Falls Church News-Press 2-21-2019 by Falls Church News-Press

February 21 – 27, 2019

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

Fou n d e d 1991 • Vol. X XIX N o. 1

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

Inside This Week F.C. Council Mulls ‘Buy Local’ Impact

The City of Falls Church’s second quarter financial report for the general fund showed big jumps in revenues from sales and meals taxes with sales tax yields above projections by 9 percent. See News Briefs, page 9

City to Close on Fellows Tract Monday

The closing on the City of Falls Church acquisition of the Fellows Tract at 604 S. Oak Street is expected with a vote of the City Council this coming Monday.

F.C. School Board Adopts Noonan Plan; City Income to Beat Outlook Assessments Out This Week Add Up To 2.5% Growth

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

2011 to 2016, according to the study, an updated version of which was presented by Sturtevant to the Planners Tuesday. But it represents a rate slower than the rest of the region, and moreover, it comes as the number of households with children in the City has actually decreased by 5.3 percent in that same period. That time frame marked an 18.7 percent increase in the num-

The Falls Church School Board’s budget request to the City Council that was approved at its meeting Tuesday night was effectively unchanged from that recommended by Superintendent Peter Noonan last month, even though the City Assessor’s Office reported higher than expected assessments on City properties last week. The Noonan/School Board budget will not require any increase in the real estate tax rate. But, the higher than expected assessments will generate about $400,000 more than projected last November for the coming fiscal year, F.C. City Manager Wyatt Shields told the News-Press yesterday. The real estate assessments overall, which were released just before News-Press press time last Wednesday, are up almost a full percentage point higher than earlier projected, at a rate of growth of 3.35 percent. Many residents began receiving by mail the notification of their new assessments from Assessor Ryan Davis this week. Most of the increases in assessed values are the result of “market appreciation,” Shields told the News-Press, as compared to new construction in their the residential or commercial real estate sectors.

Continued on Page 4

Continued on Page 5

See News Briefs, page 9

Mason High Boys Roll in Region Opener Getting — or rather, staying — hot at the right time, George Mason High School’s boys basketball team cruised past Wilson Memorial High School in the opening round of their regional tournament. See Sports, page 14

F.C. Teens Tackle H.S. Life in New Production

REVIEWING DATA on the City’s fiscal health Tuesday, members of the Falls Church City Council watched a Powerpoint presentation. Shown here are (l. to r.) Letty Hardi, Ross Litkenhous, Mayor David Tarter and Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly. (Photo: News-Press)

F.C. Demographic Bombshell: Households With Kids Down by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

Index

Editorial................ 6 Letters..............6, 8 News & Notes.10–11 Comment...... 12–13 Sports................ 14 Business News.. 16

Calendar...... 18–19 Classified Ads.... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword......... 21 Crime Report..... 22 Critter Corner..... 22

There is one truly shocking graph in the summary report of demographic trends in the City of Falls Church that had its latest review by the City’s Planning Commission at its meeting this Tuesday. It underscores the biggest new trend in the Little City, one which is not about to change given current policy trends. That is, while the 2.4 mil-

lion population in the Northern Virginia region, overall, is characterized by a continuing growth in numbers of children, and households with children, this is not true for Falls Church. This is according to Lisa Sturtevant, president of LSA in Alexandria, which has been commissioned by the City to do a comprehensive demographics study. Now, the number of children in the City has continued to grow, increasing by 17.4 percent from

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PAGE 2 | FEBRUARY 21 - 27, 2019

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PAGE 4 | FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Report Shows Households With Children Down in City Continued from Page 1

ber of households without children, and this trend is driving growth in the City, the result of a boom in the construction of smaller rental units as part of mixed-use development projects. The data underscores the argument made by developers coming to Falls Church that their smaller residential rental units (and now some condos and “micro units” being proposed) are not the drivers of growth in school-aged populations for which the City must provide educational and other services. On the contrary, for taxpayers who worry that residential units in new large scale mixed-use projects will wind up costing more in costs to educate children than they gain in new real estate taxes can relax. The data shows clearly that the decline of households with children is due entirely to these new projects, with hundreds of new residential units that are not bringing children with them. There has been a 33.1 percent increase in the number of studio and one-bedroom units in the

City since 2011, now making up a total of 30.4 percent of the total residences, a number that is almost certain to grow. That’s because the growth of multi-family housing units (three or more to a building) in Falls Church has been, and should continue to represent, the fastest increase in the entire region. This should be even more true with the advent of micro unit single room and small one-bedroom units that are now being proposed for the first time. The overall growth in children in the City is coming exclusively from the turnover and redevelopment of single family homes, many of which are coming in as the result of merged lots, teardowns of old homes and the construction of new, much larger and pricier homes. The demographic study, which is slated to get a hearing before the City Council next month, offers a profile of a very unique City of Falls Church amidst the wider region, fueled by the policies that have resulted in the unique decline in households with children. Now, one in three households in the City are single occupant, made up of someone living alone

(except, perhaps, for a pet), another staggering number. This correlates to one in four residents of the City who are ages 55 or up, but still, two thirds of those living alone in the City are under the age of 65 and the growth in that demographic (20.8 percent since 2011) is by far the greatest in the region. While the increase by 20.8 percent of Falls Church residences is made of households with a sole (human) occupant, that percentage growth is far higher than anywhere else, with Arlington coming in next highest at 4.7 percent, Seven Corners at 2.3 percent and the region overall at 1.4 percent. Communities like Idylwood (down 11 percent), West Falls Church (down 13.7 percent), McLean (down 17.7 percent), Vienna (down 23.6 percent) and Pimmit Hills (down 33.2 percent) all represent double digit declines in that number. Two important trends to note in this context are the City’s growth in its millennial population, with 1,740 people now between the ages of 25 and 34 living in the City in 2016 (growth of 9.7 percent), and a surge T:9.75” in households that have incomes between $50,000

and $100,000, with one out of four of households operating in that income range. Of the City’s 5,301 households, about 1,340 are in this income range, up by 928 from 2011 and reflecting a 44.4 percent increase since then. The recent years’ increase is by far the highest in the region. With its 44.4 percent growth, the City outstrips Seven Corners, the next highest at 3.4 percent and Idylwood at 0.3 percent. All other parts of the region have shown declines. In terms of the proportion of households with incomes of $150,000 or higher, the City comes in with 39.5 percent in that range, about four out of 10. McLean comes in highest that category at 62 percent, followed by Vienna at 47.9 percent and Arlington at 34.2 percent. Falls Church is clearly lagging in racial and ethnic diversity, which is a trend exploding in the region overall. “Falls Church is one of the least racially and ethnically diverse communities in a diversifying region,” the study notes. 72.1 percent of residents in the City are

non-Hispanic white, compared to Seven Corners, for example, with 31.4 percent of Hispanic and 26.2 percent of Asian residents and only 31.3 percent non-Hispanic white. The trend is changing but slowly, according to the report. In the last five years, 41.9 percent of new residents added to the population have been non-white, but, still, that’s compared to a growth of 77.3 percent in non-white populations in the region, overall. As of, 2017, more than half the population in the Northern Virginia region are nonwhite. In the U.S. overall, it was noted, between 2010 and 2017, the white population remained virtually unchanged (up by 0.3 percent), while the non-white population increased by 14.8 percent. Sturtevant is slated to bring the latest version of her report to a work session of the City Council on March 4, with the idea that it would be formally incorporated into the City’s Comprehensive Plan in June. But in the meantime, the trends are undoubtedly helping retailers figure out how to increasingly capture this unique Falls Church market.

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Higher Assessments Lead to $400K More Growth for F.C. Continued from Page 1

Due to market appreciation, for example, residential condominiums rose in value an average of 4.91 percent, with some properties in the Winter Hill condominium community rising by almost 10 percent. By contrast, the appreciation of values of single family homes rose by 2.87 percent and townhomes by 1.02 percent. No new condominiums have been built in the City in over a decade, since before the housing crisis that precipitated the Great Recession of 2007, and some builders had to switch from condos to rental units to secure the financing to complete their projects (such as Pearson Square). But for the first time last month, a developer has proposed up to 100 new condominium units, this by the EYA, PN Hoffman, Regency group for the West End project in modifications just made to their November proposal. That plan also includes a novel proposal to construct up to 175 new “micro

unit” residential rentals, a first for that housing product in the City in its history. The recent modifications reflects, apparently, the sudden popularity of existing condominiums in the City. The smaller, more flexible units offer the prospect of relative affordability for the younger workforce population which has had an historic problem being able to afford to own a home in Falls Church. It remains to be seen what some of the collateral effects of this new popularity of smaller condominiums will be, such as whether they will attract families with school aged children that the City will have to spend on educating, or whether they will be too small to attract that element, who may wish to nurture children there in preschool years only. (Despite their small size, most of the condo units in Winter Hill are two bedroom, having been converted to condos in the early 1970s from post-World War II GI Bill housing when they were first

LO CA L constructed as the Tyler Gardens project in 1947, and therefore are actually larger than many of the condos and single-room or small one-bedroom micro unit products now being proposed.) By contrast to the robust market appreciation factor (at least for condos), new construction accounted for only 31.7 percent of the increase in assessed values in the City in the past year, as there were groundbreakings on no new big mixed use projects in the past year. That should change in the current year, however, as the official groundbreaking for Mill Creek’s new, 4.3-acre Founders Row project on the northeast corner of W. Broad and N. West Streets is slated for next month. That will be the biggest project in the history of Falls Church, even though the West End project, covering 10 acres, now being planned will be more than double its size, and the Broad at Washington Project of the Insight Group has already been approved but complications (the arrest and conviction of former project partner Todd Hitt on fraud charges) has delayed it. While moving Tuesday night to forward the same bud-

FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 5

get request as that recommended by Superintendent Noonan last month, the School Board indicated its intent to take into account this week’s higher than expected revenue numbers for the City after its budget is approved by the City Council in April and comes back for a final consideration by the board. The Noonan budget unveiled on Jan. 8 was fashioned to keep the growth of the Schools’ budget within the parameters of November’s budget guidance, when revenue growth overall was expected to be 2 percent rather than 2.5 percent. That budget, at $52,137,504, was aimed at doing the Schools’ part to keep expenses growth to a level that would not

burden City taxpayers with a rate increase. Still, it would provide a “step” salary increase at an average of 2.95 percent and a one percent cost of living (COLA) adjustment for all teachers and school employees, increasing the average cost per student among the 2,680 in the system to $19,152, while maintaining small class sizes. The School Board budget approved Tuesday, then, will come to the City Manager, who will craft his recommended budget for presentation to the City Council on March 11 that will include whether or not he will recommend a real estate tax rate increase, decrease or no change in the current $1.355 per $100 in assessed valuation rate.

