Falls Church News-Press 2-13-2020

February 13 — 19, 2020

Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee

Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. XXIX No. 52

Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads

Real Estate Assessments Make Biggest Jump in 5 Years 3.89% Boost Will Be Folded Into F.C.’s New Annual Budget

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The City of Falls Church released its overview of real estate assessments as of Jan. 1, 2020 Tuesday, and for the 10th straight year, the overall value is well above three percent, this time at a solid 3.89 percent, the biggest jump in five years.

According to the City in a press release issued Tuesday, the total taxable assessed value for all properties in the city, as of Jan. 1, 2020, is $4,450,079,500 ($4.45 billion), a 3.89 percent increase from Jan. 1, 2019. New construction (valued at $47.6 million) accounts for 28.57 percent of the increase in assessed value in the City, and market

appreciation accounts for the remainder.

City Manager Wyatt Shields, in comments to the News-Press yesterday, said, “For the 10th straight year, rising assessments here have enjoyed new construction as a significant component, the result of both business and homeowners investing in the City.”

The jump of 3.89 percent was significantly above the 3.35 percent jump of a year ago as the entire region has enjoyed the socalled Amazon Effect based on the anticipation of a major second campus location for Amazon in south Arlington.

Released last month, Arlington County’s overall real estate assessment growth has been 4.6 percent, and the City of Alexandria’s, announced earlier this week, is at 4.25 percent.

Fairfax County, which grew in

real estate assessed values by 2.36 percent a year ago, has not yet released its data for 2020 assessments.

In the case of Falls Church, the consistent interest in the City as a destination for major large-scale mixed use projects has been a huge factor in its revenue growth, leading to a cumulative growth in assessed values of over 20 percent since 2015.

Continued on Page 5

Mary Riley Styles Library’s Big Makeover Set to Begin

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

In front of a standing-roomonly audience Monday night, by a 5-2 vote, the Falls Church City Council gave its final approval to a $11 million expansion and renovation of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library. The vote culminated a more than three-year delay since City voters approved a bond referendum for the project by a 2-to-1 margin in 2016.

City Council chambers were packed with library supporters and they were not disappointed with the final vote.

In the only change from the preliminary OK given two weeks ago, Councilman Dan Sze put his support behind the project, turn-

ing a 4-3 vote into 5-2. In the end, only the two youngest members of the Council and professed frequent library users with their school-aged children, Letty Hardi and Ross Litkenhous, stood by their “no” votes on grounds of wider fiscal issues.

Now, the library will be open just through this coming weekend before closing down for a twoyear renovation effort.

Within three weeks, a temporary home for the library will be opening the first week of March at the temporary classroom trailers at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. According to Lionel Millard, the City’s project manager for the effort, library staff had

Continued on Page 4

A CAPACITY HOUSE at the Falls Church City Council chambers were there mostly as a show of support for a final vote to move ahead with the renovation and expansion of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Monday night. (Photo: News-Press)

Inside This Week Suspect Arrested in 2019 Fatal Hit-&-Run on Rt. 50

House Fire on S. Oak St. Sends 1 to Hospital

William Monroe Edges Mustangs, 53-52

See News Briefs, page 9

See News Briefs, page 9

See Sports, page 16

A 30-year-old Fredericksburg man has been arrested and charged with felony hit-andrun in connection with a crash that killed a 93-year-old Falls Church man on Arlington Blvd. in 2019, Fairfax County Police reported this week.

An intense one-alarm house fire on S. Oak St. in the City of Falls Church just before noon on Monday sent one person to the hospital and caused an estimated $150,000 in significant damage to nearly half the home.

Down one with seven seconds left, the George Mason High School Mustangs couldn’t get a shot off at the end of the game, losing, 53-52, to William Monroe last Friday.

Index

Editorial........................................................ 6 Letters.......................................................... 6 News & Notes.....................................10–11 Comment........................................7,12–13 Business News..........................................15 Sports........................................................16 Calendar.............................................18–19 Classified Ads............................................20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword..................21 Crime Report.............................................22 Critter Corner.............................................22

PAGE 2 | FEBRUARY 13 - 19, 2020

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Legal Notice

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER E, FOR RECOVERY OF COSTS INCURRED TO COMPLY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS CASE NO. PUR-2020-00003 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for revision of a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

•Dominion requests approval of a total revenue requirement of approximately $88,060,000 for its 2020 Rider E. According to Dominion, this amount would decrease the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by at least $0.26.

•A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hear the case on June 16, 2020.

•Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

On January 8, 2020, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 e of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) a petition (“Petition”) for an annual update of its rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for the recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations. Rider E was previously approved for the recovery of costs related to certain environmental projects at the Company’s Chesterfield, Mt. Storm, and Clover Power Stations. The Company also seeks approval under Code § 56-585.1 A 5 e to recover its actual and projected costs of three additional projects at the Company’s Chesterfield and Bremo Power Stations (collectively, “New Environmental Projects”). Pursuant to Code § 56-585.1 A 7, the Commission is required to issue its final order on the Petition within eight months of the filing date.

The New Environmental Projects at the Chesterfield Power Station include: (i) closure of the Lower Ash Pond and (ii) closure of the Upper Ash Pond. The total estimated costs for the closure work for the Lower and Upper Ash Ponds is $103.8 million. At the Bremo Power Station, the New Environmental Projects include construction of the Bremo East Pond (Outfall 008), at a total estimated cost of $1.5 million. According to the Company, the New Environmental Projects are required to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) “Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System; Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Final Rule” (“CCR Rule”). The Company states that to comply with the CCR Rule, it is required to close or retrofit certain coal ash ponds and certain water treatment basins and flue gas desulfurization sludge ponds that contain coal ash at its coal-fired power stations. In addition, the Company asserts that compliance with the EPA’s Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines is also a driver of certain of the New Environmental Projects.

The Company seeks recovery of three general categories of costs related to the New Environmental Projects: (i) actual costs associated with closure of existing assets (such as a coal ash pond) at the Power Stations; (ii) actual and projected costs associated with newly constructed assets necessary to allow the Power Stations to continue to operate in compliance with environmental laws and regulations; and (iii) actual and projected costs associated with asset retirement obligations for the newly constructed assets.

In this proceeding, Dominion asks the Commission to approve Rider E for the rate year beginning November 1, 2020, and ending October 31, 2021 (“2020 Rate Year”). The Company states that the three components of the revenue requirement are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor, the Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”) Cost Recovery Factor, and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company requests a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $87,802,000, an AFUDC Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $258,000, and an Actual Cost True Up Factor revenue requirement of $0. Thus, the Company proposes a total revenue requirement of $88,060,000 for service rendered during the 2020 Rate Year. The Company indicates that included in this revenue requirement is the amortization over the 2020 Rate Year of certain deferred costs (including financing costs) incurred prior to the beginning of the 2020 Rate Year.

For purposes of calculating the revenue requirement in this case, Dominion states that it utilized a rate of return on common equity of 9.2%, which was approved by the Commission in its Final Order in Case No. PUR-2019-00050.

The Company states that retail choice customers taking service from a competitive service provider are currently exempt from paying Rider E. As previously directed by the Commission, the Company states it is providing alternative schedules calculated where retail choice customers are not exempt from paying Rider E. According to the Company, the inclusion of retail choice customers would raise the Rider E revenue requirement to $88,107,000.

Dominion proposes that Rider E be effective for usage on and after November 1, 2020. If the proposed Rider E for the 2020 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its proposed Rider E on November 1, 2020, would decrease the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.27 if retail choice customers are not exempt from paying Rider E, and would decrease the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.26 if retail choice customers are exempt from paying Rider E. Interested persons are encouraged to review the Petition and supporting documents for the details of these and other proposals.

TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents.

The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on June 16, 2020, at 10 a.m., in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive testimony from members of the public and evidence related to the Petition from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness at this hearing should appear fifteen (15) minutes prior to the starting time of the hearing and contact the Commission’s Bailiff.

The public version of the Company’s Petition, as well as the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, are available for public inspection during regular business hours at each of the Company’s business offices in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Copies also may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, David J. DePippo, Esquire, Dominion Energy Services, Inc., 120 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. If acceptable to the requesting party, the Company may provide the documents by electronic means.

Copies of the public version of the Petition and other documents filed in this case also are available for interested persons to review in the Commission’s Document Control Center located on the first floor of the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

On or before June 9, 2020, any interested person wishing to comment on the Company’s Petition shall file written comments on the Petition with Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. Any interested person desiring to file comments electronically may do so on or before June 9, 2020, by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. Compact discs or any other form of electronic storage medium may not be filed with the comments. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2020-00003.

On or before March 24, 2020, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of the notice of participation shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address above. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company at the address set forth above. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by Rule 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2020-00003.

On or before May 5, 2020, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, and serve on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of such testimony and exhibits shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address above. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR 2020-00003.

All documents filed with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.

The Commission’s Rules of Practice may be viewed at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. A printed copy of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and an official copy of the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding may be obtained from the Clerk of the Commission at the address above.

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PAGE 4 | FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. Council Gives Final OK to Library Renovation, 5-2

Continued from Page 1

already begun boxing up books that will now be transported to the new temporary digs.

While the current library location will close as of this Monday, Feb. 17, the building construction will not begin for a few more weeks while the contractor that agreed to a “guaranteed maximum price” with the City earlier this month works out terms with its subcontractors so the work can begin by mid-March at the latest.

The deal with the construction firm of Centennial for $7,866,308 was also OK’d by the Council late Monday night by the same 5-2 vote.

The key vote was to dedicate $2.3 million of the surplus the City found itself with this winter to add to the $8.7 million that voters OK’d in the 2016 referendum to pay for everything associated with the project, including the relocation during construction.

