Falls Church News-Press 12-21-2023 by Falls Church News-Press

December 21 - 27, 2023

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. XXXIII No. 45

The City of Falls Church’s Independent, Locally-Owned Newspaper of Record, Serving N. Virginia

Tarter Upbeat In Final Talk At Chamber Luncheon

ALL HAIL CHIEF GAVIN!

Memorable 10 Year Term Wraps Up at End of Month by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

In what was likely the final public appearance of his record fifth two year term as mayor, outgoing City of Falls Church Mayor David Tarter appeared before a large audience at the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon this Tuesday at the Italian Cafe. Tarter and also outgoing veteran City Council colleague Phil Duncan captivated the business-oriented crowd with their recollections of the past development and vision for the future of the Little City. Tarter said that when he first moved to Falls Church 20 years ago (having grown up in the Northern Virginia region), it was evident to him that the City’s downtown “needed to be kick-started.” The process had only begun in the first years of this century with the final approval for construction of The Broadway coming in September of 2001. Duncan, who spoke extensively after Tarter’s presentation, noted that in the decade before that, momentum for the transition began with the new News-Press’ drumbeat editorial emphasis on the need for economic development to pay for the schools. Founder and editor Benton also became president of the Chamber of Commerce. It had been up to then that the two components of the City were at loggerheads – the residential population concerned about schools and the business community concerned about taxes. But in about 1993 Duncan said, that division began being addressed, and within a half-dozen years, around

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A FITTING GOING AWAY celebration for long-term Falls Church Chief of Police Mary Gavin (far right) was held at the Falls Church Episcopal last Thursday. Chief Gavin ran the department here from 2007. (Photo: Gary Mester)

‘Watch Night’ on Tap Here for New Year’s Eve

by Brian Reach

Falls Church News-Press

With the year coming quickly to a close, many are scrambling for lastminute gifts for the holidays… but what about New Year’s Eve plans? While many in the region shell out hundreds of dollars for tickets to loud parties in packed venues, braving roads with impaired drivers and checkpoints, the City of Falls Church offers a free night of entertainment, just a short walk from any corner of town — and with tons of activities for the whole family, there’s no need for a babysitter! A beloved Little City tradition

since 1998, the Annual Watch Night New Year’s Eve Celebration is back this year to ring in the New Year in style! The event is open to the public, free to attend, and fun for the whole family. Watch Night is a collaboration between The Little City CATCH Foundation, City government, various businesses and organizations, and citizen volunteers, created to provide a family-friendly way for the community to celebrate the New Year safely. Watch Night began on 12/31/1998, the year of the 300th Anniversary of the city’s founding, with the activism and enthusiasm

of the late Barb Cram (who passed away in June 2020) credited with bringing the event to fruition. The celebration took place for over 20 consecutive years until the pandemic shut the event down in 2020 and 2021. Watch Night returned last year, but was moved indoors at the last minute due to rain. This year the New Year’s Eve forecast appears to be clear, with partly cloudy skies, low wind, a high of 48 degrees, and a brisk (but seasonal) low of 29 degrees. The Little City’s wide variety of restaurants will remain open dur-

ing the event, so come hungry (and thirsty), and plan on supporting these local businesses! Fire pits and fireplaces for warming will be setup along Fun Alley and the Main Stage. The fun will continue until midnight, when the famous Big Star will drop to usher in 2024. The evening’s festivities are divided between three areas: The Falls Church Episcopal, The Falls Church Presbyterian Church, and Fun Alley (100 block of W. Broad St.) at the Main Stage. Each area provides its own lineup of live activi-

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PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023

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NEWS BRIEFS Harvey’s Restaurant is Big News in Washington Post

Sen. Kaine Passes Bill to Prohibit Withdraw From NATO

Owner Thomas Harvey was very excited about the coverage his Falls Church restaurant got in the Washington Post this week. “This one is pretty awesome! Ending the year with this honor is amazing! Thank you to all the staff at Harvey’s for continuously coming in and bringing their A game and making my dream come true! To all of you who come in and support us I cannot thank you enough! 2023 was pretty kick a**! Watch out 2024 we are gonna push even harder!,” Harvey wrote. In an item titled “The 10 Best Casual Restaurants of 2023,” Harvey’s is described thusly: “In a perfect world, every neighborhood would have a place like Harvey’s, whose comforts-heavy menu is anchored in the traditions of home – and in the professional kitchens where owner Thomas Harvery apprenticed with some of Washington’s finest chefs.” Other Falls Church establishments also featured in the region’s second best newspaper are the Truong Tien restaurant in the Eden Center, which “specializes in Hue royal cuisine” which can consist of “rice with seven dishes, featuring shrimp balls, lotus root salad, and gio thu (a compressed puck of pig offal),” and Jeff Weaver’s Victory Comics, that it notes, among other things, hosts LGBTQIA+ comic nights on the last Tuesday of each month focused on celebrating LGBTQIA+ comics, characters and creators.”

Virginia U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) had a number of his initiatives included in the passage last week of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). He reported that one of them is bipartisan legislation that he penned – and both the Senate and House passed – that would prevent any U.S. President from unilaterally pulling out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Kaine wrote, “NATO has never been stronger – and it’s also never been more important. With the ongoing war in Ukraine and turmoil across the globe, we must reaffirm our commitment to this critical alliance. Not only does this bill shore up alliances with our partners in NATO, but it also reaffirms our commitment to global security. “My legislation prevents any U.S. president from making unilateral moves to withdraw from this alliance – because democracy requires that the people weigh in on decisions for the country, including foreign policy,” he said.

Rep. Connolly Interviewed on MSNBC Vs. Trump Rhetoric Virginia U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly was on MSNBC Reports with Yasmin Vossoughian last week to condemn Trump’s saying that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.” Connolly was clear: “There is no room for this Nazi rhetoric in our political discourse, and Trump’s comments should be condemned by every one of his Republican colleagues in Congress.”

Va. Interfaith Group Prepares for Richmond Virginia Interfaith Council Executive Director, Kim Bobo this week shared a detailed overview of the VICPP legislative priorities for 2024, including in the areas of: health equity, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, working family support, and more. January 17 is the organization’s advocacy day in Richmond.

Regional Commission Reports 7.4 Percent GDP Growth in N. Va. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) released its most recent economic report for our region last week. From 2021 to 2022, it reported, Northern Virginia’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.45 percent from $250 billion to $276 billion. The region’s GDP is now 41.6 percent of Virginia’s total economy, up from 41.4 percent. The overall GDP for the region is greater than 24 states, the District of Columbia, and if a country, the 48th largest economy in the world, it reported.

Crance Elected New Chair Of F.C. Chamber of Commerce It was announced this week that Dave Crance of Lake Crest Partners has been named the new annual chair of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, and Ramita KC of Burke and Herbert Bank is the new vice chair. New to the Chamber board for next year are Anne Byerly of Edward Jones, Carrie Hare of National Memorial Park and Funeral Home, María Belén Quellet of the Learning Quest, Cesar Rios-Villena of VIGEO Physical Therapy and Steve Stanford of M&T Bank. Coming back onto the board is Joe Wetzel of the Young Group.

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DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023 | PAGE 3

Tarter, Duncan Say Goodbye to F.C.Chamber of Commerce

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the time that Tarter moved here, the beginnings of a sea change were being felt with both sides seeing the value in the others’ success. By the time Tarter and Duncan first ran for City Council in 2012, with Tarter serving on the City’s Economic Development Authority and as an interim city attorney prior to that, the momentum was well underway. But they both played critical roles in building it further, including the deployment of new tax revenues derived from it for crucial, long overdue infrastructure improvements. Central to that was the need for a new high school, and at that time estimates of the cost were considered prohibitive. Alternatives to spending $120 million on a new high school were feverishly being sought, but none could be found. In Tarter’s and Duncan’s earliest years on Council a commitment was made, through a public referendum, to commit to the new school, even though it was feared that the tax rate burden on households would be extreme. But it began to be developed that

an alternative could be achieved by pushing the envelope on commercial development. In the end, not only did the new high school get built on time and under budget, and not only did it not cost taxpayers anything to do it, but thanks to the success of commercial development negotiations in the City-owned West End, there was a record tax cut of over 12 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. While around the City’s 2.2 square miles commercial spaces are being transformed, from the West End to the Broad and Washington city center and in between, there is more still in the pipeline. The net result is that the City is now home to one of the most touted school districts in the U.S.. with major capital improvements to all the City’s public school facilities, but it also has a renovated City Hall and public library, more walkable streets and sidewalks, and a bright future to do much more, including the prospect of much bigger tax cuts to come. In his remarks Tuesday, Tarter said that his “parting shots” include continued commercial development for a balanced tax base, greater walk-

ability and bikeability with sidewalks already widened from 14 to 20 feet, better streetlights and planters, and designated bike lanes. He called for maintaining quality building design standards, undergrounding of parking and an emphasis on “the last mile” to link the two Metro stations that flank the City to its commercial center, and that more creative uses of Uber and Lyft resources could be a better approach than what was tried in the past. He said that “universal design standards” to make the City more physically accessible to all, with major pushes for more affordable housing, are vital. “We are on a great path, with high quality development, city services and schools,” he said. Duncan added that the business and community interests, including schools, need to work more closely together still, to meet the many challenges facing the City and region, especially in the area of affordable housing. Tarter told the News-Press that he doesn’t know yet what the next period in his life will bring, but that he doesn’t see staying involved with the City as he has been to be in it.

