December 6 — 12, 2018
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 • Vol. XXVIII No. 42
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Inside This Week Santa Coming to the Little City Next Week
The annual tradition returns as the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department decorates its reserve engine and escorts Santa Claus through the streets of the greater Falls Church area starting Dec. 18. See News Briefs, page 9
Smyth Announces She Won’t Seek Re-Election
With Econ Development Plan, New Mason High Won't Need More Tax $ F.C. Council, School Board Gets Preview Of Next Budget Year
by Nicholas F. Benton
Linda Smyth, who has represented the Providence District of Fairfax County adjacent the City of Falls Church at its southern end, announced she will not seek re-election next year.
Falls Church News-Press
agreement with the City to light up the site in a big way, he’s already lining up the first of the new businesses: the grocery store, the hotel, the music venue, the music school and the senior living apartments. A mood of excitement pervaded both the Coordinating Committee (the City’s team of representatives from its City Council, School Board and City staff) meeting last Friday morning and the EDA Tuesday night.
Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields confirmed that the new $120 million George Mason High School, as well as the renovations to City Hall and the Mary Riley Styles Library, will get built without costing City taxpayers an extra dime over what they’re already paying in real estate taxes if the preliminary deal struck between the City and the master developer for 10.3 acres at the City’s West End passes. Shields revealed the development at a joint work session Monday night of the F.C. City Council and School Board, their first take at the next fiscal year budget. As much as it was hoped for as the outcome of the dealings with the EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency team that wants to put a $500 million development onto the City’s site where the current high school sits, it was not stated openly that the plan would enable an effectively cost-free high school and other developments, beyond the 3.5 cent real estate tax rate increase that was assigned in two steps over the last two years. But this was the cornerstone of the joint session Monday night, a prequel to the next six months deliberations that will result in the adoption of a new annual City and Schools operating budget next April, set to go into effect next July 1. It is a signal that the upcoming budget deliberations, even with an
Continued on Page 5
Continued on Page 4
See News Briefs, page 9
F.C.'s New Animal Rescue Foundation
The Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation’s new residence at Seven Corners has become a transformational outpost for an organization devoted to finding permanent homes for estranged animals. See page 16
Mason Boys Hoops Improves To 2-1
Early returns are promising for George Mason High School boys basketball team’s shift in defensive philosophy. See Sports, page 19
THE JOINT MEETING of the Falls Church City Council and School Board Monday learned that the new high school, City Hall and library renovations will all be paid for without costing City taxpayers any additional money. (Photo: News-Press)
EYA's Master Developer: We Already Have 'Letters of Intent' by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Index
Editorial................ 6 Letters..............6, 8 News & Notes.12–13 Comment...... 14–15 Business News.. 17 Sports................ 19
Calendar...... 26–27 Classified Ads.... 28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword......... 29 Crime Report..... 30 Critter Corner..... 30
At meetings of the Falls Church Campus Coordinating Committee and Economic Development Authority in the past week, Evan Goldman, the chief master plan coordinator for EYA, Inc., the team chosen by the F.C. City Council to develop the 10.3acre West End commercial site on the grounds of George Mason High School, announced that his company is already in negotiations with five entities on “letters of
intent” to build on the site, having secured two already. “I have been in on 12 Falls Church project-related meetings today,” Goldman told the EDA board at its monthly meeting Tuesday night. “This is a very cool, exciting project.” That’s putting it mildly from the standpoint of what he, and his counterparts from PN Hoffman and Regency chosen to build the $500 million project, have presented to date, and with the ink barely dry on the preliminary $44.5 million 99-year lease
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018
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DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018 | PAGE 3
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PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018
New Budget Continued from Page 1
unusually modest projection for a net 2.0-percent revenue growth in the City, may not be as painful on City taxpayers as some may have been expecting. Not only will the new high school come at no additional taxpayer cost, but so will the $17 million renovation of City Hall, currently underway, and the coming $8 million renovation of the library. The numbers are predicated on the West End development team’s following through on its $45 million 99-year ground lease on the 10.3 acres, which will cover the City’s added debt service costs to the tune of $6.5 million next year, and $7 million annually for four consecutive years beginning in 2021, and the resumption of payments on the balance due in 2029. Other contributors to covering the debt costs are projected as an annual $640,000 return on investment from the City’s pension fund, which is the result from the decision taken by the Council to use $9.2 million of the proceeds from the sale of the
City’s water system three years ago to buoy its pension fund, and a prudent measured use of the City’s reserve fund (which will continue to maintain a running balance of between $14.7 and $18.1 million the next five years.) The combined effort will cover an increase in the City’s annual debt service obligation from its current $6 million annually to $9.8 million to pay for the debt incurred for all the new projects. Only School Board member Justin Castillo chose to comment on the overall result Monday, saying, “Good job!” to the City staff that negotiated the preliminary deal with the West End development team and the other decisions that contributed to the City’s capacity to manage the increased debt at no new cost to the individual taxpayer. The cautionary approach taken by the City’s Chief Financial Officer Kiran Bawa is based on the less-than-stellar projections for the wider economy, which is long overdue for a new recession, she noted. The projection for the region is for two percent consumer price index growth (inflation) and “modest assessed valuation growth nationwide and
LO CA L regionally,” she reported. Still, on the other hand in Falls Church’s case, the strong financial position of the master developers of the new site and their record of success in the wider region mitigate against any potential pessimism, and it is also noted that work on the 4.3 acre Founders Row mixed use project at the northeast corner of the W. Broad and N. West Street intersection is also beginning with the demolition of existing now abandoned structures at the site. The Amazon HQ2 announcement last month also has everyone buoyed about its potentials for the wider region, including the need for more housing and office spaces for satellite businesses and industries, good schools for well-paid households, including the impact of the plan for Virginia Tech to coordinate with Amazon for a major new campus in Crystal City, and enhanced transportation infrastructure. Currently, 61 percent of the City of Falls Church’s annual budget of $92.5 million is paid for out of residential and commercial real estate taxes, with state and federal funds providing only
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
five percent. The forecast is that the City’s residential properties will grow in assessed value by an average 2.75 percent, and its commercial properties by only one percent. Total new revenue is projected at $1.7 million, a 2.0 percent increase. This compares to Arlington’s projected revenue growth of 1.5 percent, Fairfax growth of 2.9 percent (based on the state’s “local composite index” formula that will provide proportionately greater subsidies for its schools), and Alexandria at 1.9 percent. Over the last 10 years, the overall revenue growth has been only 1.3 percent in the City due to “no strong rebound” from the Great Recession a decade ago, she said. A decade ago, the recession caused a 25 percent decline in commercial real estate values and a 10 percent drop in residential values and the recovery has been very sluggish. Projected cost drivers for the coming year include $400,000 for WMATA, a number higher than expected, and an additional $200,000 for health insurance coverage. If the City were to offer a one-percent salary increase for its employees, that would be at a
cost of $200,000. “We need to reward success,” Shields said, noting the lack of salary growth for City employees in recent years and the loss of two valued engineers to the City in recent months. On the school side, Superintendent Peter Noonan told the joint session Monday that enrollment in the Falls Church system is projected to increase by 54 students next fall from current enrollment at 2,645 to 2,699. The schools count on the City Council for 83 percent of their revenues (getting 13 percent from the state because of the City’s low LCI based on average income factors), and spends 86 percent of their budget on teachers, administrators and other people. With no step increase for teachers last year, adding one this year would cost $1.1 million in a highly competitive regional teacher salary environment. A cost of living increase would cost $400,000 for each percent, health insurance is expected to rise $315,000, and substitute teacher pay needs will rise by $50,000. Noonan said the added needs for the schools add up to $1.7 million.
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LO CA L
‘Letters of Intent’ for West End Project
Continued from Page 1
Work on the project is still over two years away, following the construction and occupancy of an all-new George Mason High School complex just to the west of the location, but according to Goldman, no time will be wasted getting to work on the construction of the buildings, including ones topping 15 stories, on Phase 1 of a two-phase process. He said that experience has taught his company, citing its work on the Pike and Rose project in Bethesda and Santana Project in San Jose, California, that making a big splash in the first phase of a big project is a key to its success. So work on all the buildings in the first phase here will begin simultaneously once the “go” sign is given, prospectively in the beginning of 2021. (The school construction, if all goes according to plan, will commence next May 2019 and be completed within a year and a half by December 2020. The current school will then be demolished, and that ground cleared for the economic
development portion to commence in early 2021). The first challenges to be met will be to address the varied elevations on the land, to work on optimizing the site’s access to the West Falls Church Metro station, and to establish with the grocery store right at the intersection of W. Broad and Haycock Road the site for frequent visits by shoppers. Another early key is interface with the new high school, and this involves at least two major things, the prospect of a parking deck with shared parking for use by residents and shoppers at the site, and by the school, especially for big events. The plan will be to optimize the retail in the first phase, to include a civic building with a music venue with a capacity of 500 adjacent a hotel that can use the venue for special events. It is no accident that the proposed music venue, and music school, are planned to be located close to where the auditorium and black box theater spaces are set to go in the new high school. Goldman said this is planned to enable a series of special events,
such as a music festival, to be held in a proximate space. It will also be adjacent the wide boulevard that will run through the middle of the project with a full acre dedicated to a central park between traffic lanes running each direction. Phase 1 will include the hotel with 150 rooms, 300 apartments, 240 condominiums, an office and a community building (housing the music venue), and the parking structure if it is agreed to go with that (the developers will pay the City an extra $5.3 million if this option is chosen). Phase 1 will also serve as a buffer for the school from Phase 2, which will be office and condo buildings, with an option down the road for the City to reclaim a small portion of the land on Haycock Road. EDA member and local developer Bob Young, who was on both review groups that evaluated the initial submissions and then the two finalists, said “This has been good to me from the very beginning, and these people can bring promises to reality to deliver a place. I couldn’t be more for it.”
DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018 | PAGE 5
EVAN GOLDMAN, EYA’s master developer for the 10.3-acre West End project, spelled out his team’s plans for the site to the City’s Campus Coordination group last Friday. He did the same for the Economic Development Authority Tuesday. (Photo: News-Press) Goldman said his team has also responded to the Virginia Tech proposal to redevelop its land adjacent the site with a plan that includes three or four academic and student/faculty housing buildings for a campus with a different focus than the one being planned for down by the Amazon HQ2 in Crystal City. He said that his team also plans to respond to a request for proposals due next year
from WMATA for its 25 acres at the West Falls Church Metro site, reiterating the vision of the boulevard in the middle of the project running from W. Broad through to the Metro station. An article spelling out the overview for the project by Evan Jones, a Mason High student representative on the EDA, was published this week in the latest The Lasso Magazine, Mason’s student publication.
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PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018
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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. ©2018 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.
