Once again this year, the City of Falls Church will be home to a unique and hyper-local celebration on New Year’s Eve, this year being next Tuesday night.
In the 100 block of W. Broad St., from 7 p.m. to shortly after midnight and the arrival of the New Year of 2025, Watch Night organizers have arranged for an ample lineup of family-friendly events and activities involving lots of music and amusements. The event is free to the public, and the only variable will, as always, be the weather.
Forecasting so far looks very good. The daytime highs next week will be in the low 50s, and on New Year’s Eve in particular, the overnight low will be in the low 40s with a small chance of some precipitation.
The annual tradition includes the countdown to midnight involving an historic lighted star that used to grace a water tower behind the State Theatre, hoisted high on a firetruck ladder and descends as the countdown proceeds to the moment the New Year arrives.
A number of years back the star was discovered gathering dust in a City storage facility, and through the visionary efforts of some of the annual event’s earliest main organizers, was revived for this function, having enjoyed a new life much as what folks hope will come for them in any new year.
Although it is not certain exactly who did what in the early days of Watch Nights in Falls Church, it is
SONGS OF THE SEASON
Importance of Tree Canopy Issue Driven Home
“Protecting and Expanding Our Tree Canopy” was the topic of the 2024 Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) fall membership meeting last month held at the fellowship room of the Falls Church Episcopal.
Speakers included Heidi Bonnaffon, a Senior Environmental Planner working with the Regional Tree Canopy Subcommittee of the Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments, and Mary Glass, the Director of Arlington Tree Connection. Amy Crumpton, Volunteer Chair of the VPIS Neighborhood Tree Program moderated.
In April 2024, the Regional Tree Canopy Subcommittee of the Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee with the Metropolitan Council of Governments released the report Conserving Trees and Forests in Metropolitan Washington.
The report details the state of the region’s tree canopy and its environmental benefits, recommends
a 50 percent tree canopy goal for the region, and offers strategies for action at the local level. Ms. Bonnaffon spoke on the goals and impact of this policy report.
The report cites three overarching goals for area jurisdictions, beginning with recognizing a goal of ensuring at least 50 percent tree canopy coverage for the entire region through 2050.
It also established intermediate goals for jurisdictions based on population density and urbanization, set up to identify tree canopy goals for watersheds, planning districts,
census tracts and towns and smaller communities. Then smaller scale target goals for general land use categories are mature coverage levels associated with 18 general classes of land use categories encountered in the COG region.
Arlington Tree Connection came together in late 2022 after a group of residents privately funded an independent tree canopy assessment of Arlington County. Glass discussed the organization’s efforts to bring together residents, businesses, other
THE MERIDIAN HIGH music department under the direction of Mary Jo West, held many free concerts, as did their choral counterparts, around the LIttle City this month. This one was held at the Solace Outpost before a large turnout of diners, friends and fans. (Photo: News-Press)
Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
& Notes
A REUNION WITH MANY faithful customers over the many decades since founding the iconic Anthony’s Restaurant in Falls Church in 1972, the original team of Anthony and Faye Yiannarakis posed for this photo with current owner Panagiolis Fotopoulos (center) at the restaurant’s current location on Annandale Road. Two nights of a special reception for them were held last week. Anth ony and Faye, since selling their restaurant last spring, were able to enjoy their first extended stay with family in Greece last summer since coming to the U.S. in 1964 and founding Anthony’s in 1972. Over 90 percent of the employees at the restaurant have been kept on under the new owner, and Tony and Faye still live only a mile away from the current location. (Photo:News-Press)
Happy Holidays & New Year 2025 From Your Friends at the
‘Welcome Falls Church’ Recalls an Important Year
As 2024 comes to an end, Welcome Falls Church issued a statement of thanks to its supporters. “We are grateful to those who contributed to our Adult and Family Literacy Center and Welcoming Refugees programs as volunteers; helped build community by participating in our Memorial Day, Welcoming Week and Community Thanksgiving Dinner events; and donated food on a monthly basis,” it said.
“In honor of the 75th anniversary of the City of Falls Church, new signage was recently installed by the entrance to City Hall. The City invited Welcoming Falls Church into the design process. We hope that by seeing the word ‘welcome’ in many of the languages spoken in Falls Church, neighbors would feel welcome here,” the statement continued.
“Thanks to your generosity, we provided coats to all our Literacy Center families during their end-of-semester celebration and to the CASA families to whom we provide groceries on a monthly basis. And, a very special thanks to John Wilson and those of you who bought his pottery to benefit Welcoming Falls Church.”
No Parking on HITT Site
Starting in New Year
Starting January 2, the Virginia Tech parking lot by the Meridian High School campus will close for construction of the new HITT Contracting headquarters.