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WWW.FCNP.COM The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2019 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.

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E D I TO R I A L

An Un-Boring Falls Church

Reports have been around for a while of some of the startling trends in the demographic study that had another go-around with the F.C. Planning Commission, but in the light of decisions due from the City Council on the development of the 10.3-acre West End project, they project a vision for the future of Falls Church that is veritably alive and kicking with unique opportunity. The number of single family homes in Falls Church continues to grow, especially as residential lots are combined and small brick rambler and similar homes originally built to house those recruited for the exploding federal government role in prosecuting the Second World War and then post-war returning GIs get torn down and replaced with gigantic castle-like domiciles. The market for those continues to be defined by the ideal location of the Little City in proximity to the District, the Beltway, the Interstate, the Metro and two major airports, its trees, shaded neighborhoods and, of course, the excellence of its schools. But unlike other well-to-do nearby areas of the region, Falls Church has developed something else, something that puts it in a class by itself, that City policymakers should celebrate and work ever more consciously to build. Falls Church is looking to become one of the most un-boring places around and, no, it doesn’t have to parrot the National Harbor to bring that to fruition. A little comparison with the unfolding waterfront section of D.C. might do, however, given that the developers now involved with the City’s big West End project have also had their hands in down there in a major way. In a clever urban planning way, Falls Church planners have been able to section off parts of the old, sleepy Falls Church village with its dull megamansions from the areas that are going, increasingly, to attract young, smart, energetic, flexible and well-enough-off interesting folks with eclectic and creative interests and skills. With the coming higher education components included, the expansion of Virginia Tech, in particular, the cutting edge combined technological and artistic acumen of those qualified for the coming Amazon jobs and more will cherish the mobility that the smaller living units in Falls Church are bringing and will bring, with their many flourishing immediately proximate lifestyle amenities, over and above the City’s transportation access to the wider region and big wide world. That’s what the demographic study points to, if the City’s policy makers pick up and run with it. The West End project, and its promise to combine with the adjacent Virginia Tech and WMATA properties, fully maintains this potential, and it can spill over onto the Beyer Automotive assembled parcelts, the Federal Realty lots and down West Broad to link up to Founders Row, leaping to Eden Center and more. We think the population can grow faster than the demographic study projects, and should.

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Taeb’s Passion, Ambition Not Enough for Senate Seat Editor, I am writing in response to Yasmine Taeb’s “I”m Running Because We Need a New Virginia Way” in the Feb. 7-13 Falls Church News-Press. As an immigrant to this country, she is not even familiar with or part of the “Old Virginia Way.” She and her family have no roots here, did not labor with

blood, sweat and tears to build our state, nor does she have any political experience or background to effectively and adequately represent Virginia. All her fervor, passion, rhetoric and ambition are not enough to carry her to a seat in the senate. Valerie Arnakis Merrifield

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Experience Matters When It Comes to Public Service Editor, I recently read the Guest Commentary entitled “I’m Running Because We Need a ‘New Virginia Way,’” and it reeked of opportunism. If the “New Virginia Way” means discarding every hardworking, longtime public servant with the experience and relationships to get the job done, and replacing them with people with

no public service and no experience, running for their own selfimportance, who haven’t lived in the district, and who have neither demonstrated an interest in statewide issues nor the willingness to work hard to fight for them, then count me out. Dick Saslaw fights for our community, our schools and teachers, our workers, and for our small businesses. He makes sure the state budget doesn’t milk us dry in Northern Virginia, makes sure our transportation projects are well-funded, makes sure we

Letters Continued on Page 8

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Falls Church Needs to Charge Ahead on EVs B� G�� K��

Falls Church is often called The Little City, but it’s long been designated a Tree City for its community forestry. I’ve been proud to grow up in a place committed to environmental sustainability. Falls Church is one of 280 U.S. cities and counties that are “We’re Still In” to the Paris Climate Agreement. It advocates for new and renovated facilities to meet LEED green-building standards. So I was a bit surprised to learn that, unlike Arlington and Fairfax counties, our city currently has no public charging stations for electric vehicles or EVs. Not a single one. It plans charging stations for the renovated City Hall and the Founder’s Row project, but not for all its major projects, including the largest one underway. We need to do better. We need to help promote EVs, a tiny but quickly growing share of the U.S. auto market, by providing public access to charging stations. Research shows consumers are more apt to buy EVs if they have access to such stations. I became interested in the topic after doing research for an assignment in my IB (International Baccalaureate) Global Politics class: engage locally on a global issue. I focused on sustainability and energy because of their impacts on climate change. Since transportation now emits more heattrapping emissions than any other economic sector, I looked at EVs, which are incred-

ibly energy efficient. For the past four years, EVs have dominated the annual greenest vehicle list released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a

“EV infrastructure doesn’t have to be expensive. A station’s cost, which can range from less than $1,000 to $50,000 or more, depends largely on site speci�ics and speed of charging.”

nonprofit research group. They can now go longer distances between charges and, with increased production and tax credits, more affordable options exist, especially for used EVs. Of course, EVs are only as clean as the power grid that charges them. The U.S. grid is getting cleaner overall but progress is uneven. While Dominion Energy Virginia still gets some electricity from coal power plants, it has shifted toward cleaner sources and renewables such as solar. It is crafting

an EV policy and will meet with city officials later this month for input. EV infrastructure doesn’t have to be expensive. A station’s cost, which can range from less than $1,000 to $50,000 or more, depends largely on site specifics and speed of charging. (The fastest chargers tend to cost the most.) To avoid costly retrofits, low-budget projects can install a conduit and wire to run electricity to a future station. My parents did this when building an energy-efficient home here in the city. They didn’t have an EV but ran a higher-voltage line to our parking pad in case they bought one later. Some cities and states now require new construction to include EV charging stations or be EV-ready. California, a leader in this area, plans on 250,000 EV stations by 2025. In fact, public money is now available to finance them. To settle allegations of cheating on diesel emissions, Volkswagen agreed to pay $2 billion to promote EVs and finance charging stations. The Little City is receiving a grant through the Volkswagen settlement for EV stations at the renovated City Hall, where conduits were installed for two stations in the front parking lot and four to six stations in the back lot, according to Cindy Mester, deputy city manager. She says the city is exploring EV charging stations for the public parking lot next to the State Theatre on Park Place.

Other charging stations are planned for the Founders Row project, slated to open within three years. City officials nudged the project, which will include retail, housing, and a movie theater at the corner of West Street and Rt. 7, to include 10 EV charging stations and 10 conduits — up from the original five and five, respectively. However, the proposal for the mammoth 10-acre West Falls Church Economic Development Project does not include EV stations. The project includes retail, a hotel, housing, and office space on land partly occupied by the current George Mason High School. It will also feature a parking garage with 1,424 spaces that will be shared with the adjoining new high school; currently, not one space is slated for EV charging. Dan Sze, Falls Church City council member, told me that he and others will push for the project to include a “significant number” of EV chargers. He said he’s working with Dominion to explore the possibility of electric school buses. “Wish me luck,” he said. Let’s do more than wish him luck. Let’s support – no, demand – such efforts so we can proudly say that Falls Church is not just The Little City and a Tree City but a Clean Energy City of the future. Grace Keenan is a senior at George Mason High School.

Q�� W�� Are you surprised by the report that the percentage of households with children is declining in Falls Church? • Yes • No

Last Week’s Question:

Should any of Virginia’s leaders resign after recent scandals? If yes, who?

• Not sure

Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

FCNP On-Line polls are surveys, not scientiﬁc polls.

[WRITE FOR THE PRESS] The News-Press welcomes readers to send in submissions in the form of Letters to the Editor

& Guest Commentaries. Letters to the Editor should be no more than 350 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four weeks. Guest Commentaries should be no more than 800 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four months. Because of space constraints, not all submissions will be published. All submissions to the News-Press should be original, unpublished content. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar and accuracy. All submissions should include writer’s name, address, phone and e-mail address if available.