OUTGOING F.C. Councilman Phil Duncan (left) and Mayor David Tarter spoke to the F.C. Chamber of Commerce this week. (Photo: Meredyth Duncan)

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Big Star Drop to Ring in 2024 at F.C. Watch Night

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ties and entertainment. “Watch Night Falls Church 2023 has a great mix of music and entertainment,” said Keith Thurston, President of the CATCH (City of Arts, Theater, Culture, and History) Foundation, “with favorites like the Northern Lights Dance Orchestra, new groups for us like local indie rock band Indigo Boulevard, and the DMV Skyline Band rocking the outdoor stage at midnight.” The Falls Church Episcopal (115 E. Fairfax St.) will provide a special free guided tour of the historic church at 6:00 p.m. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to tour the place where the Declaration of Independence and Emancipation Proclamation were read to the citizens of Falls Church, and where George Washington and George Mason were active parishioners and served on the Church Vestry. A performance by indie rock group Indigo Boulevard will follow from 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. The Falls Church Presbyterian Church (225 E. Broad St.) will begin the night at 7:00 p.m., with the Victorian Society at Falls Church setup to capture family and indi-

vidual portraits in stylish Victorian attire, puppet shows by puppeteer Robert Brown, and a professional face painter. Live music will start with an interactive music performance for children and adults led by Antoinette and Rodriguez with the band 20kV at 7:00 p.m., followed by swing dancing with the Northern Lights Big Band Orchestra from 8:30 p.m. — 10:30 p.m. The 100 block of W. Broad St. (from Washington St. to Maple Ave.) will be closed to vehicle traffic from 5:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. It will then begin to transform into “Fun Alley,” which will open at 7:00 p.m. packed with children’s amusements galore — including moonbounces, rock climbing walls, spinning rides, karaoke, and more! The Main Stage of the event, set up at the N. Maple Ave. end of Fun Alley, will feature live entertainment from 7:00 p.m. — midnight, led by Master of Ceremonies Jeffrey Garofalo. The lineup will kick off with Meridian High School’s own singer/songwriter Ruby Jones playing original compositions on acoustic guitar, followed by No Better Off, and the DMV Skyline Band. The night will culminate with a count-

THE BIG STAR drops as the New Year arrives during a prior Watch Night. (Photo: CATCH Foundation) down beginning at 11:55 p.m., when the Big Star lowers as 2024 arrives. A piece of Falls Church history dating back to before the Civil War, the Big Star first appeared in 1852 outside the Star Tavern, which stood at the corner of Broad and Washington for decades. The star became an area landmark, and though the building was replaced by a bank in 1924 (and then George Mason Square in 1984), a historic marker placed at the intersection now commemorates it. In 1948, a

big lighted star fixture was installed on top of the water tower behind the State Theatre, which remained for many years. That star was eventually rediscovered in storage, restored, and now ushers in the New Year each year during Watch Night. Parking for Watch Night will be available along Park Ave. (follow event signage). For those taking public transportation, the East Falls Church Metrorail Station is the closest WMATA rail station, about a ten-minute walk from the festivi-

ties. WMATA Bus route 28A runs between West Falls Church and East Falls Church Metrorail Stations, providing direct access to festivities at its stop at W. Broad St. & S. Maple Ave. WMATA Bus service will operate until 2:00 a.m. Metrorail service currently shows a regular Sunday schedule with stations closing at Midnight, however in previous years they announced extended service hours closer to the holiday (as well as fare-free rides for bus and rail from 8:00 p.m. until close).

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The Abrahamic Imperative Remains Our Path to Peace Nicholas F. Benton FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

It is rarely acknowledged – though British poet Wilfred Owen and composer Benjamin Britten do so explicitly in the poem “The Parable of the Old Man and the Young” which Britten used to form a key portion of the libretto of his “War Requiem” – what was originally intended, in my view, to be the core overriding value of the Abrahamic faith current of western civilization, the Patriarch Abraham being the common root of the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. That primal rudimentary concept is described in the Old Testament in Abraham’s handling of his son, Isaac at the outset of our civilization’s lineage. Had Abraham not followed the right path in that case back then, we would have nothing of what has become our multi-millennial-long cultural tradition. What was so special, imperative and important, about Abraham’s handling of Isaac? Britten’s “War Requiem” libretto in part, sung by a baritone and soprano (old man and boy), is taken from the chilling World War I poem by Owen.. “So Abram rose, and clave the wood, and went, And took the fire with him, and a knife. And as they sojourned both of them together, Issac the first-born spake and said, My Father, Behold the preparations, fire and iron, But where the lamb for this burntoffering? Then Abram bound the youth with belts and straps, And builded parapets and trenches there, And stretchèd forth the knife to slay his son. When lo! an angel called him out of heaven, Saying, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, Neither do anything to him. Behold, A ram, caught in a thicket by its horns; Offer the Ram of Pride instead of him. But the old man would not so, but slew his son, – And half the seed of Europe, one by one.’ In other words, the monstrosity of the 25 million soldiers’ lives lost in the four years of World War I are owing to the rejection of God’s command to Abraham

that he spare Isaac. Now, this is sin, if ever it was. This is what eons of our civilization’s rejection of the edict to Abraham regarding his son has produced. Indeed, it is to the brutal way in which our culture has empowered the heinous abuse of its young men by its older ones that blame lies for the most terrible outcomes of our civilization. This is a revelation that almost no one wants to acknowledge. In fact, it is at the core of what goes by the term of “feminism” actually stands for, even though too few even among proclaimed feminists recognize it. The movement rightly is composed of women and, pardon the word choice, effeminate men. They stand for humanity’s survival through the throwing off of male supremacy in all its forms and everywhere. It needs to be noted in this context that both Owen and Britten counted themselves among such “effeminate” men, openly homosexual at that. In the case of World War I following the death of Owen and the Armistice, there was a robust feminist movement rooted in the (correct) notion that male chauvinism was responsible for the impossible carnage that was the Great War. This led to the swift adoption in the U.S. of the 20th amendment giving women the right to vote for the first time, and an equal rights movement that nearly produced a mandate for equal pay. Notice that the minute that was held up, in the century since we are still no nearer such a constitutional mandate than we were then. Latest advancements in the anti-abortion movement, including some of the most inhumane excesses coming out of Texas, is only a lawful progression of this reactionary counterrevolution and will only get more extreme until the forces of the legitimate feminist movement rise up en masse. Will our culture, grounded as it is in the Abrahamic tradition, finally take the step it has so ruthlessly rejected that the God of Abraham commanded as the precondition for our progress? Will the feminist mandate at last spring us free to shape a new world free of war and dedicated to the global solutions that will allow us relief from want and suffering?

CO MME NT

DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023 | PAGE 5

CBC Tribute to F.C. Mayor Carol DeLong by Hal Lippman President, Citizens for a Better City

Like so many others in our community, Citizens for a Better City (CBC) wishes to express its sadness at the passing of Carol DeLong. In so doing, however, even more so we want to acknowledge and celebrate her myriad contributions as a more than 50-year member of and leader in our organization. For example, while her service on the City Council for 16 years (1974-1990), including eight years as our first woman Mayor (1980-1988), has been noted with the well-deserved praise it deserves, we take additional pride in her always having run for this elected office under the CBC banner. Back in the day, gaining CBC’s endorsement and attendant campaign support was a major undertaking. Among other things, aspirants were required to undergo the rigors of presenting themselves at a nominating convention, with all the trappings of the major events we witness every four years when our two major political parties work to select their nominees for President. In these nerve-racking public meetings Carol’s unique blend of traits that carried over and served her and our organization so well for decades – keen intellect, plain-speaking manner, eye for detail, and humility – were on display consistently. Reflecting these traits, her character, and extraordinary record of sustained achievement, in 2002 Carol received the Jane and Wayne Dexter Award, CBC’s highest honor. In sum, while our sadness over her passing lingers and will no doubt continue for some time, for the CBC community she will live on as a bea-

CAROL DELONG, FOUR-term and first woman Mayor of the City of Falls Church, died last week. (Courtesy Photo) con and embodiment of our cherished principles of citizen engagement and effective/responsive/ accountable local government. In every sense of the phrase and with our profound sense of gratitude, Carol’s was “a life welllived,” whose effects will long endure.