An updated Student Walking Route from Metro developed with thanks to HITT Contracting’s cooperation, Meridian students parking at the West Falls Church Metro Station will have a more direct route to campus: Students will be able to use a designated walkway through a secured corridor along the construction site, a new temporary ramp will be installed at the athletic fence gate, HITT Contracting will provide safety personnel to assist with traffic crossing at Falls Church Drive, and clear signage will guide students along the route.
Metro parking lot use remains costing $3 per day. The distance to the school is reduced due to the more direct route, and during gate hours the athletic fence gate will be staffed and open during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal times (specific hours to be determined).
Nicholas Benton Nick Gatz Sue Johnson
Julio Idrobo
Melissa Morse
Ted White
clear that the names of Dave Eckert and the late super-organizer Barbara Cram were key to almost everything. These days the City’s Department of Rec and Parks has taken a large role, along with the Little City CATCH (City Arts, Theater, Culture and History) Foundation led by Keith Thurston. The local Chamber of Commerce under direction of Elise Neil Bengtson is also working to optimize support of local businesses in the area.
The State Theatre is expected to be packed, as usual, for its most popular show, the Legwarmers, and the array of newer and highly-touted local restaurants will undoubtedly enjoy being filled to capacity. Those dining options will be led by the two classic 100 block favorites, the Dogwood Tavern and Ireland’s Four Provinces. These two popular stalwarts have become mainstays not only all year long, but especially in conjunction with Watch Night.
Watch Night will again involve free, family-friendly, fun festivities taking place from 7 p.m. to midnight next Tuesday around the intersection of Broad Street (Route 7) and Washington Street (Route 29) and indoor venues. The event is open to the public and includes live music and children’s amusements.
The entertainers, performers, and interactive festivities will appeal to all ages. Highlights include live music from entertainers Mac and Cheez, No Better Off, and the City’s own Lil’ Maceo.
Children’s amusements in Fun Alley (100 block of West Broad Street) include moonbounces, rides, karaoke, snacks, and more.
The Falls Church Presbyterian Church (225 E. Broad Street) will offer live music from the Northern Lights Dance Orchestra, and the Victorian Society will provide Victorian-era costumes for fun and family photo ops, and a children’s puppet show and concert.
The Falls Church Episcopal (115 E. Fairfax St.) will offer free historic candlelight church tours starting at 5 p.m. and live music, including a performance by the Andrew Acosta String Band and local live music to follow. Don’t miss the chance to snap a picture of your New Year’s Eve crew at the Love Sculpture at George Mason Square.
The countdown to the New Year, and the lowering of the historic star, will take place at the Crossroads Stage near the intersection of Broad and Washington Streets, usually involving the participation of local elected officials.
Watch Night is a collaborative effort of community members from civic, social,
business, and church groups, along with volunteers, The Little City CATCH Foundation, and the City government who support and make this event happen for the enjoyment of all.
Free public parking is available for Watch Night at the following locations: The Falls Church Presbyterian Church, The Falls Church Episcopal, the Kaiser Permanente parking garage (201 N. Washington Street), and the George Mason Square parking garage (103 W. Broad St.). Street parking and public
parking spaces are available downtown, but please read posted parking and towing signs carefully.
The City of Falls Church Police Department advises drivers about Watch Night event-related road closures on New Year’s Eve. The 100 block of W. Broad Street (Route 7) – including the intersection of Broad and Washington Streets (Route 29) – will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 and ending at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1.
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January 7, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Culmore Community Library 6101 Knollwood Drive, Falls Church, VA 22041
January 9, 2025, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Westover Library – Longfellow Room 1644 North McKinley Road, Suite 3 Arlington, VA 22205
January 14, 2025, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library 6500 Landsdowne Centre Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315
January 23, 2025, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Central Library – Bluemont Room 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201
VPIS Forum Underscores City Tree Canopy Goals
organizations, and advocates to take action to enhance tree canopy throughout the county. She said she does not see a contradiction between economic development and tree canopy goals.
Mark Gross, current president of VPIS, wrote a commentary on the subject in the fall edition of the VPIS newsletter.
He wrote, “A popular saying of the Village Society is ‘You moved here for a reason.’ For most of you, one of those reasons was the appearance of Falls Church. It was a community of large, mature trees – green, leafy, shady, and beautiful – in fact, an official ‘Tree City U.S.A.’ That appearance is now diminishing. As large apartment buildings are built, trees that used to be on those lots have disappeared.
“The location of the old George Mason Middle-High School, that was surrounded by many large trees, now has little greenery. In the entire West End, trees are now at a premium. Throughout our commercial areas, shade trees have been lost, or irrevocably damaged and not replaced, especially when new construction extends to the lot line to maximize the size of a building. Perhaps most obvious is the loss of trees in our residential communities. As smaller houses are replaced by larger ones, tree canopy has been lost.