Email: letters@fcnp.com | Mail: Letters to the Editor, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church 22046 | Fax: 703.340.0347

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TO LETTERS THE EDITOR Continued from Page 6

have adequate access to public services. Perhaps Ms. Taeb would know that if she had actually been his constituent before she decided to carpetbag into the district to launch her political career. James Cunningham Falls Church

Modernization of Library Is Good Investment for F.C. Editor, My name is Sam Arny, I live in Falls Church and I am 13 years old. I went to a city council meeting in the middle of January and I happened to hear about the modernization of the Mary Riley Styles library. I would like to share my opinion on the modernization. I really enjoy our library because of its great collection of

books, the staff are amazing, and the people that go there are also very nice. The location of the library is also very convenient because it is close to everything. I think that the modernization of the library is a good investment. During the meeting they mentioned building another floor and adding more extra light. Another floor means more great reading and studying spaces, so I am all in. I have gone to a few Fairfax County libraries in the area and they are all very good. In my opinion our library in Falls Church is the best, and we are very lucky to have this treasure in our town. I really like the way the library is now, so the update will make it even more fantastic. Sam Arny Falls Church

LETTERS@FCNP.COM

GOOD CREDIT. GOOD JOB. GOOD REFERENCES. BUT THE LANDLORD DENIED HER THE APARTMENT BECAUSE OF HER DISABILITY. AND THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. It’s against the law for landlords to deny your application, give you the run around, charge you more rent, or steer you away from a rental complex or neighborhood because of your disability. If you suspect housing discrimination, file a complaint with HUD or your local fair housing center, so we can investigate it.

To file a complaint, go to

hud.gov/fairhousing or call 1-800-669-9777 FAIR HOUSING IS YOUR RIGHT. USE IT. A public service message from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in partnership with the National Fair Housing Alliance. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. For more information, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing.

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FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 9

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NEWS BRIEFS Falls Church | $1,335,000

F.C. Council Mulls Big ‘Buy Local’ Impact

Fabulous renovation blends sassy and smart. Main floor and top floor additions. Innovative floor plan incorporates best of all possibilities for thoughtful living and entertaining. Master bedrooms on main and upper levels. 4/5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Sandy Chee 703.597.1671 www.SandyCheeHomes.com

The Second Quarter Financial Report of the City of Falls Church’s General Fund, presented to the F.C. City Council Tuesday night by Chief Financial Officer Kiran Bawa, was unexceptional, except for big jumps in revenues from sales and meals taxes in the quarter. Sales tax yields for the October-December 2018 time frame were above projections by 9.0 percent, and above a year ago by 11.21 percent. Meals tax yields, likewise, were up 9.8 percent over projections and 7.68 percent above last year. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly and Councilman Ross Litkenhous argued that the increases could be attributed to the F.C. Chamber of Commerce’s aggressive “Buy Local” campaign during those months that encompassed the holidays, and Bawa, herself, had no other explanation for the boost.

Falls Church City | $799,900

Spread out in this 2,700-SF townhouse! 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, remodeled kitchen and baths, two fireplaces, hardwood floors. Private patio. Simply beautiful in every way!

Closing on Fellows Tract Acquisition Set for Monday The closing on the long-anticipated City of Falls Church acquisition of the 1.93 acre Fellows Tract at 604 S. Oak Street is expected with a vote of the City Council this coming Monday. It was explained at Tuesday’s Council work session that, even though the City filed a petition for the condemnation of the tract last March, the transaction for $4,671,110 will represent a voluntary settlement agreed to by the seller. The tract had been listed on the City’s Open Space Acquisition plan since 2005, and the plans for the acquisition moved forward following the passing of Betty Fellows in September 2018 after living her entire life, since her childhood, at the site. When Ms. Fellows had to vacate the site for poor health, an administrator of the property’s trust entered an approved seven-lot subdivision into the land records before terms were reached. The land is designated as one of the largest open spaces in the City, and is located across the street from the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

Laura Fall 703.967.9987 www.FallProperties.com

Falls Church | $795,000

Light-filled Colonial on half-acre cul-de-sac site. Unique family room addition adjoining the kitchen brings views of the garden and deep-treed yard. Raised-hearth brick fireplaces, lots of space for entertaining. 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths. Kathleen Gibbons 703.894.7203 www.KathleenGibbons.com

West End Developers: ‘Dialogue Begun With Va. Tech, WMATA’ Spokesmen for the team of EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency, the team chosen by the Falls Church City Council to design and implement the dense economic development of 10.3 acres of land at the West End of the City where George Mason High School currently sits, told the F.C. City Council at its work session Tuesday night that “a dialogue has already begun” with two key neighbors to the site — Virginia Tech and WMATA (its West Falls Church Metro A rendering of the City’s West End Development project. (Rendering: site) —for a potential coordination on EYA, PN Hoffman, Regency Centers) the planning and development of all the sites simultaneously. The developers’ application for special exceptions to develop the 10.3 acres was before the Council Tuesday, and details and modifications in the plans that came out Tuesday included the plan for the grocery at the W. Broad (Route 7) and Haycock intersection to be 43,000 square feet with a front on Route 7, plans for retail to line both sides of the center promenade with a “carefully calibrated width” to invite shopping on both sides and the use of 1,200 – 1,500 square foot kiosks in the center space, for a 760 capacity car garage, for a range to encompass 969 residential units, for a hotel of 80,000 – 100,000 square feet from one of among four brands currently, for 40 – 50 street parking spaces, for 140 trees covering 5.5 percent of the site with tree canopy.

Fairfax County Assessments Announced Fairfax County announced its real estate assessments for the coming year were being mailed to property owners this week. The assessments combine for a 3.03 percent increase for residential and a 5.19 percent increase for non-residential, for an overall assessment increase of 3.60 percent. Single family detached properties increased 2.17 percent, townhouse/duplex properties are up 3.12 percent and condominium properties rose by 2.98 percent.

Falls Church | $630,000

Stunning 2-level condo across from the WFC Metro! Brazilian floors throughout main level, gas fireplace, dining room, and updated kitchen. Main level master suite. Loft upstairs and two deeded parking spaces. Laura Schwartz 703.283.6120 www.GuidingYourMove.com McENEARNEY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES

YEISON AGUDELO TO THE ARLINGTON OFFICE If you are thinking of buying, selling or renting, call Yeison today at 703.203.7353, or email him at yagudelo@mcenearney.com. www.YAgudelo.com

Serving the Washington, DC Metro Area since 1980. 4720 Lee Highway | Arlington, VA 22207 | 703.525.1900

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News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes Va. Inspection Stickers Revised Once Again When Virginia residents get their car re-inspected this year, they’ll notice the commonwealth’s inspection stickers have changed again. Starting last year, the stickers were relocated from the center of the windshield to the bottom left corner. Now, for 2019, the Virginia State Police Safety Division is rolling out a new design with a traffic safety message. The 2019 sticker is a little smaller — it’s cut down from 2.75 in. x 4 in. to 2 in. x 3 in. The expiration year is now also permanently affixed to the right side of the sticker. The month of

expiration has been added as an insert and that insert for the month is now larger as well increase visibility. “The change in size is in response to the feedback State Police received from Virginians following the sticker’s relocation to the bottom left corner of the windshield in 2018,” said Captain R.C. Maxey Jr., Virginia State Police Safety Division Commander. “We heard from a number of motorists who had difficulty seeing around the sticker, so we worked to reduce its size to slightly smaller than the average credit card.” Safety features in the background of the sticker have also been enhanced to prevent unauthorized removal, tampering and counterfeit practices.

None of these changes will apply to motorcycle or trailer safety inspection stickers, and rejection stickers remain the same. In addition to the cosmetic changes, inspection stickers will now also come with an attached sticker reminding drivers about Virginia’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over a lane when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road or cautiously pass by if unable to move over. New inspection stickers will come with that message attached, and it will be removed by the inspector and given to the customer along with their receipt.

End of Month Events at One More Page Books Two upcoming events will be taking place at local independent bookstore One More Page

21ST CENTURY CROONER SUPERSTAR and all around good human being, Michael Bublé (right), takes a photo with Allison Jeffrey, the daughter of Cue Recording’s owner Jeff Jeffrey, while taking a break from recording a “live bio” for his a documentary on him and his career. (Photo: Courtesy Jeff Jeffrey/Cue Recording)

Books (2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington) this week. On Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. — One More Page welcomes back beloved mystery writer and highly decorated member of the Metropolitan Police Department David Swinson in celebration of his latest detective thriller, “Trigger.” Swinson will be in conversation with Bill Beverly, author of “Dodgers,” a dark coming-ofage journey that recalls the best of Richard Price, Denis Johnson and J.D. Salinger. In the police drama “Trigger,” Frank Marr, a oncegood cop who’s hit rock bottom and recovering from addiction, is drawn back into the world of dirty cops and suspicious drug busts when an old friend needs Frank’s help to prove his innocence. On Saturday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. — One More Page welcomes debut author M. K. England to discuss her Young Adult sci-fi

adventure, “The Disasters.” “The Breakfast Club” meets “Guardians of the Galaxy” when hotshot pilot Nax Hall is framed for a terrorist attack on the elite Ellis Station Academy, from which he’s just been expelled. Full of high-stakes action, subversive humor and underdogs-turned-heroes, this is a page-turning thrill ride that anyone can enjoy.

Quarterly Book Sale Opens for Spring Season Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) will be holding its quarterly book sale with a large selection of books and media for all ages and interests next weekend, March 1 – 3. On March 1, the book sale will run from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; on March 2, it will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 3 it will run from

HELEN POWERS’ (right) artistry was on display as her solo exhibit, “Bolts from the Blue” debuted at Creative Cauldron over the weekend to a solid crowd of showgoers (Photo: Courtesy Shaun Van Steyn)

Send Us Your News & Notes!

