Falls Church News-Press 3-2-2023

March

School Board

Unanimous In Budget Request

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

The Falls Church School Board’s unanimous approval Tuesday night of its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024, includes a provision that makes the Falls Church Public Schools the first in the commonwealth of Virginia to offer paid paren tal leave. That proposed budget now goes to Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields who will wrap it into his overall budget recommendation for the coming fiscal year that he will present later this month, and that the City Council will then vote on at the end of April.

The School Board budget proposal complies with the City Council’s guidance to limit growth to 4.2 percent, down from last year’s 8.4 percent, and it marks the fifth consecutive year the School Board has held its budget request to within such City Council guidance.

The approved budget calls for

Inside This Week

2023 Spring Arts Issue

Falls Church Democrats’ Chief Hails Saslaw’s Career

by Cindy Cunningham

[Ed. Note: The following is written by the current chair of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee on the retirement announcement of State Sen. Dick Saslaw, who represents Falls Church in Richmond].

“Sooner or later you’ve got

FCNP’s Spring Arts issue is here! Take a look at various articles about cover/tribute bands, spring musicals/shows and a roundup on local events one can partake in to enjoy the arts!

See Pages 7-14

to realize that it’s time to move on. But it’s been a great fortyeight years…I can’t tell you how great it’s been. And I’ve been given a fabulous opportunity by the people…and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished here over the last forty-some years.” With that, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Dick Saslaw,

who represents the City of Falls Church, announced the end of his legendary General Assembly career on the floor of the Senate last Thursday.

Saslaw was first elected to office in 1976. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates for four years until being elected to the Senate in 1980, where

he has served since. His peers chose him as Floor Leader in 1996, and he has been chosen as Majority or Minority Leader every session since 1998. He chairs the Commerce and Labor committee, and serves on numerous other committees.

Purchase Loans

Coalition Rallies for Arlington Missing Middle Housing

by Charlie Clark

A politically mixed crowd of 150 rallied for countywide expansion of housing options at Arlington’s Courthouse Plaza Feb. 5, assembling civil rights activists, educators, clergy, neighborhood leaders and anti-poverty volunteers.

Bundled up against a snow flurry, the crowd waved placards calling for enactment next month of a plan to permit construction of more “Missing Middle” units with slogans such as “Exclusionary Zoning is not the Arlington Way” while chanting, “Yes to people, Yes to housing, Yes to Missing Middle.”

County board member Katie Cristol, who has championed the middle-class ownership plan for three years, acknowledged to the crowd that “it’s a little unconventional for a board member to speak at an event like this. But our job is to be a custodian of the future. And you didn’t come to this far just to come this far.”

A dramatic moment came during statements delivered by Republican, Democrat and independent leaders. Mike Cantwell, the Yorktown Civic Association president, announced that he had had “an opportunity to think again” and had changed his mind to back the zoning reforms. “I love Arlington, I love the people here now, and I love the people who might live here in the future,” he said. “I also love personal property rights, which includes the right to build a duplex on my property.” Cantwell said he wants “all types to live in my neighborhood. Throughout our history, Arlington has usually done the right thing. Now is the time to welcome others to our neighborhood, not with a clenched fist or angry words, but with a welcoming hand.”

Arlington Young Republican former chairman Kipp Chapin appealed to his party mates’ priority of building prosperity, noting that of the county’s 38,000 land parcels, 34,000 are zoned for single families—“so roughly 20 percent own almost 80 percent of the land. Current land-use policies are driving people away from Arlington.”

The county’s history of race-based zoning was invoked several times. Democratic leader Tony Striner mentioned the monument

and vestige of the 1930s segregation wall in the Halls Hill neighborhood, saying, “It is time to remove all walls to homeownership. We didn’t elect you [board members] to make easy choices.”

Bryan Coleman of NAACP said, “We stand at a precipice,” quoting Winston Churchill: “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”

Dean Amel of the Sierra Club, arguing against fears that the new zoning will harm the environment, said, “the only species harmed by Missing Middle is Jim Crow.”

Single-family homeowner Natalie Roisman said Missing Middle is “not an attack on single-family zoning. It’s an imperfect but important step. A neighborhood is not about one type of housing but the character of the neighbors,” said, adding that she was tired of the opposition’s “scare tactics.”