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As we approach the end of 2023, we can’t help but acknowledge that this was one of the most productive years in the history of the City of Falls Church. It is not possible in this small space to encompass all that has happened of a positive nature here in the last 12 months. Even as the nation has had to work overtime to stave off the onset of the terrible prospect of the end of democracy and the elevation of a horrific authoritarian alternative, work still far from over, in the modest 2.2 square miles of Falls Church and among its 15,000 people the results continue to be remarkable, and we expect it to continue into 2024. That said, we must also acknowledge terrible losses, all quite recently, starting with the passing of the City’s first woman and four-term mayor, Carol DeLong, this fall. A worthy tribute to her from friends of the Citizens for a Better City is published elsewhere in this edition. Then there is the terrible and relatively sudden passing of Charlie Clark, the lifelong journalist whose best work, it might be said, began with his socalled retirement and the publication of numerous important books and, not the least, his series of decades-long weekly columns in this newspaper, entitled “Our Man in Arlington.” In addition to Clark, another leading journalist and friend of Falls Church and the News-Press who has contributed enormously during his retirement, Cragg Hines, also passed away this month after a lengthy illness. Clark and Hines both attended weekly information sharing lunches of the News-Press last spring and were energetic contributors, sharing their knowledge and vitality with each other and all participants. What a loss to have them both gone so soon. An extraordinary memorial tribute event for Clark was held last weekend at the high school of his youth, Yorktown in Arlington, attended by hundreds of his family, friends, and not the least, tons of his avid readers. In one of many extraordinary tributes to the extraordinary life and work of Clark came from his sister, Martha Clark Franks, and her account included the following that speaks for itself: “Charlie’s final book, published just days before the onset of the terrible illness that took him so suddenly from us, is a biography of a different kind. He wrote the life story of the local paper in which his columns on Arlington had appeared, the Falls Church News-Press. The book is journalistically straightforward in style, so much so that you might not at first recognize it for what it is – a love letter from Charlie to local journalism. It describes a local journal supporting and being supported by its community. It makes a reader feel how fantastically important that exchange of support is. That was who Charlie wanted to be. That was who he succeeded in being.” So with Charlie Clark, Mayor DeLong and Cragg Hines, all making powerful contributions to making life itself remarkable.

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G uest Commentary

Tinner Hill Music Festival Welcomes New Executive Producer

by Tori McKinney

After my five years of production, and four year reign as the Tinner Hill Music Festival’s Executive Producer, I am ready to pass the torch. Reflecting on the past five years, I am truly grateful for the opportunity and to have worked with the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. My hard work and dedication to the Festival since my first year of production in 2019 are exemplary of my steadfast devotion to the Foundation’s mission and have made me a leader in the preservation and promotion of the African American legacy, all while growing the Music Festival to what it is today and increasing awareness of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. My participation in the Festival does not end here: my ROCK STAR Beer Garden, established in 2011, lives on! I wish to express my resounding gratitude to the Festival Key

Krewe, Volunteers, Sponsors, Donors, guests and music lovers who played a part in making my tenure as Executive Producer an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Reflecting on the past five years of music, dancing, and love, I am proud of the work I have dedicated to the Foundation, and look forward to providing guidance to those taking over the reins of production for the next Tinner Hill Music Festival on June 8, 2024! The 2024 Tinner Hill Music Festival will be home to a new Executive Producer and select Festival Key Krewe. With the help of returning Key Krewe, the Foundation welcomes their new leaders. Drum roll, please… Executive P r o d u c e r, La’Verne Washington, laverne. thmf@gmail.com Often referred to as “our fearless leader,” the role of Executive Producer is not one to be taken lightly. The Foundation

is thankful for La’Verne, who is jumping in with both feet and hitting the ground running on the production of the 30th Annual Tinner Hill Music Festival. La’Verne will act as the aforementioned ‘fearless leader,’ overseeing all aspects of the planning and production of the upcoming festival, and will be the go-to resource for all things Tinner Hill Music Festival. Sponsor Krewe Chief, Michael Ankuma, mka595@ me.com A familiar and well known face of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation’s board of directors, Michael Ankuma has assumed the crucial role of Sponsor Krewe Chief. Those who want to join the group of amazing sponsors and experience the added benefits that accompany a charitable contribution to the Tinner Heritage Foundation & Festival can reach out to Michael. The Foundation has deep appreciation and gratitude for all of

those who generously donate and sponsor the Music Festival, and Michael looks forward to continuing to build relationships with all sponsors — past and future. Volunteer Krewe Chief, Nutan Chada, nchada1@gmail. com Calling all volunteers … Nutan Chada, newly appointed Volunteer Krewe Chief, is ready to get organized and fill the lineup of Festival Volunteers! Nutan looks forward to continuing a relationship with past volunteers, as well as form new relationships with anyone interested in getting involved. The Foundation relies on helpful, friendly, and hard-working volunteers to assist with production before, during, and after the Festival each year. Volunteers are credited as the backbone of the Tinner Hill Music Festival and directly contribute to making it an epic success each year. Sign-up is easy! Head over to TinnerHill.

703-533-7393 • www.foxesmusic.com 416 Washington St. Falls Church, VA 22046

org and click the “Volunteer for Festival” button at the top of the page. Nutan, along with the entire Foundation, thank you in advance for your support. While my volunteer Krewe and I have taken the Festival to a whole new level through our involvement over the past six years, I am looking forward to the new additions to the Festival Key Krewe carrying on and expanding it even further. Be on the lookout for exciting announcements including the reveal of this year’s headliners! Festival news and announcements will be posted in the Falls Church News-Press, as well as on social media: @ TinnerHillMusicFestival. You are certain to be wowed! Be sure to get your early bird tickets at TinnerHill.org, and Let’s Hope, Let’s Love, Let’s Dance at the 30th Annual Tinner Hill Music Festival on June 8, 2024! With Great Gratitude, Tori McKinney

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Christmas Revels with ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’

by Mark Dreisonstok

From December 15 — 17, Washington Revels celebrated its 41st annual production of Christmas Revels. As in years past, they did so with Celtic, American, and other traditions, singing songs of Christmas, both familiar and unfamiliar. This year they featured the magical medieval poetic tale of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” Composed by an anonymous author, this classic Middle English tale revolves around a Christmas feast. As the knights of King Arthur’s famed “Round Table” celebrate, a green knight appears and challenges them to try to cut off his head! The knights, realizing that magic is afoot, are afraid to take him up on what he calls his “Christmas Jest.” Embarrassed by the cowardice of his knights, King Arthur offers to take the challenge himself. Knowing his duty to his king, the young Sir Gawain nobly steps in to accept the challenge instead. He cuts off the Green Knight’s head, only for the knight to pick up the head and ride off, leaving Sir Gawain with the promise of a

rematch in a year! The story continues to the following Christmas time, with Sir Gawain seeking out the Green Knight. Along the way he must fight a dragon, make friends, and overcome temptations. Will he be successful? The tale was presented in an exciting way, fluctuating between regal solemnity and wonderful humor. Interspersed between the tale were Christmas songs such as “Sussex Mummers Carol,” “Dona Nobis Pacem,” and “Boar’s Head Carol,” the last of these linked to a boar hunt which takes place in the “Sir Gawain” narrative. (Indeed, a beautifully choreographed hunt is presented on stage.) “Edi Beo Thu, Hevene Quene” (Blessed Be You, Heavenly Queen) was sung in Middle English, and — in a bold move — five minutes or so of the production included the “Sir Gawain” poem read in Middle English with reconstructed original pronunciation. The audience could follow this part of the story (Sir Gawain battling the dragon and the cold) through pantomimed action. In addition to the stunning performances by Mogan Duncan (King Arthur), Abbie Mulberg (Queen

QUEEN GUENEVERE (Abbie Desrosiers Mulberg), Sir Gawain (Terrence Bartlebaugh), and King Arthur (Morgan Duncan) at the Court of Camelot. (Courtesy Photo) Guinevere), Terrence Bartlebaugh (Sir Gawain), Preston Jones, and Emma Jaster (the last two as Lord and Lady Berclak, the hosts of the castle who take Sir Gawain in during his winter journey), there was the excellent King’s Noyse brass band providing the music. Splendid

dance numbers were performed by the “Lords and Ladies of Camelot,” which included little lords and ladies, and squires and damsels as well. Audience members joined in the some of the singing and dancing as well, making for a unique Christmas experience.