“Developers regularly clear cut lots in order to make building a home easier. Replacing the lost large, mature trees with an eight-foot sapling may restore some of the lost tree canopy, but not for many, many years. It is time for the City to take a hard look at the canopy we have lost, and to take steps to restore it. That will require a review of our zoning and building codes for commercial and residential areas, and changes that will maintain the trees we have and require the planting of new ones. The City should take the first step by replacing the many street trees that have been lost over recent years and not replaced.”
Tree canopy issues in Virginia are a significant environmental concern, reflecting both the benefits and challenges related to urban and suburban growth, climate change, and land development.
As of recent reports, Virginia’s urban tree canopy covers about 35 percent of the state’s population centers, with disparities across different regions, and ongoing efforts are essential to address the growing need for conservation, restoration, and expansion of this critical natural resource.
Tree canopies offer a wide range of ecological, economic, and social benefits. They provide shade and cooling, helping to lower urban heat island
effects, which are particularly important in densely populated areas. By reducing temperatures, tree canopies can decrease energy costs, improve air quality, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfalls. Trees also improve mental and physical health by offering green spaces for recreation, stress relief, and aesthetic enjoyment.
In addition to their immediate benefits, trees play a vital role in the health of the broader ecosystem. Their root systems stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, and filter rainwater, which can reduce stormwater runoff. They also help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. However, managing these tree canopies effectively in Virginia has become increasingly complex due to several factors, including urbanization, invasive species, and climate change.
Urbanization and suburban sprawl are among the primary drivers behind the loss of tree canopy in Virginia. As cities and towns expand, forests and wooded areas are often cleared for residential, commercial, and industrial development. This leads to fragmented landscapes where tree cover becomes sparse or highly concentrated in isolated patches, further degrading the environment and ecosystem services provided by trees. In many of Virginia’s largest cities, such as Richmond, Norfolk, and Arlington, development pressures have reduced the proportion of tree canopy in urban areas. For instance, Richmond has seen a significant decline in its tree canopy over the last few decades due to rising housing demand and infrastructure projects.
The effects of climate change also present a growing challenge to maintaining Virginia’s tree canopy. Increased temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, such as droughts, heavy rain, and hurricanes, stress existing tree populations. Warmer temperatures may encourage the spread of pests and diseases that target vulnerable tree species, such as the emerald ash borer and the gypsy moth. Additionally, severe storms can cause tree loss or damage, reducing canopy coverage and hindering recovery efforts.
Moreover, climate change can alter the suitability of habitats for certain tree species, leading to shifts in the composition of Virginia’s forests. Species that thrive in cooler, more temperate climates may struggle to adapt to warmer conditions, which could result in shifts toward non-native or invasive tree species that are more resilient but
Continued on Page 15
6 | DECEMBER 26, 2024 - JANUARY 1, 2025
Since 1991, an award-winning LGBT-owned general Interest community newspaper.
Vol. XXXIV, No. 45
December 26 - January 1, 2024
• City of Falls Church
‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •
Nicholas F. Benton Owner & Editor-In-Chief nfbenton@fcnp.com
Nick Gatz Managing Editor ngatz@fcnp.com
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To Contact the News-Press
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This holiday season, our founder, owner and editor was asked to list the things he’s most thankful for being able to contribute to this community through this newspaper.
1, We brought the community together to support smart growth. When we began, there was an open hostility between the residents and the business community. We changed that by editorializing and covering events that demonstrated the way in which economic development and residential interests are not at odds, but can work together for a mutual community-wide benefit. This is our true and enduring legacy. We showed that tax revenues from economic development pay for schools and other residential community needs. This has been a great success story that can be seen when you compare F.C. today to area communities like McLean or Vienna where residentialonly interests have prevailed. F.C. is unparalleled in terms of economic development that has paid for a new state of the art high school and middle school and vast improvements to the other schools while being able to offer competitive salaries for teachers even as the residential real estate tax rate has declined.
2. Longevity: We are in our 33rd year of consecutive weekly publication, never missing an edition for over 1,750 weeks since March 1991 despite very rarely enjoying a solid financial ground.
3. We are the community’s “glue” more generally. This is how Don Beyer has often described our role. We bring the community together and bind it by providing the news of the entire community every week such that it becomes the property of everyone in it.
4. We have a nearly flawless record of endorsing candidates in local elections who subsequently won, and this includes referenda. Since 1991, only two candidates for local office won that we did not endorse. Those roughly sharing our views now hold a solid majority on the City Council. on which, by the way, six out of seven are women, including the mayor.This we have achieved through rational, common sense editorial suasion convincing a highly educated readership. Before us, there were a lot of anonymous and last minute poison pen leaflets that were circulated the day before an election, for example.
5. We have championed DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion) from our Day One. Our coverage contributed to the morale needed for parishioners of the historic Falls Church Episcopal to win a seven-year struggle against a band of arch-conservative members to leave the denomination in protest of the election of an openly-gay bishop who occupied the historic church grounds. This included standing staunchly against the anti-DEI influence of the breakaway group’s attempted influence on young people in the community through a pervasive Cornerstone youth program in the 1990s led by a man subsequently accused of sexual molestation, according to a recent report.
