UNBEATEN MUSTANG BOYS PLAY TONIGHT (SEE
SPORTS ON PAGE 4)
A DOWNTOWN F.C. CONCERT
Council
With the heightened uncertainty derived from mass and sudden layoffs of federal employees hitting Northern Virginia particularly hard, the news from the second quarter financial report and of news of real estate assessments for the City of Falls Church released this week augured well, at least for the City in comparison to its regional neighbors. The overall assessed values showed a whopping 10.5 percent increase over a year ago, with more than half the increase coming from commercial real estate growth, the City Council will be contemplating a 2.5 cent real estate tax cut.
By contrast, the City’s neighboring jurisdictions of Arlington and Fairfax are facing a much more dire situation, even before the impact of the Trump slash and burn federal worker firings have been assessed. The Arlington County board voted this week to advertise a 1 cent
Nicholas
An overflow crowd of more than 200 jammed into the public meeting room of the Arlington Central Library Tuesday night to take on the cascading matter of federal job layoffs ordered by the new Trump administration and their impacts on the regional economy.
Arlington County announced
the immediate formation of an $11.5 million increase in its budget stabilization reserve at the event, and it was announced that U.S. Rep. Don Beyer and the jurisdictions of Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax will hold a popup resource fair on Saturday, March 8, from 12 to 5 p.m at Wakefield High School in Arlington, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St., that will provide resources
for job search, financial planning and counseling, information on federal workers’ rights, human services and support for such as food assistance, housing, unemployment benefits and mental health support.
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission released a map of where federal civilian employees live in Northern Virginia, and it shows that about 16 percent of City residents are
employed by the federal government.
Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi issued a statement on the subject at the F.C. City Council meeting Monday.
She said, “We know many in our community are impacted by the cruel and haphazard cuts in the federal government, there are real impacts to real people.
WASHINGTON SIFONIETTA orchestra performed a concert of Mozart (featuring clarinetist Elizabeth Bley) and Haydn in the sanctuary of the Falls Church Episcopal Church last Saturday night in downtown Falls Church. It was one of a number of live entertainment events held in close proximity to the intersection of Broad and Washington Streets (see Editorial, page 6). (News-Press photo)
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
increase in tax rate over what its manager Mark Schwartz proposed, and in Fairfax County, while manager Bryan Hill has advanced a budget with a 1.5 cent increase, that includes the proposed cuts in the county school budget that are draconian.
For Falls Church, Mayor Hardi said at Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting that it was important to emphasize how the recent years’ strong commercial development gains in the City will make matters relatively smooth for the City taxpayers, with prospects for 5.9 percent growth in both the City and school budgets to go along with the 2.5 cent rate decrease. Sixty-five percent of the budget growth is coming from real estate, and half of that is from new construction, she noted.
While Council member Erin Flynn cautioned that the new growth comes with added costs, those present were told that most of the costs of infrastruc-
ture improvements, such as for solid waste, had become necessary prior to the latest spate of development.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the growth premium is the City schools. Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan told the Council’s budget and finance committee last week that they will do well with a projected 5.9 percent budget increase, even though that would be slightly less than the amount Noonan said would be needed last month.
Noonan praised the “revenue sharing” agreement that has smoothed over budget deliberations in the City since being implemented in recent years. It means that the hikes for both the City side and school budgets are projected to be the same 5.9 percent. That assurance for the City schools is not something the City’s neighboring school systems will be able to enjoy, he noted, forecasting that overall revenue prospects for Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria will be “nothing close to” Falls Church’s,
with the result that the school budgets in those places will face serious cuts,” he predicted.
Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields said that while tax rates around the region will be challenging, with the 1 cent rate increase projected for Arlington and a 1.5 cent increase for Fairfax being proposed, they are at the expense of big cuts for their schools. “Watch what happens in Arlington and Fairfax” to their school budgets, he intoned, “They’ll get slammed.”
“We’d be in big trouble without the development growth we’ve had,” added Council member Laura Downs. Mayor Hardi expressed concern that the Council needs to plan ahead for next year, however, when a return to more normal growth at about 3 percent can be expected. “We’re not going to have this rate of growth every year going forward,” she said.
But the uncertainty factor looms over all, given the federal layoffs and the fact that for every federal employee job, three to
four other jobs are impacted, Sluggish growth in the City’s meals tax in the first six months of the current fiscal year despite the opening of a spate of new restaurants is also concerning, it was noted.
As for the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget for Fairfax County released last week by County Executive Hill, it includes an extra $118.6 million for the county schools, far short of the $268 million increase in funding that Fairfax Schools’ Superintendent Michelle Reid says is needed to cover rising costs, including a 7 percent teacher pay raise.
Fairfax Schools are facing a $121 million shortfall, plus the potential loss of $168 million in federal aid under new Trump administration policies that tie school funding to compliance with executive orders targeting transgender athletes and diversity programs.
County Executive Hill, in his budget message to the joint meeting of the County Board
and School Board this week, said, “The budget release comes amidst a time of great uncertainty for our region, as the new presidential administration has signalled its desire, and begun taking actions, to significantly reshape the federal government, including its workforce. Fairfax County is home to more than 50,000 federal workers, and even more workers connected to businesses that contract with the federal government,” He added, “Already, we are seeing workers being laid off or furloughed in the greater Washington area, with threats of significant layoffs of federal workers and terminations of federal leases.” But he said his proposed budget was mostly developed before the new administration took office, and assumes the continuation of economic conditions at that time. “It will be imperative for us to continually monitor actions at the federal level to determine is any updates to our revenue projections are necessary.”
Meridian Boys Beat Skyline Again, Advance to Regional Finals
by Ryan McCafferty
For the third time this season, the boys’ basketball team at Meridian High School faced off against the Skyline Hawks, with the first of those contests ending on a buzzer beater and the second going to overtime. This one would feature the highest stakes yet, with the winner advancing to the Regional Finals and punching their ticket to the State Tournament, while the loser’s season would be all over. Entering Thursday night with an undefeated 24-0 record, the Mustangs were determined not to let their ride end here.
The home team got off to a slow start, as after Jarrett Jardine scored the opening layup, Meridian found itself trailing 4-10 in the early stages. The Mustangs regrouped and cut the deficit to 12-14 after a quarter, and then got a breakaway Marquis Myles layup to tie the game and an Isaac Rosenberger three-point play to take the lead early in the second. A bouncing corner three from Myles put Meridian ahead 22-14, capping off a 16-2 run, and then the energetic backup point guard gave the Mustangs their first doubledigit lead at 28-17 late in the half. However, Skyline scored the final five points of the period – including a banked three just before the halftime buzzer – to go into the break trailing 30-24.
The Hawks would score the first five out of the intermission as well, but John Lyman hit a timely basket to end Meridian’s
drought, and the game of runs continued. A Will Davis three put the Mustangs ahead 39-31 midway through the third before Skyline got back within 43-40 with a quarter remaining, and then the home team scored the next eight to go back up by double figures. Still, the Hawks weren’t dead yet, and got back within three after hitting a desperation shot from deep in the final minute. It became a free throw contest the rest of the way, and Meridian was able to execute as Davis swished a pair and then Billy Asel made one more to seal the 59-53 victory.
John Lyman led all scorers with 17, while Davis added 11 and Jarrett Jardine chipped in with 10. Head coach Jim Smith had said following Meridian’s dominant win over Goochland on Saturday that the key against Skyline would be forcing turnovers and scoring off of them, and the Mustangs
were able to do exactly that after the rocky first quarter.
“I thought we just had to get settled in,” Smith said. “Once we let the game come to us, and once our bench got involved, we were able to take control.”
As they’ve done all season, Asel and Myles made a major impact off the bench with their hustle and energy. Unfortunately, Asel appeared to hurt his foot during the final seconds, and Smith was not optimistic regarding the severity of the injury postgame, indicating it is likely that his season – and high school playing career – is over.
Alas, the rest of the Mustangs will carry on, with some extra motivation to win it for their senior Sixth Man and team “glue guy.” Meridian will host William Monroe in the Regional Finals on Thursday, and win or lose, they’ll be competing in the State
As Region Struck With Mass Federal Layoffs, Resources Emerging
Tonight we celebrated the 100th birthday of our volunteer firefighter department, more than ever we are grateful for our public sector workers.
“We’ve been working on assessing impacts to the city budget, programs, and projects. We have a new city webpage up with resources for our residents – we will continue to update as we get more information out there. Thanks to our communications team for quickly mobilizing on that. I encourage our residents to sign up directly with Congressman Beyer and Senator Warner and Kaine’s
communications so they can stay in touch with their updates and town hall opportunities.
“I am also in regular communication with my regional counterparts and our representatives in Congress on how we can best support and protect our residents.”
Councilman David Snyder, attending the meeting remotely, said “Thousands of federal employees and critically important domestic and international programs have been summarily terminated or ‘paused’ without any review of their performance and with a unique malevolence directed at federal employees who have long and effectively
served the public. We are committed to supporting our citizens to the fullest extent we can in their time of need.”
“In some ways, [the current situation] has taken the worst elements of a lot of the things that have happened in the past, and sort of put them all together,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said this week.
Tuesday’s town hall in Arlington was packed. Hosted by the Arlington County Democratic Committee, it was led by four panelists who were hit with questions about what recent changes mean and how they should respond.
The current situation in D.C.
represents “a much higher risk to Fairfax County than Covid ever did,” said Jeff McKay, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “Every day, we’re seeing a worse impact than the day before,” McKay said this week. “Thousands of people have lost their jobs. Northern Virginia’s economy is under attack.” McKay added, “The county has created a dedicated resource page for federal workers and contractors affected by the drastic measures taken to reduce the size of the federal government. This proactive step was intended to serve as an example for the state to follow.
“I’m pleased that since then Governor Youingkin has established a resource page for federal workers. While this is a positive step, I hope he will also take the opportunity to advocate more proactively with the Trump Administration to protect both the private sector and federal government employees who are essential to Virginia’s economy.
