2022 Falls Church Memorial Day Program Guide

Monday, May 30, 2022 Falls Church, Virginia

Memorial Day

Parade Program 2022 Inside This Program: Page S-2 Page S-3 Page S-4 Page S-5 Page S-9 Page S-10 Page S-11 Page S-12 Page S-13 Page S-16

Letter from the Mayor Veterans Ceremony Information Parade Grand Marshal Memorial Day Schedule Keynote Speaker Reflections on Memorial Day Parade King & Queen Memorial Day Vendor List Parade & Festival Map Official 2022 Parade Lineup

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Letter From City of Falls Church Mayor

Welcome to the City of Falls Church’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Festivities! We are pleased that you’ve chosen to spend this special day in The Little City. As we gather together this Memorial Day, it’s important to remind ourselves the purpose of this holiday. Memorial Day is a day of celebration, but not in the traditional sense of that word. Today we celebrate the servicemen and servicewomen who have given their lives in service of their country. We pay tribute to these American heroes, as well as their families and friends whose lives are forever changed, and we choose to celebrate their legacy by honoring their commitment and sacrifices for our freedoms. I hope you’ll join me for the Memorial Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. outside of the Community Center to celebrate our veterans and recognize those who continue to serve in our armed forces. Captain Shaw H. Cohe, SC, US Navy (RET), will be our keynote speaker for the ceremony. At 2:00 p.m., join us for the annual Memorial Day parade along Park Avenue. Our Grand Marshal is Chet De Long, who is a long time City resident and dedicated many years of service to Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Falls Church, along with the rest of our nation, will continue to gather together on this special day each year to pay homage to the dedicated men and women who sacrificed their lives on behalf of our country. I encourage you to make this day an annual reminder that the good we can do in our communities and the world is because of the legacy given to us by those who gave their lives in service.

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MAY 26 - JUNE 1, 2022 | PAGE S-3

Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 30th at 11:00am

City of Falls Church Veterans Memorial 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA 22046 Master of Ceremonies

Presentation of Wreath in Memory of Departed Veterans

Harry Shovlin, American Legion Post 130

Posting of Colors National Anthem

Sue Martin Stewart, Falls Church Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Escorted by Richard L. Anton, American Legion Post 130 and Howard Chatham, LCDR, USN (Retired)

Invocation

City of Falls Church Concert Band under the direction of Robert Little

Welcoming

Harry Shovlin, American Legion Post 130

Color Guard from American Legion Post 130 City of Falls Church Concert Band Under the direction of Robert Little Vocals by Sgt. Major Robert Petillo (Retired), US Army Band

Hymn to the Fallen Reading of Names

Rev. Burl Salmon, Rector, The Falls Church

Prayer for the Departed Veterans

David Tarter, City of Falls Church Mayor

Remembrance of the POW/MIAs

Rev. Burl Salmon, Rector, The Falls Church

Remarks

Master Gunnery Sgt. John Abbracciamento, U.S. Marine Corps Band

Presentations & Announcements

Color Guard from the American Legion Post 130

Keynote Address

City of Falls Church Concert Band Under the direction of Robert Little Vocals by Sgt. Major Robert Petillo (Retired), US Army Band

Taps

Bob Smith, Vice Chair Greater Falls Church Veterans Council

Retiring of Colors

Jorome Gibbon Chairman, Greater Falls Church Veterans Council

God Bless America

Harry Shovlin, American Legion Post 130

Captain Shaw H. Cohe, SC, US Navy (RET)

This program was prepared by representatives of the Greater Falls Church Veterans Council including American Legion Post 130, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Martin Leppert Sipes Post 9274, Catholic War Veterans Paul and Jacques Martin Post 1652, Republic of Vietnam Association, Korean Vietnam Veterans Association, Falls Church Daughters of the American Revolution, Northern Virginia WWII Veterans, the Veterans Memorial Committee, and dedicated volunteers under the coordination of the City of Falls Church Recreation and Park Department. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call (703) 248-5027 (TTY 711).Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 30th at 11:00am

Honoring our Fallen Heroes So few have given so much... so that we can enjoy even more

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

De Long Honored As Grand Marshall For Years of Library Service

by Amanda Snead

Falls Church News-Press

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board selected Chet De Long to serve as Grand Marshall of the City’s 40th annual Memorial Day Parade. DeLong has been a resident of Falls Church City since 1961 and provided extensive support for the Mary Riley Styles Public Library over the years.