The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!

Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. On the final day of the quarterly book sale, all books and media will be half price and there is a special offer that allows customers to fill up a bag full of books for $10 per bag. For more information, call 703-790-4031, 703-338-3307 or contact tysonslibraryfriends@ gmail.com.

Cappies Presents The Capitol Steps Benefit Performance The Cappies, a writing and awards program for high school theatre and journalism students, will be hosting an evening of comedy as the Capitol Steps political satire comedy troupe performs a show to benefit high school theatre for the Cappies of the National Capital Area on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School (3501 Rebel Run Rd., Fairfax). Interested attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets as holiday gifts and share the event with friends and family. The event has free parking and group discounts are available. For more information, go to cappies.com/nca.

Biggest Falls Church Arts Gallery Show of Year Opens One hundred ten artists from throughout the area will gather for a gala reception at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Falls

Church Arts Gallery and Famille cafe (both located at 700 W. Broad St., Falls Church) for the AllMember FCA Show. The show runs from Feb. 24 – March 23. It will feature an array of art works — paintings, watercolor, photography, sculpture, ceramics, fiber arts, and more — at the gallery and the adjacent Famille cafe,. For the first time, artists’ works will hang in both places for the duration of the free show. Show hours are 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday and 1 – 4 p.m. Sunday.

Local Students Recognized For Academic Achievements A collection of local students earned academic honors from their respective universities for the Falls 2018 semester. All of the students listed are from the City of Falls Church or Falls Church area. University of San Diego, First Honors — Henry Kiley and Anthony Pala. University of San Diego, Second Honors — Katherine Liverman. University of Virginia, Dean’s List — Michaela Culhane. Tufts University — Christopher Markus Widener University, Dean’s List — Asher Altman. Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Dean’s List — Ashley Archange.

LO CA L Rochester Institute of Technology, Dean’s List — Arthur Chapman and James Meeks, who are both in the game design and development program.

Jazz Coffee House at Holy Trinity Church On Saturday, Feb. 23 7 p.m. interested attendees are invited to a Jazz Coffee House featuring New Orleans-influenced blues and jazz by Adrian Duke & Friends at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (3022 Woodlawn Ave., Falls Church). Free admission.

Northwest Arlington Lions Opens Fundraiser From Feb. 22– 27, the Lions of Northwest Arlington will be fundraising for charity at the Overlee Pool – bath house, lower level (6030 Lee Highway, Arlington). Potential donors are advised to enter the pool at the lower entrance off John Marshall Dr. The Lions will be offering fresh Florida and California Citrus, Georgia pecans and Vermont maple syrup for sale. Friday — 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday — 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sunday — 11:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Monday — 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Tuesday — 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesday — 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-528-1130.

FALLS CHURCH HIGH SCHOOL junior Jaynah Willis (left) holds off Tuscarora High School (Leesburg) Senior point guard Rosi Santos during the Region 5C Quarterfinal game on Feb. 19. Falls Church fell to Tuscarora 64-38. (P��: C�� B�� V��)

FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 11

Divorce Care Support Group Begins Tuesday's • 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Divorce Care is a warm and caring support group for those suffering through separation and/or divorce. Our goal is to help you find Help for your Hurts and discover Hope for the Future. You are welcome to join this non-denominational group ANY or ALL Tuesday's, from now through May 21st, 7 - 9 pm. Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Maple Ave. Vienna. JUST COME! You will be glad you did. Questions? Call Judy, 703-910-6220.

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A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

Human beings aren’t perfect. Far from it. Yet, many spend their lives seeking perfection in others, not necessarily in themselves. When our heroes, our leaders, or even family members, fall short in the perfection category, we are sorely disappointed, and too often ready to condemn. The issues surrounding Virginia’s Governor Ralph Northam, Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, and Attorney General Mark Herring are the latest in a very long list of appalling political and social misdeeds that have plagued us since before there was an “us.” The rush to judgment reaction is to demand resignations and move on. That may work when the error was directly related to one’s employment, and had a major detrimental effect to the job or the employer. Demanding resignations for something that happened decades ago, as horrendous as the action might have been, misses the opportunity for a “teaching moment.” It’s too easy to demand a resignation, put the issue in a corner, and move on. The individual may be out of a job, and public opinion may be satisfied temporarily, but the issue still is in the corner, festering, not dead. As appropriate investigations are proceeding for all three Virginia leaders, Governor Northam has proposed a “racial reconciliation tour” that will take him around the Commonwealth for discussions about racial inequities, the often sordid racial history of Virginia, and how to heal. I have suggested to the Governor’s office that the discussion needs to be broader and more comprehensive. One way to do that would be for Governor Northam to appoint a Reconciliation Commission, made up of members as diverse as the population of Virginia, not just black and white. The Commission could provide a neutral venue for the sometimes difficult conversations that need to happen. Simple rules,

like the ones learned in kindergarten — everyone gets a turn, listen before speaking, don’t interrupt, etc. — would be in place, not to control the discussion, but to ensure that all positions would be heard. Smaller teams of Reconciliation Commission members could set up discussion meetings across the Commonwealth, giving all interested parties an opportunity to participate. The idea behind the Commission is not to get everyone to agree, but to help participants understand the perspectives of their neighbors, and quite possibly lead to policy changes, at the state or local level. In 1998, I created a discussion group very similar to what a Reconciliation Commission might look like. My original “Dialogue on Diversity” became Kaleidoscope, and in monthly public meetings, participants discussed culture and the difficulties of acculturation in our community, race relations, police interactions, civil and human rights, multiple occupancy in neighborhoods, learning English, and a multitude of other issues. Not all the conversations were calm and quiet; sometimes voices were raised and tempers flared. As discussions continued, we discovered that our similarities were greater than our differences and, although agreement might not have been reached, everyone could leave the room with a better understanding of diverse experiences and opinions. Kaleidoscope is a small example of successful community discussions, but that format can be scaled for statewide use. Governor Northam has made a good start; let’s all get on board. We won’t find perfection, but understanding can be a virtue, too.  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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Delegate Marcus Simon’s

Richmond Report This is the final week of the 2019 General Assembly Session. Odd year sessions are our short sessions, when we meet for 45 days rather than 60. In theory we have less to do, since Virginia adopts a biennial budget every other year, although in practice we end up doing almost as much revising to our biennial budget in the odd years as we do when adopting new budgets in the even years. In addition to figuring out how to manage a significant budget windfall that resulted from tax changes at the federal level that limited Virginians’ ability to itemize deductions (we did a combination of tax payer rebates and raising the Virginia standard deduction), we also considered over 2,200 bills and resolutions. There is no way to handle that much work in as slow and deliberate a way as we might have liked. Especially in short session years, it’s critical to keep laser focused on our legislative priorities — even in the face of other crises. Last year, on the heels of our historic gains in the House when we came a random drawing away from partisan parity, I passed a record five bills (out of about 40 that I introduced). In short session years the rules limit us to introducing 15 bills. I’m pleased to report that four of my 15 bills have now passed the Senate. Three of them will go into a conference committee — the process in which two similar bills passed in each respective chamber are reconciled into one — after which, they will head to the Governor’s desk. In addition to this, I submitted 13 commending resolutions to honor those in our community who celebrated a milestone anniversary or work achievement. In addition to shepherding my own bills through the legislative process, I serve as the Parliamentarian for the House Democratic Caucus. That means I’m responsible for knowing the rules, helping my fellow Delegates navigate the floor, and trying to out-maneuver my colleagues from the other side of the aisle on procedural matters. This session has been particularly interesting when it comes to knowing and using the rules to the maximum benefit of our caucus. One of the most prominent

issues in the General Assembly this year was the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Virginia was presented with a unique opportunity to become the 38th and final state to ratify the ERA. Since the beginning of this session, there have been lobby days, rallies, protests, ROBO calls, and mass emails — all centered on passing the ERA. And for those of you who followed the journey of Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy’s HJR 579, you’ll know that it was defeated in subcommittee by Republicans on a party line vote. My colleagues in the Senate, however, passed SJR 284, a bipartisan measure introduced by Senators Glen Sturtevant and Dick Saslaw. After crossover, my Republican colleagues in the House left that bill in subcommittee, again on a party line vote. After crossover, advocates on behalf of the ERA and some of the bill’s original patrons came to me, as the House Democratic Parliamentarian, looking for another path to bring the ERA to a vote on the floor. We know that if the entire body were presented the opportunity to vote on the ERA, rather than just being presented to a small subset of its members in a subcommittee, we have the support to finally pass it in the House. Working with Delegate Hala Ayala, the House Democrats introduced a rule change that would specifically allow the full House to vote on resolutions to ratify amendments to the United States Constitution by a simple majority vote (HJ 274). In addition, I also introduced a rule change (HJ 280) to allow the House of Delegates to discharge any resolution from a committee by a simple majority. Proposed rule changes must sit on the Speaker’s desk for five business days — so we’ll know by Thursday of this week whether we can bring the ERA to the floor for a full vote. I’m cautiously optimistic about the outcome of these proposed rule changes; but I know that even if we cannot ratify the ERA this year, then we will most certainly be able to do it next year with a Democratic majority in the House.  Delegate Simon represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be emailed at DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FEBRAURY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 13

The Confederacy’s ‘Foulest Crime’