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E D I TO R I A L
Some Very Good Decisions Here
It’s looking more and more like the City’s governmental leadership at City Hall and the School Board office, with poignant input from key private sector figures, has done numerous things very, very right lately. The process, with all of its countless meetings and deliberations, first began with a really good deal for the sale of the City’s water system — nothing but a pain in the neck once the courts, rightly or not, ruled the City could not make a dime from its operation — completed at the start of 2014. The City scored $40 million in cash, which it has put to good use, a portion going to shore up its pension fund resulting in annual $640,000 savings to taxpayers, and received into its City limits 34.8 acres covering the George Mason High School site with the proviso that up to 10.3 of the acres could be used for something other than education. Then the City and schools, with the help of some talented and experienced consultants, boiled down its choice of applicants to find top notch developers to build a new high school, Gilbane Construction with Standec and Quinn Evans architects, and, as approved by the City Council last month, to develop the 10.3 acres for dense and creative commercial mixed use development, EYA with PN Hoffman and Regency Centers. The products as we’ve seen them in their planning stages so far, are both stunning. The high school final schematic design was unveiled the same week in mid-November that the master developer team was chosen for the economic portion and it is spectacular. Now, the developer group is moving at breakneck speed to advance its plan, with some “letters of intent” from quality retailers and others already signed. The interface between the educational and commercial components of the site, taken overall, has the potential to transform the City into a true Florentine renaissance masterpiece, a sturdy and beautiful flower around which the entire Northern Virginia region will increasingly rotate. All the other major areas, from Amazon’s new HQ2 in Crystal City, the huge Virginia Tech campus adjacent it, to the exploding Inova campus in Merrifield and the plans for a huge expansion of the University of Virginia in conjunction with it, and, of course, Tysons Corner, cannot match what the City of Falls Church will be bringing to the region by virtue of its vision for economic, scholastic and cultural interfaces. It’s not how big or small something is, it’s about what revolves around what, where the center of gravity resides and what commands the most attention. The genius in the West End development concept is the intention to link it to two adjacent properties — the Virginia Tech and WMATA components — to bring it right up against the West Falls Church Metro station in the form of a magnificent boulevard that links the station to West Broad. That will produce something no other area can.
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Glad Va. Still Supports Armed Self-Defense
Editor, Those upset that “Virginia’s Dillon Rule Continues to Frustrate Falls Church on Gun Laws” should consider moving to D.C. or Maryland. I for one am glad that I live in a state that still supports the right to armed self-defense. Indeed, now that the Supreme Court finally has a critical mass of justices willing to uphold the
Constitution’s original meaning, we should expect rulings striking down state and municipal laws that prevent law-abiding people from exercising their basic civil rights. My perspective may be affected by my coming from an oppressive regime (the USSR), but perhaps appreciating American freedom is just one more job immigrants will do that others won’t.
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And going after BB guns? Somebody’s been watching too much “A Christmas Story.” Ilya Shapiro Falls Church
The W&OD Trail Isn’t Broke, So Why Fix It? Editor, After reading last week’s article, “$3.2 Million in State Funds OK’d to Turn W&OD Trail Into Bike, Pedestrian Lanes,” I could not get the old saying, “If it
ain’t broke, fix it until it is” out of my head. I have been biking that trail since 1993. In my opinion, I think it is fine just the way it is. It is pastoral, “old school,” soothing — where all can share the trail — bikers, joggers, roller bladders and slow walkers. This new plan will have the Lance wannabes speeding down one lane, and all the rest in another lane. For what purpose? Just sayin’. Larry Comella Falls Church
Letters Continued on Page 8
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 7
Creating a Transparent Redistricting Process in Virginia B� A�� H��������
The League of Women Voters of Falls Church is hosting a community forum and training Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the City of Falls Church Community Center in the Art Room. With assistance from OneVirginia2021, there is a lot of new information to share with regard to redistricting in Virginia. This event is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about what gerrymandering is, why now is the time to advocate to lawmakers about voting for a state constitutional amendment that provides for an independent redistricting commission, and what actions community members can do before the 2019 General Assembly begins its next session. Now is a critical time in Virginia’s future for fair districts and representation. The 2020 Census officially starts in just over twelve months. As directed by the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2, every 10 years the people in our communities across the country are counted so that we know how to distribute resources and representation. The Virginia state constitution gives the authority to redistrict our state and congressional district maps to the General Assembly after data is reported from the Census Bureau. In 2011 state politicians drew Virginia’s current maps after the 2010 Census. These maps are highly irregular in shape, some stretching in communities that have little in common other than being in Virginia.
For example, state house district 11 reaches north of Reston and travels south near Quantico Station, and this district also covers Centreville and almost touches Annandale. Other districts share similar slicing and dicing of communities and
“Now is a critical time in Virginia’s future for fair districts and representation.” lines that twist and turn without regard to voters, local communities, or geographic boundaries. In the last redistricting process, congressional districts and House of Delegate districts were drawn by Republicans, and State Senate districts were drawn by Democrats. Neither party did voters any favors. Instead of drawing districts that respect the geographic and political boundaries and that keep communities together, politicians in both parties drew districts to make their campaigns less competitive and easier to win for themselves and the incumbents in those districts. The result has been extreme partisanship, gridlock, suppression of voters’ voices, and a lack of competition of ideas and solutions in Richmond and in the U.S. Congress. After the 2020 Census data is reported
and is turned over to the General Assembly in 2021 the redistricting process returns to Virginia. Without a significant change to the state constitution that institutes independence from politicians, transparency, and citizen participation, the two parties will likely use the opportunity to preserve their power like they did in 2011 to make deals without regard to fair representation. And with the amount of data collected on people today and the advances in mapping and computer technology to single out intricate details down to the street and house and voter record and income earned by individuals, politicians have incredible power to distort and manipulate districts to ensure they keep their political power and prevent any future challenges. There is hope this January when the 2019 General Assembly starts its session. In Virginia to change the state constitution, the General Assembly must pass the same exact resolution twice — in two subsequent General Assembly sessions — and then voters vote on the resolution. This process takes about 18 months. Since the next redistricting process starts in just over two years, we have no time to lose. A resolution to amend the state constitution to enact an independent redistricting commission must get introduced and passed this session otherwise we must wait another ten years before we have another opportunity to end gerrymandered voter suppression. In August OneVirginia2021 assembled a bipartisan blue ribbon commission with
the goal that the members craft a resolution that would create a redistricting process that is transparent, protects communities, and ensures that politicians are not picking their voters. This Citizens Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee unveiled its plan on Nov. 29 at a press conference in Richmond advocating for an independent redistricting commission. The criteria for their plan for drawing the maps would be transparent and open to the public, would have opportunity for the public to make comments about their community, and would prevent politicians from drawing the maps. If you are interested in learning more about the Citizens Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee, visit the Executive Summary on OneVirginia2021’s website: bit.ly/2U0I89y. Learn more about this plan and what can be done now before the General Assembly starts its 2019 session. Join the League of Women Voters of Falls Church and OneVirginia2021 Sunday, December 9th to learn about the Citizens Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee’s plan for an independent redistricting commission and the criteria for drawing new districts that is transparent, incorporates citizen participation, protects communities, and is a fair redistricting process for all voters. Amy Hjerstedt is a member of the League of Women Voters Falls Church and of OneVirginia2021 Fairfax LAG.
Q������� �� ��� W��� In the end, will the City’s new high school and other projects need more than the initial 3.5-cent real estate tax rate hike? • Yes
• No
• Not sure
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& Guest Commentaries. Letters to the Editor should be no more than 350 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four weeks. Guest Commentaries should be no more than 800 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four months. Because of space constraints, not all submissions will be published. All submissions to the News-Press should be original, unpublished content. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar and accuracy. All submissions should include writer’s name, address, phone and e-mail address if available.
Email: letters@fcnp.com | Mail: Letters to the Editor, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church 22046 | Fax: 703.340.0347
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PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018
G R E AT T H I N G S A R E D O N E BY A SERIES OF SMALL THINGS BROUGHT TOGETHER — V i n c e n t Va n G o g h —
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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TO LETTERS THE EDITOR Continued from Page 6
Swap ‘Pay-to-Play Politics’ for ‘Voters Over Donors’
Visit us online for a full calendar of holiday events
Holiday companionship makes spirits bright Keep us company at The Kensington AS THE HOLIDAYS UNFOLD, please bring us your memories, your traditions, your recipes and treats. But most importantly, bring us YOU, for no gift is more meaningful than time together well spent. Holiday gatherings uplift the spirit in more ways than one! They give us the chance to pause the busyness of the season and focus on each other. They honor legacies that not only help us feel connected to our past but also deepen a sense of closeness with those in our life today. They strengthen bonds among families and generate good will. At The Kensington, holiday joy is contagious—we have plenty to spread. Friendship is the antidote for loneliness—we’re giving it away. Hugs are good for the soul—our arms are open. Make your spirit bright, and ours, too. Join us for brunch. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR A BRUNCH OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, December 9, 2018 • 11:00am-2:00pm RSVP to (703) 992-9868 or conciergefc@kensingtonsl.com
(703) 992-9868 700 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 www.TheKensingtonFallsChurch.com Kensington Park, another Kensington community located nearby in Kensington, MD
Editor, The Center for Responsive Politics reported that the cost of this midterm election, at $5.2 billion, was the costliest in U.S. history. The group listed Virginia the sixth-largest state recipient of total itemized contributions at more than $160 million, with District 10 ranked the 9th most expensive Congressional race in the country. A recent forum on “Money in Politics” drew together legislators, members of local non-profit organizations and concerned citizens to discuss how to limit big money’s influence over our political system. These citizens joined the majority of Americans, more than 80 percent who support limiting corporate campaign contributions, thus bringing back power to the people. Yasmine Taeb, a Virginia Senate candidate for the 35th District, challenges Virginia politicians in the upcoming 2019 election to “prioritize voters over donors” by rejecting the Old Dominion’s corrupt “pay-to-play politics” which have failed countless working families across the State. She and others also voiced support for a U.S. constitutional amendment to ensure that people— not money, not corporations or others — govern. Meanwhile, the need for innovative public campaign financing systems, such as Democracy Vouchers, was highlighted by Marcus Simon, Delegate from the 53rd District. National initiatives are also underway to further a constitutional amendment. One such group, American Promise, aims to add Virginia to the 19 States which have ratified legislation supporting a constitutional amendment which reverses the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling (2010) which deemed “money as speech.” Let’s allow our citizens to have as much influence as payday lenders, Dominion Energy, large pharmaceutical and tobacco companies and defense contrac-
tors. We, the citizens of Virginia, should pledge to elect candidates in 2019 who don’t take corporate PAC money. Stephen Spitz, Nancy Morgan Falls Church, Alexandria
Honoring the Passing of a Generous Man Editor, Mr. Brown died today It makes me sad. But the goodness he was to all of us Keeps me away From crying Every day for many years I passed by his house To see the TV, on sports, Until one day he was gone And the TV glow in the evening hours Was no longer I used to wonder if sports fed his soul And kept him young Now I wonder if, when he gets to heaven, He’ll be able to parlay a starting quarterback position On a celestial team He might expect himself to be a shoo-in for that role Given the top drawer wings he should receive From whoever’s in charge up there Considering the warmth and love he elicited From the persons, the public he served In his humble, helpful, warm Stewardship of Brown’s hardware store In the little city which now has his loss to mourn. Kevin B. Shea Falls Church
[ LETTERS ] Send us a letter and let us know what you think. Email letters@fcnp.com Fax 703-342-0347 Mail or drop off Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls Street #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
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NEWS BRIEFS
DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018 | PAGE 9
Need A Doctor? We Have Two!