The “Sir Gawain” story is about cycles of spring to winter, of life to death, of death to renewal. This production has come and gone for this year, but can be still be enjoyed on demand until January 5 at: revelsdc.org/shows-events/ christmas-revels/.

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DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023 | PAGE 9

PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023

2023 Christmas Eve Services

Christ Crossman United Methodist Church

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

Ravensworth Baptist Church

384 N. Washington St., Falls Church

3305 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (English Mass), 1:00 p.m. (Misa en Español) 5:30 p.m. (English Mass, Christmas), 8:00 p.m. (Misa en Español, Navidad), 11:00 p.m. (Bilingual Mass with music)

5100 Ravensworth Rd., Annandale, VA 11:00 a.m. (Worship), 4:00 p.m. (Traditional)

4:00 p.m. (Children’s Service), 8:00 p.m. (Candlelight)

First Christian Church of Falls Church 6165 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church 6:30 p.m. (Pre-Service Music), 7:00 p.m. (Candlelight, Communion)

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church 1724 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 6:30 p.m. (Candlelight, Communion), 9:15 p.m. (Jazz, Festive)

103 W. Columbia St., Falls Church 3:00 p.m. (Children’s Service), 5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. (Traditional)

Galloway United Methodist Church 306 Annandale Rd., Falls Church 5:00 p.m. (Candlelight)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2023

115 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church 9:00 a.m. (Worship), 4:30 p.m. (Narrated Nativity), 8:30 p.m. (w/ Choral Prelude)

Dulin United Methodist Church 513 #. Broad St., Falls Church 5:00 p.m. (Family), 8:00 p.m. (Lessons & Carols)

LITTLE LIGHTS A Christmas Eve service for children and families, tailor-made for wiggles, giggles, and fun!

Petting Zoo begins at 2:30pm Service starts at 3pm columbiabaptist.org/kidschristmas 103 WEST COLUMBIA STREET | FALLS CHURCH 22046

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

3022 Woodlawn Ave., Falls Church 4:00 p.m. (Family Service), 7:00 p.m. (Traditional), 9:00 p.m. (Candlelight)

Saint James Catholic Church

The Falls Church Episcopal

Columbia Baptist Church

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

905 Park Ave., Falls Church 4:30 p.m. (Carols), 5:00 p.m. (Children’s), 7:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. (Traditional), 11:30 p.m. (Traditional w/ Carols)

The Surge Community Church

220 N. Washington St., Falls Church 11:10 a.m. (Worship)

Falls Church Presbyterian 225 E. Broad St., Falls Church 10:00 a.m. (Worship), 8:00 p.m. (Candlelight)

Immanuel Presbyterian Church 1125 Savile Ln., McLean, VA 4:00 p.m. (Family), 6:00 p.m. (Traditional w/ Carols), 10:30 p.m. (Communion)

Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church 3435 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church 5:00 p.m. (Candlelight, Communion)

Trinity Presbyterian Church 5533 N. 16th St., Arlington, VA 5:30 p.m. (Children’s Pageant), 7:30 p.m. (Candlelight), 11:15 p.m. (Communion, Candlelight)

Vienna Baptist Church 541 Marshall Rd. SW, Vienna, VA 4:30 p.m. (Candelight)

CHRISTMAS EVE 4pm, Children’s Service 8pm, Candlelight Service

CHRIST CROSSMAN UMC 384 N. WASHINGTON STREET • FALLS CHURCH www.christcrossman.org

DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023 | PAGE 11

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A BI M LU CO AT AS TM IS R CH CE N IE R EXPE Little Lights Service: Evening Services:

National Harbor Shines Along with Rudolph’s Red Nose

RUDOLPH AND ASPIRING dentist Hermey, the Misfit Toys, Abominable Snow Monster, and more are on display at Christmas at National Harbor. (Photo: Joshua Mongardini) by Mark Dreisonstok

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” does indeed have a very shiny nose—to paraphrase the famous holiday song, you could even say it shines like ice! “Winter travelers” can now experience the legendary stop-motion animated television offering in ice sculptures at the ICE! attraction at Prince

George’s County’s National Harbor in an “arctic journey.” Rudolph and his reindeer friends, Hermey (the elf who wants to be a dentist), the Abominable Snow Monster, the misfit toys, and others are all on display in ice at National Harbor. Fans from every generation will appreciate the very charming (and chilly) scenes from “Rudolph,” as meticulous ice sculptures evoke a childlike wonder from the young and fond, nostalgic

memories for those who have viewed over a lifetime the annual TV special (now running in its 59th consecutive year). Before venturing outside the Gaylord National Hotel to enjoy “Rudolph” (as well as religious sculptures in ice), Rachel Dinbokowitz of the ICE! team offers this important advice: “Please remember to dress warmly, as ICE! is 9 degrees. You will be provided with a warm blue

parka, but we encourage people to wear closed toe shoes, gloves, hats, and scarfs.” After a welcome hot chocolate after the cold ice exhibition (we did so in the cozy Ginger Snaps Sweet Shop), visitors will want to take in the many other fun winter offerings, such as a ride down a snowy mountain of ice (“Snow Flow Mountain”) in a snow tube. (There is also an ice slide on the “Island of Misfit Toys” in the “Rudolph” exhibit.) Outdoor ice skating is also available in a winterwonderland setting of Christmas lights on trees. Children may also visit Santa in the Gaylord Hotel’s Christmas Village. Christmas and circus enthusiasts will enjoy the “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas” show, representing a sort of carnival in holiday mood. Augmented by acrobats, trapeze artists, a clown, and other staples of a circus, the story enacted revolves around the main singer who anxiously awaits the magic of Christmas. Acrobatic stunts include exhilarating tricks of balancing boards on cylindrical cans, a young woman performing dangerous flips on a trapeze swing high off the ground, twin twirling air acrobats performing duet ribbon-like rope tricks, and flying rotating fabric disks

being juggled with impressive coordination. The soundtrack during the flying disk act includes “Jingle Bells” with a hint of Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing;” other Christmas music is heard, such as “Carol of the Bells.” The music also aids the show as it contains programmatic sound effects to tell the story. The ”Cirque” performance is conducted by a flamboyant ring master/clown whow leads the audience to cheer and clap in rhythm to the background Christmas music. While there are tickets for sale, the show can also be enjoyed free of charge in “standing room” in other parts of the Gaylord’s Atrium. There is also a light show and, on certain days, a “Greatest Story” stage show recreating the Nativity. While these activities are centered at the Gaylord hotel, a large Christmas tree and Ferris Wheel illuminated with the red-and-green colors of Christmas await the visitor outside. With manifold activities and ambience, it is little wonder that Christmas at National Harbor has become a holiday tradition for so many in our region. For further information, please visit: christmasatgaylordnational. marriott.com