It is expected, according to Millard, that come the early summer of 2022 the project will be completed and the site reopened to

the public, expanded, ADA compliant, more spacious and aesthetically impressive.

A lengthy queue of library supporters came before the Council to voice their support for the project, with no one taking the side of further delay.

The speakers built on the 36 public comments that came to the Council in writing, and a strong statement of support published as a guest commentary in last week’s News-Press from veteran library board member Chester W. DeLong, in his mid-90s still active along with his wife, former fourterm mayor of Falls Church Carol DeLong. DeLong was vigilant, along with other board members, in seeing the process through before and since the passage in 2016 by a 2-to-1 vote of a public bond referendum supporting the project.

“Let’s have no more ‘delay, linger and wait,’” DeLong wrote.

Library Board vice chair Jeff Peterson, past president of the Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) spoke in favor of the project, as did 45-year City resident Michael

Volpe and Mollie Novotny. “The project is not extravagant and won’t get cheaper,” she argued.

Former City Vice Mayor and now president of the venerable civic betterment organization, the Citizens for a Better City (CBC), Hal Lipmann presented the Council with the CBC executive board’s unanimous vote on Feb. 6 of support for the expansion.

Since the building’s original construction in 1957 and expansions in 1968 and 1992, it has deteriorated markedly, he said, now “badly in need of repairs and/or upgrades to bathrooms, the heating and cooling systems and the elevator.”

It cannot handle the continued population growth in the City, having already outgrown the existing 27,000 registered borrowers, expected to surpass 35,000 in the immediate period ahead.

The project will make the library ADA compliant, “an important consideration given the existing possibility of regulatory enforcement action against the library for ADA non-compliance.”

The lopsided 66 percent sup-

port for the project in the 2016 referendum suggests the public would also support a follow-on referendum if another $2.3 million were added to the original cost, he noted, and further delays will only result in even higher costs.

Since 2013, at least, he said, the project “over time has been scrutinized, debated, and subjected to every bit of considered thinking and analysis anyone could ask for.

With the additional funds needed available through the recentlyannounced unexpected surplus in City funds, it seems to us the time to act to get the project approved and underway is now.”

In defending her position against the expansion measure, Council member Hardi said, “My reservations are bigger than the library. This is not a cold hearted matter, but there are too many funding issues before us. Will the project match the debt it will take on? Will it be a ‘forever library?’

We need more money for traffic calming and there are uncertain financial times ahead.”

Litkenhous, the other “no” vote, said as a veteran of commer-

cial real estate industry, he’s concerned about “doing the project in a smart way fiscally.”

Council member David Snyder said that further delay would cost more money with no guarantee the project would be better, noting it is the government’s job to “act on contending claims among scarce resources.”

Council member Phil Duncan said that “as a small community, we feel more acutely the weight of capital improvement needs.”

In this case, he said, “The library contributes to the economic vitality of the City, with twice the number of card holders and residents of the City meaning that visitors are coming and spending money here” and equity as a factor for lower income families. The project, he said, “perpetuates the continuity of the community in Falls Church.”

Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly cited the value of conservative fiscal policies that have put the City in a position to afford the project, and Mayor David Tarter said he supported most of what was said in favor of the project.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. Real Estate Assessments Up 3.89% for Biggest Jump in 5 Years

Continued from Page 1

This trend is expected to continue, with the 10.3-acre West End Gateway project set to commence next January and the Insight Property’s 2.8-acre Broad and Washington project on the move, and the Mill Creek’s 4.3-acre Founders Row project currently under construction.

The City’s Economic Development Office indicates there continues to be significant interest in combining some vacated parcels on West Broad, and the Beyer Automotive assembly of properties at the City’s West End is moving with deliberate speed toward a project proposal, Mike Beyer told the News-Press recently. A new showroom building is currently under construction on the site.

Meanwhile, on the fringes of the City, Virginia Tech has undertaken a major planning

effort for the expansion of its site adjacent to the City on Haycock Road, and WMATA is doing the same thing for its West Falls Church Metro station site. Those would be expected to have major “spillover” impacts on the City.

Assessments of individual properties in the City of Falls Church will be mailed to property owners in late February, and updated assessment information will be posted on the City website

by Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to F.C. City officials.

The new assessments, which will form the basis for tax collections beginning in July after the City Council sets the tax rate for the coming fiscal year.

That will happen with the adoption of the FY21 budget at the end of April, with a revision, if necessary, of the current rate of $1.355 per $100 of assessed valuation.

With this week’s announce-

ment, residential new construction accounted for $21.3 million of growth; commercial new construction account for $26.3 million of growth.

Overall commercial property values increased 5.98 percent since January 2019 and multifamily property values increased 3.11 percent; overall residential real estate values increased 3.42 percent over the last year.

Single family home and townhomes had varying changes but overall were up 3.83 percent and 3.74 percent respectively; and residential condominiums had varying changes but overall increased 1.31 percent.

The City press release reiterated that, as set forth in the Virginia Constitution, real estate is assessed at 100 percent of fair market value. The City’s Office of Real Estate Assessment calculates property value annually using mass appraisal techniques that are standard in the real estate

FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 5

assessment industry.

The notice of assessment is an appraisal of the fair market value of the property; it is not a tax bill.

Property tax payments will be due in two installments on Dec.7, 2020 and June 7, 2021; property owners will receive bills prior to these dates.

The real estate tax rate will be determined on April 27 when the Falls Church City Council adopts the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget and Capital Improvements Program and sets the tax rate. Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Budget will be presented to City Council on March 9. Public hearings on the budget will be held on March 23

and April 13, with anticipated adoption on April 27. Individual assessments are mailed in late February. After evaluating the assessment, homeowners wondering if their assessment is correct should ask the question, “Would my home sell for the assessed value if I put it on the market?” If the answer is “yes,” the assessment is probably accurate. If the answer is “no,” contact the Office of Real Estate Assessment.

Deadlines for assessment appeals are Friday, April 3, 2020, for an Office of Real Estate Assessment review and Friday, June 5, 2020 for a Board of Equalization review.

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PAGE 6 | FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 

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E D I TO R I A L

Benefits to F.C. From Richmond

For the first time in what has seemed forever in the eyes of some of our local officials, the state government in Richmond is moving to provide some significant benefits to localities like the City of Falls Church.

This is the week for the “crossover” in Richmond, where bills passed in one body — the House of Delegates or the Senate — go to the other for consideration. With solid Democratic majorities in both houses, a lot of bills have already been passed with an eye to winning support in the other body, and to be signed by the Democratic governor Ralph Northam as well, to become law by July 1.

Legislation has been preliminarily OK’d to expand access to abortion services, make voting easier for busy families, increase the minimum wage, prevent gun violence, ensure immigrants have access to drivers licenses, prohibit discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community, and give localities the power to regulate traffic and remove confederate monuments if they choose.

Most recently, bills have passed that will ensure a comprehensive redistricting reform is written into the state constitution aimed at ending gerrymandering as a form of vote tampering at long last.

Still to be determined is what will become of the surge on state tax revenues that the governor reported yesterday. Northam reported that January General Fund revenues rose by a whopping 8.7 percent above the previous January. Northam said, “Our strong economy is generating growth revenues to fund services that Virginians expect, from public schools to salaries for public workers and much more. The growth is encouraging and we need to continue the economic momentum that enables investments in Virginia’s future.”

It can be fairly argued that no jurisdiction in Virginia is better poised to receive an added influx of funds than the City of Falls Church. The meticulous attention given to identifying and prioritizing the most critical infrastructure improvement in stormwater protection and neighborhood traffic calming are here, overseen by a Council uncommonly dedicated to “getting it right” with how some of these big issues are implemented in practice.

It is only to be seen how much revenue the City is going to get from Richmond to help with these efforts. Traditionally, many in Falls Church have felt the City gets the “short end of the stick” when it comes to state revenues, putting far more tax revenues into Richmond than it gets back in financial benefits.

It is hoped with the progressive trends in Richmond now that the City will fare better. Already, moves by the legislature to allow local jurisdictions to set their own speed limits in residential neighborhoods is a big plus because the City is suffering the impact of tolls on I-66 forcing drivers to look for neighborhood cut-through options that have become a safety hazard for families.

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F.C. Schools Should Start On August 31st, Not 24th Editor, We are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Dec. 17 school board meeting and the school calendar change to Aug. 24. One of the main reasons the superintendent cited for the change was to align with other nearby school districts.

Alexandria City Public Schools voted not to change its calendar and since the Dec. 17 vote, Arlington

Public schools voted to change its start date to Aug. 31. The Falls Church City Public Schools calendar change does nothing to help our teachers. Not only did Arlington change its calendar to Aug. 31, but their teachers will return to work on Aug. 24 which aligns with the school start date in the Fairfax County Public Schools. This will help Arlington to retain and reward

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its teachers. As our adopted calendar stands, our teachers return to school on Aug. 13, eight working days before the Fairfax County Public Schools students return to school, 12 days before the Arlington Public Schools students return and 16 days before the Alexandria City Public Schools students return.

We are urging the F.C. School Board to reconsider the school start date and allow our teachers to return to work on Aug. 24 as well.

As it stands, teachers may leave our schools to work in districts with more favorable calendars.

Other school districts are citing improved AP and IB tests as the only

educational benefit for the change.

There is no significant data supporting a benefit to at-risk students’ test scores that was so vehemently discussed at the board meeting in December. I am a former teacher of at-risk students in both Newark, New Jersey and the Bronx and know that in order for these students to be successful, school districts need to retain experienced quality teachers.

We hope the school board will reconsider their decision and work to support all the families, students and teachers in the Falls Church City Public Schools.