Santa Tours F.C. on Fire Truck Dec. 15-23 The annual tradition returns as the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department decorates its reserve engine and escorts Santa Claus through the streets of the greater Falls Church area. Santamobile begins on Saturday, Dec. 15 and will run through Sunday, Dec. 23. On the first five nights, Santa and his elves will visit each neighborhood in the City of Falls Church. The remaining nights are reserved for make-up routes and excursions into neighboring Arlington and Fairfax counties. During each night’s three-hour run, Santa’s helpers will be handing out candy canes — and, to canine friends, dog biscuits. Anyone who wishes to receive these treats are encouraged to greet Santa’s helpers at the curb. The schedule of visits to neighborhoods is at www.facebook.com/FallsChurchVFD. In the event of inclement weather, the run will be canceled for that evening. Every effort is made to keep the Facebook page updated to reflect Santa’s revised schedule. The FCVFD requests that the public refrain from calling the fire station for information on Santa’s intended routes but send inquiries to santamobile@fallschurchfire.org. The schedule, subject to changes, begins: Saturday, Dec. 15, South of W. Broad Street in the St. James Cemetery and Virginia Forest neighborhoods up to and including Seaton Lane and S. Oak south of the Tripps Run bridge; Sunday, Dec. 16, North of W. Broad Street including Little Falls Street; Monday, Dec. 17, South of W. Broad Street in the Winter Hill and Virginia Forest neighborhoods south of Seaton Lane; also includes streets north of the Tripps Run bridge (Hillier, S. Oak, Lee, Rees, Chanel); Tuesday, Dec. 18, Little Falls neighborhood, and streets east of Washington Street including the Madison Park and Whittier Park neighborhoods; Wednesday, Dec. 19, Broadmont neighborhood and streets on the north side of Hillwood east of Cherry Street.
Linda Smyth Announces She Won’t Seek Re-Election Linda Smyth, who has represented the Providence District of Fairfax County adjacent the City of Falls Church at its southern end, announced this week that she will not seek re-election to a fourth four-year term next year. This week, Fairfax School Board member Dalia Palchik announced that she will run for the seat as a Democrat, as has Erika Milena, vice president of the Providence District Council of homeowner groups. Smith was originally elected to the seat to replace U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly when he was first elected to Congress.
‘DMV 2 Go’ at City Hall This Friday City of Falls Church Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton announced opportunities for DMV services in The Little City in December. The full-service ‘DMV 2 Go’ bus will be in front of City Hall, 300 Park Ave., on Friday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The accessible mobile office provides all DMV transactions including: applying for and renewing driver’s licenses; applying for hunting and fishing licenses; obtaining E-Z pass transponders; obtaining ID cards (including photos) and Virginia’s veterans ID cards; obtaining copies of driving records, vehicle titles, license plates, decals, and transcripts; obtaining certified copies of Virginia vital records including birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates; ordering disabled parking placards or plates; taking road and knowledge tests; and updating an address after a move for DMV and voter registration. The limited ‘DMV Connect’ service conducts all DMV transactions listed above, except vital records and testing. ‘DMV Connect’ will be at 131 E Broad St. Monday-Thursday, Dec. 10-13, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Connolly Wants Hearing on N.C. Fraud Reports U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, vice ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, released the following statement requesting an emergency hearing into reports of election fraud in the race for North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District: “While the Republican majority is once again chasing conspiracies, real election fraud is playing out right before us in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. We should see every action Republicans take to ignore this situation for what it is – a slap in the face to all voters in North Carolina who participated in the 2018 election with the expectation that every vote would be counted. Votes have been stolen by preying on senior and minority voters, and now a cloud of doubt and suspicion hangs over this election result. It is incumbent on Committee chairman Gowdy to hold an emergency hearing before the end of this congressional session so that we can shed light and understand what happened in this race.”
Dr. Mindy Nasuti
Now Open 9-5 Every Weekday & Until 8 on Tuesday and Wednesday 703-533-7555 • www.fmifc.com 124A East Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046 Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine • Accepting Most Major Insurances
Falls Church News-Press Holiday Shopping Guide 2018
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Sun 11-6 Mon - Fri 11-9 Sat 10-9
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www.DoughertyDDS.com 200 Little Falls Street, Suite 506, Falls Church, VA 22046 We are located across the street from city hall
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PAGE 12 | DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Community News & Notes Hugh Brown Memorial Service Set for this Saturday Longtime owner and operator of Brown’s Hardware, Hugh Brown, will have his memorial service this Saturday, Dec. 10 at Falls Church Presbyterian Church (225 E. Broad St., Falls Church). Brown began running the store in 1959, which was originally opened by his grandfather James W. Brown in 1883. Brown died of natural causes at the age of 92 on Nov. 5.
Lewinsville Presbyterian Choirs to Perform on Dec. 9 The choirs of Lewinsville Presbyterian Church (1724 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean) present “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian Carlo Menotti on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
A prelude of choral and handbell Advent and Christmas music will begin at 6 p.m. Reception will follow the performances in St. Andrews Hall. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sandy Albrecht at 703-3567200, Bettie McElroy at 703-2370358 or the general church email address, Lewinsville-Church@ lewinsville.org.
Author Discusses Latest Work at Tysons-Pimmit Interested attendees can join award-winning local author Evelyn Elgin (“The Kitchen Therapist”) as she discusses her new cookbook, “The Allmoods Cookbook” on how to manage their moods with humor and food on Saturday December 15, 2018 at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional
Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) from 3 – 4:30 p.m. This cookbook intends to help readers cook, smile and laugh into a better space for the holidays and beyond. Signed copies of “The Allmoods Cookbook” (first volume) can be purchased at the event and the book also is available on Amazon. This book won the 2018 Book of the Year Award for “Outstanding Humor” by the Independent Author Network.
Mason High Now Accepting Applications for Hall of Fame The George Mason High School Athletic Hall of Fame Nominating Committee has announced that it will be reviewing nominations for the Hall of Fame with the objective of holding inductions in the Fall of 2019. Interested individuals are encour-
aged to nominate any athletes, teams, coaches, administrators or program friends they believe are worth of consideration and induction. The committee will also consider nominees for a Special Achievement Award which is designed to honor persons who or teams that have made particularly inspirational contributions to George Mason High School athletics. Information as to the criteria used for selection and copies of the nomination form are available on the school’s athletic department website. The form can be obtained at masonathletics.org/page/3143/ mn (scroll down and click on “Hall of Fame Nomination Form” which may be submitted after completion as described on the form). Among other things, athletes must have graduated at least five years ago (classes through the
Class of 2013 are eligible) with similar limits as to teams (teams that completed their season as of or before the spring of 2013 are eligible) and coaches (must have retired or left coaching in the Mason sports program as of or before the spring of 2013). Self nominations are not permitted. Nominations should be submitted by no later than Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. For more information, contact the committee chair Joel Hamme at joel.hamme@powerslaw.com or George Mason High School athletic director Julie Bravin at bravinj@fccps.org.
Christ Crossman Does Historic Bethlehem On Dec. 7 and 8 from 6 – 8 p.m., Christ Crossman United Methodist Church (384 N.
AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL “Holiday Tree Fest” benefit for Falls Church non-profits, an array of over 20 trees, decorated by different non-profit groups and put up CITY OF FALLS CHURCH POLICE Sergeant Sharee Karlinsey helps Saint James for bid, charmed the outdoor area of the Ireland’s Four Provinces restaurant last 5th grade Girl Scout Troop 1109 complete the requirements for their First Aid Saturday. Organizer Melissa Morse said that bids were coming in up to 8 p.m. that badge. (Photo: Courtesy Dawn Schiller) night. (Photo: 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 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 13
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DULIN COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL (on Broad and Noland near the heart of Falls Church City) held its annual Santa Brunch on Dec. 1. About 170 students, siblings, parents and grandparents attended. The students regaled the audience with renditions of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “Twinkle Twinkle Hanukkah Lights,” “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” A special thanks to Falls Church’s local Harris Teeter for donating to this and other Dulin events.
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Washington St., Falls Church) will open its doors to the community to take interested attendees on a walk through historic Bethlehem. The journey begins with a live nativity and petting zoo. Once inside, children can enjoy making crafts resembling historical Bethlehem market goods and participate in a community service project assembling power pack kits for students in need through Food for Others. Live Christmas music is provided by the George Mason High School Chamber Ensemble and carols by the Chamber Singers. This event is free and open to all ages. For more information visit fallschurchchristmas.org or call 703-532-4026.
‘Madeline’ Returns To Creative Cauldron After sold out runs in 2014 and 2017, the Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Retail 116, Falls Church) is reviving “Madeline’s Christmas” once more for the 2018 holiday season, running from Dec. 6 – 23. In this musical adaptation, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are all sick in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to go home for
Christmas to be with their families. So, it’s Madeline to the rescue. And with the help of a magical rug merchant, she takes her friends on a Christmas journey they will never forget. Showtimes are as follows: Thursdays – 7:30 p.m.; Fridays – 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Special showings will also take place on Tuesday, Dec. 18 and Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $26 for adults, $24 for seniors and military, $20 for students and $16 children under twelve as well as for groups. Interested attendees can purchase tickets at CreativeCauldron. org or by calling 703-436-9948.
Leesburg Pike Bluegrass to Appear at Famille Cafe Local bluegrass band, Leesburg Pike, will be playing on Dec. 9 from 11a.m. – 1 p.m. at Famille Cafe (700-A W. Broad St., Falls Church) as a part of the Bluegrass Brunch event. This event is free and open to the public. Leesburg Pike is comprised of five musicians – Dan Henderson
on fiddle, Wade Casstevens on bass, Dan Shipp on mandolin, Page Duppstadt on banjo and Chris Teskey on guitar – with Henderson and Casstevens being City of Falls Church residents (and dads).
Blood Drive to Take Place At Mason on Dec. 15 George Mason High School (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Interested donors are directed to sign up for the event at redcrossblood.org (put in zip code 22046). Walk-ins are welcome.
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THE STORM JUST HIT AND WE WENT FROM DONATING TO THE FOOD BANK TO NEEDING IT. Donna, Louisiana
Author Chats about Newest Book at F.C. Library Historian, writer and educator Joseph A. Esposito will discuss his recent book, “Dinner at Camelot,” which recounts the legendary 1962 Nobel Prize dinner at The White House, on Saturday, Dec. 8 at Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church) from 3 – 4 p.m. For more info about the author, visit Esposito’s official website at josephaesposito.com.