CO MME NT

PAGE 12 | DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

When I was a child, the Christmas threat of a lump of coal in a stocking “hung by the chimney with care” was real. Our little house was heated by a coal-fired furnace, and the coal delivery truck had a chute on it that connected to the coal bin in the basement. Dumping all those shiny little black chunks didn’t mean much to me at that tender age, and children today may not see coal up close unless they live in coal producing area. Coal had a negative connotation for children’s Christmas expectations decades ago; those emotions now have a critical environmental focus to them now, but that is an issue for another discussion. Although Santa Claus may not distribute lumps of coal anymore to children who have been “bad,” a lump of coal is, figuratively, an appropriate way to highlight some community issues this year. Conversely, a candy cane (or a chocolate “kiss” if you don’t like peppermint) will highlight the plus side. Here are some candy canes and lumps of coal for 2023: • A candy cane to the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), a multi-denominational volunteer non-profit organization that serves the Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners, and Annandale communities through its food pantry, furniture program, and rental assistance to families in need of such services. ACCA also runs an outstanding Child Development Center, which provides affordable child care to

families in the area. ACCA depends on generous supporters; find out more at info@accacares.org. • A candy cane to the Mason District Police Station officers and volunteers who act as Gary Clause for children in the Culmore area and surrounding neighborhoods. The gift-wrapping extravaganza at the Mason Station certainly is a sight to see – Santa’s elves couldn’t be busier! A special donation of plush toy animals from PetSmart means that every child will receive a soft cuddly “pet” for Christmas. • A lump of coal to drivers who fail to stop, or even slow down, at stop signs in all of our neighborhoods. That red and white sign means exactly what it says – STOP. That means a full stop, not a hesitation or quick roll through the intersection, hoping that no one is looking. I can stand on my front porch and count on one hand the vehicles that come to a complete stop, school buses included. Fully stopping at a STOP sign is a good New Years’ resolution. • A candy cane to Wood Brothers and their partner developers who are constructing the new multifamily apartments on Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. The oft-discussed but oft-delayed redevelopment will be a boon to the SE Quad section of Bailey’s Crossroads, bringing new residents and customers to the area. Let’s get it done! • A lump of coal to the trolls, usually unidentified, who cannot resist making snarky comments

about nearly everything posted on local social media sites, such as NextDoor. Those negative comments are not representative of our community as a whole, and often make me suspect that they are planted by someone or something more nefarious than just an innocent or interested bystander. • Similarly, a lump of coal to antidemocracy forces who take delight in tearing down, or threatening, our unique American democratic society. Democracy is fragile, and we all have a responsibility to understand and defend our democratic ideals. They are hard-won, but easily lost. • And finally, a candy cane to the readers of the Falls Church NewsPress, and publisher Nick Benton. It is refreshing and comforting to have a local newspaper, with local articles, to cover the everyday happenings that make a community a community. Living so close to the white-hot center of global politics is exciting, but we all still live in a community whose identity is local, and most neighbors are people, not rock stars or political gurus. FCN-P reminds us that we all are connected in some way, and the everyday facets of life, living, and loving, are important. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And thank you.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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

CR IM E R E PORT Week of December 11 - 17, 2023 Larceny from Building, E Broad St, Dec 11, between 6:30 PM and 6:37 PM, unknown suspect(s) took unsecured items of value. Assault – Threats/Intimidation, Gordon Rd, Dec 11, 7:36 PM, during a verbal altercation victim was threatened with a large kitchen-type knife. Offender, described as a black male, 37, of Alexandria, VA, left area in an unknown direction. Warrant is on file. Robbery, Hillwood Ave, Dec 12, 2:43 AM, unknown suspect described as a Hispanic male, 5’ tall, with short black hair, wearing a white jacket, presented a knife and demanded victim withdraw money from an ATM. Victim complied. Investigation continues.

Trespass, Wilson Blvd, Dec 14, 11:19 PM, an Asian male, 53, of no fixed address, was issued a summons for Trespass. Fraud, Riley St, Dec 15, 9:30 AM, an incident of fraud was reported. Arson, Cardinal Ln, Dec 15, 09:58 AM, a black male, 50, of no fixed address, was issued a summons for arson. Fraud, W Broad St, Dec 16, 4:44 PM, an incident of fraud was reported. Commercial Burglary, W Jefferson St, Dec 17, 1:31 AM, officers responded to an alarm and discovered a broken window. A search was conducted with the use of a K-9 and no one was located inside. The owner is conducting an inventory to determine if anything was stolen. Investigation continues.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Delegate Marcus Simon’s

Richmond Report My December column comes so late in the year I decided to make it a “Best of 2023 Edition.” Here are my favorite lines from my 11 monthly Richmond Reports here in the Falls Church New Press. In January, I wrote about having to participate in the opening days of the new legislative session remotely because I’d finally contracted Covid-19. My favorite line: While I was out, I missed the kerfuffle that occurred outside my office in the Pocahontas Building over my Little Banned Book Library. Fortunately, it was just a kerfuffle and the library will return in 2024. In February, I was already writing about the waning days of our short session. My favorite line described the developing budget impasse: Unfortunately, the House budget, crafted by Republicans, falls short in meeting the needs of hardworking Virginians. At the heart of the budget are over $350 million in corporate tax breaks, which disproportionately benefit big businesses rather than the average Virginian. By March the short session was over, and I dedicated this column to shouting out retiring legislators while predicting November’s election would focus a on a very small number of seats: By packing us all into nice, geometrically pretty districts, we’ve created 46 or 47 safely Democratic districts where you can win without a single Republican or independent vote, and about 42 or 43 on the Republican side. This leaves maybe 10 -12 competitive seats up for grabs in November. In April, I reported on the retirement announcement of Kaye Kory, with whom I’d been drawn together in redistricting, and the results of our reconvened session, which ended without a budget deal. We’d also learned that Governor Youngkin had stopped restoring the voting rights of former felons who had completed their jail sentences, and I wrote: I urge the Governor to return to the automatic resto-

ration of voting rights, as it’s a crucial step in promoting a more inclusive and just society. In May, I took the gloves off with the Governor and his administration over another issue involving voting rights: As the parent of two very young adults who are coming of age at a time when social media is often their primary source of news about current events, I’ve had to spend a lot of effort teaching my kids how to be smart and discerning consumers of quality information. How to tell facts from fiction and identify intentional disinformation campaigns. Unfortunately, that skill set doesn’t seem to be a prerequisite for employment in Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Administration. In June of 2023, Donald Trump was indicted and our Governor tweeted in support of the former President. I took him to task for it: Youngkin couldn’t be more wrong about the nature of the charges against the former President. I wonder if he regrets his decision to tweet before the indictments were unsealed. In July, we still didn’t have a state budget and I wrote about what that would mean to our local school systems here in Falls Church City and Fairfax: Unfortunately, when the kids do go back to school in just a few short weeks, public school students here in Falls Church and Fairfax will be in classrooms staffed by teachers who are once again being asked to do more with less. Why? Because Governor Glenn Younkin’s Department of Education flunked math last semester and miscalculated the state’s share of education funding by about $201 million. August’s column was written after Ohio proponents of abortion rights won the day passing a referendum to enshrine abortion access in their state constitution. I made this promise: With control of both the House and Senate, we can pass a resolution to put a

Continued on Page 18

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CA L E NDA R

DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023 | PAGE 13

THIS WEEK AROUND F.C. THURSDAY

DECEMBER 21 School Closures

FCCPS and FCPS schools are closed all week for the winter break, reopening January 2. FCCPS (School Buildings, Falls Church), all day.

Affordable Housing Fund Committee Mtg.

Affordable Housing Fund reviews an application from HHS for expansion of the City Committed Affordable Unit (CCAU) program, which subsidizes the rents of persons making less than 60 percent Area Median Income (AMI). City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 6:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

Drag The Halls: A Holiday Cabaret

Cara Lina, Tula, Evita Peroxide, and Regina Jozet Adams "sleigh" the holidays in Cauldron's drag cabaret! Songs, stories, music and merriment are the top of the ticket in this fun filled drag queen party! Tickets include two drinks, light hors de oevres and desserts to celebrate the season, available at creativecauldron.org. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 22 City Government Closures

The City government and Mary Riley Styles Public Library are closed from December 22-25. The Community Center is closed December 24-25. City buildings (Falls Church), all day.

Dan & Claudia Zanes Holiday Sing Along

This Holiday Sing Along with Grammy Award® winner Dan Zanes and his musical wife, Claudia Zanes, is a multicultural all-ages wintertime celebration. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC), 6:00 p.m.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

This holiday mash-up is back by popular demand! Follow Maria-

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince on a magical adventure set in modernday New York City. Tickets at strathmore.org. The Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Ln., N. Bethesda, MD), 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY

DECEMBER 23 Falls Church Farmers Market

Shop the award winning market every Saturday, year-round! City Hall Parking Lot (300 Park Ave., Falls Church), 8:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

SUNDAY

DECEMBER 24 Choral Arts: O Night Divine!

Let the radiant voices of Choral Arts transport you home for the holidays with warm nostalgic carols and the spirited sounds of a full orchestra. This musical tour of Christmas will translate the warm embrace of family into song, featuring favorite Christmas classics and the world premiere of a new carol by Dominick DiOrio, commissioned by Choral Arts. This year’s program features guest conductor Marie Bucoy-Calavan and the much-anticipated return of the audience sing-along. Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP1223ca. Kennedy Center Concert Hall (2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC), 2:00 p.m.

