December 19 — 25, 2019
Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee
Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. XXIX No. 44
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Inside This Week Haycock Principal On Leave After Arrest
Scott Bloom, principal at Haycock Elementary in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County, has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest for failure to report incidents of child abuse while he served at Freedom Elementary School. See News Briefs, page 9
Planners Praise W&OD Dual Trail Plans
F.C. School Board Votes 4-2 to Move 2020 Start Date Before Labor Day
School Calendar Will Align With Fairfax County’s by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Plans to expand into a full dual use the segment of the 45-mile W&OD Trail that runs through the center of the City of Falls Church are due for final approval late next month.
of others. AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety identifies some of the most common forms of road rage, such as intentionally tailgating or cutting off another driver, yelling at another driver, honking to show anger or annoyance, displaying angry gestures and trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes.
The Falls Church City Public Schools will begin classes two weeks prior to Labor Day next fall, on Aug. 24, based on a 4-2 vote by the School Board Tuesday night. The new calendar will conclude the school year next spring with graduation on June 2 and the last day of school on June 10. The new calendar allows for over 70 additional hours of instruction prior to the onset of general student testing, most of which begins in late May, and as such, according to the School Board chair Erin Gill, serves to “redress opportunity gaps” for all students. The changes, the first allowed by the state legislature since it permitted classes to begin before Labor Day last spring, brings the Falls Church system into alignment with the much larger, adjacent Fairfax County school system that had received a special waiver from the state two years ago to begin earlier. They come after months of study by an ad hoc committee of teachers, staff, parents, students and administrators and a widespread public survey. The policy shift, advocated by Superintendent Peter Noonan, also led to an outpouring of opposition from some parents. They argued that, among other things, there is no evidence showing SOL tests would improve, the school system would risk losing teachers and summer vacation plans would be disrupted.
Continued on Page 5
Continued on Page 4
See News Briefs, page 9
Police Reclassify Suspicious Incident
Police have reclassified the incident of a man approaching a juvenile at Aldi in Falls Church and telling him to leave with him as a suspicious incident instead off an attempted abduction. See News Briefs, page 9
Mason High Boys Top James Monroe
Some last minute magic made premonitions of a blown lead vanish for George Mason High School’s boys basketball team in its 54-53 win over James Monroe. See Sports, page 16
MEMBERS OF THE Falls Church City School Board took a record vote at its meeting Tuesday to move the opening of the school year to before Labor Day, Aug. 24 to be exact, starting next summer. Left to right, Phil Reitinger, Shannon Litton, Justin Castillo, Greg Anderson, Erin Gill and Superintendent Peter Noonan. Not pictured, Shawna Russell. (Photo:News-Press)
Local Resident Looks to Bring Compassion to Area Roadways by Katherine Liverman
Falls Church News-Press
Index
Editorial................6 Letters..................6 News & Notes.10,11 Comment.... 14,15 School News.... 17 Calendar..... 18,19
Classified Ads... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword........ 21 Crime Report.... 22 Critter Corner.... 22 Business News.23
Christina Graham has been a member of the greater Falls Church community for 15 years, a witness to the rise of new shops, metro stops and what fellow residents all know best: traffic. After hearing tale after unsettling tale of road rage in our city, she has decided to take on the venturesome task
of bringing compassion to our roads through a campaign for road civility. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Association distinguishes between aggressive driving and road rage. Where both definitions involve operating a vehicle in a way that is likely to endanger others, road rage is categorized as a criminal offense because it implies a willful disregard for the safety
PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019
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DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019 | PAGE 3
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PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019
School Start Continued from Page 1
te Te Birth of Christ here at Dulin Church. Celebra
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8pm - Traditional Worship of Lessons and Carols with special music by our Santuary Choir and Commonwealth Brass. December 25th ArriveFriday, early; brass music begins at 7:45! New Year’s Eve Prayer and Reflection. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.
But Noonan told the NewsPress in an interview yesterday that “there is a lot of data showing that student test scores improve with additional instruction time prior to testing,” and the new schedule will add 70 hours of additional instruction prior to the late May time frame when the bulk of testing (for the Standards of Learning, International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs) takes place. Noonan, in a letter to the FCCPS teachers and staff issued Wednesday morning, said that the FCCPS has advocated for the change for more than two decades before the legislature finally acted last spring, and added that, “In the end, the calendar adopted provides more days of instruction prior to exams, upholds our commitments to equity by provid-
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ing earlier access to our curriculum and instruction, aligns with regional jurisdictions and provides for a two-week winter break, a three-day Thanksgiving break and an earlier end to the school year.” While there was some criticism based on the informal poll, Noonan told the News-Press “it was a tool of the ad hoc committee to gather information, not to be tallied for the purpose of determining the outcome.” He said he was pleased with the outcome because, he said, “It is my job to do everything in my power to advantage all our students.” He wrote to the school staff yesterday that, “In the end, the adopted calendar reflects the core values I shared with you and the community when I arrived at FCCPS: collaboration, ethical leadership and equity and excellence for all.” He noted that when Alexandria schools voted recently to continue a post-Labor Day calendar, it was only for one year, with the prom-
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ise that it would be adjusted to a pre-Labor Day start beginning the following year. As for Arlington, the decision on the next school year calendar won’t be made until next February. As it was, the FCCPS was one of only three school systems in the Northern Virginia region to have a post-Labor Day start when Tuesday’s vote was taken. “We were an outlier,” Noonan said. Voting for the change Tuesday were Gill, vice chair Greg Anderson and board members Shawna Russell and Justin Castillo. Voting against were Phil Reitinger and Shannon Litton. Gill said that Lawrence Webb, absent at the meeting, had expressed his support for the change. “Student outcomes are the key,” Gill said. She dismissed the unscientific survey as “neither here nor there.” Anderson said he’d received over 100 emails and noted that there were 1,200 responses to the survey. He said the earlier start “best serves our core mission,” with additional instructional days helping best the “more vulnerable students.” Russell, who also dismissed the “imperfect” survey, saying she did not take a lot of stock in its unscientific results, said that “the maximum educational outcome for all students” caused her to support the change. “It is focused on the kids and closing achievement gaps, adding nine classroom days before Memorial Day.” She said her decision was not as a “rubber stamp” for the superintendent’s recommendation because “we’ve been working on this since September.” Reitinger said he favored a third option, to begin on Aug. 31 instead of Aug. 24, because next fall Labor Day comes on the latest day possible, Sept. 7. Litton argued the change would be “too much for families,” saying “the community is split and we need a compromise.” This change involves “too much too quickly,” she said. The only citizen to speak during the petition period of the meeting, Cheryl Bois, argued “there is no compelling reason why the calendar should be changed” and called for a delay in the vote. Two new School Board members-elect, Laura Downs and Susan Dimock, were in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting, as observers, but did not participate as their duties don’t formally begin until Jan. 1, when Gill and Castillo will depart the board. The board took a mid-meeting break to have come cake in honor of the service of Gill and Castillo.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Quelling Rage on the Road With Compassion
Continued from Page 1
Graham’s campaign for road civility is rooted in awareness, compassion, and the humanization of drivers. The campaign is a positive movement; it does not look to actively persecute or combat those who are practicing or triggering road rage, but rather to foster civility on the road. A one-woman show, Graham has created a series of stickers to post on cars, commercial vehicles, and buses that serve as simple reminders to keep your cool on the road. The stickers show the mangily green hands of a road rage monster behind the wheel, sporting phrases such as “Loved Ones on Board,” “Urge the Merge,” and “Is this you?” to display to the drivers around you. She provides stress balls and wristbands to keep inside your vehicle and has a series of smaller stickers on the way. Graham remarks: “Its important that it’s meant to be a posi-
tive... everyone is a human being out there and they have really important lives too.” The movement works to look beyond cars on the road or the jerk who cut you off and see the person behind the wheel; to take a moment to step back, slow down, and in her words: “remind yourself of what is important.” In terms of expanding the campaign, she is contacting public transportation services. She has successfully partnered with the Maryland Department of Transportation and its Zero Deaths Campaign to increase awareness about the dangers of road rage. Locally, she has reached out to the Fairfax County Director of Transportation as well as the Fairfax County Public School System. Down the line, Graham seeks to shift the campaign towards corporate social responsibility by partnering with various transport companies to display her stickers on company vehicles that
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DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019 | PAGE 5
CHRISTINA GRAHAM shows off stickers she made for her campaign for road civility she hopes will bring compassion to the area’s roads. (P����: K�������� L�������) so often ride through our community. When asked if awareness will be enough to solve this problem, Graham replied: “Is this going
to hurt? No. It can only help... if it makes a difference with one person, at least you have accomplished something.” More information on how to
avoid aggressive drivers, how to avoid being an aggressive driver or to order some gear, is available at Graham’s website at roadragereminder.com.
PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019
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E D I TO R I A L
The Falls Church’s Heroic Triumph
Last weekend, the Falls Church Episcopal celebrated its 250th anniversary with over 300 parishioners, friends and dignitaries. The historic chapel, frequently renovated since its maiden service on Christmas Eve 1769 and still functional and home to weekly worship services every Sunday to this day, was packed to the rafters for the simple but elegant service that featured the bishop of the Diocese of Virginia and the echoes of the ages rebounding amid the carols and anthems through the hall. The great names of George Washington and George Mason were evoked as among the first vestrymen of the church, founded prior to the American Revolution and upon whose steps the Declaration of Independence in 1776 was read to the fledgling congregation and citizens of the surrounding community. With the U.S. Constitution that these founders of the American republic drafted and ratified in 1787, the most progressive advance in the striving for justice and the rule of just laws in modern human history, being put to the test most strenuously by the criminal regime in the White House today, it could not be more important now than for the American people to reconnect with these founders in a serious way and affirm what they gave to achieve for all of us. It is also important to appreciate and affirm the modern day struggle of this historic church to reclaim its ties to this history, a struggle that occurred over seven long years of exile, so to speak, when the church property was seized and claimed in 2006 for that long time by defectors who’d voted to leave the national Episcopal denomination. Led by an insurgent rector who was subsequently defrocked by the Episcopal Church, they voted to defect in December 2005 as a reaction to the election of an openly gay priest as a bishop of the national denomination. But while they had the right to leave the denomination, they took the unprecedented step of claiming the right to the historic church property and prohibiting continuing Episcopalian members of the church congregation to set foot there. It took years of a long, arduous series of court battles for them to be ordered off the property. Moreover, it took great diligence and persistence for the continuing Episcopalians of that parish to sustain their allegiance until the point they were able to exercise their legal right (established at last by the refusal of the U.S. Supreme Court to take on a lower court decision) to return to the hallowed property. For thousands of City of Falls Church residents who’ve moved here since those events, and for all who need to be reminded of these struggles, it is important to appreciate this history from 250 years ago and this history from seven years ago, to appreciate this iconic institution that has reclaimed so heroically its rightful role as a distinct benefit to the wider community and democracy it serves.
L������
Looking Forward to Whole Foods in F.C.
Editor, Our family of four is thrilled to have at least one organic and healthy store in the city of ours that homes one of the wealthiest households in the whole country. We have children as well as elderly that deserve to eat organic and wholesome food and with Giant, Harris Teeter and Aldi that have close to no organic food choices, our city has the opportunity
to finally live and feel great! Whole Foods has a philosophy to bring community together and that is exactly what we need plus real estate values statistically go up anywhere Whole Foods opens up. We support this organic grocer wholeheartedly and are looking forward to it! I. Pelikan Falls Church
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G � � � � C � � � � � �� ��
CO MME NT
DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019 | PAGE 7
Leading the Way on Criminal Justice Reform B� B��� H������
“It has been said that 2020 will be the first time in 20 years when criminal justice reform has been a priority in the legislature,” remarked Senator Scott Surovell. “I’d argue it’s more like the first time in 200 years.” Senator Surovell isn’t kidding. After decades, if not centuries, of “tough on crime” policies dominating state government and local civic discourse, Virginia has finally embraced the moral imperative of criminal justice reform. And Northern Virginia — particularly Arlington County and the City of Falls Church — has been leading the way. This paradigm shift, and its strong connection to local community, were on display last Wednesday night, Dec. 11, 2019, at an event sponsored by Justice Forward Virginia at Clare and Dons’ Beach Shack, here in Falls Church. In addition to Surovell, the event featured presentations by Delegates Marcus Simon, Jennifer Carroll Foy, and Patrick Hope, and Senator Barbara Favola — all five of whom have pledged to carry the justice reform torch through the General Assembly session in 2020 and beyond. Delegate Simon represents Falls Church, obviously, and Delegate Carroll Foy spent several years as an Assistant Public Defender at the Office of the Public Defender for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church. Simon and Carroll Foy serve on the Courts of Justice Committee,
and have consistently been the two strongest voices for reform in the Virginia House of Delegates. In addition, Delegate Hope is taking the lead on ending abusive solitary confinement practices, abolishing manda-
“The principles that de�ine a modern, humane, evidence-based approach to criminal justice ought to be permanent, universal, and codi�ied in the Virginia Code.”
tory minimums and restoring parole. For the second year in a row, Senator Favola is taking steps to pass what may amount to a de facto moratorium on capital punishment. And Senator Surovell has long been a leader in the Virginia Senate on matters affecting the rights of defendants in Virginia’s justice system. Justice Forward Virginia, the only statewide advocacy organization committed solely to criminal justice reform in the Commonwealth, is itself based in Arlington. I happen to have founded Justice Forward,
and now lead the group along with a number of other current and former public defenders, several of whom have connections to this community. In my other professional capacity I am the chief public defender for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church, Delegate Carroll Foy’s former office. This is to say nothing about our new Commonwealth’s Attorney, Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, who was sworn in just this week. Dehghani-Tafti’s victory represents an incredible opportunity to continue reshaping the local justice system for the better — a system that has not always reflected the values of our community. I say “continue” because this process did not start in 2019. Although we lacked the critical mass necessary for a comprehensive push forward, for years there has been an impetus for and momentum toward modernizing the justice system in Arlington and Falls Church, as evidenced by our drug treatment court, investment in treatment alternatives, and the lengthy planning process for creating a behavioral health docket. One-third of our local judiciary was swornin in the last 12 months, and the office I lead has been under reinvigorated leadership for just over two years, during which time we have raised standards for indigent defense practice and institutional advocacy. Those of us who work on criminal justice reform don’t expect to maintain quite the same high profile as we have in 2019. We do hope our local community
remains connected and engaged, however, as we move toward creating a more fair, rehabilitative and evidence-informed justice system, both on a local and statewide level. In fact, we need the community’s involvement in order to accomplish these goals. Although this has been a pivotal year across the Commonwealth — including in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Albemarle Counties, all of which also elected reformoriented prosecutors — our work is far from finished. Lasting, systemic change requires legislative action. Adherence to basic principles such as making diversion the rule, treating drug addiction as a matter of public health, funding a robust system of indigent defense, and respecting the right to a fair trial shouldn’t be subject to a referendum every four years, and shouldn’t depend on where you live. The principles that define a modern, humane, evidence-based approach to criminal justice ought to be permanent, universal, and codified in the Virginia Code. Arlington and Falls Church should be proud of leading the way, but we can have an even greater impact. On behalf of Justice Forward Virginia, we invite you to join us, Delegates Simon, Carroll Foy and Hope, Senators Surovell and Favola, and the rest of the advocacy community, as we take the fight for a more fair criminal justice system to Richmond. Brad Haywood is the chief public defender for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church.