“Chet’s service to the library has made him a beloved figure in our community,” said the nomination submission. “Library staff all light up when Chet walks through the door. He is such a kind and lovely person, and his service to the library has been so long term, and so dedicated.”

De Long has served on the library’s Board of Trustees for over two decades. One of his biggest accomplishments includes spearheading the efforts to pass a library bond referendum, which helped to provide the finances needed for the renovation and expansion project for the library that began two years ago.

Additionally, he has volunteered at the library for over 26

years for up to 300 hours a year.

This work includes intake, supporting CD and DVD sales and more.

“I retired from the Feds in 1993 and in April of 1994 I had some free time and was in the library often,” said De Long. “The then director asked me to volunteer so I started then and soon an opening became available on the Board when someone moved away and I filled that position in that October and liked it so I renewed… and renewed and renewed and renewed.”

He also championed the idea to create the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2004 where he also served as the Financial Officer and fundraiser. The Foundation works to add more materials to the library’s collections, maintain the local history online database, provide prizes for summer reading and much more. Their mission statement is “to enhance library materials, services, programs and equipment” and “increase our endowment, which will provide a future guaranteed stream of

income for the library.”

“We started to talk about having some kind of outside organization to support the library. One of our members was a lawyer and after we talked about it long enough he took it into his hands and set it up as a volunteer organization and started it by making a nice donation to open the doors,” shared De Long.

In 2005, the Foundation began taking in money and has been going ever since. De Long sent letters to citizens about the organization and helped organize other fundraising events. Over the years, De Long stepped back a bit as his eyesight deteriorated but he has always stayed involved in some way, helping where he can.

In 2020, the library created the Chet De Long Award for Outstanding Service which “recognizes a library staff member or volunteer who has shown the qualities of dedication and public service that exemplify the civic life of Chet De Long.”

Two awardees have been named so far, Eric Albrect and Claudia Gutierrez.

In 2010, De Long and other

CHET DE LONG (center) alongside Eric Albrect and Claudia Gutierrez, recipients of the De Long Award for Outstanding Service. (Courtesy Photo). members of the library began making plans for a complete remodel, talking to Council members, speaking about the issue in local newspapers, hosting roundtable discussions and more to gather the support they needed.

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De Long. “We hired a contractor. After several setbacks, we landed on a design. Dan Ze was a great help in getting the support we needed.”

Chet will be fourth in the parade line up. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday.

If you’d like to support the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation, you can find more information online at mrsplfoundation.org.

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­ MAY 26 - JUNE 1, 2022 | PAGE S-5

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The City of Falls Church

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Monday, May 30, 2022

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9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m | City Hall Grounds (300 Park Ave.) 9:00 a.m.

Beyer Auto Group 3K Fun Run Start Line: Great Falls Street at Little Falls Street Rollerblades & bicycles not permitted

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Festival Hours Children’s Rides & Amusements Vendor booths, including food and crafts for sale

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Music on the Main Stage DJ Riverside (9:00 a.m.)

City of Falls Church Concert Band (12:15 p.m.)

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tours of Cherry Hill Farmhouse

11:00 a.m.

Memorial Day Ceremony Veterans Memorial, outside the Community Center Keynote Speaker: Capt. Shaw H. Cohe, US Navy (Ret.)

2:00 p.m.

Parade, led by Grand Marshal Chet De Long

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MAY 26 - JUNE 1, 2022 | PAGE S-7

Honor Flight San Antonio Returns to the Little City

HONOR FLIGHT SAN ANTONIO visited the F.C. Hilton this past weekend for a three day trip of the Nation’s Capital. This was the group’s first outing since Covid and the first time brewing company Anheuser-Busch created custom beer cans for an Honor Flight. Mr. Gibbons (in blue, with his son on his left) celebrated his 98th birthday with the company of fellow veterans. After dinner, veterans read mail sent to them from all across the country as part of the customary “mail call” and birthday cake was served along with coffee and tea. (Photos: News-Press)

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Drs. Christopher & Favagehi

Falls Church Periodontics & Dental Implant Surgery What is a periodontist and when should you see a periodontist?