“This dust was once the man, Gentle, plain, just and resolute, under whose cautious hand Against the foulest crime in history known in any land or age, Was saved the Union of these States.” – Walt Whitman, May 1865. This poetic eulogy, titled by its first line, of Abraham Lincoln written in the month following his murder by America’s premiere poet Walt Whitman. It was one of a number he wrote about Lincoln on his death and the terrible Civil War in that time period, including “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed,” “Hushed FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS Be the Camps,” and his most popular, “O Captain! My Captain!” Whitman was a journalist who covered the war, but more impactfully, he volunteered as a nurse to attend to the wounded in hospitals in and around Washington, D.C., throughout the war. In that way, he was a precursor to the likes of Ernest Hemingway and other literary giants who followed with their own blistering indictments of the unspeakable horrors of war as they viewed them from efforts at treating the wounded and, in far too many cases, the dying. It was about the maiming and the dying of the young, mostly young men not by their own error but at the command of their military superiors, their country leaders, their fathers, who drove them onto the battlefields with no option but to inflict pain, to wound or kill or to be wounded or killed. The greatest mastery of words, whether in novels by Hemingway and others or poems by Whitman or music by Benjamin Britten (his choral “War Requiem”), have spoken to the tragedy, and often also, yes, in some cases of the horrid necessity of war. The Great War (1914-1918), known as World War I, and the half century of death and chaos that came in its wake, was not born of necessity, but was sparked and tolerated by three cousins of the House of Queen Victoria – the king of England, the chancellor of Germany and the czar of Russia – who agreed to depopulate an entire generation of modern democracy’s educated and empowered potential rivals to their ruling elites. When the dust began to clear after the second phase of that war finally ended in 1946, over 200 million were dead. Baritone and tenor solos in Britten’s “War Requiem” told the story of Abraham and Isaac, the event from which it is claimed the birth of modern western civilization stems. Called to slay his son, Abraham unlocks the future gains of his tribe by harkening to the last-minute heavenly command to spare Isaac in favor of a sacrificial ram. But while that marked the overthrow of an irrational patriarchy as the precondition for all that was to follow in the Biblical history of a righteous people of God, in the case of The Great War, Britten’s oratory intones, Abraham does not defer to slay the ram, but instead, “The old man would not so, but slew his son — and half the seed of Europe, one by one.” Yes, half the sons of Europe were slain. Concerning the Civil War earlier, Walt Whitman saw the terrible necessity of that war, and the ultimate claim it made on Lincoln, too. It was because, as the says in “This Dust Was Once the Man,” that saving “the Union of these States” was required to repel “the foulest crime in history known in any land or age.” To Whitman, and to whose who fought and died to preserve the Union of the States, the Southern Confederacy and its secession from the Union in defense of the institution of slavery marked “the foulest crime in history known in any land or age.” In this age, it is past due time that we as an American people revive that proper attitude toward the Civil War and the 600,000 American lives that were lost in it, which had to be fought to preserve the Union, end slavery and establish the preconditions for Lincoln’s notion of “a more perfect Union” that would ultimately lead the world in the fight for equality and democracy for all. Hail to all who now recognize the Confederate evil and fight it.

Nicholas F. Benton

 Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

No homeowner is an island. I’ve been pondering this because our interdependent suburban landscape has been producing flooding that spills from one property to another. The persistent puddles in yards and gutters on my block have drawn attention from county hydro-engineers. We await results of their welcome investigation. The first clue is undeniable: Rainfall in 2018 gave our area the wettest year on record. That has raised the underground water table. And some of us occupy morevulnerable homes near streambeds. And some have installed basement sump pumps that fail. There’s another possible culprit that gets mentioned — but only, it seems, in passing. The well-documented trend toward tear-downs and construction of larger homes. Many structures come with increased lot coverage, tree removal and ever-deeper basements, county staff note. Neither the National Association of Home Builders nor the individual homebuilders I spoke to were eager to discuss it. But Jessica Baxter, spokeswoman for the county’s Environmental Services division, rounded up answers from a variety of staff specialists. Exact numbers on complaints to the country about drainage problems are not available, they said. “During 2018, the region received more than 20 inches over our average annual rainfall — with many individual storms producing intense bursts of rain. The combination of saturated soils, high water tables, and intense

rainfall triggered many complaints about water in garages, basements and yards, as well as problems on sidewalks and roads.  Complaints ranged from multiple feet of water in basements because the capacity of the storm drain system was exceeded, property-to-property runoff, runoff from active construction sites, and extremely wet yards and other landscaped areas.” Whether the heavy rainfall is attributable to climate change is an open question, staff said — experts are watching long-term trends. Factors that most likely contribute to new flooding, the staff note, include: • Steady, incremental, and cumulative increase in impervious surfaces from redevelopment activity, particularly single-family homes; • Loss of trees and increased soil compaction that often accompany residential redevelopment; • Areas with steep topography (particularly north Arlington); • Lack of “tertiary” storm drainage infrastructure in residential areas — infrastructure typically built in subdivisions today (e.g., swales and smaller pipe networks) to convey drainage from individual properties to the main storm drain system; and • Capacity limitations in the main storm drain system. “As new homes are built, basements do tend to be deeper, and sump pumps are required,” the staff said. Drainage problems can be worsened by “more frequent and widespread sump-pump discharges flowing over the land surface.” Homebuilders are required

by the Stormwater Management Ordinance to honor stormwater management practices. “But the effectiveness can be limited by the constraints” already mentioned, the staff said. Enforcement tools include stop-work orders, fines for pollution discharges and authority to withhold a certificate of occupancy. Homeowners, for their part, can consult the county’s flood insurance rate maps to gauge their risk and decide whether to invest in flood insurance. They can also avail themselves of the Stormwaterwise Landscapes program for technical assistance. The county’s ongoing capital budget process does upgrades to the existing storm system. During an October 2018 work session, the county board directed staff to look more closely at options under the ordinance “to more comprehensively mitigate the flooding and drainage impacts from development activity on downhill properties,” officials told me. Staff will provide recommendations later this year. *** Arlington said goodbye to Wayne Ballard, whose 80-year life included the rare thrill of being a historic football hero. Ballard, who died Feb. 10, was the Washington-Lee High School quarterback in the famous 1956 Old Oaken Bucket game against Alexandria’s George Washington. He kicked the last-second field goal that bounced over the crossbar and gave the Generals a 3-0 victory. In 2014, I got to interview Ballard about his state-championship-winning feat performed before a Thanksgiving Day crowd of thousands. Just part of a larger life.

PAGE 14 | FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019

State Results

SPO RTS

Last Second Shot Saves Mustangs by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

AT THE DAYLONG Virginia Class 2 State Championship meet, George Mason High School’s boys captured their second straight Class 2 Championship title with 397 total points over runner-up Maggie Walker with 351 points, among a total of thirty schools. Mason’s girls excelled in races but lacking a dive team ultimately landed the Mustangs in runner-up position with 335 points, closely behind champion Maggie Walker with 354 points. Marie Roche (pictured) captured first place and a new Class 2 State record in the Girls 100 Yard Breastroke by beating Mason alumna Beth Cashin’s record set in 2015. A full report on the state meet can be found online at fcnp.com. (Photo: Courtesy Ari Autor)

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George Mason High School’s girls basketball team made it through its first of two elimination games to start the Region B tournament thanks to a lastsecond, 42-40, win over Stuarts Draft High School. It’s a mirror image of what the Mustangs (13-12) experienced nearly a year ago to the day to open the tournament. Back then, Mason was down 38-35 to Stuarts Draft with little over a minute remaining when then-junior guard Maddie Lacroix hit a prayerful three to tie the game before senior forward Kaylee Hirsch putback a missed shot the very next possession to win it at the buzzer. Fast forward to 2019 and this time, Lacroix shot the game-winner herself after collecting her own rebound and draining a midrange shot from the baseline as the clock expired. “Regionals is just so different because the high-intensity play calls for closer games. I’m just glad I made the shot when we needed it,” Lacroix said. Lacroix’s heroics helped

resolve a tense final 10 minutes of action for the Mustangs. After freshman Zoraida Icabalceta nailed a smooth pull up jumper to give Mason a 34-26 lead toward the end of the third quarter, Stuarts Draft found its rhythm offensively. The Cougars went on a 5-0 run to end the quarter and outscored the Mustangs 9-4 three minutes into the fourth quarter to take a 40-38 lead. That’s when Stuarts Draft began bogging the game down with long possessions, intending to tire Mason out and snag an easy bucket or two in the process. “I just told the girls to keep playing regular defense,” head coach Chris Carrico said. “I wasn’t concerned with their change of pace because I felt like we were able to stay in good position.” The Mustangs didn’t flinch and continued to play stout defense for over minute before a Stuarts Draft turnover led to Icabalceta assisting freshman forward Megan Tremblay after some pick and roll action to knot the game up at 40 apiece. The Cougars had another minute-long possession where they scanned the court for an opening.