Q������� �� ��� W��� Do you agree with the F.C. School Board’s decision to start school two weeks before Labor Day? • Yes
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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
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PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019
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NEWS BRIEFS
DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019 | PAGE 9
Haycock Principal Charged With Failure to Report Abuse Scott Bloom, the principal at Haycock Elementary in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County, has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest by Fairfax Police for failure to report incidents of child abuse while he served at Freedom Elementary School in Vienna in 2018-2019. The McLean District of the Fairfax Police announced this week the arrest of two teachers at Freedom, a Fairfax County public school, following the disclosure of injuries to numerous non-verbal students with intellectual difficulties between April and September 2019. Charged with felony assault and battery and cruelty and injuries to children were Clymeera Gastav, 48, of Herndon and Cecilia Maria Benevides, 59, of Alexandria. Bloom, 39, of Reston, is charged with failure to report the incidents.
Sunday, Dec. 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:00 a.m. A Service of Lessons and Carols in the Historic Church
Tuesday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the Historic Church
4:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Eve Pageant with Holy Communion
Planners Praise W&OD Dual Trail Plans for F.C. With nothing but the highest praise coming from the chair of the Falls Church Planning Commission, the NOVA Parks plans to expand into a full dual use the segment of the 45-mile W&OD Trail that runs through the center of the City of Falls Church are now due for final approval late next month, with construction to begin by next summer and completion before the end of 2020. The plan’s latest update presented to the Planners this week, calls for a widening of the trail in its 16-acre section in the City to make it more clearly a dual biking and pedestrian walking trail. It involves the replacement of the existing 10-foot wide shared use trail with an 11-foot wide bicycle trail and 8-foot wide pedestrian trail between Grove Street and Little Falls Street. Planning Commission chair Russ Wodiska was boundless in his praise for the plans, which will cost the City of Falls Church nothing but will enhance considerably what Wodiska called “a great street in the City.” An admitted frequent user of the W&OD Trail, Wodiska said the proposed changes “will make a significant difference for Falls Church.”
in the Main Sanctary
8:00 p.m. Candlelit Service of Holy Communion in the Historic Church
Wednesday, Dec 25 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the Historic Church
300+ Attend Falls Church’s 250th Anniversary Fete Last Sunday night the historic Falls Church Episcopal was filled to overflowing with celebrants of the church’s 250th anniversary that included the reading of a proclamation marking the historic occasion by the Falls Church City Council last week. The church was founded with George Washington and George Mason among its earliest vestry members on Christmas Eve 1769 and the Declaration of Independence was read from the church steps eight years later. The Rev. Susan Goff, the head of the Episcopal Church Diocese of Virginia, was present to offer a blessing for the service led by Interim Rector Andy Anderson III and the Rev. Kelly Moughty. Local Falls Church political leaders, the press and other visitors were welcomed and a plaque honoring three seminal families key in the recent years’ efforts to sustain and grow the congregation, William and Robin Fetsch, William and Sarah Goodrich and Harrison and Sue Hutson, was unveiled.
14 Democrats Qualify for Primary Ballot in Virginia All Democratic presidential candidates who filed paperwork to appear on the Virginia March 3 primary ballot have successfully qualified, the party announced yesterday. After a random drawing by officials at the State Board of Elections today, candidates will appear on the ballot in the order listed here: Cory Booker, Julian Castro, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson, Michael Bennett, Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Deval Patrick, Pete Buttigieg, Andrew Yang, Tom Steyer, Michael Bloomberg. Of the candidates, only Warren has a campaign office in the City of Falls Church currently.
F.C. Police Reclassify Suspicious Incident at Aldi Police have reclassified the incident of a man approaching a juvenile at a City of Falls Church grocery store and telling him to leave with him as a suspicious incident instead of an attempted abduction. City of Falls Church Police first reported the incident they classified as an attempted abduction Thursday, Dec. 12, when they said a man approached a juvenile outside the Aldi at 133 Hillwood Avenue around 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9., and told the juvenile to leave with him. The suspect left when the juvenile’s mother returned and police say no threat of force was used. While police have reclassified the incident and determined no criminal act was committed, they still want to speak with the individual. The individual is described as a black male, about 6 ft. tall, medium build and wearing a gray hooded jacket with black sleeves, light blue jeans, and white sneakers, carrying an umbrella, and possibly wearing a baseball hat.
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PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019
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Community News & Notes F.C.-Annandale Lions Fruit Sale on Saturday The Falls Church -Annandale LIONS Club fresh Florida fruit sale will be this Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Annandale Swim and Tennis Club (7530 Little River Turnpike, Annandale) between Wendy’s and McDonald’s. The sale will start at 8:15 a.m. and will run until all supplies are sold out. For more information, visit fc-alions.org.
Bridge Rehab Completed At Seven Corners EMMA WARD, who is currently a sophomore at George Mason High School, will be participating in New Year’s Day parade in London. Read more about her role in the parade on page 11(Photo: Courtesy Melissa Ward)
The rehabilitation of the oneway bridge linking the eastbound Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) service road to Wilson Boulevard (Route 613) is complete, improv-
ing safety for drivers and pedestrians and extending the overall life of the bridge, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Improvements to the bridge, originally built in 1958, included: New concrete bridge deck and steel beams; reconstructing the bridge’s pre-existing sidewalk and adding a new sidewalk along the opposite side of the bridge; upgrading the bridge railings including the addition of pedestrian fencing; improving curb and gutter and constructing new concrete end walls on the southwestern approach to the bridge. In August, the bridge deck was demolished and replaced in just 54 hours. The milestone was captured on timelapse video and shared on social media, with more
than 20,000 views in less than 24 hours. VDOT partnered with WSP on the project’s design and Martins Construction Corporation was the construction contractor. The project was recently recognized with two American Council of Engineering Companies of Metropolitan Washington (ACEC/ MW) 2019-2020 awards: “Best Local Project” and an Honor Award, making the project eligible to compete in the ACEC National competition. The $3.8 million project, completed ahead of schedule and under budget, was financed with state and federal State of Good Repair funds used for maintenance of structures and bridges. Within the project limits, Wilson Boulevard averages 7,500
SMILES ALL AROUND at the News-Press’ annual holiday party. While the venue changed to the Falls Church Arts Gallery, the cast of characters didn’t, with members of Falls Church’s City Council joining News-Press editor-in-chief, Nicholas F. Benton (right photo, wearing hat) including (from left to right) Letty Hardi, Mayor David Tarter, Ross Litkenhous, Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly and Phil Duncan. FCA’s hosts, president Barb Cram (center) and outreach director Shaun Van Steyn were also spotted alongside News-Press advertising manager Nick Gatz. (Photos: Left — Courtesy Shaun Van Steyn/ Right — News-Press)
Send Us Your News & Notes!
The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!
Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019 | PAGE 11
The City of Falls Church Arts and Humanities Grant Program supports activities and events that foster cultural advancement and vitality in Falls Church and benefit the greater community. The Washington Sinfonietta is proud to be awarded such resources in support of its culturally enriching performances in Falls Church during the orchestra’s 2019-2020 concert season.
Two Upcoming Events at Sleepy Hollow Methodist
SHOVELS MET DIRT on Dec. 7 for the City’s Recreation and Parks Department as it held a ceremony double-header: a ribbon cutting for the Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park and a groundbreaking for the Big Chimneys project. The ribbon cutting celebrated the recent renovations and restoration efforts at Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park, including a new arched park sign, benches, new pathway, pedestrian bridge, and stream daylighting. The groundbreaking marks the beginning of the Big Chimneys Park Improvement Project (pictured above) which includes installing new play equipment, improved drainage at the south end of the park and adding an accessible trail from the Winter Hill neighborhood. (P����: C������� C��� �� F���� C�����) vehicles a day and Route 50 averages 51,000.
Local Business Lends Hand To Women in Need CSI DMC donated more than 100 professional women’s clothing to Suited for Change, as part of their annual give back programs. Suited for Change provides professional attire at no cost to women in need, who are looking to increase their employment potential. Suited for Change empowers women by increasing their employment and job retention
potential. Based in Washington, D.C., it’s the leading nonprofit for women in need of professional attire, mentoring and job-readiness education. Through these services, it helps women achieve financial independence. All Suited for Change services are available at no cost and by referral to local women in need. Suited for Change has served 28,000 local women since 1992. Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., award-winning CSI DMC began in 1987 as Capitol Services Inc. (CSI) in Washington, D.C. For more information on CSI DMC, visit csi-dmc.com.