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A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and in the surgical placement of dental implants. Periodontists go to school for a minimum of 11 years after high school: 4 years of college + 4 years of dental school + 3 years of specialty training. To qualify for the heavily science based curricula, many periodontal residency programs require additional science based education and research as part of a Master of Science or PhD degree. Patients are typically referred by their dentists to see periodontists for treatment of problems due to periodontal diseases (for regeneration of bone around teeth), receding gums (gum grafts), missing teeth (implants), or for surgical procedures that allow for proper tooth restoration or issues related to orthodontics. Periodontics is a surgical specialty with non-surgical and minimally invasive components.

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About our practice Our practice was established in Falls Church city over 20 years ago by Drs. Christopher and Favagehi. Over the years, we have renovated and modernized our practice 3 times, and purchased the Falls Church periodontal practices of Dr. John J. Armstrong, and Dr. Charles M. Deutsch. We have been voted as the “BEST” or “TOP” Periodontists in surveys of local dental colleagues conducted by the Washingtonian, Northern Virginia Magazine, Virginia Living and also patient surveys by Angie’s List. Dr. Christopher and Favagehi have been involved in dental education as part time faculty at VCU and University of Maryland. Both doctors have been invited to make presentations at many regional, national and international conferences including many annual meetings of the American Academy of Periodontology. Both Dr. Christopher and Favagehi have received certification in periodontology and implant surgery by the American Board of Periodontology.

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Dr. Lourdes Ann Christopher Dr. Christopher is board certified in periodontology and implant surgery by the American Board of Periodontology. Originally from Chicago, Dr. Christopher received her undergraduate and dental education at Wellesley College and University of IllinoisChicago. She received her Periodontics specialty training and MS degree at Ohio State University. Her research involved PCR (DNA finger printing) of bacteria and dental inflammation around implants. Her professional experiences include serving in the US Public Health Service as a commissioned officer and teaching at 4 different dental schools. She's regarded as a gum graft guru by many periodontists and has presented her work at many dental conferences including 4 of the last 10 annual meetings of the American Academy of Periodontology.

Dr. Mehrdad Favagehi Like his partner, and wife, Dr. Christopher, Dr. Favagehi is also board certified in periodontology and implant surgery by the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Favagehi grew up in Iran, Switzerland and California. He received his BS in Biology at George Mason University and DDS from the Medical College of Virginia (VCU Dental School) in 1994. He completed his periodontics specialty training and earned an MS degree in Oral Biology at Ohio State University. He has been a faculty member at VCU school of Dentistry since 1998 and has received a Teaching and Mentorship award from the American Academy of Periodontology. He is a director of the Osseointegration Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of the Academy of Osseointegration newsletter. The osseointegration foundation is a philanthropic arm of the Academy of Osseointegration, the world’s premier dental implant organization.

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MAY 26 - JUNE 1, 2022 | PAGE S-9

Memorial Day is About Ensuring Sacrifice is ‘Properly Memorialized’

by Alex Russell

Falls Church News-Press

The 40th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival, which will be set up on the grounds near City Hall and the Community Center (300 Park Ave, Falls Church), will feature a Ceremony at Veterans Plaza hosted by the Falls Church Veterans Council, beginning at 11 a.m. The keynote speaker this year is Captain Shaw H. Cohe, S.C., U.S. Navy (RET).

When asked what Memorial Day meant to him on a personal level, he acknowledged how it is “a very ‘American’ holiday.”

“On the one hand, it is a very solemn day where we memorialize those who perished while serving in the Armed Forces…

The day usually starts with ceremonies to honor the fallen,” with the ceremonial “presidential wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery,” as well as other observances on a smaller scale, such as the ones organized by “the Veterans Council

and our city government sponsor here in Falls Church.”