MONDAY

DECEMBER 25 History of Jewish Washington

Join Ami Greener on a walking tour about notable Jewish contributions to DC history. This tour goes through the Judiciary Square and Gallery Place neighborhoods highlighting the stories of JewishAmerican Washingtonians who made their mark. This two-hour tour begins at the corner of H and 8th street and ends at the recently opened Capital Jewish Museum! To enter the museum with Ami at the end of the tour, write him at ami.greener@gmail.com. Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP1223jw. 8th and H Streets (807 H St. NW, Washington, DC), 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.

TUESDAY

DECEMBER 26 Immersive Gamebox: Ghostbusters

New York City has been overrun with supernatural activity! But, don’t worry, the Ghostbusters are on their way! Get ready for a hauntingly good time in Ghostbusters: The Cursed Collection. Your mission: recover the cursed artifacts that were stolen from the Ghostbusters Firehouse and capture the ghosts wreaking havoc on the city. An immersive group virtual reality experience for ages 8 and above; age 21+ tickets include two free drinks. Tickets at immersivegamebox.com. Immersive Gamebox (4238 Wilson Blvd. Unit 2233, Arlington, VA), 4:00 p.m.

L TO R: Jared Graham, Kevin Adams, and Sarah Chapin in "An Irish Carol," at Keegan Theatre. (Photo: mike kozemchak)

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 27 Indoor Trampoline Winter Break Trip

Participants head to one of the most unique trampoline parks in the area, with opportunities for casual jumping, testing your bouncing dodgeball skills or your ninja abilities. A signed waiver is required to participate. Lunch and admission are included in the fee. Appropriate exercise clothing required. Tickets at mcleancenter.org. McLean Old Firehouse Center (1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA), 8:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.

An Irish Carol

An homage to Dickens’ classic, told as only the Irish can. This comic and touching play, set in a modern Dublin pub, follows one evening in the life of David, a wealthy pub owner who has lost touch with his own humanity in the interest of self-protection and material success. But on this Christmas Eve, challenged by a voice from the past, provoked by those in the present, and faced with the reality of a lonely future, David’s life may change forever. Tickets at keegantheatre.com. Keegan Theatre (1742 Church St. NW, Washington, DC), 8:00 p.m.

A MAGICAL adventure in modern-day New York City awaits in "The Hip Hop Nutcracker," Friday at Strathmore (Photo: Timothy Norris)

PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023

LO CA L

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes

“TWO HORIZONS,” by Blanca Belisario, received the Falls Church Arts People’s Choice Award for the FCA exhibit Intersection: Identity and Culture, on display through January 7. (Photo: FCA)

“Two Horizons” Named People’s Choice of FCA’s Intersection Show

A FREE LITTLE library now sits on N. Lee St. after a ribbon cutting last Thursday, courtesy of Kensington F.C. (photo: Kensington f.c.)

Blanca Belisario’s piece “Two Horizons” has received the Falls Church Arts’ People’s Choice Award. The prize is sponsored by Art and Frame of Falls Church (307 Annandale Rd., Falls Church). Belisario’s work, which is available at FCA for $380, is a collage. Belisario says about her artwork, “Four years ago, I left my hometown of Caracas, Venezuela and moved to the DMV. I’ve been inspired by this region and my artistic style has been continually informed by my surroundings. I still miss my city, especially an impressive mountain that borders it to its north and that lives deep in the heart of every Caraqueño, the Avila. “With my latest work, I wanted to marry my beloved Avila and the beautiful region that has welcomed me. Through my art and as an immigrant, I’ll continue this dialogue between these two places that I now carry in my hear.” The piece was chosen by the visitors to FCA. The exhibit, Intersection: Identity and Culture, runs through January 7.

Smoothie King Now Open in Falls Church

ITALIAN CAFE’S Younes Yarfaloo (left) is recognized for service to F.C. by Jorome Gibson (right) at a Chamber event. (News-Press photo)

Smoothie King has finally opened its doors in the City of Falls Church. The new location located at 603 W. Broad St. is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through

Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. This is the company’s 13th location in Virginia, and second Virginia location inside the Beltway.

Bailey’s Crossroads Man Faces Additional Charges After Church Threats

On Sunday, September 24, a concerned Maryland resident alerted Anne Arundel County Police of violent threats made on Instagram by Rui Jiang, 35, of Bailey’s Crossroads. AACPD contacted the Fairfax County Police Department, who conducted a wellness check at his residence in the 5600 block of Seminary Rd. Jiang was not home, and based on his Instagram posts, FCPD contacted the Prince William County Police Department to request an immediate response to Park Valley Church in Haymarket, VA. Officers found Jiang heavily armed near one of the church entrances, carrying a loaded handgun with an additional magazine and a folding knife. When PWCPD arrived at the church shortly after 10:00 a.m., service had already begun. Church security was already monitoring Jiang as suspicious — clad in all black and wearing dark sunglasses indoors, he’d entered and exited the building prior to being stopped. Jiang was detained without incident, held without bond, and charged with threatening bodily harm and possessing a firearm in a place of worship. FCPD’s Threat Assessment Management (TAM) unit was

assigned to assist with the investigation, and executed a search warrant on Jiang’s home, where additional evidence was recovered. On December 10, after analysis of Jiang’s devices and posts indicated intent to cause death to the congregation, police further charged him with multiple counts of attempted aggravated murder.

Kensington Falls Church Cuts Ribbon on New Free Little Library

In a celebration of community, literacy, and the joy of reading, the Kensington F.C. proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Free Little Library on December 14. The event, marked by excitement and a shared love for books, brought neighbors together to foster a sense of connection through literature. The Free Little Library, located on N. Lee Street, promises to be a hub of literary exploration for residents of all ages. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held with great enthusiasm, marked the official opening of this charming literary oasis. Local residents and book enthusiasts gathered to witness the unveiling, reinforcing the belief that access to books should be a shared and accessible experience for everyone. A fun side note, one of Kensington’s own team members, Francene, hand painted every detail to mirror the Kensington F.C. Community. Stop by to pick up a book or donate a book!

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

The LGBTQ+ Reach

by Brian Reach

Falls Church News-Press

The United Methodist Church December 2023 marks the end of a five-year window during which the United Methodist Church (UMC) has authorized congregations to depart the denomination over its LGBTQ+ policies. From 2019-2022, over 2,000 churches received permission to depart. According to the Associated Press, an additional 5,641 have left so far in 2023, bringing the total to 7,658. What Changed? In February 2019 a special session of the UMC General Conference, the legislative body of UMC governance, was held in St. Louis, MO. During four days, UMC members from around the world gathered to act on a report from the “Commission on a Way Forward,” authorized by the church to examine UMC’s The Book of Discipline, address church policies on human sexuality, and explore options to strengthen church unity. Three plans were introduced as options for the future of the UMC (detailed at bit. ly/3UMCplan). Progressive members introduced a “One Church Plan,” which would have changed the church’s Social Principles by replacing “heterosexual marriage” with “marriage between two adults,” and removing the sentence “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” Conservatives countered, proposing a “Traditional Plan,” with an expanded definition of homosexuality, explicit banning of LGBTQ+ people from marriage or being ordained as clergy, stricter handling of violations, and banning church funds being given to any “gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality.” A third plan, the “Connectional Conference Plan,” proposed removing hot-button issues from the general Book of Discipline, replacing the five geographic U.S. regions with three “values-based” conferences, and authorizing each to adapt its own policies on LGBTQ+ marriage, standards for clergy, sexism, and racism. The Traditional Plan narrowly prevailed, passing with just over 53 percent of conference votes, indicative of a progressive trend despite the results. In an apparent compromise, the updated language also bans using church funds to “violate the expressed commitment of The UMC ‘not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends,’” and to ensure HIV outreach programs would be unaffected. The plan also included language allowing churches to leave the denomination and become selfgoverning, disagree but remain with the UMC, or to form new denominations in groups of 50 or more. So… What Now? Many progressive UMC congregations have defied church doctrine over recent years, starting with 111 UMC clergy coming out in “A Love Letter to Our Church” on the eve of the 2016 General Conference. Most UMC congregations