Critics in the group Arlingtonians for Upzoning Transparency countered the rally with a timed release of a “reality check” statement. It accused the backers of using nationally vetted tactics to mislead locals by presenting Missing Middle as likely to create housing that realistically could be purchased by police, teachers or firefighters. “It has become clear that YIMBYs and the County Board are on the same page, wanting residents to think that the plan is about affordability,” said David Gerk, “when in reality, those who will benefit are developers and upper-income earners, many from outside Arlington.”

Some backers of Missing Middle had been upset that the board in January voted to remove the controversial option of allowing seven-eight-unit structures by-right countywide. But this did not come up during the rally; organizer Jane Green, of YIMBYs of NoVa, said planners had agreed to “move on and stay positive.”

The next step is a March 6 Planning Commission hearing, followed by an expected county board vote March 18.

KATIE CRISTOL addressing

Middle rally. (Photo: Charlie Clark)

Budget Plan Re�lects

Continued from Page 1

an increase of $1,958,236 in local funding. At the same time, the addition of expected state and federal revenue brings the total budget to a 5.1 percent above the FY 2023 approved budget.

“We’re proud to present a budget that aligns with the FCCPS Strategic Plan and provides our staff with the resources they need to succeed,” said School Board Chair Laura Downs. “Our teachers and staff are critical to the success of our students, and we’re committed to supporting them in every way possible.”

The School Board’s Budget reflects significant action on the FCCPS Strategic Plan, entitled ‘Investing in Our People,’ which aims to ensure that the Falls Church Public School system “provides the best compensation and working conditions in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” according to Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan.

The compensation and ben-

Action’ on FCCPS Strategic Plan

KICKING OFF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH in Falls Church, all the women in the City Council chambers Monday night were invited to come forward and pose for a picture with organizers of the month-long program of highlighting F.C. women around town with posters like the one being displayed here. (News-Press Photo)

Senator Saslaw: A ‘Good Friend, Mentor and Father Figure’

Continued from Page 1

Much of his legislation has focused on transportation issues, public education, and utility regulation. After this long career, he hopes to spend more time traveling with his wife Eleanor, and visiting his daughter and grandchildren in California.

His retirement announcement was followed by nearly an hour of laudatory speeches — many given through tears — from his Senate peers on both sides of the aisle. Much of what they said echoed my own reasons for appreciating the Senator, and calling him a dear friend, despite sometimes having strong political disagreements with him. Senator Janet Howell said “we battled it out and ended up friends” which is pretty much the path of my friendship with him as well

Several senators spoke about his integrity and his honesty. Senator Howell said he “is loyal to a fault,… has great integrity,…is a person you can trust.” Republican Senator Jill Vogel said she was “totally enamored with how he can even approach a constituent in the face of an awk-

ward conversation and be so brutally honest.” True enough — that constituent has quite often been me! We won’t always agree with our elected representatives, but for me at least, honesty is a non-negotiable requirement for my support.

One after another senator called Senator Saslaw a good friend, a mentor, and even a father figure. Republican Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment called him “one of the closest and fastest friends that I have in the Senate.” Senator Chap Petersen said that Saslaw “led me and cajoled me to be the best man I could be…next to my own father, he’s been the most important figure in my life, as a mentor, as a leader, as someone who’s shown an example.” GOP Senator John Cosgrove said that Saslaw had been a mentor to many legislators, and Senator Barbara Favola said “you have been a mentor to so many of us, that your views and your thoughts are going to influence us for years to come.”

And numerous people spoke of his kindness, and of his being a people-person—and he truly is the kindest person I know, who lives to help out his friends and the peo-

SENATOR DICK SASLAW (pictured center) with his staff after announcing his retirement. His announcement brought kind words and thoughts by various local politicians. (Photo: Cindy Williams)

ple he cares about. Senator Mamie Locke called him “the epitome of a true Virginia gentleman,” and said “ immensely.” Republican Senator Steve Newman said “this side of the aisle loves and respects you as much as anybody over there,” and thanked him for “the kindness that you’ve

he is still a little bit funny.”

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same without him. Senator Vogel, who is retiring from the Senate as well this year, said “I will be sad for this institution, I do not know how it will go on without him…We all love you dearly, Dick Saslaw, and we do not know how another day will go on when you walk out this building.”