Scott and Cheryl Bois Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 7

Fighting for F.C.’s Transportation Safety, Options B� D���� S�����

Your City Council and staff fully recognize the importance of safety and good transportation options. Accordingly, we are working at all levels of government to improve funding, safety and system performance as well as provide alternatives to cars with air quality benefits.

The state legislative session started very well with the new administration and legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Saslaw, proposing an omnibus transportation bill that significantly increases funding for transportation, including transit relevant to Northern Virginia, and enacts critically important highway safety measures. The proposed highway safety law changes include primary enforcement for seat belt use in the front and back (meaning that you can be pulled over if you are not wearing the seatbelt without having another basis for police intervention), allowing municipalities to reduce speed limits below 25 miles per hour (especially important to us due to the bad behavior of cut through traffic), electronic speed monitoring, a ban on driving with handheld devices and a measure prohibiting open alcohol containers. The transportation funding provisions include funds for Metro and more funds for transit as well as roads.

However, despite this good start, it will remain an uphill climb to assure that both the funding and safety measures survive in good form. For example, the safety mea-

sures were split off into separate legislation from the funding bills. Last week, while I was in Richmond as part of the Falls Church delegation, I witnessed the Senate Transportation Committee gut the administration’s safety package with no opportunity

“The potential positive role of technology in reducing congestion and improving safety is a focus of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.” for public input. This critical safety legislation will likely be considered again, but it will take all of us to push that legislation as well as the funding legislation over the line, if that is to happen.

The difficulties with the highway safety measures are particularly concerning as we deal here with growing amounts of traffic and bad driving behavior. In Virginia, crash fatalities are increasing and are more than 800 per year. And, the number of serious injuries is many times the number of fatal injuries. The total cost of motor vehicle crashes in Virginia is nearly $5 billion

annually. Enactment of the administration’s safety and funding legislation is strongly supported by the City as ways to help address our traffic dangers. To provide perspective on the importance of traffic safety laws and their ability to save lives, the proposed seatbelt legislation alone, mentioned above, would save 88 lives a year.

On a more local level, progress on the Route 7 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project continues. As a reminder, the proposal will create more regular and attractive bus service linking Alexandria, Falls Church and Tysons Corner. While dedicated lanes may be provided elsewhere, they will not be part of the plan for Falls Church, in recognition of the limited traffic lanes on Broad and Washington Streets. The proposed BRT line will go down Roosevelt Street to East Falls Church Metro Station, proceed up Washington Street to Broad Street and then to West Falls Church and Tysons Corner.

The hope is that this will take cars off Route 7 and provide an attractive option for use on that road. It will provide more transit access to our businesses and more choices for our citizens so there can be less reliance on cars.

We are also facing a partial Metro shutdown of East and West Falls Church, Dunn Loring and Vienna Metro stations this summer. The argument from Metro is that this kind of approach allows work on those stations to proceed most efficiently. During a recent City Council work session, we were also promised extensive shuttle bus service to ease commutes during the shutdown. To

say the least, Metro officials were closely questioned by City Council as to the exact plans and justification for such a closure.

On Monday, as part of the package of actions funded by “surplus,” the City Council voted to authorize an additional $400,000 for neighborhood traffic calming.

There is also strong Council sentiment to pursue more neighborhood traffic safety investments and also make sure that our approach is City-wide, as is the problem we are trying to address.

The City is also represented on all of the regional transportation bodies. I continue to push the Transportation Planning Board for the metropolitan region to finish studying and then specifically recommend the most effective measures to address traffic issues.

The potential positive role of technology in reducing congestion and improving safety is a focus of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority as is increased non-local funding for Metro, a Northern Virginia Transportation Commission priority.

In conclusion, our overall strategy is to support positive transportation funding and safety developments at the state, metropolitan region and Northern Virginia levels.

Locally, we work to make the best use of all funds and use our own budget to address specific neighborhood and City-wide transportation issues.

David Snyder is a member of the Falls Church City Council.

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THE STUDENTS responsible for developing the app that matches veterans with appropriate clinical trials are (from left to right): Ethan Ocasio, Neeyanth Kopparapu and Shreeja Kikkisetti. They are pictured speaking with Dr. Gil Alterovitz, director of US Dept. of Veterans Affairs National Artificial Intelligence Institute. (Photo: Courtesy U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs)

F.C. Local Creates App Connecting Veterans to Proper Healthcare

by Katherine Liverman

Falls Church News-Press

This past year, three high school students with a shared passion for positive impact came together and designed an app that could change the lives of veterans across the nation.

Ethan Ocasio, a Falls Church local who goes to the New School of Northern Virginia, along with Shreeja Kikkisetti and Neeyanth Kopparapu, found that they all shared a desire to help veterans find medical aid when they met through the Girls Computing League, a nonprofit dedicated to creating equal access to modern technology education.

Kopparapu is the co-founder of GCL with his sister, Kavya Kopparapu. Ocasio remembers playing the Kopparapu siblings in chess tournaments as a kid and reunited with the two upon joining the group about three years ago.

Around a year later, Kikkisetti entered the picture; and the three of them began brainstorming on how to change the world through tech.

Ultimately, the trio went on to successfully create an app designed to help veterans access clinical trials and presented it at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ AI Tech Sprint.

Their app, known as The

Clinical Trial Selector, securely collects patient records from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare System, juxtaposes it with trial information from the National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Database and automatically determines trial eligibility for veteran patients. This saves veteran patients not only the time of both manually gathering and inputting their medical information into the system but also the labor in understanding how to retrieve information from these complex systems.

“Our app removes barriers to finding clinical trials by automating the process of looking through a patient’s medical records,” Ocasio states.

In their research, they found that veteran patients are suffering because a complex system and its niche medical lexicon make it difficult to identify clinical trials.

So the group set out to streamline the process for the average veteran patient.

“We envisioned how beneficial an accessible clinical trial selector would be to Medicare and Medicaid patients so that they could quickly and easily find matching clinical trials without having specialized medical knowledge,” Kopparapu said.

The app began as a pilot proj-

Continued on Page 22

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Fa l l s C h u r c h

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NEWS BRIEFS

the

FEBRUARY 13 - 19, 2020 | PAGE 9

presents

8th Annual

Hit-and-Run Suspect in Fatal Accident Arrested Fairfax County Police have made an arrest in connection to a hit-and-run crash that killed a Falls Church man on Arlington Blvd. last year.. Fairfax County Police report that 30-year-old Michael Smith, of Fredericksburg, is facing the charge of felony hit-and-run in connection to the 2019 crash that killed 93-year-old Pericles Apostolou of Falls Church.

Apostolou was struck while attempting to cross Arlington Blvd. on Jan. 18, 2019, without using a designated crosswalk, by a pickup truck which fled the scene. Smith was identified and arrested by Manassas City Police last Thursday, Feb. 6. after detectives from Fairfax County Police’s Crash Reconstruction Unit worked to identify the suspect using investigative leads and tips received from the community. Smith is currently being held at Fairfax County’s Adult Detention Center with no bond.

S. Oak Fire Sends 1 to Hospital An intense one-alarm house fire on S. Oak St. in the City of Falls Church just before noon Monday sent one person to the hospital and caused significant damage to nearly half the home.

City Fire Marshal Henry Lane determined that the fire was accidental. “It’s not confirmed, but the cause could be a space heater plugged into an electrical power strip,” said Lane, according to a press release. “If so, this is part of a bad national trend. Power strips cannot handle the demands of a space heater. People should plug them directly into an outlet.” The “sound of an explosion” was reported, per Justin Tirelli, the public information officer for Arlington County Fire, at a single-family house on the 400 block of S. Oak around 11:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10.

A woman was home alone at the time the fire started and was pulled out of the house by an unidentified bystander, where she was then transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Crews from the City of F.C. and Arlington entered the home and quickly contained the stronger-than-normal one alarm fire after arriving on the scene. Lane stated the damage to the property is valued at $150,000. A GoFundMe campaign (www.gofundme.com/f/south-oakstreet-fire-recovery )started by neighbors has raised nearly $3,000 to help with the fire recovery.

CBC Launches Youth Participation Campaign Falls Church’s Citizens for a Better City is launching the application process for the seventh year of Falls Church City Youth Representatives on City Boards, Commissions and Civic Groups. The Youth Representatives Initiative was started by CBC in 2014 in an effort to involve the City’s youth in local government, support our boards and commissions and promote civic leadership development. Applications are now available on-line or can be picked up beginning Feb. 17 at the George Mason High School Guidance Department.

Any high school aged student interested in serving on a City board or commission or on a participating civic group board may apply. The deadline for submissions to CBC is April 3rd. Interviews will be scheduled for April 16-19. Twenty-seven George Mason High School students are currently serving on the City boards, commissions, and civic groups.

Electoral College Allocation Bill Passes The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill this week that would allocate the commonwealth’s electoral college votes to the candidate who received the national popular vote.

The bill would join Virginia into the National Popular Vote Compact, which ensures the presidential candidate with the most votes nationally is elected once states comprising 270 out of 538 electoral votes sign onto the pact. The House passed the bill by a vote of 51-46.

Passage of House Bill 177, introduced by Del. Mark Levine, D-Alexandria, comes less than two weeks after the bill was originally defeated in the Privileges and Elections committee by a vote of 10-12. After being reconsidered in the same committee last week, the bill reported out on a 12-9 vote. The bill incorporates HB 199, introduced by Del. Marcia Price, D-Newport News. “The people of the United States should choose the president of the United States, no matter where they live in each individual state,” Levine said when questioned during the committee hearing. Since the campaign began in 2006, 15 states and the District of Columbia have passed the National Popular Vote bill for a total of 196 electoral votes. If the bill passes the state Senate, Virginia’s 13 electoral votes would bring that total to 209. That leaves 61 electoral votes needed for the compact to take effect. At least one chamber in eight additional states, with a combined 75 more electoral votes, has passed the bill. A candidate winning the electoral votes and the presidential race despite losing the national popular vote has occurred five times in history: John Quincy Adams in 1824, Rutherford Hayes in 1876, Benjamin Harrison in 1888, George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016.

