December 5 — 11, 2019
Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee
Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. XXIX No. 42
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Inside This Week Toy Collection Boxes Set Up in F.C.
The City of Falls Church is now collecting blankets and coats, in addition to toys, for several donation drives during the holiday season. See News Briefs, page 9
Police Warn of Phone Scamming
With Region’s Best Growth, F.C. Council Issues 3.1% Budget Guidance for 2020 CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS
by Nicholas F. Benton
Scammers are spoofing City of Falls Church Police phone numbers to try a scam victims out of money, F.C. police are warning the public.
Falls Church News-Press
See News Briefs, page 9
Mason Mustangs Ready for Fall Season As the air gets colder, fall sports gives way to the winter season, with George Mason High School’s girls and boys basketball, swimming and wrestling teams all kicking off competition this week. See Sports, page 22
Addict-Turned-Artist Rewriting Life’s Script
Former heroin addict Eric Ryan is looking to channel his obsessive edge into launching a musical career he hopes will serve as an evolving memoir for his journey. See page 25
Index
Editorial................6 Letters..................6 News & Notes.10,11 Comment.... 12,13 Business News.17 School News.... 23
Calendar..... 26,27 Classified Ads... 28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword........ 29 Crime Report.... 30 Critter Corner.... 30
Formal Adoption Of Resolution Set For This Monday
B ROAD & WA S H I N GTO N A CONCEPTUAL RENDERING of Insight Property Group’s mixed-use development project proposed for the northeast corner of the E. Broad St. and N. Washington St. intersection in downtown Falls Church. Revisions to the plan include a 50,000 square-foot Whole Foods, which signed a 20-year lease in the proposed development last month, and the removal of almost all office space originally proposed. (Image: Insight Property Group) FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA — MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
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Revisions to Broad-Washington Plan Spark Concerns at City Hall by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Changes in the plans for the development of 2.46 acres on the northeast corner of the City of Falls Church’s central intersection to include a 50,000 square foot Whole Foods grocery, remove almost all office space and expand its footprint to subsume the purchase of a City-owned surface parking lot. The revisions were contained in the Insight Group’s formal submission to City Hall early this week, and have already
elicited a lot of concern and comment. The changes to an earlier plan that won the unanimous approval by the Falls Church City Council in April 2018 are considerable and therefore will require another full deliberation, inclusive of public hearings and consideration by advisory boards and commissions prior to another decisive City Council vote. With the submission of the formal plan, roughly outlined by Insight principal Maury Stern in an exclusive to the
News-Press two weeks ago, City Hall will soon establish a date for an initial work session with the Council, but that is yet to be set. However, there has been considerable buzz about the new proposal and how it will fly with the Council, especially since the earlier plan for 100,000 square feet of Class A office space has been entirely removed. Of course, the major occupant of that office space was to be filled by Kiddar Capital, the now
Continued on Page 5
In a joint work session with the F.C. School Board Monday night, the Falls Church City Council resolved to adopt guidance for the coming fiscal year by setting a ceiling on budget growth at 3.1 percent, compared to 2.0 percent a year ago. The meeting marked the kickoff of the next budget cycle for the City and its schools, a process that will work toward a final adoption of the FY2021 budget by the end of next April and is expected to be the first operating budget ever in the City’s history to top $100 million. F.C. Chief Financial Officer Kiran Bawa reported to the joint session that the preliminary revenue forecast for the current fiscal year includes a 3.6 percent growth in real estate assessed values (3.7 percent for residential and 3.5 percent for commercial) compared to 3.04 percent for neighboring Fairfax County and between 2-3 percent for Alexandria. While real estate tax growth is forecast to be 3.6 percent, other taxes (personal property, sales, meals, business revenue and others) will grow by only 1.8 percent, such that total tax revenue growth is projected at 3.1 percent, or about $2.5 million. As the City is required by law to balance its budget each year, the 3.1 percent growth limit was then set at the end of a lengthy meeting of deliberations. The City also has the happy problem of divining where a $4.2 million surplus from the last two
Continued on Page 4
PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
F.C. Council Sets Guidance For 3.1% Budget Growth in 2020
Continued from Page 1
years will be spent. It was carefully noted that the sum does not amount to that much free money as a lot of it is already committed to be deployed into existing lock boxes to pay for ongoing developments like cost overruns at City Hall and the upcoming redevelopment of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Still, there will be one-time spending opportunities that can include neighborhood traffic calming, mulch pad construction, stormwater and sewer improvements, affordable housing and dedicated sidewalk improvements. The surplus arose from underspending in some categories in the last year, and due to the late sale of revenue bonds this fall, the avoidance of the payment of the first debt service payment until next summer. “There is a lot of nuance behind these revenue numbers,”
City Manager Wyatt Shields said. Members of the school board, including Superintendent Peter Noonan, reminded the Council that in last spring’s budget goaround the Schools were willing to remove five positions in order to stay within the budget guidance then, and maybe a place some of the surplus can be used would be to restore some of those positions. Noonan projected that enrollment in the public school system will rise from 2,658 students currently by about 40 next fall and the new George Mason High School now under construction and expected to be occupied halfway through the next fiscal year will be 100,000 square feet larger, requiring increased costs for materials, supplies and services, and added social workers, school counselors, behavioral support, parent liaisons and instructional resources to drive student achieve-
ment. The schools already know that they’ll be confronted with a 10 percent increase in health insurance rates, totalling about $300,000, and a 16.68 percent to 17.83 percent increase in mandatory employer expenditures (another approximately $300,000) and an increase in life insurance rates from 1.31 percent to 1.34 percent. Noonan stressed that all revenue requests will be centered on the schools’ Triennial Plan and goals of extending the International Baccalaureate program to all students, to closing performance gaps among students and advancing the schools’ “caring culture and community.” These goals, subsumed under the motto of “Sharpening Our 2020 Vision,” are predicated on “making sure all our teachers are trained up,” he said. The City Council is expected to put the 3.1 percent growth
ceiling on the upcoming budget into the form of a resolution to vote upon at next Monday’s last regular meeting of 2019. The draft resolution developed by City Clerk Celeste Heath reads that a guidance statement “is intended to provide a framework for the City Manager and the School Board as they develop a proposed budget for presentation in the spring that is aligned with fiscal projections as well as Citywide goals as expressed in the Capital Improvements Program, the Comprehensive Plan, the City Council work plan and other approved plans.” It adds, “The City takes tremendous pride in the quality of public input and citizen involvement in the budget process, and the budget process is designed to provide as many opportunities as possible for citizens to exchange information about the budget priorities, and this public input will ultimately inform the Council’s final budget decisions next spring.” The meeting this coming Monday will be preceded by a swearing-in ceremony for City Council candidates elected to new four year terms last month. That
ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the Council chambers in City Hall and will include expressions of thanks for the two members of the School Board who chose not to seek re-election and will leave their spots on the board at the end of the year. Those being sworn in include the three incumbent members of the Council who were all reelected last month, Mayor David Tarter, and Council members Letty Hardi and Phil Duncan. The ceremony is open to the public. It will be followed by a public town hall on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Community Center that will be an update on the West End Economic Development Project. The School Board will convene for a budget work session on Dec. 17, and Noonan will present his proposed budget on Jan. 14, 2020. The School Board will adopt its formal budget proposal on February 18, and City Manager Wyatt Shields will fold that proposal into his overall operating budget proposal on March 9. The Council is expected to adopt the FY2021 budget on April 20.
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Changes to Insight Proposal Spark Concerns at City Hall
Continued from Page 1
defunct company owned by convicted felon Todd Hitt. Hitt is now serving a six-and-a-halfyear prison sentence for securities fraud, but had sold his share in the proposed project to Insight prior to his arrest and sentencing this June. Insight is a major developer in the region, and acquired the sprawling Oakwood Apartments complex in the City in June 2018 and recently completed a thorough renovation of them with a new name, Falls Green, that has won rave reviews. Lacking the office space component, Insight’s new plan consists of the Whole Foods (for which a lease has already been signed, contingent on the ultimate approval of the project), 5,000 square feet for the City’s popular Creative Cauldron theatre troupe, more than doubling the size of
its current operation on S. Maple, 350 rental apartments (up from 295 in the earlier proposal) and 613 parking spaces. There will be another 8,400 square feet available for a restaurant and other retail uses. The apartment breakdown as proposed would include 153 onebedroom units, 44 one-bedroom with den units, 85 two-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom with den units and 35 studios (no three bedroom units). This would include nine studios and nine two-bedroom units designated as affordable as part of the developer’s proffer to the City. The other major change involves Insight’s proposal to acquire the City-owned parking space adjacent its location and behind two popular local restaurants, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack and the new Thompson’s Italian restaurant. Stern said the proposal includes an offer to
purchase the City-owned land, although a proposed price tag is not included. David Tax of Clare and Don’s told the News-Press this week that the plan as it exists would drive both his restaurant and the Thompson’s Italian out of business, plain and simple, because of the loss of parking for the period of construction of the project. “There is a zero percent chance that we can stay in business if this happens in its current form,” he said. He noted that his restaurant gets over 1,000 customers on a typical weekend day and that options like valet parking or access to parking blocks away simply won’t work. Stern told the News-Press that he’s aware and sympathetic with the concerns of the two restaurants, although he added that once his project is completed, all of the parking, and more,
DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019 | PAGE 5
will be restored. Still, it leaves an 18-month to two-year period when the project will be under construction that will severely restrict those restaurants’ parking options. “We’ve got some ideas for mitigating the impact on them, but they’re not fully worked through yet,” he said. One plus is that Impact has resubmitted a request to VDOT to make a left-turn from southbound Route 29 (N. Washington) lanes into the Park Place, between the State Theatre and Clare and Don’s. City of Falls Church efforts to win approval for that failed earlier this year, even though it would benefit Clare and Don’s. Tax said that 60 percent of his business
comes from Arlington and would benefit from the ability to make a left turn there. “I have to fight for my business,” Tax added. “We’ve kept our kitchen staff for 15 years and don’t want them to suffer. We’ve worked hard to earn a constructive role in this wider community with our charitable efforts, and it’s not to boost the business as much as to simply enjoy doing the right thing. We hope to lead this community by example.” On the other hand, the new Insight proposal promises to yield $45,511,000 net new tax revenues to the City over the next two decades to offset the tax burden on City homeowners.