Not Christian, Not Patriot & Marymount’s Fail

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Two stories juxtaposed in last weekend’s Washington Post profoundly illustrate what’s wrong with our American culture that so sorely needs fixing.

On one page, a banner headline above a feature story read, “‘Christian Patriots’ Are Leaving Liberal States for Idaho,” and on the accompanying page, a smaller headline that read, “Marymount Votes to Cut Many Liberal Arts Majors.”

Aside from the fact the word, “liberal,” appears in both headlines, the import of their being appearing together, though undoubtedly not on purpose by the editors, is extremely telling about the nation’s state of affairs.

With regard to the first story, does it need to be emphasized that the people being discussed are neither “Christian” nor “patriots?”

It is perhaps admirable that in our “live and let live” culture, we generally chose not to criticize anyone’s religion, although at this current stop along our dystopian express, some exceptions are happily now being made for circumstances when religion is equated with bigotry and hate. Folks generally don’t appreciate how recent this development is, though.

People not that long ago thought that it was OK to sympathize with Archie Bunker of the once-popular TV sitcom, “All in the Family.” But since our recent president Trump, in particular, such hatefulness is no longer so quaint, as it was for those apologists who felt the Bunker personality was an acceptable foil against which to pitch more humane options.

Trust me, for those of us who had to live with an Archie Bunker, there was and is no redeeming value to having to watch him spit hatred all over the TV waves, especially when it was accompanied with canned audience laughter. The same went for the main character in the Sopranos series. Why do we feel it is important to cow-tow or to sympathize with such pigs, even in the name of promoting a kinder option?

In fact, as the Murdaugh murder trial in South Carolina illustrates, the essence of cruelty and oppression in

our culture goes back, in its essence, to the entitlement older males are provided to oppress their spouses, their children and, by extension, their slaves, employees or just about anyone else under their control.

The father allegedly felt entitled to kill his wife and son, whether that specific claim came out in the trial or not. That’s the way society is ordered.

One of the better expressions of that is the true story by Tobias Wolff, now a teacher at Stanford, in his 1993 memoir and its successful movie adaption of “This Boy’s Life.” In the film, a stepfather, played by Robert DeNiro, asserts his anger and entitlement over his wife (Ellen Barkin) and young teen son (Leo DeCaprio), almost killing him.

He could have died right there in the rural northwest had the mother not stopped the murder and had not a young gay friend played a critical role assisting him academically to get out of there for college.

I contend that, in the Old Testament, the angelic intervention against Abraham to stop the exercise of his felt need to kill his own son, Isaac, was originally intended as a crucial turning point in the affirmation of the most important values for all subsequent Abrahamic cultures (Christianity, Judaism and Islam), even though its critical, seminal role has been effectively buried.

One must not sacrifice one’s own children to advance one’s personal ends. The composer Benjamin Britten wrote this into his “War Requiem,” lamenting how wars owe their origin, and the millions of young mostly men who were slaughtered as a result, to the sin of disobeying God’s edict to Abraham.

It’s this critical nature of our Abrahamic culture which what we call “liberal arts” to greater or lesser degrees of effectiveness, have had the unique ability to address.

So, for Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, to vote to cut out almost all of its liberal arts majors is another sign that our society is falling under the sway of the most brutal kinds of antiChristian, anti-patriotic bile that so-called “Christian nationalists” represent.

Majors are being eliminated in English, history, mathematics, philosophy, secondary education, sociology and theology, following the lead of another religiously-affiliated school, St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis, that is doing the same.

Our Man in Arlington

The day before the ax fell on liberal arts at Marymount University, a contingent of some 15 students and alumni staged a peaceful protest near the trustees’ planning meeting at the school’s Ballston offices.

“Save Our Majors,” read their homemade placards on Feb. 23.

Many students “were afraid of retaliation,” said Grace Kapacs, but she “doesn’t care.” English major Margaret Hoffinger worried about future preparedness, saying, “People come to Marymount to increase their ability to communicate, learn a language, to be more compassionate toward people with a different perspective.” The Catholic mission, she added, is traditionally grounded in liberal arts.

Theology major Jonas Gleiner said the plan to eliminate nine majors championed by President Irma Becerra “threatened professors by saying, ‘You should leave.’”