Sinfonietta Awarded Grant by F.C. City The Washington Sinfonietta announced it is once again the recipient of two City of Falls Church Arts and Humanities Grant Awards. These grants — approved this week by the Falls Church City Council as part of its Fiscal Year 2020 Arts and Cultural Grant Awards program — will help enable the Sinfonietta to present its annual Family Holiday Celebration free of charge to attendees, along with assisting the orchestra to cover additional critical operating costs.
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Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church (3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church) is hosting two Christmas-themed events that will be open to the public. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., Sleepy Hollow UMC will host its Blue Christmas Service. Designed for those who are feeling “blue” during Christmastime, the church creates a sacred and safe space for people who are living through dark times. It is intended to be a time for reflection, acknowledgment of the present reality and the hope of finding light in the darkness. Also, on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 5:30 – 8 p.m., Sleepy Hollow UMC will hosts its Living Nativity with live animals. Interested attendees can come to Bethlehem and witness the real story of Christmas. Participants will walk past the busy inn and visit the Manger that shelters the gentle sheep and the Holy Family. Inside the church attendees can warm themselves with hot cocoa and homemade cookies while listening to Christmas music. Those who attend are encouraged to take a moment in the sanctuary to reflect on the Miracle of Christmas as well as Jesus Christ. All are welcome. For more information on either of these events, call 703-534-6461.
3rd LGBTQ Event Set Friday at F.C.’s State Theatre
A third “Love is Love” dance party welcoming LGBTQ guests is set for Friday night at Falls Church’s State Theatre (210 N. Washington St.) starting at 9 p.m. The charity guests will be the NOVA Pride and Inova Gay Men’s Health Collaborative. Entertainment will feature DJ BlakBerri, Lipsy’s Drag Show, Cathy D and more. There will be a “fabulous” sweater contest, giveaways and more. Tito’s Vodka is a sponsor of the event.
Mason Student Selected for London New Year’s Parade Emma Ward, a sophomore and varsity cheerleader from George Mason High School, is one of more than 800 high school cheerleaders from across the U.S. who will be representing Varsity Spirit in the world famous London New Year’s Day Parade. The individuals invited to perform in the London celebration are part of the All-American program, selected from Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) at summer camps across the country. AllAmericans are chosen based on superior athletic and leadership skills. Only the top 12 percent of athletes who attend camp earn the chance to perform in the holiday spectacular. “The All-American program is celebrating its 32nd year in 2019, and our talented cheerleaders really enjoy the opportunity to show their skills to a very enthusiastic international audience,” says Mike Fultz, International Event Coordinator for Varsity Spirit. For more information, visit london.vrasity.com or contact Fultz at mfultz@varsity.com.
PAGE 12 | DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019
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PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Delegate Marcus Simon’s
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
With the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the possibility of a lump of coal in a Christmas stocking may not resonate for today’s children, or even for their parents. Fairy tales notwithstanding, I do remember a coal bin in the basement, and how the black chunks of anthracite coal slid down the chute into the bin next to the furnace. Fortunately, none of those chunks ended up in my holiday stocking! Christmas tales often include Santa Claus making a list of who’s naughty or nice; I’d like to offer my own list, with candy canes and the aforementioned lump of coal: A candy cane for the voters of Fairfax County, who exercised their civic responsibilities both in the June primary elections and the Nov. 5 General election. Local elections traditionally have the lowest voter turnout, but this year’s 43 percent turnout far exceeded the 2015 turnout of 30 percent, and the results showed it. Another candy cane for the new Bailey’s Shelter and Supportive Housing facility which opened in November. The 50-bed facility is a new model for providing services to homeless persons, and has 18 micro-units of supportive transitional housing, along with four medical respite beds. A lump of coal to drivers who not only fail to stop at stop signs, but often don’t even slow down. And multiple lumps for drivers who run the red light, which seems to happen more frequently. Candy canes for the police officers who enforce traffic laws; sometimes there is a cop around when you need them. A candy cane and congratulations to Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Opened in 1969 as the county’s
Richmond Report
first nature center, Hidden Oaks provides a natural setting to enjoy pursuits. Kids can discover nature’s secrets at Nature Playce, and adults can walk the forested trails. All can explore the woodland fantasy created by chainsaw sculptor Andrew Mallon in the remaining stump of a huge tulip poplar tree that was struck, twice, by lightning. A lump of coal to some national retailers (pick one) who, despite this area being a good market, have closed favorite stores, leaving our shopping areas with too many vacancies. Another lump of coal to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), whose outsourcing of the Cinder Bed Road buses led to an ongoing strike by bus drivers, affecting thousands of commuters in Fairfax County. Candy canes to all the volunteers in our community who help in a variety of ways: coaches, troop leaders, food pantry collectors and distributors, Meals on Wheels drivers, Rebuilding Together crews, all those unsung heroes who make our community a more caring place to live and work. One final candy cane to Governor Ralph Northam, who included nearly $100 million in statewide investments for early childhood education in his new biennial budget released this week. Extra candy canes for General Assembly members who vote for that item in the 2020 session. Lumps of coal would be plentiful if I included the White House and federal government, but that would take several more columns. Happy Holidays to all! Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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I know I can’t be the only one who finds myself shouting back at the radio or television these days. Usually it’s at the news, so I was a little surprised to find myself shouting at the radio this weekend, since I was listening to an all sports station. In my car on the way back from Richmond, I heard someone describing what happened at the beginning of the Dallas Cowboys football game. Apparently, quarterback Dak Prescott, after winning the coin toss, simply said, “we’ll kick.” In this age of analytics, every team has figured out you’re statistically more likely to win if you start the second half on offense, so Prescott told the referee “we’ll kick,” thinking his team would kick off in the first half, and receive the kick and start the game on offense in the second half. The problem is, that’s not what the rules say. The rule is actually that each team gets to take a turn deciding whether to start on offense or defense. The winner of the coin toss gets to decide first, but they are also allowed to defer that decision and decide whether to start on offense or defense during the second half. According the referee, he heard “we’ll kick” to mean the Cowboys electing to start on Defense in the first half, which meant the Rams would still be able to decide whether to start on offense or defense in the second half. What Prescott should have said, was “we defer the decision to the 2nd half, our opponent can make the election for the 1st half.” So, what was I yelling at the radio? “He should have talked to his Parliamentarian!” I couldn’t help thinking it was such a great example of the importance of understanding the rules and picking your words with precision to make sure the rules worked to your advantage. As it turns out, the referee had a little trouble hearing (I know we often accuse the refs of having problems with their vision). After a video review of the conversation at the coin toss, it was determined that Prescott did in fact use the magic words “we defer to the second half” followed by “we’ll kick” so thanks to instant replay the Cowboys got the ball at the start of the 3rd quarter and went on to win the game. In the Virginia House of Delegates, we have a lot of arcane