Little City. Big Eats.

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Community News & Notes

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH Mayor David Tarter greeted the guests on a PA system that covered both the Falls Church Arts Gallery and Famille Cafe. The blockbuster all member show “Meet The Artists” opening on Saturday had 147 artists represented and 400 plus attendees who had a spirited evening meeting new member artists and buying art. The gallery runs until March 8 is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday. (Photos: Courtesy Shaun Van Steyn)

THE ROTARY CLUB OF BAILEY’S CROSSROADS is a supporter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Code of Honor Quad Rugby Games that were held over the weekend at the St. James Sports Complex in Springfield. The championship game was held on Sunday between the victorious Bandits from Jacksonville, Florida and the Eagles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bailey’s Rotarians helping out over the weekend include Susan E Lydick, Meesh Peters, Pat Borowski, Dave Borowski, Paul V. Carswell and Steven Wasko. (Photo: Courtesy David Borowski)

Pianist Alon Goldstein Performs at St. Patrick’s

Grace Christian Impresses In Music Competition

Alon Goldstein will be performing at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church (3241 Brush Drive, Falls Church) on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. Goldstein is considered one of the most original pianists of his generation, admired for his musical intelligence, dynamic personality, artistic vision and his innovative programming. Odeon Chamber Music audiences are encouraged to take advantage of Goldstein’s presence in this intimate setting once again.

His program will include: “Overture in French Style in B minor, BWV 831” / J.S. Bach; “Sonata no. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No.2” / Beethoven; “Impromptus D.935 No.2 & No.3” / Schubert; “‘The Masque’ from Symphony No. 2” / L. Bernstein; “Selected Preludes from Book 2” / Debussy and “Argentinian Dances” / Ginastera.

A wine and cheese reception follows the concert. Admission is free, but a donation of $20 is suggested.

For more information on Goldstein, visit alongoldstein. com. For more information, visit odeonchambermusicseries.org, or e-mail at marikohiller@gmail. com.

Students from Grace Christian Academy (3233 Annandale Rd, Falls Church) received first place in the American Independent Music Association (AIMA) Northern Virginia District Solo/ Ensemble competition which took place on Feb. 6. Led by band director Phillip Harris, the scholars competed with 50 students from schools in Northern Virginia.

In addition to receiving the highest average score of all participating schools, Grace Christian Academy was the only school to receive all superior ratings.

Grace scholars Anna Vojta and Emily Kiesel each received a score of 99, tying for first overall for all participating flute players.

Erin Kibble received the top score for drums. Nathan Redfield and Matthew Vojta tied for second place among participating trumpet players and Josiah Creviston received the third overall score for saxophone.

The American Independent Music Association was founded in 1978 and has served over 25,000 students on the east coast. AIMA works with Christian and non-public schools in providing music programs in band, keyboard, recorder, chorus and general music.

Arlington Painter Headlines McLean Art Society Meeting

Mental Health Foundation Hosts Special Show

Anya Getter, a member of the Arlington Artist’s Alliance will be the featured presenter at the Friday, Feb.28 meeting of the McLean Art Society at 10 a.m. – noon at the Mclean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean) Getter does whimsical paintings using collage and mixed media and inspired by special quotes or sayings. All are welcome. For more information, call 703 790-0123.

The Northern Virginia Mental Health Foundation announces a special performance of “The Actual Dance,” written and performed by Samuel Simon, which will be held at Creative Cauldron on March 26 and proceeds to benefit the foundation.

“The Actual Dance” is a dramatic exploration of the emotional and spiritual journey of a husband who must confront the possibility of

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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THE GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY students who dazzled at the American Independent Music Associations’ competition. You can read more about the students on page 10’s news item. (P����: C������� G���� C�������� A������) losing his wife to breast cancer.

The words and story of the show are experienced by the audience from their own life experiences.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on the foundation’s website at novamentalhealth.org and clicking on the “Events” tab.

For more information about the performance or the foundation contact info@novamentalhealth. org.

F.C. Shelter’s Gala Still Has Tickets Available Tickets are still on sale for the Falls Church Homeless Shelter’s winter fundraising gala — “Little City, Big Heart” — on Feb. 22 at the State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church) and will run from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

The event will feature live jazz

by Modell, Soderstrom & James,

heavy appetizers and dessert, a silent auction and a raffle. Festive, cocktail attire is encouraged.

Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased online at fcshelter.org.

This is the shelter’s first major fundraiser in four years.

This year’s event will honor two generous business and community partners: Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen and the Columbia Baptist Church.

Those interested in donating auction items should contact board member John Krotzer at jkrotzer@ fcshelter.org. To become a business or individual sponsor, contact gala@fcshelter.org.

All proceeds support The Friends of Falls Church Homeless Shelter, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit in the City of Falls Church. The shelter provides adults experiencing homelessness with meals and

FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 11

FIRSTFRIDAY patrons City of Falls Church Mayor David Tarter (left) and City Councilman Phil Duncan (right) at Art and Frame of Falls Church reception for Larry B. Quick. Quick is an artist with Jefferson Street Studios and has been working on the Obamas piece for several months. Quick is a former boxer and Olympic hopeful. He also co-founded Life Pieces to Masterpieces, an organization using art to transform inner city lives. (P����: C������� B�� R����)

warm beds from Nov. 15 – March 31, plus counseling and housing placement services designed to end the cycle of homelessness.

Gun Legislation Debate Tonight at Lewinsville Church The Fairfax County Better Angels Alliance in coordination with the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church (1724 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean) Faith and Public Policy Committee has organized a gun legislation debate for its monthly meeting tonight from 7 – 9 p.m.

Gun reform has become a hot issue in Virginia, and the Fairfax County Better Angels Alliance invites the public to attend this moderated debate that will feature pro and con speakers and will encourage questions from those who attend as well as a group debrief in conclusion.

The speakers will be Glen Caroline — managing director, NRA-ILA Grassroots Programs & Campaign Operations Division as well as Andrew Goddard — legislative director of the Virginia Center for Public Safety.

Justice High Student Is Semifinalist for Scholarship The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced the semifinalists for its highly-selective Cooke College Scholarship, including Sem Asmelash from Justice High School.

This year, the 477 semi-finalists were selected from a pool of over 5,300 applicants, spanning all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Semi-finalists are selected based on their exceptional academic ability and achievement,

financial need, persistence, service to others and leadership.

This spring, the foundation will announce which semifinalists will receive the Cooke College Scholarship, and receive key scholarship benefits including academic and financial advising as well as up to $40,000 a year to cover the expenses of their undergraduate education.

F.C. Democrats Hold Monthly Meeting The Falls Church City Democratic Committee’s monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church).

For more information on the meeting, contact fallschurchdems@gmail.com.

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PAGE 12 | FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020

A Penny for Your Thoughts

#BeUnderstood

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Census Day is April 1, and that’s no joke.

The 2020 Census, like the 23 counts before it, is mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution. All residents should receive a letter in the mail in mid-March, inviting them to participate in the census, either by mail or on-line.

Laggards will receive another missive, and finally a personal visit from a Census Bureau enumerator. Data from the 2020 Census will be used to determine how much funding might be available to localities and states for transportation, education, human services, and other federal programs. Postcensus data also is used to determine voting representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and in local jurisdictions.

You don’t need census data to know that our community is changing demographically. Fairfax County’s 2019 Demographics Report, released in December, highlights the most recent data available in advance of the 2020 Census. We know that we are getting older, richer, and more diverse. The county’s estimated population is 1,167,000, and grew by 1.2 percent last year, adding only about 14,000 residents. Fairfax County’s population growth is slowing down, which mirrors national trends with fewer births and more deaths nationwide, even as the population continues to increase. With the earliest baby boomers reaching retirement age now, one in seven residents is age 65 or older, a ratio that will increase to one in five by 2035. An estimated 13.4 percent of Fairfax County residents now are 65 or older, a number projected to grow to 17.7 percent in 2035. The Silver Tsunami that was predicted several years ago is now upon us!

While we are getting older, we also are becoming more ethnically diverse, and wealthier. The number of Caucasian residents is decreasing while the coun-

ty’s Asian and Hispanic populations are increasing.

In 2019, the county’s population was 61.1 percent white, down eight percent compared to the 2000 Census. The African-American population remains steady at 9.7 percent, but the Asian/Pacific Islander population is 19.3 percent, and Hispanic ethnicity stands at 16.4 percent. Our wealth makes Fairfax County the seventh richest county in the nation, based on median household income of $122,277.

Slightly more than 25 percent of households make $200,000 or more, and Fairfax County also is one of the top five counties nationwide with the highest household incomes for people 65 or older.

This all is encouraging news, of course, but there are significant consequences for other portions of our community. Fairfax County’s poverty rate is 6.2 percent, lower than the state rate of 10.7 percent and the national figure of 11.8 percent, but translates into the unhappy statistic that 7.8 percent of children under 18 and 5.6 percent of people 65 and older live below the poverty level in Fairfax County.

That’s where the 2020 Census and the One Fairfax policy can make a difference. An accurate count will help the Board of Supervisors target those areas that might benefit from extra resources or an additional helping hand, providing an opportunity for everyone to succeed. It’s not an “us vs. them,” but rather working together, that will achieve sustainable results. It will take time and effort, but success is well worth it, don’t you think?