“The rest of the day, the community celebrates with parades, fun runs, barbecues and other activities to bring our families and communities together.”

It is this mixture of honoring and remembering those no longer with us and of celebrating and enjoying “the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness that our fallen military members sacrificed their lives to preserve” that makes for a holiday that is unique to American life and culture.

“At 3 p.m., since the presidential proclamation in the mid1990s, we…cease our festivities to again have a moment of silence to honor those Armed Service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to make the good life possible.”

Captain Cohe’s family has been a long-time member of the Falls Church community since 1987. Both his sons attended Falls Church City public schools and are active duty officers serving in the U.S. Army.

“I am a longtime resident of Falls Church and a huge fan of the Memorial Day Festivities in the Little City. Harry Shovlin, Bob Smith and the rest of the Veterans Council, along with local supporting veterans organizations, do a great job with the Memorial Ceremony.”

There are a number of veterans organizations in the area, including the Greater Falls Church Veterans Council, VFW Post 9274, and American Legion Post 130, who work to support fellow veterans in their community and who come out to experience and participate in the City’s Memorial Day events.

On events specific to the City, Cohe shared his fondness for the Don Beyer Volvo Fun Run, saying that it is “another great and unique part of the celebration.” On how he became this year’s keynote speaker, Cohe explained that he was asked to fulfill the role by Harry Shovlin.

“Harry retired as a longtime teacher and coach in the FCPS system and has been a great leader in the Falls Church

veteran community and many other worthy civic endeavors over many years.” He has presided over the veterans ceremony numerous times as its master of ceremonies during past Memorial Day celebrations.

Cohe admits he was “surprised to receive the invitation.

My initial response to Harry was that I am not a war hero, senior public official, running for office or otherwise looking to expand my public presence.”

In other words, Cohe found himself asking Shovlin, “‘are you sure about this?’”

But Shovlin assuaged his doubts, clarifying that “they were looking for someone who lived in the city for many years and also had a long military career.”

“For those who know Harry,” Cohe quipped, “when he asks you to volunteer, resistance is pointless!

All kidding aside, I am both honored and humbled to be the keynote speaker for this event and will do my best to rise to the occasion.”

As for the speech itself, he plans to “briefly talk about

the history and meaning of Memorial Day, and a few personal experiences and observations.”

“One point I hope to make is that Memorial Day is a federal holiday for mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and not just those who lost their lives in actual combat. The military is an inherently dangerous profession. Particularly today, when all who serve are volunteers, their sacrifice should also be properly memorialized.”

Captain Cohe, S.C., U.S. Navy (RET), served for over 30 years. During his naval service, he received numerous individual decorations, unit awards, and campaign and service medals.

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PAGE S-10 | MAY 26 - JUNE 1, 2022

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Honoring the Past, Looking Forward to the Future

BY ALEX RUSSELL

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

The City of Falls Church is once again set to commemorate Memorial Day. The 40th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival, beginning in the grounds near F.C. City Hall at 300 Park Avenue, will feature a Fun Run, a special ceremony in Veterans Plaza, a variety of food and crafts vendors, live music, and the annual parade, bringing together locals and those outside the City.

For the Little City, Memorial Day is a singular time where a multitude of organizations and businesses come out to show support for their community and to pay respect to those who gave their life in the service of their country.

The parade comes at the beginning of summer, with warmer weather, brighter skies and a greater sense of commotion, as nature appears to “wake up” after an erratic winter.

Those who have participated in the festival in previous years (and who will be coming back this year) are clear in their conviction to honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces, but some, like David Crance, cannot help but look ahead, too.

Crance, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9274 Chaplain of two years and member since 2009 and Falls Church Kiwanis Little League (FCKLL) Tee Ball and Fall Coordinator, under-

scores that there are “so many people who never came home” from foreign service and, consequently, making sure that “the efforts…the sacrifices” that they made are acknowledged and “are getting remembered.”

(The Greater Falls Church Veterans Council and the local American Legion Post 130, which Crance is also a part of, will be part of the festival this year too.)

Talking more about what Memorial Day in F.C. means to him, Crance explained that to him, it represents “a chance to help others understand what has gone before.”

