February 1 – 7, 2018
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FOU N D ED 1991 • VOL. XXVI I NO. 50
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As the planning phase for the new George Mason High School goes into full swing this summer, special considerations are already being made for how to transfer years of commemorative items donated by school alumni to the new campus. SEE PAGE 5
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5 Impressive Design/Development Teams Reply to New High School Call
Noonan Says He’s Thrilled With Quality Of Respondents
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
The City of Falls Church is accepting nominations for the 2017 Employee of the Year award. Anyone who’s received exceptional service from a City government employee or knows one who goes above and beyond on a regular basis, is encouraged to submit a nomination. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 9
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The word that came to mind most often as I watched Donald Trump deliver his first State of the Union address was “pretend.” SEE PAGE 14
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Heating up at just the right time, the George Mason High School’s boys basketball team easily downed Rappahannock County twice in the past week with a win over Strasburg High School sandwiched in between. SEE SPORTS, PAGE 16
U.S. SENATOR TIM KAINE toured Eden Center in the City of Falls Church yesterday, visiting with Vietnamese-American civic leaders, media and business persons. He chatted with the News-Press about Tuesday’s State of the Union address. (P����: N���-P����)
Kaine Visits F.C.’s Eden Center To Talk Trump & Immigration
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
INDEX
Editorial.................6 Letters...................6 News & Notes10–11 Comment ........ 12-14 Business News ...15 Sports .................16
Calendar .......18–19 Classified Ads .....20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ..........21 Critter Corner......22
He wasn’t sitting behind the president for the State of the Union Tuesday night, the way he maybe should have had he won as Hillary Clinton’s running mate, but Virginia U.S. Senator Tim Kaine was in the audience on Capital Hill, and brought a stinging criticism, especially of the immigration component, of President Trump’s speech to the
Eden Center in the City of Falls Church yesterday. His message to Eden Center’s Vietnamese-American civic and business leaders, built around a casual tour of many of the Vietnamese-American retailers in the center and lunch at the Little Viet Garden restaurant, was that all Americans hurt by what President Trump is doing need to think about running for office, whether it’s at the local, regional or wider level.
He cited, to the delight of his roving audience, the case of the election of VietnameseAmerican Kathy Tran from Fairfax, a former refugee, to the state legislature in November, one of 19 newcomers to the Virginia legislature. He added a reference to Del. Elizabeth Guzman, another first-time elected delegate, who delivered the Spanish-speaking version of
Continued on Page 22
As promised in the interests of maximum public transparency, only somewhat redacted versions of responses to the Falls Church City Schools’ initial request for conceptual proposals for the construction of a new George Mason High School were unveiled on the City of Falls Church website yesterday, and the display of skills, accomplishments and professionalism of the five respondents are breaktaking. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the quality of the companies who responded,” F.C. School Superintendent Peter Noonan told the News-Press in an interview yesterday. “These are all big companies that will do an outstanding job if given the chance. All responded appropriately with comprehensive and thorough looks at what we need.” The task of narrowing the list from five to three by Feb. 20 now falls to an “RFP DownSelect Committee” composed of Noonan, City Manager Wyatt Shields, Planning Commission chair Russ Wodiska, Councilman Dan Sze, School Board members Justin Castillo and Erin Gill and School Board legal counsel Trish Minson. Once this group announces who’s made the cut, a more detailed “request for proposal” is then issued on Feb. 22, and the three finalists will have about three months to hone their more detailed responses. Their submissions will be due in June and the final choice (to be made by a different group) will come in July.
Continued on Page 4
PAGE 2 | FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Presenting Sponsorship:
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Cruise-In Sponsorship: R
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FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018 | PAGE 3
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PAGE 4 | FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Design Firms Respond to GMHS Proposal Request
Visit us on Facebook for upcoming event details!
Continued from Page 1
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Join us on the first Wednesday of each month to share time connecting with other caregivers and discussing common challenges. Guest facilitators offer information, advice and support in a welcoming, private setting. Dr. Aleksandra (Anya) Parpura, an expert in aging and dementia, leads our Caregiver Connect program and brings to us vast knowledge, helpful tips and a kind heart.
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Then, the chosen company will begin a year of intensive work with the City’s and Schools’ best, with ample chances for continued public input, that will prepare the ground, so to speak, for the construction project. “It is important for the public to know that what is being proposed now by the five companies is representative of their talents and accomplishments, but do not represent any final design proposals. Those will be hammered out in the year between the final selection of our development partner and when construction begins in July 2019,” Noonan said. The five design and construction team respondents are Clark Construction with Moseley Architects; David Smoot with Perkins Eastman; Gilbane, Stanec, Quinn with Evans Architects; Grunley Construction with Samaha Associates; and, Turner Construction with Architecture Inc and Fanning Howey. The Clark/Moseley team wrote that “we have proven our abilities to foresee and mitigate project challenges.” It was key in F.C.’s Henderson Middle School project of 2005, and stated, “As your partners in this (Mason High) project, we are ready to collaborate with Falls Church Public Schools, citizens and stakeholders on this important project that will help shape the future of the Falls Church community for generations to come.” The Davis/Smoot and Perkins Eastman team has already been involved in the project since participating in the October 2014 Urban Land Institute on-site review of the location and its potential. They “developed and priced the options that informed the community’s approval of the bond referendum.” They’ve done two $120 million high schools in the District, Dunbar and Roosevelt Senior High Schools ,and have over 16 national awards associated with these projects alone. The Gilbane, Stanec, Quinn with Evans Architects have 136 projects totalling $3 billion under their belts nationally, with Gilbane delivering over $220 million in educational work in this area for $630 million in recent design-build K-12 projects. With Stantec, Gilbane is
ranked as the No. 1 K-12 build and No. 1 K-12 designer nationally by Building Design and Construction of 2017. The Grunley and Samaha Associates team is currently involved in the Mt. Daniel Elementary expansion in Falls Church along with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project for a new 51,000 square foot child development center. Over the past 15 years, Grunley modernized or constructed over 2.5 million square feet of educational, administrative and extracurricular activity spaces in 19 public schools, doing work at Herndon, Fairfax and Marshall High Schools in this area. The Turner with Architecture Inc. and Fanning/Howey team is currently delivering the Coolidge Senior High School, a $135 million modernization in Washington, D.C. Touting their “strong values of teamwork, integrity and commitment,” their effort would be “supported by a nationwide network of 46 offices with 5,600 professionals.” “This is all very exciting. I feel like I’ve died and gone to school heaven,” Noonan quipped at a well-attended town hall meeting on the construction effort last Saturday at the Community Center, noting that he’s jumped into this effort after becoming the local system’s superintendent barely six months ago. He noted that the commitment to transparency is the most challenging part. (An earlier effort by the City Schools drew two bidders and resulted in a high level of secrecy because neither one wanted to reveal its plans to the other. So it was eventually ditched in favor of this more transparent approach.) In the extended period between now and the Summer of 2019, after the final contract is let after an interim reduction of the competitors to three, issues such as the school auditorium capacity, parking and transportation, green space, tree canopies, legacy preservation, community uses, athletics and environmental sustainability will all be hammered out with major input from the community encouraged. This side of the project is separate from the economic development component, which has its own timetable lagging the schools’ by a few months to make the synergies work better.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018 | PAGE 5
Planning Underway to Move GMHS Alumni Memorabilia to New School
by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
As the planning phase for the new George Mason High School goes into full swing this summer, special considerations are already being made for how to transfer years of commemorative items donated by school alumni to the new campus. The items come in all shapes in sizes. In front of the school’s entrance is the Business in Education Partnership (BIE) brick pathway that has over 1,000 engraved bricks listing the names of former alumni and coaches that used to attend or work at the school as well as clubs, organizations and businesses that continue to influence current students. Also outside the front entrance are rows of planters and benches with their placards attached identifying families or individuals who attended the City of Falls Church high school. Other commemorative items include trees planted all around
the outside of the campus, as well as plaques, seals and murals that have been dedicated to the school. Transferring the objects will be a seamless process, for the most part, which is good news for alumni who are fiscally and emotionally invested in the trinkets. “These items are very important to the fabric of our community, representing the people who put their heart and soul into Falls Church and George Mason High School,” Marybeth Connelly, who runs Mason’s commemorative brick program, said. “They are a special because they keep memories alive, and provide a unique gathering place for their family and friends. [Falls Church City Public Schools] plans to keep it all, with the intent of reusing it in a new location.” Bricks, planters, benches and plaques are the easiest transfers out of the current list of transfers. The bricks will be re-slotted into their new place appropriately, especially grouped
bricks such as the entire Class of 1959 who made a purchase together with the intent on being collectively assembled. The benches themselves are old and will be replaced but the plaques attached to them will be a part of a new seating area once available to do so. Trees can’t be replanted but FCCPS will dedicate new trees at the new school as well. The only tricky items are the murals. Since most are painted onto walls in Mason’s interior, with the “Mustang Spirit” mural and another one with the Mason “M” on the exterior, they appear firmly static. However, Connelly insists that despite the challenge FCCPS is willing to get creative in how to transfer them. One idea that’s been floated by community members is creating a Legacy Garden at the new Mason where all these items can reside. “FCCPS is very supportive of this idea,” Connelly continued. “We think that many community groups would like to be involved
MEMORABILIA DONATED and purchased by George Mason High School alumni, like the bricks shown here, will be transferred and incorporated into the new high school, the News-Press has learned. (Photo: News-Press) in the planning of this memorial area. All of these details will be worked out in the Detailed Design Phase that starts this summer.” FCCPS is still accepting
orders for bricks. Connelly believes that Mason will launch another campaign soon so alumni can contribute more benches, bricks, planters and trees to the school’s new site.
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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.
E D I TO R I A L
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Did We Miss Out on Bezos?