The visitors found one when a player had an open lane to the rim for a gimme layup, but flubbed the delivery. Mason, a little too eager to make good on the gift, flubbed its next possession as well when Icabalceta’s no look pass to an open Tremblay underneath the basket went awry. With 40 seconds remaining and Stuarts Draft fishing for a shot, Icabalceta redeemed herself by snatching the ball from a Cougar player along the baseline with 21 seconds to play. With the ensuing possession Lacroix completed the comeback and kept the Mustangs’ state tournament berth dreams alive. “At the beginning of the season I don’t think anyone, especially the Bull Run District, thought we were going to be any good,” Lacroix added, who will be playing for a chance to go to her third straight Class 2 state tournament tomorrow against Page County High School. “But we just pulled together in the end and bonded and the cohesiveness worked in our favor.” Mason will travel to Page County for the region semifinal tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Mason Boys Swat Hornets in Region Opener by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL’S WRESTLING TEAM won the second place team trophy at the Region B tournament that took place on Feb. 8 and 9, a rare feat for the school’s wrestling program that hadn’t been accomplished in this century. Mason had four wrestlers qualify for the state tourament due to their results in the region — 113lb Bryan Villegas, regional champion.; 145lb West Hagler, second place; 160lb Connor Murray third place and 170lb Nick Zaenger third place. At the state tournament in Salem, Va., Villegas (pictured) and Hagler placed fourth and fifth respectively. (Photo: Carol Sly)

Getting — or rather, staying — hot at the right time, George Mason High School’s boys basketball team cruised past Wilson Memorial High School, 65-44, in the opening round of the Region B tournament. The Mustangs (17-7) haven’t had the cold splash of a loss thrown on them since their Jan. 15 (nonconference) defeat at Loudoun County High School. All throughout January, Mason bowled its way through the Bull Run District regular season schedule en route to reclaiming the District crown for the first time since the 201516 season where the Mustangs finished 29-1. Momentum is on Mason’s side to finally break through and make a Class 2 state tournament berth with this group of players, and with a familiar foe in Strasburg High School coming to The Pit tomorrow night, the Mustangs don’t want to waste the opportunity. “It would be an unbelievable achievement for this group [to make the state tournament], given

how it started in December and early January,” Mason head coach Chris Capannola said. “The goal of any coach is to be competing late into February, and we’re really on the upswing.” Against Wilson Memorial, there was little doubt the Mustangs wouldn’t prevail, even after an up-and-down start. Senior guard Jay Nesson’s three and sophomore guard Deven Martino’s drive and score had Mason up 5-0, but a 6-1 run by Hornets had both teams tied with three minutes to go. The Mustangs kicked it into high gear from there. Senior guard Max Ashton used a jab step to create an open jumper and senior forward Scott Graffam found sophomore guard Robert Asel for a corner three soon after to go up 11-6. A straightaway three by Graffam and a corner three by Ashton that got some rim love put Mason up 17-8 heading into the second quarter. That’s where the wheels came off for Wilson Memorial. The Mustangs started the second frame on a 13-0 run spearheaded by Martino’s seven points but with key contributions from Asel,

junior forward Johnny Goodwin and senior forward Seid Lejlic. The Hornets were able to get involved toward the end of the quarter with five quick points, but it was negated by consecutive threes by Martino and then Nesson to finish a 19-5 margin for the quarter and boost Mason’s lead to 36-13 by halftime. “I told the guys this first four minutes [after the half] was gonna be their best shot, so it was just a matter of staying sharp,” Capannola added. “The whole idea is to play as if the score is 0-0 and win each minute.” Mason withstood Wilson Memorial’s surge by mounting an offensive of its own. Stretching the lead to 30 points at 48-18, put the Mustangs comfortably ahead. The lead grew as large as 32 points before Capannola called off the dogs and started rotating in bench players for the final quarter. Now the Mustangs are set to host Strasburg — a team they swept during the regular season series. The team will look to earn its first trip to the state tournament in three years at home tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

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FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 15

REVISITING A WHOLE NEW WORLD. Last weekend, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School lit up the stage with the middle schoolers’ rendition of “Aladdin.” The large cast sang all the hits and brought to life all the best characters, from Aladdin and Jasmine (right) to the evil Jafar (left picture – right). (P��: FCCPS P��/C�� S��)

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S�� N�� N�� McLean Students Make Presidential Scholars List Fifty-two seniors have been selected as candidates for the 2019 Presidential Scholars program, designed to recognize and honor some of the country’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. The program has been expanded twice: to recognize students demonstrating exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts and to recognize students demonstrating ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Up to 161 students will be named Presidential Scholars later in the spring. Local Fairfax County Public Schools students

named Presidential Scholar candidates are Veronica Lang, Noah Schneier, Rosy Sultana and Kristen Waagner from McLean High School.

TJ Holds Book Swap Throughout Next Week Thomas Jefferson Elementary (601 S. Oak St., Falls Church) is holding an all-student book swap the week of Feb. 25 – March 1. Donations are needed to augment the supply of gently used children’s books. All students are being asked to bring books. The goal is to make sure that there is an excellent selection from which to choose for everyone. To donate books, please drop them off in the TJ office by

Wednesday, Feb. 27. For more information, contact TJ librarian Brooke Davis at davisb@fccps. org.

Jump Rope for Heart Needs Volunteers for Final Week The kick off event for the Physical Education class’s annual Jump Rope for Heart took place on Feb. 6 in two assemblies at Thomas Jefferson Elementary (601 S. Oak St., Falls Church). Students learned about the importance of exercise, drinking water, minimizing salt intake, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and avoiding smoking. TJ’s PE program has worked with the American Heart Association on this event for 11

years with strong results. Parents can check their students’ backpacks for more information about the optional fundraising part of the program. The students have started strong, already topping $150 each. Parent volunteers are needed to help with jump rope activities in PE classes Feb. 25 – March 1. Parents can sign up at signupgenius.com/ go/20f0d49afa92ca1f58-kids.

3 Mason Students Named Merit Scholarship Finalists

2 Mason Students Advance To Metrofinals in Forensics

Mulch Sales Now Live Until End of March

Falls Church City Public Schools extends its congratulations to Charlie Adams and Evan Lankford for competing in the Washington-Arlington Catholic Forensic League Public forum event at Stone Bridge High School on Saturday. Both Adams and Lankford have qualified for, and will be participating in, the Metrofinals on March 8 and 9 at Basis Independence in McLean (8000 Jones Branch Dr, McLean).

With winter winding down, it’s about that time to be planning mulch purchases with deliveries made by George Mason High School athletes. The link on the Mason Athletics website is active. The deadline for orders is March 27 with a delivery date of April 6. Orders can be placed at masonfan-shop.myshopify.com/collections/mulch-spring-only/products/ yard-mulch.

The National Merit Scholarship program has determined which of the 16,000 Semifinalists named in September have met the requirements to advance to Finalists. Three George Mason High School students will be considered for the 7,500 scholarships to be offered in 2019 — Acacia Wyckoff, Katie O’Neill and Nick Wells.

PAGE 16 | FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019

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B�� N�� N�� F.C. McDonald’s Closed Until Next Week The McDonald’s at 7101 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church is currently closed for renovations. The quick service restaurant is scheduled to reopen next Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Nutritional Workshop at Advantage Trainers Tonight Advantage Trainers is hosting a nutrition workshop on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 6 – 7 p.m. featuring nutrition expert and Athlete Development Center health coach Rachel Abbett. For more information or to register, visit www.advantagetrainers.com. Advantage Trainers is owned and operated by Eliot Corwin and is located at 100 A E. Fairfax Street in Falls Church.

Barleywine Festival Returns to Mad Fox Mad Fox Brewing Company is hosting year nine of its annual Barleywine Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24. This is the largest Barleywine festival in the midAtlantic region, showcasing more than 30 barleywines from across the country. Admission is free and bar area seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Mad Fox is located at 444 W. Broad St. in Falls Church. For more information, visit www.madfoxbrewing.com.

Koi Koi Closing for Renovations

53 Days to Tax Day

Koi Koi Sushi & Roll will be closing temporarily for renovations starting on Monday, Feb. 25. After 12 years of support from the Falls Church community, the Asian fusion and Japanese restaurant known for its sushi will be redecorated, a restaurant representative says, to make it more cozy and comfortable for its patrons. The menu and chefs will remain the same when it reopens in mid-March. Koi Koi is located at 450 W. Broad St., Suite 117, in Falls Church.

F.C. Chamber, Local Businesses Team Up for Mardi Gras Party Rock Star Realty Group of KW Metro Center and Falls Church Distillers are cohosting a Mardi Gras party with the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The Chamber’s Mardi Gras-themed mixer is 5 – 7 p.m. For Mardi Gras revelers, the Rock Star Realty Group and Falls Church Distillers’ party continues 7 p.m. until closing. The event will include light Mardi Gras fare such as po boys, jambalaya and king cakes, live music by Magnolia Blue and a cash bar. The event is free but reservations via EventBright at https://tinyurl.com/FCCMG19 are encouraged. Falls Church Distillers is located at 442 S. Washington Street in Falls Church. For more information, visit www. FallsChurchChamber.org.