“While it’s important to provide support after a job loss, it’s equally crucial to advocate for preventing those losses in the first place. Rest assured, we will continue to do our part here in Fairfax County and advocate on behalf of those who need it.”
MERIDIAN BOYS BEAT Skyline for the third time. They will play for the Region Title on Thursday night. (Photo: News-Press).
27 - MARCH 5, 2025
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Vol. XXXV, No. 3
February 27 - March 5, 2025
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E ditorial
F.C. Entertainment Needs Outside $
Last Saturday night in downtown Falls Church, there was a remarkable abundance of quality live entertainment within roughly a block either way of the central Broad (Rt. 7) and Washington (Rt. 29) intersection. To begin with, there was a beautiful concert in the formidable meeting space of the Falls Church Episcopal Church featuring the Washington Sinfonietta orchestra performing Mozart and Haydn. Then, right across the street, was another classy performance of “Steel Magnolias” at the new Creative Cauldron space in the massive mixed use structure that is home to the new regional flagship Whole Foods store. Then there was a lively 70’s Disco show a half block up the street at the venerable State Theatre. And then there was live music at the popular Ireland’s Four Provinces restaurant and Dogwood Tavern and probably more.
The physical area may be small, but in terms of density, we can bet there were few places that offered more for entertainment-seekers anywhere in the region that night. On top of that, there was, and is, an abundance of very good food. We strongly urge City officials to put more outside lighting in and around that intersection to encourage the attendees at all these offerings to move around and make the most of their visits here. It needn’t look like 42nd Street in Manhattan, but more lighting would make it even more attracting.
The City of Falls Church has evolved into a new era, one in which new people are arriving in droves to live in the apartments that have opened up in downtown, the Founders Row intersection and the massive new West End destination, and still more coming in to dine and attend events (the biggest single crowd this week constituted the near capacity that filled the Meridian High School court for the regional boys basketball playoff game this Tuesday. Our Mustangs remain undefeated with a shot at winning our town’s first ever state title in that sport. Near sell-out crowds have become common for high school and middle school drama productions at the new auditorium there, too.)
Add all our fabulous new restaurants, now a half-dozen or more regularly showing up on the “Best Of” lists in regional publications, and this town is truly a-hoppin’!
So here is the challenge: to make all of this work, the City really needs to attract more people from elsewhere in the region to fill these great new venues.
And yes, it is already happening. A City official noted recently that already most of the people shopping downtown are not from the City. But that is our point: this is what we are relying on, and there needs to be a lot more of it.
With the way things are developing now, the regional economy is going to get very tight. But in the four zip codes right around the City there has been an estimated $4 billion in annual disposable income that the City needs to tap with an accelerated marketing campaign.
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F.C. Council Votes New Names for 2 Parklets
Two new mini-parks, or parklets, fashioned by the Falls Church City public works office now or soon operational here were given names by the F.C. City Council Monday night. The location at 190 S. Washington St. will be known now as Civic Triangle, and the one at 400 S. Maple as Cavalier Trail Park.
The Council voted unanimously on the names after putting out the word for public input, and deciding that they should not be named for any given person.
Metrorail Ridership Reaches 5 Year High in Past Week
Metrorail had its highest weekday ridership in almost five years this week, according to WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. The surge follows recent federal office mandates for full in-person work. To meet demand, WMATA has added additional eight-car trains and expects Metrobus and Metrorail to reach one million weekly riders.
News & Notes
Early Termination Options Put Area Office Sites at Risk
Fifty-eight federal leases totaling 2.1 million square feet in greater Washington include early termination options, which could be targets in the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal real estate footprint, according to a report in the Washington Business Journal. Affected space includes 702,000 square feet in D.C., about 1 million square feet mostly in Arlington and Fairfax counties in Virginia, and 432,000 square feet mostly in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.
F.C. Schools Announces New Director of Facilities
Falls Church City Public Schools announced this week that Kevin Mehm will become the new Director of Facilities, effective March 17.Mehm has extensive experience in facilities management, real estate,
operations, and security from public education and the private sector, according to a FCCPS statement.
He comes from KIPP DC, where he has served since 2015, most recently as Senior Managing Director of Real Estate and Facilities. In this role, he oversaw an extensive real estate portfolio spanning eight campuses, one million square feet, and a student population of 7,300. Kevin led strategic planning, capital projects, security initiatives, and operational management, ensuring safe and well-maintained learning environments.
Mehm has held leadership roles in Prince George’s County Public Schools, where he spearheaded key projects in maintenance operations, security, and emergency preparedness for a district serving 125,000 students across 205 schools.
Mehm is a resident of Falls Church City and holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he was a Dean’s Scholar. He also
holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Full, Searchable FCNP On-Line Archive Now Up
The Library of Virginia in Richmond has announced that it has now posted a complete, searchable archive of every issue of the Falls Church NewsPress from its inception in March 1991 to April 2024 on its The Virginia Chronicle website.
The link is “Falls Church News Press, Browse by title, Virginia Chronicle: Digital Newspaper Archive.”
CBC Opens Applications for Youth Representatives
The Youth Representatives Initiative started by Falls Church’s Citizens for a Better City (CBC) in 2014 in an effort to involve the City’s youth in local government, has announced that applications will be available beginning Monday,
March 3, on-line fallschurchcbc.net and youthrepsinitiative. net or they can be picked up at the Meridian High School Guidance Department.
Any high school aged student interested in serving on a City Board or Commission or on a participating Civic Group Board may apply. The deadline for application submissions to CBC is Monday, April 7. Interviews will be scheduled for Thursday, May 1, Friday, May 2, Saturday, May 3, and Monday, May 5.
Forty-seven Falls Church City High School students are currently serving on these City Boards, Commissions, and Civic Groups.
“The CBC is pleased to report the program is growing in popularity as more students apply every year – especially younger siblings of those currently serving,” said CBC President Sally Ekfelt. “CBC’s ultimate goal is to engender the spirit of community activism in our youth and through their interest and commitment inspire the participation of their parents. It’s working.”
THE HOST OF the Mardi Gras fete at the Solace Outpost Tuesday, F.C. Realtor Tori McKinney (left) was dressed for the occasion, as was Elizabeth Meade (right) of the Creative Cauldon, who came as the unnamed evil witch from Snow White, complete with her toxic apple. (Photo: News-Press)
ENJOYING THE Mardi Gras party at the Solace Outpost Tuesday was local bookkeeping star Greg Sobsey and his two sons, Jackie and Branch. (Photo: News-Press)
Del. Simon: More of His Bills Passed Than Anyone’s
Falls Church-based Virginia State Del. Marcus Simon writes this week, “I’m proud to share that I was the most successful legislator this session in getting bills passed. Among lawmakers who introduced more than one bill, I had the highest batting average, meaning more of my legislation made it through the process than anyone else’s.”
“It’s about delivering real results for Virginians. I’ve worked hard to craft meaningful, effective legislation and build the support needed to get things done. I’ll keep fighting for the issues that matter to our community,” he wrote.
Former Mayor Appointed To F.C. Economic Authority
Monday the Falls Church City
News & Notes
Council approved the appointment of former F.C. Mayor Alan Brangman to the Economic Development Authority to fill an unexpired term vacated due to the death last November of developer and board chair Bob Young. The term runs through November 2026.
In addition, Matthew Quinn was reappointed to another term on the authority. Isaac Kennan was appointed to the Community Criminal Justice Board, Galina Tarasova to the Housing Commission, Stacey Vagoun to the Aurora House Citizens Advisory Committee, Mary Sellers to the Arts and Humanities Council, Michael Trauberman and Matthew Cunningham to the Environmental Sustainability Council, and Tiffany Morris and Cinda Rose to the Historic Architectural Review Board.
THE WEEKLY LUNCHEON of friends of the News-Press saw a full house at The Falls restaurant last Monday. (Photo: News-Press)
DAVE DOUIGHERTY, chief of the Falls Church Voluntary Fire Department, spoke to the audience at the F.C. City Council meeting Monday, along with the organization’s president Adriana Palacious (seated). The department was honored with a Council proclamation declaring Feb. 27 as a day to honor the 100th anniversary of the organization. (Photo: News-Press)
Spring Arts Preview
Pages 9-15
Sunday,
Sunday,
Exploring the DMV Arts Scene: Creativity Thrives
Washington, DC, and its surrounding regions are home to a dynamic and diverse performing arts community. From intimate local theaters to grand concert halls, the cultural landscape of the area is rich with creative expression, fostering talent and engaging audiences. This roundup explores some of the most notable performing arts organizations and venues, including the Keegan Theatre, Gala Theatre, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC, George Mason Center for the Arts, Creative Cauldron Falls Church, Falls Church Arts, and the Friday Morning Music Club. Each of these institutions contributes to the artistic vibrancy of the region in unique ways.
Keegan Theatre: Intimate and Bold Storytelling
The Keegan Theatre, located in Dupont Circle, is known for its commitment to producing bold and transformative performances. Founded in 1996, the Keegan Theatre has built a strong reputation for showcasing emotionally powerful plays, including both classic and contemporary works. Their mission is centered around creating productions that resonate deeply with audiences, fostering conversations about the human experience. The venue itself, a charming, intimate space, provides an up-close connection between actors and theatergoers, making each performance a personal experience.