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WWW.FCNP.COM The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2019 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.
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E D I TO R I A L
Keep Community Journalism Alive!
Some surprising content appeared on the funny pages a few weeks ago. It was in Garry Trudeau’s “Doonesbury” cartoon strip, and it showed a young couple at the breakfast table. The young man is reading a newspaper and he says to his spouse, “Did you know that cities that lose their local paper suffer a big drop in civic engagement?” “Really?” she says. “That’s right,” he goes on, “Without a newspaper print or online, people lose a host of connections with their community.” “I can’t imagine not having a source of local news,” the husband adds, followed by a fast repartee, “What time is the concert?” “There’s a concert?” “At the town hall.” “That’s this week?” “It was announced at the board meeting.” “What board meeting?” “The one about the scandal?” “There was a scandal?” “Yes, someone resigned.” “Not what I heard.” “Heard where?” “At the bake sale.” “What bake sale?” “You missed it?” “Whoa...where are we?” “Um, got me. Check the paper.” With the unrelenting attacks on the free press by the current U.S. president and echoed by his sycophants in Congress and the public, America is running the risk of losing altogether the essential role of a free press in its democracy. Or, better, as one wise voice said last week, “The free press is not a vital component of democracy, it IS democracy!” and it’s not just a matter of keeping the public informed about where the bake sale is, it’s far more vital as a tool of socialization, a fabric of community, especially when it does a good job reporting the news and inviting a robust debate through letters to the editor and commentaries on the vital issues of the day. It also provides a way for local businesses to reach their customer base in the most affordable and targeted way. But while the president and his followers howl about “fake news,” in line with what other authoritarian anti-democratic regimes do around the world, the other assault on institutions of the free press in America has come from the same undercurrent of a stagnant U.S. economy that is squeezing all but the wealthiest Americans, further evidence of the real state of affairs. Local newspapers are failing in record numbers, over 3,000 nationally in just the last decade, creating the conditions that the “Doonesbury” cartoon cautions about. While many community newspapers even in this region have failed, like most others that remain, this newspaper is engaged in the ongoing difficult task of staying afloat and maintaining its role as a form of public trust. This is why you are seeing in recent issues an appeal to invite members of the community to join the News-Press as a member. Please read these ads inviting you to “Become a member of the News-Press and help us keep community journalism alive and well in the Little City!” and go online to FCNP.com/Members to join.
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We Must Maintain Tree Canopy in Falls Church
Editor, Last week’s Guest Commentary “Mature Trees and Residential Redevelopment in F.C.” is testimony to the excellent job done by City Arborist Kate Reich. She correctly points out the loss of tree canopy coverage by the reported residential redevelopment affecting 1 percent of the city’s land each year. This doesn’t sound like
much but do the math and in 10 years we suffer from numerous “gaping holes” in the tree canopy. As the author states, “larger home footprints mean reduced landscape space after redevelopment, more mature trees are being removed than protected.” I diverge from Ms. Reich on the issue of developers who with few exceptions prefer to clear cut a
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lot in order to build a house quickly and move on. I also believe the requirement of achieving 20 percent canopy cover within 10 years on a newly developed lot is not strict enough — it is too arbitrary and too easy for developers to horse around by planting a new tree or two and being done with it. Where are the developers in 10 years when the 20 percent canopy is not achieved and who is even measuring it? I urge the F.C. City Council to adopt stronger measures for preserving more trees on residential property including both incentives and restrictions as recom-
mended by the Urban Forestry Commission. Additionally and maybe more importantly, the City Council should reconsider the allowable size of new homes. We are all responsible for “voluntarily maintaining healthy trees on our own properties” but there is little we can do individually about the increasing number of “gaping holes.” It is up to City Council to take action and work with home owners and developers alike to maintain the 46 percent tree canopy coverage that currently exists in Falls Church. Curtis Schaeffer Falls Church
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DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 7
There’s a New Holiday Greeting Going Around By Dave Kirkland
Well friends, it looks like Happy Holidays has been replaced. There is a new holiday greeting going around. It’s called hallothanksmas. I heard about it last week on one of the morning shows. According to Urban dictionary, “Hallothanksmas is an event running from early October to New Year’s Eve. Due to people’s obsessive need to start the holidays earlier and earlier, the Three holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas have merged into one huge morass of shopping.” Wow, have things changed! I was a child in the 1960s. When Halloween rolled around all I cared about was going to Woolworth’s to buy my costume, which every year was Superman. It is amazing I am still alive after wearing those costumes which were not flame retardant and plastic masks which made your face sweat and hard to breathe. I would put the costume on and jump off my front porch praying and hoping that I could fly. What a disappointment! Getting a huge bag of candy was my goal. Not Christmas shopping! Then Thanksgiving came. My family would go to my grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was after one of those meals I ate so much my mother introduced me to Alka-Seltzer. But the highlight of Thanksgiving was the Macy’s Day parade. The dancers were good, the floats were great, but the
biggest part of the parade for me was at the very end, when Santa Claus would come down the parade route proclaiming “Merry Christmas!” I would shout out to the television set what I wanted for
“Think about how we use the time given to us, especially during this holiday season.” Christmas. There was no need for me to visit Santa at the shopping center. Santa heard every word I said! It was after Thanksgiving that the Christmas shopping blitz started. We would get our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. My mother would insist on decorating it herself, and when complete, she would complain that no one helped her. The local newspaper would start their countdown of the number of shopping days left before Christmas. And these did not include Sundays, as there was no retail shopping allowed on Sundays. Now we see store shelves stocked after Halloween for Christmas and other religious holidays of the season. You know, God must have a good
time looking down on us humans this time of year, rushing all around with our overbooked schedules, our type-A personalities, shopping galore trying to beat time, losing patience every step of the way. No matter how hard we try, we cannot beat time. Which brings me to the point of my message. Time. Think about how we use the time given to us, especially during this holiday season. Does it really take us nearly two whole months to get our shopping done for the holidays? I would like us to think about how we can use our time not only for shopping but also to reach out and serve others; to make the holidays truly “holy days.” Here are a few suggestions: • Take time to say hello to a stranger. They may be having a bad day and your simple greeting can make all the difference. • Take time to drive slowly and be alert to pedestrians and kids walking to work, school or the bus stop. • Take time to be silent and give thanks to God for all that we have. • Take time to listen to people before expressing your own opinion. LISTEN!! Then respond. • Visit a neighbor. • Write a card to someone and tell them how much they mean to you. • Take time to help others through donating money and using our hands and
feet. There are a number of charities in our area which have opportunities of giving money as well as participation to serve those in need such as an animal shelter or Falls Church Homeless Shelter. • Take time to attend a religious event celebrating the season. I enjoy going to the Ellipse and watching the lighting of the Menorah. Being a Christian pastor, I look forward to the many ways of celebrating Christmas: a Living Nativity on the front lawn of Dulin Church, caroling in the neighborhood, children’s Christmas pageant, Christmas Eve worship services full of “C&Es” (those persons we see only Christmas Eve and Easter). • Take time to pay attention to ourselves. In all this holiday and shopping madness, what are our strengths, weaknesses, beliefs, motivations and emotions. What can we do to improve ourselves for the new year, 2020? During this hallowthankmas season, let us concern ourselves not only with frantic shopping, but living what Jesus tells us is the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” P.S. I hope we don’t begin LaborHallowThanksMas anytime soon! Dave Kirkland is the pastor at Dulin Church in Falls Church.
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PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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NEWS BRIEFS Toy Collection Boxes Set Up in F.C. The City of Falls Church is now collecting blankets and coats, in addition to toys, for several donation drives during the holiday season. New or gently used coats (all sizes) and blankets will be collected by the Northern Virginia Relief Center and donated to refugees living along the border of Syria with collection boxes set up in City Hall and the Community Center. The last day to donate is Sunday, Dec. 15, though donations will not be accepted at the Community Center from the evening of Friday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 8. Two toy drives are gaining many donations through the Santa’s Ride and Toys for Tots campaigns. New, unwrapped toys for children and teens can be donated at the Community Center by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 and at City Hall and the Library by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9. Toys donated to Santa’s Ride will be delivered to INOVA Children’s Hospital and the Georgetown Hospital Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. This campaign is in its 31st year and is managed by the City of Falls Church Sheriff’s Office along with the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, Fairfax City Police, Town of Vienna Police, and the Herndon Police, who together escort Santa on his annual “Ride for Children.” Toys for Tots is in its 72nd year and is managed locally by the City of Falls Church Police Department, and nationally by the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve. Last year over 18.5 million toys were given to more than 7 million children-in-need. The public is asked to consider age-appropriate toys for all ages. Neither organization accepts realistic-looking weapons or gifts of food. They do suggest some items for teens, including sporting equipment, bags, and balls, books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watches, wallet gift sets, bath gift sets, board games, radio control cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, skateboards/helmets, curling irons, hair straighteners, and hair dryers. Toy donation boxes are located at City Hall (front lobby and Police Department lobby); the Community Center (223 Little Falls St.); and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave.). Please note that the collection boxes at the Community Center will be closed at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6; boxes at City Hall and the Library will be closed at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9.