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procedural rules, and as a member of the minority caucus, I took great pride in listening closely and looking for opportunities to take advantage when the other side used words in a way that might allow us to gain an edge; the equivalent of making the other team kickoff to start both halves of the game on defense. Now that we are in the majority, it’s incumbent on us to make sure we choose our words carefully. With 55 votes to the other side’s 45, we should be able to win every vote, but that only helps if we know what we’re voting to do — and I know the other side will be listening carefully, and we don’t yet have instant replay on the floor of the House of Delegates. Now that my party is in the majority, we have an awesome responsibility to govern, and to legislate knowing that the bills we propose in January are likely to become laws this July. We owe it to our constituents and all Virginians to choose our words carefully and make sure the words we use effect the policies and produce the outcomes we actually intend. That’s why I’ve only pre-filed one bill so far, a bill that I’ve introduced and word-smithed for the last three years. It requires student loan servicing companies to be licensed to do business in Virginia and adhere to a student borrower’s bill of rights in order to retain that license. They’ll be subject to regulation and oversight by Virginia regulators, so borrowers don’t have to make a literal federal case of it every time their servicer does something wrong. We will make big strides forward this year on gun violence prevention, moving toward a living wage, providing more funding for education, and increasing the use and affordability of renewable energy. We’ll increase women’s bodily autonomy in Virginia, and reform a criminal justice system that too often treats people of color more harshly than others. Some things just can’t wait. Getting the words right and choosing them carefully also means we may not get to all our priorities immediately. So be patient. There are more great things to come. Delegate Simon represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be emailed at DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
The Rule of Law Impeaches Trump
Here’s an interesting proposition: take everything Trump rants about in his remarkable six-page letter to Nancy Pelosi on the eve of his impeachment as if it was written in front of a mirror. This is often the way a demented, paranoid mind works. It takes all the internalized hate and fear and projects it outward. Everything he is accusing Pelosi of are crimes and excesses his mind is telling him he’s guilty of. What turns this paranoia into a screed is terror. Trump is experiencing primordial terror at the prospect of being called out for his bad behavior. It’s something he’s never had to do before his entire life, and he can’t handle it. We can expect it to get even FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS worse after the vote to impeach is taken. Apply this projection paranoia to his attack on prayer in the letter. Trump’s the one who is callous and totally hypocritical on the subject, but now that he’s terrified, he is becoming unhinged by the thought that God is abandoning him, too, and he is fit for nothing but a plunge into the dark, friendless emptiness and horrors of hell. It is instructive that this particularly hateful letter was addressed to Pelosi, a woman, exactly the kind that Trump can’t handle emotionally. Of citizens polled who favor his impeachment and removal from office, it is women who represent one of the biggest majorities. The #MeToo movement has brought millions of people to a new level of awareness, an awareness that was first inspired by the rise of the modern feminist movement, something generally written out of our formal histories at least up until the point that women won the right to vote a century ago. Indeed, there was a vibrant women’s movement during and following the American revolution, where in France the revolution there called for equal rights for women, including the vote, from the start. Paris was the center of the Democratic Enlightenment that informed and fueled the American revolution with its “History of Philosophy” movement. Thomas Paine, Ben Franklin and other seminal thinkers in the push to revolution in the colonies were deeply informed by the Paris movement, from where key support for the war fighting also came. There was an unrelenting push for women’s equality that loomed in the background of formal U.S. historical accounts and it was not until the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 took 20 million lives, including over 100,000 American lives, that the pressure grew to the point that the 20th Amendment was passed in 1920 granting the right of women to vote. The sentiment was that men had screwed the world up so badly as to foment World War I, led by three male cousins, heirs of Queen Victoria. It was marked a wholesale slaughter of millions of educated young men who were perceived by European royalty and oligarchs as a threat to their order. It caused the devolution of Europe into fascism, tyranny and mass murders after that war, requiring, for purposes with better motives, the prosecution of the Second World War to eradicate. With the rest of us now, Trump was born into a post-World War II world that had been through all that, and that remained divided between those seeking a revival of fascist and communist tyrannies and those of us who grew up as heirs of a humanist mobilization against that madness. Trump and his racist father arose on the fascist side of this divide, and when Trump was ready to launch his own career, his confidant was Roy Cohn, the aide to Sen. Joe McCarthy who sought to revive the postwar fascist cause in America. Here remains the divide today. Trump did not come from a vacuum. His rise was conditioned by a cultural mentality contemptuous of democracy and the rule of law from his earliest days, one that conformed to the brutal laws of organized crime. Crime, get it? That’s his pedigree. Above the law, in favor of rule by force, by nature. That’s what this impeachment is about. It is about holding Trump to the rule of law, something for which he’s had no respect whatsoever.
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DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019 | PAGE 15
Nicholas F. Benton
Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark
My granddaughter Caroline, age 4, who lives a block away, will soon experience her first Christmas from which joyful memories are likely to stick. She inspired me to delve back to Arlington Christmas scenes that unfolded when I was her age. My own sketchy memories are limited to spreading baking flour on the hearth on Christmas Eve in Cherrydale, and waking up astonished to see boot prints (suspiciously the same size as my father’s). So I went to the microfilm: old Northern Virginia Sun newspapers at Central Library’s Center for Local History. I time-traveled through 1957 front-page reporting (for grownups) on Eisenhower’s health, Sputnik and the selling of bonds to build my future Yorktown High School. The Arlington Council of Churches was deploring grocery stores open on Sundays. A teen advice column titled “Help Unpopular Girls When They Cling” was published alongside a puzzling comic strip called “Scorchy Smith.” Ads touted “Exciting new rambler and split-level” homes for $14,250 and 1957 Ford sedans for $239.50. But it was the feature coverage between Thanksgiving and Christmas that refreshed my sentimental recall. “Santa Makes Arlington Landing,” read one headline about the rooftop display at Virginia Square’s Kann’s
Department Store. It featured a lifesize Santa’s sleigh and reindeer on wires and pulleys, “a landmark in the county.” The Kiddie Corner shop at 4581 Columbia Pike pitched in so that “Kids Discover a New World of Toys for Christmas.” Boys my age were photographed on toy horses and other goodies “educational and instructive.” Cub Scout Pack 60 at St. Thomas More Church was shown packing clothing for the bishop’s drive for Catholic Charities. Many advertisements were Proustian memory jogs. Alexandria Dairy offered holiday eggnog “golden cream rich.” Penny’s in Clarendon promised “More for a MERRIER Christmas for Everyone” (men’s shirts for $2.98, bedroom slippers and women’s slips for $3.98). Robert Hall clothing on Route 50 boasted of “girls beautiful holiday dresses” for $4.95 and men’s “zip coats” of imported British Tweed for $29.95. People’s Drugs offered soft, plush “Hug ‘n Bears” almost 3 feet tall for $4.99. On Dec. 2, the Sun warned shoppers “only 22 days to go.” It reported the “long line of cars on Wilson Blvd. in the Clarendon District.” Parkington (now Ballston Quarter) boasted it can accommodate 12,000 cars. The women’s Chamber of Commerce offered a chance to party at the “sumptuous, brightly lighted” mansion of home-builder M.T. Broyhill. Less fancy grownups could “Celebrate New Year’s Eve Dancing 9 til ?” to the music
of Billy Johnson and orchestra at Arlington Towers Terrace. On Dec. 10, editors warned that “Christmas Presents Should Be Mailed Now.” Sears and Penny’s sales forces were getting off to “a good start.” A girl named Beth was photographed “trying to look as sophisticated as the Seven Corners mannikin.” On Dec. 12 a four-year-old Guatemalan girl got “a special Christmas” by becoming a U.S. citizen. The Dec. 19 issue profiled an Arlington training class for department-store Santas. John Ayers, “The Mayor of Westover,” “spread cheer” by posting letters from kids from Stewart School. Dec. 22 brought a joint ad for poinsettias from Arlington Florist, Conklin’s or Johnson’s Flowers. On Dec. 24, the Sun’s editorial led with verse: “Holiday Greetings, Falls Church, Fairfax, and Arlington; Merry Christmas from the Sun; One of our peculiar flaws is, we believe in Santa Clauses.” *** Looks like we must bid farewell to the Clarendon Ballroom. In a mysterious Instagram announcement last week, the owners said that in January they will shut the doors of that Art Deco building built in the 1930s as a furniture store and Woolworths. The owners declined to tell ArlNow — or me — the reason. I enjoyed a few private parties in the ballroom after it opened for music and libations in 2000. The owners plan to go out partying, inviting patrons to ring in the New Year before auctioning their equipment.
PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019
SPO RTS
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Mason Girls’ Off Target on Final Shots in 41-40 Defeat by Caitlin Butler
Falls Church News-Press
It was a horrifying Friday the 13th for George Mason High School’s girls basketball team, as it fell in heartbreaking fashion to the visiting Flint Hill Huskies at 41-40 last week On the last possession of the game, Mason set up a three-point play. The shot was off but sophomore guard Bella Paradiso managed to gather the rebound and put the ball back up. Unfortunately, Paradiso’s second chance also didn’t connect and sealed the loss for the Mustangs. A hot start to the second half had cold water splashed on it when Flint Hill’s defense came alive. Sophomore guard Zoraida Icabalceta led the Mustangs in the third quarter with a threepointer allowing the Mustangs to lead 22-19. Icabalceta followed up with an assist to Paradiso making the home team lead by two points with a score of 24-22. Icabalceta then nailed down another three pointer to allow Mason to take a comfortable five point lead of
SOPHOMORE GUARD Bella Paradiso’s putback attempt was just a bit off the mark, and allowed Flint Hill School to walk away with a 41-40 victory last Friday. (Photo: Carol Sly) 27-22. However, the visiting Huskies began their march toward victory by scoring nine consecutive points following Mason’s run. Flint Hill’s stifling defense affected the Mustang offense and allowed the Huskies to take their first lead since the opening quarter in 31-27. Freshman guard Peyton Jones helped the Mustangs find their pace with a three-point bas-
ket to bring Mason within one at 31-30, but would tack on three more points before going into the fourth quarter. The Flint Hill defense that began constricting the Mustang offense in the third would finally take its toll in the final quarter. Senior guard Julia Rosenberger’s deep three to kick off the fourth quarter put the Mustangs down one again at 34-33, but the offense
struggled to find its rhythm. Mason was searching for a three in the final minutes to surmount the Huskies, but ultimately failed following Paradiso’s missed putback. Early into the contest, it looked as if the Mustangs would come out on top. A Huskie possession opened the game, but Mason took an early 3-1 lead in the first quarter. Flint Hill responded with a
three pointer and then deployed its full-court press that contributed to multiple Mustang turnovers. Sophomore guard Zoraida Icabalceta was able to finally punish the Huskies aggressiveness by faking out the defense and going in for a smooth layup to give Mason a one point advantage at 10-9 over the Flint Hill. The Mustangs added to its lead in the second quarter with some strong offensive play. Junior guard Elisa Goislard fought through a foul and scored a bucket, however, she was unable to convert on the and-one foul shot. Still, Mason led 12-9 until the Huskies quickly responded with a three point basket tying the score for the first time in the game. Senior guard Julia Rosenberger quickly responded with her own three pointer to give the Mustangs a 16-14 margin in their favor. Mason tallied a total of nine points in the quarter and took a 19-17 advantage into the second half. Mason will face Robert E. Lee High School tonight at 7 p.m. for their final regular season game of 2019 before holiday tournament play begins next week.
Bucket at Buzzer Saves Mustangs From Near Collapse Vs. Monroe by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
Some last minute magic made premonitions of a blown lead vanish for George Mason High School’s boys basketball team in its 54-53 win over James Monroe on Tuesday night. What was a 12-point advantage for the Mustangs dissolved into a 51-46 deficit with 1:45 to play. The Yellow Jackets trailed since the first quarter, but overtook a shrinking Mason squad in the final three minutes by sticking the knife in and twisting it from the free throw line. Though the Mustangs had one final (if impromptu) act up their sleeve — junior guard Bobby Asel absorbing a double-team with seven seconds to go and finding fellow junior guard Deven Martino alone underneath the basket for the winning layup. The bucket capped off a miraculous 8-2 run in the closing 45 seconds and allowed Mason to take a bow (and a breath). “We got it to the guy I wanted,” Mason head coach Michael Gilroy said. “We were going to fake to [junior guard] Ryan
[Fletchall], use a back screen from [sophomore forward] Ben [Yimaj] on the lob and Bobby was gonna pop and get it. I wanted it to go to my best bulldog, and then he ended up passing for the first time all game.” An Asel-to-Martino connection erased an outcome that was hurtling its way toward embarrassment. Mason led 35-23 early in the third quarter following some slick passing from Fletchall to Asel to Martino for a smooth drive to the hole. But Monroe rallied from that point and mounted a 28-11 run to officially put the Mustangs on alert. The visiting Yellow Jackets rediscovered their early game stroke with some shots beyond the arc and mixed it in with inside pick-and-roll action. Mason’s defense had suddenly gotten weak-kneed, and the energy that had caused Monroe to commit unforced errors all of throughout the first half was not there. The Mustangs’ offense geared down just as its defense did. Martino was able to stem the Yellow Jackets’ comeback with a coast-to-coast layup to stay
JUNIOR GUARD Deven Martino, with the help of fellow junior guard Bobby Asel, pulled Mason’s fat out of the fryer with a last-second layup for the win. (Photo: Carol Sly) ahead 44-41, and senior forward Hunter Broxson’s second chance layup kept Monroe at arm’s length a little longer at 46-43. But eventually, three clunky Mason possessions were countered by a straightaway three and five free throws in two trips from the visitors before the Mustangs snapped back into form. “It was most important that our coach told us, when we were down five, that we looked like we had lost the game and
reminded us we had a lot of time left,” Asel said. “We took those words to heart and came back.” After falling behind 8-2 early on, Broxson, Martino and Asel, along with contributions from Yimaj, Fletchall and sophomore guards Duncan Miller and Charles Duross, helped get a 27-20 Mason lead by halftime. Martino and Asel came out strong to start the third before Monroe began its sprint. The win was big for a few
reasons. For one, it preserved a perfect, 2-0 home record. Secondly, it removed the taste of last Friday’s loss to nearby Yorktown. And maybe most importantly, it’s one of those character-revealing victories that the team can draw inspiration from during the course of the season. A perfect home record will be tested tonight when the Mustangs host Bishop O’Connell High School at 5:30 p.m.
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OFFICIALLY MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD are newcomers Susan Dimock (left) and Laura Downs. They join incumbent Phil Reitenger as those who were elected to the board at the polls in early November. Dimock, Downs and Reitenger will begin their work on the board in January, with one of their first orders of business being to review the upcoming budget that Falls Church City Public Schools will submit to the City of Falls Church. (Photo: Courtesy FCCPS Photo/John Brett)
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School News & Notes Mason High Sells Socks to Support Ugandan Student The Future Educators of America Club at George Mason High School is sponsoring a “Socks for School” fundraiser to raise money for Marble, a seven-year-old girl in Kampala, Uganda, so that she can go to school. Marble’s father passed away when she was one and her mother has been left to care for the family. Her family has no money to pay for school fees. The funds raised by purchasing 3-packs of socks at go.wehelptwo. com/campaign/?campaignid=3593 will cover her school fees. The deadline is December 20.
Mason Students Await Results of CyberPatriots Competition Over 30 George Mason High School students completed the State Round of the CyberPatriots on Dec. 8. This was the third round for the six teams that participated. They had three images (Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 and Ubuntu 16) and 2 CISCO networking tasks to complete.
Now competitors await results to see which teams advance to the semi-final round in January.
Marshall Academy Shadows Hotel Culinary Team Culinary Arts 1 and 2 students from Marshall Academy had the opportunity to shadow the executive culinary team and director of hospitality at the McLean DoubleTree Hotel, where they worked with staff members to prepare lunch. Working in teams with staff members, they prepared grilled chicken with a demi-glace sauce, baked tilapia, mixed vegetables, rice pilaf, and dinner rolls. Other teams handled the set-up and breakdown of the room and buffet serving area. DoubleTree staff members voted for the best dining table arrangement. During lunch, the DoubleTree staff discussed their personal career journeys, interview and resume tips and the vast career opportunities at the company and within the hospitality field. Students learned the value of teamwork, hard work, communication and leadership, and critical thinking skills as the DoubleTree staff stressed that the hospitality
field involves working in various capacities and helping teammates ensure guests are satisfied during their stay. One student remarked, “It’s good to go to school for cooking but you also need to get experience outside of school.” This trip was funded with a work-based learning grant from the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools.
Schools Lost & Founds Need Decluttering Before Break It’s that time of the year when Falls Church City Public Schools’ lost and found sections are stretched to capacity. This lost and found area at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School has a bin for notebooks, another for lunch boxes, and tubs for plastic containers, water bottles, and pencil cases, in addition to the hanging and folded clothing items. Parents are encouraged to visit the lost and found area at their child’s school before winter break to collect their items. Also, if parents aren’t sure of a school’s lost and found location, they are directed to ask someone when they check into the building.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS
Church). 7 5034.