Next week: Some of the policing challenges in an older, richer, and more diverse community. Another interesting change.  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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Hey, America, Avoid the Fringe!

“A lying, dog-faced pony soldier?” Really, Joe, really? It wasn’t funny to call a citizen that in New Hampshire ahead of the primary this week. It got no laughs, just the puzzled brain scramble that many people experience trying to make sense out of something totally inappropriate and off the wall an elderly person unloads from time to time.

What Democratic presidential candidate wants to quote John Wayne from the 1950s these days, anyway, now that it has come out the late John Wayne was proud to call himself a “white supremacist”?

Sadly, Joe Biden has driven himself out of contention for the Democratic presidential nomination after only Iowa and New Hampshire. All that effort

by Putin, Trump and Rudy in Ukraine FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS apparently for naught.

It shows that relying on yesterday’s measure of what a winning race involves cannot apply going forward. Biden is now out of touch. But that goes not only for him, but for other candidates approaching age 80 as well.

The sentimentality associated with the current youth surge for Bernie Sanders is nothing but that. Sentimentality.

It is nice so see young people honoring their elders and the legacy of their struggles for social justice over half a century. But Bernie cannot be more than an honorary candidate now. Not if the nation is going to avoid the unmitigated disaster of a second (and third and fourth) Trump term.

The nation is closer to losing its meaningful democracy now than ever in its history. Yes, we lost over 600,000 of our mostly young men preserving the union against a sinister and evil project to divide it in two. Yes, there were huge rallies of “America First” pro-fascists cheering on Charles Lindburgh on the eve of World War II aiming to keep America from intervening against a fascist onslaught in Europe.

But in both those cases, and in other challenges to our democratic institutions in the past, a solid majority of citizens stood for the right thing and no matter how high the cost, were willing to stand up for, and take up arms for the nation.

Now, however, the situation is different. Now, two major inflection points have passed in the current treasonous and criminal Trump term that have markedly heightened the chances of losing the republic for good.

The first was the failure of the nation to rally to the conclusions in the much-awaited Mueller Report. There, the case was laid out in magnificent detail and suasion of the pattern of criminal behavior of Trump.

A robust, pro-American political leadership would have seized on its conclusions to walk in and arrest Trump on the spot, or nearly so.

The second was the acquittal on the impeachment charges brought against Trump more recently. Yes, the Democrats went into the process knowing in advance that the Republican-controlled Senate would never convict. But still, they had to do it, as in the case with the Mueller evidence, solely on the overwhelming burden of the evidence itself.

It wasn’t just an exercise. We, the American people, needed that conviction to protect our most cherished democratic values. Needless to say, the spineless sycophants who had substituted for U.S. Senators in that august body will go down with ignominy in whatever history some people preserve that survives us.

Now, Trump has an open field ahead of him to use whatever tools of the presidency he’s now had bestowed upon him to lie and cheat with impunity and God knows what else going forward.

Is there enough gavitas in the American public to rally to stop him now? Are we going to remain locked in the usual dog-and-pony show politics that CNN pundits shape?

Remember, Mueller warned us that the Russians are planning an even greater intervention to the 2020 presidential election than 2016.

How is this taking shape? Do we have any idea at all?

Here’s something to ponder: the majority in the middle of America is being abandoned for the fringe, on both the left and right.

However that is being engineered, it is a very troubling fact of our collective political life, and people had better begin to take it very seriously.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

CO MME NT

FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

Buy local, buy organic, but keep it convenient!

That’s the challenge facing the healthy food movement stirring appetites among Arlington shoppers, government staff and nonprofit activists.

“There is tremendous interest from people who live here to connect with the earth, to feel they can produce food that is pesticidefree, who’re actually gardening, putting hands in the dirt and producing something from a seed growing to a plant that produces food so satisfying to many people,” says Kirsten Ann Conrad, the Agriculture Natural Resource Extension Agent at Virginia Tech’s office in Fairlington.

“We’re a more resilient community if we’re not relying on imported things,” I’m told by Robin Broder, the new president of the nonprofit Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture. She cites high demand among Arlington’s “sophisticated, educated” residents in a culturally diverse market.

“On the environmental side, we want to reduce transportation of produce and mass-produced packaged products that burns fossil fuel, and keep dollars in the community. If people ask where their food is coming from, they’re more likely to demand food that was produced in a more sustainable fashion.”

A study on that question out last year from the Metropolitan Washington Council of

Governments singled out Arlington for having the nation’s highest number of farmer’s markets per capita (11), a 57 percent growth since 2007. Though our last commercial farm folded in 1955, we have three urban farms and five farmers, 36 school gardens and 57 community garden plots, COG said.

The movement got a boost in 2013, when Arlington’s Urban Agriculture Task Force sketched out a food action plan. The result was the county’s appointment of Kimberly Haun as the region’s first urban agriculture coordinator.

A huge driver, Broder notes, is ongoing demand for donated fresh produce for the Arlington Food Assistance Center charity, whose “Plot Against Hunger” program receives organic offerings from sites like the volunteer garden at Potomac Overlook Park. Many stores define “local” flexibly, a 250-mile radius, while the county puts it at 120 miles.

“Local foods do not equal organic foods, and organic foods are not necessarily local,” cautions Conrad, who helps Arlington’s master gardeners with 60 programs a year. “We don’t want to imply that ‘organic’ food is necessarily more nutritious.”

But overall, Conrad sees the food push in Arlington as a “huge success story,” both on grocery store shelves and in the more local supplies now ordered by restaurants. “Consumer budgets have driven prices down.”

Given Arlington’s scarce land options, rooftop gardens are the

most promising future resource, she says. Her deputy, Aisha Salazar, conducts seminars for all ages on related but broader topics: nutrition, food safety, cooking, food finances, sustainable energy and affordable housing.

A more centralized school program is needed, Broder advises, one that integrates local organic principles with math and science curricula countywide. “The programs tend to pop up as PTA grants, but when the kids graduate” they can fade.

My nonscientific survey (shopping trips!) shows the most dramatically organic stores are MOM’s Organic Market and Whole Foods, both of which bombard customers with notices.

MOM’s posters offer classes on the organic industry and boast of staff environmental commitments. Whole Foods’ posters shout, “Grown without the use of potentially harmful pesticides.”

Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter have special sections. Safeway’s is the more dramatically marked, with HT appealing to pocketbooks: “Priced Low on Organics!” *** High school athletes’ National Signing Day has become a formalized event.

On Feb. 5, I watched the ceremony in the cafeteria of Yorktown High School, where 20 male and female seniors announced plans to play collegiate-level football, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, baseball, tennis and track.

Only 1 in 50 high school athletes play at competitive colleges, said activities director Mike Krulfeld.

NATI O NA L

PAGE 14 | FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

T�� G���� E����� T���������

Temperatures Continue to Climb

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

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This is the first in a series of columns exploring the status of climate change and the paths that may, or may not, lead to a solution to our rapidly deteriorating climate.

It is now over 30 years since we first began to pay serious attention to the role of carbon emissions in raising global temperature. In May 1992, the United Nations held a conference that led to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change treaty (UNFCCC). The goal of this treaty was to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” The parties to the convention have met annually since 1995 in the “Conferences of the Parties (COP)” to assess progress and to negotiate agreements on reducing carbon emissions.

In the early years, there was general agreement that taking action to deal with climate change was a good thing, which we should all be happy to support. However, it did not take long for controversy to arise. Carbon emissions come primarily, but not exclusively, from the combustion of fossil fuels — coal, oil, and natural gas. Without affordable and timely replacements for these sources of energy, civilization as we know it is going to have trouble existing, much less continuing universally desired economic growth.

Moreover, the people running the fossil fuel industries, which gross trillions of dollars each year, soon realized that any practical way to significantly reduce emission was to regulate their industries heavily.

We now know that the fossil fuel industry spent millions of dollars in the last 25 years to convince people and their politicians that carbon emissions were not causing global warming. Much of this pushback dwelt on the notion of disagreement among climate scientists as to whether there was global warming. The industry held that regulation and efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels would bring about economic disaster and the loss of millions of jobs. These efforts to stop the control of fossil fuels were remarkably successful in some countries such as the U.S., where polls showed for a

while that over half the populace had doubts as to whether human activities were causing temperature rises.

The acceptance of the need to do something about global warming varied widely across the world depending on factors such as the country’s consumption of fossil fuels, history of fossil fuel use, domestic availability of fossil fuels and alternatives, susceptibility to the effects of climate change, and numerous others. In recent years, life-threatening air pollution, which also comes from burning fossil fuels, is another facet of the situation. The impetus behind resisting the regulation of fossil fuels is that every government in the world is committed to neverending economic growth. While the full impact of global warming may still be decades away, the consequences of regulating fossil fuels will be immediate and perhaps harsh.

Some 70 countries export oil.

Two dozen are almost entirely dependent on fossil fuel exports and have few or no other sources of income. As we see in the case of Venezuela, some would quickly become poverty-stricken without fossil fuel export income. The major unknown in the global warming problem is the speed at which devastating effects from increasing temperatures will come. So far, intense storms, forest fires, floods, and droughts have been widely scattered and of short duration, but even these events are slowing the realization that something radical and expensive must be done.

There is so much evidence that much of climate change comes from fossil fuels that the political debate between believers and non-believers is becoming ridiculous. The non-believers know this but feel obligated to stick with the notion that regulating carbon emissions will cause unacceptable economic hardships. The real issue is how soon it will be necessary to take costly steps to slow increasing temperatures.