LaPorta Life Celebration Set for March 9 A celebration of the life of the late Gary LaPorta will take place Saturday, March 9, 10:30 a.m. at the Falls Church Episcopal Church. As reported in last week’s edition of the Falls Church News-Press, LaPorta passed away in his home Friday, Feb. 8. He was a longtime member of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the incoming President of Citizens for a Better City, and a staff member of the Falls Church City Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office. Named Pillar of the Community by the Chamber in March of 2018, LaPorta was a generous patron of Creative Cauldron, a strong supporter of Falls Church City Police and the Police Unity Tour, and an avid volunteer with a number of local organizations and events. He opened Miniatures from the Attic with his late wife June in 1987 and closed it 2007. For more information, visit www.FallsChurchChamber.org or contact the Chamber office at 703-532-1050 or info@ FallsChurchChamber.org.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 17

TAKING THEIR TALENTS TO THE BIG STAGE are George C. Marshall’s Rachel Lipetz (left photo; left) and Justice High School’s Naomi Bertha. Lipetz landed a role as one of the nine main actors in NextStop Theatre’s iteration of “The Wolves,” which is about a high school indoor soccer team. Bertha, on the other hand, is one of three understudies, but will be under the lights for tonight’s performance. (Photos: Left — Courtesy Lock and Company/ Right — Patricia Leslie)

F.C. Students Punt on Fluff & Tackle Substance in Professional Play by Patricia Leslie

Falls Church News-Press

Two Falls Church students portray the complicated and surprisingly adult lives of modern high schoolers in their professional debuts for NextStop Theatre’s rendition of “The Wolves.” Rachel Lipetz, 17, a junior at George C. Marshall High School, and Naomi Bertha, 18, a senior at Justice High School, outcompeted students from across the region to earn one of the nine main parts and three understudy roles. The play is well-suited for its young cast members, with the story centered around the conversations nine high school girls on an indoor soccer team share during their weekly pregame warm-ups. Lipetz, who plays one of the main parts, described the sixshow performance on weekends as “really fun but definitely at the end of the day you’re exhausted. It’s a good kind of tired though. I can go home and relax.” Acting in high school plays over several years has taught Lipetz to balance her time, but

she believes working NextStop is a little heavier because of the evening rehearsals. After school, she gets to work right away on school assignments. Bertha carries her homework wherever she goes to get in as many extra minutes to study that she finds, including during rehearsals when she’s not on call. She is an understudy but will star in this Thursday’s performance as player #46. (The cast has no names; just numbers. For example, Lipetz is player #08.) As backup, Bertha has had to learn three scripts, make time for costume changes and, for each part, review and learn “blocking” (movements during speaking, checking for lights and visibility). Most of the auditioners for “The Wolves” were trying out for their first professional debuts, but Bertha acted last year in “Lord of the Flies” at Synetic Theater in Crystal City. Both she and Lipetz began their acting careers long before high school. Lipetz first started acting in the seventh grade when she tried out

for the musical, “Legally Blonde Junior.” At the urging of her piano teacher she’s had since age six, Lipetz began voice lessons, and her confidence grew. “Music is what got me into theatre in the first place,” Lipetz said in an interview after a show. “I realized I didn’t just enjoy the musical part of theatre, I enjoyed the acting part of it.” She’ll be using her talents to audition for Marshall’s production of “The Sound of Music” this week, which is slated to premiere April 25. Bertha’s loved acting ever since she began acting in elementary school. The best she can recall, she was about seven when she and her younger sister put on plays for their parents and then a little later, acted at libraries and community centers, including one show in Yorktown, Va. where they lived and acted in a play with their dad. (He is in the Air Force and Bertha remembers most of her early years growing up were spent in Norway.) “I realized then this was something I could do and that it was

something I really enjoyed doing,” Bertha said, reflecting on how great the Yorktown play experience was. She’s been in every play performed at Justice since she started ninth grade, including a new one staging March 21 – 23, “The Women” by Clare Booth Luce. “I play Sylvia [in “The Women”], and I am real excited about that,” Bertha said in an interview at Justice where she’s rehearsing on some of the same days she prepares for her “The Wolves’” part. Audiences react differently to shows. One night, the reception was more reserved than another night when wild enthusiasm and loud applause greeted the actors at the end of the performance. “Something my last director taught me is ‘every audience is a good audience, but every audience is different.’” Lipetz said. “It’s definitely something to get used to. Some lines get laughs some nights and sometimes they don’t.” Lipetz beamed while noting the Herndon show was one of the best experiences of her young life,

though she also knows it will be hard to let it go after this weekend’s final run. “Yes, it’s sad when it ends [the run],” Lipetz continued. “There’s a phrase, ‘post-show depression.’ Most actors get it, feeling sad when the experience is over. You miss it. There are always mixed feelings.” Lipetz plans to fill her free time with homework and piano practice, which she neglected a little during the show’s run. “The Wolves” was written by Sarah DeLappe. As far as NextStop’s director Kathryn Chase Bryer knows, Herndon’s production is the first in the nation to use only teenage actors for team members. Tickets for “The Wolves” start at $35, and prices for high demand shows are $50. Show times are Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. NextStop Theatre is located at 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon. Tickets are available by calling 866-811-4111 or at nextstoptheatre.org.

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FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 High School Book Club. February Book: “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” by E. Lockhart. Book Club for teens in grades 9 – 12. Limited copies of the book are available to borrow from the library’s Youth Services Desk. Registration Required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8 p.m. 703-248-5034.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Farmer’s Market. The awardwinning, year-round market is filled with fresh local produce and meat, along with dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and much more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – noon. 703248-5034.

the

Summer Camp Expo. The Recreation and Parks Department offers a variety of camps from cooking and sewing to sports and science. Learn about all offerings for free at the Summer Camp Expo at the Falls Church Community Center. At the fair, interested attendees will have a chance to meet with contractors and learn about upcoming summer camps. Registration for City residents began on Feb. 4 and for non-residents on Feb. 11. Register early because space is limited for most camps. Registration can be done online at fallschurchva. gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=8468 or by calling the Community Center at 703-248-5027 (TTY 711). Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 2 – 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Town Hall: West Falls Church Project and High School Project.

presents

City and school officials will make a presentation and answer questions on the West Falls Church Economic Development project and George Mason High School project. This event will be recorded by FCCTV and posted on the City’s website and YouTube channel. Senior Center @ Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 2 – 4 p.m. 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Preschool Storytime. Preschool Storytime. Stories and fun for ages 0-5. Drop-in. All storytimes are followed by playtime with the Early Literacy Center toys. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 10:30 – 11 a.m. 703-248-5034. Playtime with Early Literacy Center Toys. Explore educational and manipulative items (aka toys)

the 7th Annual

List of participating restaurants coming soon to FCRestaurantWeek.com

to teach early literacy through play. Ages birth to 5 years. No registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 11 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034. ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group (for adults) learning English as their second language meets every Monday. No registration required — dropins welcome and encouraged. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m. 703-248-5034.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Great Books Discussion. A “Great Books” discussion concentrating on literary classics. This week’s book is “Rules for the Direction of the Mind” by Rene Descrates. Drop in. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Step into Harlem for a swinging, dancing celebration of big band and the songs of Thomas “Fats” Waller. This sultry Tony Award®winning musical tribute features all of Waller’s beloved tunes including “The Joint is Jumpin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Handful of Keys” and more. A cast of Signature favorites including Nova Y. Payton (“Jelly’s Last Jam”), Kevin McAllister (“Titanic”) and Iyona Blake (“Titanic”) strut the stage while “Jelly’s Last Jam’s” Mark G. Meadows tickles the ivories. Signature Theatre (420 Campbell Ave., Arlington) $65 – $74. 8:30 p.m. sigtheatre.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 “Thunder Knocking on the Door.” This bluesy show is an intoxicating musical fable filled with humor, heart and the extraordinary music of three-time Grammy award winner Keb’Mo’. In a small Alabama town, a mysterious Blues guitar-

#FCRESTAURANTWEEK

Little City. Big Eats.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

playing stranger named Marvell Thunder arrives at the door of the Dupree family and brings a challenge for the offspring of late Jaguar Dupree, the only man who ever outplayed him in a “cutting contest.” Thunder offers Glory Dupree, Jaguar’s blind daughter, a Faustian bargain: if he wins the contest he gets Jaguar’s guitar, and if she wins she gets her sight back. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). $32. 7:30 p.m. creativecauldron.org.

“The Brothers Size” From the cocreator of the Academy Awardwinning film “Moonlight” comes a story of family, devotion, and belonging. Deep in the Louisiana bayou the hardworking and steady Ogun Size is reunited with his aimless younger brother recently released from prison. Flights of poetry, music, and West African mythology. 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Rd., Tysons) $39. 8 p.m. 1ststagetysons.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 “Admissions.” Bill and Sherri are the white, progressive-and-proud headmaster and dean of admissions at Hillcrest, a mid-tier New Hampshire boarding school. Over the last fifteen years, they’ve worked to diversify the school’s mostly white population. But when their high-achieving son Charlie’s Ivy League dreams are jeopardized, the family’s reaction blasts open a deep rift between their public values and private decisions. Studio Theatre (1501 14th St. NW Washington, D.C.) $20 – $101. 8 p.m. studiotheatreorg.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Brain Franke. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.

CA L E NDA R

Boys. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $22 – $25. 8:30 p.m. 703-2370300.

FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 19

Amanda Fish Show (Samantha Fish’s sister). JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Nick Thompson. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. Happy Hour: Shartel & Hume Duo. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-241-9504. Band Battle Finals: Drowning Ares + Rose Hollow + Every King & Commoner + 1 Identity + Next To Never + Sunhead. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $20. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566. Wu Han and Friends — Schubertiad: Chamber Music at The Barns. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $40. 7:30 p.m. 703255-1900. Burgers Blues. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186. Corey Smith: Great Wide Underground Tour. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20 – $25. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300. Gabe Stillman. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Bottle Shop. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Lowland Hum with Anna Tivel. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 8 p.m. 703-2551566.

Seoul to Soul: David Oh Performing Live. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $30. 1 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Randy’s Cheeseburger Tour featuring Randy from Trailer Park

Thrillbilly’s. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4

COREY SMITH will be at The State Theatre tomorrow. (Photo: CoreySmith.Com) p.m. 703-241-9504. 2 From The Heart. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. No Reply (Beatles All Night Long). Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186.