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Phone Scammers Impersonating F.C. Police Scammers are spoofing City of Falls Church Police phone numbers to try a scam victims out of money, F.C. police are warning the public. According to police, a recent phone scam trend spoofs, or fraudulently displays, actual Falls Church Police Department phone numbers on victim’s caller IDs and then impersonates F.C. Police officials and advises the victim to look up the phone number where the call is originating from. Police say the scammer then uses intimidation tactics, such as the threat of arrest, to demand payment of money purportedly owed to the government. In a press release, the Falls Church Police advise the public that it will never call and request payment for fines, traffic tickets or bail over the phone. Police will also never call an individual to threaten arrest or remove an arrest warrant. If anyone receives a call from an individual who claims to be a City of Falls Church Police Officer and is unsure of its validity, police say to hang up and call the Falls Church Police Dispatch, non-emergency number 703-241-5050 (TTY 711) to confirm they are speaking with a legitimate official within the Falls Church Police Department. Caller ID spoofing is a scam that deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise the scammer’s identity as well as appearing as an official organization or entity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally. Police warn that residents may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Indicators of scam calls are threats, orders to not hang up and other statements about immediacy. Police say to never give out personal information in response to unexpected calls if you are at all suspicious. Visit the Federal Communications Commission page on Caller ID Spoofing for more tips and other spoofing scams to be aware of: www.fcc.gov/spoofing. If residents suspect they have been a victim of this scam, police ask them to call the City of Falls Church Police Department at 703-241-5050 (TTY 711).
F.C. Holiday Craft Show This Weekend The City’s 27th annual Holiday Craft Show returns to the Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8. A $1 weekend pass gets attendees access to nearly 50 local crafters and merchants selling unique handmade items, baked goods and more. The show is open Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free entertainment will be provided on both days, including live performances from local musicians and a children’s activity station from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on both days.
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PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019
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Community News & Notes Traffic Meeting About Rosemary Lane on Dec. 10 Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation will be giving a presentation about traffic calming efforts to the Jefferson Village Civic Association community regarding traffic calming on Rosemary Lane, which is adjacent to Route 29 (S. Washington St.) at the Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 7 – 8 p.m. Although nearby Marshall St. and Summerfield Rd. have measures in place to address its use as a cut-through, Rosemary Ln. has more than 1200 cars per day and remains wide open in terms of safety features moving forward. County officials will detail the
plans for the street and be available to answer any questions and concerns neighbors may have. All members and residents are welcome to attend and discuss safety on this cut-through. The JVCA is also encouraging those who are interested to demonstrate their support by signing the online petition, which is available at ipetitions.com/petition/sidewalk-onrosemary-lane.
McLean Holiday Craft Show Returns This Weekend Founded in 1982, the McLean Holiday Crafts Show is an anticipated, three-day, indoor, juried show featuring arts and crafts made by approximately 80 regional artisans. These fine, handcrafted arts and crafts works
include both established, highquality, seasoned artisans as well as new artisans exhibiting innovative concepts. The show includes pottery, glass, jewelry, holiday decorations, mixed media, fashion accessories, wood, fine art, artisanal foods, soaps, skincare and more. The show will take place from Dec. 6 – 8, going from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults and is good for all three days of the show.
MCC Governing Board Meeting Next Wednesday On Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave.,
McLean) will hold its Governing Board meeting. All Governing Board meetings are open to the public. Tax district residents (Small District One A-Dranesville) who wish to speak during the “Citizen Comment” portion of the meeting are asked to call the Center at 703790-0123, TTY: 711, to be placed on the agenda.
‘Madeline’s Christmas’ Returns to Creative Cauldron In what has become a holiday tradition, Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church) reprises its production of “Madeline’s Christmas” for the holiday season. With Book and Lyrics by Jennifer Kirkeby, and music by Shirley Mier,
this musical based on Ludwig Bemelmans’ classic was hailed by critics during past performances. Professional actors Anna Phillips-Brown, Chris Rios and producing director Laura Connors Hull join a cast with fifteen student actors enrolled in Creative Cauldron’s Musical Theater training program. Matt Conner directs, Stephen Crisp serves as musical director and Stephen Gregory Smith choreographs. Scenic and costume designer, Margie Jervis, brings the illustrative world of Bemelmans to life with help from lighting designer, James Morrison. “Madeline’s Christmas” runs Dec. 6 – 23. Participants from Creative Cauldron’s Musical Theater preprofessional training program will play the 12 little girls as well
ITS LIT. The City of Falls Church pushed the plunger for its annual downtown lighting ceremony Monday night. Attendees made use of Mr. Brown’s Park as the new venue and conglomerated on the turf to listen to George Mason High School’s chorus and sip hot chocolate on the chilly night. Of course, the event wasn’t complete without the star of the show: Santa Claus emerging from a Falls Church fire truck to entertain the young City residents (Photos: News-press)
Send Us Your News & Notes!
The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!
Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 11
THINGS JUST EVOLVE FASTER IN FALLS CHURCH. That includes its dogs, which seem to think four legs are passé nowadays. Maybe there’s something in the water we don’t know about (it would explain a lot). But we’ll put the tin foil hats away for this one and enjoy the moment. (Photo: Courtesy Dave Goodwin)
as ensemble roles in “Madeline’s Christmas.” They receive instruction in dance, voice and acting technique, and an invitation to join the professional cast for a full length production. The program was launched in 2017 with “The Wizard of Oz.” Ensemble members include: Abby Fred, Mai Gabra, Arminé Heard, Maya Johnson, Penelope Levy, Marianne Meade, Bevin Mills, Carmen Ortiz, Peyton Rydzewski, Gabby Modine, Sophie Schmittel, Sophie Silva, Nora Sullivan and Leah Tysse. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Special shows on Wednesday, Dec. 18, Thursday Dec. 19 and Monday, Dec. 23 will be at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows — Adults $30 | Seniors $28 | Military $28 | Students $20 | Groups $16 and Family Four-Pack $80 with code 4PK (only five Family FourPacks available per performance) For tickets visit creativecauldron.org or by call the box office at 703-436-9948.
F.C. City Historic Board Holds Public Hearing Dec. 19 The City of Falls Church Historic Architectural Review Board will hold a public hearing
on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) Laurel Room (one floor down) to consider the following: Proposed alteration of 212 E. Jefferson St. — Demolition of a portion of structure that was an addition in the early 1900s in order to meet setback requirements for the subdivision of the lot Information on or copies of the proposed alteration can be viewed at the Community Planning and Economic Development Services (CPEDS) counter at City Hall, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Those with any questions or concerns may contact the Planning Division at plan@ fallschurchva.gov. This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711).
Grief Counseling Event Held At Panera This Saturday The holidays can be a difficult time for families that have recently lost a loved one. Falls Churchbased Capital Caring Health has several grief counseling and support group events throughout the area for families mourning a loss. An event will take place at Panera Bread (450 W. Broad St., Falls Church) on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. for
those that are interested. To register for the event, call facilitator Mike Ridge at 703-5316242. He can also be reached at capitalcaringhealth@messagepartnerspr.com Other area events can be found at this link — capitalcaring.org/ wp-content/uploads/CC-Point-ofHope-December-2019_1.pdf The next meeting of the Falls Church 29 group is set for Monday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (601 S. Oak St., Falls Church) cafeteria.
Arlington Lions Kick Off Fundraiser Next Week The Northwest Arlington Lions are now preparing for their charities fundraiser of December with their sale of fresh Florida, Texas and California citrus, Georgia pecans and Vermont maple syrup at the Overlee Pool (Bath House – Lower Level) located at 6030 Lee Highway, Arlington, lower entrance off John Marshall Dr. Times are as follows: Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call 703-528-1130.
