excitable Boy" 22. "Yeah, that makes sense" 26. Boy toy? 27. Measure (up) 28. Lipinski and Reid
JOHN DEERING
5. Immigrant's course, for short
Sudoku Level:
8. Its chief exec, Rick Wagoner, was ousted by the U.S. government in 2009
Last Thursday’s Solution H A D J O T R A O V E R J T O D A O V E R M A N L M T G E O V E R B M T B O B O V E R S I N A S E T T
1
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E L S E C V Y T H H O E F R I C H I E
I D I E
D A M A Y F T S E I N G S D D U I G E L S R O W P I O T T O V E R B I T E D E S H O E D I S P O L A D O F S D A N A E D E N
L I G N A N Y O T A R S P A H I T O L L O W E E R S S P O E T G U N S A I D K T A T E S L O E K I N K
By The Mepham Group 4
14. Knight club 15. Moo goo ____ pan 16. Less stuffy 17. Lamar who married a Kardashian 18. It may be obtained before leaving coll. 19. Singer with the 1994 hit "Bump n' Grind" 20. 1970 Jose Feliciano classic that includes "Merry Christmas" in the lyrics ... in case your Spanish is rusty
1
23. Movie release day, often: Abbr. 24. Extended stretch
LOOSE PARTS
25. It may be obtained before going to coll. 26. Prime meridian std.
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
NICK KNACK
1
© 2017 N.F. Benton
DAVE BLAZEK
12/17/17
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 www.sudoku.org.uk.
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
LO CA L
PAGE 30 | DECEMBER 14 – 20, 2017
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Critter Corner
BACK IN THE DAY
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.
20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press
Falls Church News-Press Vol. VII, No. 40 • December 18, 1997
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. XVII, No. 41 • December 13, 2007
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
McCurry Links “Race Initiative” To Administration Trade Policy
Will F.C. Council Delay on City Center to Kill the Deal
In an exclusive, 30-minute interview with this writer at his office in the west wing of the White House last week, President Clinton’s Press Secretary, Michael McCurry, explained that the President sees his “race initiative” as not only to do the right thing, morally, but also as a key component of American’s move into the global marketplace in the coming century. Not surprisingly, McCurry sounded many of the same themes that the President hit on during his Tuesday press conference.
The destiny of Atlantic Realty’s ambitious City Center plan for downtown Falls Church was placed in serious jeopardy Monday when the Falls Church City Council decided to delay acting until the middle of next month. The terms of a delicate deal negotiated by Atlantic Realty with the absentee owners of Bowl America that is indispensable to the proposal, are reportedly due to expire on Monday, Dec. 31.
Longtime Falls Church Resident Peggy Dolan Passes Away at 86 Peggy Anne Dolan, devoted daughter of Anne M. and Thomas L. Derham, passed away this week at the age of 86. Raised in Elkins Park, PA, she attended Chestnut Hill College, where she graduated in 1953. She married her beloved husband, Gene Dolan (USMC) in 1954, and they moved to Falls Church in 1965. As a longtime resident, she was active in the communities of St. James Catholic Church, the Cherry Hill Farmhouse, and Hope House of Northern Virginia. Peggy loved being a mom, and is survived by her six children, Nancy Dolan, Kathy Bechtold (Steven), Skip Dolan (Nancy), Betsy Dolan, Joe Dolan (Cara), and Megan Dolan. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren and her sister Mernee Kinter (Jim). The funeral will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Falls
EXPERIENCING the snow for the first time in his young life is Felix, the Hauber family’s six-month-old Havanese-Yorkie mix. Even though much of the snow that came down Saturday didn’t last long Sunday, it’s a good appetizer for the winter to come. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
Church on Monday, Dec. 18 at 4:30 pm, and a reception will follow at Ireland’s Four Provinces. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, the Fisher House Foundation, Bay Community Support Services, or Providence Center of Maryland.
I SHOULD PROBABLY GET A RIDE HOME. BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING
AMERICA, LET’S DO LUNCH
TM
John Gaul, SINCE 1925. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t look his best. Now, he and 1 in 6 seniors face the threat of hunger and millions more live in isolation. So pop by, drop off a hot meal and say a warm hello. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels at AmericaLetsDoLunch.org
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 | PAGE 31
It’s Thursday. Do You Know Where Your News-Press Is?