Gala Theatre: A Hub for Latino Performing Arts
Located in the heart of Columbia Heights, Gala Hispanic Theatre stands as a beacon for Latino arts and culture in Washington, DC. Since its founding in 1976, Gala Theatre has been instrumental in bringing Latino voices and stories to the forefront through engaging plays, musicals, and cultural performances. Its productions often feature bilingual and Spanish-language works, ensuring accessibility to a diverse audience. Beyond theater productions, Gala Theatre actively engages the community through educational programs, youth outreach, and collaborations with Latin American artists.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC: Using Music to Inspire and Empower
For over 40 years, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) has stood as a symbol of inclusivity, artistic excellence, and social advocacy. This
renowned choral ensemble, with over 200 members, uses the power of music to uplift, educate, and inspire. Their performances span genres from Broadway hits to classical choral works, often incorporating themes of LGBTQ+ rights and equality. In addition to its seasonal concerts, GMCW participates in outreach programs and community events, bringing music and messages of hope to schools, churches, and public forums throughout the region.
George Mason Center for the Arts:
A Premier Performing Arts Venue
Located on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, the Center for the Arts serves as a cornerstone of the region’s performing arts scene. With its impressive 2,000-seat concert hall, this venue hosts an array of performances, including orchestras, ballet, opera, and theater productions. It serves as both a stage for professional touring companies and a showcase for student and faculty performances from George Mason University’s highly regarded School of Music and Theater. Audiences can enjoy a diverse lineup of world-class performances throughout the year, making it a cultural hub in Northern Virginia.
Creative Cauldron Falls Church: A Nurturing Space for Artists
In the city of Falls Church, Creative Cauldron has carved out a niche as a space dedicated to innovative storytelling and the development of local talent. This black box theater and arts organization specializes in intimate productions that blend theater, music, and visual arts. One of its signature programs, the Bold New Works for Intimate Stages initiative, focuses on producing original musicals and plays that reflect contemporary social themes. Additionally, Creative Cauldron fosters emerging talent through its Learning Theater program, which provides young actors with hands-on theater experience alongside professional artists.
Falls Church Arts: Showcasing Visual Creativity
Unlike the other organizations on this list that focus on performing arts, Falls Church Arts is a nonprofit dedicated to the visual arts. It provides a platform for local artists to exhibit and sell their work while engaging the community through workshops, exhibitions, and interactive programs. Located in the heart of Falls
Continued on Page 11
RHYTHM INDIA
CHERISH THE LADIES
SPRING ARTS
Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Getting Into the Arts
Church, its gallery space regularly features rotating exhibits that highlight various artistic styles and mediums, from painting and photography to sculpture and mixed media. Falls Church Arts plays a vital role in making art accessible and fostering a strong community of artists and art lovers.
Friday Morning Music Club: A Tradition of Musical Excellence
Founded in 1886, the Friday Morning Music Club (FMMC) holds the distinction of being one of the oldest and most respected musical organizations in Washington, DC. This classical music society is composed of accomplished musicians who perform free concerts throughout the city, making high-caliber chamber music, orchestral performances, and solo recitals available to the public. The club is also dedicated to nurturing young talent, offering scholar-
ships and competition opportunities for aspiring classical musicians. With performances held in some of DC’s most iconic venues, FMMC remains a cherished institution within the region’s classical music landscape.
Each of these organizations contributes significantly to the cultural fabric of the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Their collective impact extends beyond entertainment, as they also serve as platforms for education, artistic innovation, and community engagement. From celebrating Latin American culture at Gala Theatre to empowering LGBTQ+ voices through the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC, these institutions exemplify the power of the arts to foster inclusivity, dialogue, and social change.
Additionally, venues such as the George Mason Center for the Arts and Creative Cauldron provide opportunities for both established artists and emerging talent to connect with audiences. Meanwhile, Falls Church Arts ensures that visual artists
have a space to thrive, and the Friday Morning Music Club continues a long-standing tradition of bringing classical music to the public for free.
The Washington, DC area is undeniably rich in artistic diversity, with institutions that cater
to a wide range of artistic tastes and cultural interests. Whether one is seeking an intimate theatrical experience, an inspiring choral performance, a visual arts exhibit, or a world-class orchestral concert, these organizations ensure that the region
remains a thriving hub for the arts. As the arts community continues to evolve and grow, these venues and ensembles play a crucial role in shaping the cultural landscape and providing meaningful artistic experiences for all. FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5,
SPRING ARTS
National Building Museum Unveils Captivating New Exhibits
by Patricia Leslie
“Build it and they will come” to the National Building Museum which features something for everyone from “bricks” to architecture to the museum’s historical objects on view for the first time.
The newest exhibition, “A South Forty,” presents American Southern contemporary architecture and designs beginning in the 1990s and created by 40 regional firms found along the US Highway 40 corridor starting in North Carolina and ending in Oklahoma.
Curated by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, photographs and models reflect the dynamic changes in the region and how personalities and Southern environments infuse structures.
“Brick City,” is in another gallery, an astonishing presentation of landmark buildings from around the world which United Kingdom artist Warren Elsmore has constructed entirely of Legos (with one exception).
Exquisitely crafted, these structures are unbelievable in their complexity and they are certain to pro-
duce astonishment for those who see San Francisco’s “painted ladies” houses, the Empire State Building and many more.
Anchoring the gallery is the magnificent centerpiece, London’s St. Pancras Station, measuring 12 feet and containing more than 180,000 Legos.
Other notables are the “Mona Lisa” (which took Elsmore 14 hours and 900 bricks to assemble), Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral (100 hours, 3000 bricks), and Rome’s Colosseum (25 hours, 1600 bricks).
It took the artist and his team 24 hours and 2000 bricks to construct the Lincoln Memorial, and 12 hours and 800 bricks for Buckingham Palace’s balcony scene of Prince William and Kate’s 2011 wedding, with the notable exception that some non-brick items were used for the Royals’ clothing.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans happens next Tuesday and Elsmore celebrates the festival with 9,000 bricks which took him 50 hours to erect.
Plentiful bricks and tables to construct personal landmarks by visitors to the museum are available for more fun. (On the day I was there about the same number of fathers
were building Lego designs as their children.)
It’s a “must see to believe” show!
Another exhibition, which closes March 17, is “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” of architecture past and future from the 1930s through the 1950s which Wright (1867-1959) finished and others, he didn’t.
It “examines how [Wright’s] vision of the future might have impacted urban, suburban, and rural landscapes,” says the museum’s website. A film with original music presents three Pittsburgh “unrealized” properties.
Still another architectural exhibition, this one held over until June 30, 2025, is “Capital Brutalism” about seven structures in Washington and the WMATA Metro system.
Characterizing “brutalism” (and eerily prescient of today’s environment!) are straight and harsh geometric lines of unpainted concrete, brick, steel and glass, void of personal drama (the exteriors), the style which came of age in response to the first Cold War (1947-1991).
The designs suggests the stark, cold lines and environment of a casket, inhabited by non-humans (which
our nation’s capital may become after some get their fill).
The museum’s website says many of the buildings “haven’t aged well,” but I was heartbroken when the Third Church Of Christ, Scientist on 16th was demolished in 2014 because the church didn’t have funds to maintain it.
The brutalists in the exhibition are the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Lauinger Library at Georgetown University, the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building, and the Euram Building at Dupont Circle.
Also, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), the James V. Forrestal Building (U.S. Department of Energy) and the Hubert H. Humphrey Building (now the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
Robert C. Weaver (1907-1997) was the first HUD secretary and first Black cabinet member. James V. Forrestal (1892-1949) was the first secretary of defense whose namesake was originally built to house Pentagon personnel and now, the U.S. Department of Energy.
Former presidential nominee,
vice president and U.S. senator Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978) was the first living person to have a building named after him who died 75 days after the building was dedicated in 1977.
The National Building Museum is loaded with ongoing exhibitions, too, like “Building Stories,” designed in collaboration with the DC Public Library, which is an exploration of children’s books related to the buildings around them, especially aimed at grades K-3 students and their parents and caregivers.
Another ongoing and one of the most intriguing galleries and among my favorites, is “Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage,” a broad range of historical objects and artifacts from the Museum’s permanent collection previously unseen by the public due to size, scope, and material.
And there are more!
The National Building Museum, 401 F Street, Washington, D.C. 20001, is across the street from the Judiciary Square (Red Line) Metro stop and four blocks from the National Mall near the National Gallery of Art.
SPRING ARTS
Creative Currents: Exploring the Vibrant Arts Scene in F.C.
by Falls Church Arts
Al Fresco Arts
Events in Falls Church
Falls Church Spring Window Painting Festival (March 22) is a celebration of spring with merchant storefront windows being painted. Many young painters will take to the streets between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on March 22 to paint festive, familyfriendly, spring-themed designs on storefront windows along the major Falls Church City thoroughfares. This grew from the very popular fall window painting event around Halloween. Over the years this is another part of the community fabric that makes Falls Church a great place to live and visit. It was initiated by Marty Baer of Falls Church Arts and joined by Bethany Henderson. Businesses asked if a spring painting was possible – and this year, for the first time, it is being provided. Those aspiring artists will return to clean up the windows on April 19. This volunteer-led event is sponsored by Falls Church Arts. There is no cost to participating merchants.
Arts at the Park in Falls Church (April 26) will be held for the 3rd
year and appears to be becoming an annual part of the local arts calendar.
It is part of the City’s World Art Day celebration which showcases over 40 artists work, but also fosters community engagement and appreciation for the arts. The spring Arts at the Park will occur this year on Saturday April 26 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. near the Cherry Hill Farmhouse and Park. The rain date is May 3rd.
In Falls Church, this event evolved from a sequence of events when Falls Church Arts rescheduled Plein Air Falls Church event from spring to September during Covid. What followed were requests for a spring art event in the City. Members of the City’s Arts and Humanities Council, Mary Sellers and Ari Autor raised the possibilities of celebrating World Day which is a United Nations initiated event. With a general consensus to move forward, the AHC leaders teamed with the Falls Church CATCH Foundation members Roxanne Kaylor and Keith Thurston to provide several free arts events for the public. In the first two years it included the Arts at the Park, open house artists’ studio tours, and dance demonstrations. Each year, the mix of events has varied to keep
it interesting.