in our area now recognize and affirm LGBTQ+ people (and their relationships) completely. The next regular UMC General Conference (held every four years) was scheduled for 2020, at which LGBTQ+ activists were hopeful that majority support for reform would allow changes from the One Church Plan to succeed. The global pandemic shut plans for the meeting down — in 2020, and again in 2021, 2022, and 2023 — the UMC will hold their next General Conference next year in Charlotte, NC, from April 23 to May 3. The Pope Allows Blessing of Gay Relationships On Monday, Pope Francis granted formal approval for priests across the international Catholic church to bless the relationships between same-sex couples. Just two years ago, the Vatican declared that God “cannot bless sin,” making this a major departure from previous policy. What didn’t change, though, is that the Catholic church still does not support same-sex marriage, and still views homosexuality as a sin. For years, Francis has hinted at some fundamental changes in views on LGBTQ+ people in recent months. When the now 87-year-old’s papacy began in 2013, he promoted the decriminalization of homosexuality, and indicated a welcome stance towards LGBTQ+ people within the church, notably saying “if someone is gay and searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” In August, Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica Francis released a transcript from a private meeting between Francis and Portugese church leaders, in which he severely criticized the “backwardsness” of conservatives within the U.S. Catholic Church, who he says have replaced faith with ideology, especially when it comes to abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, environment issues, and treatment of the poor. He said that Catholic doctrine is meant to change over time, which he called “a correct evolution in the understanding of questions of faith and morals.” My Brief Take I will continue to write about this topic. As I mentioned last week, I changed schools — a lot — when I was young. What I didn’t mention is that I was largely raised in a church. My church, St. Matthews UMC in Annandale, was a huge part of my life growing up: I was extremely active in the church’s youth group, vocal choir, Sunday school, and handbell program, and by the time my Senior year of high school came around, I was there at least three days per week for various rehearsals, meetings, or services. Church is where I was never excluded for being gay (in fact, the church kept my sexuality confidential until I was ready to tell my parents). It’s where I formed my strongest friendships, and learned the importance of humility, inclusion, charity, and kindness. I have, as readers can probably imagine, extremely strong views when it comes to how religion treats the marginalized — which won’t fit at the tail-end of a short column. For now I’d like to wish everybody reading this, no matter who you are, what you believe, or how you love or identify, a safe, happy, and warm week.

DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023 | PAGE 15

Falls Church Business News & Notes New Businesses for Bailey’s Crossroads

Two new businesses have been announced for Crossroads Place, a shopping area in Bailey’s Crossroads. Fortunoff Backyard Store, carrying outdoor and patio furniture, décor and accessories, will open its first Virginia site at this location. During the holidays, it will offer Christmas trees, wreaths, ornaments, and lights. Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings will offer gourmet fries, real-fruit lemonades, and wings. There are over 700 locations worldwide. Crossroads Place is anchored by Giant with retailers that include HomeGoods and Mattress Warehouse and restaurants to include Chipotle, Einstein Bagels, and Olive Garden. There is no word on opening dates and only one retail space remains vacant.

Easterseals Accreditation The Jo Ann & Carl McNair Community Child Development Center has announced its re-accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This designation of high-quality child development services is earned by only ten percent of programs across the country and is an indication of the Falls Church’s team to meeting and maintaining quality standards for at least five years. One of four current Child Development Centers operated by Easterseals DC MD VA, the McNair Community Child Development Center is a state-of-the-art, environmentally green center that prepares children from infant to school-age for kindergarten success and lifelong learning.

Chamber Elects New Members The Falls Church Chamber has elected new officers and members to the Board of Directors for 2024. Emily Jenkins of Halm Jenkins concludes two years’ service as chair with Nate Herndon of Foundation Insurance Group serving as vice-chair. The new officers coming in are Dave Crance of Lake Crest Partners as chair and Ramita KC of Burke & Herbert as vice-chair. Newly elected board members are Anne Byerly of Edward Jones; Carrie Hare of Dignity Memorial; Maria Belén Quellet of The Learning Quest; Cesar Rios-Villena of VIGEO Physical Therapy; Steve Stanford of M&T Bank; and returning to the board is Joe Wetzel of the Young Group. All will be recognized at the January 16, 2024, chamber luncheon at Italian Café.

Spin Systems New spin on things: Diné Development Corp. (DDC), an Arizona-based provider of IT, professional and environmental services, announced that it acquired Spin Systems, a data management and analytics software developer in Falls Church. SpinSys specializes in data aggregation, virtualization, predictive modeling and AI/ML-driven intelligence visualization. This diversifies DDC’s client base and expands their capabilities. The rebranded company will be known as SpinSys and have major office locations in Falls Church and Charleston.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.

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PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2023

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER OSW, COASTAL VIRGINIA OFFSHORE WIND COMMERCIAL PROJECT, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 CASE NO. PUR-2023-00195 · Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, Rider Offshore Wind (“Rider OSW”). · In this case, Dominion has asked the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to approve Rider OSW for the rate year beginning September 1, 2024, and ending August 31, 2025 (“Rate Year”). · For the Rate Year, Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $485,933,455, which would increase the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $3.89. · A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on May 8, 2024, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony. · An evidentiary hearing will also be held on May 8, 2024, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive the testimony and evidence of Dominion, any respondents, and Commission Staff. · Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On November 1, 2023, pursuant to Code § 56-585.1 A 6, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) an annual update with respect to the Company’s Rider OSW for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project (“Application”). Through its Application, the Company seeks to inform the Commission of the status of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project (“Project”) and to provide the proposed cost allocation, rate design, and accounting treatment for service rendered during the proposed rate year commencing September 1, 2024, and extending through August 31, 2025 (“Rate Year”). According to the Application, the Project is proceeding on time and on budget, with certain minor modifications to the permitting schedule, though Dominion states those modifications are not expected to impact the planned in-service date of late 2026. The Company represents that the total Project cost forecast remains $9.8 billion (excluding financing costs), including approximately $1.4 billion of combined transmission costs. The Company requests that the Commission approve the updated expenditures for the Project, subject to subsequent true-ups, and find that such expenditures are reasonable and prudent in order to fulfill the Company’s service obligations as a public electric utility. In this proceeding, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $485,933,455 for recovery in Rider OSW for the Rate Year. If the proposed Rider OSW revenue requirement for the Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its proposed Rider OSW on September 1, 2024, would increase the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $3.89. The Company indicates it has calculated the proposed Rider OSW rates in accordance with the same methodology as used for rates approved by the Commission in the previous Rider OSW proceeding, Case No. PUR-2022-00187. Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Application and supporting documents in full for details about these and other proposals. TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Application and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Application and supporting documents. The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Application. A hearing for the receipt of testimony from public witnesses on the Company’s Application shall be convened telephonically at 10 a.m. on May 8, 2024. On or before May 1, 2024, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting. Beginning at 10 a.m. on May 8, 2024, the Hearing Examiner will telephone sequentially each person who has signed up to testify as provided above. On May 8, 2024, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Hearing Examiner will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Application from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission Staff. To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and required electronic service on parties to this proceeding. Electronic copies of the public version of the Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Vishwa B. Link, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or vlink@mcguirewoods.com. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies of the public version of the Application and other documents filed in this case from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On or before May 1, 2024, any interested person may submit comments on the Application by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00195. On or before February 2, 2024, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00195. For additional information about participation as a respondent, any person or entity should obtain a copy of the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing. On or before March 29, 2024, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served on the Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Rules of Practice, as modified herein, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00195. Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Rules of Practice. The public version of the Company’s Application, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, and other documents filed in the case may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

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LO CA L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

In Memoriam: Charles Cragg Hines C ritter C orner

CRAGG HINES with Arlington-Falls Church Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti (Courtesy Photo) by Nicholas F. Benton

Acclaimed veteran journalist and Arlington Democratic activist Charles Cragg Hines, 78, died last week after a lengthy illness. Born in Dallas, Texas, on June 19, 1945, he graduated from North Texas State University with a bachelor of science degree in journalism in 1967 and commenced a 35 year career at the Houston Chronicle in 1972, retiring in 2007 after serving as Washington D.C. bureau chief and White House correspondent until 2000 and columnist until 2007. In 2001 Washingtonian magazine named him one of the Top

50 Journalists in Washington, and AdWeek magazine named him “One of the great Washington monuments in the journalism community.” Following his retirement, he became an avid Democratic Party activist in Arlington, honored with the Outstanding Democrat Award from that county’s Democratic committee in 2019. In the last year, Hinies became a regular contributor to the informal weekly news sharing lunches hosted by the Falls Church News-Press, having known the News-Press’ Nicholas Benton since the 1980s. He was a particularly strong advocate for the election of cur-

rent Arlington-Falls Church Commonwealth Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, who first won in a hotly contested primary race in 2019. About Hines, Dehghani-Tafti wrote on her Facebook page last week, “He was a great man. Standing by his hospital bed last week, I wondered what those of us in public life will now do without him. I wish for one more call to ask him to help me find the right words to say how much he was loved.” Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin remarked online, “Remembering Cragg Hines tonight... Raconteur, advisor, foodie, wordsmith and most importantly a great friend.” “Cragg was a Democrat’s Democrat,” wrote Jimmy Lewis, vice chair for Communications of the LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia. “He spent his life adding seats to the table by reaching back and empowering young and diverse leaders. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy of a more inclusive party will never be forgotten.” In August 2022 Hines wrote a sharp piece on a local pro-Democratic website an essay on “The Racist History of Single Family Zoning” that contributed to the heated and still ongoing debate in Arlington on “missing middle” housing. In his last days, the word was conveyed that as he entered hospice care, “Cragg and his husband of 43 years Bruce ask for peace.”