HUNGER IS A STORY WE CAN END. FEEDINGAMERICA.ORG
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A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
A man, his dog, and a toddler might be some interesting characters in a fairy tale, but the following true story is both heartwarming and cautionary. Call it being in the right place at the right time, divine Providence, a guardian angel, or just plain luck, a little girl may be alive today because of a ritual performed by thousands of residents every morning and evening. Mike got up to take the family dog out for an early morning walk. His neighborhood is composed of single family detached houses, townhomes, and condominiums, all tucked snugly together just inside the Beltway. Early November mornings are dark and chilly, so it was a surprise for Mike to see a young girl, two to three years old, walking around outside, shoeless and in her pajamas, with no adult present. Mike acted quickly, picked up the toddler, and brought her into the warmth of his home, where he woke up his partner, Drew. They wrapped the little girl in blankets, and called the police. Drew walked around the community to see if he could find the parents, but no one was around. He also contacted a female neighbor, with whom the little girl might be more comfortable in a stranger’s home. The police arrived to begin a search for the parents. Another neighbor thought the parents lived in a condominium unit, but there was no response when the police knocked on that unlocked door. Entering the condo, the police woke the child’s mother, who was unaware that her daughter had gotten out of the home. Security camera video first caught the girl wandering around at 4:30 a.m., so she was out in the cold for at least 40 minutes before
Mike discovered her. She had wandered from the condo unit to the community pool, and attempted to open two pool gates before she wandered over to a vehicle and out of camera range. The video also indicates that she scared off two foxes who were hunting for food near the pool deck. A barefoot toddler in the cold dark, near a swimming pool, with wild animals foraging for food, are ingredients for disaster. Thankfully, a quick thinking neighbor (and a family dog who needed to do what dogs do) averted what could have been a tragedy. For his quick actions, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department presented a citizen’s lifesaving award to Mike this week. This was a great story that, happily, ended safely, but also a reminder to parents, or anyone caring for children, that it’s often easy for kids to “escape” from home on their way to what they might view as an “adventure.” Securing door and window locks and screens would be a good start. The 23rd Annual Mason District Holiday Town Gathering will be held on Monday, Dec. 10, beginning at 7 p.m., at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Live musical entertainment will be provided by the Sweet Adelines “Reflections” quartet, singing barbershop music. We will have refreshments and door prizes, along with my annual State of Mason District Report. Come with your friends and family; I look forward to seeing you there! Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
before anything else, we’re all human rethink your bias at lovehasnolabels.com
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Senator Dick Saslaw’s
Richmond Report December is a particularly busy month that is packed with holiday celebrations and a number of meetings for members of the General Assembly. Engaged constituents reach out to share their concerns and/or support for potential legislation and funding matters. Many of the interim study groups and commissions are wrapping up their work along with legislative briefings from various agencies and advocacy groups presenting their legislative priorities for the upcoming session. There are two benchmarks of note in December addressing access to healthcare. Since becoming law, the Affordable Care Act has provided coverage for millions of people across the nation. Now through Dec. 15, you can sign up for health insurance and/or change your current plan through the federal marketplace. Visit www.healthcare.gov to take advantage of the remaining days for enrollment and changes. Virginia launched its program for Medicaid Expansion on Nov. 1. Expanding Medicaid provides hope and access to medical care for hundreds of thousands of people in our community in need of assistance. The enrollment period concludes Dec. 15. Throughout our region, information sessions and assistance with enrollment have been taking place. Visit coverva. org/expansion for enrollment and additional assistance. Virginia’s biennial budget was built and adopted during the 2018 session. However, we annually revisit the budget in what is known as the “caboose bill.” As a result of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018, the legislature will be working on tax reform conformity to seamlessly synchronize with federal law. In the meantime, there is a bit of a windfall that will be hotly sought-after come January. Many advocacy groups currently operating at pre-recession funding will be seeking to build up their funding. Mental health, fighting the opioid epidemic, and appropriating funds for education that could close the learning equality gap are just a few issues competing for funding from this one-time windfall. The Governor is likely to propose using it for the Earned Income Tax Credit for
those living below the poverty level. A few years ago, then First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe launched a program to ensure our students are “nutritionally ready” for learning. I applauded her efforts and worked for funding for the program. While we live in one of the wealthiest regions in the nation, we have an inordinately high number of children qualifying for free and reduced lunch in our schools. With funds from the General Assembly, we now have served millions of breakfasts to children throughout the Commonwealth. The good news is the initiative has reduced truancy, improved classroom behavior, and ultimately enhanced learning outcomes. As we approach the close of the decade, a new population census will be taken in 2020. This will be the basis for the size of legislative districts at the state and federal level. Virginia has 11 Congressional seats, 40 State Senate districts, and 100 House of Delegates districts. The number of the districts is fixed and will not change. Looking ahead to 2021, redistricting comes into play. Several organizations are advocating for changing the process by removing it from the legislature. Since redistricting is addressed in our state constitution, legislation must be passed in 2019, an election held for statehouse offices, and then be revisited by the next General Assembly before the proposal can be put to referendum. It should come as no surprise that the issue of redistricting will be another hotly debated matter before the legislature in 2019. Parsing out representative districts is a very complex matter. It is likely to also be very partisan. With the previous redistricting process nearly nine years passed, litigation is ongoing. As of this writing, the courts have been asked to redraw some of the more gerrymandered districts in the House of Delegates. Speaker Kirk Cox has asked that this order by held off until after the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the appeal by the Republican majority. We are waiting for a decision on that proposal. Senator Saslaw represents the 35th District in the Virginia State Senate. He may be emailed at district35@senate.virginia.gov.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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Mueller’s RICO Method Closes in On ‘Kingpin’
Maybe Donald Trump should have stayed in Argentina. The revelations of the past week in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s sentencing documents pertaining to Trump personal lawyer and confidant Michael Cohen and Trump’s chief national security advisor Michael Flynn signal a huge escalation of the probe into the President’s collusion with Russia in the 2016 presidential election and since, and it’s still only the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Soon after the heavily redacted Flynn statement was released Tuesday night, a CNN analyst struck the right tone. He noted that Mueller’s call for Flynn to get no jail for having lied to FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS the FBI earlier, because of the depth of his cooperation with the investigation over the course of 19 extensive interviews in the last year. The long and short is this: This week makes it clearer that Mueller’s investigation is apparently following the textbook M.O. of strategies developed for successful federal investigations and prosecutions of mob organizations under the 1970 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. It is standard RICO M.O. to turn those in mob organizations below their top levels to gather the information needed to successfully prosecute the leadership. In a case as important as this one, the scope and breadth of the investigation is a major challenge, but Mueller is apparently handling it methodologically and with extreme skill because it goes to the highest level of not just a mob organization, but of the governments of the U.S. and Russia. So, in this case the extraordinary announcement that Mueller feels Flynn should serve no jail time, due to the level of his cooperation and the value of the information he’s provided, could not be a more sure signal that Mueller’s has his target in his sights, and that it is a person, or persons, higher up the chain of command than Flynn himself. This leaves only the closest inner circle of Trump, the vice president and, of course, the kingpin, Trump himself. To the FBI and the U.S. intelligence community, Trump’s ties to organized crime have been known for decades. They’ve always seen him as a mob tool, of both the older U.S. mob and Russian mobsters, hardened criminals in their homeland who came by the thousands into the U.S. under the pretext of the “Detente” of the early 1970s to pick up the franchises of a lot of older U.S. mob groups that were being dismantled under the new at that time RICO law. So, there’s never been any doubt about Trump’s criminal involvements and inclinations in their minds. Special Counsel Mueller’s role has been simply to prove them all beyond a reasonable doubt. In this context, Flynn’s testimony, according to Mueller, provided very significant and useful information, and given Flynn’s long career as a military and intelligence community professional, he was uniquely trained and qualified to observe and report nuances of interconnections of Trump, his family and organization and outside groups such as the Russians in ways that a non-professional would not. “Turning” Flynn into a critical witness for the Mueller team has been perhaps the most significant development in the entire investigation. It began with his first FBI interview only five days after Trump was inaugurated. Flynn’s ties to Russia were already under suspicion when that first interview occurred, not the least because he was named in the infamous “Steele Dossier” as an active participant in a high-level meeting in Moscow of Russia-sympathizing fringe American political figures, inclusive of right-wing ones, the Green Party’s Jill Stein and the Lyndon LaRouche organization. All went on to play roles, if marginal, promoting Trump in the 2016 election, although their efforts were dwarfed by the scale of the direct Russian interference through American social media and the hacking of American electoral systems to a level yet to be fully explored or appreciated. The “Steele Dossier,” an insider intelligence report prepared in advance of the 2016 presidential election, revealed major ties of Trump to Russia and Russia’s intentions to skew the 2016 U.S. presidential election. No relevant information in that Steele Dossier has been disproven to this day. Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
Nicholas F. Benton
Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark
The Pollyannas who entered the 21st century planning for a post-racial society have seen that vision eclipsed by harsh rhetoric and street violence. One response in Arlington is the thriving work of the schoolbased conversation facilitators at the nonprofit Challenging Racism. “Along with a rise in the number of white supremacist organizations and hate crimes in recent years, many community members have made anti-racism a priority,” says co-founder Palma Strand, the law professor who once ran for Arlington school board. “Demand for Challenging Racism sessions has never been higher.” Back in 2004 I was invited by Strand and the co-founder, former Wakefield High School history teacher Marty Swaim, to sessions in a backroom at Central Library. We did focus groups on the psychology of racism. Since then the nonprofit has “developed one of the finest curriculums on this topic and have trained several hundred people,” says Mary Hynes, the former school and county board chair who has teamed up with Challenging Racism. “It grew out of the `courageous conversations’ begun in APS.” Bigotry and stereotyping are hardly upbeat topics. The group speaks of “dismantling the structures of racism in my community’s institutions and in the larger society.” But there was good cheer at its Nov. 16 fundraiser held at
a private North Arlington home and livened with a volunteer jazz group and food from Harris Teeter, Giant and “emerging immigrant chefs” at Foodhini. Books on the history of desegregation of Arlington schools were sold. And posters displayed “conversation goals.” Example: “Practice in talking about race, immigration and the process of learning English as another language and other subjects that may be uncomfortable.” Since those humble beginnings at Central Library, the group providing a “parallel experience” to school efforts at boosting minority achievement has progressed from loose-leaf binders to a published text and teachers handbook, said Swain proudly. The 11 sessions (twice a month) use stories and conversations to refine teachers’ and parents’ work in “cross-cultural situations.” In 2010, the 501(c)3 began working directly with the schools for hourly rates (this year it won a contractor bid competition). With no school advertising, Challenging Racism relied on volunteers and word of mouth. “We work only with schools where the staff volunteers” rather than being assigned, said Swaim, who last month won a county human rights award. During the last school year, Challenging Racism ran four groups — at the Discovery, Patrick Henry, Kenmore and Yorktown schools for 60 participants. “We had to put 35 people on a waiting list,” Swain said. In 2016, it expanded to community sessions at Rock Spring Church
and the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families. Challenging Racism has raised money for two part-time paid staff, a director of operations and director of curriculum. It hopes to expand to seven groups next year and train 100 graduates to talk turkey about racism. APS appears receptive. “The APS Strategic Plan includes core values focused on equity and inclusivity, which includes nurturing our diversity, says Carolyn Ruth Jackson, supervisor of the Office of Equity and Excellence. “To promote inclusion, equity and excellence, one strategy APS has used has been to work with Challenging Racism. One goal is to build collaboration through engaging in conversations related to race, social dominance, and social justice, particularly as we participate in community processes around school boundaries and school naming.” *** What are the odds? Having spent hours last month piling raked leaves in front of my home, I was miffed when the county collector truck repeatedly failed to show. Finally, on the schedule’s second-to-last day, I happened to be home to watch the compactor arrive on our cul de sac. Wouldn’t you know it, it stopped in front of my curb — but then took off quickly, leaving the leaves behind. It was chez moi they apparently realized the truck had no more room. Give them one more day, I was told when I called the dispatcher. The contractor crew came through.
PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018
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Lost Dog Expands Its Adoption Operation in Northern Va. Area by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
Roughly 15 months into operation, the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation’s residence at Seven Corners has become a transformational outpost for an organization devoted to finding permanent homes for estranged animals. Prior to establishing its Northern Virginia kennel, LDCRF’s (colloquially referred to as Lost Dog) only home base for its 18 year existence was a ranch in Sumerduck, Virginia in Fauquier County. But the ranch is a rural, reclusive area for the animals themselves. It’s less of an ideal site where prospective owners could visit the animals as well as a somewhat remote location when it came to meeting the animals’ medical needs. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey last summer and the influx of animals relocated to the Humane Society’s humane rescue partners (such as LDCRF) in response, the shortcomings of the ranch became more pronounced. This prompted the foundation to expand its operation to a central location that could accommodate both medical and re-housing needs expediently. “When the hurricanes came in, the call was louder and more consistent than ever and Lost Dog was ready,” LDCRF member-atlarge, Colleen Learch, said. “We knew the kennel that we’re in now was going to stop servicing, so we had the opportunity to rent it. We’d have prime Northern Virginia space to take in the dogs and cats from the hurricanes, get them the help they needed and get them adopted.” The foundation received animals from the Harvey disaster areas for the next six to eight months. That trend continued with Hurricane Florence touching down in the Carolinas in September, sending more abandoned animals LDCRF’s way. Lost Dog’s new locale also served as a good landing spot for animals from rural shelters that needed some new scenery to support their own health requirements and expose them to more potential owners. According to vice president of LDCRF Barbara Hutcherson, Lost Dog takes in about 1,500 – 2,000 animals per year (which include
litters that were birthed by pregnant mothers upon arrival) with around 2,000 adoptions per year as well. On average, any new animal will be adopted within three to four weeks upon arriving, with anywhere from 20 – 50 adoptions taking place on a given weekend. Currently, about 150 dogs and 85 cats are under the foundation’s care at the Seven Corners location. Each new animal that does come under the care of Lost Dog is spayed or neutered and caught up on all their necessary vaccinations. It was one of the first organizations in the area to do comprehensive medical coverage upon receiving a new animal. Lost Dog is a private shelter, so it doesn’t have the same open intake policies that municipal shelters hold. However, that doesn’t mean the foundation has a high barrier of entry when it comes to permitting pets. “We’re typically not scared off by health concerns. We actually pride ourselves on that,” Learch added. “We have a great partner in Blue Ridge Veterinary Associates out in Purcellville and have connections to a great foster system. Sometimes we can’t take an animal due to their condition, but we don’t shy away from animals with a broken leg or heartworms, for example.” Being a private shelter, financing the kennel has to come from either individual donors, fundraising campaigns or corporate sponsorships. While the adoption fees for an single animal help cover the cost of that same pet’s medical expenses, outside funding is needed for things such as renovations. Hutcherson sees this dynamic as a positive since Lost Dog doesn’t have to compete for attention in the public pot of local governments. It allows the foundation the freedom to make whatever changes it wants to its establishment, such as its current project of stripping and replacing the kennel’s old tile floors. A huge bonus to the new location is its proximity to willing volunteers. People can be seen all hours of the day taking the dogs for walks around the nearby Eden Center’s rear parking lot. But the most important role both the volunteers and staffers fill is being the first humans to reconnect with the dogs and cats on a personal
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
level to help pacify any trauma the animals previously experienced. “It can be difficult, but they need to learn to attach to humans,” Hutcherson added, while mentioning how one volunteer will come in regularly to read poetry to a dog out loud in its kennel. “All the research shows that once the animals learn to attach to humans again, they can transfer that experience to other humans.” LDCRF does offer a two-week grace period for interested owners of an animal since it’s imperative the owners and the pet can acclimate to a home environment. Even if a relationship between the owner and the pet sours after the two-week period, Lost Dog prefers the animal be returned to them instead of another shelter. The foundation has no time limit on how long a pet may be in its custody, so however long it takes an animal to rekindle its connection to humans again, it will remain in Lost Dog’s possession. The Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation shelter is located at 6801 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church and operates from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days per week.
JEAN-CLAUDE, a Belgian Malinois rescued from a Korean meat farm (top), does a short tryout for the Montgomery County Police Department, while Lost Dog member-at-large Colleen Learch touches base with some of the kennel’s other pups. (Photos: News-Press)
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DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 17
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B������� N��� � N���� Kiln & Kustard Now Open in Lincoln at Tinner Hill Kiln & Kustard opened its doors in the Lincoln at Tinner Hill building located at 455 S. Maple Avenue, on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Owned and operated by Sarah Selvaraz D’Souza, the new frozen custard and pottery painting shop will be open through the winter on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 1 – 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Patient First Medical Center Opens in Falls Church Friday Patient First will open its new medical center in the City of Falls Church on Friday, Dec. 14. The new center, located on the ground floor at 502 West Broad Street, will provide walk-in, non-appointment access to urgent and primary medical care services from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., 365 days a year, including holidays. The Falls Church center will be the 18th Patient First in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The new medical facility will feature a wide range of on-site services to treat urgent, but non-life threatening, injuries and illnesses including sprains, possible fractures, lacerations requiring stitches, fevers, colds and flu, mild to moderate asthma attacks, eye irritation, and nausea. Patient First accepts all major insurance plans. For more information, visit www.patientfirst.com.
F.C. Curves Hires New Manager Curves, located at 246a W. Broad Street in Falls Church, has hired Alicia Kingsley as its new manager and is offering a six-weeks promotion for $99 until Dec. 22. Curves offers specialty classes such as balance, boxing, and cardio as well as its traditional 30-minute total body circuit training. While customers have historically used the back door by the parking lot, the front door, facing Broad Street, is now open during regular business hours. For more information call 703-536-0140.
Home Design, Refresh Business Takes Studio Space on Jefferson St. 1970 Dogwood Street has moved into studio/workshop space in the Jefferson Street Artists building shared with Art and Frame of Falls Church at 205 W. Jefferson Street in Falls Church. Co-owned by Anne Haas, who has a graphic design background, and Jen Tucker, who has furniture and home organization experience, 1970 Dogwood Street provides home design and refresh, decluttering and organizing, and gallery walls and artwork services, all designed to help clients get the most out of their living spaces. For more information, visit www.1970dogwoodstreet.com. .
F.C. Pancake House Hosting Cancer Survivor Benefit Friday The Original Pancake House is hosting “Take a Cancer Survivor to Breakfast Day” on Friday, Dec. 7 from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. All sales will benefit the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. The Original Pancake House is located in The Shops at West Falls Church center at 7395 Lee Highway in Falls Church. For more information, visit www. ophrestaurants.com. Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.
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PAGE 18 | DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018
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THE SPACE DONUTS watch in light-hearted agony as their team’s LEGO robot fails to follow its human controllers. (P����: C������� L���� H����)
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
THE ROBO TIGERS, on the �lip side, were able to guide their creation to a �irst place �inish in mechanical design. (P����: C������� N������� D�����)
F.C.’s Teams Dazzle at Raucous FIRST LEGO State Competition BY RICHARD & JONAH SINE SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS
How surprised was coach Ben Morris when his FIRST LEGO League team won the regional competition last month and moved onto the next step? “I didn’t even know there was a next step,” quipped Morris. But there was. Space Donuts coach Morris, two other firsttime coaches and eight first-time Thomas Jefferson Elementary School students traveled to Harrisonburg, Va. for the state championships last weekend. Organizers of the event hosted by James Madison University said it was the largest of its kind in the world, attracting 108 teams from around the state. The Space Donuts did not place, but the other Falls Church
team to make it to States did exceptionally well. The seven Mary Ellen Henderson Robo Tigers won first place in mechanical design and third place in robot performance in their division. The competition’s theme was “Into Orbit,” so the Space Donuts made a presentation describing how astronauts could escape the stress of space travel by entering virtual reality. Then they showed off their skills at programming pint-sized LEGO-built robots to pull off tricky “missions” like angling tiny solar arrays or dropping a tiny astronaut into an “airlock chamber” within strict time limits. The robot games themselves were a rousing hybrid of sporting event and lab experiment, with a dash of Renaissance Faire thrown in. The robots whirred around on
pool-table-sized arenas crowded with kids and adults, jumping for joy or covering their eyes. There were cheers, tears, timers, buzzers and live commentary. Judges and some players donned jester or Dr. Seuss hats, per league tradition. In the halls, thousands of kids and parents milled about, wolfing Krispy Kremes and fretting over the latest adjustment to their robots or programs. For the Space Donuts, it was a sensor that the kids miraculously fixed between the first and second round of competition to boost their final score. The unexpected win at the regional trials at George Mason High School spurred the team into high gear, with kids moving to twice-a-week practices. As usual for such competitions, the real heroes were the coaches, volun-
teering countless hours to enrich the lives of other peoples’ children. Coach Jessica Scheer contends that it was worth it. “The kids have such enthusiasm,” Scheer said. “You see the excitement on their faces when they figure out a problem or learn something in their research. You don’t see that so often with adults.” The coaches also recruited real-life experts to help the kids prepare the presentations. They included three NASA scientists and a psychologist with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (because space is confining too). Along the way the kids learned valuable lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship. They also learned a lot about engineering, an extremely important subject that doesn’t get a lot of play in
elementary school. For his day job, coach Lucas Hardi is a video-game designer with substantial programming experience. But he says neither he nor the team was quite prepared for the unique challenge of building an autonomous robot. “A lot of engineering is based on trial and error,” Hardi said. “In FIRST LEGO League kids get a chance to fail — a lot — and it’s OK.” The Space Donuts were composed of Dylan Bintorio, Griffin Hardi, Oliver Hardi, Leo Morris, James Rude, Rhys Scheer, J.P. Tysse and Jonah Sine. The triumphant Robo Tigers were composed of Anand Colby, Christopher Draper, Alex Vennebush, Elena Clark-Wilson, Eli Vennebush, Sicily Smith and Mya Taheri. The coach was Nicholas Draper.