World Art Day was first proposed as an international celebration of the fine arts at the 17th General Assembly of the International Association of Art (IAA) in Guadalajara. This proposal was sponsored by Bedri Baykam of Turkey and co-signed by Rosa Maria Burillo Velasco of Mexico and supported by 10 other countries. It was accepted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly, and promoted by UNESCO to help preserve the arts and cultures of societies around the world. The first celebrations were held in 2012 in many countries, and it has grown each year.
The IAA suggest that the date in April be adopted in honor of the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci (April 15). Da Vinci was chosen as a symbol of world peace, freedom of expression, tolerance, brotherhood and multiculturalism. It also highlights art’s importance to other parts of society and the economy. It promotes awareness of creative activity worldwide. Since April 15 falls on a weekday, Falls Church and other locations celebrate on a weekend in late April.
En Plein Air Festival Falls Church (September 26) There are
many Plein Air events around the U.S. and the world. Painters of rural and urban landscapes travel to these festivals for an opportunity to paint interesting local venues, to compete for thousands in cash prizes and win acclaim and recognition with the juror awards. One of the largest al fresco events in Falls Church for painters and the public participation is the Plein Air Festival. It attracts painters form the mid-Atlantic area
to come to Falls Church for two weeks to paint the scenes around the City. Then Falls Church Arts
President Barbara Cram started the event here in 2007, and it has grown and thrived since. One of the prizes is awarded each year in her memory. At the culmination on September 26, Farmers Market visitors can vote for their favorite, and buy a unique and beautiful view of their favorite things about the Falls Church.
WORLD ART DAY held in Falls Church. (Photo: Keith Thurston).
Laura Conners Hull Talks About Her Creative Cauldron Adventure
Last week marked the momentous and historic opening of a permanent new home for Creative Cauldron, the City of Falls Church’s home grown and operated theatre production and education nonprofit. A full house attended the opening of an energetic production of “Steel Magnolias” following a Friday noon ribbon-cutting that involved the full contingent of A List community leaders.
Though she was too busy taking care of all the last minute pressures of getting the place ready for showtime, Laura Connors Hull, the creative force behind the whole shebang from before its beginning, found herself with the tangible results of this phase of her enormous efforts and achievements to bring something very important to her town.
A friend of the News-Press from the get-go, Connors Hull shared a summary of her experiences creating and cultivating the Creative Cauldron with this newspaper this week.
The effort is technically in its 24th year, though it was in the late 1990s that Hull developed the vision for what has come to pass beyond her dreams.
She told the News-Press her story from the beginning.
“I started out with an idea of developing a professional theater company right out of college in Ohio,” she said. Penniless after travelling upon graduating, she took advantage of Carter administration arts initiatives and worked for nine years creating and advancing community theater in Astabula, Ohio, a city almost the exact size as Falls Church an hour east of Cleveland.
She said she longed for a more impactful environment, which led to her moving to the D.C. area. “I was tired of being a big fish in a small pond, I longed for an international community. D.C. was perfect, New York was too much for me.
“I got involved in the business side of theater, starting with a West End dinner theater in Alexandria where I was director of sales for three years. I moved to the Arena Stage in D.C., the mother ship of the regional theater movement here, where I was able to double their sales in the first year. I became the publicity director for 10 years, with a staff of 35 and a budget of $6 million.
“But I had two kids at home, and the artist in me had become disconnected. I decided I had to do something, so I remained as a consultant with Arena, while I spent more time with my kids at home, and wondered why there wasn’t more of the arts in the Falls Church area.
So I decided to form a non–profit.”
She said she was fortunate that one of her first hires was the incredibly creative Matt Conner. “His arrival became an absolute inflection point. I hired him in 2002 as media director, and he was also a composer, actor and amazingly creative person. We wrote a grant proposal to Fairfax Arts for our first production by him, the ‘King of Pizza.’ We began a director and musical composition journey, paired with different writers, including his husband, Steven Gregory Smith, and the collaboration led to our Bold New Works for Intimate Stages project.
“Matt and Steven decided they wanted to develop shows for all five years of this project, and in the near future we will be revisiting all of them here 10 years after their original launch. They included ‘The Turning of the Screw,’ ‘Monsters of the Villa Diadade,’ ‘Kaleidoscope,’ ‘Witch’ and ‘On Air,’ about the first radio broadcasts. Matt had also written and directed ‘Nevermore,’ a production for the Signature Theater in Arlington that we also did two runs of here.”
Hull said the experience of creating and running Creative Cauldorn has been such a major source of joy for her.
“There are so many memories. It is amazing. Receiving letters and testimonials from young people who came up through our program make me feel the best of all, the idea of making a difference that will last for someone over decades makes for me the most joy.”
While that is the real reward for her work, it must also be noted that the Cauldron’s production have earned a couple dozen Helen Hayes Award nominations and five or six wins, she noted.
The new space was developed as a result of contact with Rick Hauser of the Insight Property Group, she said. He came to a production at the old home of
the Cauldron on S. Maple, which had been its home for a full decade.
“We had outgrown that space, and after a 10 year lease there was no extension option and had a cumbersome triple-net lease, compared to the simple fee lease we have now,” she said. “Rick Hauser, when he first showed up at our old space, said ‘So this is where the arts live in Falls Church!”
Laura and her team learned of the Insight Group’s plans for their large scale Broad and Washington project, and won Hauser over on the idea of providing the 5,000 square feet in their new project at a low rent with options for extending their lease 30 years into the future.
“We’d outgrown the old space and needed a bigger footprint for more educational programming, storage space, a proper dressing room and capability of making audiences comfortable. We were sad to leave the old space that we’d occupied since 2009.” In fact, Laura is still in the process of cleaning stuff out of the old location.
“It was the interest of Rick Hauser, the top dog at Insight, that has made this possible. He and his team are visionaries, they believe in the synergy of the arts and community. Now Maury Sterns has become our main contact with Insight, and I am beyond pleased,” she said.
“It is an astonishing experience to walk in. It is a beautiful space, the community as a whole has a treasure realized. We are delighted that we were able to raise $750,000 over two years to outfit the space. We are in an environment with other theater groups nearby, including the Nova Nightsky and Providence Players.
“I decided to put my roots in Falls Church for a reason.There is a ‘there there.’ It is more than a crossroads, and is now really living up to its potential.”
LAURA HULL SHOWS off the new theater space of Creative Cauldron. (Photo: News-Press)
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
SPRING ARTS
FCArts Latest Show Light & Dark Contrast Opens March 1st
by Susan Hillson
The creativity of forty-four local photographers will be presented when Falls Church Arts hosts the exhibit Light & Dark: Contrast next month. The exhibit continues the organization’s long-standing support of arts in the community.
The sixty-piece exhibit will open Saturday, March 1, with a meet-the-artists reception from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the gallery of Falls Church Arts, 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church, Virginia. The event is free and open to the public. The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced at the reception. Visitors are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award at the gallery before March 21.
The color and black and white images will be on display from March 1 to April 6, 2025. Admission to the gallery is free. The gallery is open Tuesdays–Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The images can also be viewed at https:// www.fallschurcharts.org. All images are available for purchase at the gallery or online.
Aimee George, juror for Light and Dark: Contrast, is an artist and educator native to the Shenandoah Valley. She teaches art at James Madison University. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree with concentration in photography from James Madison University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Shepherd University. She has juried a national photography exhibition at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts and given a gallery lecture on experimental photography at James Madison University.
George said, “When I began looking through the 147 entries from 57 photographers for Light & Dark: Contrast, I was
struck by the small, yet profound moments captured in each image.”
Commenting on the judging process, she wrote: “The artists who submitted their work explored contrast in an expansive variety of ways—through bold tonal shifts, striking juxtapositions of subject matter, and dynamic compositions that played with light and shadow. Some took contrast literally, capturing stark differences in brightness and form, while others embraced it metaphorically, telling profound stories of opposing forces, emotions, memories, and ideas. Seeing such diversity in perspective and execution filled me with deep appreciation—the thoughtfulness behind each piece and the creative endeavors to capture these moments made this exhibition even more compelling.
“Light & Dark: Contrast is a tribute to the world we live in and the fleeting, blissful moments we all share.”
For more information, please email info@fallschurcharts.org.
Exhibiting photographers are:
John Allen, Asia Anderson, Maureen Budetti,DeVanteCapers,KathleenConklin, Nasr Dallaa, Robert Davidson, Chuck Dervarics, Success Ellington, Gregory Felder, Steven Ferri, Sharon Fields, Rafael Franco Dolande, Maureen Goss, James Hengst, Dan Hildt, Justin Holtzman, Lizzy Javier, Steve Jennings, Chris Kagy, Nihal Koyash, Al Krachman, Thomas Lauzon, Naomi Lipsky, Samantha Mandeles, Alan McAfee, McKaid McConnel, Suzanne McIntire,ZanMcKelway,NancyMPatrick, Margaret Raymond, Elise Ritter-Clough, Carl Salsbury, Susan Sanders, Cynthia Schoeppel, Janet Sifers, Thomas Smith, Tom Updike, John Valenti, Alexandra van den Heever, Jeff Vincent, David Voss, Andrew Wohl,Amy Woodhouse.
SUSAN SANDERS AFTER THE RAIN will be on display along with 59 other pieces. The show opens March 1st at Falls Church Arts, 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church, Virginia. (Photo: Falls Church Arts)
Our Man In Arlington Social Justice Workshop
by Bill Fogarty
The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation recently provided an interesting glimpse into the history of slavery in Falls Church. The February 22nd program included a presentation on The Fall Church’s ties to slavery from 1730 to 1860, followed by a workshop session for small groups to explore questions raised by the presentation.
The program began with singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing, written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 as a poem, and often referred to as the Black National Anthem. Jan Cornelius from The Falls Church then discussed the work of their Racial Justice Ministry, which began their study with significant historical research involving many local records. Their conclusion was clear: that the literal and figurative cornerstones of The Falls Church exist because of slavery.