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PAGE 12 | DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Senator Dick Saslaw’s
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting was bittersweet, as it was the final meeting of this term, and we bid farewell to four members who are retiring from the Board at the end of this month. Chairman Sharon Bulova, Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, Supervisor Linda Smyth, and Supervisor John Cook have served county residents with distinction. Their departure signifies the largest change in Board membership since the Urban County Executive Form of government was created for Fairfax County by the Virginia General Assembly decades ago. Chairman Sharon Bulova was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1987 to represent what was then the Annandale Magisterial District (now Braddock), succeeding Audrey Moore, who was elected chairman that same year. Sharon often is considered the “godmother” of the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), the commuter rail system that serves Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. VRE has grown from a glimmer of an idea decades ago, to a successful daily commuter system into Washington’s Union Station for thousands of regular riders. In 2009, Sharon won a special election for chairman when Gerry Connolly was elected to Congress. Under her leadership, Fairfax County successfully navigated through the Great Recession, maintained its Triple A Bond rating, and is nearing completion on the Silver Line to Dulles International Airport. Sharon was named one of the region’s most powerful women by Washingtonian magazine a few years ago, and is well known for her unflappability and even-handed approach to resolving difficult issues. Hunter Mill Supervisor Catherine (Cathy) Hudgins was elected in 1999, when she defeated incumbent Republican Bob Dix. The first person of color to serve on the Board, she has been an outspoken defender of justice and fairness in all country services. A special passion is pre-kindergarten for all children; it is rare for a meeting of the Board to go by without Cathy making a quiet, but firm, appeal
Richmond Report
for the funding needed for universal pre-K. Cathy was the longtime chairman of the Board’s Human Services Committee, and also spent countless (and thankless) hours representing Fairfax County and Northern Virginia on the Metro Board. Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth was elected in 2003, succeeding Gerry Connolly, who won election as chairman that year. Linda had served on the Planning Commission, and brought her intimate knowledge of the county’s land use processes to her work on the Board. Much of Tyson’s is in the Providence District, and the robust growth in Tyson’s (and Merrifield, also in Providence) reflects her hands-on approach to resolve land use challenges in our “downtown” areas. Linda also represented the county on the Transportation Planning Board at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Braddock District Supervisor John Cook won a special election in 2009 to succeed Sharon Bulova after she became chairman. One of only two Republicans on the board, John found his niche as a moderating influence on Board matters, especially as chairman of the Public Safety Committee, overseeing new policies and processes for the police department, and ensuring that bullying and sexual harassment in the fire department was handled swiftly and surely. One of John’s hallmark efforts was to bring more attention to domestic violence in the community. Campaigning is fun; governance is hard. Fortunately, these four Supervisors understood the role of governance, and the importance of working as a team on the Board. There were disagreements at times, but almost always respectful and collegial. That’s how local government should work, and Fairfax County is fortunate to have had four such outstanding public servants in leadership for such a long time. Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
The final month of the year is often the busiest for many reasons. Along with widely-celebrated holidays, the weeks leading up to the New Year and the 2020 General Assembly are jammed packed with much activity. Since we secured the majority in both chambers, the old adage of “with great power comes great responsibility” has been resonating in all corners of the Commonwealth. The shift from a rural-dominated society to the urban crescent has never been more pronounced. Leadership for both the House of Delegates and the State Senate is now concentrated in our region. I am looking forward to continuing our efforts to bring about fair and balanced policy which enables the Commonwealth to retain its stature as one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family. With those tangible goals in mind, I intend to proceed as Majority Leader and chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor. A key priority going into the General Assembly is to make the Commonwealth a welcoming place where Virginians have a fair shot at succeeding. The economy continues to steadily improve with one of the lowest unemployment rates in history. This has not happened by accident and Virginia is once again enjoying the recognition of being one of the best places to do business. Senator Janet Howell, my seatmate, is the incoming chair of the Senate Finance Committee. We have both served on this committee for decades. Some of the priorities for spending may shift a little but we remain determined to be the best stewards of public funds. Working men and women should be able to support themselves and their family, should they choose. Many bills have been introduced that will address things like the minimum wage, local option for prevailing wages, theft of wages, and other critical measures that empower workers. We will continue to explore additional ways to access and afford healthcare coverage. Catastrophic illness should not be the runway to personal bankruptcy. Look for bold steps in attempts to curb gun violence in the Commonwealth. Several bills have already been submitted that
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are likely to see their way to the desk of the Governor. The Senate Courts of Justice Committee will take up measures that the previous majority failed to act on. Two things of note… There was a recent article on the NRA and the use of its membership dues. The lion’s share of the dues have not been going towards member services. After recently introducing several measures to address the years of rolling back common sense firearms laws, some of the vilest comments are now aimed at legislators who were given a mandate to address the issue. We have been taking a long look at higher education for ways to reduce student debt. Watch for thoughtful investments in pre-K through higher education. Our community colleges are moving in the correct direction for helping students to graduate debt-free with credentials to excel in their industries. Developing the future workforce is an essential component of economic development in the Commonwealth. Having a vision that starts in the most formative years is a proven theory with a measurable track record. Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was among the first bills filed in both the Senate and House of Delegates. I expect that measure to pass the General Assembly within the first couple weeks of the session. Unlike the previous governing trifecta of a Republican Governor and majorities on both sides of the Capitol, the Democratic majorities will be used to break down the barriers for women that made their way into law in the past decade. This will be a “Might for Right” effort that doesn’t come at the expense of persons of color, our LGBT friends, immigrants and others who have felt the cruel sting of discrimination. My Northern Virginia office will be transitioning to Richmond effective Jan. 1. In the meantime, we have added additional staff to the team to be of further service. This will be a 60-day legislative session. On Dec. 17, the Governor will introduce his proposed budget for the biennium. My colleagues and I stand ready to govern around the vision for a just and fair Virginia. Please visit us on line at www. dicksaslaw.com to sign up for enewsletters during the session.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Trump’s Crimes Vs. We the People
Wednesday’s hearing before the House Judiciary Committee marked one of the highest moments for the U.S. Congress in recent memory, because the focus was on the Constitution and its framers to a level the U.S. public seldom is exposed to in today’s culture. The Constitutional scholars called for the committee introduced the American public to a compelling picture of what the Founding Fathers went through, and what was on their minds, as they crafted one of the most enduring governing documents in world history. With its highminded defining principles and carefully-crafted establishment of a separation of powers, our U.S. Constitution was established with a primary objective of allowing the voting public to determine FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS their political future and not the capricious and arbitrary decisions of a monarch or dictator. It has worked, though strained to the limit even to the point of a secession from the Union by 13 U.S. states and deadly rebellion that left over a half million U.S. citizens dead. Many more cruel and criminal abuses of the intent of this Constitution have occurred domestically over the 232 years since 1787, but even so, as it is again being sorely tested by the brazenly criminal behavior of the current U.S. president Donald Trump, the nation is at last on the eve of the ratification of a U.S. Constitutional amendment that will at last emblazon the full equal rights of women into its body, itself. Yes, the Equal Rights Amendment will be passed in the Virginia State Legislature next month to, finally, achieve this. So just as appropriate as the passage of the ERA will be for advancing the intent of the founders of the U.S. Constitution, so will be a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach this president for bribery, treason and high crimes and misdemeanors. The impressive panel of Constitutional scholars was assembled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, in particular Noah Feldman of the Harvard University Law School, Pamela Karlan of the Stanford University Law School and Michael Gerhardt of the University of North Carolina School of Law. A fourth, Jonathan Turley of the George Washington University School of Law, appointed by the Republican defenders of Trump was sadly wishy-washy and specifically unhelpful as a result. These experts have devoted their careers to understanding and educating the nation on the core values and issues associated with the establishment of our U.S. Constitution. There is little doubt from what arose out of their testimony that our Constitution established the enduring basis for a robust democracy, and the inclusion of provisions for impeachment in it was included because it was felt necessary to prevent anyone from the ability to exercise the arbitrary powers of a monarch or dictator in the country. To be clear, the contest here is not between a corrupt president and the U.S. Congress, it is between that corrupt president and the American people who would, by such a man’s abuse of power, be practically disenfranchised of their right to rule the nation by the power of their vote. This president’s abuses have been against the American people and have gone down this road to an extraordinary degree, even to the point of empowering foreign dictators against us. Sadly, the Republicans on the committee have only reverted to issues of procedure and grandstanding in an effort to discredit the overwhelming evidence that was presented in this week’s hearing, once it was shown they could not discredit the evidence, itself. Their defense of the president’s crimes, especially including his wanton disregard for the House in noncompliance with its legal mandates, was reduced in the Judiciary hearings this week to rantings that were losing their energy and proving to be hollow, empty and repetitive rhetoric. The efforts of Reps. Jim Jordan and Mel Gaetz became demonstrably strained and flattened shrieking montones as they lost steam, while the eloquence of Democrats such as Reps. Ted Deutch and Jamie Raskin rang true more and more over the course of the long day. This hearing made it abundantly clear that it is we, the American people, who are the victims of Trump’s crimes.
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DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 13
Nicholas F. Benton
Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark
School officials tasked with the perpetual jigsaw puzzle of reassigning school zones have stirred new tensions. The latest trial balloon offered by Arlington Public Schools staff to their board last month confronts continuing growth (projected soon to reach 30,000 students) and the opening in Fall 2021 of the new elementary in the Walter Reed building in Westover. There’s a need to more evenly distribute students to maximize resources before a separate phase of redrawing boundaries next year. The affected K-5 campuses include McKinley, Key, Tuckahoe, Campbell, Carlin Springs and the lottery option school Arlington Traditional. Once again, affected neighborhoods are mobilizing before a Feb. 6 vote — and complaining of being “shocked” by insufficient notice and debate on two alternative proposals. Yard signs with anguished messages have sprung up. “These proposals aim to use schools to maximum capacity, keep together as many students in each school community as possible, and maximize opportunities for students to walk or bike to school,” I was told by schools spokesman Frank Bellavia. “The proposals were based on data analysis and discussions with instructional leaders and cross-departmental staff, and were introduced to school communities at the end of October.” In news not welcome in the
Madison Manor neighborhood, the McKinley name would die. The new Reed school will draw most of its students from McKinley — currently about 40 percent of McKinley students live within the Reed walk zone, Bellavia said. Given that the majority of students slated for the new Reed are now in the McKinley zone, the proposals are designed to keep more students from the McKinley community together. The proposals also include moving Arlington Traditional to McKinley, which helps by adding seats to this option school. “The proposal aims to make the demand on the bus system manageable by avoiding long-narrow neighborhood boundaries during a boundary process, which would not all include the full walk zones.” If you drive McKinley Rd., you can’t miss the printed signs “SAVE MCKINLEY: Our Neighborhood School Since 1951.” The Madison Manor Civic Association has revved up with nearby PTAs and community groups to assemble contrary arguments. “We were completely blindsided,” Stacy Noblet, a McKinley parent and secretary to the civic association, told me. The two proposals “were not floated with the community in any way we were aware of.” McKinley “is the heart and soul of the community, where we see each other as we walk to the school and out and about.” Even people without children share that sentiment, Noblet added. Despite the attractiveness of the new Reed, the moves would “split up the
Madison Manor community” and create an uncertain future. The association wrote to APS planners asking for a better process and warning that the likely “increased bus and vehicle traffic…presents real safety concerns.” No locals “envy the schools staff and their team, whose task is complicated,” Noblet acknowledged. “But we need a long-term solution so we don’t have to go through this every three years.” *** George Varoutsos, Chief Judge at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, received the Arlington County Bar Association’s William L. Winston public service award at a Nov. 26 luncheon. His links to Falls Church go beyond our shared judicial system. Varoutsos’s daughter Christine is married to Ted Yiannarakis, of the Anthony’s Restaurant family. In her tribute to her father — a sports nut who has attended the last 29 Superbowls — she said the judge relies on spectator sports to stay “even-keeled” in a high-stress job. *** On Thanksgiving morn, I attended the seven-decade-old Hall’s Hill Turkey Bowl tackle football game. Before the team competition (young vs. old, without pads), organizers used the P.A. brought to High View Park to announce a community service plaque for longtime school board member and civil rights activist Frank Wilson. It was doubly fitting because Wilson was himself a college football star.
PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 17
Fa l l s C h u r c h
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Young Professionals Networking Night Set for Dec. 12 Tea with Mrs. B is hosting its second Young Professionals Networking Night on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. The event will include useful networking tips, idea sharing, networking, and refreshments. Tickets are available for $10 per person. For more information, visit www.teawithmrsb.com.
W. Broad Businesses Teaming Up for Holiday Promo Several of the businesses on the 200 block of W. Broad Street have banded together to host a 2019 holiday promotion. Doodlehopper 4 Kids, Karma Yoga, Lemon Lane Consignment, Paisano’s, Rare Bird Coffee, and STEM Tree are offering a 10-percent discount for customers who present a same day receipt from one of the participating businesses. Some restrictions do apply. To learn more, stop by any of the mentioned businesses.
Nominations for Washington Biz Journal’s ‘Best Places to Work’ Nominations are now being accepted for the Washington Business Journal’s 2020 Best Places to Work Awards. The program honors the area’s leading employers who go beyond the norm to foster an enjoyable and meaningful work environment for their employees. Nominations can be made at bizj.us/1q0abc. The deadline is Jan. 8 and the awards event is May 7.
EKOE Health Hosting Healthy Wine Event EKOE Health is hosting “Wellness & Wine,” a free community event, on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The event will include information about clean-crafted healthy wines and sampling wines free of additives, sugars, preservatives, sulfites, and pesticides, from Michelle Burke of Scout & Cellar. EKOE Health is located at 254 N. Washington Street in Falls Church. Event entry is via the back door. For more information about this event or the free Introduction to Essential Oils class on Saturday, Dec. 7, visit the respective Facebook event pages or go to www.iekoe.com. Reservations are strongly recommended.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Winter Sports Teams Eager to Face New Rivals by Natalie Heavren
Falls Church News-Press
As the air gets colder, fall sports give way to the winter season, with George Mason High School’s girls and boys basketball, swimming and wrestling teams all kicking off competition this week. Across the board the teams are looking forward to the challenge of moving to the Northwestern District. The change in the competitive landscape will test each program’s ability to repeat their previous successful seasons, but all the coaches maintain the new challenge is a welcome test for their teams.
Girls Basketball Finishing a bucket shy of a berth in the Class 2 state tournament last year, the Mustangs’ girls basketball team is looking to keep up that momentum for the 201920 season. Even with a core group of returning players, the team will have to compensate for the loss of production and leadership in last year’s Bull Run District Player of the Year, Maddie Lacroix. The team is young, composed of two seniors and nine underclassmen. Head coach Chris Carrico believes that all 11 players will be able to regularly contribute to the team. Carrico thinks the biggest challenge the team will face is the unfamiliarity of the teams in their new district, but plans to tackle the challenge by staying true to the team’s identity. He’s most excited “to see how much the girls will push each other throughout the year to get better both individually and as a team. Competition within our team is a great thing and will help throughout the year.”
Boys Basketball Mason’s boys basketball team went a step further in the postseason than its female counterparts by bowing out in the state quarterfinals, but suffered a bigger loss in the departure of longtime head coach Chris Capannola. It’s been two decades since someone other than “Cap” patrolled the sidelines for the Mustangs. However former assistant coach Michael Gilroy, who served a three-year stint as the girls team’s head coach recently, is a worthy candidate to replace
Capannola. Gilroy is excited about the change in district and the prospect of seeing teams for the first time, compared to knowing everything about the teams Mason played in years past. The new coach is also impressed with the commitment his young team has shown. After graduating eight seniors last year, the four returners attended every offseason workout. He is looking for the returning seniors to quickly learn how to be more vocal after losing a significant amount of senior leadership last season. That includes two of Mason’s four 1,000 point scorers in school history, Max Ashton and Hollman Smith. The team is not fazed by the turnover from last season, and are looking to win the Northwestern District, move through regionals and get right back to the state tournament at the Class 3 level. Gilroy is planning to achieve this by continuing to lead the team just as Capannola did. His mindset for his team this season is to show up every day, work hard and practice. With such a young team this season, Gilroy is looking for senior Daniel Miller and juniors Bobby Asel and Deven Martino to step up on and off the court.
Wrestling After sporting a full line up of 14 wrestlers for the first time in more than 20 years and coming within a few points of winning the Bull Run District title, the Mustangs’ wrestling team intends to use that landmark season to build the program into a more potent force going forward. Five seniors, nine juniors, 14 sophomores and 12 freshmen to go with seven eighth graders make Mason very young, according to head coach Jason Perkins. Regardless, the Mustangs are looking forward to the challenges that await them in the rigorous Northwestern District. Perkins believed the work ethic of the juniors and seniors has transferred to the rest of the team. One of the team’s largest obstacles is experience, according to Perkins, as well as physical strength in fitness. He noted that many students do not start wrestling until between eighth and tenth grade, so conditioning has been emphasized at the beginning and end of practice.
Ahead of their first varsity competition this Saturday, Mason will come together to create their team goals. Perkins could not speak for the wrestlers themselves, but hopes that he is able to keep the sport playful and tough, despite the demanding nature of the sport. However, he added, “Having said that, I want to have an intense and hard working practice room where all levels of wrestlers get what they need to reach their potential. In the end I would like to form a tight knit team, that truly care for one another and will be there to support one another when needed and push one another to levels we cannot reach alone.” Overall, Perkins said “I am excited to look into the eyes and the souls of our wrestlers when they come off the mat in victory or defeat having pushed themselves and their opponent to the absolute limit.”
Swimming Both the Mustangs’ boys and girls swimming teams ended their tenure at the Class 2 level on a high note, with a state championship for the boys and being state runner-up for the girls. Head coach Meghan Wallace is looking to have another exemplary season by using accomplishments of the team from last year as fuel for future success. The two teams have just four seniors total, and are composed primarily of juniors and underclassmen. Wallace said that half of the team is made up of swimmers who swim year round. That’s a big reason the program’s last postseason run included district and region championships as well. Wallace sees the change in district as the biggest challenge for the team, saying, “We honestly do not know much about these teams; it’s almost as if we are going in blind.” Unsure of how this season will go she added, “We will just work our hardest and cheer for each other at meets and if we come out with wins and even state cuts, then great. I will continue to make sure the practices are beneficial for all swimmers so that we are prepared for any type of team we may face.” She is most excited to be returning to a group that works hard and enjoys seeing them improve their times and make state cuts.
NOW-GRADUATES Bryan Villegas Sanchez (top) and Maddie Lacroix were the respective leaders of their teams last season. With voids to be filled on the mat, the court and in the pool — and at a higher classification to boot — Mason’s teams remain optimistic about their chances among the new crop of competitors. (Photos: Carol Sly)
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
GIVE DAY AT MARY ELLEN HENDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL raised over $10K to fund the packing of 33,000 nutritious, shelf-stable meals of dried vegetables, rice, grain and vitamin packs. In its fourth year working with the non-pro�it Rise Against Hunger, 98 student ambassadors led the way in planning, fundraising and executing Tuesday’s set up. A new GIVE Day club is working on expanding the charitable efforts to George Mason High School this year. (P����: FCCPS P����/C���� S��)
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S����� N��� � N���� Mason Students Win State Title in One Act Competition George Mason High School theater students became state champions at the VHSL State One-Act competition Tuesday night. They performed “Rush Lit” and competed against other region finalists, Magna Vista High School, Brooksville High School and Lafayette High School. The state champion students are CC Meade, Ciara Curtin, Johnny Goodwin, Amalia Alexander and Kevin Hong, as well as their theater teacher Shawn Northrip.
Congressional School Fundraises for Dorian Victims When Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in late August, leaving behind immense destruction, the Student Council at Congressional School, quickly mobilized to raise funds for the relief effort. The students launched a Pennies for People collection of loose change, announced Free Dress Fridays with voluntary donations in exchange for dressing casually, and hosted a Middle School Snack Bar run by students during recess. Through
these efforts, the students raised $3,000 which they donated this week to World Central Kitchen, a not-for-profit organization that provides meals to people affected by natural disasters. Congressional School also supported its local community this week, with its annual Thanksgiving food drive. Now in its 12th year, the drive is led by 7th grade students in support of the Culmore Family Resource Center in Falls Church. On Monday, the students traveled to the center and delivered over 1,000 fresh and non-perishable food items donated by the Congressional School community for distribution to Culmore families just in time for Thanksgiving.