So, where is the world in its efforts to reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions? The short answer is nowhere near far enough. Currently, the more affluent part of West Europe is the only region of the world that is making sincere and expensive efforts. There are occasional drops in carbon emissions such as in the

U.S. where cheaper natural gas is leading electric power companies to close inefficient coal-burning stations, but this is likely to be a temporary occurrence. All indications are that cheap coal will last for many years ahead. Unless something changes, all the projections say we will be pumping out more greenhouse gases 30 years from now in the search for economic growth.

Recently there has come to light some disconcerting information about temperature projections for the end of the century. For decades climate scientists have been running models to simulate how warm the earth is going to be when the atmosphere contains double the amount of carbon it had at the beginning of the industrial age. Until recently these models have been agreeing that the average world temperature is going to climb by 3 degrees Celsius. At present rates of emission, this doubling is supposed to happen before the end of this century. Even a 3-degree increase is generally held to be a disaster with flooded cities, failing crops, and deadly heat. These models, however, are not static; new temperature highs, ice melt rates, sea level rise, and atmospheric data, etc. are being fed into them continuously.

Last year, however, after years of stability, some of these models started “running hot.” Instead of projecting a 3-degree Celsius temperature rise, they began producing projections close to, or over, a 5-degree increase, which would be a calamity. The scientists involved modeling our climate can’t agree on why — or if the results should be trusted. “The question is whether they’ve overshot,” said Mark Zelinka, a staff scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

It will take months at best to settle the question as to whether the temperature might rise beyond 3 degrees Celsius, in this century and on how to interpret the hotter results. One reason for worry is that these same models have successfully projected global warming based atmospheric carbon for a half-century. If carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are bringing on dangerous levels of global warming faster than previously thought, we all may be in a lot of trouble.

To be continued.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 15

F� � � � C � � � � �

Better Business... for a Better Falls Church

B������� N��� � N���� Clare & Don’s, Sycamore School Team Up for Trivia Night Clare & Don’s Beach Shack is hosting Brains Matter, the inaugural Sycamore School Trivia Night tonight from 6 – 9 p.m. Attendees are invited out for food, drink, trivia and prizes with family and friends. The Arlington-based private secondary school provides personalized experiential learning by focusing on building relationships and cultivating a healthy educational community. The school offers daily all-school morning meetings, community building activities, team teaching, and cooperative learning opportunities, while embracing diverse viewpoints, encouraging the acceptance of differences, and cultivating a growth mindset. The trivia contest will start promptly at 7 p.m. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack is located at 130 N. Washington Street. For more information, visit www.thesycamoreschoolva.org.

February Networking Luncheon

Join us as Gloria Zhang, Marketing Manager, Ascending, LLC reviews Information Technology solutions and demonstrates how to determine which ones are right for your business.

Tuesday, February 18, 11:30 am — 1:15 pm The Italian Café, 7161 Lee Highway, Falls Church

Reservations are required. Email cathy@fallschurchchamber.org or register online at www.FallsChurchChamber.org. Tickets are $30 for Chamber members, $35 for non members. An additional $5 will be charged for walk-ins.

February Mardi Gras Networking Mixer

Free Into to Kettlebell Class at Functional Fitness Saturday Functional Fitness VA is offering a free kettlebell introduction class on Saturday, Feb. 15 from noon – 1 p.m. Attendees will learn three key kettlebell exercises: the kettlebell swing, goblet squat and overhead press, and will also become eligible for any of Functional Fitness’s regular classes. This free class is offered the third Saturday of each month.

Functional Fitness is located at 350 S. Washington Street in Falls Church. For more information, visit www.FunctionalFitnessVA.com.

EKOE Health Hosting Essential Oil Workshop EKOE Health is offering CEO Training: Chief Essential Oiler on Monday, Feb. 17 from 10:30 a.m. – noon. Attendees at the President’s Day workshop will sample essential oils and learn how and when to use them aromatically, topically, and internally for emotional support, increased energy, physical needs, beauty and aging, cleaning, and cooking.

Attendees will be eligible for giveaways and raffle prizes. The event will take place at 254 N Washington Street in Falls Church. For more information, visit www.iekoe.com.

Presentation on Biz Websites & More at Next F.C. Chamber Lunch Gloria Zhang, marketing manager of Falls Church-based Ascending, LLC, a software development and training company, will present on business websites, software solutions and IT tools at the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce networking luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the Italian Cafe. Tickets with advanced registration are $30 for Chamber members, $35 for nonmembers. An additional $5 will be charged for walk-ins, should space be available. To reserve a seat, visit the calendar at www.

FallsChurchChamber.org.

Tuesday, February 25, 5:30 — 7:00 pm Co-Hosted by ROCK STAR Realty and Clare and Don’s Beach Shack Visit our website calendar for details!

Partners

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Body Dynamics John Marshall Bank John N. Rodock —

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

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www.FallsChurchChamber.org

HEALTHY LIVING FOR YOUR BRAIN AND BODY Lunch & Learn Event

Presentation on Va. Tech’s New Innovation Campus Set for Next Week Virginia Tech’s Facts & Snacks Series will feature a presentation on Virginia Tech’s “Innovation Campus – A Game Changer for the University and the Region” on Wednesday Feb. 19 from 3 – 4 p.m. David Baker, VT assistant director of Government and Community Affairs, will give an overview of Virginia Tech’s plans for the new Innovation Campus in Alexandria and will then delve into more specifics and identify some of the future goals of the IC in Northern Virginia. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center located at 7054 Haycock Road in Falls Church.

For more information, contact Susan Merten at 703-538-8310 or smerten@vt.edu.  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.

Join us to learn about research and tools you need to know about for healthy aging for your brain and body. Presented by Dan Cronin, MS, Program Manager with the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Tuesday, February 18 11:30 am to 1 pm A complimentary lunch is included with advance RSVP. Call Kelly at 703-531-0781 to reserve your seat!

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PAGE 16 | FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020

SPO RTS

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Last-Second Whiff Leaves Mustangs with Close Loss

by Caitlin Butler

Falls Church News-Press

Squandering the final seconds of the game left George Mason High School’s boys basketball team just a bucket short in its 53-52 loss to William Monroe High School last Friday.

On their last possession with seven seconds remaining on the clock, the Mustangs couldn’t get a shot off. Mason had a play in mind but the execution to finish it wasn’t there.

It happened to be a recurring theme on a somewhat listless night for the home team.

“Our energy from the get-go wasn’t good. We were lucky to have a lead at halftime because we just weren’t engaged from the tip.

It was odd with no [junior varsity] game and a 6:30 start is different and it definitely hampered us” said Mason head coach Michael Gilroy.

The Mustangs led William Monroe throughout the first and second quarters and seemed to mask their lack of spunk early on both sides of the court.

Mason set the tone with an

11-6 first quarter lead that was driven by crisp play and continued to maintain their advantage in the second with a last minute three pointer by junior guard Devin Martino, boosting the Mustangs to a three-possession edge at 28-21 when halftime rolled around.

But a juice-less Mason made its appearance in the third quarter and allowed the visiting Dragons to overcome them on the scoreboard.

The Mustangs, however, were able to draw even with William Monroe at 39 apiece thanks to a late three-point bucket from the junior guard Jack Calabrese from distance.

Mason’s spirit for the game was wearing down as the fourth quarter wore on.

Junior guard Bobby Asel fought through the slump to keep the Mustangs alive with two backto-back buckets — one of those being a three — to put Mason down one. His bulldog mentality helped create a small spark for the Falls Church locals. And after William Monroe missed its two foul shots with seconds to play, the Mustangs’ window for victory

Girls Basketball

A DECISIVE 49-38 LOSS was handed to George Mason High School’s girls basketball team on the road against William Monroe High School last Friday. The Mustangs managed to keep it close in the first quarter mainly because of lowscoring from both teams at 7-3. By halftime the Dragons were leading 21-12 and slowly built on that advantage by the conclusion of the game. Mason will stay on the road in this Friday’s match up at Warren County High School. (Photo: Carol Sly)

SENIOR FORWARD Hunter Broxson is one of the lone big men for Mason’s squad this season.

He’s had some help on the boards from more active guard play, but the lack of true reinforcements down low has been an uphill battle for the Mustangs all season. (Photo: Carol Sly) was propped back open.

Despite the golden opportunity for redemption, Mason failed to get a shot off in its final possession. The Mustangs now maintain

a 10-9 record heading into their final games of the season Mason was on the road at Broad Run High School last night, but results weren’t available by

press time. The Mustangs will return back home this Friday to host Warren County High School with a tip off scheduled at 7:30 p.m.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 17

HAVE YOU WRITTEN A BOOK THAT YOU WANT TO PUBLISH?

We will print it for you at your expense.

For an estimate, call our editor Joe Scafetta directly at (703) 533-8064, or email us at columbiapress@verizon.net.

“THE ROCK” AT JUSTICE HIGH SCHOOL was decorated by members of the school’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Student of the Year team last week, with the focus acknowledging Feb. 4th’s World Cancer Day. The Justice team is led by SOY candidates Grace Martin (center), Jake Beres (right) and Trevor Hershner. To donate to the team, visit their fundraising page at events.lls.org/ nca/DCSOY20/tjusticefo. (Photo: Courtesy Grace Martin)

Fa l l s C h u r c h

School News & Notes Fundraiser for All Night Grad Set for Feb. 22 Parents are advised to plan ahead for a new fundraiser for the George Mason High School Class of 2020’s All Night Graduation Celebration on Feb. 22 from 1 – 4 p.m. at Famille Cafe (700A W. Broad St., Falls Church). The art themed auction supports a safe evening of activities for graduates the night of their graduation. Admission to the fundraiser/auction is free and a percentage of the food sales that afternoon will also benefit ANGC.

F.C. City Students Claim Multiple Spots in Honor Bands This year saw the most students Falls Church City Public Schools has ever had in district honor bands.