– 8 p.m. 703-248-
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
Amateur Writers Group. A group for aspiring writers. Attendees can share their work, give and receive feedback. All kinds of writing considered. Attendees are encouraged to bring something that they’re working on. For the December meeting will be one week earlier (Dec. 19) so as not to conflict with the Christmas/ New Year’s holiday. The group will meet at Panera Bread (450 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 7 – 8 p.m.
Dance with Your Baby @ the Library. Music and movement playtime designed to get babies and caregivers moving. For ages 0-3, drop-in. For more information, visit the Youth Services Desk or call 703-248-5034. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Middle School Book Club. December Book: “Hereville: How Mirka got her Sword,” by Barry Deutsch. Book Club for grades 6-8. Limited copies of the book are available to borrow from the Youth Services Desk. Registration Required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls
Snowflake Art. Interested attendees can make big, little and even clay snowflakes. Participants can make snowflake decorations and ornaments from a variety of materials to bring home for the holidays. Instructors will also discuss a little snowflake science. Ages 6 to 10. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 4 – 5 p.m. 703-228-6535.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
Holiday Farmers Market. The award-winning, year-round market is filled with fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and much more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. – noon. 703248-5034.
Winter Walk. As the days get shorter and colder, the animals living in Glencarlyn Park are getting ready for winter. Participants will take a walk through habitats to learn about what different species do to survive the winter; sleep, fly away or go out in the cold. Families ages 5 and up. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 5 – 6 p.m. 703-228-6535.
Flying Squirrel Lore & More. Flying squirrels are found throughout the wooded neighborhoods of Arlington, but are seldom seen. Interested attendees can learn about these engaging nocturnal acrobats. After an indoor presentation, the group will tiptoe outside to see these little pixies glide in for an evening meal. Families ages 4 and up. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 5 – 6 p.m. 703-228-6535.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 ESL Conversation Group. A conversation group (for adults) learning English as a second language. Meets every Monday at regularly scheduled time. No registration — drop-in. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m.
THEATER&ARTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 “Madeline’s Christmas.” “In an old house in Paris, covered in vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” And with that phrase, Ludwig Bemelman sets in motion the adventures of the brave Madeline. In this musical adaptation, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are sick in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to go home for Christmas. Madeline comes to the rescue for a Christmas journey they will never forget. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). $16 – $80. 7:30 p.m. creative cauldron.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 “Airness” When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend; it’s about finding yourself and performing with raw joy. 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill
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Rd., Tysons) $42. 2 p.m. 1ststagetysons.org.
A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186.
“A Chorus Line.” Signature continues its tradition of big musicals in intimate spaces with one of the most iconic musicals ever written. Up close in the audition room, feel every heartbeat and heartbreak as hopeful dancers pour out their dreams, memories, loves, and why they dance in a breathtaking display of the tremendous talent it takes to be in a chorus line. With one of the largest casts in Signature history, “A Chorus Line” is the one singular sensation for the holiday season. Signature Theatre (420 Campbell Ave., Arlington) $40 – $103. 8 p.m. sigtheatre.org.
Thrillbilly’s. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 “Newsies.” In the summer of 1899, the newsboys of New York City took on two of the most powerful men in the country — Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst — and won. Inspired by true events, the Broadway smash hit is a testament to the power of standing up and speaking out. The Tony Award-winning musical features fan-favorites like “Carrying the Banner,” “King of New York” and “Seize the Day.” Arena Stage (1101 Sixth Street, SW, Washington, D.C.). $51 – $105. 2 p.m. arenastage.org.
LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 Laurence McKenna. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6:30 p.m. 703-2378333. Carbon Leaf. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $39.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Retroglycerin Album Release feat. Archie & The Bird Brains, Twice the Size of Harold, Joey Howard. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $20. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. Karaoke. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste
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DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019 | PAGE 19
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 CPBlues. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-5329283. The Bee Charmers (featuring Carol Gaylor). JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-241-9504. Dan Rodriguez — The All I Want for Christmas Is Whiskey Tour. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 8 p.m. 703255-1566. Super Funk 5. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186. Love is Love Dance Party — a Queer Holiday For All feat. DJ BlakBerri, Lipsy’s Drag Show & Cathy D. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $15. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300. Wicked Jezabel, Twitch and Sagittarius Ho-La-Day party. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504. Jameson Greene Band Live. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703237-8333.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Jess & Steve & Guests. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504. Dreamsville Jazz by Jacque Live and in Concert. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. A Very Maysa Christmas Live. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $69.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.
DIXIELAND DIRECT will be at JV’S Restaurant on Sunday. (Photo: DixielandDirect.com) Clauster Eve: Jammin Java Songwriters Circle Holiday Edition — Todd Wright, Anthony Flacco, Luke Brindley, Scott Simons. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $16. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.
(6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Great Northern. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186.
Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186.
Fundraising for Building Vets w/ Three Bands. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Luther Re-Lives Holiday Show featuring William “Smooth” Wardlaw. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $45. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.
Karaoke. Mark’s Pub (2190 Pimmit Dr., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-356-3822. Maggie Shot Burns. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 Dixieland Direct. JV’s Restaurant
Daryl Davis & Patsy with the Hall Brothers. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Jimmy Cole Holiday Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Cotton Candy with True Love Always and Kevin Hairs. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-5258646.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 The Mini Clauster Family Holiday Happy Hour. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $30. 2 p.m. 703-255-1566. Caryl Harvey Holiday Recital. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6:30 p.m. 703-241-9504. Wolf’s Open Mic Blues Jam. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Sookie Jump. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Jimi Smooth & The Hit Time. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
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.
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STRANGE BREW
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DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019 | PAGE 21
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DOWN
1. On/Off ____ 2. Baseball All-Star Minnie nicknamed “The Cuban Comet” 3. “Don’t you agree?” 4. Heyward, Stone or Nelson, as each signed the Declaration of Independence 5. “____ changed my life, but it doesn’t keep me from living”: Magic Johnson 6. Buncha 7. More blustery 8. “Seinfeld” nickname 9. It can have three or four legs 10. McDonald who is the only person to win Tonys in all four acting categories 11. Make light of 12. Actor Mineo 13. Monogram on L’Homme products 18. Wear away 22. Hashtag next to a celeb’s baby picture, perhaps 24. Little giggle 25. Cavalry weapon 26. Prefix meaning “within” 27. KOA customer
JOHN DEERING
Sudoku
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By The Mepham Group
Level 1 2 3 4
6. "All the way with ____" ('64 slogan) 9. Cheeky 14. Words before may or might, in verse 15. Yell with an accent 16. Skipjack and yellowfin 17. Word that describes 67-Across 19. Wide receiver ____ Beckham Jr. 20. Muppets watchers
1
21. Texter's "Oh, and ..." 22. Raced 23. Hit CBS series with multiple spinoffs 24. Word that describes 67-Across Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
28. Chinese restaurant offering NICK KNACK
© 2019 N.F. Benton
1
12/22/19
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
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PAGE 22 | DECEMBER 19 – 25, 2019
dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . pas
20 s Yearo Ag
is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . p a s is the Now for all time cows good me to to coaid of the their.
BACK IN THE DAY
20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press
Falls Church News-Press Vol. IX, No. 41 • December 23, 1999
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
Falls Church News-Press Vol. XIX, No. 43 • December 24, 2009
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Critter Corner 10 Year s Ago
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the the ir pas ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
‘Stay Home’ Y2K New Year’s Eve to Bring Larger Turnout for Local Fete
Kaine’s Plan to Address $4 Billion State Shortfall to Slam Localities
From Times Square to Red Square, from the Vatican to the Great Wall of China people are getting ready for New Year’s Eve. Here in Falls Church the stage will be the city’s center, where members of the community can come together in the festivity between 8 p.m. and midnight on Friday, December 31, 1999 for Watch Night.