6. We have provided an opportunity for the employment and development of many of the community’s young people.
7. We continue to have fun at this.
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Why I Am Not a Christian Nationalist
Nicholas F. Benton
In 1927 British philosopher Bertrand Russell delivered a talk the text of which became a well-known pamphlet entitled, “Why I Am Not a Christian.”
As a young seminarian I took on the challenge of critiquing this work, and over the years I have revisited it in different contexts. The rather sudden darkening of the prospects for peace and justice in the world over the last eight or so years up to now presents a new environment in which to consider it again.
The current situation owes itself to a process that I would identify as covering more like sixty years since the assassination of President Kennedy in November 1963 which followed by three months the famous “I Have a Dream” speech of Dr. Martin Luther King at the Lincoln Memorial. The erosion of the nation’s values from the peak of Dr. King’s highly idealistic moral suasion, solidly grounded in universal Christian convictions then, to the “Greed is good” mantra of barely two decades later set in motion the what has brought us to today’s troubling times.
Trends and fads in a population don’t usually arise spontaneously from within it. It is usually normative that powerful and dominant social currents work to impose opinions and outlooks onto the wider public in the effort to stay in control. This relentless effort often succeeds if not always at the pace the dominant currents would wish for.
One could say as Russell did in his condemnation of Christianity that this explains how the church evolved from the conversion of Constantine in 312 AD to become a tool for imposing an ideology exploiting fear to exercise control over subject peoples throughout subsequent history.
Processes of humankind’s overcoming such controls have taken centuries to succeed, in the modern era arising from the invention of printing press to the Renaissance in Italy, the Reformation in Germany, and the Enlightenment
that spread all over Europe and led to the American revolution and the codification in law, namely in the U.S. Constitution, of protected “inalienable human rights” further advanced by the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights following the formation of the United Nations in 1947.
Sadly, this advancement has occurred in the contexts of great world wars and systematic genocides, indeed often done in the name of religion on multiple sides that could be said in general were due to efforts to prevent progress.
So it comes in the recent 60 years that we have an effort to recast Christianity as a political weapon which has been assigned the label of “Christian nationalism,” and this has been a huge factor in the current descent toward darkness.
From the standpoint of the constructive elements of Christianity, those such as found in the Sermon on the Mount and the parables of the New Testament that it shares with other great world religions, this “Christian nationalism” is pure heresy, to apply an historic term of reference.
The faith is not about adherence to or condemnation of individual practices or behaviors. It is about responding from a universal standpoint to the sufferings and travails of being human beings in this cosmos, to find purpose and meaning in alleviating these conditions, with the binding element for doing this being love.
In college, I took a year-long sequence of courses in world philosophies, in the first semester, and then religions. It led to a lot of deep anxieties about my role in life, and I found positive values in almost all the systems I was exposed to.
For the final exam, students were tasked with writing an essay on the spot on which religious or philosophical system we preferred and why. I was not raised in any faith, but sitting there, I made a choice that surprised me. I chose Christianity not as against any other belief system, but it embeds in its stories, particularly of the nativity, one overriding proclamation, from star to stable, that the universe is governed in its totality and in its particularities by that which draws us out of our selves and, with empathy, towards caring for others, love.
I wrote furiously. It has been a defining moment of my life.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
It’s Christmas, Hanukah, winter holiday – however you observe, as 2024 phases into history, there are highlights and lowlights to remember. In past years, I opted to offer traditional candy canes and lumps of coal, a la fairy tales. In the future, those traditions may not hold. Candy canes might be banned if Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and coal generates greenhouse gases that are bad for the environment. So, what to do? I decided to opt for tradition for one more year and let the “lumps” fall where they may.
A candy cane to Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11), fighting two battles: one to win election by his peers to become the ranking member of the House Government Oversight Committee. Perhaps a more crucial battle is fighting an esophageal cancer diagnosis, announced last month. In both battles, Gerry needs our support and prayers.
A lump of coal to Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) who decried Connolly’s seniority in defeating Alexandria OcasioCortez for the Oversight post, saying “Nobody in our districts cares about relationships in the building.” Perhaps not, but building working relationships with colleagues, including those across the aisle, is an asset to governance, something elected representatives ought to understand.
A candy cane to local arts groups, such as Sopranessence,
Nova Lights, Creative Cauldron, the Providence Players, Reunion Music Society, and many others. There is lots of local talent in the region, both for performers and their audiences. Ticket prices are reasonable, sometimes free, and the presentations are close to home.
And a candy cane to those who support the local arts groups. Ticket prices rarely cover the actual cost of putting on a performance, so arts patrons truly are “angels” who recognize that the arts must have a prominent place in our society.