The money to build their historic church was derived from the labor of enslaved people; the work of those held in bondage formed and laid the bricks to create the sanctuary that still exists today. Their leaders—both their ministers and their vestrymen —actively partici -
pated in the institution of slavery, owning and exploiting the enslaved.
The program highlighted the history of the state-supported Anglican Church from pre-Revolutionary days, followed by the shift to a ministry dependent on financial contributions from slaveholders. As late as 1860 most of the rectors of Episcopal churches were slave-owners, and many of the lay leaders (the vestrymen) were also slave-owners (sometimes tithing not with dollars but with tobacco as the actual currency).
After the presentation, a lively question-and-answer period followed, with participants sharing not only their reactions to this work by The Falls Church, but also sharing their personal experiences. In their breakout sessions that followed, ideas were shared for future possibilities. The Falls Church will be continuing their work with additional research and reports that will cover the time frame of 1860 to the present day.
These small group discussions were facilitated by the Social Justice Committee for Falls Church and Vicinity, chaired by Paul Christensen. The Falls Church Presbyterian Church graciously hosted the event.
Bill Fogarty
In January, Delegate Patrick Hope, one of Arlington’s representatives in the General Assembly, introduced a bill that provides for the possibility of a revamped governance structure for the County. The proposed changes would give the Board the ability to call for a voter referendum to approve one or more of the following options: (i) an increase in the number of elected officials; (ii) direct election of a Board chair; and (iii) the creation of geographic districts for Board seats.
The bill is permissive in nature; no County Board action is mandated. But the County Board has refused to endorse the bill. Why?
A little bit of history sheds some light.
The current structure of the County government dates to 1930, when County voters approved, by referendum, a form of government referred to as the “County manager plan.”
The prior form of government consisted of three geographic districts, with one board member elected in each district for two-year terms. From 1870 to 1900, several Black citizens were elected to the County Board and other positions. One Black board member, William Rowe, served as Board chair for two years.
The 1902 Virginia constitution effectively disenfranchised the Black vote, and only White men were elected to office in Arlington in the first three decades of the 20th century. The County population was growing, but its geographic size began shrinking. By 1930 the City of Alexandria had used its annexation powers to take more than 3,000 acres of land in the southern part of the County.
The three-district system needed to be revised to re-arrange district borders into equal parts. But the County power brokers decided to use this opportunity to change their governance system. The County’s representatives in the General Assembly
passed legislation which provided for a voter referendum to change the County’s governance structure.
The plan was to expand the Board to five members; to get rid of geographic districts; and to provide for an executive to manage the affairs of a growing county. A complicated referendum was the subject of much controversy, but in 1931 it was approved by the voters by comfortable margins.
As a result, Arlington today is managed by an unelected County Manager, chosen by five at-large County Board members. As a matter of tradition, board members elect their own chair in each year (usually the member who will be up for re-election).
The history gets more complicated in ensuing decades, but let’s save that history for another day. Let’s fast-forward to 2025.
The Arlington County Civic Federation has diligently worked on recommendations for changes to the governance system, similar to the Hope legislation.
In January, Takis Karantosis was selected to be the Board chair. A challenge facing Karantosis is this issue of a proper governance system for a jurisdiction that looks much different than it did in 1930.
And yet, at the January 7, 2025, County Board meeting, Karantonis paid only lip service to governance reforms, referring to dialogue “in the longer term” on reforms.
Delegate Hope has somehow been able to get his bill approved by the General Assembly, albeit with an unusual amendment that requires the bill to also be passed next year. It is not clear what will happen when the current form of the bill gets to Governor Youngkin’s desk.
But the big question for Arlington residents is this: will the County Board support a permissive bill as shaped by Delegate Hope? If not, why not?
Stay tuned. More electoral history on this issue, and further updates on the politics of today, will follow in future columns.
Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation’s recent event on slavery in the Falls Church Area. (Photo: News-Press).
KGB Chief Reveals Trump
Russian asset in the mid-1980s, and the most recent assaults on the free press by Trump and Bezos, almost in tandem.
There are multiple currents in rapid motion now as the world careens toward a genuine crisis. There is Trump, Musk and what they are doing to take a wrecking ball to the United States of America from within.
There is the assault on the free press at the heart of Trump’s fascist coup, with the White House stripping the press corps of any semblance of independence and pliant news organizations like NBC and the Washington Post falling in line.
There is Moscow and Beijing, moving closer together and overseeing the Trump operation with glee, even as the confirmations of Moscow’s historic ownership of Trump, and of the fascist and racist roots of Musk and the phony so-called Christian Nationalist movement are coming out more boldly.
There are Europe’s urgent moves to function in this new environment as Trump and Putin undo the 80-year Atlantic Alliance.
There is a growing mobilization by the saner portion of the American public to react to what is shaping up as even more domestic destabilization than most thought was coming, including huge cuts to vital services and jobs. This blow back, which hopefully is also in its mere infancy, includes shareholders of major companies like Costco defying the mandate to strip diversity, equity and inclusivity initiatives that Trump has demanded, and Jane Fonda’s brilliant speech at the SAG Awards gala last weekend.
(There’s an interesting silence of the MAGA populist base as it finds it’s being screwed royally by Trump and Musk.)
There is the shameful abdication of any sense of moral obligation by the wealthiest beneficiaries of the American system, Musk, Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and others, maybe with the exception of Warren Buffett.
With developments unfolding faster than any normal person can keep up with, the two most significant developments of the recent days in my view are the revelation by a leading former KGB chief of the recruitment of Trump as an active
First, Former KGB head Alnur Musayev reported on X this week that in 1987, the KGB’s Department 6 successfully recruited a 40-yearold American businessman named Donald Trump and he was given the code name of Krasnov. The goal of the Department 6 section of the KGB was specifically to recruit American businessmen, he explained.
I have repeatedly reported my finding that an obscure pro-Moscow newsletter, the Executive Intelligence Review, had announced that Moscow liked the prospect of Trump becoming a future U.S. president in 1987 following a visit by Trump to Moscow that year. While it is not fully known what transpired on that trip, it can be surmised that classic KGB “kompromat” methods were involved. At any rate, Trump, upon returning to the U.S., took out full page ads in New York newspapers on some of his pet issues as he began testing the waters for a future in American electoral politics.
Notably, the effort then led to Trump being offered a prime time TV show on NBC that ran for more than a decade, “The Apprentice.” This launched his career in public life in the U.S. One important question is, Who gave him that job?
Second, former Post executive editor Marty Baron has condemned Bezos’ revamp of the paper’s opinions section, saying he was “sad and disgusted” by Bezos’ moves. Bezos said this week he is shifting the paper’s Opinions section to “focus on supporting free markets and personal liberties,” saying pieces with opposing views can “be left to be published by others.”
Meanwhile, Trump has taken away the White House Correspondents Association’s independent role of designating reporter pool assignments and has prioritized access and status in the White House to an array of far-right influencers and news outlets.
In doing so, as Mother Jones asserts, Trump “has created a swell of flattering media coverage, a gauzy bubble around its every decision, no matter how destructive or incoherent. This new state media displays unquestioning loyalty, and its propaganda pipeline is speedier than ever, ensuring that every executive order or new move is greeted with rapturous pseudo-reporting the moment it’s announced.”
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for our victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” Those timeless words, etched onto the majestic marble walls of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, capture the long-ago vision of President Kennedy. They provide a direction, not only for American arts and culture, but for the diverse populations that now add to the many layers of our national “quilt,” a variety of creativity and enthusiasm which even Mr. Kennedy might not have anticipated.
That hopeful direction appears to have ground to a halt with the announcement earlier this month that President Donald J, Trump had fired the Center’s chairman and Board of Trustees and installed himself as the chairman of the board. Never mind that Mr. Trump proudly bragged that he has never attended a Kennedy Center performance but asserted that too many “woke” shows were being presented there. Following his appointment of eight Floridians, four New Yorkers, and a Texan (as far as I could tell, none of the new appointees has any local arts connections) to the board of trustees, several planned shows were cancelled or pulled out of their scheduled dates this season.
The arts should be a thrill, not a frill, to paraphrase former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
(D-TX), but the Trump announcement sent seismic shivers throughout the arts community here and around the country. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and other arts programs often are on the chopping block during difficult budget times, but no one ever anticipated that the Kennedy Center would be thrown into the mix. So far, at least, no mention of Elon Musk’s “woodchipper,” but there is grave concern that the new board of trustees, under the direction of their new chairman, will restrict or reduce the classical and innovative arts programs that are the hallmarks of the Center.
An artist’s talent is their profession, not a hobby. They rely on their “output” – a role on stage, a painting on a wall, a pottery container, handcrafted jewelry, a book of poetry, a musical composition – for their livelihood. The “human spirit” that President Kennedy spoke of so eloquently is embodied in all artists, no matter the medium. Artists give us an opportunity to look at life, and art, from different perspectives. We may not like some of those perspectives, as Mr. Trump has indicated in his own narrow universe, but as our horizons are broadened by art, it becomes easier to understand and appreciate other approaches to art.
For the most part, though, artists must rely on audiences and donors for support. Local, state, and federal funding helps, but is limited, and often the first budget item to be cut. Large donors have
City of Falls Church CRIME REPORT
Week of Feburary 10 - 16, 2025
Destruction of Property, W Broad St, Feb 17, 11:09 AM, a report for graffiti was taken. Fraud – False Pretenses, Little Falls St, Feb 18, 8:40 a.m., victim reported a personal check they wrote and mailed was sold on the dark web.
Fraud – Credit Card, W Broad St, Feb 18, 3:06 p.m., victim reported multiple fraudulent transactions were made to their credit card.
Fraud - Wire Fraud, N Tuckahoe St, Feb 18, 3:24 p.m., victim reported a business check that was placed in their residential mailbox had been altered and cashed by an unknown suspect.