Alum Matthew Shuman said the plan—which focuses more on “high demand” majors such as nursing, fashion and physical therapy “means that Marymount— right outside the most educated city in the U.S.—will fall further.”

Within 24 hours, after the president overruled an angry faculty council vote for blocking it, the Marymount board voted 20-0 to approve the plan to eliminate degrees in history, English and most liberal arts. These majors are “rarely selected by Marymount students and have only graduated a handful of students in the past decade,” said the board. “This decision reflects not only our students’ needs, but our responsibility to

prepare them for the fulfilling, indemand careers of the future.”

Spokesman

Nicholas Munson told me the university “will continue to provide a strong liberal arts core and offer classes in the subjects. Marymount will continue to have a B.A. in liberal studies” as the institution focuses on “long-term growth” and “competitive advantage.” The changes are not financially driven.

The drama drew notice in national publications and among numerous interest groups. The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, which counsels trustees, told me Marymount’s “leaders are not alone in their attempts to grapple with evolving challenges impacting the long-term vitality of colleges and universities… Administrative leaders and board members must make complex decisions that consider the cost of programs – in both dollars and reputation – compared to potential attractiveness to future students. It also means … rethinking how liberal arts and ‘soft skills’ are taught in new ways.”

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington, though exerting no authority over Marymount’s governance, said Bishop Michael Burbidge understands there will still be required theology classes and will continue to work with Marymount leaders.

Arlington Historical Society president Cathy Hix said, “It is essential for universities to continue to offer the study of history and humanities to help us understand the human story to better navigate the future.”

Especially upset is the

11,000-member American Historical Association, whose leaders wrote to Marymount’s president Feb. 16 urging that she reconsider. It said past experience had shown such moves do not save money but harm students, and warned against a “wrongheaded shift at a time when civic leaders from all corners of the political landscape have lamented the lack of historical knowledge of American citizens.”

Executive director James Grossman told me he found it “bizarre for a Catholic University to say history is not central to someone’s education.” Offering a few courses “is not good enough,” he added. Grossman also rejected the common notion that history majors struggle in the job market. “Most employers want graduates who know how to learn, and that’s what a history major does.”

***

Arlington nostalgists on Facebook continue debating the change of Lee Highway to John M. Langston Blvd., now 20 months in the rearview mirror.

But I’ve noticed green VDOT signs on I-66 near Lyon Village still show Lee’s name (as does a NOVA Parks sign on the W&OD trail).

“There are two sign structures that need to be replaced to accommodate the new panels for the Langston Blvd signs,” VDOT spokeswoman Ellen Kamilakis told me. “The contract will go out to bid in April,” so following fabrication and installation of the steel structure and panels, the change should be done by year’s end.

All Hail F.C. Arts!

Ah, the arts! The focus of this edition of the News-Press is on the arts in and around the Little City, and we are pleased that, with everything else going on in our world these days, people are veritably breaking down our door to get the word of their work included in this particular edition. Trust us, we are flattered by the attention and we’ve done everything possible to accommodate everyone, imperfectly without a doubt. But the few people who assume that if we get something wrong or omitted, it’s because of a willful prejudice of some manner on our part. On the contrary, readers who have been paying attention know the extent to which this newspaper goes to promote the arts in this area. The issue of Marymount University’s decision to effectively end liberal arts majors as presented in our editor’s column in this edition should make this more than clear.

When it comes to the Falls Church Arts, everyone who loves art will benefit from a visit to its gallery at 700-A West Broad. Concerning this non-profit organization, its latest chair Joe Wetzel has sent along a reminder of what they do.

Falls Church Arts, he writes, was founded in 2003 with a mission to embrace, enhance, and elevate the visual arts community of Falls Church and its surrounds. Sensing that artists in the area needed a place and focus to make their visual voices heard, Falls Church Arts first exhibition spaces relied on the everchanging venues available as pop-up, temporary homes.

A permanent location within a local frame shop’s space provided stability enough for the group’s subsequent move to co-work tenancy with Creative Cauldron. 2017 provided Falls Church Arts with an opportunity for independent space front and center on the City’s main drag, West Broad Street.

That 1,500 square feet of space in the Kensington at 700-A West Broad is now the home for Falls Church Arts regular rotating exhibitions and instructional classes. Classes run a wide gamut, from youth groups and camps to unique Memory Care classes. The gallery serves also as a gathering point for engagement groups like regularly scheduled critique groups of artists.