The grim parameters of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine’s annual budget message in Richmond last week confirm that localities like the City of Falls Church, Arlington and Fairfax County will be much harder hit with the funding shortfalls than previously thought.
Longtime F.C. Resident Lenore Karnis Dies at 96 Lenore Fury Karnis died at 96 on Dec. 16, 2019. Lenore will be remembered for many things, perhaps most of all for her generosity. She was a loyal friend to many and was always thinking of other people’s needs and interests and gifting them with homemade food or finding craft supplies to donate to daycare. She was very smart, going back to school to get her GED high school diploma many years ago. Having a keen sense of curiosity she researched many topics and enjoyed sharing new information with others. She cherished her cats — they were an important part of her life and kept her entertained with their antics. The matriarch, the glue that held all her children together, she was always there for them, whether for a financial crisis, a health issue or a celebration. She loved her children as well as their friends, and enjoyed their visits. She supported many charitable organizations. Born Oct. 28, 1923 in Toronto, Canada she did not have an easy childhood and most of the few relatives she had died when she was young. Nonetheless she made her way to the U.S., found work and eventually got married
and settled in Falls Church with plans to have a large family. Raising nine children was no easy feat but she was a skilled homemaker, canning a variety of things and sewing and mending. Faithful to her catholic upbringing, she would start her mornings reading the bible. She was very active in the Falls Church community, serving as secretary of the Northern Virginia District PTA and as chairperson of the Falls Church Citizen’s Advisory Board to Special Education. Other involvements included working the 1980 census and serving as a home health aide to the elderly. Lenore was stoic and looked on the bright side of life. Always healthy it was a shock when she got breast cancer in 2009, followed by ovarian cancer which reoccurred again recently. As she dealt with chemotherapy, on rough days she would always repeat “It will get better.” Her strong will to live and enjoyment of life enabled her to survive ten years after the initial diagnosis. She is survived by her sons Mark Frog (wife Lita) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Thomas in Falls Church; daugh-
AT ATTENTION is Tucker, who loves long walks in the woods with his Daddy Bob. He also clearly enjoys walking through the man-made “woods” of Christmas tree farms. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com. LENORE KARNIS ters Mary in Weaverville, North Carolina, Margaret in Knoxville, Tennessee, Elizabeth (husband Dan) in Purcellville, Virginia, Dorothy in Lebanon, Oregon, as well as honorary daughter Judy Jensen of Falls Church. Her husband John Oliver predeceased her on Jan. 2, 1995 as did three of her sons; Paul on 1/7/13, Joseph on 8/19/12 and John on 8/27/83. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jessica, Katherine, Emily, Zachery, Alexandria, and Logan, as well as great grandchild Eliana Rose. She will be greatly missed. No service is planned at this time.
Falls Church Local Scott Sisk Dies at 58 Scott Nathan Sisk passed on Dec. 14, 2019 in Arlington. He was born on Jan. 28, 1961 in Front Royal. Scott grew up in Falls Church and attended J.E.B Stuart (now Justice) High School. He was an avid golfer, philanthropist and a local sports enthusiast. He is survived by his spouse, Catherine Tallant; daughters, Ashlynne and Abbigale Sisk; mother,
Joyce Sisk; brothers Jeff and Kevin Sisk; and granddaughter, Adilynne Sisk; nephew, Adam Sisk; nieces, Emma and Dayna Sisk. A memorial service will be held for Scott at 1 p.m. on Dec. 23, at Murphy Funeral Homes in Arlington (4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). A gathering will be held immediately following services from 2 – 4 p.m.
C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h
CRIME REPORT Week of Dec. 9 – 15, 2019 Threat to Bomb, 500 blk W Broad St, Dec 10, 1:48 PM, a disgruntled patron at a business made a threat to bomb it. A request for police assistance was made and a male, 59, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for making a threat to bomb a building. No actual explosive device was observed or found. Destruction of Property 100 blk W Westmoreland Rd, Dec 10, between 12 PM and 7 PM, unknown suspect(s) damaged a fence. Credit Card Theft, 100 blk Chanel Ter, Dec 9, 1:30 PM, Unknown suspect(s) used a credit card fraudulently.
Visit us at: FCNP.COM
Identity Theft, 100 blk Chanel Ter, Dec 13, 5 PM, unknown suspect(s) fraudulently used a victim’s personally identifiable information. Fraud, 200 blk N Maple Ave, between Dec 6, 12 AM and Dec 13, 6:32 PM, unknown suspect(s) fraudulently used a victim’s personally identifiable information.
Smoking Violation, 6700 blk Wilson Blvd, Dec 13, 7:36 PM, a male, 56, of Falls Church, VA, was issued a citation for smoking in a non-smoking establishment. Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts, 500 blk Roosevelt Blvd. Dec 14, between 1 AM and 11:10 AM, unknown suspect(s) removed two license plates from a vehicle. Larceny from Vehicle, 600 blk N Oak St, Between Dec 13, 11 PM and Dec 14, 7:45 AM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from an unlocked vehicle. Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts, 1000 blk E Broad St, between Nov 21, and Dec 10, unknown suspect(s) removed two license plates from a vehicle. Larceny From Building, 300 blk W Broad St, Dec 14, 4:48 PM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value. Larceny From Building, 300 blk Hilwood Ave, Dec 15, 12:56 AM, a male suspect took items of value.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019 | PAGE 23
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Free Kettlebell Class at Functional Fitness Functional Fitness is offering a free kettlebell intro class on Saturday, Dec. 21 from noon – 1 p.m. Functional Fitness is located at 350 S. Washington Street, second floor, in Falls Church. The kettlebell is a cast iron or cast steel ball with a handle attached to the top. It is used to perform many types of exercises, including ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. Participants will learn proper form for a kettlebell swing, goblet squat, and overhead press. Those who complete the class also receive a free pass to attend a regular class as well. This class is offered regularly, on the third Saturday of each month. For more information, visit www.FunctionalFitnessVA.com.
NoVa’s Annandale Campus Opens Spring Registration Registration is open for Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus spring semester classes in business and hospitality management, education and public service, fine arts, digital media, and design, health sciences and nursing, biotechnology and horticulture, computer science and information technology, liberal arts, math, engineering, and applied technologies, physical and life sciences, and social studies. Spring Semester 2020 classes at the Northern Virginia Community College begin on Jan. 13 with the start of the 16-week and first eight-week sessions. The 14-week session starts on Jan. 27, the 12-week session starts on Feb. 10, the 10-week session starts on Feb. 24, and the second eight-week session starts on March 16. NOVA’s Annandale Campus is located at 8333 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. For more information, visit www.NVCC.edu.
Sponsorships Available for Falls Church’s New Year’s Celebration Sponsorships are still available for Watch Night 2019 in Falls Church. The free, family friendly New Year’s Eve event takes place on and around the 100 block of W. Broad Street and includes live music, active amusements for all ages, children’s activities, free popcorn, and more. The event is spearheaded by Barb Cram and funded by the local business community and churches, with significant support from the City of Falls Church. For information about supporting this event, email greenscap@aol.com.
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Ireland’s 4 P’s Collects More than 200 Toys at Annual Christmas Party Ireland’s Four Provinces held their annual Christmas party and collected more than 200 toy donations from attendees. The toys will be distributed to local children by the Falls Church Public Schools through its Family Assistance fund. The Falls Church Education Foundation manages the fund and has raised $7,500 toward its $20,000 goal to help families in need. Those interested in learning more about the fund or contributing, can go to www.fcedf.org. Owned and operated by Colm Dillon, Ireland’s Four Provinces is located at 105 W. Broad Street in Falls Church. 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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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
PAGE 24 | DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2019
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5th Annual Unique Christmas Sweater Contest
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Enter your sweater for a chance to win $100.00 Just email us a photo of your Favorite Unique Christmas Sweater. Winner will be selected 1/1/2020
Please email your sweater pictures to merelyn@kayes.com Decision of the judges is final. The Winner agrees to have their picture in the FCNP Jan 2nd issue
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