A lump of coal to the House Republicans who apparently thought that shutting down the federal government just before the holidays was a good way to govern. Whatever handshake spending agreement had been reached between the Republicans and the Democrats was breached in just hours.
A “skinnier” Continuing Resolution was adopted, with Democratic support, as time literally ran out. Tens of thousands of federal employees – our neighbors – would have lost pay, and the entire region would have been affected negatively by a shutdown.
A lump of coal to Elon Musk (yes, I get the irony of a lump of coal for a man whose company builds electric cars) for meddling in the budget deliberations. He may be the world’s richest billionaire and close confidante to Donald Trump, but his ham-handed efforts demonstrated that he doesn’t know much (or maybe doesn’t care) about politics and
governance. Government is not business, no matter how much you want to pull the strings and make it so.
A candy cane to Fairfax County, where the plastic bag tax has generated a few million dollars for stream clean-up and environmental programs, and kept more than six million plastic bags out of the waste stream during the past couple of years. The bag tax was not designed to be a revenue generator, but as an incentive for reusable bags, not plastic ones, and it is working.
Candy canes also to the Washington Commanders football team. New owners, an award-winning rookie quarterback, and a winning season (so far) have injected new excitement and pride in the region’s professional football fans. And that’s a welcome relief from politics!
Lumps of coal to Donald Trump and JD Vance for their consistent misrepresentation of facts, regardless of the subject, and their war against women. I thought elected officials represented all of their constituents, but they’ve indicated that they represent only the people who voted for them. That leaves out about half of the country.
And finally, a candy cane to Nick Benton and staff of the Falls Church News Press for providing an outlet for local news at a time when journalism and journalists seem to be under attack from all sides. Independent newspapers like FCNP serve as a trusted community backbone for local news and information.
Whether or not you agree with my selections for candy canes and lumps of coal, I hope you have a warm and wonderful holiday season with family and friends. Happy Holidays!
Falls Church 2024
is held downtown on the 100 block of West Broad Street, which is closed to traffic. The event can easily be found near the intersection of Route 7 & 29 and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Venues are both indoor and outside. It is a FREE EVENT and starting at 7:00 pm - Midnight.
Crossroads Stage (100 Block West Broad Street)
Jeffrey Garofalo Emcee
No Better Off Band (in Mr. Bs Park), (7pm to 8pm)
Mac & Cheez Band, (8pm -10pm)
Lil’ Maceo Band, (8:30 pm – 12:15am)
Countdown to Midnight - Star drop 11:55
Fun Alley (100 Block West Broad Street)
Interactive Amusements: Bronco, Rock Wall, Moon bounces, Rides, and Karaoke
The Historic Falls Church (115 E. Fairfax Street)
Historic 1769 Falls Church docent tours, (5pm - 7:30pm)
Andrew Acosta String Band, (8pm - 10pm)
Karl Stoll and Danger Zone Band, (8pm - 10pm) (East Fairfax Street entrance)
The Village Preservation and Improvement Society
Sponsors since 1998
Sponsors since 1998
December 31st, 2024
New Year’s Eve
Watch Night
The Falls Church Presbyterian Church (225 East Broad Street)
20KV & Antoinette - Concert for kids (7pm - 8:30pm)
Northern Lights Dance Orchestra (8pm - 10pm)
Louis the Magician (7:30pm - 8:30pm)
Victorian Pictures and Family Portraits in Period Attire (7pm - 10pm)
Sponsors:
Celebrating Mary Cliff’s contributions to music: Peter Maier
Karen & Stewart Gould
AA Auto Service
Sisler’s Stone
New Editions Consulting, Inc.
Drs. Love & Miller P.C. Dentist
‘A Cratchit Christmas’ Audio Drama Offers New Perspective
by Mark Dreisonstok
Charles Dickens’ tale of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption through the appearance of the specters of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future after a life of selfishness and avarice is ubiquitous during the holiday season. Indeed, in these very pages we wrote last week of the excellent “A Christmas Carol” annual production at the Little Theatre of Alexandria, Virginia.
Did you ever wonder, however, how the story of Scrooge’s redemption may have been viewed from the perspective of other characters in the story, such as the family of the long-suffering “counting house” clerk, kindly Bob Cratchit? In fact, Scrooge’s assistant, who lives out a meagre existence in a cold, shadowy corner of Scrooge’s office, takes the spotlight in the fullcast audio production “A Cratchit Christmas,” released this week by Jason Markiewitz of Markiewitz Audioworks.
Mr. Markiewitz, one-time Virginia resident, was profiled in Falls Church News-Press back in October 2024 for his eerie, nearly
one-man enactment of Edgar Allan Poe’s “Manuscript found in a Bottle.” This time around, the highly skilled producer of tales through the medium of sound merely serves as announcer and a crowd voice, for the excellent Marc Zakian as Bob Cratchit narrates what is happening in the Cratchit family on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
Instead of viewing the ghostly visitations (they are referred to by Scrooge only at the end of the performance in an oblique way), listeners are treated to the love and inspiration of the Cratchits, while also learning that their situation is even worse than presented in more traditional versions: The Cratchits, it seems, are to be foreclosed upon by the bank in two days and lose their beloved home and hearth. Cratchit’s son Tiny Tim’s health is declining by the day, and he is not even expected to live until the coming Christmas.