“My grandfather served with the 29th Infantry Division…[he] landed on D-Day in Europe,” and after coming home, “worked a tobacco farm for 30-some years.” For Crance, his grandfather’s resolution, determination, and work ethic still inspire him today. “[To] still come back, busted up, and still run a farm, raise a family…remembering all that is what [Memorial Day] means to me.”

Crance views Falls Church as “one of the last towns this side of the beltway…with [a strong] sense of community.”

“This is a town…where you can see the Mayor on the street.”

He also reflected how partisan politics end in the City “when you’re on the street. We’re really lucky here with that stuff.”

In terms of the way the City commemorates the holiday, Crance expressed noth-

ing but approval. “Everyone’s involved…[the] first time I saw it, I was surprised [at] how big it was…the local community puts in so much effort.”

As a coach in the F.C. Little League, his favorite aspect of the parade is “watching all the kids march. They are part of something big.” (In past years, the kids would throw candy at bystanders; considering the density of certain hard candies, “the kids run and hand over the candy now.”)

For Crance, the youth of Falls Church make up a link between what has come before and the positive possibilities inherent in the future. He believes that it is important to “put time in with our youth.”

“Getting the kids to understand” and appreciate “the sacrifices that were made,” especially in the kind of community setting that the parade and festival provide, is very important to Crance.

Community involvement, a shared sense of purpose and lending a hand to those in need are often cited as core values stemming especially from the generation of Americans who, like Crance’s grandfather, fought in World War II. “[It was] the defining event of their lives and their generation,” reflects Crance.

Besides honoring those no longer with us and helping his community’s youth understand the importance of Memorial Day, Crance sees the annual event, where a large variety of business-

DAVID CRANCE HELPED REPRESENT VFW POST 9274 at the Honor Flight event last week, standing to the right of Jeffrey Garofalo of the F.C. Hilton Garden Inn. (P����: N���-P����.). es, organizations, and non-profit groups will be present, a moment to pause and reflect. “What can I do in my community that will mean something 30 years from now? What can I do in my community, at my level, for a better future?”

“Everybody can do something small…coach a soccer team, volunteer at the library. An hour here or two hours there” can, to Crance, really help “make the future better.” And he cannot stress the value of all this within the context of a community like Falls Church.

“People forget,” he explains, how a local function or volunteerrun group can dissolve “quickly… due to the lack of people putting in

the time and effort to carry [something] forward.”

And with all of this in mind, he keeps one eye on the present, appreciating the efforts put forth by his community to highlight an important day of national remembrance, and one eye on tomorrow, knowing full well that today’s kids and youth have the potential to keep the community moving forward.

To learn more about VFW Post 9274, visit vfwpost9274.org. For more information about American Legion Post 130, visit post130. org. To learn more about the Greater Falls Church Veterans Council, go online at gfcvcouncil.homestead.com.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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MAY 26 - JUNE 1, 2022 | PAGE S-11

Hicks and Burke Set to Reign as King and Queen of Parade

BY AMANDA SNEAD

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Hunter Hicks and Natalie Burke are both seniors at Meridian High School and will be a part of the first graduating class of the school since its name change and the opening of the new campus. Both received the Spirit of Meridian Award and will be honored in this year’s Memorial Day as the King and Queen. The Falls Church NewsPress sat down with the students to discuss their time at Meridian, their future plans and more.

News-Press: How did you end up with the King and Queen titles?

Natalie Burke: “I received the Spirit of Meridian Scholarship award and received a call informing me of that and learned that a perk of that would be becoming the Memorial Day Queen.”

Hunter Hicks: “It’s the same for me. Our career counselor met with me and let me know I had won the award and that I might be able to get involved at the Memorial Day parade. The next day I got an email that said ‘congratulations on being King.’”

N-P: What are some of your favorite memories from Memorial Day celebrations in Falls Church in the past?

Hicks: “I’ve lived here my entire life and I don’t think I’ve ever been around for a Memorial Day parade so this will be my first. While I haven’t ever been to a Memorial Day Parade, I can remember always being jealous for missing it when reading about it in the Falls Church News-Press.”