Granted, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA), owner of those underutilized 24 acres adjacent the West Falls Church Metro station, was under no obligation to share their designs to development that parcel with anyone, much less the neighboring City of Falls Church and its 34 acres available and in need of dense educational and commercial development. In December, WMATA submitted a well-thought out schematic for mixed-use development on its site that seemed to catch everyone, including Falls Church and Fairfax Supervisor for that area John Foust, by surprise. Granted also, it can be seen as merely a placeholder, even if it is a bid to modify the county’s Comprehensive Plan, for whenever down the road WMATA may be ready to press ahead with the plan. However, for the sake of clarity, let’s not ignore the chronic lack of communication involved all the way around and that fact that, in this case, some serious cooperation could have us in a very different place than we are now. In this case, it’s “Tight Lips Sink Ships.” Whether motivated by distrust, laziness or bureaucratic inertia, an unwillingness to open up and engage a conversation on the potential of the larger area, overall, has ruled out the prospect for a truly game-changing set of possibilities. We refer to the one staring everyone right in the face right now: the decision looming by Amazon on where to locate its “HQ2,” its second major headquarters. We know that Northern Virginia, along with D.C. and Montgomery County in Maryland, are finalists in the competition. Will it be in Tysons? Loudoun? Rosslyn? Wherever it may go, it will make a seismic difference, with 50,000 new well-paying jobs for welleducated persons transforming an entire region. Had WMATA and Falls Church, for example, and maybe with the graduate schools of the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, been talking the last few years, and with Beyer Automotive and Federal Realty joining in the conversation, the assets of the West Falls Church Metro site, including its location (at a Metro stop, spilling right onto I-66), split evenly between two major international airports, its higher graduate educational and superior high school components, and a lot of really cool and hip people living nearby, would have combined for a highly attractive option for D.C. resident Jeff Bezos and his Amazon. OK, we’d like to believe that, as a major newspaper owner in this area, Bezos keeps up with his competition and therefore may be reading this editorial. Maybe he’d be willing to take up the challenge of ordering all these elements into a row and sizing up how his HQ2 would work here. He’d have to consider if it would be worth his trouble to 1. Step outside the organized bid process he’d set into motion many months ago and 2. Deal with the headaches of land assembly and all that involves. Hard to imagine it’d be worth it at this point.
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Tell Saslaw to Drop His Dominion Power Bill
Editor, We should demand that Virginia Sen. Richard Saslaw stand up for consumers who are overpaying Dominion Power electric bills. Virginia voters’ historic electoral sweep in November included a powerful and clear mandate: To reject Dominion Power’s years of campaign money control over state legislators and restore democratic power and energy savings to consumers.
Yet our state senator, Democrat Dick Saslaw, who represents parts of Fairfax County, including the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, didn’t seem to get the memo. He supported Dominion Power three years ago when the utility succeeded in getting legislation passed that freezes our power rates at high levels, and allows Dominion to keep hundreds of millions of dollars in unearned profits until
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2022. At a Senate committee hearing on Monday, Jan. 16, Senator Saslaw helped kill a bill introduced by Fairfax Senator Chap Petersen that would have ended Dominion’s boondoggle and returned the money to ratepayers. Senator Saslaw said he’s developing an alternative bill with Dominion. That doesn’t sound good. Call and email Senator Saslaw’s office and your state delegate to support Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill, HB 96, lifting the Dominion rate freeze, and stop Sen. Saslaw’s “Dominion-approved” bill. Karen Torrent 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
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
CO MME NT
FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2018 | PAGE 7
G � � � � C � � � � � �� �� Same Old Story With Richmond & Transit Funding B� D���� S�����
When Governor McAuliffe included statewide funding for Metro in his last budget, the hope was that a fairer approach to funding Metro might actually emerge. That proposal at least began to reflect the $600 million the state gets each year from tax revenues generated as a result of Metro and VRE. Metro and VRE financial benefits to the state are equivalent to the state’s annual general fund expenditures on state colleges and universities of around $316 million, and state police, about $266 million. That was until the legislature began its inimitable work. True to form, so far we see more of the same anti-Metro and antitransit sentiment: deny that Metro needs more money and blame all of Metro’s ills on management; have Richmond take over the Virginia representation on the Metro Board; deny state tax revenues and force the inner jurisdictions (including Falls Church) to foot virtually all of the bill; but always make sure that the state still gets its $600 million in benefits which subsidize the teachers and police officers around the rest of the state. Then to further the insult on workers all over the state, deny needed funding for all other transit systems, never mind that transit supports businesses and jobs and is strongly desired by future generations. The latest version of the legislature’s Metro funding rip-off of Northern
Virginia looks like this. The grantors tax for Metro jurisdictions (including Falls Church) would be increased. The Transient Occupancy Tax for Metro jurisdictions would be increased. The gas tax on Metro jurisdictions would be increased. Money supporting local projects such traffic calm-
“This means that small communities will eventually see their systems shrink or go away.” ing and bike/pedestrian projects for Metro jurisdictions would be cut and reallocated to Metro. Meanwhile there would be no new tax revenues paid by the rest of the state. And ironically, Prince William County not only contributes nothing but actually gets a tax cut for its businesses, adding to the subsidies it gets as a result of various state mandated funding formulas such as the education Local Composite Index. And of course, this unfair funding will be attached to measures whereby Richmond seizes control of Virginia’s Metro Board representation. Meanwhile, needed state support for other local transit systems would not
be provided. This means that small communities will eventually see their systems shrink or go away. Turning from Metro to I-66 tolls. Tolling has become widespread, if not popular, because the legislature has refused to adequately fund transportation infrastructure upfront, led by Prince William and Loudoun County anti-government and anti-tax legislators. So, the only alternative to provide more highway capacity, like the old cell phone contracts, is for the private sector to provide the infrastructure “for free” and then charge users a ridiculously high cost when they use it. So, in my view, our anti-tax friends in Loudoun and Prince William Counties have no legitimate right to complain, especially in the context of their continual regional and legislative attack on us in Richmond. Here is a better, fairer and more truly collaborative approach. With regard to Metro and VRE funding, apply new statewide revenues, that return at least half of the benefits realized by the state, then increase the regional gas tax to a reasonable floor. Reform Metro management as necessary, but keep the authority to designate Virginia representatives on the Board with the jurisdictions that fund Metro. Require Loudoun and Prince William to also contribute to reflect the benefits they receive from Metro and VRE induced economic activity. As part of the package, relax some of the worst of the tolls on I-66. And finally address the long-term needs of
other transit systems in the state.
This would be a true “win/win” scenario, but of course that is not the current governing ethos in Richmond of: “I win, you lose.” In other transportation matters, a question was asked at the recent town hall meeting, about how we are addressing transportation infrastructure to support the commercial development near GMHS. We are adding projects to regional plans so that when there is more certainty, we will be able to build what is essential for the actual development. This transportation work could be part of the agenda for a special task force to coordinate the entire project with Metro, the universities and Fairfax County. Regionally, we are working to secure funding and move the Route Seven Bus Rapid Transit project to the next step, which will not require dedicated lanes in the City or operate on Broad Street East of Washington Street. Meanwhile, we must continue to address neighborhood traffic calming needs and on-going commercial parking shortages. Finally, we will endeavor to do all of this and also engage in planning for the emerging challenges and opportunities of electric cars and autonomous vehicles. David Snyder is a member of the Falls Church City Council.
Q������� �� ��� W��� Are you impressed by the list of firms that submitted proposals to build a new City of Falls Church high school? • Yes
• No
• Not sure
Last Week’s Question:
Should the City of Falls Church move ahead with the library renovation as scheduled?
Log on to www.FCNP.com to cast your vote FCNP On-Line polls are surveys, not scientific polls.
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Editor & 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 | FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
MEMBERS OF Rock Star Realty strike a pose with other parade goers during last year’s inaugural Mardi Gras celebration. (Photo: Courtesy Tori McKinney/Rock Star Realty)
F.C. Prepares for 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Parade Next Sunday by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
A collection of community figures look to send their Christian neighbors into the Lenten season with a slightly sinful second annual Mardi Gras parade here in the City of the Falls Church on Feb. 11. The idea to start a Mardi Gras parade in the City originally came from Clare & Don’s Beach Shack owners and siblings Rebecca and
David Tax when they had businesses in Arlington County. Once the Taxes established their businesses in Falls Church, they felt it was fertile ground to replicate the what they helped accomplish in Arlington. “We threw it together in Arlington because we thought it was a fun community event that people can get behind,” David said. “Falls Church is a very family-oriented place so we thought we could do something similar
here and the residents have really taken to it.” Last year saw 1,800 locals come out for the inaugural parade. This year, the Taxes and the rest of the parade’s organizing members in the Small Apart Large Together (SALT) business group have been promoting the event through word of mouth more so than traditional marketing methods. All of the SALT members have also posted about the parade on their businesses’
respective Facebook pages. The big difference between this year and last year is the cohesion in the parade’s set-up from the SALT members. Last year was somewhat of a litmus test on the community’s interest in such an event. With the parade’s level of intrigue known for this year, the group made sure the event could be had without any sacrifices to business practices. It was a nice change of pace from the quid pro quo atmosphere that the Taxes experienced when organizing for the Clarendon parade. “Clarendon was more competitive, but here we’re more tight and together,” David continued. “We all have different attributes and different detriments and all have times where we help each other out.” Along with enthusiastic locals, the parade also received backing from businesses and key members of the City government. The City of Falls Church Police and Parks and Recreation department are helping coordinate along with Laura Liner of Foxcraft Design Group and the Rock Star Realty team of Keller Williams, as well as the Taxes. A bevy businesses are also making sure they make an appearance during the parade’s short route, which will start at
the police station, take a trip down Park Avenue until winding up at Clare & Don’s for a postparade celebration. Participating floats include Polu Kite Services, Bikenetic, Dogwood Tavern, Mad Fox Brewing Company, Cafe Kindred, Pure Barre, Rock Star Realty, Lost Dog rescue, Foxcroft Design, Growing Smiles Dentistry, Local Market and Cyclebar, along with floats for Del. Marcus Simon and an Arlington neighborhood organization. Sislers Stone will also be providing a float that will be supporting a live performance from the band Magnolia Blue on it throughout the duration of the parade. For Tori McKinney of Rock Star Realty, the event is an ideal way for her to show off the New Orleans culture she was introduced to by her husband, hence the bright orange feather boas and tutus she can be spotted in on the day of the parade. And though the Taxes assured that everything from King cakes to beads will be a part of the festivities, no debaucherous conduct will be promoted or permitted. The parade will take place on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. and begin at the City Hall police station and take a half-mile trip to Clare & Don’s on Washington St.