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DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018 | PAGE 19
Mason Boys Respond to Opening Loss with Consecutive Wins by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
Early returns are promising for George Mason High School boys basketball team’s shift in defensive philosophy, which spearheaded a 78-26 home win over Brentsville District High School on Nov. 30 and built momentum toward a 60-51 overtime win over Broad Run High School Tuesday night. The Mustangs (2-1) appear to be buying into head coach Chris Capannola’s new approach. Rather than give their opponents half the court to bring the ball up, Mason’s switch to the full court press is meant to make use of their homogenized roster and mask their lack of height. Against Brentsville District, the plan worked; of the 64 points the Mustangs’ starters were responsible for, over 40 of them were spurred by defensive pressure. It’s a good sign that Capannola’s new wrinkle has survived two games since it only took two games last year for him to scrap the adjustment altogether. “This is a really athletic team, so we’re doing a fantastic job with
[the press] so far. If we’re riding up all over these guys I don’t think anyone’s going to be able to stop it,” senior guard Jay Nesson said. A straightaway triple from the Tigers to open the game spelled concern only briefly. Senior forward Hollman Smith responded by knocking down a pair at the line and senior guard Max Ashton drove and dished to junior forward Daniel Miller for a bucket the following possession. It was barely three minutes in and Mason wouldn’t trail again for the remainder of the contest. The Mustangs’ energy on the press factored into the next 15 points they scored in the first quarter to take a 19-12 lead into the second frame. That trend continued when senior guard Connor Fletchall’s steal to spoil Brentsville District’s first possession of the quarter ended with him kicking the rock out to Ashton for a three-pointer. Mason’s players took turns either baiting the Tigers into offensive fouls and violations or forcing turnovers outright by jumping passing lanes and batting away soft dribbles to generate points on the fast break. If it wasn’t for a
GETTING IN THE GRILL of their opponents isn’t an option for Mason, who need the defensive aggression to compensate for a vertically challenged roster. (Photo: Carol Sly) late triple from Brentsville District the Mustangs would’ve held the visitors scoreless for the entire second quarter, but merely settled for a 21-3 advantage going into halftime. The Falls Church players maintained their stride even after the intermission by accruing a 49-point cushion before starters were pulled at 64-15. With the starters in the third quarter, Mason was able to hold Brentsville
District scoreless. Continuing the press is a necessary ingredient for success. “We don’t have a true big, so we have to play the full length of the court,” Capannola said. “That’s the only way we’re going to be in games against teams with good posts.” On the road Tuesday night, Mason was able to escape with a victory. Trailing 20-17 at the half, the Mustangs’ took a one-point
lead into the fourth but needed Smith to hit a buzzer-beating layup to push the game into overtime. A 7-0 run to start the extra period all but settled the outcome in Mason’s favor. The Mustangs are home on Friday to host Loudoun County High School before getting a week-long break before their next game, also at home, against Manassas Park High School on Dec. 14.
Growing Pains Amplified for Mustangs Against Higher Classified Competition by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
George Mason High School’s girls basketball team is taking its lumps to start the year with a 62-37 loss at the hands of Yorktown High School on Nov. 29 followed by a 63-25 loss to Flint Hill High School Tuesday night. There was expected to be a bit of an exhale for the Mustangs (0-3) following last season’s top-four finish in the Class 2 Virginia state tournament. With four of Mason’s previous starters lost to graduation, and the fifth transferring to a different school, only senior guard Maddie Lacroix remains from the squad that saw the court during competitive minutes. A green squad (varsity-wise) is why the Mustangs have had trouble building any in-game momentum, with that lack of veteran understanding and edge contributing to their loss at Yorktown. “We tried to run our stuff, but they were over-playing us the whole time [since] they’re bigger and stronger than us,” Mason head coach Chris Carrico said. “It’s
THE ONUS IS NOW ON senior guard Maddie Lacroix to help bring a roster of predominantly underclassmen up to speed on the varsity game by January. (Photo: Carol Sly) a learning process. Our strong points are our guards, so we want them to penetrate and make plays off the dribble as much as we can and get our bigs to finish at the rim. [Yorktown] just did a good job and forced us out of our sets.” Optimism for a tight game earlier on began to fade by the end of
the first quarter. Freshman guard Meghan Tremblay’s three-ball, followed by a give-and-go between Tremblay and fellow freshman guard Zoraida Icabalceta that saw Tremblay finish down low showed a coordinated, intentional effort by the Mustangs to lead 5-4. Even after Yorktown reclaimed the lead
by one, Icabalceta helped break the Patriots’ full court press to find junior Emma Rollins for a bucket inside to go back up 7-6. However, that would be the last time the Mustangs held a lead — just under three minutes into the contest. Yorktown powered its way to 12-3 run to finish the quar-
ter up 18-10. Junior forward Julia Rosenberger’s kick out to Lacroix for her second and final trey of the night to cut the margin to five would be as close as Mason came to the Patriots for the remainder of the game. Yorktown closed the half on a 15-3 run to head to break up 33-16. During the third quarter, Mason managed to get some more scoring activity going but couldn’t keep pace with the Patriots, who tallied 17 points to the Mustangs’ 12 to keep their advantage comfortable. Reserves came in for the last quarter to bring the score to its final line. “We’re playing [a bunch of higher classified teams], it’s a tough sled to get through, so we’ll have some growing pains, but we’ll get there,” Carrico continued. “Our goal is to just make sure we’re ready by Conference time by January.” Mason will look to turn its luck around against Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology tonight at home.
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PAGE 20 | DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018
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THE FIRST EVER POP TOTS! CONCERT organized by the Falls Church City Public Schools Band Boosters at George Mason High School on Nov. 28 for dozens of preschool and younger children as well as their teachers, parents and caregivers. The GMHS wind ensemble performed holiday favorites including Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman. (P����: FCCPS P����/R����� H��������)
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S����� N��� � N���� 2 Mason Freshman Crack Honors Orchestra Over 200 orchestral musicians in grades 9-12 auditioned for the Senior District X Honors Orchestra in mid-November. Of the 100 violins auditioning, only 44 were chosen, including George Mason High School freshmen Sophia Urbom who successfully auditioned into the Honors Orchestra receiving Violin I, Seat 16 and to freshman Emerson Mellon for receiving Violin II, Seat 5. The orchestra event with rehearsals and performances will take place at South County High School on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Jan.10-12.
Cheer Clinic Held at Mason This Saturday On Saturday, Dec. 8, the George Mason High School cheer team and its coaches will host a cheerleading clinic for kindergartners through sixth graders in Mason’s (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) Auxilliary Gym. No experience is needed. Registration opens at 9:15 a.m. and the clinic runs from 9:30 a.m. – noon. The $40 fee is payable at registration. All participants are invited
to cheer with the team for the first half of the Mason Boys Basketball Game on Friday, Dec. 14 with warm-ups beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Allison Cray at craya@fccps.org.
Marshall HS Entrepreneur Students Open Holiday Shop Interested residents are encouraged to check out the annual Holiday Market at Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Marshall Academy Entrepreneurship students host the annual Holiday Market, which features 15 student-operated businesses selling items from holidaythemed gifts to traditional hats and scarves. Entrepreneurship students researched merchandise online to sell as business owners at the Holiday Market. Through funding provided by the Foundation for Applied Technical Education (FATE) Foundation, students work in teams to conduct market research, identify a market, negotiate with wholesalers, purchase inventory, create promotions, price products and prepare financial records. The Holiday Market simula-
tion is a curriculum-based project that students use to demonstrate their proficiency in multiple Entrepreneurship curriculum units. The Holiday Market is open to the community for purchases. Visitors are asked to sign in at the main office.
Mason Clarinetist Earns International Honors Joe Carpenter, a clarinetist from the George Mason High School Wind Ensemble, will join the 2018 High School Honors Performance Series at Sydney Opera House. Participation is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world. Carpenter will join students from 46 United States, Guam, several provinces of Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Qatar and South Korea at the world-famous Sydney Opera House this summer. Carpenter is one of nearly 200 accepted from more than 18,000 who applied, and it is a direct result of the talent, dedication and achievements shown in his application and audition recording. The Honors Performance will take place Sunday, Aug. 4, and is open to the public.
DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 21
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DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 23
Cappies Rave Over F.C. High’s Performance of ‘The Pajama Game’ by Elisabeth Snyder
Special to the News-Press
What is one to expect in a halfcentury old, Tony-award winning show called “The Pajama Game”? Certainly, some sexiness or a love story. But what the show delivers is so much more: A tale of two workers for Sleep Tite Pajama Company, one the superintendent and one the chair of the workers union’s grievance committee, who despite their different stations and stances, fall in love. The Falls Church High School theatre department blended the risque and the everyday perfectly, putting on a show that was relevant and that the audience won’t soon forget. Set in the early 1950s in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, “The Pajama Game” begins when the Vice President of Sleep-Tite Pajama Company, Hasler, hires a new superintendent, Sid Sorokin, to deal with workers’ requests for a seven and a half cent pay raise per hour. Sid faces struggles with the president of the workers’ union, referred to as Prez, and Katie “Babe” Williams, the woman he falls in love with. Babe is quick to understand the potential consequences of entering a relationship
FALLS CHURCH HIGH SCHOOL THESPIANS (from left to right) Colin Page, Jack Child, Natalie Ingalls, Catherine Kane and Samaria Dellorso act out a scene from “The Pajama Game.” (Photo: Courtesy Harley Hopkins)
with Sid, but he ignores any problems until he absolutely needs to address them. The musical features songs which show the emotions of Sid, and the other factory workers, as each navigates their own romantic and professional lives. “Hernando’s Hideaway,” with stunning vocals from Gladys (Sarah Mack), Hasler’s secretary.