CITY OF FALLS CHURCH
7-Eleven (Annandale Road) * Applebee’s (Broad Street) * Argia’s Restaurant *Art & Frame * BB&T Bank (Broad Street) * Board of Education Building (803 W. Broad Street) * Bowl America * The Broadway * Browns Hardware * Burke and Herbert Bank (Broad Street) * The Byron * Cafe Kindred * Center for Multicultural Human Services * Chef Express * City Sunoco * Clare & Don’s Beach Shack * Clay Café Studios * CVS (Broad Street locations) * Curves * DK Nails & Spa * East Falls Church Metro * Eistein Bros Bagels * Elevation Burger * Fairfax Auto Parts * Falls Church Animal Hospital * Falls Church City Hall Lobby & West Wing * Falls Church City Public Utilities * Falls Church Community Center * Falls Church Education Foundation * Falls Church News-Press (200 Little Falls Street, Suite 506) * Famous Dave’s * Falls Church Police Station * FedEx Kinko’s * Five Rings Fitness * Flippin’ Pizza * George Mason High School * Harris Teeter * Indian Spices * Local Market * Mary Riley Styles Library * Mount Daniel School * Halalco Supermarket * Hillwood Cleaners * Inns of Virginia * Jhoon Rhee * La Caraquena * Mad Fox * The Madison * Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School * Mike's Deli * McDonald’s * Moby Dick * Northgate Apartments Lobby * Oakwood Apartments * Panera * Panera Bread Building Lobby * Park Towers Condos * Pearson Square Apartments * Pho 88 * PNC Bank (Broad Street) * Point of View * Professional Building (313 Park Avenue) * Quick Copy * Red White & Bleu * Reed Building * ReMax Louise Molton office * Robeks Juice (Broad Street) * Roosevelt Towers * Sfizi Café * Sislers Stone * Smokey’s Garage * Spectrum Cleaners * Starbucks * Stratford Motor Lodge * Subway (Broad Street) * Sunrise Retirement Home * Suntrust Bank * Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt * Tax Analysts * The Locker Room * Thomas Jefferson Elementary School * Towne Place Suites * Tutti Frutti * Unity Club * UVA/VT Northern Virginia Center * US Post Office * Vantage Fitness * Virginia Auto Repair * West Broad Apartments * West Falls Church Metro * The Westlee * Zinga Frozen Yogurt
ROUTE 29 TO MERRIFIELD
El Tio Restaurant * Galleria Florist * Rite Aid * Safeway * Silver Diner * Super A Market * Timberlane Condominium Bus Stop * Victor’s Grill * Wendy’s (Lee Highway)
ROUTE 50/ARLINGTON BOULEVARD
Bentley’s Restaurant * Bill Page Honda * Gold’s Gym * Providence Recreation Center * Sanz School * Thomas Jefferson Library
SEVEN CORNERS
Barnes & Noble * Master’s Touch * UPS Store * US Post Office * Willston Multi-Cultural Center *
BAILEYS CROSSROADS/SKYLINE
Goodwin House * Munson Hill Towers * Panera * Rite Aid * Sunoco (Leesburg Pike) * US Post Office * Woodrow Wilson Library 8
PIMMIT HILLS
Idylwood Towers * Ledo Pizza * Peet's Coffee * Pet Supplies Plus
ARLINGTON
Long & Foster Realtors * Ballston Common Mall * Ballston Metro * Cassatt’s Kiwi Café & Gallery * Clarendon Metro * Courthouse Metro * CVS (Lee Highway) * Grand Hunan * Joe’s Pizza * Linda’s Café * Metro Diner * Pete’s Barber Shop * Rosslyn Metro * Safeway (N. Harrison) * US Post Office (Courthouse) * Virginia Hospital Center * Virginia Square-GMU Metro * Westover Market * Wilson Boulevard & George Mason Drive Bus Stop
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PAGE 32 | DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
For Sale
Under Contract
8216 Holland Rd | Alexandria
Beautiful colonial on over 1 acre of land featuring 5 BD/3.5 BA, large dome shaped addition perfect for family room or dance studio! Walk to the Potomac River from this fantastic location. Offered at $775,000
Welcomes Santa!!
1740 Sundance Dr | Reston
Lovely townhouse in quiet community featuring 2 BD/3.5 BA on 3 finished levels! Move-in ready: updated kitchen, two master suites, and a large family room on LL. 2 reserved parking spaces! Offered at $377,500
Stop by our Falls Church City office (conveniently located next to the Hilton),
Louise Molton Phone: 703 244-1992 louise@moltonrealestate.com
and let us know how we can help you with your real estate needs.
710 W Broad St, Falls Church VA 22046 ~ 703-596-5303 Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
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Stunning renovation in Alexandria’s Rosemont area offers 4 BR’s up including master suite. Gorgeous Chef’s kitchen opens to breakfast area & family room. Backyard with one level deck includes coveted off-street parking. Just steps to Braddock METRO! $1,275,000
1007 Kennedy St, Falls Church City Sunny & spacious 4 BR/3BA brick home with new master suite. Large kitchen w/new appliances. Hardwoods, 2 fireplaces, bonus rooms & large Rec Room make for perfect entertainment space. Huge yard & stone terrace complete the outside. $939,000
FOR SALE
Is BUYING or SELLING on your Holiday Wish List? If so, call us — your #1 Falls Church agent!
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3753 Tennis Court, Falls Church
Lake Barcroft - Pristine, refreshing, and recreational! This spacious home offers over 5,000 sq ft. With a huge Rec Room, Media Room, and a large one level deck, this is the perfect spot for entertaining!! $1,225,000
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