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Fa l l s C h u r c h
NEWS BRIEFS Sexual Harassment Policy Voted Down Virginia House Republicans today blocked a vote against a comprehensive sexual harassment policy that included mechanisms for reporting and investigating allegations against members and employees of the House of Delegates, including those brought forth by members of the public. Delegate Vivian Watts, the longest-serving woman in the House of Delegates, presented the policy as a series of floor amendments, after the 11 Republican men on the Rules Committee voted without discussion to kill the policy when it was presented as a bill on Jan. 26. The proposal would have required the General Assembly to tailor training to protect all who interact with any legislator when performing official duties year-round. Interactions with staff, interns, lobbyists, reporters, vendors, and members of the public would all be covered.
Bill to Disband Regulatory Board Pulled from General Assembly A proposed bill in the Virginia House of Delegates which proposed disbanding the state’s Board for Barbers and Cosmetology that regulates education, sanitation and licensing standards for barbers, cosmetologists, tattoo artists and body piercing professionals, was pulled from the General Assembly’s legislative agenda recently due to a lack of interest from lawmakers in Richmond, a representative from Del. Michael Webert’s (VA-18) Richmond office told the News-Press. Webert originally introduced House Bill 892 on Jan. 8 as a part of his overarching legislative initiative of regulatory reform, specifically regarding how state residents procure occupational licenses. HB 892 was not well-received locally. A meeting at the Neighborhood Barbershop on Jan. 22 saw a small, but hearty group of local barbers discuss their concerns about the bill’s ramifications, with City representatives in Chamber of Commerce member Sally Cole and Police Chief Mary Gavin also in attendance.
Metro Accountability Bill Introduced Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly and Donald S. Beyer Jr. were joined by Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, John Sarbanes, Jamie Raskin and Anthony Brown to introduce the Metro Accountability and Investment Act. The legislation reauthorizes an existing federal capital funding source for WMATA for 10 years and provides new federal capital and operating funds contingent on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) adopting specific Inspector General (IG) reforms as well as meeting metrics for safety, reliability, and operating cost efficiency. “This consensus-driven, balanced proposal is a step towards restoring Metro to a world-class transit system,” said Connolly. “Metro has made progress and we cannot allow those efforts to stall.”
I-66 Lane Closures This Week Single, left lane closures are planned during overnight hours (weather permitting) Monday night, Jan. 29, through Friday morning, Feb. 2, and Sunday night, Feb. 4, through Friday morning, Feb. 9, from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night on eastbound I-66 inside the Beltway, between I-495 and Fairfax Drive (Route 237), to allow crews to safely perform survey work related to the I-66 eastbound widening project. Additionally, a right shoulder closure is planned (weather permitting) on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on eastbound I-66 between I-495 and Fairfax Drive. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes. The survey work is needed prior to the start of construction on the I-66 eastbound widening project, which includes adding an additional through lane along four miles of eastbound I-66 between the Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) and Fairfax Drive (Exit 71) in Fairfax and Arlington counties. The project includes ramp modifications at Exits 69 and 71.
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Employee of Year Nominations Sought The City of Falls Church is accepting nominations for the 2017 Employee of the Year award. Anyone who’s received exceptional service from a City government employee or knows one who goes above and beyond on a regular basis, is encouraged to submit a nomination. The winner will receive a cash prize and be presented with the award at a City Council meeting in April. The criteria used to evaluate nominations are: An accomplishment of outstanding worth in advancing and improving public service in the City of Falls Church; The nominee must be involved in and identified with the achievement; There must be tangible results achieved from this performance; results might be higher morale, more effective operations, lower costs or acts beyond the call of duty; The achievement was remarkable or an unusual performance of the nominee’s assigned duties, or above and beyond those assigned duties; The achievement occurred in the calendar year of 2017. Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. The nomination form, short essay requirements, and submission details are available on the City’s website.
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Community News & Notes RSVP Volunteer Orientation Set for Next Tuesday RSVP Northern Virginia will hold a volunteer orientation at Capital Caring’s Halquist Center (4715 15th Street, N., Arlington), at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The hour-long event is free and open to anyone 55-years-young or greater. RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) is the region’s largest volunteer network for people 55 and older and provides individualized support to seniors seeking service opportunities in and around Fairfax County, Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. RSVP offers its volunteers more than 200 different opportunities, many that are located in the Arlington and Falls
Church areas. RSVP’s Gordon Hay of Falls Church volunteers at Capital Caring as well as with The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. “At Capitol Caring there are a number of really great volunteer opportunities,” Hay says. “I chose something where there is a really great need that is to be an administrative help.” Hay says he makes sure everyone walking in the door gets to the right place. RSVP volunteers enjoy flexible schedules, free accident and liability insurance while serving, optional mileage and meal reimbursement and are invited to volunteer group projects and social gatherings. The Halquist Center is open 24-hours a day, every day of the week. As a volunteer receptionist, Gordon is the first person
people will see when entering the hospice. To sign up for the Feb. 6 orientation, email RSVP Volunteer Specialist Carly Hubicki at chubicki@volunteerfairfax.org or call the RSVP Hotline at 703403-5360. To learn more about RSVP, visit www.rsvpnova.org. RSVP Northern Virginia is a volunteer program of Volunteer Fairfax, Volunteer Arlington and Volunteer Alexandria.
Meeting on Good & Bad Bugs at American Legion Interested locals can learn what bugs can help or hurt and what you can do to control them, presented by Nikki Norton, Merrifield Plant Specialist, at the Falls Church Garden Club meeting on Monday, Feb. 5 at 7:30
AT THE ‘ROAD TO RICHMOND’ annual brunch hosted by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee prior to the convening of Virginia’s General Assembly in Richmond, (left to right) Fairfax Board Chair Susan Bulova, U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly and newly-elected Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax sat together prior to all making remarks to the sell-out crowd. Fairfax made headlines in Richmond last week when he stepped aside from his spot as the presiding officer of the State Senate to protest a move to honor of the memory of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. (Photo:News-Press)
p.m. at American Legion Post 130 (400 N. Oak Street, Falls Church) All are welcome. For more information, call 703-5361945.
Arlington Philharmonic to Perform ‘Music with a View’ The Arlington Philharmonic will perform a collage concert, “Music with a View,” in a setting where the audience will be surrounded — literally — by philharmonic brass, string and woodwind ensembles. Interested attendees are encouraged to come early in order to get a glimpse at the view, cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres that will be openly served. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the collage concert starting promptly at 7:30 p.m. Attendees are also encouraged to stay for
a post-concert conversation with Maestro Wood and the musicians. The concert will cost $25 per person and will be taking place on Friday, Feb. 9 at The Waterview (1919 North Lynn St., Rosslyn). The Waterview is within walking distance of the Rosslyn Metro station. For drivers, you can park in the garage on 19th St. N. Details can be found at arlingtonphilharmonic.org/MusicView. html. For more information: www. arlingtonphilharmonic.org
Women’s Program at Temple Rodef Shalom The Women of Temple Rodef Shalom are hosting a women’s empowerment program to encourage more women to pursue political careers on Sunday,
RESIDENTS OF THE 400 BLOCK of Lincoln Avenue in Falls Church of all ages showed up at the F.C. City Council meeting Monday to thank the City for the recent installation of a crosswalk in the middle of their block, saying how it helped make the street safer for everyone. (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
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CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA DAY on Jan. 26 is Australian native and Cultural Care au pair, Tarni, shown here holding four-month-old twins Lucy (left) and Luke for the family she’s helping out. The holiday signi�ies when the British �leet landed at Port Jackson in modern day Sydney in 1788 and is celebrated with barbecues and baking Pavlova cakes. Falls Church resident Nancy Baker is Tarni’s local childcare consultant. More information can be found on her Cultural Care Au Pair website. (P����: S��� M�I���/C�������C���.���) Feb. 11 from 2 – 4:30 p.m. at the temple (2100 Westmoreland St., Falls Church). Women make up a small fraction of elected officials in America. A key to increasing women’s representation in government is getting younger women engaged and elected earlier in life. Interested attendees will hear from Susannah Wellford, founder and president of Running Start, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to inspire and train the next generation of young women to bring their voices to the halls of power. At this program, attendees can learn how they can step up – as well as help your the women in their life step up – to take the challenge. For more information, contact Karen Menichelli at Karen@ menidavis.com Interested participants can sign up using eventbrite link at trswomensempowerment18. eventbrite.com
New Production Coming to 1st Stage Theatre Feb. 15 In his return to playwriting, celebrated film and television writer Aaron Sorkin’s signature style lends itself to the story of the invention that changed the American way of life. In 1929, two ambitious visionaries race against each other to invent a device called “television.” Separated by two thousand miles, each knows that if he stops working, even for
a moment, the other will gain the edge. Who will unlock the key to the greatest innovation of the 20th century: the ruthless media mogul, or the self-taught Idaho farm boy? The answer comes to compelling life in the regional premiere of this “firecracker of a play” (The Chicago Sun-Times). The 1st Stage Theatre production of “The Farnsworth Invention” by Aaron Sorkin features Sam Ludwig as Philo T. Farnsworth, Jonathan Lee Taylor as David Sarnoff and an ensemble including Frank Britton (returning following his Broadway World Award winning performance in “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train”), Edward Christian, Katrina Clark, Michael Crowley, Gary DuBreuil, Amanda Forstrom, Jeremy Keith Hunter, Liz Mamana, Tendo Nsubuga, Matthew Sparacino, Caroline Wolfson and Jacob Yeh. 1st Stage Artistic Director, Alex Levy directs the production. The design team includes: scenic design by Kathryn Kawecki, costume design by Danielle Preston, lighting design by Robbie Hayes, sound design and original composition by Ethan Balis, movement by Amanda Forstrom, properties design by Cindy Jacobs and dialects by Jane Margulies Kalbfeld. “The Farnsworth Invention” will run at 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Rd., McLean) from Feb. 15 – Mar. 11 with show times as follows: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m.,
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
DMV 2 Go Bus Makes Monthly Appearance in F.C. The full-service DMV 2 Go bus will be in front of City Hall (330 Park Ave., Falls Church) on Friday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The accessible mobile office provides all DMV transactions including: Applying for and renewing driver’s licenses, hunting and fishing licenses; Obtaining E-Z pass transponders, ID cards (including photos) and Virginia’s veterans ID cards; acquiring copies of driving records, vehicle titles, license plates, decals and transcripts as well as 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 the American Legion (400 N. Oak St., Falls Church) on Monday, Feb. 12, Wednesday, Feb. 14, and Thursday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Customers should be prepared with the required documents to complete transactions.