Fraud – Credit Card, W Broad St, Feb 20, 11:30 a.m., victim reported a fraudulent transaction was made to their credit card.
Trespassing/Violation of Protective Order, Jackson St, Feb 20, 9:56 p.m., a white male, 57, of no fixed address, was arrested for Trespassing and Violation of Protective Order.
Failure to Return Vehicle, W Broad St, Feb 21, 12:36 a.m., a male, 44, of Danville, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Return Vehicle.
Failure to Appear, W Broad St, Feb 21, 10:44 a.m., a female, 26, of Annandale, was arrested on two outstanding warrants for Failure to Appear.
Identity Theft, Roosevelt Blvd, Feb 21, 1:48 p.m., an unknown suspect attempted to buy a vehicle in Winston-Salem, NC, using the victim’s identity.
Felony Shoplifting, W Broad St, Feb 21, 3:26 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise
contributed millions to the Kennedy Center, and to other arts groups, but we all can be patrons of the arts, especially for our local arts groups. Ticket prices usually don’t cover the costs of a performance; that’s where donors and sponsorships are crucial. The DMV region hosts many local arts groups that you can check out. ArtsFairfax (https://artsfairfax.org) is an umbrella organization for numerous Fairfax County artists and awards grants each year to support local art. The Providence Players (www.providenceplayers. org) presents professional productions nearby at the James Lee Center, 2855 Annandale Road. “Steel Magnolias” is being presented by Creative Cauldron (www.creativecauldron.org) right now in its new location at 127 East Broad Street in Falls Church. The Artisans United (http://augallery.org) gift shop in the Fred Packard Center, 4022 Hummer Road in Annandale has gorgeous handmade gifts for any occasion and is well worth a visit. Every local high school has a drama department that yearns for audiences, especially as the spring musical season approaches. And you can plan now to attend the free summer concert series at many Fairfax County parks (donations accepted at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org). As chaos in the new Administration continues, it is impossible to forecast what comes next. One thing is sure – the arts inspire, contribute to the human spirit, and tame the savage beast. And the arts need our support, as audience members, customers, and donors. Let’s ensure that the arts thrill, and support them with our dollars. It’s a great investment in our community!
without paying. The suspect is described as younger light skin black male, wearing a black beanie, black framed glasses, a black hoodie with white accents, blue jeans, and gray and white shoes, with a bright blue backpack.
Shoplifting, Hillwood Ave, Feb 21, 8:15 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise without paying. The suspect is described as heavyset Hispanic male, wearing all black clothing and sunglasses, with a black Nike backpack. Trespassing/Indecent Exposure, Wilson Blvd, Feb 21, 8:03 p.m., a male, 34, of no fixed address, was arrested for Trespassing and Indecent Exposure.
Driving on Suspended License, S Maple Ave, Feb 22, 12:09 PM, a male, 20, of Alexandria, was arrested for Driving on Suspended License.
Continued on Page 22
PAGE 18 | FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5, 2025
THIS WEEK AROUND F.C.
Thursday, Feb 27
Tony-Nominated Comedy HAND TO GOD
February 1 – March 2
Keegan Theatre
1742 Church St NW, Washington, DC
Playing February 1st to March 2nd. Direct, sexy, and violent – very much NOT for the meek – it’s a theatrical adrenaline rush that moves to beat Hell. It's about embracing the messy, chaotic truths of being human, and our incredible cast and production team are bringing it to life with raring talent and passion. Prepare to laugh, gasp, and question everything you thought you knew about faith, fear, and puppets. Tickets at www.keegantheatre.com
Winter Reading Challenge
February 6 – February 28
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Winter Read Aloud Challenge Read aloud for at least 15 minutes a day during the month of February and help raise funds for Homestretch. The MRSPL Foundation will donate $1 for every hour we read as a community. Anyone and everyone can participate. Audiobooks count! Pick up a log at the Youth Services desk or call 703248-5034 with any questions. Dates to Remember: Last day to log minutes: February 28, Last day to return log: March 7
Old Money Project - A Bold Critique of Currency and Power
February 13 – March 2
The DC Arts Center (DCAC)
2438 18th St NW, Washington, DC
Renowned multimedia artist Mikael Colombu brings his provocative art installation. Under his persona Richard Trixson, Colombu delivers a searing critique of inflation, economic manipulation, and the fleeting nature of value through an exhibition that challenges the boundaries of art and finance. www.dcartscenter.org
Creative Cauldron presents Steel Magnolias February 13 – March 9 Creative Cauldron
127 E Broad St, Falls Church, VA Welcome to Truvy's Beauty Salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, a hot spot where six brassy southern women come to laugh, gossip, and share the most intimate details of their lives and loves. This smash hit play became a smash hit movie that audiences loved. Creative Cauldron has assembled a talented and diverse sisterhood to tell this heartfelt and hilarious story. Steel Magnolia's is a lasting testament to the power of sisterhood that continues to charm and beguile audiences everywhere. Performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets $20.00 - $45.00 at www.creativecauldron.org/magnolias
Value Proposition Design for Businesses
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Small Business Development Center of Virginia presents Senior Business Counselor and Adjunct GMU Professor George Siragusa who will guide businesses through a step-by-step process of building your Value Proposition Design (VPD) which is invaluable to startups, early-stage companies, growth, or even mature businesses! Participants will learn the 3 specific benefits it brings to a business, learn the 8 steps to building and refining a VPD for a business, learn how it can impact and inform
your communication tactics and strategy, and more. The meeting link will be shared upon registration. https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=110450005
Preschool Nature Nuts: WHOOO Loves Raptors? 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA
Can you guess WHOOO Naturalist Matt is bringing to this session of Preschool Nature Nuts? It's Smoke, the tiny screech owl! Preschoolers (and their adults) will learn about owls and other raptors with a closeup visit with a live owl, poems, and an owl craft. Join us for a delightful morning at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens designed just for children ages 2-4! This engaging program blends discovery, creativity, and sensory play, making it a perfect introduction to the fascinating world of raptors for your preschooler! Cost: $10.00 per preschooler. Register at www.novaparks.com.
Caregiver Support Group
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Kensington Falls Church
700 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
On-Site Monthly Gathering for Caregivers:
YOU, as a caregiver, matter to us as much as our residents do. We understand that caregiving for someone can, at times, be a demanding commitment. We also believe it is one you should not undertake alone. That’s why we strive to preserve your well-being by helping you stay positive, manage fatigue and make the most of the time spent with your loved one. Let The Kensington Falls be your trusted resource for information and the comforting ally you need. Join us on the last Thursday of each month to share time connecting with other caregivers and discussing common challenges in a welcoming, private setting.
John R. Miller on Tour 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The Atlantis
2047 9th St NW, Washington, DC
John R. Miller belongs to the rare breed of songwriters whose expansive introspection uncovers so many truths about the state of the human condition. On his new album Heat Comes Down, the West Virginia-raised, Nashville-based artist intimately narrates his sleepless nights and nostalgic daydreams, existential dread, and nuanced observations of the troubled world around him. Tickets $25.00 at https://www.jrmillermusic.com
Steam Night 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Oak Street Elementary School 601 S Oak St, Falls Church, VA
The OS fifth graders want to expand your environmental awareness with some awesome hands-on activities such as building a wind turbine, floating icebergs, and solar demonstrations. When you arrive, please enter through the main entrance (Oak Street). STEAM ambassadors will be ready to greet you and direct you to the fun! Email Dr. Nila Nash Jackson nashjacksonn@ fccps.org if you would like to volunteer.
Solace Outpost Trivia Night 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Solace Outpost 444 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
Join us for live trivia every Tuesday and Thursday presented by Pour House Trivia! Come drink, eat and win! First place teams $30 gift card. Second place teams $20 gift card.
Friday, Feb 28
Lily Gladstone’s Oscar Gowns at the National Museum of the American Indian 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
4th Street, SW, Washington, DC
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian will display two gowns worn by Oscarnominated actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) at its museum in Washington, D.C. The special installation, “Making a Statement,” opens to the public Feb. 28. Both gowns were a custom collaboration, designed by Gucci and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain(Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) of Ironhorse Quillwork. The gowns were worn by Gladstone the evening of March 10, 2024, to the 96th Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscars party. Gladstone was the first Native American nominated for best actress for her work in the film Killers of the Flower Moon.
Native Spring Ephemerals
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Virtual
While they bloom for only a short time, ephemerals such as Bloodroot, Trout Lily, and Virginia Bluebells can add beauty to the home garden in spring while providing critical support to early-emerging pollinators. Join Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills for a greatly updated presentation on 23 ephemeral species native to the Mid-Atlantic with a discussion of their special adaptations for success, their use in landscape design, and their care. Free. RSVP at http://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes to receive a link to participate.
Kensington Memory Café w/ Falls Church Arts
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Falls Church Arts Gallery
700-B W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
A Monthly Social Gathering for Caregivers & Loved Ones with Mild Memory Loss. Deepen connections with your loved one and build new support networks in a safe, supportive and engaging environment. The Kensington is proudly partnering with Insight Memory Care Center and Falls Church Arts to host our bi-monthly Memory Café. Our group meets on-site at Falls Church Arts and it is a social gathering: an opportunity to make new friends and interact with others without fear of embarrassment or being misunderstood. Many also find it an avenue for sharing concerns and providing support. Come and share a cup of coffee, participate in an activity while meeting others for support, companionship and fun. Make new connections, discover new tools and resources –so that you can be the best caregiver you can be!
Second Annual Meridian’s Got Talent
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Meridian High School
121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA
Come to the Meridian Auditorium Friday, Feb 28 at 7:30 to see Meridian student talent. Performances by musicians, dancers, poets, performers, rappers, comedians, singers, and much much more!
General Admission $15; Students $5. Hosted by the Meridian HS Tri-M Society.