Falls Church Arts also extends its reach well beyond the gallery walls with activities that engage the community as a whole: the annual Halloween Window Painting teams local merchants and their storefronts with groups of volunteers to transform the street scene into an avenue of seasonally themed décor. Falls Church Art’s annual Plein Air paint festival brings artists from a wide area to paint scenes within the city and culminates in a day of public engagement in open air exhibition and judging of works produced. Membership has grown steadily and with that growth has come a large body of enthusiastic volunteers from many disciplines which continue to ensure that the visual arts are an essential element of life here.

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Guest Commentary

Women’s History Is Everywhere in F.C.

by Beth Hahn & Terry Myers Zawacki

Everywhere you look in the Falls Church community, you will see evidence of the positive and lasting impact that women have had, and continue to have, on our everyday lives: Evidence of the bravery and tenacity of the women who first settled here and established schools and a fledgling community; evidence of the determination and diligence of women who fought for equality, the right to vote, the opportunity to open businesses and found schools and churches; and evidence more recently of the dedication and perseverance of the women who have supported the arts and historic preservation, served on the School Board and City Council, and established non-profits and community organizations that work every day to improve the lives of individuals and create a better community for all of us.

In short, women’s history is everywhere in Falls Church. Our hope is that by celebrating and honoring the significant accomplishments and triumphs of women in the past and present, we will inspire more women to become actively involved in the life of our community, carrying on this legacy. Participation does not require major commitments or grand gestures but rather becoming involved, even if in a small way, in the many opportunities right on our doorsteps. Opportunities to make a difference abound. For example, local non-profits and City boards and commissions seek volunteers in the caring community (Homestretch, the Falls Church Homeless Shelter, Welcoming Falls Church), or in the arts and culture scene (Falls Church Arts, Creative Cauldron, Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, Friends of Cherry Hill), or in environmental stewardship (the Environmental Sustainability Council, the Urban Forestry Commission).

To help you find your niche, the Falls Church Women’s History Group has posted on our website a list of organizations that welcome involvement (Get Involved in Falls Church).

The women recognized by the Women’s History Walk saw a need and found a way to make our community better. Most started small, and some of our early forbearers may have never even known what a profound effect their actions would have on generations to come. But they all got involved; they participated, and we hope you will too!

This month, look for the Herstory Stations to be located throughout the Little City. Rather than a one-day walk, join in a month-long, Citywide scavenger hunt to find the 60 Women’s History Walk Signs, which will be posted at 28 locations all around the city, from City Hall to the Library, outside each of the schools, and in businesses that have all joined in the celebration of these inspiring women during Women’s History Month. Visit the Falls Church Women’s History Walk website to find a full map of the signs (Google Falls Church Women’s History Walk, or go to https://sites.google.com/ view/fc-womens-historywalk/home).

“Women’s History Month empowers young girls around the nation with courage, selfesteem, and willpower to walk in our ancestors’ footsteps,” Jennifer Farmer writes in New York Nurse Magazine. “Our history will also inspire current and future generations to emulate the women who laid the framework for us to succeed, be treated equitably, and be recognized in society.” This is why it’s so important to learn about, remember, and amplify the lives, the voices, and the work of these amazing women in Falls Church. We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate, and join in the journey of continuing to make Falls Church a vibrant, welcoming, and thriving community.

Arts

Pages 7-14

Falls Church To Launch Self Guided Public Art Walk April 15th

If you have spent time in Falls Church City, or even just driven through it, you have noticed the Beyer Automotive’s Man Eating Dog Food sculpture, the hot air balloon mural in Mr. Brown’s Park, or the Tinner Hill Monument. They are Little City landmarks and some of more than 40 pieces of public art in The Little City.

Falls Church’s Arts & Humanities Council is highlighting the City’s public art through its new Falls Church Art Walk initiative. Mary Sellers and Ariadne Autor, AH Council’s at-large members, and Vice Mayor Letty Hardi, AH Council City Council liaison, have spearheaded an effort to document the City’s public art and make it more accessible and approachable. Under their leadership, and with assistance from the Falls Church Economic Development Authority, the Recreation and Parks Authority, and some Meridian High School

students, Falls Church public art is now documented and online. An official launch of the selfguided tour and website will take place at the Falls Church Farmer’s Market on World Art Day, Saturday, April 15.