Placement in these ensembles is dependent on a challenging audition comprised of scales, sight-reading and prepared etudes.

Schools in District X include Fairfax County, Alexandria City and the City of Falls Church, as well as private schools. Students auditioned into three bands — one for middle school and two for high school. From Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, there were rehearsals and performances at Hayfield High School.

The George Mason High School students are: John Kelley, George Hoak, Caroline Toyryla, Megan Mann, Sam Swetnam, Joe Carpenter, Sine Anderson and Keenan Hom. The Mary Ellen Henderson

Middle School students who auditioned into the District X Honors band through the process outlined above were an impressively large group. They include Mercer Colby, Colleen Carpenter, Megan Carpenter, Jackson Taylor, Wesley Crawford, William Hahn, Jane Afsah-Mohallatee, Haley Gates, Carlos Ortiz, Ryan Vagoun, Carson King and Casey Dimock.

8 Electric School Buses Purchased by Fairfax County Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been selected to receive funding assistance to purchase eight electric school buses as part of Dominion Energy’s initial deployment of 50 buses across the Commonwealth. These buses will join FCPS’ current fleet of roughly 1,625 diesel-fueled buses.

FCPS was chosen in a competitive process after submitting an application with Dominion Energy during Fall 2019.

Dominion Energy will cover the difference in cost so that school districts pay no more for electric buses than they would for diesel models. Dominion will also subsidize the cost of necessary charging infrastructure.

Electric school buses in FCPS will benefit not only the school division and its community but the entire national capital area as they will help reduce carbon emissions, serve as a resource for national emergency planning efforts, pro-

vide stability and capacity to the grid with meeting increasing energy demands, and provide charging facilities for other jurisdictions in the area to use when traveling through Fairfax County.

School Board Policy 8542 states that FCPS is committed to take innovative and cost-effective steps to help the U.S. achieve climate stabilization.

The school division participates in several initiatives aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Other accomplishments include reaching a 35 percent reduction in emissions from natural gas, fuel oil, and electricity consumption of 72,500 metric tons in 2018 compared to 2008 despite an increase of occupied space by approximately 2.2 million square feet (an increase of nine percent).

Marshall Road Teacher Wins Fire Dept. Volunteer Award Marshall Road Elementary School fourth grade teacher Lisa Emerson has been awarded the 2019 Volunteer of the Year by the Vienna Fire Department. Emerson has volunteered at the Vienna Fire Department for 11 years, helping with fundraising events including bazaars, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, lunch with Santa, Taste of Vienna and bingo. The money raised helps the fire department purchase the medic units for fire trucks and ambulances that are used to help and protect the people of Vienna.

Accepting Applications Through March 20, 2020 The Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2004 to provide educational opportunities for persons who were denied an education in Virginia due to the closing of the public schools during Massive Resistance between 1954 and 1964. The program is open to new eligible applicants for the 2020–2021 school year. For applications and information on eligibility, visit: brownscholarship.virginia.gov or contact Lily Jones, Division of Legislative Services, at (804) 698-1888.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Beginners Calligraphy and Elegant Writing Club. Interested attendess can join this group setting to practice their calligraphy and handwriting with lessons and exercises. All levels welcome from those just beginning to experts, pens and paper provided. Adults and teens. Arrive early or waitlisters will be admitted into the class. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 5 – 6 p.m. 703-790-8088.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 DMV 2 Go Bus. The DMV2Go bus will be at City Hall today.

The handicapped-accessible, fullservice mobile office provides all DMV transactions including: Applying for and renewing driver’s licenses; obtaining ID cards

(including photos) and Virginia’s veterans ID cards; taking road and knowledge tests; obtaining copies of driving records, vehicle titles, license plates and transcripts; ordering disabled parking placards or plates and updating an address after a move for DMV and voter registration. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 703-248-5450.

Arm Chair Travel: South Africa.

Interested attendees can see the world from the comfort of a chair. The group will watch a video about a different part of the world. No registration required.

This program is sponsored by the Falls Church Senior Center & Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Teen Center @ Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 10 – 11 a.m.

3-on-3 Basketball Shootout. Free basketball activity for Grades 4-8.

No registration necessary. All

skill levels welcome. Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 3:30 – 5 p.m. 703-2485027 (TTY 711).

Chess Club. Interested attendees can learn chess from coach Ashley Xing, a member of the U.S. delegation to the 2018 World Youth Chess Championships.

Participants can come to play chess, meet other chess players and learn. Players of all ages and levels are welcome. Boards and sets are provided. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. 703-790-8088.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Winter Farmers Market. The year-round market is stocked with fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and much more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Teen Center Ski/Snowboard Trip. Interested attendees can spend their day on the slopes at Whitetail Ski Resort, which features lots of trails. Attendees are encouraged to bring additional money for food and hot chocolate. Helmets are not included.

If anyone would like to rent a helmet, they should bring an additional $14. For ages 10-17.

Bus departs from Community Center. Cost is between $80 – $150, depending on ski package.

Register online or by calling 703248-5027 and reference Activity Code 241401. Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church).

9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group (for adults) learning English as a second language. Drop-in. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 “A Thousand Splendid Suns.”

Adapted from the New York Times bestselling novel by Khaled Hosseini (“Kite Runner”), the lives of two Afghan women are inextricably bound together. In the war-ravaged Kabul, Miriam and Laila become unlikely allies in the face of the insurmountable odds of a brutal and oppressive way of life. Hopes of a new life lead to an unselfish and shocking decision, changing the course of their futures forever. Arena Stage (1101 Sixth Street, SW Washington, D.C.) $76. 8 p.m. arenastage.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 “The Royale.” Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, but in the racially segregated world of boxing in 1905, the odds are stacked against him. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of the century,” “The Sport” might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NEWS-PRESS & HELP US KEEP COMMUNITY JOURNALISM ALIVE & WELL IN THE LITTLE CITY. Since 1991, the News-Press has been on a mission to provide independent and honest journalism to the Falls Church community. We recognize and appreciate the support the City, its businesses and residents have shown us for the past 28 years.

Now, we need your help to con�nue with our mission. Become a member of the Falls Church News-Press today and help us keep you informed on all the happenings — big and small — in The Li�le City. Monthly members get stylish FCNP merch, access to exclusive mixers and networking events, discounted or free �ckets to Li�le City performances plus more member-only opportuni�es.

Never before has the fight to ensure a free press been more important.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

champion. Inspired by the reallife experiences of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight world champion. 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Rd., Tysons) $42. 8 p.m. 1ststagetysons.org.

A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186.

“Crowns.” When a Brooklyn teen goes to live with her grandmother in South Carolina after the death of her brother, she learns the beauty, ceremony and symbolism of hat-wearing from her resilient, southern sisters. The musical has played to acclaim in theaters around the country, including sold out runs at Arena Stage. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church) $35. 8 p.m. creativecauldron.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 “Gun & Powder.” Inspired by a true story, make way for the sisters Clarke in a dynamic, moving and inspiring world premiere musical of notorious outlaws who ruled the Wild West. To help their mother settle a sharecropper debt, Mary and Martha Clarke— African American twins—pass themselves as White to seize the funds by any means necessary.

However, their bond of sisterhood is tested when they fall in love with two very different men, one Black, the other White. Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). $80. 2 p.m. sigtheatre. org.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Elvis Randoll Rivers Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 5:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Dylan Pfaff. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church).

6:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.

Union Stage Presents at The Miracle Theatre — The Daily Zeitgeist. Miracle Theatre (535 8th St. SE Washington, D.C.). $25.

8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Karaoke. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste

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FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 19

19th Street Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Acoustic Soul. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283.

Happy Hour: Josh Allen Duo. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703241-9504.

Paul Huang, violin, Danbi Um, violin and Orion Weiss, piano — Chamber Music at The Barns.

Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $42. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1900.

Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball of Gomez, Buddy. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20 – $40. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Church Burn Rye Whiskey bottling Release and Patty Reese.

Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186.

19th STREET BAND will be at JV’s Restaurant tonight. (Courtesy Photo)

Will Byrne. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church).

10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

James). Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-5329283.

The Stranger — A Tribute to Billy Joel. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $17 – $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Rorie Album Release Show, Ryan Johnson. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $20.

8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Accidental Charm Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504.

Born Cross Eyed. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 8 p.m.

703-858-9186.

Valentine’s Celebration with Convertible Jerk. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-532-9283.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 New Blue Soul with Mary Shaver.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703241-9504.

MSJ Trio (Modell, Soderstrom &

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Bentwood Rockers.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-2419504.

Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17

JMU Note-oriety. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $15. 2 p.m.. 703-255-1566.

My Funny Valentine (comedy show). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 7:30 p.m.

703-255-1566.

Josh Allen Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.

TBA FDT. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-525-8646.

$5 Comedy Night. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $5. 9 p.m. 703237-0300.

Acoustic Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m.

703-858-9186.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Cactus Liquors Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504.

All You Need is Love 8 - Jammin Java’s Songwriter Circle: A Tribute to The Beatles & Love Songs — Luke Brindley + Anthony Fiacco + Todd Wright. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $16. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Jelly Roll Mortals Live and in Concert. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

Jimi Smooth & The Hit Time. JV’s

King Street Bluegrass Album Release. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $15.

7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Martha Capone & Bob Hume and the Band Live Open Mic. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703241-9504.

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 13 - 19, 2020 Cemetery Plots CEMETERY PLOTS FOR SALE NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK Falls

Church, VA. Regular price $7,100 per plot but selling for $4,000 per plot or $7,000 for 2 Rare chance, will not last. .Contact john.ck.pappas@gmail.com or 703-869-9705.