Fairfax Co. Schools Win Energy Efficiency Leadership Award Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been awarded first place in the academic category of the 2019 Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards, sponsored by the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council. The awards showcase how organizations across Virginia save money on energy bills while reduc-
ing energy consumption and stimulating job growth and the economy. FCPS was honored for its energy management program that includes Get2Green, an interdepartmental environmental stewardship program of energy conservation, expanded student involvement, and encouraging community responsibility. A Get2Green website was developed, enabling communication and interaction with students and the community while expanding access to environmental education. A key component of the program was a 13 percent reduction in energy use from 2013 to 2018, even though 869,600 square feet of conditioned building spaces were added during that period to accommodate increased student enrollment. This reduction in energy use resulted in a savings of more than $23 million in energy costs and a reduction of carbon dioxide equivalent of 183,000 tons, equivalent to more than 3 million tree seedlings grown. The district has also invested nearly one-third of every project dollar on energy efficiency investments, including building shell upgrades, LED lighting, and efficient heating and cooling equipment.
DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 23
PAGE 24 | DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019
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Addict-Turned-Artist Uses Music To Rewrite the Script of His Life by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
On July 1, 2018, Eryc Ryan woke up handcuffed to a hospital bed while recovering from his latest overdose as a Fairfax County police officer sat by his side. Addiction had literally and figuratively tethered Ryan’s life to the cravings of whichever drug he was abusing in that moment. Now the former heroin addict is looking to channel his obsessive edge into launching a musical career he hopes will serve as an evolving memoir for his journey. “I did anything and everything I could to get a needle in my arm every day,” Ryan, whose real name is Eric Basham, said. “If I put even half of that into what I want to do today with music and with where I see myself in a few years, only good can come from that.” Life has turned around quick for Ryan during his 17 months of sobriety. He got a job as a bartender at Liberty Barbecue, and when he’s not working, he’s either attending meetings at the Unity Club, hitting the gym or toiling away on his guitar. In January, Ryan helped start Liberty’s open mic night (which was ended in late October) where he got to display his talents as a singer and songwriter. It was at an open mic night in July that his eventual manager, Amy Nail, took notice of him. Looking for a challenge outside of her work in advertising, the City of Falls Church resident joined forces with Ryan as they both played it by ear in their new venture together. Nail even invited Ryan to move out of the Oxford House, a local halfway house for recovering addicts, and into her home where he had a dedicated studio space to flex his creative muscles. What a difference a year makes. He’d been in in Northern Virginia for less than seven years at the time of his arrest last summer, but Ryan had already racked up 35 felonies for various drug and burglary offenses. An attempt to relieve himself in a bedpan — and the ensuing embarrassment from failing at it — punctuated how much he’d let addiction belittle him. The 30-year-old Ohio native
had an addiction in one form or another throughout his life. Even though its manifestation appeared innocent at first, the underlying intent foreshadowed greater problems to come. “I always wanted to escape feelings. My first addiction was food. I ate to push things away. Movies and food, because in movies I could escape reality,” Ryan said, before he shared his first experience with illicit drugs at 13. “I was over at a friend’s house and he pulled out a tin case with pot inside. I went home later and smoked weed, and didn’t know that was how the story was going to go. That my addiction started alone and ended alone.” Ryan hastily glommed onto new substances. Not long after trying marijuana for the first time, he discovered alcohol. By the time he was a junior in high school he was selling weed to support a budding cocaine habit. Ryan’s tolerance for cocaine became so high that he often snorted a whole gram in one line, which backfired when he encountered an exceptionally strong batch during his senior year. “Twacked out” by the intensity, his dealer offered an antidote in powder heroin. Soon enough he would be taking it via needle injections. It was when he was separated from music, his sole escape, that Ryan took his sharpest plunge. His first band, “Burning Star of Leo,” was formed after he taught himself to play guitar and write his own music while on house arrest. But an all-night drug binge caused him to miss a show where a talent scout was attending. Angered by the missed opportunity, Ryan’s bandmates’ came to his apartment, severely beat him and kicked him out of the group. Months later Ryan would become a full-blown heroin addict as he stole from friends and family, started fake fundraisers and nearly sold the deed of his car in pursuit of the next high. His addiction followed him to Herndon when he moved here in 2011, until he finally had enough last July and realized the songwriting that helped him cope with withdrawals in jail could serve a grander purpose if he managed to stay clean. “It was always that love, but addiction had taken me so far from it that every time I got a guitar I’d
DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 25
pawn it. It was more of an obsession that I couldn’t live through,” Ryan said. After diving headfirst into a music career over a year ago, Ryan’s starting to see the rewards. He’s refined his eclectic rock/pop/ punk sound with some original music, including “Proud of Me,” which was inspired by the movie “Rocketman” and Elton John’s own journey to self-actualization. And he’s working on his inaugural EP with local musician and producer John Schreiner, who spotted Ryan’s talent while attending an open mic at Liberty Barbecue. He’s also planning to audition for “America’s Got Talent” in February. For Ryan, there is no backup plan to making it in the cutthroat industry. But “making it” doesn’t mean fame or fortune to him; it’s purely about hearing people sing his songs. Given Ryan’s current trajectory, that day could come sooner than he thinks.
WORKING IN HIS STUDIO on either a new song or practicing a cover is Eryc Ryan, who used music to help steer him away from his past troubles with drug addiction. He lives with his manager, City of Falls Church resident Amy Nail. Both frequently collaborate on the next steps of Ryan’s career, whether its shooting a music video or meeting with his producer. (Photos: News-Press)
CA L E NDA R
PAGE 26 | DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 Quarterly Book Sale. TysonsPimmit Regional Library will be holding its quarterly book sale for the winter season available this weekend, Dec. 6 – 8. On Dec. 6, the book sale will run from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; on Dec. 7, it will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 it will run from 1 – 4 p.m. On the final day of the quarterly book sale, all books and media will be half price and there is a special offer that allows customers to fill up a bag full of books for $10 per bag. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 703-790-4031.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 Farmers Market. The award-winning, year-round market is filled with fresh, local produce, meat,
dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and much more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034. Holiday Craft Show. Interested attendees can deck the halls during the holiday season with special gifts from the 27th annual Holiday Gift and Craft Show. More than 50 crafters and merchants will show their wares , which includes unique handmade items, baked goods and more during this twoday event. Weekend passes available for $1. Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). Day 1: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Day 2: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Community Hours with Delegate Kaye Kory. Virginia Delegate Kaye Kory (D - 38th) will be hosting community hours for her constituents today to allow them to ask questions about Kory’s plans for the upcoming legislative session that’s set to begin in January.
Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) 10 a.m. – noon. Children’s Holiday Shoppe. With help from volunteers, children ages 2-12 may select holiday gifts for $6 and under to give to friends and family. Admission is free, with no advanced registration required. Free gift wrapping is also provided. Hosted by the Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 703-248-5077 (TTY 711). Park Project Ceremonies. Interested residents can join the Recreation and Parks Department and other City officials to commemorate the completion and the start of two park projects. A ribbon-cutting celebrating the Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park Improvement Project will be at 11 a.m. at the new park entrance sign. After guests tour
the improvements the Stream Valley Park, City staff will lead a walk to Big Chimneys Park for a groundbreaking ceremony (starting approximately at noon) to mark the start of the upcoming improvements project, set to begin in December. A bus will be available to transport guests between parks if needed. Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park (601 W. Broad St., Falls Church) and/or Big Chimneys Park (210 Gibson St., Falls Church). 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 703-248-5027
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group (for adults) learning English as a second language together. Meets every Monday at regularly scheduled time. No registration is required — drop-ins are welcome to attend. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m.
THEATER&ARTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 “Madeline’s Christmas.” “In an old house in Paris, covered in vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” And with that phrase, Ludwig Bemelman sets in motion the adventures of the brave Madeline. In this musical adaptation, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are sick in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to go home for Christmas. Madeline comes to the rescue for a Christmas journey they will never forget. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). $16 – $80. 7:30 p.m. creative cauldron.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 “Airness” When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend; it’s about finding yourself and performing with raw joy. 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill
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1 DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 12/31/2019. Offer valid on initial visit only. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window, get the next one (1) at 40% off and 12 months $0 money down, $0 monthly payments, $0 interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or patio doors between 6/15/2019 and 12/31/2019. 40% off windows and patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or patio door in the project. Subject to credit approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender or familial status. Available only at participating locations. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. Los Angeles License #992285. Orange County License #990416. MHIC #121441. VA License #2705155684. DC License #420215000125. License MN: BC130983/WI:266951. Excludes MN insurance work per MSA 325E.66. Other license numbers available on request. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. For J.D. Power 2018 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards. “ENERGY STAR” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. © 2019 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. rba12091 *Using U.S. and imported parts.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Rd., Tysons) $42. 2 p.m. 1ststagetysons.org.
“A Chorus Line.” Signature continues its tradition of big musicals in intimate spaces with one of the most iconic musicals ever written. Up close in the audition room, feel every heartbeat and heartbreak as hopeful dancers pour out their dreams, memories, loves, and why they dance in a breathtaking display of the tremendous talent it takes to be in a chorus line. With one of the largest casts in Signature history, “A Chorus Line” is the one singular sensation for the holiday season. Signature Theatre (420 Campbell Ave., Arlington) $40 – $103. 8 p.m. sigtheatre.org.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 “White Pearl.” Clearday is a cosmetics company on the rise: Based in Singapore, launching a global skincare line, and bringing a start-up mentality to the big leagues. But a draft ad for their latest skin whitening cream surfaces on YouTube, gathering views and outrage. As morning nears in the U.S. market—19,643 views. 467,327. 654,398.—Clearday’s allfemale team hustles to contain the damage before Buzzfeed weighs in. Someone’s definitely getting fired. Studio Theatre (1501 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C.) $20 – $90. 2 p.m. studiotheatre.org.