Saturday, March 1
Light & Dark: Contrast – Falls Church Arts Exhibit Showcases Local Photographers March 1 – April 6
Falls Church Arts Gallery
700-B W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
The creativity of forty-four local photographers will be presented at tthe exhibit Light & Dark: Contrast. The exhibit continues the organization’s long-standing support
of arts in the community. The sixty-piece exhibit will open Saturday, March 1, with a meet-the-artists reception from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the gallery. The event is free and open to the public. The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced at the reception. Visitors are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award at the gallery before March 21. The color and black and white images will be on display from March 1 to April 6, 2025. Admission to the gallery is free. The gallery is open Tuesdays–Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Needlework Show March 1– March 31
Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House 9000 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309
This is the largest and longest-running needlework show in the United States. This year's show will recognize the 50th anniversary of Nelly's Needlers, a volunteer organization whose mission is to further appreciation of the needle arts and support the preservation of Woodlawn. Tickets: $20.00 at https://franklloydwright.org/site/pope-leighey-house
Bird Walk With a Naturalist 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Hidden Oaks Nature Center 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA
Use your eyes and ears to identify native birds as you embark on a guided walk with one of our naturalists. Both beginner and veteran birders welcome. Bring your own binoculars or use one of ours. Ages 6 to Adult. Price: $10.00, register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
Sunset in the Gardens - 6PM Closing 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA
Enjoy the sunset in the Gardens until 6 PM. Admission to the Gardens will end at 5:30 PM. Posed photography reservations are not available during extended hours. Extended hours may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Please check park alerts at the top of novaparks. com webpages for cancellations. Regular garden admission ($5-$8) and memberships apply. Register at www.novaparks.com.
Late Winter Garden Beauties and Their Care 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Green Spring Gardens
4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA
Take a guided walk through some of the gardens at Green Spring with curatorial horticulturist Brenda Skarphol and learn about lovely native and non-invasive non-natives in this eagerly anticipated season. Get design ideas that work well in this season. Eco-friendly care and garden tasks for the season will be highlighted. For ages 16- Adult. Cost: $19.00. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks
Hip-Stangs Reading Club 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
The Hip-Stangs Reading Club is a reading buddy program led by high school volunteers. Kids in grades K-1 will practice reading aloud with the support of their high school buddy. We encourage you to arrive a few minutes before your reading time to choose which book you would like to read with your buddy. Registration is required at www.mrspl.org.
Spellbinders - Tales of Tails 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Hidden Oaks Nature Center 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA
Enjoy oral storytelling from countries around the world. Attendees are welcome to share a 5-minute story for ages 4 and above. From trickster tales to fables, oral stories share traditions and connect communities. Every child receives a free book. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
A Million Miles: My Peace Corps Journey by Jody Olsen 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia
Falls Church, VA Join us for a talk with
author and former Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen on her recently published memoir: A Million Miles: My Peace Corps Journey. When Jody Olsen enlisted as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia in 1966, she was fleeing familial tragedy and the stifling societal norms of her Salt Lake City upbringing. However, her service in Tunisia upended her religious and cultural beliefs and propelled her into a six-decade career with the Peace Corps, culminating in her directorship of the agency. Olsen’s captivating memoir, A Million Miles, reveals the personal and professional challenges she faced throughout her career, which spanned the Reagan era, 9/11, and the Trump administration. Registration required at www.mrspl.org
Frog Frenzy 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Potomac Overlook Regional Park 2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington, VA What's that sound? Wood Frogs abound!
These woodland amphibians are a welcome sign that spring is around the corner. See (and hear) some of these *ribbeting* animals at our frog pond and learn about a fascinating adaptation they have to survive the cold winter. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the nature center. $7 per participant for ages 5 and up. Any attendee over 5 (to include adults) is considered a participant. Registration is required at www.novaparks.com
Celtic Music Concert 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Cherry Hill Farmhouse 312 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Enjoy a lively evening with Irish, Americana, and Folk music in the intimate atmosphere of the Farmhouse parlor. Fees: $20.00 - $25.00 To register contact events@fallschurchva.gov
Pinocchio presented by The Puppet Company Playhouse and SONOVA 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Richard J Ernst Community Cultural Center Theater, Theater, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Wakefield, VA The Puppet Co. Playhouse is one of the few theatres designed exclusively for puppet shows and is the only year-round theater between New York and Atlanta dedicated entirely to the art of puppetry. Their puppet theater uses hand puppets, rod puppets, body puppets, marionettes, and shadow puppets to stage both original works and traditional children’s stories. In collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, The Puppet Co. will present a lifesized performance of Pinocchio alongside a world premiere of orchestral music based on the original story! Come meet the puppets before the show during our pre-concert activity starting at 6pm! Tickets: $30.00, $25.00 and $15.00 at https://www.flipcause. com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjEzODM3
A Celebration of Musical Theatre and Opera
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Meridian High School
121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA
Prepare for a spectacular evening of soaring melodies, powerful storytelling, and theatrical brilliance! Bravo! A Celebration of Musical Theatre and Opera will bring together the best of Broadway and the grandeur of opera in a single unforgettable performance by the City of Falls Church Concert Band. Admission is free.
Sunday, March 2
Sunday Morning Walking Club
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Karma Yoga: Classes, Community & Retreats
246-A W Broad St, Falls Church, VA Free to join, meet at Karma Yoga studio to walk and talk and make new friends or connect with old ones along the W&OD. You can grab a coffee after or jump into yoga class.
Spiritualism Discussion
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment
222 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA
The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment hosts a session on Spiritualism on the first Sunday of each month. This is free of charge, just bring your own lunch or snacks.
Board Game Sunday for Adults
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Come check out the wonderful and varied world of modern board games. Play various tabletop games that are simple to learn and fun to master. This is a great way to meet new people. Experienced players will be on hand to offer instruction. We normally meet in person every 1st Sunday of the month. Newcomers are always welcome! For adults 18+. No registration required. Attendance is first-come, firstserved until seating capacity is reached.
Beyond Her Own Four Walls: Women in Preservation
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA
Explore the significant role women have played in the field of historic preservation, particularly through historic house museums. Preserving homes connected with the nation’s past allowed women to enter the public sphere through socially acceptable avenues of domesticity and patriotism. Women used their influence to fight for expanded rights and inclusion in the historical narrative. This presentation by Amanda Roper highlights key individuals, properties, and moments in the history of preservation and ends with a discussion of how the field continues to evolve. Cost: $12.00 at www.novaparks.com
Winter Traditional Celtic Concerts
4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Old Brogue Irish Pub
760 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA
Top quality music, in two sittings, 4:30 and 6:30, from the British Isles, Brittany (France), the Celtic areas of Northern Spain, and the Americas. Tickets for $21.00 must be purchased in advance at https:// oldbrogue.com/winter-celtic-concert-2025
Monday, March 3
Buying a Home (Free, Online Educational Seminar)
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Virtual
Free, online, educational seminar about how to buy a home. Learn about the mistakes to avoid when buying a property and ask the experts your questions! If you can't attend the home buyer seminar this month, don't worry - we plan to offer it again on the first Monday of every month! Register at kathy@kathypippinproperties.com
Crafty Café - Cross Stitch
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Relax at Crafty Café on the first Monday of the month. We will enjoy snacks and a different artsy activity every meeting. Teens in grades 6-12 are welcome! This month we will be learning to cross stitch. Come and create a a cool, giftable piece of art with us. Registration is required at www.mrspl.org.
Evening Art Critique Group
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Falls Church Arts Gallery
700-B W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
Join creative artists in a Falls Church Arts monthly discussion and critique group. Bring a piece of art you’d like feedback on—something new or old, something in progress or complete—and our community of artists will share their thoughts. The meeting is open to all so invite your artist friends. Feel free to join even if you don’t have a piece to share this time. If you have questions, email our facilitator, John Valenti, at info@fallschurcharts.org.
Tuesday, March 4
A Room in the Castle: Presented by Folger Theatre
March 4 – April 6, Folger Theatre
201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC
How does a woman survive the court of Denmark? How does anyone? A Room in the Castle finds Ophelia, her handmaid, and Queen Gertrude on the other end of a wild prince’s antics and realizing just how dangerous life in this castle has become. A universal thriller that explores how we help one another through harrowing times, what mothering a potential madman means, and what responsibilities generations have to each other, A Room in the Castle rebrands the stories of the women of Shakespeare’s Hamlet into a hilarious and heart-rending drama with music and defiant hope for the future. Tickets $20.00 - $84.00 at www.folger.edu
Wednesday,March
5
Body Dynamics Class: Dance Fitness
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Body Dynamics Inc
410 S Maple Ave #106, Falls Church, VA
A 55-minute dance class for all levels. No previous experience necessary. Dynamic warm-up, mobility and stability challenges, aerobic challenges, all through the lens of a lively dance class. Emphasis will be placed on use of proper body mechanics to facilitate increased body awareness. Each class will devote time to learning a dance combination which challenges the dancer to develop their own style of movement!
Crafternoon - Collages
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA Join us to enjoy music and a craft. We will be making collages. This is ideal for Kindergarten to 5th Grade. Please register at www.mrspl.org.
Sangha, Mantra & Philosophy on Wednesday Nights
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Karma Yoga: Classes,
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
The following was given first reading at the November 25, 2024 City Council meeting. A Planning Commission public hearing and possible recommendation to City Council is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard: (TO24-17) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE CHAPTER 48 “ZONING” TO ALLOW ACCESSORY DWELLINGS AS A PERMITTED ACCESSORY USE IN THE R-1A, R-1B, AND R-M DISTRICTS AND TO ALLOW DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLINGS AND TO AMEND CITY CODE CHAPTERS 42 (UTILITIES) TO REGULATE THE WATER AND SEWER CONNECTIONS OF ACCESSORY DWELLINGS
The proposed amendments address the City’s accessory dwelling regulations, including establishing specific regulations for accessory dwellings housed in detached buildings in R-1A and R-1B districts. More information may be found at www.fallschurchva.gov/2279/ Accessory-Dwellings-Update.