Burke: “I moved here four years ago so I haven’t been to any parades yet, it’ll be my first time as well. I’m excited that I

get to be involved in the parade for my first time going to the event N-P: What are your plans for the parade this year?

Burke: “We’re going to be riding in a car throughout the parade and then we get to sit with the members of the City Council during the rest of the parade procession. That’s all the information I’ve received so far but I’m excited to see what the rest of the day will be like.”

N-P: What has your experience at Meridian been like? Do you have a favorite memory from your time?

Hicks: “I’ve loved my time [at Meridian], I’ve had a lot of fun. I feel like I can just completely be myself here and if I’m getting judged I don’t care.

I think my favorite memory was prom a couple of weeks ago when I was thrown up in the air and crowd surfed for the first time.”

Burke: “I’ve also had a really great experience. I thought that transition from the old school to the new school was really interesting in terms of being able to have such a great new facility.

I’ve really enjoyed being able to have lunch with my friends on the patios and just bonding with them overall in all of my classes. I think this year, in senior year specifically, it was nice to see the grade merge together.

I think with Covid and having school online for two years it was pretty difficult to have that social interaction. This year everyone has been in the same place and you could really see the difference and I’ve really enjoyed that. I’ve also enjoyed being a part of sports teams. In particular, the senior night for my volleyball season has been

HUNTER HICKS AND NATALIE BURKE won the Spirit of Meridian award this year and will be honored in the Memorial Day Parade as King and Queen. (C������� P����). one of my favorite high school memories.”

Hicks: “That just reminded me, I managed field hockey, basketball and lacrosse. Senior night was awesome for those, I got to wear a tiara! Blowing the horns for those were some great memories.”

N-P: If you could go back in time and tell your freshman self one thing, what would it be?

Burke: “I would say to trust the process, there are going to be a lot of ups and downs to high school. Covid happening added a new layer to a high school experience that you wouldn’t normally consider.

Don’t beat yourself up on the low days and really enjoy the high days. I think I spent a lot of time just looking forward to the future, I would tell myself to slow down a little bit and enjoy the moment– really look around

and appreciate what’s happening now.”

Hicks: “High school is a very unique place and every moment, even the down and dull ones, offers a spectacle.”

Burke: “Learning to laugh at certain instances that you might not have expected to go a certain way has been really important too. Make sure that you aren’t taking anything too seriously and just enjoy yourself.”

N-P: What are your plans for after graduation? What are your career aspirations?

Burke: “I’m going to UVA. I have a lot of interests. I’m really interested in psychology, sociology and anthropology, really any of the social sciences.

I’m interested in attending law school after I graduate. I don’t have a specific career in mind.

Right now I’m just interested in learning more about the fields I’m interested in and seeing

what sticks to determine what I want to do in the future.

Hicks: “I feel like I can relate to that a lot too. I’m going to Stanford. I’ll be minoring in statistics but I’m undecided on my major. I have an interest in econometrics and industrial management. I want to eventually get my graduate degree in business. One dream career would be to own my own coin firm, I’m a big coin collector so that sounds fun right now. But I’m undecided in terms of my career.

N-P: What is your message as King and Queen to your subjects?

Burke: “I would say just to enjoy yourselves. Be kind to each other and place an emphasis on acceptance, empathy and awareness of your surroundings.”

Hicks: “Enjoy the spectacle, whether it’s good or bad.”

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HARVEY’S HOME TO GOOD FOOD AND FRIENDS

513 W. Broad St. Falls Church, Va 22046 • www.Harveysva.com • (540) 268-6100 • FOLLOW US @Harveys.va #Harveys.va

Dominion Beer & Wine Offers Variety of Food and Drinks

BY PATRICIA LESLIE

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

If it’s been a while since you’ve stopped by Dominion Wine & Beer right off West Broad Street, get ready for a surprise. It’s a lot more than “wine and beer.”

The restaurant’s got a swanky black and white, “feels-like” Las Vegas lounge area upstairs and a beer garden out back where full-service menus of delectable food choices ranging from charcuterie and cheese to Atlantic salmon ($24) are available with 16 wines by the glass and 24 rotating beers on tap.