Much of the dialogue of the 1843 novella is retained, notably the wellknown exclamation by Tiny Tim (an engaging Rigby Dehnart): “God bless us everyone!” At the same time, dialogue and detail are added. There is, for instance, the Christmas sermon Cratchit and Tiny Tim hear
in church, intoned brightly by Ian Lahlum as the Pastor and based on passages of Scripture such as “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6: 20) and “Honor the Lord with thy substance” (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Especially heart-warming in this production is the relationship between Bob Cratchit and his wife Emily, who is depicted beautifully by Rachel Esposti. Marc Biagi is magnificent as Ebenezer Scrooge, a character who appears only at the beginning and at the end of the play. Mr. Biagi is highly convincing in both roles as Scrooge the misanthropic miser and Scrooge the joyous man who later knows “how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”
Praise for creating the atmosphere of Victorian London in the “theatre of the mind” of audio drama is due in no small part to effective sound effects, the sonorous voices of carolers (Bethany Baldwin, Alicia Hansen, David Hilder, Gabi King, Tanya Rich, and Dominic Treis), and the music of composer Ross Bernhardt.
Listeners can tap into the Ghost of Christmas Past as they
hear this Dickens holiday tale from their past yet again, but this time from a fresh and intriguing Cratchit point of view. The fortyfive minute production, which
premiered for the first time this week, may be enjoyed free of charge (a Christmas gift!) by visiting this link, youtube.com/ watch?v=OxVxYh2zikQ
JASON MARKIEWITZ IN the Victorian accoutrements and setting he recreates in sound in his audio production of “A Cratchit Christmas”. ( Photo: Courtesy of Jason Markiewitz)
Holiday Winter Spirit Comes Alive at National Harbor
by Mark Dreisonstok
A visit with Santa Claus, flying acrobats, ice-tubing lanes, and a holiday animated favorite carved in ice: The Gaylord Resort National Resort and Convention Center National Harbor, Oxen Hill, Maryland, has returned with its annual Christmas at National Harbor event. It is fun as well as aesthetically pleasing!
This year, revisit the holiday television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by seeing ice sculptures of favorite comic strip characters in iconic moments from the fondly remembered animated classic.
“Christmas Time is Here” as Snoopy adorns his famous red-roofed doghouse with Christmas electric lights, Charlie Brown proudly holds his scrawny Christmas tree to a dismayed Linus, Linus explains the meaning of Christmas on the stage of a Christmas play, and your favorite “Peanuts” characters skate on ice and form a circle of carolers. All this is enjoyed to the atmospheric pipedin music of the Vince Guaraldi jazz score and snippets of dialogue from the original animated production. Leaving “Peanuts” behind there are
also beautifully carved sculptures in ice of the nativity scene. Parkas are provided to keep visitors warm in the 9ºF temperatures.
A much warmer scene is presented by twenty pastry chefs in their crafting of a massive lighted vintage village of gingerbread houses display made out of forty pounds of Rice Krispies, fifty pounds of fondant, and one-hundred pounds of royal icing. The spirit of Christmas comes alive here in more than 250,000 calories!
A wonderful tale of the joy of going to sleep on Christmas Eve and waking up to presents on Christmas morning is told in “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas.” This delightful live circus performance is part acrobatic show and part ballet. Classic Christmas elements are present, such as musical samplings of “Greensleeves.” Several engaging routines are performed at the show: a woman in a multi-colored outfit performs a complex juggling routine of many balls; there is a trapeze act with flips and tricks; and a ring master-clown figure entertains the audience with his flamboyant personality and pantomimed narration of a winter tale. Christmas
songs are sung by a girl in pajamas who looks forward to experiencing the Spirit of Christmas.
In a quite different moment of wintry fun, visitors to the Gaylord at National Harbor can experience a “Snowball Build and Blast” in which they make snowballs out of authentic-looking snow and aim them at numbered targets. Afterwards guests have great fun riding snow tubes down the “slopes” (i.e., icy slides) of “Snow Flow Mountain!”
A visit with Santa awaits the little ones, while young and old alike will enjoy hot cocoa after snow tubing, throwing snowballs, and spending time in frigid temperatures of the “ICE!” display of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” There is also a market in which to buy Christmas-themed souvenirs. Plush toys such as colorful penguins with scarves will delight the young.