CA L E NDA R
Karaoke. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186. The Thrillbilly’s. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Will Byrne. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 Loose Change. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. Happy Hour: Josh Allen Duo. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703241-9504. The Fabulous Dialtones Holiday Show with Young Relics. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. SWELL. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186.
RONNIE SPECTOR & THE RONETTES will be at Wolf Trap tonight. (Photo: Winston Vargas)
Shartel & Hume Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504.
Bad Influence Band — Mike Tash’s Birthday. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Herb & Hanson. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
Neighborhood Barbershop 3rd Anniversary Party. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-532-9283.
Nick Fradiani & Nick Fradiani Sr: Father & Son Christmas Show. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $20. 8 p.m. 703255-1566.
Snakefarmers. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Curtis Knocking. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). 4 p.m. 703-255-1900.
Union Stage presents at The Miracle Theatre Kurtis Conner Late Show. Miracle Theatre (535 8th St. SE Washington, D.C.). $25 – $65. 10:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.
Eileen Ivers. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $29. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
LIVEMUSIC
Ronnie Spector & The Ronettes (encore performance the following night at the same time and price). Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $52. 8 p.m. 703-2551900. Union Stage Presents at The Miracle Theatre The DC Moth StorySlam. Miracle Theatre (535 8th St. SE Washington, D.C.). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.
DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 27
Kings Park. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186.
Andrew Acosta Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-2419504. The White House Band Live and
In Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 2 p.m. 703-255-1566. High School Jazz Recital. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504. Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186. An Evening with Tony Lucca + Ernie Halter Live and in Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $18 – $25. 7 p.m. 703255-1566. Oz & The Revue. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Koshari — New Age Rock. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-5258646.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 Free Acoustic Open Mic, Hosted by Ryan Burke. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Birds for Eyes, Erik Bradford. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-5258646.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 The Bachelor Boys Band. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. 19th Street Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 The Suitcase Junket Live. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703255-1566.
Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.
PAGE 28 | DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019
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Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PUBLIC HEARINGS on the following items are scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TO19-08) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 10, “CABLE TELEVISION,” ARTICLE III, SECTION 10-65(F) CHAPTER 22, “HOUSING,” ARTICLE IV, SECTION 2277 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM “SEX” REGARDING DISCRIMINATION (TO19-10) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 26, “MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” ARTICLE IV “BICYCLES” OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH TO PROHIBIT MOTORIZED
SKATEBOARDS AND SCOOTERS, AND ELECTRIC POWER-ASSISTED BICYCLES ON MOST SIDEWALKS All public hearings will be held in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. 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).
CELESTE HEATH CITY CLERK DRPT FY21 PUBLIC NOTICE. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is accepting applications for transit, rail, and transportation demand management (TDM) grants for the 2020 fiscal year. The state’s annual grant application period is open from December 1, 2019, through February 3, 2020. Transit and TDM funds are available through multiple state and federal funding sources to support transit service, human service transportation, senior transportation, ridesharing and TDM programs in Virginia. Eligible project categories include capital purchases, administrative and operating costs, technical assistance, demonstration grants, and TDM/ridesharing program costs. Funds are available for rail initiatives through the Rail Enhancement and Rail Preservation programs. In addition, funding to provide access to freight rail shipping for Virginia businesses is available year round through the Rail Industrial Access program. Complete details on eligibility and the application procedures for DRPT grant programs are available online. To learn more about transit, rail, and transportation demand management funding in Virginia, visit www.drpt.virginia.gov. Applications can be submitted online at https://olga.drpt. virginia.gov/. DRPT has also revised State Management Plans (SMPs) for the federal section 5310, 5311, and 5339 grant programs, awarded to Virginia by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Draft plans can be found at http://www.drpt.virginia. gov/. DRPT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. DRPT will also provide reasonable accommodations and interpretive services for persons who require special assistance to participate in this public involvement opportunity as required by the ADA. For accommodations, additional information on how to file a complaint, please contact our Title VI Compliance Officer, (804) 7864440, or 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219,or visit our website
at www.drpt.virginia.gov
Education/Career Training
NOTICE OF PUBLIC CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA Volunteers who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office (703-248-5014, cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov, or www.fallschurchva.gov/BC) for an application form or more information. Positions advertised for more than one month may be filled during each subsequent month.
EDUCATION /CAREER TRAINING AIRLINES ARE HIRING Get FAA ap-
proved hands on Aviation training. Financial aid for qualified students - Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance SCHEV certified 877-204- 4130
Architectural Advisory Board (alternate) Aurora House Citizens’ Advisory Committee Board of Equalization Board of Zoning Appeals (alternate) Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation City Employee Review Board Economic Development Authority Environmental Sustainability Council Historic Architectural Review Board Historical Commission Housing Commission Human Services Advisory Council
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.
Auction
KIDS LOVE SCALLIWAG
ATTENTION AUCTIONEERS ADVERTISE your upcoming auctions statewide or in other states. Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audiences. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net PUBLIC AUCTION In accordance with the Virginia SelfStorage Act, section 55-419 F, notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental storage spaces located at Fort Knox Self-Storage will be offered for sale: 663-David Alan, 306-Ariel Vallejo, 1006-Darnell Warren, 644-Whitney Edward, 622-Angelina Scarton, 123-Johanna Hernandez, 128A-Nicole Collins. Sale will be held online at storagetreasures.com. Pictures can be viewed at that site. Bidding will begin at 9:00am on December 23rd and will conclude at 9:00am on December 27th, winning bidder will be required to pay a $100.00 per unit refundable clean-out deposit (cash). Other Payments by Credit Card Only
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Taking these to the children’s home. Recipe from a book. I tried to be a good cook. These aren’t bad. I’m very glad You may try one if you like. Going there now. It’s a very short hike! .
A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Crossword
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1. Social media abbreviation often accompanying an old photo 4. Israel’s Meir 9. Children’s author who wrote “Some people talk to animals. Not many listen, though. That’s the problem.” 14. Sigh of relief 15. “The results ____!” 16. Baker with the 1986 hit “Sweet Love” 17. Catches up 19. Trainer’s advice for a sprained ankle 20. Home of about 25% of U.N. member states 21. Jennifer who wrote “Manhattan Beach” 23. It’s not a good look 24. 1982 #1 hit with the lyric “Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye aye” 28. Give a tattoo to 30. Lennon was her third husband 31. Successes for returning space shuttles 38. Go bad 39. Lifesaver, for short 40. Post-regulation periods, for short 41. “Sorry to be repeating myself but ...” 48. Its first letter stands for “India” 49. x 50. Cheech Marin comedy that plays on a Bruce Springsteen song title 56. Suit 57. Swivel around 58. Opposite of away 62. Birch relative
STRANGE BREW
Across 1. Social media abbreviation often accompanying an old photo 4. Israel's Meir
DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019 | PAGE 29
64. Vegas bigwig ... or 17-, 24-, 31-, 41- or 50-Across 67. Neglected to 68. Crayola color 69. “Who ____ to complain?” 70. They rotate at barbecues 71. Film composer Morricone 72. Desire
DOWN
1. “I did it!” 2. You may hum a few 3. Asian takeout option 4. Oxygen or hydrogen 5. Miners dig it 6. New Orleans protector 7. Cousin of Dora the Explorer 8. 1997-2006 U.N. leader 9. “Boo’d Up” singer Ella 10. Not black-and-white 11. Feudal lord 12. One-point Scrabble piece 13. Off the table? 18. Bananas 22. Superbright 25. Fast asleep 26. Speedometer fig. 27. QB’s mistake: Abbr. 28. “____ the opinion ...” 29. “Me? Never!” 31. ____ Lanka 32. “The Crying Game” star Stephen 33. Onetime owner of Capitol Records 34. Takeoff guess: Abbr. 35. Skye of “Say Anything ...”
JOHN DEERING
Sudoku
36. Series conclusions: Abbr. 37. Seattle-to-Reno dir. 42. Price of film 43. Anaphylaxis treatment, for short 44. Opposite of “avec” 45. “The Addams Family” cousin 46. Up to, for short 47. Midwestern birthplace of Malcolm X 50. Abacus row 51. Wildflower of the primrose family 52. ____-wip (dessert topping) 53. Save a ton on the wedding reception? 54. “September 1, 1939” poet 55. Four-door, usually 59. “Sure” 60. Grumpy Cat, e.g. 61. Burnett or Brockovich 63. Shares again on Twitter, briefly 65. Biol. or geol. 66. Electrical unit now called a siemens Last Thursday’s Solution C A M U S
E V E N T S
A I S F A A P H U I N C O
D A D D Y O
E L I E
N O O R
S O H U V E R A I R B N E A D I M B L F O A X
O S I N C R E D O G S E W A L H A G E T R Y A R R E N O E B E T O R S E A
E M I P A D S A L T M E A C L L O F C U R L B R I T E A I E R R L S L A B O G I N N O A T T I V
M U L L A H
E A N P O N A K E
L I L A I R E E L R E I N T A E S
A W N A O G N F E R G I E
By The Mepham Group
Level 1 2 3 4
9. Children's author who wrote "Some people talk to animals. Not many listen, though. That's the problem." 14. Sigh of relief 15. "The results ____!" 16. Baker with the 1986 hit "Sweet Love" 17. Catches up 19. Trainer's advice for a sprained ankle
1
20. Home of about 25% of U.N. member states 21. Jennifer who wrote "Manhattan Beach" 23. It's not a good look 24. 1982 #1 hit with the lyric "Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye aye" 28. Give a tattoo to
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
30. Lennon was her third husband NICK KNACK
© 2019 N.F. Benton
1
12/8/19
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
A S S N S
LO CA L
PAGE 30 | DECEMBER 5 – 11, 2019
dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . pas
20 s Yearo Ag
is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . p a s is the Now for all time cows good me to to coaid of the their.