In Memoriam: Jered Dale Little

COL. Jered Dale Little, 1979-2023 Jered was born in Jackson, KY on November 4, 1979 to Jerry Little and Diane Little (Salyers). Jered grew up in Jackson and, because of his intellect, hard work, and the support of Jerry and Diane, became valedictorian of his high school class. Jered attended Morehead State University

and, inspired by the military service of his father, joined MSU’s ROTC program. He graduated from Morehead in 2002 and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army’s Medical Service Corps. Rising to the rank of Colonel, Jered’s 21-year Army career was extraordinary. He served in several critical assignments at home and abroad, including a battalion command and two company-level commands. Jered deployed to Egypt, Israel, Afghanistan three times, Iraq, and Kuwait. And he was selected to attend — and graduated from — the prestigious Army Command and General Staff College, as well as the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. Jered’s military service enhanced the Nation’s defense, improved Soldiers’ lives, and made an indelible impact on the Country. As a result, Jered was recently inducted into the Honorable order of Kentucky Colonels, the very highest honor that the Governor of Kentucky can bestow. While stationed in the Republic

of Korea, Jered met his “Seoul” mate, Katherine. They quickly fell in love and married in 2008. Katherine was instantly drawn to the way Jered lived life to the very fullest: he had an insatiable curiosity; a contagious laugh; a great sense of humor; a love of travel, film, and restaurants; and a passion for history and current events. As their Army careers progressed, Jered and Katherine moved from Korea to North Carolina, to Washington State, to Hawaii, and to Virginia, with numerous deployments and temporary assignments along the way. Although Jered had a storied Army career, his greatest accomplishments are his two children: Emma and John. Jered is survived by them, Katherine, and mother Diane. His wonderful life was celebrated during a memorial service in Pittsburgh, PA. Jered will have another celebration of life in Jackson, Kentucky at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

KOKO AND PETITO are brothers from a bichon fresé mother and a havanesse father. They enjoy playing with their friends in the neighborhood. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com!

Simon’s Richmond Report Continued from Page 12

Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that would make access to abortion a constitutionally protected right in Virginia, just as it was at the federal level before the Dobb’s decision. By September we finally had a state budget: The Governor’s agenda of giving big tax breaks to corporations at the expense of public education funding was soundly defeated as the conferees’ budget largely resembled the draft put forth by Senate Democrats at the end of February. In October, I made some dire predictions about what would happen if Republicans gained majorities in both houses of the

General Assembly giving the Governor’s party total control of state government: Frankly, I’d rather not find out if these predictions come true. Fortunately, last month I was able to report back that Virginians had given Democrats a majority in both houses. The takeaway: This was a major rebuke to Governor Glenn Younkin and a setback for his presidential ambitions. Hopefully he’ll be humbled by the result and step back from some of the incendiary actions he took during his early years, with executive orders establishing a teacher snitch line, and attempting to limit teaching of history under the guise of a ban on divisive concepts in the class room.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Fa l l s C h u r c h School News & Notes

MHS Singer/Songwriter Ruby Jones To Perform at F.C. Watch Night MHS singer/songwriter Ruby Jones will perform on the Main Stage on December 31st from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. for the Falls Church Watch Night. As the community gathers from 7 pm to midnight for this family-friendly event, Ruby will perform her original compositions, singing and playing acoustic guitar. Watch Night, known for its lively atmosphere and sense of community, will be even more memorable this year with Meridian’s own Ruby Jones’s heartfelt music resonating through the crowd. The culmination of the evening will be the New Year Countdown and Star Drop, starting at 11:55 pm.

Henderson Theater 6 Inspires with Movie Poster Project

Sixth graders can take Ms. G’s Theater 6 class in their Encore rotation. Theater class helps students think outside the box and be risk-takers. In this assignment, students were challenged to recreate a movie poster, which encouraged all the students to participate. On the first try, they did not have a director to complete the task. For the second attempt, they elected one director to help guide the group. After this, they reflected on the value of teamwork, collaboration, and listening to guidance from a director.

FCCPS Student Tubas Blast Holiday Cheer at Kennedy Center!

Henderson and Meridian tuba and euphonium band students took part in a memorable field trip to perform in the Kennedy Center’s 50th Annual DC TubaChristmas Concert on December 11. Students decorated their instruments and dressed in festive attire. The students performed iconic holiday carols to a packed audience alongside nearly 300 other tuba and euphonium musicians of all ages from across the country. TubaChristmas was conceived

in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. His tribute established a legacy for all artists/teachers of the tuba family of instruments to carry on TubaChristmas as an established holiday tradition in cities worldwide. The performance was live-streamed and recorded to remain in the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage Concert series archives for years to come!

Henderson’s Winter Concert Unites Four Choirs

The Henderson Choral Department presented a delightful winter concert to a packed auditorium December 13. Four different choirs performed: the 6th grade Beginning Choir, the 7th grade Intermediate Choir, the Tenor Bass Choir, and the Treble Choir. The music spanned the globe, with music from Ireland, Africa, Mexico, Israel, America, and more, with themes including the wish for snow and humanity’s common heartbeat. All the singers were on stage for the final piece, whose message was, “We wish you joy, hope, peace, and love.”

Henderson Students Place at INTEGRILS Math Competition

The D.C. chapter of INTEGIRLS hosted a beginnerfriendly, in-person math competition on December 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Bioscience Education Center at Montgomery College Germantown Campus! The INTEGIRLS mission is to encourage girls and non-binaries in STEM fields through math competitions and events. This year’s event included math competition rounds (individual and team), an estimation, a speaker event, an awards ceremony, provided lunch, and lots of fun STEM activities. Teams of up to four students will be able to connect with and enjoy math with other girls and non-binaries around the DMV. Both teams comprised seventh-grade students: Ari Zelenka, Caroline Flajser, Ella Flajser, and Haley Flajser were on one team, and Grace Simpson and Aidana Muratova were on

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the second team. Grace Simpson placed 8th in the middle school individual competition, and the team, including the Flajsers and Ari Zelenka, placed second in the estimation.

Grinch Meets Gregorian! Meridian Choirs Deck the Halls

The Choral Department presented a lovely music program from around the world with universal themes of hope, light, and peace. Performed by Meridian’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, the season’s holidays were touched on, too, including The Grinch’s Welcome Christmas and the Charlie Brown Christmas theme. The evening concluded with the choirs combining for a candlelit performance of Night of Silence.

MHS Jazz Spreads Holiday Joy to Seniors at Community Center

The MHS Jazz Ensemble delighted seniors at the Falls Church Community Center on Wednesday, December 12, with their annual holiday concert. The talented group showcased 45 minutes of captivating music, concluding the performance with the timeless classic Glen Miller’s “In the Mood.” The lively and entertaining showcase thrilled the seniors, showcasing the unifying power of music that bridges generations.

HENDERSON AND Meridian tuba and euphonium band students at the Kennedy Center for TubaChristmas. (Photo: Tiffany Murphy)

HENDERSON CHORAL STUDENTS performed music spanning the globe at their winter concert. (Photo: Carol Sly)

MHS Chanukah Gathering Promotes Cultural Exchange

Last week, Judaism at Meridian, led by juniors Sam Norton, Molly Mostow, and Flora Pelton, hosted a laid-back Chanukah gathering last Friday, extending an open invitation to the Black Student Union, Asian American Student Association, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The event blended cultural exchange and casual fun to celebrate Jewish culture at Meridian. Participants engaged in games of dreidel, ate latkes provided by Lazy Mike’s and played a rousing game of Chanukah Jeopardy.

THEATER 6 at Henderson made a movie poster for a project inspiring teamwork and collaboration. (Photo: Chrissy Henderson)

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Win ner

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