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A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
Installing sidewalks seems like a fairly simple task. Some tools, some cement, and some time ought to fix things up, right? Actually, no. By the time it’s under construction, years may have passed in the engineering and design of the walkway, obtaining the land rights to construct, getting bids to construct, and then building the new pedestrian facility. Decades ago, as the automobile made suburban travel distances easier, many new neighborhood developments were built without sidewalks. Additional amenities took precedence — perhaps a family room, a powder room, or a garage and driveway. At the same time, traditional front porches that fostered a social neighborhood fabric disappeared, and families focused on new backyard decks and patios, adding privacy, but losing some sense of community. The car became king, and its realm was wherever you wanted to drive, not walk. That worked fine — for awhile. With today’s traffic congestion and a new desire to get outdoors and walk, or bicycle, demands for pedestrian and bike facilities have increased exponentially. Not long ago, the response to plans for a new sidewalk in Annandale was “why in the world would anyone want to walk in Annandale?” Today, the plea is, “ I’d love to be able to walk to the Giant, The Block, Walgreen’s, the library, etc.” Major walkway improvements in Mason District include the pedestrian bridge across Arlington Blvd. at Seven Corners; a trestle-like crossing over Holmes Run on Columbia Pike, across from the Lake Barcroft Dam; a walkway along Little River Turnpike from Beauregard Street to Willow Run Drive; and a walkway along Elmdale Road, on the north side of the Pinecrest Golf Course. Other improvements include installation of pedestrian-controlled signal heads that
count down the amount of time left to cross a busy intersection, and crosswalk ramps that are accessible to residents with walkers or strollers along major roadways and at bus stops. There’s much more to be done. A sidewalk along Sleepy Hollow Road is a good example. For years, my office has been fielding requests for a walkway or sidewalk on Sleepy Hollow Road, a heavily travelled connection between Arlington Boulevard on the north, to Columbia Pike, on the south. Such potential projects are placed on a countywide list for review and identification of possible funding. Part of the review process identifies the public right-of-way that may exist, an estimation of how much private property would be needed, and how to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Public walkways must be accessible for wheelchair use and other assistive devices. Many homeowners are unaware that their property may not extend all the way to the street. The first 10 feet or so may be public right-of-way, maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), not the homeowner, even though the homeowner may have landscaped it, mowed it, etc. Existing sidewalks likely are built in VDOT right-ofway, but private property rights may have been needed and obtained through negotiation between parties. Fair compensation for land rights and construction easements is required. Despite these challenges, providing more pedestrian access in our community is a worthy goal, and well worth the effort in the long run, now and for generations to come. Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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Senator Dick Saslaw’s
Richmond Report The General Assembly is off to a fast and furious start. Governor Northam took the helm Jan. 13 and has set the stage for bipartisan efforts on behalf of Virginians. You may recall last November there was a Democratic wave that swept all three statewide offices and netted Democrats 15 new seats in the House of Delegates. There are now 47 delegates with fewer than four years of experience in that legislative body. In the Commonwealth’s 2017 election, Virginians came out in droves to vote, mostly in response to the 2016 presidential election. Some would call that the gift that keeps on giving. It is important to note, however, both chambers of the Virginia Legislature have Republican majorities, albeit by razor slim margins. Therefore, the math remains the same for moving legislation forward. The slim Republican majorities were on full display last week in the General Assembly, most notably on the topic of Medicaid expansion. Despite a clear mandate from voters favoring healthcare reform as front and center, despite a unique perspective from our former Army doctor and pediatric neurosurgeon turned governor, Ralph Northam, and despite hundreds of thousands of Virginians needing access to quality, and affordable healthcare, a series of reform bills met a party line defeat in the Senate Education and Health Committee. This is a mirror action of many bills also submitted in the House. As I have mentioned many times, leaving behind hundreds of millions of dollars in the federal coffers is just plain wrong. It is bad stewardship of Virginia’s taxpayer money. It is bad policy to rely on the Remote Access Medicine clinics and Mobile Medicine Bus in our rural communities. It is flat out wrong to not anticipate the needs of the graying of the Baby Boomers. And finally, some 30,000+ jobs are left out of our economy without the sensible expansion of Medicaid. There is talk of the issue being revisited later this Session, so stay tuned for further updates. Common sense was also sorely lacking on more party line votes on bills designed to address gun violence in our Commonwealth. More Virginians are killed each year by guns than auto accidents, and it is long past time that we put
aside partisan politics and look after the safety of our citizens. Senate bills to enact Universal Background Checks, allow localities to ban firearms in government buildings, and make it illegal to carry a loaded firearm in a public place under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs all failed. The House side of the legislature did little better, rejecting a bill that would outlaw bumpstock devices similar to the one used in the Las Vegas massacre some four months ago. One of the more egregious pieces of passed legislation is the repeal of the ban on weapons in churches. I am comforted knowing Governor Northam has a veto pen and will use it accordingly to keep Virginians safe while keeping guns out of the wrong hands. Pivoting to an issue that directly affects thousands of Northern Virginians each workday, a strong transportation network is essential to strengthening our economy and ultimately improving the quality of life for Virginia families. I hear you loud and clear that the General Assembly must improve our transportation system and that starts with firming up the finances and operational capabilities of Metro. Metro’s railcars and buses are a key transportation alternative that keeps automobiles off the road. In my recent legislative survey, 89 percent of respondents indicated that the General Assembly must increase its financial support for Metro. Legislative work to shore up Metro’s funding stream is very much a fluid situation, but it is important that Virginia demonstrate a commitment to the organization, as Maryland lawmakers have already indicated they plan to wait and see what outcomes occur during this Virginia General Assembly Session. I believe we are nearing a compromise bill that may just pass the legislature. The General Assembly Building is undergoing a multiyear renovation, thus our offices are in the “cozier” confines of the Pocahontas Building. I am delighted that the smaller offices have not deterred so many of you from visiting thus far this session and I applaud those of you who take an active, respectful role in civic engagement. Senator Saslaw represents the 35th District in the Virginia State Senate. He may be emailed at district35@senate.virginia.gov.
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YO U DON T H AV E T O BE SO STRONG BUT IF I’M NOT, WHO WILL?
Being a caregiver takes a special kind of commitment. We know your strength is super, but you’re still human.
A A R P. O R G / C A R E G I V I N G 1 - 8 7 7 - 3 3 3 - 5 8 8 5
F I N D S U P P O R T F O R Y O U R S T R E N G T H.
Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark
“My kids said middle school stinks, and they hope high school is better.” That was a motivator for Karyn Ewart, the clinical psychologist who last September opened Arlington’s newest educational experiment. The private Sycamore School, where she gave me the cook’s tour, serves just over 20 motivated 6th-to-8th-graders on leased floors of a Ballston high rise behind the Holiday Inn. The middle school years are “pivotal, predictive, and possibly life-altering,” says her brochure. “Conventional education often creates excessive stress.” Pre-teens “pull away from their parents, are not as talkative, and look to other adults and peers,” said Ewart, a graduate of McKinley, Swanson and Yorktown. “So we take students who love learning, or who loved it and lost it. Some were bored or bullied,” she said. Others were high-achieving, but their parents worried they were “risk-averse.” Ewart’s full-time staff of five (plus four part-timers) strive to “give students the tools to succeed and be grounded” in three roots: academic development; social and emotional growth; and civic engagement. That means “developing the whole child,” she said. “If they’re anxious or inattentive, they’re not available for learning.” Sycamore kids are taught to be “autonomous, to problemsolve and manage time and social relationships,” said Ewart, who has a son at Swanson and
a daughter at the University of Virginia. “If there are bumps, we require a reflective piece to ask what we can do differently. Learning is not linear.” The Sycamore School kids I met (they arrive by parents’ car, bike, public bus and Metro) were gathered in clean rooms outfitted with a refurbished Wurlitzer jukebox, board games, 3-D printers and aquariums with live turtles. The critters are part of a partnership with Marymount University to monitor their growth for possible use in a NASA space launch. The hallway bulletin board showcases the “fake news” lessons the kids learned after a field trip to the Newseum. But Sycamore’s main subjects are English, history, math and science. “I don’t care if the kids wear socks or pajamas, sit in a bean-bag chair or stand, what’s important is they are actively engaged,” Evart said.” Maximizing choice of projects “gives them a sense of ownership. It’s super important to have buy-in.” One key feature: no homework. “It’s busywork that weighs them down,” Ewart said, “and you don’t know when parents are doing the assignment.” But she acknowledges the value of homework in high school, for long-term projects. Teaching is “all about relationship-building” and trust. If that sounds like Arlington’s H-B Woodlawn program, Ewart agrees. “But lots of H-B kids already have [that trust]”. “We need to cultivate it.” Tuition for the Sycamore is $21,000 for the inaugural student
C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h
CRIME REPORT
Celebrate the diversity that makes America, America. Add your photo to the true portrait of America at lovehasnolabels.com
Week of Jan. 22 – 28, 2018
vehicle was struck by an unknown vehicle which left the scene.