A few Sundays ago some friends and I enjoyed brunch in the beer garden where we were cooled by a slightly blowing wind and soothed by the visuals of beautiful rhododendrons nearby which matched the mood and the food.

Arash Tafakor is one of Dominion’s owners (with his brother and mom) who said tents for the beer garden went up after Covid-19’s 2020 shutdown and they worked so well, the

owners decided to keep them.

My friends and I were happy to be there, outdoors under a tent on a lovely spring afternoon.

We took our chances finding a table since Dominion takes no reservations. Tafakor explained that the restaurant wants to save room for the local community and “make sure our core customers can come in and find a seat for a beer or a glass of wine with a good entree. It probably costs us money,” but the good will Dominion builds is worth it and sure enough, we had no trouble finding a table.

Mary ordered the steak and blue salad ($16) which she pronounced “very delicious” with cherry tomatoes, bacon bits, peppers, greens, croutons and red onions with a blue cheese dressing and Piedmontese steak.

She likes her meat cooked medium rare, and that’s the way it came out: “It’s very tasty and I highly recommend it,” she said between bites.

My friend Carl can be a bit of a bore when it comes to trying something different. (Sorry,

Carl: Just stating the obvious.)

He ordered his standard cheeseburger ($16) and after he offered, Mary and I helped him with the fries. It didn’t take much coaxing to get us to try them, and besides, by eating Carl’s pommes frites, we could claim we didn’t order them which were, naturally, every bit as good as fries are. (Instead of the potatoes, he could have chosen a salad for the same price which would have left Mary and me fries free!)

Anyway, Carl loved his cheeseburger which came with two patties, pickles, cheddar cheese, red onions and a house sauce on a brioche bun.

Since my first choice of “Canadian bacon benedict” ($12) was sold out, I opted for the “granola toast” ($8 plus $2 for poached egg) which was lots better than the name implies with many layers of complexity (?) and more ingredients than I expected: cotija cheese guacamole, arugula, red onions (which I discarded since who knew what lay ahead that afternoon?), all topped with a

THE EXOTIC MUSHROOM ARANCINI is one of Dominion Beer & Wine’s sharable plates for the table to enjoy as an appetizer.

The mushrooms are filled with risotto and topped with bread crumbs and more. (P����: P������� L�����). caper vinaigrette to make an unbeatable combination. It was not too filling and appealed to me to order daily, but, alas, brunch items are only available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. — 2 p.m., so there went my planned dinners for a week.

We also ordered a magnificent “shareable plate,” the

“exotic mushroom arancini” ($8 or $6 at Happy Hour) which tied with my granola toast for the best choices of the day. (Since I get to write, I get to judge.)

The mushrooms were filled with delectable risotto breaded in panko, Parmesan, herbs,

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We cater all events, including birthday parties, corporate and school events, special and sports events.

Email us at: sales@frozencottoncandy.com Call us at: 571-494-1530

Enjoy Outdoor Dining at Dominion Beer & Wine in F.C. Continued from Page S-14

smoked paprika and served with truffle aioli. Their presentation and taste were much better than we anticipated. The mushrooms were soft and moist and although only four in number, they lasted long enough to satisfy us before our entrees arrived and before our innards became loaded.

Since the calorie count for the benedict far exceeded “granola toast,” I was happy the benedict was all gone, but not so much the mimosas.

They are rather standard fare for me at brunch, but the special mango and guava mimosas were sold out that day at Dominion (and the preceding day, a waitress confirmed later), so I had to settle for a “classic.” (Each, $7.)

We had arrived about 1 p.m., so if you’re craving one of the special drinks or that Canadian bacon, better get there before then.

Tafakor was full of praise for the Falls Church community and city government.

“When it comes to supporting small businesses and getting

to know local business owners, Falls Church is great” which is not always the case in some localities, he said. “Falls Church is special when it comes to that.” Generous tips supplied by customers during Covid when the shop sold curbside helped to keep his staff. “The neighborhood’s been supporting us,” he said.