The Art Walk currently includes 36 pieces created or commissioned by businesses, citizens, developers, and the City. According to Mary Sellers, “The arts are vital to establishing a sense of community and documenting history or traditions. As a new resident of Falls Church City, I love stumbling upon the different pieces of artwork that are tucked away in different corners of the city. The challenge is that I’m left with many questions about the artist, process, or origin of that artwork. Art Walk solves this problem by allowing the public to access information about the artwork and celebrate who we are as a community.”

The website includes photos, artist recognition, descriptions, loca-

tions, routes, and a map. Media include murals, sculptures, arches, monuments, and architecture. Falls Church Arts’ gallery and Jefferson Street Artists’ studios are included as well. Ten more pieces will be added to the site soon, while a number of additional pieces, including a Tinner Hill mural and projects in new building developments will be added as they are completed. Placards with a QR code to access more information will be affixed to the pieces in the coming weeks, thanks to funding by the City’s EDA.

The Art Walk is a testament to the AH Council and to the community at large. As stated by Councilwoman Letty Hardi,“We’re fortunate to have an established and growing arts and culture community. Civic engagement and volunteerism are hallmarks of our community, and the Art Walk has been a great example of that collaboration come to life. With more planned public and private investment in art, I look forward to seeing new pieces

added to the Art Walk in the coming years.”

For decades, business owners were the primary providers of public art in Falls Church. Beyer Automotive’s Man Feeding Pigs sculpture and Foxes Music’s Elvis on Mt. Rushmore mural, and the Eden Center Arch have been City landmarks for decades. Now, thanks to the City’s inclusion of art as a development requirement, the creation of the AH Council, artistically inclined developers, the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, and the involvement of artists and art lovers, more and more art installations will be added to the City’s landscape.

According to The Young Group’s Bob Young, who is also chair of Falls Church’s Economic Development Authority and the developer of Falls Church’s iconic flower and art nouveau themed commercial and mixed use buildings, “I believe that public art is very important to the community and, albeit indirectly, to econom-

ic development. As one drives or walks or bicycles through a community, art provides (if it exists) a vibe that reflects the community and its values.” Further, he states, “public art is important in creating a vibe in a community, along with the retail, restaurants, bars, etc.” The Young Group is also responsible for one of the City’s more recent murals, located on the Lily Building on the 100 block of E. Fairfax.

Falls Church residents and business leaders are fortunate to live, play, and work in a community that values public art and the benefits it relays. Public art has transformed the Falls Church landscape and helped create a better sense of community while providing a free source of entertainment, reflection, and stress relief. And now, thanks to the efforts of the AH Council, it is organized and easily accessible for all. Visit The Falls Church Art Walk website to see these various artworks. Information about unknown artists is welcomed.

BIKE CLUB MURAL by Shelby Bavin. (Photo: Shelby Bavin)

ELECTRICAL BOX by Richard McMurry. (Photo: Richard McMurry)

FOXES MUSIC MURAL by J. Woods. (Photo: J. Woods)

MURAL AT Dogwood Tavern by David Barr. (Photo: David Barr)

by Sally D. Cole

PHOTO CREDIT: FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM RIGHT, COURTESY OF SIGNATURE THEATRE, MATT LIPTAK, CHRISTY GAVITT, CHRISTOPHER MUELLER, GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON

The INCREDIBLE story of SISTER ROSETTA THARPE

Spring Arts Round-Up

Selling Kabul (2/21-4/1)

A sister secretly shelters her translator brother from the Taliban while he awaits an American visa and the birth of his son.

Signature Theatre

4200 Campbell Ave. | Arlington

Pacific Overtures (3/7-4/9)

In 1853, after 200 years of stability, Japan faces an American expedition determined to open the “floating kingdom” to trade in this innovative epic of East meets West.

Signature Theatre

4200 Campbell Ave. | Arlington

Principe y Principe (3/11-3/25)

When a Queen calls together all the unmarried princesses in the land to meet her son, he must discover which will be his true love.

GALA Theatre

3333 14th St. NW | DC

Shout, Sister, Shout! (3/15-5/13)

A spirited, authentic and emotionally charged story about a charismatic music forerunner and the authentic roots of rock-and-roll.