The National Harbor’s holiday offerings at the Gaylord Resort certainly live up to the promotional claims of “dazzling displays, tempting treats, holiday shows, and festive activities!” Not much time remains, however, to enjoy these
winter wonders, as the event’s last day of December 28 is fast approaching. For more information,
A GINGERBREAD HOUSE village. ( Photo: Cordelia Dreisonstok)
ICE SCULPTURES OF Charlie Brown, his scrawny tree, and Linus at National Harbor. ( Photo: Cordelia Dreisonstok)
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing and possible recommendation for City Council action on the following is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.
(TR24-30) RESOLUTION TO AMEND CHAPTER 7 OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADD: “BICYCLE MASTER PLAN”
The amended Bicycle Master Plan: Connecting Communities, is a guiding document for implementation of future bicycle facilities included in the Comprehensive Plan, and notes the numerous benefits of enabling bicycling as a safe and accessible form of transportation.
The materials for the above item will be available on the city’s webpage prior to the public hearing: http://www.fallschurchva. gov/PC. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. For copies of materials and other information, contact Kerri Oddenino koddenino@ fallschurchva.gov.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov.
agreement for the purchase and sale of the necessary property and easements. Due to the deadlines imposed in conjunction with the Project and the inability to reach agreement, the initiation of condemnation proceedings utilizing “quick-take” procedures may be necessary.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@ fallschurchva.gov. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/ publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.
CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK
ABC NOTICE
The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@ fallschurchva.gov.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
The City Council of the City of Falls Church will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., for the purpose of receiving comments on, considering, and possibly voting on the resolution referenced below: (TR25-04) RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE “QUICK TAKE” CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY IN FEE SIMPLE, TOGETHER WITH VARIOUS PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS ON REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 140 MAPLE AVE, (TAX MAP and REAL PROPERTY CODE # 52-309120) AND OWNED BY V BOWL FALLS CHURCH, LLC
The proposed resolution, if adopted, would authorize the City to file a certificate of take to acquire 1,090 SF in fee simple for public right of way; 161 SF for a permanent sight distance easement; and 1,905 SF for a grading and temporary construction easement on the real property at 140 S. Maple Ave, in the City of Falls Church, owned by V. Bowl Falls Church, LLC. The S. Maple Avenue and W. Annandale Road Intersection Improvement Project (“Project”) is a transportation project that involves intersection improvements between S. Maple Avenue and Annandale Road (Route 649). The City and property owner have been unable to reach an
Global Investment Management Company Inc, trading as Little Saigon Restaurant, 6218 B Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, 22044, is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Mixed Beverage Restaurant - Wine and Beer on and off Premises license. James Chau Authorized Signatory, Global Investment Management Company Inc. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200
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Mustangs Boys Undefeated Going Into the New Year
by Nicholas F.
Falls Church’s Meridian High Mustang boys basketball team completed this year undefeated, at 7-0 the best start in memory, and the girls team notched a major victory last week at South Lakes.
The teams return from a brief winter break with games kicking off the new year next week. The boys hope to continue their undefeated season hosting Millbrook High from Winchester Friday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. The girls will host Bull Run District rival Manassas Park on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The Mustang girls got back onto their winning ways last Friday night with a 49-29 victory to improve to a 5-3 record.
After a slow start, Coach Chris Carrico’s Mustang girls turned on the defensive pressure and got on a roll offensively to take a 16-6 lead after the first quarter. Senior Nora Stufft led the way, scoring 9 of the 16 Mustang points in the
opening frame, with fellow senior Ellie Friesen hitting her first of 3 three-pointers on the night.
In the second quarter, the Mustangs extended their lead and went up 27-15 at the half. The Mustangs built on the margin and went into the final frame with a 38-25 lead. The Mustangs picked up steam in the fourth quarter to extend their lead and finish out with their fifth win of the season—and their fourth win by 20 points or more.
The game was arguably the Mustangs’ best all-around performance of the season with Seniors Stufft and Friesen leading all scorers with 20 and 18 points respectively. Stufft also was good for a double-double contributing 11 rebounds to the win.
Other Mustangs adding to the 20-point win were sophomore Rose Weatherly with 6 points, junior Claire Weatherly with 2 points, junior Anisa Frey with 2 points, and sophomore Aldyn Friesen with 1 point to round out
the scoring.
As for the undefeated boys, last Thursday they wrapped up a “December to remember” with a decisive win over the Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets at home. The junior varsity team started the night with a 52-30 victory behind the scoring of Freddy Kaplan and Kadin Hameed.
The varsity team then kept the pace as they cruised to a 93-27 win.
Marques Myles paced the Mustangs with 19 points while teammates Will Davis, Jarrett Jardine and Colin Williams joined as leading scorers.
This victory took the varsity boys to the 7-0 start. During the streak they have scored an average of 80 points per game while holding opponents to an average of 40 points.
At their Jan. 3 game there will be a special Mustang swag giveaway to the first 120 fans for the 6 p.m. JV start and 7:15 varsity tip-off.
Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Please send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
LUCY’S A SIX YEAR old Shih tzu who loves spending time with her family and taking trips to the river. (Photo: CJ)
Benton Falls Church News-Press
MERIDIAN HIGH MUSTANGS boys remain unbeaten after recent wins over Fauquier, Liberty and Osbourn Park. The Mustangs return to action at home on Jan. 3. (Photo: News-Press)
THE MERIDIAN MUSTANGS Girls’ basketball team got back to their winning ways after knocking off South Lakes 49-29 on the road. (Photo: Shawn Friesen)
Continued from Page 2
F.C. Trash Pick Up Schedule
Modified by Holidays
The City of Falls Church issued a trash pick up schedule for the remainder of the month modified by the holidays. There will be no curbside services on the next two Wednesdays, Christmas day Dec. 25 or New Year’s Day on Jan. 1. Trash, recycling, yard waste, and curbside composting will be collected on Thursday, Dec. 26, with missed collections for trash, recycling, and yard waste on Friday, Dec. 27. Missed curbside composting will be collected on Saturday, Dec. 28. All missed collections should be reported by 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27.
Plans Set to Replace Community Center HVAC
From January through June 2025, the City will modernize the Community Center’s HVAC system to elevate the building’s quality and sustainability of heating and cooling systems. To achieve key construction milestones, the Community
News-Press
News & Notes
Center will undergo several phases of limited to no availability of public services within the building and surrounding areas.
Accessory Dwelling Open House Meeting Dates
Falls Church City staff on Tuesday, January 7, 6 p.m. and Sunday, January 12, 10 a.m. will host two open house sessions covering proposed updates to the City’s accessory dwelling regulations.
F.C. Police Investigating Death on Park Avenue
The City of Falls Church Police Department is investigating a death that occurred earlier this week at the 100 block of Park Ave.
At approximately 6:39 a.m. on Monday, December 16, police were dispatched near the intersection of Park Ave. and N Washington St. for the report of an unresponsive male on the sidewalk. Bystanders were attempting life saving measures upon arrival, which continued until medics arrived on scene. The individual was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Are Tree Canopy Goals For F.C Sufficient?
Continued from Page 4
less beneficial for local wildlife.
Efforts to address Virginia’s tree canopy challenges have emerged at various levels of government, non-profit organizations, and communities. The state has been proactive in implementing tree planting programs to increase canopy coverage, with a focus on urban areas. For example, the Virginia Department of Forestry collaborates with localities to plant trees, especially in areas where canopy cover is most threatened.
Cities like Richmond and Alexandria have developed tree canopy master plans that aim
to conserve and expand urban forests, utilizing community engagement and data-driven assessments to prioritize areas for planting and care. Additionally, tree ordinances and incentives for developers to incorporate green spaces into new developments have gained traction in some localities.
Public-private partnerships are also essential in addressing the canopy gap. Local nonprofit organizations, such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Tree Fredericksburg, work to restore urban and suburban landscapes by organizing tree planting events and advocating for tree protection policies.
The City of Falls Church Criminal Investigations Unit is working with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death. Based on the preliminary investigation, the death appears to be from natural causes and there is no apparent threat to the community related to this incident.
No identification was found with the deceased. However, with assistance from the community, investigators were able to identify the deceased and notify his nextof-kin.
Va. Sens. Warner & Kaine Hail Aversion of Shutdown
Virginia’s U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement this week after voting to pass legislation to prevent a government shutdown and extend government funding at Fiscal Year 2024 levels until March 14. The legislation also includes $110 billion in disaster relief to support communities recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which the senators advocated for:
“We are relieved Congress passed legislation to avert a government shutdown, which would have had disastrous consequences for federal
employees, government contractors, and millions of Americans who rely on government services. We are also glad that it included federal funding we pushed for to help communities in Southwest Virginia recover from Hurricane Helene and additional support for the Virginia-class and Columbiaclass submarine programs,” they wrote.
“However, we are disappointed that Republicans turned their backs on an original bipartisan proposal that would have included provisions to lower prescription drug costs. We are also frustrated that the majority of our Republican colleagues did not want to fully fund the government for Fiscal Year 2025 and instead kicked the deadline into the new year.”
AT LAST WEEK’S Falls Church Chamber of Commerce luncheon, newcomers (l. to r.) Peter Young, son of the late Bob Young who has taken over running The Young Group and new Homestretch Inc. executive director Barfonce Baldwin are greeted by Chamber Executive Director Elise Bengtson (right). (Photo:News-Press)
JOINING DEL. MARCUS SIMON (center) at his annual “Latkepalooza” fundraiser at Lazy Mike’s in Falls Church were (left to right) Fairfax Supervisor Dalia Palchik, Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi, Simon, Commonwealth Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti and Falls Church Vice Mayor Deborah Shantz-Hiscott. (Photo:News-Press)