He explained that customers frequenting Little City retailers on weekdays show how well the shops are doing all week, not just on weekends. “There’s a steady stream of business on those days.”

Tafakor said the most popular appetizers are the dragon shrimp ($12) and charcuterie platters (prices vary), while top entrees are the Piedmontese ribeye which is sliced to share ($38 for 16 ounces of meat and fries), the salmon, ribeye steak and cheese ($16), and a spicy chicken sandwich ($15).

The nightingale ice cream sandwich ($8) is the favored dessert.

Dominion’s Happy Hour specials (Monday — Friday, 4 — 6 p.m.) include a 20 percent discount on glasses of wine and beer, and discounts on some food, too, like two selections from the charcute-

THE DOMINION BURGER is a tasty spin on an old favorite. Dominion also offers more exotic selections, like its Mushroom Arancini or Guacamole Toast with poached egg. (P����: P������� L�����.) rie board ($11) and the beets with herbed goat cheese ($6) which I’m planning to order on my next visit and wash them down with a glass of “Mean Ole Tom” beer from Maine.

I ordered a new bathing suit this spring, and if it weren’t for all these great Falls Church eatins’, I might not have to push, pull and stretch it

so much to get it on, plus (no pun) I had to go up a size (!), but hey! We only live once! I’ll have some of your pommes frites, please.

Dominion Wine & Beer, 107 Rowell Ct. Falls Church, VA 22046 (703) 533-3030. www.dominionwineandbeer.com Order in, out (curbside pickup), or onsite.

Restaurant, Sunday — Wednesday, 11 a.m. — 10 p.m., Thursday — Saturday, 11 a.m. — 11 p.m.; Beer Garden, Monday — Wednesday, 4 —10 p.m., Thursday — Sunday, 11 a.m. — 11 p.m. (Park in the rear where garden is.); Retail Shop, Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. — 10 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. — 9 p.m.

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Your Official 2022 City of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade Lineup 1. Sheriff’s Department 2. City of Falls Church Police Department 3. American Legion Post 130 4. Grand Marshall Chet De Long 5. Falls Church City Council 6. Falls Church City Public Schools/ School Board 7. Memorial Day King & Queen 8. Greater Falls Church Veterans Council 9. Martin Leppert VFW Post 9274 10. Arlington County Fire Department Station #6 FC

11. Mary Riley Styles Public Library 12. MRSPL Foundation 13. Recreation and Parks Department Bus 14. Fall Church Farmers Market 15. Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department 16. Falls Church News-Press 17. Fraternidad Alma Boliviana 18. Girl Scouts SU 50-12 (all troops) 19. Falls Church Kiwanis Little League 20. Washington Scottish Pipe Band

21. Mini-Rose Rhapsody 22. Cub Scout Pack 657 23. Oak Street Elemetary Safety Patrols 24. Dave and Melanie Elliot’s 1947 Dodge 25. Fraternidad Embajadores Del Folklore Boliviano 26. NOVA Parks 27. Operation Earth Watch 28. McKinley Technology High School JROTC 29. Cub Scout Pack 681- Saint James 30. Sam and Karen Jackson- 57 Chevy Convertible

31. Brownie Girl Scout Troop 50125 32. Batala Washington 33. Falls Church Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution 34. Girl Scout Service Unit 50-14 35. John F. Nicoll Pipe Band 36. CATCH-Watch Night 37. KENA Shriners 38. Brothers Paving and Concrete 39. Centro Cultural Bolivia 40. Delegate Marcus Simon and Falls Church Democrats 41. Beyer Auto Group Family Parade Float

42. Fairfax VA Chapter- Harley Owners Group 43. Boy Scout Troop 1996 44. Cheer DC 45. Concerned Citizens Against Gun Violence 46. Caporales San Simon SUCRE-VA 47. Cub Scout Pack 1127 48. Falun Dafa of DC 49. The Kensington Falls Church 50. Maha Yoga 51. Kaizen MMA 52. Falls Church Public Works

Parade starts at 2 p.m. at the intersection of N. West St. and Park Ave. and runs through the intersection of Park Ave. and Little Falls St.