The materials for the above item will be available on the city’s webpage prior to the public hearing: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/PC. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. For copies of materials and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@ fallschurchva.gov.
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
A Planning Commission public hearing and possible recommendation to City Council is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on the following: (TO25-02) ORDINANCE FIXING AND DETERMINING THE BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026: GENERAL FUND; SCHOOL OPERATING FUND; SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND; SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE FUND; CABLE ACCESS FUND; SEWER FUND; STORMWATER FUND; COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS; AND TO ADOPT THE FY2026-FY2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
The Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) identifies capital needs of the community and indicates how these needs will be funded over the next five-year period. The CIP is updated annually and is subject to change with each update. More information may be found at www.fallschurchva.gov/1519/ Capital-Improvements-Program-CIP. The materials for the above item will be available on the city’s webpage prior to the public hearing: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/PC. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. For copies of materials
and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@ fallschurchva.gov.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on March 13th, 2025 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following item:
-Variance application V1659-25 by Miguel Nogales (Applicant), on behalf of Gillian and Mike Economou (owners), for a variance to Section 48-263(3)a to allow a side yard setback of 6.5 feet instead of the 8 feet minimum, and to Section 48-263(5) to allow lot coverage of 25.20% instead of the 25% maximum allowed for a screened porch at 1203A Lincoln Avenue, RPC# 51-215-101 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1B, Medium Density Residential District.
- Variance application V1661-25 by 618 Laura Drive, LLC, for a variance to Section 48-238(3) (a) to allow a rear yard setback of 26 feet instead of the 40 feet minimum allowed for a second-story addition at 618 Laura Drive, RPC# 52-605-101 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low Density Residential District.
-Variance application by M Quinn Holdings, LLC and Matthew Quinn (owners) to Section 48-238(3)(a) for a front setback of 26.5 feet instead of the 30 feet minimum along Parker Avenue, and for a front setback of 20.2 feet instead of the 30 feet minimum along Irving Street for a upper story addition, and a variance to Section 48-238(4)(c) for a building height of 14.6 feet instead of the 12 feet maximum for a detached garage at 712 Parker Avenue, RPC# 52-202-001 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-C, Cluster Residential. Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on February 13th, 2025. Agenda and application materials will be available the week prior to the scheduled hearing at: http://www. fallschurchva.gov/BZA
Information on the above application is also available for review upon request to staff at zoning@fallschurchva.gov.
ABC NOTICE
Paragon Founders LLC trading as Paragon Founders, 112 Founders Ave. Falls Church, VA, 22046 is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a Mixed Beverage Restaurant License to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Brian Hood, COO. 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 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200
Ballston Market LLC trading as Ballston Market, 900 N Taylor St., Arlington VA, 22203 is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a Convenience Grocery Store Wine and Beer Off Premises License to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. 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 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200
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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
Falls Church Business News & Notes
ALERT: Corporate Transparency Act BOI Reinstated
The nationwide injunction prohibiting enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) has been stayed. This means that FinCEN will resume enforcement of the required beneficial ownership information (BOI) filings. Per the February 19, 2025 alert, Beneficial ownership reporting requirements are back in effect, with a new deadline of March 21, 2025 for most companies. You may review the full notice and more information at https://fincen.gov/boi. Check the website regularly to stay up to date on the changes and requirements.
Resources for Displaced Employees
Gov. Youngkin announced a new website to assist job seekers with employment across the state, on Monday. This site was created as a resource hub for displaced federal employees. The job openings run across industries such as education, law enforcement, healthcare and technology. Visit https://virginiahasjobs.com/. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has created its own website to support employees: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/help-residents-affectedfederal-workforce-restructuring.
City of Falls Church Independent Media Update
The local City of Falls Church Independent Media has elected two new board members. The membership met on February 19 and elected Agnes Ginoba as the Vice President of Membership and Seema Rani as Secretary.
Caring for Solo Agers
Wednesday, March 5, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – The Kensington is hosting a session on Building Your Support System for Successful Aging, support for solo agers who find themselves without a partner, children, or close kin to rely on for support as they age. In collaboration with expert Steve Gurney, Founder of Positive Aging Community, they will discuss strategies to include how to build a reliable network, resources, and proactive steps to ensure a fulfilling aging journey. This is offered via Zoom and contact Kayla Hulbert at khulbert@kensingtonsl.com.
Classic Hometown Restaurants
Arlington Magazine ran a feature on the classic, old school restaurants in Arlington, Falls Church and McLean. Those named in Falls Church are Panjshir which opened in 1985; Peking Gourmet Inn, open since 1978; Anthonys which opened in 1972; Duangrat’s which first opened as a grocery store in 1981; and Pistone’s which opened in 1972. Read the latest issue for the full article.
Best Thai Restaurants
DC Eater named its favorite top Thai restaurants in the DC metropolitan area and a local restaurant made their list. Elephant Jumps in the Merrifield area of Falls Church was noted for offering custom spice levels. They also named several standout dishes. Read more at https://dc.eater.com/ maps/best-thai-restaurants-dc.
Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.
Senator Saddam Salim Richmond Report
Last week, the House and Senate adjourned sine die, which means that the 2025 regular legislative session is over. However, that does not mean our work is over for the year. Later this spring, we will meet again for the annual “reconvene session” where we will deal with bills vetoed by the Governor and any amendments he proposes to legislation or the budget. Last year, Governor Youngkin vetoed a record number of bills, and we expect that there will be more vetoes coming. Additionally, there is always the possibility of a special session to deal with pressing matters. Given the chaos in Washington, and its potential effects on Virginia, I am not ruling anything out on what we may do. Virginia is home to approximately 150,000 federal workers, and our leadership is paying particularly close attention to Trump’s reckless actions in regards to these workers and our Federal Government. If you are affected by these actions, my office has assembled a list of resources that can be found at salimforsenate. com/trump
My Bills:
I am excited to report that 11 of my bills, over half that were introduced, made it out of the House & Senate and will be going to the Governor’s desk this year. Here are my bills that made it out of the General Assembly:
SB848: Raises the age to purchase an assault firearm to 21 years old. The age to purchase handguns is already 21, and multiple recent high-profile mass shootings have been committed by individuals under 21.
SB891: Requires a five-day waiting period before purchasing a firearm. This measure will particularly help prevent impulsive acts of gun violence and suicide. Research suggests that waiting periods could reduce gun homicide by up to 17 percent and gun suicide by up to 11 percent.
SB919: Increases protections for public transit employees and ensures that private contractors can’t be brought in to hire employees at lower wages or with fewer benefits.
SB920: Ensures that the families of first responders who succumb to occupational throat cancer are eligible for benefits. While Virginia’s worker’s compensation laws cover throat cancer, they lack specific definition, leading to the denial or delay of claims by grieving families.
SB939: Increases the penalty for mail theft in Virginia, bringing our code up to Federal standards and providing new protections against porch pirates and check fraud.
SB1009: Expands the ranked choice voting pilot program by enabling local governments to voluntarily adopt RCV for additional local elections.
SB1011: Adds the City of Falls Church to the Affordable Dwelling Unit Program, aligning it with other Northern Virginia localities. This amendment enhances the city’s resources to address the ongoing affordable housing crisis.
SB1165: Prohibits local governments from exploiting procurement loopholes to prohibit certain solar power within their jurisdictions.
SB1166: Requires signage at retail establishments that sell invasive plants, educating consumers about the potential harm these plants pose to the environment. Invasive plants annually cost the Virginia economy over one billion dollars and cause significant ecological damage. This legislation aims to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
SB1169: (Requested by Commission) Adjusts certain monetary values for the Marine Resources Commission and indexes the values to the Consumer Price Index.
SB1406: Enhances awareness about the Children’s Ombudsman by requiring annual notification to foster children about the Ombudsman. Many foster children remain unaware of this resource, which empowers them to report instances of abuse, neglect, and other problems. The Ombudsman plays a crucial role in investigating these cases and providing support to the affected children. Additionally, the bill grants the Ombudsman the authority to contact or receive information from a child without the consent of the foster parents, foster agency, or social services department, provided that the child is the
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32. Grand celebration
33. Readied for shipment
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e.g. 56. “____-Devil” 57. Presses
58. Biddy
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38. Placing
40. Rip
41. Damsel
42. Unattractive
43. Put away neatly
44. The best: 2 wds.
Nautical rear
No-win situation 49. Negative word
Herbal brew
Ancient
1. Land measurement
5. Sailor’s cleaning tool
9. Catch sight of
12. Name word
13. Skin, as an apple
14. Gardener’s aid
15. Roman wear
16. And so forth: 2 wds.
18. Rap
20. Lyric poems 21. Clergyman 24. Enjoyed a pizza
Live
Couple
House addition
Domain
Fifth month
Disappointment 37. Skirt style: hyph.
39. Picnic refreshment
40. Uttered 41. Bungle
44. Nautical call
45. Provoker
48. Division preposition
52. ____-advised
53. Well
54. Carol
55. Apply henna to
56. ____ off (irritated)
57. Alum DOWN
1. Hill-dwelling insect
2. Murmur softly
3. Shag, e.g.
4. Passes a statute
5. Piece of pickle
6. Electrical unit
7. Rainbow’s shape
8. Second letter 9. Lean-to
10. ____ over (read thoroughly) 11. Affirmatives
17. Foot digits
19. Fast auto: 2 wds.
21. Rind 22. Shaft
23. River deposit 24. Leather punch
25. Part of BLT
27. Summer skin shade
28. Exclude 29. Horsehair
30. Black-____ Susan
Shout to a cat
Summing
Shoplifting,
34. Murmur fondly 37. Turf unit
Thin
Exhausted
Weight
Actor Danza