(6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504. Relay-Palooza: Battle of the Bands. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 5 p.m. 703-255-1566. Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504. Starranko + Adamantium. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-5258646.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Free Acoustic Open Mic, Hosted by Ryan Burke. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

JR Cline & The Recliners. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504.

The All Stars. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Maggie Shot Burns. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

The Moonbugs, Filo. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-525-8646.

Majestic: Weekly LGBTQ Night & Drag Show. Diva Lounge (6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 571-234-2045.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Robert Lighthouse & Memphis Gold. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Tyler Hilton with Emma Charles + Kicking Sunrise. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $20. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Josh Allen Duo. JV’s Restaurant

Wolf Blues Jam Weekly Show.

Mommy and Me with Dotty Westgate – Music and Movement for babies & toddlers. Famille Cafe (700-A W. Broad St. Falls Church). 10 a.m. 703-570-8669.

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 21 - 27, 2019

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VASQUEZ HERNANDEZ LLC., Trading as: EMILY’S RESTAURANT II, 404 South Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046-4412. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On/ Oﬀ Premise license. Emily Vasquez and Jorge Vasquez, Owners. 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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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

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

39 41

40 42

48 52

49 54

Across

1. Intl. oil group 5. SpaceX founder Musk 9. Like a merciless movie review 13. ____ Grant (college financial aid) 14. It may be stored on the cloud 15. Company that buried 700,000+ unsold video games in 1983 16. Cruz with the 2010 #1 hit “Break Your Heart” 17. “Eat up every moment” sloganeer 18. Instruments hit with mallets 19. Really fuming 22. Mo. when the Supreme Court reconvenes 23. ____ Beta Kappa 24. Food scrap 25. Shellac ingredient 27. Poet ____ St. Vincent Millay 29. One of four in a grand slam 32. Provoking sort 35. Tylenol target 36. Shakespeare play in which Beatrice says “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest” 40. Apple debut of 2001 41. Litter makeup 42. It breaks in the morning 43. Lavish care (on) 44. Pueblo building material 48. State-issued driver ID 49. Preceder of “two, three, four” 51. Goat’s bleat 52. Comment about what really matters in life ... or a comment about

STRANGE BREW

1. Intl. oil group

FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 21

fives squares in this puzzle’s grid 57. Move on tiptoe, say 58. Whopper 59. “Why do ____ this way?!” 60. Garbo of “Grand Hotel” 61. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., e.g. 62. ____ hygiene 63. Requirements of Mormonism 64. Like unfatty meat 65. Mecca for oenophiles

DOWN

1. Select 2. Actor Guy of “Memento” 3. George and T. S. 4. Attire 5. Archie’s wife on “All in the Family” 6. Emmy winner Christine 7. “Looking at it a different way,” in texts 8. Back of the neck 9. Bar selection 10. Pessimist’s word 11. Frustrated exclamation 12. “That may be true, but ...” 15. Lead-in to phobia 20. Sleep clinic concern 21. “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” singer 26. Having a crisp picture, say 27. Overjoy 28. What many college students accrue 29. Supervised 30. Dust jacket part, usually 31. Latest fad 33. Three-term Big Apple mayor 34. “Stop procrastinating!”

JOHN DEERING

Sudoku

35. Condition once called “shell shock,” for short 36. Prefix with life or wife 37. ____ creek 38. Playfully shy 39. Not suitable 43. Chicago Bears coaching legend Mike 45. Mark who was the 1998 PGA Player of the Year 46. Swimwear option 47. Title locale in a 1987 Cheech Marin film 48. Exams with a max. score of 180 49. Broom-____ of the comics 50. Complete reversal 52. Initials on a cross 53. Raising canines? 54. Airline that flies only six days a week 55. Certain downer, for short 56. Common symbol in heraldry 57. The Beatles’ ____ Pepper Last Thursday’s Solution M E M O I R I S D A S H T E S A L A P R E A L T I G E O F O N E I D J K R O U N O L I T E I C E S O K S O

B O T W I E L N N D T Y E W R E F R E N L O C W L I E E N R A R V E E M

H E L L O

R E H E M

B S Y C E R A N G S Y C N U C E

S T A N C H

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

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

By The Mepham Group

Level 1 2 3 4

5. SpaceX founder Musk 9. Like a merciless movie review 13. ____ Grant (college financial aid) 14. It may be stored on the cloud 15. Company that buried 700,000+ unsold video games in 1983 16. Cruz with the 2010 #1 hit "Break Your Heart" 17. "Eat up every moment" sloganeer 18. Instruments hit with mallets

19. Really fuming 22. Mo. when the Supreme Court reconvenes 23. ____ Beta Kappa 24. Food scrap 25. Shellac ingredient

NICK KNACK

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

2/24/19

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | FEBRUARY 21 – 27, 2019

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

20 s Yearo Ag

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

BACK IN THE DAY

20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press

Falls Church News-Press Vol. VIII, No. 50 • February 25, 1999

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XVIII, No. 51 • February 26, 2009

In a powerful symbolic gesture Monday night, the Falls Church City Council — on the eve of the first-ever “Harambee!” celebration of Black History Month here — “denounced the repudiated” an ordinance passed by the Council here in 1915 that divided the town into districts segregated by race. Though the ordinance has been voided since 1917, elected officials never went on the record to repudiate it.

CRIME REPORT

Auto Theft, 1051 E Broad St (Koons Ford), Feb 13, 9:36 AM, two gray pickup trucks, a silver pickup truck, and a black pickup truck were discovered missing from the dealership lot. Investigation continues. Hit and Run, 400 blk S West St, between 4:30 PM and 11:30 PM on Feb 13, a gray Toyota was struck by an unknown vehicle which failed to stop at the scene. Larceny – Theft from Building, 7124 Leesburg Pike (GMHS), Feb 14, 10:25 AM, an unknown suspect took clothing from a gym locker. Narcotics Violation, 100 blk Tinner Hill St, Feb 14, 2:11 PM,

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

As Falls Church and Fairfax County residents went to their mailboxes this week to learn how far the assessed value of their homes dropped over the past year, Fairfax County manager Tony Griffin proposed a $3.3 billion county budget that would cut vital social services and keep school funding even with last year despite an expected 5,500 increase in student enrollment.

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

Narcotics Violation, 6500 blk N 17th St, Feb 11, 11:05 PM, police stopped a vehicle for traffic violations. A female, 22, of Falls Church was issued a summons for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Critter Corner

Proposed Senior Assist Cuts Trouble Fairfax Supervisors

City Council Formally Repudiates 1915 Segregation Ordinance Here

Week of Feb. 11 – 17, 2019

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

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

police stopped a vehicle for equipment violations. A male, 26, of Falls Church was arrested for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Disorderly Conduct, 502 W Broad St (Locker Room Sports Bar and Grill), Feb 14, 9:52 PM, police responded for a complaint of three white male subjects behaving aggressively toward other patrons, and refusing to leave the establishment. Subjects left the scene prior to officers’ arrival. Smoking Violation, 6757-16 Wilson Blvd (Le Billard), Feb 15, 12:37 AM, police issued a summons to a female, 47, of Springfield, VA for Smoking in a Prohibited Area. Unlawful Entry, 920 W Broad St (Founders Row construction site), Feb 15, 7:48 AM, officers responded for a report of an unlawful entry to the unoccupied structure. Following an investigation,

police identified the suspect, and the reporting party declined to prosecute. Destruction of Property, 929 W Broad St, Feb 15, 9:41 AM, unknown suspect(s) punched a hole in the stairwell wall. Narcotics Violation, 1200 blk W Broad St, Feb 16, 12:14 AM, police stopped a vehicle for equipment violations. A male, 18, of Charles Town, WV was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

SPOTTED AROUND FALLS CHURCH...kidding (obviously). But wouldn’t that be super cool if it actually was here? Alas, a boy can dream. Local developer Bob Young, however, didn’t have to dream as he got up close and personal with this beauty in parts unknown. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

Drunkenness, 313 Park Ave (parking lot), Feb 16, 10:08 AM, officers responded for a complaint of an intoxicated subject on the premises. Police arrested a male, 55, of Falls Church for Drunk in Public. Larceny from Vehicle, 205 Hillwood Ave (Marriott Towne Suites parking lot), between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM on Feb 16, suspect(s) unknown entered a red Jeep and removed items from inside the vehicle. Drive While Intoxicated, 400 blk E Broad St, Feb 17, 12:28 AM, police stopped a vehicle for multiple traffic violations. A female, 24, of Arlington, VA was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and Drinking While Driving.

Jimmie & Mindy Married February 14, 2016

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We reach some of the

FEBRUARY 21 - 27, 2019 | PAGE 23

SMARTEST, HEALTHIEST & WEALTHIEST

PEOPLE IN THE NATION. DO YOU? The City of Falls Church: #1 Healthiest Community in America, 2018 U.S. News & World Report #2 Richest County in America, 2017 Forbes 80%+ F.C. residents 25 years+ with Bachelor’s Degrees or Higher, U.S. Census Bureau Also... #1 Best County in the U.S. to Live In, 2018 USA TODAY #1 Fastest Growing County in America, U.S. Census Bureau #1 Tradi�onal High School in Virginia (George Mason H.S.), 2018 U.S. News & World Report

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PAGE 24 | FEBRUARY 21 - 27, 2019

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