The cast’s dancing was full of character and really brings you back to the 1950s. A time-study piece, the show highlighted the differences between today’s society and workplace and that of the past. Other songs that stood out were charged emotional duets featuring Babe (Casey Nguyen) and Sid (Patrick Kearney) as they navigat-
ed their relationship, from “There Once Was a Man” to “Small Talk.” A song that featured ensemble members, “Once a Year Day,” set at the annual company picnic, was a hit. Whenever Babe and Sid’s relationship didn’t seem to be going well or relations between the management of the factory and the workers were contentious, Hines
(Jack Child) would always step in with something comedic. Whether he was throwing knives or singing the hilarious “Think of the Time I’ll Save,” he captured the audience’s hearts. Another character who added to the comedy, with a rich and expressive singing voice, was Mabel (Samaria Dellorso). In her song and dance number with Hines, she displayed a wide range of notes and emotions. To bring even more meaning to each scene, the lighting team chose colors and spotlights that made specific things stand out. The set also added significantly; with details like an elevator and clock that actually ticked through the day, and multiple levels which were used effectively throughout the show, the audience could picture “The Pajama Game” happening in the 1950’s. Though the musical focused on one narrative in one factory in one Midwestern town, it speaks to a greater need for cooperation and understanding — and maybe even deciding to date someone in a position much different from your own. Elisabeth Snyder is a Cappies member from George Mason High School
PAGE 24 | DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018
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A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT
DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 25
REBECCA BALLINGER, portraying Mary Todd Lincoln (left), oversees her two aides, played by Tiziano D’ Affuso (right) and Suzy Alden, while they help the AYANNA HARDY, seen here portraying Elizabeth Keckley, acts out a scene moody Todd Lincoln set up a surprise Christmas Tree for president Abraham where Keckley reminisces on her childhood as a slave and how her skills as a seamstress helped buy her own freedom. (Photo: Teresa Castracane) Lincoln while he’s away on business. (Photo: Teresa Castracane)
‘Civil War Christmas’ Shines at Tysons’ 1st Stage by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
With the holidays and their all-encompassing cheer afoot, 1st Stage Theatre in Tysons is putting a historical spin on the season with their showing of “A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration.” Taking place in 1864 on Christmas Eve in Washington, D.C., the play weaves together the stories of characters, both historical and fictional, and how the spirit of Christmas causes the aptly dramatic mix of joy and sorrow found during the holidays. Buttressing this through line is an elegant array of music that oscillates between full-fledged songs and emotional cues to the audience, providing a nice accent to a monologue or scene. While holiday classics such as “Silent Night” and “O Christmas Tree” make an appearance, the music
is mainly comprised of original scores attached to a specific character and sentiment. 1st Stage does a masterful job of keeping a play with so many moving parts grounded. The opening scene can be a bit overwhelming with each actor making an appearance in one role, attention shifting elsewhere on the stage followed by the spotlight turning back to the same actor in the same garb yet in a different role. But the performers clearly made it a point to switch up their demeanor, accent and delivery in order to make the distinction easier to interpret even if there was little physical difference from one role to the next. This is the case with some of the actors in prominent roles, such as Rebecca Ballinger as First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, V. Savoy McIlwain’s role as African-American Union soldier Decatur Bronson, Ayanna Hardy’s
portrayal of the First Lady’s confidant and former slave Elizabeth Keckley and Joshua Simon, who played everyone from Ulysses S. Grant to one of Mosby’s Raiders as well as a wounded Union soldier and, most notably, John Wilkes Booth. But each member of the ensemble wears a lot of hats throughout the show and deserves credit for being able to draw bold lines between one character and the next. Musically, the play is astounding and is appropriately the production’s strongest element. 1st Stage was able to avoid the schticky nature of musicals where actors will often give a wink and a nod to the audience right before they break out into song, and instead coolly blend the transition of a scene’s dialogue into its next musical number. Every cast member is perfectly equipped to handle songs both slow and intimate as well as boisterous and lively,
and the three-person “orchestra” of a pianist, percussionist and strings player made their presence felt despite their size. 1st Stage’s artistic director Alex Levy told the News-Press the play’s breadth of actors and roles allowed the crew to tinker with everything from the introduction and presentation of certain characters. Furthermore, Levy acknowledged the challenge that came with having 10 of the 12 cast members serving in their 1st Stage debut, but also the air of freshness that a new cast in a new environment can bring to a production. The only knock has nothing to do with 1st Stage’s work but on playwright Paula Vogel’s inconsistent historical depth. Vogel deserves praise for making Keckley’s path to freedom a part of the play along with using Decatur Bronson as a stand-in for real life hero and Medal of
Honor recipient James Bronson and touching on Todd Lincoln’s manic behavior. But outside of those examples, most of the other historical figures Vogel employs — including Abraham Lincoln — possess the same surface-level snippets students would get in public school. The play was more a take on the unifying feeling of the holidays that uses the strife of the Civil War as a foil to create tension, rather than bring a some historical substance to the table on its own. But that’s a somewhat persnickety quibble with the play. All-in-all, 1st Stage puts on a memorable performance for a play that is hard to pull off. “A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration” runs until Dec. 23 at 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Rd., Tysons). For information on showtimes and tickets, visit 1ststagetysons.org.
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FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 New Yorker Discussion Group. Interested readers can drop into the monthly New Yorker Discussion Group to share their thoughts on what they’ve read in a variety of articles. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 2-3 pm. Pick up the issue at the senior center or at the circulation desk of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library. A librarian will coordinate the discussions. Community Center – Senior Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 2 – 3 p.m. Thursday Evening Book Group. The Thursday Evening Book Discussion Group meets on the first Thursday evening of each month in the library’s conference room. This month’s
book is “White Trash: The 400Year Untold Story of Class in America” by Nancy Isenberg. Light refreshments are served. All are welcome. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. 703-248-5035.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 Viewing and Talk Back Party. Interested residents can join the Social Justice Committee of Falls Church & Vicinity for a Viewing and Talk Back Party featuring the film “The Wiz.” Afterwards the audience will talk about what the movie can teach about bullying, peer pressure and race relations. Byron Condominium’s party room (513 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6 – 9 p.m. 703-534-4627 Living Nativity. Dulin United Methodist Church’s youth will be putting on a living nativity scene.
A petting zoo and hot chocolate will be at the nativity scene. Dulin United Methodist Church – front lawn (513 E. Broad St., Falls Church). 7 & 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 Christmas Around the World. Concert music performed by Dulin’s Sanctuary Choir, Chancel Ringers, Kid’s Choir, Women’s Ensemble and soloists will be sharing pieces of music from Slovakia, Catalonia, Ukraine, Canada and more. Freewill offerings to Dulin’s Appalachian Service Project team will be accepted. Dulin United Methodist Church – front lawn (513 E. Broad St., Falls Church). 4 p.m.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 Preschool Storytime. Stories and fun for ages 0-5. Drop-in. All storytimes are followed by playtime
with the Early Literacy Center toys. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 10:30 – 11 a.m. 703-248-5034. ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group for adults learning English as their second language meets every Monday. No registration required — dropins welcome and encouraged. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m. 703-248-5034.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 News-Press Holiday Party. The News-Press’ annual Holiday Party. The event will be catered by Anthony’s Restaurant and Geroge Mason High School’s Jazz Ensemble will be providing live music. All are welcome. Center for Spiritual Enlightenment (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m.
THEATER&ARTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 “Billy Elliot.” All 11-year-old Billy wants to do is dance. While the 1984 miners’ strike squeezes his family and splits his town, Billy’s passion for ballet first divides, then ultimately unites, the community—and changes his life in extraordinary ways. Based on the powerful and acclaimed film, “Billy Elliot” swept the Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier awards for Best Musical, by combining a dynamic score by the legendary Elton John with sensational dance to create a heartwarming, inspirational and triumphant experience for the entire family. Signature Theatre (420 Campbell Ave., Arlington) $40 – $80. 8 p.m. sigtheatre.com.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 “Anything Goes.” Dubbed “musical comedy joy” by The New York Times, this rollicking maritime rom-com follows the adventures of Billy, a young Wall Street broker who falls head over heels
Will You Step Up as a Best Friend of the FCNP? In the current political climate, standing up for a free and independent press is more important than ever. In Falls Church we're proud to have published almost 1,500 consecutive weekly editions of the mighty FCNP delivered to every household in the City without fail since 1991, and at no cost to our readers. We've kept our citizens informed and engaged in ways we feel only a newspaper can, and we've provided our local businesses with an effective, targeted tool for advertising. If you agree and support our mission, we need you to become a Best Friend of the FCNP with your financial support now. We all know the trying times that exist for print newspapers these days, but we're dedicated to continuing our mission, and will with your help. Please go to: gofundme.com/friends-of-falls-church-newspress and make a generous contribution that can be rewarded as a great bargain for advertising* that can be used or donated to any good cause. This is the one time of the year that we're asking our readers to pitch in. Thank you. Sincerely, Nicholas F. Benton, Founder, Owner and Editor and the whole FCNP team. *--Not good with any existing ad contract
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for a wealthy heiress, and stows away on the ship carrying her to London. All kinds of on-board antics ensue as Billy tries to find, woo and win back his true love, with the help of showgirls, sailors and even a gangster or two. Arena Stage (1101 Sixth St. SW, Washington, D.C.) $92 – $125. 8 p.m. arenastage.org. “A Civil War Christmas.” It’s 1864 and Washington, D.C. is settling down to the coldest Christmas Eve in years. “History lessons and holiday warmth sit cozily alongside each other” (The New York Times) in this pageant of carols by Paula Vogel, the Pulitzer Prizewinning writer of “Indecent.” Stories of many intertwining lives– spanning from the battlegrounds of Northern Virginia to the halls of the White House– demonstrate that the gladness of one’s heart is the best gift of all. 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Rd., Tysons) $39. 8 p.m. 1ststagetysons.org.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 “Madeline’s Christmas.” After sold out runs in 2014 and 2017, the Creative Cauldron is reviving “Madeline’s Christmas” once more for the 2018 holiday season. In this musical adaptation, Madeline’s schoolmates and tutor are all sick in bed on Christmas Eve, unable to go home for Christmas to be with their families. So, it’s Madeline to the rescue. And with the help of a magical rug merchant, she takes her friends on a Christmas journey they will never forget. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Retail 116, Falls Church) $16 – $26. 2 p.m. creativecauldron.org.
LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 Chris Diller. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6:30 p.m. 703-237-8333. Music Makes Life Better For Covenant House Benefit feat. Mama’s Black Sheep + Christine Havrilla + LEA. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20 – $30.
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7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.
DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 27
Thrillbilly’s. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 Andrew O’Day. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. Happy Hour: Steve and Jess. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-2419504. Smokehouse Duo. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-8589186. The Fabulous Dialtones Holiday Show with Andrea Nardello. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 8 p.m. 703255-1566. Jonny Grave with Cathy Ponton King. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $15. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300. Bad Influence Band (Mike Tash Birthday). JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504.
CHRIS DILLER will be at Dogwood Tavern in Falls Chuirch tonight. (Photo: ChrisDillerMusic.com) Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-2419504.
(442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.
The Morales Brothers Live and In Concert. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
Curtis Knocking Live and In Concert. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
Doe Paoro: Soft Power Tour with Sara Rachele. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9
40 Dollar Fine. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Dixieland Direct Live and In Concert. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Gary Brown & Billy Evanochlis Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Rockin’ Renegade V Possessed by Paul James. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $45 – $50. 7 p.m. 703237-0300. Great Northern (Grateful Dead cover band). Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186. Cargo & The Heavy Lifters (Cargo’s Birthday). JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd.,
Jenny & Tyler — There Will Be a Song Album Release tour with Special Guest Taylor Leonhardt Live and In Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $35 . 2:30 p.m. 703-2551566. Daryl Davis & Pat Stevens. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers
Notaries Public, Teething Veils. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-5258646.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 Wolf Blues Jam Weekly Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504. Comedy Night at the Hut. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-5258646.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 Matt McAndrew (from The Voice). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566 Matt Kelley’s Swangbang. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Majestic: Weekly LGBTQ Night and Drag Show. Diva Lounge (6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 Laughs In The Lobby Bar: Comedy Open Mic. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $22 – $30. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566 Open Mic with Bob Hume and Martha Capone and the Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Arlington). 8:30 p.m. 703522-8340.
Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.