Drunk in Public, 105 W Broad St (Ireland’s Four Provinces), Jan 22, 12:13 AM, a female, 27, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for being Drunk in Public.
Larceny from Building, 410 S Maple Ave (Pearson Square Apartments), between 5:30 PM Jan 23 and 7 AM Jan 24, a bicycle left unsecured in the parking garage was taken by an unknown suspect.
Driving Under the Influence, 100 blk S Virginia Ave, Jan 22, 9:51 PM, a male, 45, of McLean, VA, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence ( 2nd in 5-10 yrs), and Refusal. Hit and Run, 6700 blk Wilson Blvd (Eden Center), Jan 23, between 2 and 2:35 PM, a parked
FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2018 | PAGE 13
Hit and Run, 100 blk S Virginia Ave, Jan 26 at 8:40 AM, unknown gold sedan sideswiped the driver side of a moving vehicle and failed to stop. Smoking Violations, 6757 Wilson Blvd, #24 (Le Billiards), Jan 26, 8:15 PM, a male, 62, of
body, set to rise to $24,000. As chief fundraiser, Ewart attracted $40,000 for scholarships, personally interviewing families to gauge financial pressures. Extracurriculars are parentorganized travel sports or ballet classes. Sycamore will double its space next year and is building a Black Box theater (thanks to an earmarked donation and partnership). Student body will rise to 60, and her hope is to then expand to grades 5 through 12, or 240 students. Ewart never discussed her project with Arlington school superintendent Patrick Murphy. But she considers Sycamore “complementary, not competitive. He should thank me,” she said. “At a maximum, we will be taking 240 students off his hands and making them happy.” *** Arlington youth baseball alums from the ‘60s mourn the passing of Coach Don Lichty, 89, of MSA Parkinson’s Syndrome in hospice near his retirement home in Florida. Lichty was part of the dynasty of Optimist Club mentors who molded hundreds of boys as they transitioned from Little League to high school play. By day he was an official at NASA, and on autumn weekends he directed the Washington Redskins Singers. One former player, Jonathan Ingram, recalled how in the summer of 1967 Lichty surprised the squad during practice by bringing a future Major Leaguer to pitch hitable fastballs and boost player confidence. That was Washington-Lee graduate Clay Kirby, another of Lichty’s charges.
Alexandria, VA, was issued a summons for Smoking in a Restaurant. Larceny-Shoplifting, 167 Hillwood Ave (ABC Store) Jan 26, 8:11PM, suspect described as a black male, 5’10”, medium build, wearing business casual clothes, took 2 mini liquor bottles without paying. Drunk in Public, 220 N Washington St (State Theater), Jan 27, 12:16 AM, a male, 55, of Arlington, VA, was arrested for being Drunk In Public. Larceny-Shoplifting, 1104 W Broad St (Staples), Jan 27, 8 PM, suspects described as two black males in their early 20’s, 6’ tall, wearing white hooded sweatshirts with black jackets and jeans took two white backpacks and left the store without paying.
PAGE 14 | FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2018
NATI O NA L
Now Comes Joe Kennedy III
“Did you read between the lines in tonight’s State of the Union address? Between the bloviated claims about our present and the false promises for our future, there was an inexorable truth: This administration only intends to make our country safe and strong for people who look a certain way, worship a certain way, and love a certain way.” This post-State of the Union comment in a GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) press release captured the essence of President Trump’s latest sleight of hand. A tad more polished and deceptive than his speech before a joint session of Congress a year ago, Trump’s remarks Tuesday night were a veritable minefield of deception and disFALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS sembling fakery about phoney bipartisanship, involving the same noxious mix of racism and fascism he’s represented all along. For the uninitiated, or the willful truth-compromisers, there were an abundance of salient examples, beginning with the very theme of “America First,” a carryover from the days of Trump’s parents, when a powerful movement by that very phrase in the 1930s touted the virtues of Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. For fascist “true believers” swelling their ranks across the U.S. now, “America First” is a key-andcode phrase that’s a shout out to them all. Trump declared, “In America we know that faith and family, not government and bureaucracy, are the center of American life. The motto is, ‘In God We Trust.’” This directly echoed the dominant Nazi theme of the 1930s, “Kinder, Kuche, Kirche” (translated, “children, kitchen and church”) that was a call to pacified domestication against the rising movements toward social equality in that era. “The woman’s place is in the kitchen” was the essence of its meaning, implying the dominion of male supremacy and all the ugliness that that represents. It was a cruel slap in the face to the “#MeToo” movement. The reference to faith, of course, and subsequent references to “religious freedom” were unmistakably explicit references to rolling back the legal, social and legislative gains of the lesbian, gay, transgender and related elements of the U.S. population under Trump’s affirmations of the right of persons to discriminate against such people in the name of “freedom of religion.” It was a slap in the face to the entire LGBT+ community. Trump referenced, “Why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the National Anthem.” This was a hardly-veiled slap in the face to the Black Lives Matter movement and to all who’ve recognized that kneeling for the national anthem at National Football League games, a symbolic gesture initiated by Colin Kaepernick. It was a denial of the time-worn sacred American tradition of recognizing that dissent is often patriotic. Trump issued a hardly-veiled slap in the face to America’s most disadvantaged by suggesting that receipt of social safety net programs be conditioned by “work.” Moving from idleness to “work” is also what was done in Nazi death camps, where “Work Will Make You Free” was cruelly preached to the victims of their genocide. Then there were Trump’s remarks on immigration. He had to condescend to overwhelming public support for DACA protections — for those brought to the U.S. illegally through no fault of their own. But he tied it to a deal on building his pet project, the wall on the U.S.Mexican border, thus holding all 1.8 million DACA people hostage to that totally ridiculous demand. While he cited the crimes of the MS-13 gangs who have engaged in criminal assaults and terrorized people, he made no mention whatsoever of domestic, white male instigated terrorism, including the taking of over 50 innocent lives in Las Vegas, the violence precipitated in Charlottesville, and so many other cases. Nor of climate. There was more, but thank God, the night didn’t end with Trump. A few moments later came U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III with a brilliant and impassioned Democratic rebuttal. To this, I tweeted, “Watch out GOP and your greed driven patrons! Here comes Joe Kennedy III and his generation, and Dreamers, and LGBTs, and the disenfranchised with them!” Amen to that.
Nicholas F. Benton
Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
The Fictitious State of Trump’s Union
The word that came to mind most often as I watched Donald Trump deliver his first State of the Union address was “pretend.” He pretends to be a statesman, and we’re supposed to pretend that hundreds of vulgar and recklessly divisive moments before this — thousands, if we’re adding tweets — don’t negate that claim. We’re supposed to pretend he gives a fig about decorum, though it disappears almost as soon as the teleprompter does. Above all, we’re supposed to pretend that what he says today has any bearing on what he’ll say tomorrow, when what he said yesterday contradicted it. Our president lives in a world of sand and wind and make-believe, where the merest gust can alter the shape of everything, and Tuesday night’s remarks — especially his appeal for “common ground,” his vision of “all of us together” as “one American family” — NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE should be seen in that shifting, swirling, fantastical context. To be fair, most State of the Union addresses are wishes. George W. Bush gave us gauzy spins on where he was going and where he had been. Barack Obama set markers (preschool and community college for all!) that he’d never reach. The State of the Union traffics in the sublime — and thus in the ridiculous. But Trump is a ridiculous breed apart, his moods more erratic, his poses more ephemeral, his pledges emptier. Last February, in a speech to a joint session of Congress, he used his opening minutes to exalt civil rights, decry anti-Semitism and proclaim that “we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all of its very ugly forms.” Later came the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and his insistence that there were “some very fine people” among the white nationalists and neo-Nazis there. Early this month he invited television cameras into the White House so we could behold his placid demeanor as Democrats made their pitch for Dreamers and he recommended a “bill of love.” Within 48 hours, he was ranting about “shithole countries” whose human effluvium befouls our shores. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the leader of his chamber’s Democratic minority, said that negotiating with Trump was like negotiating with Jell-O. Food-wise, he gave the president the benefit of the doubt. Trump is squishier, and far less innocuous. Negotiating with him must be like negotiating with sour cream. On Tuesday night, Trump dwelled boastfully
Frank Bruni
on certain economic indicators — unemployment figures, the stock market — to portray America as a newly industrious land, dizzy with sudden riches. But we Americans aren’t that dizzy: We still expect more from our country and president than a Dow above 25,000, and that’s why Trump’s approval rating is below 40 percent. He took starkly partisan positions on regulations, gun rights, foreign aid, “religious liberty” and more, then dared to pretend that he was extending an “open hand” to Democrats. He did this serenely, no trace of the volcanic temper his aides have come to fear. There were howlers aplenty in his address. “Americans love their country, and they deserve a government that shows them the same love and loyalty in return,” he said. How does minimizing Russian interference in the 2016 election — and thwarting the investigation into what happened — accomplish that? There were fictions galore. “For the last year,” he asserted, “we have sought to restore the bonds of trust between our citizens and their government.” No. He, his brood, Steven Mnuchin, Louise Linton and Tom Price (remember him?) swanned around on the government’s dime, their self-promotion and self-celebration extraordinary even by Washington’s standards. Trump on Tuesday night identified priorities: immigration reform, infrastructure. But we can’t trust his commitment to either, because he doesn’t know his own mind. Whether the issue is health care, tax cuts or his beloved border wall, he holds several different positions simultaneously or in rapid succession, saying one thing at a microphone only to tweet something else entirely. His aides occasionally try to sell this as a master deal-maker’s way of keeping everybody guessing, when it’s really an amateur policymaker’s way of revealing that he’s just bumbling around. The distance between Trump when he’s controlled and Trump when he’s unbound makes a speech like Tuesday night’s an especially hollow charade. And the orchestrated news in it can’t erase the messier developments beforehand, including the escalation of his assault on the FBI and reports of his lawyers’ panic about his offer to be interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller. Jonathan Swan wrote in Axios that one of Trump’s intimates “believes the president would be incapable of avoiding perjuring himself. ‘Trump doesn’t deal in reality,’ the source said. ‘He creates his own reality.’” His speech was such a creation, and to treat it any other way is to launder his entire political history and see a leader who has never been there. I’m not that good at pretend.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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B������� N��� � N���� Solano Spine Adds Cryotherapy Solano Spine & Sport Chiropractic has partnered with Alpha Cryotherapy to offer whole body cryotherapy to Falls Church on Feb. 3 and Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. – noon. Cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures to provide a variety of health benefits such as pain and inflammation reduction, muscle soreness relief, skin tightening, energy and metabolism increases, and calorie burning. Sessions will take place at Solano Spine & Sport Chiropractic located at 502 W. Broad Street, Unit 1B. For more information, visit solanospinesport@gmail.com.