BACK IN THE DAY
20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press
Falls Church News-Press Vol. IX, No. 39 • December 8, 1999
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
Falls Church News-Press Vol. XIX, No. 40 • December 10, 2009
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Critter Corner 10 Year s Ago
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the the ir pas ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
Kinko’s, Pancake House Open at Broaddale Plaza, More Stores Expected
Mayor Proposes Delaying Switch Of Local Election Date to 2012
Signs of new have life emerged at the Broaddale Shopping Center in the middle of downtown Falls Church. The center, in the 300 block of West Broad, reached a low point recently with the departure of three long-term business institutions in the City — Koko’s Video store last year, and then the Falls Church Drug Center and Shoney’s earlier this fall.
With Falls Church Vice Mayor Hal Lippman on an assignment in Afghanistan this month, Mayor Robin Gardner suggested a final vote on whether or not to shift the date of municipal elections in the City of Falls Church might be postponed until next month. She also confirmed that other proponents for the May-to-November change want it to take effect in 2012.
C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h
CRIME REPORT Week of Nov. 25 – Dec. 1, 2019 Drug/Narcotic Violation, 800 blk W Broad St, Nov 25, 12:01 AM, following a traffic stop a male, 30, of New York, NY, was issued a summons for possession of drugs, a male, 22, of New York, NY, was arrested possession of drugs. Tamper With Auto, 500 blk Roosevelt Blvd, between November 24, 1 PM and November 25, 6 AM, unknown suspect(s) tampered with a locked vehicle. Commercial Burglary, 1100 blk W Broad St, between Nov 24, 8:30 PM, and Nov 25, 10:23 AM, unknown suspect(s) made forced entry and took items of value. Larceny from Vehicle, 300 blk N Underwood St, Between Nov 4 and Nov 25, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from a parked vehicle. Fraud – Impersonation, 300 blk Park Ave, on Nov 25 it was reported
to police that unknown suspect(s) purporting to be a retired Falls Church police officer called community members and falsely stated that they had outstanding warrants and demanded money. Graffiti, 200 blk Grove Ave, Nov 26, 2 PM, police took a report for graffiti caused by unknown suspect(s) at an unknown time. Auto Theft, 300 blk E Annandale Ave, Between Nov 10 and Nov 24, unknown suspect(s) stole five unattended vehicles. Assault, 500 blk Roosevelt Blvd, Nov 26, 6 PM, following a call for service a female, 39, of the City of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for assault. Drunk in Public, 1000 blk E Broad St, Nov 26, 7:55 PM, following a call for service a male, 64, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for being drunk in public.
Larceny – Theft of Vehicle Part, 1000 blk E Broad St, between Nov 23, 9 AM and Nov 27, 10:30 AM, unknown suspect(s) took license plates from two unattended vehicles. Graffiti – Destruction of Property, 100 blk W Greenway Blvd, Nov 27 between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM, unknown suspect(s) defaced private property. Drug/Narcotic Violation and Liquor Law Violation, Nov 29, 12:22 AM, following a traffic stop a male, 20, of Sterling, VA, was arrested for drug/narcotic possession and for liquor law violation. Smoking Violation, 6700 blk Wilson Blvd, Dec 1, 10:15, following police contact a male, 51, of Springfield, VA, and a male, 56, of Fairfax, VA, were issued a summons for smoking in a non-smoking establishment. Larceny from Building, 1000 blk E Broad St, Dec 1 between 4:25 and 4:55 PM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from a locked locker. Larceny from Building, 1000 blk E Broad St, Dec 1 between 8:25 and 8:58 PM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from an unsecured locker.
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MISSING THAT WARMTH OF SUMMER? Well take a gander at this week’s Critter Corner superstar, Mango, to thaw you out. The tropical-themed feline hangs with his human and is easily sweeter than his fruity namesake. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
School Volunteer Charles Stableford Dies Charles Vernon Stableford, of Falls Church, died on Nov. 21, 2019. He was 88 and fully engaged as a STEM volunteer supporting Mrs. Janet Lundin’s 8th grade Design Challenge Flex classes at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Stableford was born May 5, 1931 in Kingman, Arizona, son of the late Vernon Stableford and Frances Harris Stableford. He received a Master’s degree in Astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley. His adventures during his many years at TRW included work on Apollo where he received an Apollo Achievement Award, support to the 97th Congress House Committee on Ways and Means, time at sea with the U.S. Navy, and engagements with the European Space Agency. Surviving are his four sons — Charles Stableford, Jr. of Fairfax, David Stableford of Long Beach, California, Brian Stableford of London, England and Mark Stableford of Long Beach; and three grandchildren — Katie, Joe and Winter; and his partner, Priscilla Guthrie. He will be buried in a private green burial at Cool Spring
CHARLES STABLEFORD Natural Cemetery at Holy Cross Abbey in Bluemont, Virginia. The Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF) has set up the Stableford Science Fund to support the middle school science program that he and Mrs. Lundin taught. Contributions can be made as follows: Checks, payable to FCEF, with Stableford Science Fund in the memo, may be sent to: FCEF, 150 S. Washington St., Suite 400, Falls Church, VA. 22046 or online via www.fcedf. org, click on “donate now”, and indicate Stableford Science Fund in the designation. Arrangements are being handled by Enders & Shirley Funeral Home in Berryville, Virginia. To send condolences online, visit endersandshirley.com.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
DECEMBER 5 - 11, 2019 | PAGE 31
Legal Notice
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER BW BRUNSWICK COUNTY POWER STATION, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 CASE NO. PUR-2019-00160 •Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied to update its Rider BW by which it recovers the costs of the Brunswick County Power Station. •Dominion requests $119,740,000 for its 2020 Rider BW. According to Dominion, this amount would increase a typical residential customer’s bill using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by $0.10. •A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hear the case on March 24, 2020. •Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. On October 1, 2019, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion” or “Company”), pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 6 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”) and the State Corporation Commission’s (“Commission”) Final Order in Case No. PUR-2018-00166, filed with the Commission an annual update with respect to the Company’s rate adjustment clause, Rider BW (“Application”). Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with the Brunswick County Power Station, a 1,358 megawatt (nominal) natural gas-fired, combined-cycle electric generating facility, as well as the related transmission interconnection facilities, in Brunswick County, Virginia (“Project”). In Case No. PUE-2012-00128 (“CPCN Order”), the Commission approved construction of the Project. In conjunction therewith, the Commission also approved a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider BW, which allowed Dominion to recover costs associated with the development of the Project. The Company has since annually updated its Rider BW rate adjustment clause. In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve Rider BW for the rate year beginning September 1, 2020, and ending August 31, 2021 (“2020 Rate Year”). The two key components of the proposed total revenue requirement for the 2020 Rate Year are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company is requesting a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $132,695,000 and an Actual Cost True-Up Factor revenue requirement of ($12,955,000). Thus, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $119,740,000 for service rendered during the 2019 Rate Year. Dominion requests a rate effective date for usage on and after the latter of September 1, 2019, or the first day of the month that is at least 15 days following the date of any Commission order approving Rider BW. For purposes of calculating the Projected Cost Recovery Factor in this case, Dominion proposes an enhanced rate of return on common equity (“ROE”) of 11.75%, which it states is consistent with the Company’s testimony in Case No. PUR-2019-00050, which is currently pending before the Commission. This includes a proposed general ROE of 10.75%, plus a 100 basis points enhanced return, as provided for in Code § 56-585.1 A 6, for a combined cycle generating station. For purposes of calculating the Actual Cost True Up Factor, the Company used an enhanced ROE of 10.2%, including a general ROE of 9.2%, plus an ROE adder of 100 basis points. If the proposed Rider BW for the 2019 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 BW on September 1, 2020, would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.10. Interested persons are encouraged to review the Application and supporting documents for the details of 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 that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on March 24, 2020, at 10 a.m., in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive testimony from members of the public and evidence related to the Application from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness at this hearing should appear fifteen (15) minutes prior to the starting time of the hearing and contact the Commission’s Bailiff. The public version of the Company’s Application, as well as the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, are available for public inspection during regular business hours at each of the Company’s business offices in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Copies also may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Paul E. Pfeffer, Esquire, Dominion Energy Services, Inc., 120 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. If acceptable to the requesting party, the Company may provide the documents by electronic means. Copies of the public version of the Application and other documents filed in this case also are available for interested persons to review in the Commission’s Document Control Center located on the first floor of the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. On or before March 17, 2020, any interested person wishing to comment on the Company’s Application shall file written comments on the Application with Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. Any interested person desiring to file comments electronically may do so on or before March 17, 2020, by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. Compact discs or any other form of electronic storage medium may not be filed with the comments. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2019-00160. On or before January 8, 2020, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of the notice of participation shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address above. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company at the address set forth above. 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-2019-00160. On or before January 29, 2020, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, and serve on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of such testimony and exhibits shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address above. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 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-201900160. All documents filed with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The Commission’s Rules of Practice may be viewed at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. A printed copy of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and an official copy of the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding may be obtained from the Clerk of the Commission at the address above. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
PAGE 32 | DECEMBER 5 -11, 2019
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