PAGE 28 | DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018
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Tel: 703.217.2632 Fax: 703.832.3236 400 Maple Ave., So., Suite 210, Falls Church, Virginia 22046
C L AS S I F I E DS Help Wanted LEAD PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ENGINEER DOVER PARK CONDOMINIUMS is a privately owned 17-building, three story, condominium units Homeowners’ Association located in Falls Church, Virginia. We are seeking an experienced and skilled LEAD PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ENGINEER to join our team. Working under the direction of the Property Site Manager, you will be responsible for day to day commercial property maintenance management, repairs and sustainment of 187 condominiums units and associated common areas. As our LEAD PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ENGINEER, you will manage and effect small to large scale commercial property maintenance projects, supervise one Property Maintenance Engineer, and provide technical advice to the Property Site Manager and Board of Directors. Our ideal candidate is a hardworking “go-getter,” with effective communication and people skills. QUALIFICATIONS: At least 3 years commercial property maintenance experience, with knowledge of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, drywall, painting, carpentry repair and installation work tasks. Must be knowledgeable of Fairfax County building permit requirements and related Fairfax County inspections. The majority of our maintenance needs are commercial property plumbing related, so a current and renewable State of Virginia plumbing license is required. Candidate must have a valid Driver’s License and their own reliable transportation. U.S. citizenship is required and a background check will be conducted prior to selection. Candidate must be fluent in English, both verbal and written. Basic bi-lingual skills in English and Spanish and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Email communication will be an advantage, but not required. OTHER INFORMATION: A detailed property maintenance interview with our Property Site Manager will be required. This interview will be scheduled after a candidate schedules a pre-interview site visit to Dover Park Condominiums at their own expense. Starting salary to be determined upon selection. Specific work assignments and responsibilities will be provided during a candidate’s site visit. To schedule a site visit and pre-interview, contact our Property Site Manager at 703-560-1600 or email doverpark@cox.net
Public Notice
to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc. virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (BZA) The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on December 13, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the Community Center Teen Center, located at 223 Little Falls Street, for consideration of the following item: New Business Variance application V1606-18 by City of Falls Church, applicant and owner, for variances to Section 48-1101 to allow (1) a front yard setback of 7.5 feet instead of 25 feet on North Virginia Avenue, (2) a front yard setback of 10.5 feet instead of 25 feet on Park Avenue, (3) a maximum lot coverage of 57% instead of 35%, for the purpose of renovating the existing public library and constructing a 2-story addition on premises known as 120 North Virginia, RPC #51113-005 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned OD, Official Design. Information on the above application is available for review at: Zoning Office 400 N. Washington, Suite 101 Falls Church, VA. 703-248-5015 (option 1) zoning@fallschurchva.gov This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)
ABC LICENSE SALON NORDINE & DAY SPA LLC., Trading as: SALON NORDINE & DAY SPA, 2905 District Avenue Suite 175, Fairfax, Virginia 22031-2277. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Day Spa license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Noureddine Elabassi, Owner. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
ABC LICENSE
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALL CHURCH
PASTA POWER LLC., Trading as: THOMPSON ITALIAN, 124 North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046-4514. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Premises and Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Gabriel Thompson, Managing Partner. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted
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.
Architectural Advisory Board Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church Board of Building Code and Fire Prevention Code Appeals Board of Equalization Board of Zoning Appeals Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation Environmental Sustainability Council Historical Commission Human Services Advisory Council Regional Boards/Commissions: Fairfax Area Commission on Aging Fairfax Area Disability Services Board NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The ordinance referenced below was given first reading by the City Council on October 9, 2018; and second reading and public hearing are scheduled for Monday, December 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TO18-11) AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, BY REZONING A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 34.6527 ACRES OF LAND FROM R-1A, LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO B-2, CENTRAL BUSINESS FOR THE PROPERTIES AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51-221-001, 52-221002 AND 51-221-003), ON APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH AND THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH The ordinance referenced below was given first reading by the City Council on November 13, 2018; and second reading and public hearing are scheduled for Monday, December 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TO18-09) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 22, “HOUSING,” SECTION 2282; CHAPTER 40, “TAXATION,” SECTION 40-497; AND CHAPTER 48, “ZONING,” SECTIONS 4-2, 48-235,48-393, 48-423, 48-453, 48-486, AND 48-521 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH TO UPDATE LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND ALIGN THE DEFINITION OF GROUP HOME WITH STATE CODE All public hearings will be held in the Falls Church Community Center, Senior Center, 223 Little Falls St., 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
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on December 13, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the Community Center Teen Center, located at 223 Little Falls Street, for consideration of the following item: New Business Variance application V1606-18 by City of Falls Church, applicant and owner, for variances to Section 48-1101 to allow (1) a front yard setback of 7.5 feet instead of 25 feet on North Virginia Avenue, (2) a front yard setback of 10.5 feet instead of 25 feet on Park Avenue, (3) a maximum lot coverage of 57% instead of 35%, for the purpose of renovating the existing public library and constructing a 2-story addition on premises known as 120 North Virginia, RPC #51113-005 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned OD, Official Design.
The Planning Commission of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will also hold a public meeting on Monday, December 3, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the School Board Conference Room, 800 West Broad Street, Suite 203, Falls Church, VA 22046, to consider a recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). Information on the above application is available for review at: Zoning Office 400 N. Washington, Suite 101 Falls Church, VA. 703-248-5015 (option 1) zoning@fallschurchva.gov This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)
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We are pledged to the letter andspirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.
A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Crossword
ACROSS
By David Levinson Wilk 1
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Across
1. In 7. Orff’s “____ Burana” 14. Boom, zoom and vroom 15. Gets into easily 16. Tchaikovsky dancer 18. German’s “Oh!” 19. Place to go in Britain? 20. “Save me a ____!” 21. Speak with a gravelly voice 23. Piglet producer 25. “Kisses, dahling!” 29. Machu Picchu builder 30. Battle site of June 6, 1944 34. Four-baggers: Abbr. 36. McIlroy who was 2014’s PGA Player of the Year 37. Old IBM PCs 38. One who penalizes icing 42. Opposite of paleo43. Blade with no sharp edge 44. Kim, to Khloé, for short 45. Fully merited 49. Inferiors to sgts. 52. “Not only that ...” 53. “Understand?” 54. “I’m intrigued!” 55. Lions, Tigers or Bears 59. Fast-food chain with a goateed spokesman 61. Follower of Kennedy or Clinton 62. Improve one’s endurance and self-reliance, say ... or solve 16-, 30-, 38- and 45-Across 66. Like waves on a shoreline 67. Typical lab rat, e.g. 68. One standing in the back of
STRANGE BREW
1. In
DECEMBER 6 – 12, 2018 | PAGE 29
an alley 69. Stranded motorist’s boon
DOWN
1. Aziz of Netflix’s “Master of None” 2. Bird on a Froot Loops box 3. Classy places? 4. Mama grizzly, south of the border 5. Jazzman Saunders 6. Husband, in Hidalgo 7. Ft. Collins campus 8. Charitable donations 9. Widespread 10. Film-rating grp. 11. “Am I nuts?” 12. Neither’s partner 13. “____ takers?” 17. Weaving machine 22. Setting for Seurat’s “La Grande Jatte” 24. Elizabeth and Earl 26. Uses flowery language 27. “Roméo et Juliette” segment 28. Cabinet inits. since 1979 31. Tool for tilling 32. Alternative to “Woof!” 33. They’re exchanged at parting 35. ____-Ball 38. Achilles’ weak spot 39. Clean Air Act org. 40. “____ durn tootin’!” 41. Puerto ____ 42. “Straight Outta Compton” rappers 46. Bottle in a beach bag
JOHN DEERING
Sudoku
47. Reggae artist ____-Mouse 48. Reorganize computer data to improve performance, informally 50. ____ Ochoa, 2017 Golf Hall of Fame inductee 51. Actress Stone of “Casino” 56. Besides that 57. Take ____ in the pool 58. DLIII + DLIII 60. ____ d’Or (touristy Majorca town) 62. “Uncle” on a food package 63. Celebrity psychic Geller 64. Egg producer 65. “Young Sheldon” airer
Last Thursday’s Solution T A X I
A V I A
S U L A
K N O T
M I C R O
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G A I N T W I E D E A T N A E R G B A E T L E L S
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By The Mepham Group
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23. Piglet producer 25. "Kisses, dahling!" 29. Machu Picchu builder 30. Battle site of June 6, 1944 34. Four-baggers: Abbr.
NICK KNACK
© 2018 N.F. Benton
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
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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. © 2018 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
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Falls Church News-Press Vol. VIII, No. 39 • December 10, 1998
Falls Church News-Press Vol. XVIII, No. 41 • December 11, 2008
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Fraud, 1120-E W Broad St (Yasini Jewelers), Nov 27, 6:58 AM, an unknown black male suspect sold imitation gold jewelry to the business after misrepresenting its value. Investigation
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
determined that a fight had just occurred in the bar, and identified the suspects. Investigation continues.
CRIME REPORT
Aggravated Assault, 935 W Broad St (Taco Bell parking lot), Nov 26, 7:12 PM, police responded to a report of an assault in progress. Following an investigation, police arrested a male, 55, of McLean, VA, for Simple Assault and Strangulation.
10 Year s Ago
Many residents of the City of Falls Church have a habit of exalting their community for its “special” traits, including its quality of life and excellent school system. Now, they can boast of another genuinely unique feature of their hometown: not one but two highly novel and unique Art Nouveau multi-story buildings along its western part of its primary artery on the Broad Street corridor.
The City of Falls Church’s independent auditors came before a Budget Committee meeting of the City Council Tuesday night, and gave a swift and qualified clean bill of health of the actions of the CIty to enter into an agreement in 1994 with Arlington County committing the City to $2.9 million in obligations. The auditors submitted their one-page brief to City Manager Hector Rivera prior to the Council meeting.
Destruction of Property/ Drunkenness, 6763-R3 Wilson Blvd (Diva Lounge), Nov 26, 2:27 AM, police were called for a report of intoxicated subjects inside the business, damaging property and refusing to pay their bar tab. Officers arrested a male, 45, of Washington, DC and a male, 33, of Falls Church for Drunk in Public and Destruction of Property.
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New ‘Flower Building’ Facade Unveiled on W. Broad Project
‘It’s All Good,’ Auditors Confirm Arlington Debt Pact Was A-Ok
Week of Nov. 26 – Dec. 2, 2018
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 | FCNP.COM
continues. Larceny, 330 N Washington St (Sunrise), between 6:00 PM on Nov 27 and 8:00 AM on Nov 28, unknown suspect(s) took roofing materials from behind the building. Investigation continues. Burglary - Commercial, 1055-B W Broad St (Babylon Market), between 8:30 PM on Nov 27 and 10:20 AM on Nov 28, unknown suspect(s) forced entry to the business and removed items of value. Investigation continues. Threats in Person, 1218 W Broad St (Starbucks), Nov 28, 5:52 PM, police responded for a report of an unknown subject approaching customers and threatening physical harm. Following an investigation, the suspect was identified, and the victim declined prosecution. Simple Assault, 306 Hillwood Ave (Lesly Restaurant), Nov 30, 1:02 AM, police responded for a 911 hangup at the business. Investigating officers
Narcotics Violation, 900 S Washington St, Nov 30, 12:31 PM, officers responded for a report of an intoxicated subject. Police arrested a male, 38, of Arlington, VA for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) and Public Intoxication. Smoking Violation, 6757-24 Wilson Blvd (Le Billiards), Nov 30, 7:23 PM, police issued a summons to a male, 50, of Burtonsville, MD for Smoking in a Prohibited Area. Smoking Violation, 6757-16 Wilson Blvd (Café Le Mirage), Nov 30, 11:42 PM, police issued a summons to a male, 37, of Fairfax, VA for Smoking in a Prohibited Area. Hit and Run, 1150 W Broad St (CVS parking lot), Dec 01, 1:12 PM, a gray Chrysler was struck by an unknown vehicle which failed to stop at the scene. Destruction of Property, 420 S Washington St, between 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM on Dec 01, unknown suspect(s) threw a rock through the front window of the business. Investigation continues.
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BRAUT (short for Bratwurst), a piebald daschund, is staring at door one of his doggie Advent calendar, waiting for his treat. He is a resident of the Lake Barcroft community in Falls Church. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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DECEMBER 6 - 12, 2018 | PAGE 31
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