Open House at Dominion Hospital Set for Feb. 7 Falls Church-based Dominion Hospital is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. for its new location, Choices Outpatient Services for adolescents in Chantilly. The Choices Outpatient Services by Dominion Hospital gives Northern Virginia families access to both partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient options for adolescent treatment. The flexibility of two different outpatient programs allows patients to enter either program directly, or to step down from an inpatient admission while enjoying the flexibility of treatment during the day and being home in the evenings, or treatment in the evening while attending school each day. The new program will operate at 14501 George Carter Way in the Long and Foster building. Part of HCA Virginia Health System, Dominion Hospital is the only freestanding mental health care facility in Northern Virginia and leads the region in short-term mental health services for children age 5-12, adolescents age 13-17 and adults age 18 and older. For more information, visit www.dominionhospital.com.
F.C.’s Baldino Elected NoVa Park Authority Board Treasurer Falls Church City resident Paul Baldino was elected treasurer of the Northern Virginia Park Authority Board. Baldino has been on the board for two years and has served in a number of senior government and nonprofit positions including Executive Director of the Fairfax County Park Foundation and Director of the Fairfax County Park Authority. Additional officers elected to the board are Arlington resident Michael Nardolilli as chairman, Loudon County resident Cate Magennis Wyatt as vice chairman and City of Fairfax resident Brian Knapp as the at-large seat of the executive committee. For more information, visit www.novaparks.com.
Judges Sought for Career Development Conference Business leaders are being sought to volunteer as judges for the Collegiate DECA’s International Career Development Conference on April 13 and 14 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington. More than 2,500 college and university students will participate in this event during which Collegiate DECA members will present business and marketing projects they have been working on during the school year. DECA is an international student organization serving more than 225,000 high school and college students through 3,500 chapters in all 50 United States, Canada, China, Germany, and several U.S. territories. For more information, visit www.deca.org. 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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FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018 | PAGE 15
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BOTH THE George Mason High School boys and girls swim teams competed well on Saturday in the Bull Run District Meet, taking home the winning trophies. Strong individual performances from junior boy swimmers TJ Roche and Adam Janicki tied for highest points scored by a boy swimmer, and the two wound up sharing All-District honors by the end of the night. Roche secured �irst place wins in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle, and Janicki placed �irst in the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard breaststroke. (P����: A�� A����)
SPO RTS
Mason Girls Suffer 1st Loss in a Month BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
In its final game of the month George Mason High School’s girls basketball team finally cooled off with a narrow, 45-43, loss to Central High School. Before the defeat, Mason earned two wins over Madison County High School, 40-18, and Strasburg High School, 50-29, during last week’s three-game road trip. The first loss of 2018 leaves Mason (14-5) with the smallest of blemishes to end January, but otherwise rounds out an amazing month for the team where they went 8-1. A rough travel schedule this past week wasn’t ideal, though it also showed that Mason can remain competitive even with consecutive road trips. “I think the third, four-hour road trip in [a week] finally caught up to us,” Mason head coach Michael Gilroy said. “We came out flat and had to spend a lot of energy trying to claw back, which we did. We were one play away of taking command of that game for so many different possessions, but couldn’t ever seem to string two good plays in a row.”
An off night for Mason on Tuesday gave a Central team that they beat by four at home earlier in the month too much leeway. In the first matchup between these teams on Jan. 12, the Mustangs used a strong first half to withstand the Falcons second half surge where they outscored Mason, 20-13. The shoe was on the other foot this week, with Central building up an early cushion and staving off the Mustangs’ comeback to end the game. Gilroy credits the Falcons’ 3-2 zone that took the team out of sync and had them playing catch-up all game. Things fared much better against Madison County on Jan. 27, at least in the first quarter. The Mustangs put the clamps on the Mountaineers and held them to a single point while accumulating 11. However, in the second quarter Mason kept forcing three-pointers to no avail and only added four points to Madison County’s eight, leaving the Mustangs just ahead at 15-9 at halftime. A switch to the full court press in the second half made all the difference for Mason. The Mountaineers managed just nine second-half points as they were
harassed by the Mustangs’ pressure and coughed up multiple turnovers that led to easy Mason buckets. Junior guard Maddie Lacroix finished the game with nine steals en route to a 25-point half for the Mustangs. The win over Strasburg on Jan. 25 was mainly a product of a strong start. Mason held an opponent scoreless for an entire quarter for the second time in two games by getting a 12-0 lead over the Rams by the end of the first quarter. From there, the Mustangs kept their offense grooving and steadily lengthened their advantage. They went into halftime up 22-10 and after a dominant third quarter where they outscored Strasburg 15-5, Mason let up in the fourth with a 37-15 advantage. “Not to make excuses, since every team has to deal with absences and sickness, but we haven’t had our full team at practice since before [winter] break,” Gilroy added. “Building continuity and set rotations for games is a must come playoff time, and that time is right around the corner.” Mason enters the final week of the regular season when they host Madison County tonight.
Mustangs Continue Winning Streak with 6 Straight BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
ROCHE AND JANICKI’S PERFORMANCES contributed to Mason’s final score of 169 points over 114 for second place Clarke County High School and 67 for Madison County High School in third. Strong performances on the Girls team had them finish first with 148, to Clarke County’s 139 and Central High School’s 69. This Saturday the Mason swim teams will compete in the Region 2B Championships at Wakefield High School. It’s an ideal chance for Mason to build on the swimming legacy the school is well-known for. In past seasons plenty of Mustangs have won individual state titles for various events. (P����: A�� A����)
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Heating up at just the right time, the George Mason High School’s boys basketball team easily downed Rappahannock County High School twice in the past week with an unsettling 54-33 win over Strasburg High School sandwiched in between. Now on a six-game win streak, Mason (12-7) is looking like it’s stabilized the previous up-anddown season at the high point. The offense, spearheaded by juniors Hollman Smith and Max Ashton, is settling into a comfortable groove while the defense is learning that diligence and communication breeds opportunity for steals, run outs, easy buckets and, best of all, wins. The mid-January turnaround is what makes the Mustangs’ game against top-seeded Central High School last night all the more interesting. “We control our own destiny moving forward, if we win these last three games we are district champs, giving us the 1-seed and home court through the district tournament,” Mason head coach Chris Capannola said. “Pretty much all you can ask for as a
player – it’s up to us.” Against Strasburg on Jan. 27, Mason nearly bungled their chance to earn the Bull Run District’s top-seed. In the first quarter the Mustangs were down 9-0 early and only managed put up a putrid four points by the quarter’s end to the Rams’ 14. A cloud still hung over Mason’s head in the second quarter as they trailed 25-16 with roughly a minute remaining. That was until Smith hustled his way to three more buckets for the Mustangs and cut Strasburg’s lead to three at 25-22 entering halftime. Smith’s heroics to end the half was the spark Mason needed to start the third quarter. The Mustangs went on to outscore the Rams 32-8 to end the game, with 14 and 18 points in the third and fourth quarter, respectively, compared to Strasburg’s five and then three points. Smith led all scorers with 21 points and led the team in rebounds by bringing down seven in the absence of starting forward senior Thomas Creed. Ashton was close behind with 17 points of his own with two three-pointers. Against Rappahannock County, both on Jan. 24 on the road and at home this Monday,
Mason was consistently dominant. In each game the Mustangs flexed their muscles in the first half and wound up making the possibility of a loss improbable by the half. On the road last week, Mason jumped out to a 20-7 lead after the first quarter and added 28 more points to their advantage in the second to enter halftime up 48-11. At home on Monday, a similar scene played out when the Mustangs put up 33 points in the first quarter to the Panthers’ two. They followed that up in the second quarter with 22 more points to take a 55-16 lead into the break. With reserves playing out the second half in both games, Mason was able to secure wins of 82-35 on the road and 75-27 at home. It all leads up to the showdown with Central last night, though results of the game weren’t available by press time. But Mason will have two more games to round out the year on a high note. That starts with a road game against Madison County High School on Friday followed by a home game against Clarke County High School next Wednesday, Feb. 7.