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Public Notice CELLCO PARTNERSHIP AND ITS CONTROLLED AFFILIATES

doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to collocate antennas at a centerline height of 75.5 feet on a 90-foot structure at 6231 Leesburg Pike (Suite 612), Falls Church, Fairfax County, VA 22044. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Project 6120000093 - KR c/o EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, kritter@ebiconsulting.com, or via telephone at (413) 281-4650.

ABC LICENSE WSC19, LLC., Trading as: SOLACE OUTPOST 444 WEST BROAD STREET,

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CLASSI F I E DS

FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22046-3362.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Brewery – 500 Barrels or less license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages, Jon Humerick, 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.

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH PUBLIC NOTICE PLANNING COMMISSION On Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:30 p.m., the City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public meeting in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA to consider the following item and recommendation to City Council: (TR20-06) RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AN EASEMENT FOR WASHINGTON GAS OF 2000 SQUARE FEET AT WEST END PARK AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE DEED. On Monday, March 23, 2020 at 7:30 p.m., the City Council will hold a public meeting in the City Hall Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA to consider final action on the same item described above.

The application materials may be viewed in the Planning Division office at 300 Park Ave., Suite 103 East (703-248-5080) and on the City’s web site. http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=10141 This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)

ABC LICENSE WSC19, LLC., Trading as: SOLACE OUTPOST 444 WEST BROAD STREET, FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22046-3362. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On and Off Premises and Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages, Jon

Humerick, 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.

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The City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 7:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046 to consider the following: RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL REGARDING THE FY2021-FY2026 6-Year CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM

Open on Presidents Day

Information on the proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP)can be viewed at City Hall at 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You may contact the Planning Division at plan@fallschurchva.gov with any questions or concerns.

This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)

Auction ATTENTION AUCTIONEERS ADVERTISE your upcoming auctions statewide or in other states. Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audiences. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

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1. Title meaning “master” 6. [Oh. My. God!] 10. Smurf with a white beard 14. 2010 Nobelist Mario Vargas ____ 15. Suffix with liquid 16. Remove wrinkles from 17. Cause of a gut feeling?

18. Tedious way to learn 19. Deli cry 20. Paddle a little too hard?

23. 130 and 140 are high ones 24. Where Michael Jordan played coll. ball 25. Geom. shapes 28. Send mined material to the surface enclosed in a box?

33. First word of many California city names 34. Snakelike 35. Amazon’s industry 36. It was played between the Nationals and Cardinals in 2019: Abbr.

38. As low as you can go 41. ____-vaxxers 42. 1836 siege setting 44. Animals on Australia’s 50-cent coins 46. Op. ____ 47. Protest a trade involving NHL great Bobby?

51. Ending with quiet 52. “Well, well, well, whaddya know” 53. Abbreviation sent to someone who hasn’t shown up yet 54. Ruthless-but-poetic preference given in an old “Wanted” poster?

60. Smog

STRANGE BREW

Across 1. Title meaning "master"

FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020 | PAGE 21

63. Symbol of control 64. Words sung “with love” in a 1967 #1 hit?

65. Kind of mitt 66. “Should ____ acquaintance ...”

67. Sir William ____, so-called “Father of Modern Medicine” 68. Lust after 69. 1974 Gould/Sutherland CIA spoof 70. Close-call cries

DOWN

1. Subject of “How the Other Half Lives” 2. Penne ____ vodka 3. What a debtor might be in 4. Spotter’s confirmation 5. Like the works of Handel and Bach 6. Teri who played Phoebe’s mother on “Friends” 7. “Miss Hepburn runs the gamut of emotions from ____” (Dorothy Parker review of 1933’s “The Lake”) 8. “You got that right!”

9. Prettifies oneself, as in a mirror 10. Like breast cancer awareness ribbons 11. “All bets ____ off” 12. It comes in a chicken variety 13. Only creature besides humans to farm other creatures 21. Tree known scientifically as Populus tremuloides 22. Long 25. Stop 26. “Stop!”

27. Skedaddled 28. Sans a healthy glow 29. Let out

JOHN DEERING

Sudoku

30. Commercial suffix with Motor 31. Actress Winona of “Stranger Things” 32. Tony winner Hagen 33. Utter mess 37. “Unbelievable!” in texts 39. Global financial org.

40. 12” stick 43. Tribe encountered by Lewis & Clark 45. Rest on 48. Family in a 1936 novel 49. Became uncomfortable, as some underwear 50. Rain boot 54. Blue Book value decreaser 55. Like sardines 56. Extremities 57. ____ of Capri 58. Asset of an oceanfront home 59. Slips 60. Question asked in befuddlement 61. Director DuVernay 62. Meditative kind of state Last Thursday’s Solution T A R A A T E N L I O N S P I E S E N U N S D E E T D I V O M N I H I T C I M E S O S O E S T A E A S T

N T S O S R E L S O S S T S U R E C O L C M O H U R A R E V M O W

I N O C U B A U M O R B E R A O I C S R C H I T O R S A N O L I N A C O C L T I E W M M A O O D

S H O O Z A H N H A S I T G T O I T B E A M E N N E N S C U T O R D E R E P I C K A L A E A S E B U S E Y A R E N A B A S S O

By The Mepham Group

Level 1 2 3 4

6. [Oh. My. God!] 10. Smurf with a white beard 14. 2010 Nobelist Mario Vargas ____ 15. Suffix with liquid 16. Remove wrinkles from 17. Cause of a gut feeling?

18. Tedious way to learn 19. Deli cry

1

20. Paddle a little too hard?

23. 130 and 140 are high ones 24. Where Michael Jordan played coll. ball 25. Geom. shapes 28. Send mined material to the surface enclosed in a box?

NICK KNACK

© 2020 N.F. Benton

1

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

2/16/20

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | FEBRUARY 13 – 19, 2020

dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . pas

20 s Yearo Ag

is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . p a s is the Now for all time cows good me to to coaid of the their.

BACK IN THE DAY

20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press

Falls Church News-Press Vol. IX, No. 49 • February 17, 2000

It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XIX, No. 51 • February 18, 2010

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Critter Corner 10 Year s Ago

It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the the ir pas ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up

Gardner, Hockenberry, Parson Win CBC Council Nominations

F.C. School Board Draws Bold ‘Line in Sand’ Vs. 4 Key Cuts

By acclamation, almost 100 Falls Church citizens participating in the 20th biennial nominating convention of the CItizens for a better City (CBC) endorsed three candidates for this may’s City Council election, and three for the School Board election held the same day. The six total candidates all appeared Saturday seeking the support.

In a bold move this week, the Falls Church School Board authorized the release of a statement from its public information office that it will not consider cutting the budgets of four instructional areas of the Falls Church City Schools.

The decision drew a line in the sand as the City faces a steep revenue shortfall.

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

CRIME REPORT Week of Feb. 3 – 9, 2020 Destruction of Property, 100 blk Tinner Hill, sometime during the overnight hours of Feb 3 into the morning of Feb 4, unknown suspects) caused damage to a parked vehicle.

Larceny-Theft from Building,

New Clinical App Continued from Page 8

ect, and when the group determined its feasibility they pushed forward with the idea; working over school breaks and in their spare free time while still acting as full-time students.

The process of app design is no walk in the park. The group faced the challenges of user-friendly interfaces, codesets and processing features to ensure the accuracy of matching information to trials. One of the main issues they encountered was the accurate and reliable translation of the medical codes that make up patient information.

To preface, “code” is essentially the language of computers.

It acts as a set of instructions for a computer to follow. These instructions make up programs, operating systems and mobile apps like The Clinical Trial Selector.

Now, things get more complicated when translating codes because, similar to different languages, not all codes have direct translations.

Considering the app pulls differ-

6600 blk Wilson Blvd, Jan 19, a suspect stole cash from a commercial office building.

Larceny-Theft from Building, 300 blk W Broad St, Feb 6, 12:00 PM, unknown suspect(s) removed a cell phone from a commercial building.

Motor Vehicle Theft, 100 blk W Cameron Rd, sometime between ent medical codes from different databases, the group was faced with the challenge of identifying a consistent and reliable way to translate multiple medical codes.

Ultimately, the students were able to use a system that rendered translations in real-time.

“We applied the artificial intelligence technique called Natural Language Processing (NLP) to these descriptions in order to extract computable criteria that we then used to further filter the available trials and improve the matches,” said Ocasio.

Once the group felt confident about the app, they enlisted in the AI Tech Sprint as the sole student group participants, and were selected to present their results on the sprint’s demo day at the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.

The app has not yet reached production, so it cannot be said whether or not it is producing intended results. The group is currently working with a number of organizations to bring the app to production at no cost. Kikkisetti described the group’s goal as “To make it an open-source tool which

Feb 7 and Feb 8, unknown suspect(s) stole a motor vehicle from a private driveway.

Littering, 300 blk E Broad St, Feb 8, 11:13 AM, a male, 21, of Falls Church, VA, was issued a citation for littering.

Drunkenness (DIP), 6700 blk Wilson Blvd, Feb 9, 3:43 AM, a male, 41, of Hyattsville, MD, was arrested for appearing drunk in public.

Driving Under the Influence, 400 blk S Maple Ave, Feb 9, 11:13 PM, a male, 26, of Fort Washington, MD, was arrested for driving under the influence. other organizations could integrate into their own medical systems.”

Looking forward, the group aims to open up the app and expand its accessibility to the general public. Ocasio states: “Although the app has been marketed towards veterans, it could also benefit the general public because it could help trials gain participants which would result in treatments being available to the general public faster.”

F.C. CITY RESIDENT Murphy anxiously awaits the completion of the Benjamin Banneker Dog Park and W&OD Trail renovation project, hoping to return to her vibrant social life.

Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FEBRUARY 13 - 19, 2020 | PAGE 23

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | FEBRUARY 13 - 19, 2020

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