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FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018 | PAGE 17
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Our law firm is accepting claims nationwide for an Invokana® Injury Lawsuit. Invokana®, a SGLT2 inhibitor, is prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes. LAST WEEK at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (MEHMS), the 27 entries for this year’s science fair were judged by nine community volunteers. The top-scoring projects will be invited to represent MEHMS at the Regional Science Fair being held Mar. 3 & 4 at Wakefield High School. During this year’s STEAM Night at Henderson, all the projects will be on display including ones on ball inflation and temperature relative to Deflategate, comparisons of hearing and seeing, the strength of rising agents for baking and more. (Photo: FCCPS Photo/Marybeth Connelly)
Fa l l s C h u r c h
School News & Notes F.C. Schools Taking Applications for Preschool Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is now accepting interest applications for tuition placements at Jessie Thackrey Preschool for the 2018-2019 school year. Tuition for new students in the program will be $7,140. There is a sliding scale for residents who meet the income requirements. Completion of the form found in FCCPS’ Jan. 30 “Morning Announcements” newsletter will secure a space in the lottery selection. Interest applications will be accepted through Wednesday, Feb. 28, and a lottery selection will take place on Mar. 6. A parent information session will be offered at Jessie Thackrey on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
Mason’s Scholastic Bowl Team Finishes 2nd in Region George Mason High School’s Scholastic Bowl team hosted the Region Tourney Friday. Questions were answered and computations were figured for hours in the round robin style tournament. Mason faced Luray first for a very close 195-190 win. Next was Clarke and the Mustangs prevailed 220180. In Mason’s third match of the day, they took on Robert E. Lee High School from Staunton and fell 135-210. Congratulations
to the Mason Scholastic Bowl team for earning the runner-up trophy in Region 2B. Under new rules this year, only the top team advances to States. Falls Church City Public Schools extends a special congratulations to Cooper McGuire, Adam Hinden and Liam Fribley for earning second team All-Region, as well as all the team members for their great season. Huge thanks to the members of the Fairfax Bar and several parents who volunteered as readers, judges, timekeepers and scorers.
Jump Rope for Heart at TJ Seeking Volunteers The annual Jump Rope for Heart event at Thomas Jefferson Elementary (601 S. Oak St., Falls Church) has begun with assemblies for all students and general education about the importance of exercise, drinking water, minimizing salt intake and more. Parent help is needed to run the stations. To volunteer, follow the link in the Falls Church City Public Schools’ Jan. 29 “Morning Announcements” newsletter.
Seventh Grader Takes 1st at Grace Christian’s Geo Bee Mia Butler, a 7th-grade student at Grace Christian Academy, won the school competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan.
25 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The school Bee, at which students answered questions on geography, was the first round in the 30th annual National Geographic Bee, a geography competition designed to inspire and reward students’ curiosity about the world.
Kendell Peterson Earns Spot on School’s Dean’s List Presbyterian College in South Carolina is proud to recognize Kendell Donte Peterson, a senior biology major from Falls Church, for making the Dean’s List during the Fall 2017 semester. The Dean’s List is composed of students who have earned between a 3.3 and a 3.9 grade point average.
Final Notice for Parents to Purchase Yearbook Ads There is just one week left to create an ad to recognize your senior graduating from George Mason High School. The popular section of the yearbook reflects upon your child’s accomplishments and expresses your congratulations during this exciting time in their life. This is the last extension of the deadline. Please take advantage of this opportunity and Mason tradition. Go to the jostens.com to create and order your ad.
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FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Teen Volunteer Orientation. Necessary orientation for new volunteers interested in earning service hours at the library this winter for either class curriculums or club-mandated hours requirements. For teens in grades 7-12, registration and volunteer application required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 6 – 6:30 p.m. 703-2485034. Thursday Evening Book Discussion Group. The Thursday Evening Book Discussion Group meets on the first Thursday evening of each month in the library’s conference room. Tonight’s book is When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro. 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.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Farmers Market. The award-winning market returns to the City Hall parking lot, filled with fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, chocolates, gifts, music and so much more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – noon.
Preschool Storytime. Stories and fun for ages 0-5. Drop-in. All storytimes are immediately followed by playtime with the Early Literacy Center toys. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 10:30 – 11 a.m. 703-2485034.
The Great Zucchini at the Library. The library presents the magic comedy of the Great Zucchini. The Great Zucchini has been working in the Washington, D.C. area for over 20 years and regularly performs for 500 groups annually with his hands-on, interactive magic show coupled with his gentle nature, wacky facial expressions and surprise appearneces from Ruffles the Rabbit that enable kids to participate and laugh. Most suitable for kids in preschool and kindergarten, or ages 2-6. No registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 11 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034.
Playtime with the Early Literacy Center. Explore educational and manipulative items (aka toys) to teach early literacy through play. Ages birth to 5 years. No registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 703248-5034.
Northern Virginia Bird Club Walk. Interested attendees can join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for one or all of these informal walks through Long Branch and Glencarlyn Parks in search of resident and migratory birds. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. No registration is required. Long Branch Naturte Center (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 8:30 – 11 a.m. 703-228-6535.
ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group (for adults) learning English as their second language. Meets every Monday at regularly scheduled time. No registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8 p.m. 703-248-5034.
Social Security: Your Questions Answered. Learn social security claiming strategies and ask questions in general about how social security affects your finances. Free program lead by Albert Wu, a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Registration required. To reserve a spot, stop by the library’s Reference Desk or call the library directly. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8 p.m. 703-248-5035.
THEATER&ARTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 “Guilt.” The powerful story of a philandering priest named Grandier (1590-1634). The nuns in his convent fall in love with him—and the church believes that he has cast a spell on them. So Grandier is unmercifully burned at the stake. This riveting play traces the accusers’ remorse and denial over burning an innocent man. “Guilt” is a bold metaphor for the culture of lies, clash of religions, and rejection of human rights in modern times. Atlas Performing Arts Center – The Lang Theatre (1333 H St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $25. 8 p.m. scenetheatre.org.
THURSDAY, SATURDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY23 “A Queens Girl in Africa.” The New York Times showed Caleen Sinnette Jennings’ breakout play “Queens Girl in the World” plenty of love when it debuted in 2015. Now, the playwright’s back on the theatrical scene with its sequel, “Queens Girl in Africa.” With local Helen Hayes Award-winning actress Erika Rose in the starring role, the play picks back up with
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Jacqueline Marie Butler as she and her family sail to Nigeria following the assassination of her father’s close friend, Malcolm X. Mosaic Theater Company brings the world premiere of this touching coming-of-age story. Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. NE, Washington, D.C.) $25. 8 p.m. mosaictheater.org.
“The Way of the World.” Mae is a sweet-natured woman with just a little baggage — a $600 million inheritance. When her womanizing boyfriend Henry dallies with her protective aunt, the world seems too much for her. Both women become the object of ridicule and scandal — but Henry has a plan to win the heiress back. In the lush and opulent land inhabited by the Hamptons’ one percent, where money and status determine everything, can love conquer all? Freely adapted by Theresa Rebeck (co-creator of the hit TV show “Smash” and Broadway’s “Seminar and Mauritius”) from William Congreve’s classic comedy of manners, “The Way of the World” is a sparklingly witty physical comedy illuminating the foibles of the upper class. Folger Theatre (201 East Capitol St. SE Washington, DC). $55. 8 p.m. folger.edu.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 ”4,380 Days.” For the last 12 years, or 4,380 days, Malik Djamal Ahmad Essaid has been held without charge by the U.S. government at Guantanamo Bay. As he languishes in his cell, his interactions with those on the outside are juxtaposed with historical events in a riveting exposé into the most dangerous prison of all—fear. With a graceful poetry and a fluidity that spans time and place, DC playwright Annalisa Dias delivers a searing and timely critique of power, humanity and what it means to be American. Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). $65. 7 p.m. sigtheatre.org.
FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2018 | PAGE 19
$25. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. International Guitar Night with Lulo Reinhardt, Calum Graham, Marek Pasieczny and Michael Chapdelaine. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $27 – $30. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900. Thrillbilly’s. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:45 p.m. 703-241-9504. Britton James. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Jess & Steve Duo. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-241-9504. Corey Smith with George Shingleton. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $20. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. New York Festival of Song Bernstein at 100. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $40. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1900. Dave Kline Band. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. $22 – $110. 703-436-9948. Bob Marley’s 73rd Birthday Tribute Event feat. Adwela & The Uprising + Space Koi + Marc Allred. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12 – $22. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. Shartel and Hume. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9:15 p.m. 703-241-9504. Detached Retina. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 The Snake Farmers. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Hayley Fahey. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283.
Todd Snider (Solo) with Allen Thompson. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria).
Charlie Hunter. Union Stage (740 Water St. SW, Washington, D.C.). $22. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.
LIVEMUSIC
CA L E NDA R
LINWOOD TAYLOR BAND will be at JV’s Restaurant on Sunday. (Photo: LancasterRootsandBlues.com)
Lera Lynn Trio + Jarrod Dickenson. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 8 p.m. 703-2551566. The Stranger – A Tribute to Billy Joel. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $17 – $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300. All Jammed Up. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504.
LII. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 5:30 p.m. 703-237-0300. Linwood Taylor Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9:15 p.m. 703-2419504. Karaoke. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Kara and Matty D. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.
The Bachelor Boys. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna).. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Rock-a-sonics. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (encore performance the following night at the same time). Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $40 – $42. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.
Cathy B and the Broadcasters. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
Wolf Blues Jam Weekly Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.
The Big Game – Super Bowl
Tony Risotto. Galaxy Hut (2711
Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Crazy After Midnight. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-2419504. Tommy Emmanuel CGP with special guest Rodney Crowell (encore performance the following night at the same time). The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $59.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Nathan Angelo + Sam Burchfield + Chris Ayer. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12 – $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Open Mic NIght with Vernon Santmyer Live and In Concert. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Arlington) 8 p.m. 703-5228340.
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 20 | FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2018
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Public Notice PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on February 15, 2018 at 7:30 PM in the George Mason High School Library, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043, for election of officers and to consider other administrative items including 2018 Rules of Procedures. Information on the above applications is available for review at: Zoning Office 300 Park Avenue, Suite 300W 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) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Volunteers who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office (703248-5014, 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.
A public hearing regarding the topic referenced below is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard.
Architectural Advisory Board (alternate) Board of Building Code and Fire Prevention Code Appeals Environmental Sustainability Council Historical Commission Housing Commission Human Services Advisory Board Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Retirement Board Tree Commission
All public hearings will be held in the Falls Church Community Center, Senior Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, Virginia. 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).
Regional Boards/Commissions: Fairfax Area Disability Services Board
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ABC LICENSE TARGET STORES, INC, trading as Target Store T3295, 500 S Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Janine Brown-Wiese, VP. 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 two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
SILVER DINER DEVELOPMENT, LLC trading as Silver Diner, 8150 Porter Rd. Falls Church, VA, 22042. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Mixed Beverage on Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Robert Giaimo, Manager & Vpe Von Hengst, Manager. 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.
MAKE YOUR PET A STAR! Snap a pic of your critter and email it to:
CRITTERCORNER@FCNP.COM or mail it to Critter Corner c/o Falls Church News-Press 200 Little Falls St. #508 Falls Church, Va 22046
Critter
Corner
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ices
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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) 3678530. Toll free call (888) 5513247. 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
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
15
14 17
21
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29
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27
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33 35
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© 2017 David Levinson Wilk
Across
1. "Like I'm supposed to believe THAT!" 4. Staple of a vegan diet 8. Burning the midnight oil 14. It ends in diciembre 15. Kimono securers 16. ____ d' 17. "I spy with my little eye ... a latenight TV host!" 19. "My, my!" 20. Author Janowitz 21. He passed Lou in 2009 to become the Yankees' all-time hit leader 23. "How cute!" cries 24. Take ____ (chance it) 26. Bogart's "The Big Sleep" costar 29. "I spy with my little eye ... a state capital home to an annual event called Frontier Days!" 34. Dirty 35. Not stick to one's guns 36. URL starter 40. Figure in the high 60s 43. Rose once seen on many fields 44. Clued in 46. "No need to wake me" 48. "I spy with my little eye ... a character who debuted in a 1929 comic strip!" 53. Pendergrass and Roosevelt 54. Busybody 57. PBS' "____ the Science Kid" 58. "Slow and steady wins the race" source 62. Bibliophile's suffix 63. "Western" or "Spanish" dish 66. "I spy with my little eye ... a
STRANGE BREW
1. "Like I'm supposed to believe THAT!"
FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2018 | PAGE 21 38. Cassette player 39. Victimized, with "upon" 41. Actress Thurman 42. Fashion designer Anna 45. What boarding precedes, for short 47. Brief memo nicety 49. Alternatives to Hiltons 50. Suffix with legal 51. Getting the job done 52. Mr. ____, Tattoo's employer on "Fantasy Island" 55. Lease period, often 56. Tagliatelle, e.g. 57. Coke or Pepsi 59. Email best not replied to 60. Seep 61. Papal name chosen 12 times 64. Niihau neckwear 65. "Ich bin ____ Berliner" 67. Grp. sponsoring the Muzzle Loading Championship
national seashore park north of San Francisco!" 68. Lies 69. Shade of bleu 70. Kit ____ bar 71. Country singer Trace 72. Grand Canyon sight 73. The Depression or the Cold War
DOWN
1. "____ mañana" 2. Something lent or bent 3. Capturer of some embarrassing gaffes 4. Friend of Huck 5. Followed instructions 6. Order after "Ready ... aim ..." 7. Apt anagram of "Russ." 8. "So I guess that's a thing now" 9. Part of a tuba's sound 10. Jar top 11. More than gnawed at 12. Shrimp catcher 13. Suffixes with mountain and auction 18. ____ browns (breakfast order) 22. "Charlotte's Web" author's monogram 25. Daniel who wrote "Flowers for Algernon" 27. Dairy animal 28. "Do I need to draw you ____?" 30. Nonverbal "yes" 31. Puppy's bite 32. Fashion designer Perry 33. Princeton Review subj. 36. Chance, poetically 37. Cheated on
JOHN DEERING
4. Staple of a vegan diet
S I D E
1
2
3
I D A H O
L O O T
I F N E K E
Sudoku Level:
8. Burning the midnight oil
Last Thursday’s Solution D I S C S
M C N A B B
S A D R
U R A L
E A A R A T E U M N T Y T U B R N E E A B A Y
M D L I E T S T E A R I B O U G E A D B E O N O
H A S B R O
G L O R I F Y
T O R O
B E G C U W A N A S T H E V E R I S L
S T E E W N G U R N L A E R T M A I M E
G R E S
B O Y A L E Y E S A D H D
L E S T
A N N O
E M A I L S
T I L D E
A N E A R
By The Mepham Group 4
14. It ends in diciembre 15. Kimono securers 16. ____ d' 17. "I spy with my little eye ... a late-night TV host!" 19. "My, my!" 20. Author Janowitz 21. He passed Lou in 2009 to become the Yankees' all-time hit leader
1
23. "How cute!" cries 24. Take ____ (chance it) 26. Bogart's "The Big Sleep" costar
LOOSE PARTS
DAVE BLAZEK
29. "I spy with my little eye ... a state capital home to an annual event called Frontier Days!" 34. Dirty
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
NICK KNACK
1
© 2018 N.F. Benton
2/4/18
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 www.sudoku.org.uk.
© 2018 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
LO CA L
PAGE 22 | FEBRUARY 1 – 7, 2018
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Critter Corner
BACK IN THE DAY
dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . pas
20 s Yearo Ag
is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . p a s is the Now for all time cows good me to to coaid of the their.
20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press
Falls Church News-Press Vol. VII, No. 48 •February 12, 1998
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
Falls Church News-Press Vol. XVII, No. 49 • February 6, 2008
10 Year s Ago
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the the ir pas ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
City Hall Reeling from Resignation of Chief Finance Officer Scott
Suspect Arrested in F.C. Fits Description in Area Assaults
The News-Press has learned that “philosophical differences” with City Manager Hector Rivera over the handling of city staff led to a decision made by Chief Financial Officer Doug Scott to resign last Saturday, Scott is scheduled to leave his post next Friday, Feb. 20, ending 30 years of service to the Falls Church City Schools and municipal government. Scott, himself, declined to comment on his reasons for leaving, except to confirm his resignation with the News-Press.
Late last night the News-Press was contacted by Falls Church City Hall with the report of an arrest made by Falls Church Police on HIllwood Avenue that could be linked to at least 11 other assaults on women in the Northern Virginia region since last August, including one on Lee Highway Tuesday reported elsewhere in this edition. At about 7:25 p.m., a man under surveillance by Fairfax Police assaulted a lone woman on Hillwood Avenue.
Sen. Kaine Visits F.C.’s Eden Center Continued from Page 1
the Democratic Party rebuttal to Trump following his address Tuesday night. Kaine said he hadn’t had a chance to watch the Democratic reply by U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III because, being a fluent speaker of Spanish, he was focused on what Guzman had to say. “When I was governor of Virginia, I remember working with her, an articulate Peruvian single mom, against a lot of discriminatory stuff coming out of Prince William County at that time. I am so proud that she was chosen for Tuesday’s rebuttal speech even as a first-term elected official,” Kaine said. She’d rousted out an entrenched Republican to get herself elected. If there was anything about Trump’s speech that upset him, it had to do with immigration,
he told the News-Press at Eden Center. “I was really disappointed that he added another terrible obstacle to reaching a bipartisan way forward on an immigration policy,” he said. It was Trump’s insistence that families would have to be broken up to permit some Dreamers to stay. “Now family integration is his target. He wants to allow some immigration at the expense of families,” Kaine noted. “He wants to do violence to family unification.” He added that Trump was wrong to characterize Dreamers (children of illegal immigrants who’ve been allowed to stay in the U.S. as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program) as illegals, because under DACA they have legal protection. The speech, Kaine said, was consistent with Trump’s efforts to divide the American people.
He said he’s working with 25 other U.S. Senators to craft permanent protections for Dreamers and other immigration issues. Kaine also took questions from a reporter for the Asian-American cable channel, SBTN-TV. He said that Tran’s election in November, one of 19 new Democrats to get elected to the Virginia legislature, “has created great hope.” Northern Virginia is key, because it is one of only nine areas in the U.S. that has a large enough Vietnamese-American population to justify the mandated printing of ballots in Vietnamese. “That’s why it’s important that you put up candidates at every level,” he emphasized. Kaine is involved in his own re-election campaign for the U.S. Senate this year, which will gear up when the GOP figures out who, among about four potential candidates, it decides to endorse in the spring to run against him.
LOOKING EVER so pleased to be on camera is Frenchy Harrod of the Harrod family. The 8-year-old pup is exhausted after a couple years full of attention as the French Bulldog experienced a spike in popularity in the millennium’s second decade. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
KNOW FOR SURE
IF YOUR CHILD IS IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT.
#DadJokesRule fatherhood.gov
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018 | PAGE 23
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PAGE 24 | FEBRUARY 1 - 7, 2018
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
For Sale
Under Contract
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Lovely renovated 2 BD/1.5 BA townhouse in the heart of the City. Come and experience urban living in the wonderful Winter Hill community. Offered at $380,000
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