Ford’s Theatre

511 Tenth St. NW | DC

The Snow Queen (3/17-4/2)

An original adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s most highly acclaimed tale.

Creative Cauldron

410 S. Maple Ave. | Falls Church

Art Exhibits

The Godmother of Rock-and-Roll

March 15 - May 13, 2023

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Push The Button (3/25-4/7)

This playful and poignant parody of modern morality will ask its audiences to question their very notions of right and wrong, crime and punishment, truth and narrative.

The Keegan Theatre 1742 Church St. NW | DC

The Jungle (3/28-4/26)

An extraordinary panorama of people suffering and dreaming, surviving and living, coming together in a time of crisis. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Shakespeare Theatre Company 610 F St. NW | DC

Sister Hazel (3/30)

The State Theatre

220 N. Washington St. | Falls Church

The Nosebleed (3/31-4/23)

Delve into the sh*t show of parenthood, as both a parent and a child – and what it takes to forgive. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company 641 D St. NW | DC

Jimmie’s Chicken Shack (4/8)

The State Theatre 220 N. Washington St. | Falls Church

The Wilting Point (4/13-4/30)

Travel with Mina Melo, producer of awardwinning podcast Clime, which she reluctantly adapts for a new streaming company. The Keegan Theatre 1742 Church St. NW | DC

Intangible Forms | Artechouse DC | 1/14-3/5

Score | Workhouse Arts Ctr | 1/14-4/30

Looking Up | Nat. Gallery of Art | 1/29-7/9

This is Britain | Nat. Gallery of Art | 1/29-6/11

Remnants and Echoes | Tephra Institute | 2/3-6/18

I Dream a World | Nat. Portrait Gallery | 2/1-8/27

Elements | Studio Gallery DC | 3/1-3/25

Philip Guston Now | Nat. Gallery of Art | 1/29-7/9

Texture | Falls Church Arts | 3/4-4/16

Pixelbloom | Artechouse DC | 3/11-6/11

Hacia la Vida | Tephra Institute | 3/11-5/21

RiverRun Festival | Kennedy Center | 3/22-4/22

Drawing in Britain | Nat. Gallery of Art | 4/2-8/6

Earth Day Exhibit | Zenith Gallery | 4/17-7/29

Dimensional Dialotue | Zenith Gallery | 5/5-6/10

Canova | Nat. Gallery of Art | 4/2-8/6

Street Life | Falls Church Arts | 7/1-8/13

Live Music

Betty Who | The Anthem | 3/10-7/28

Virginia Opera: La Traviata | GMU Arts Ctr | 3/11

Gay Mens Chorus: Whitney | Lincoln Theatre | 3/11-3/12

Live Music (cont’d)

Kodo | GMU Arts Ctr | 3/18

Los Temerarios | EagleBank Arena | 3/25

Bruce Springsteen | Capital One Arena | 3/27

The Verve Pipe | Tally Ho Theater | 4/20 M83 | The Anthem | 4/22

Janet Jackson | Jiffy Lube Live | 5/6-4/23

KT Tunstall | The Birchmere | 5/6

Amy Grant | The Birchmere | 5/9

Blink-182 | Capital One Arena | 5/23

The Flaming Lips | The Anthem | 5/25

Bloc Party | 930 Club | 5/27

Cody Johnson & Friends | EagleBank Arena | 5/27

Paramore | Capital One Arena | 6/2

Charlie Puth | Wolf Trap | 6/4

Carbon Leaf | The Hamilton Live | 6/10

Straight No Chaser | Wolf Trap | 6/21

Barenaked Ladies | The Anthem | 7/5

Tori Amos | Wolf Trap | 7/5

Carrie Compere in the 2019 Seattle Repertory Theatre Production of Photo by Bronwen Houck.

By Cheryl L. West; Based on the biography entitled Shout, Sister, Shout!

The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe by Gayle F. Wald; Music Direction by Sheilah V. Walker; Choreographed by William Carlos Angulo; Directed by Kenneth L. Roberson

La Valentia (4/20-5/14)

An expertly constructed tale brimming with family feuds and supernatural secrets.

GALA Theatre

3333 14th St. NW | DC

Passing Strange (4/25-6/18)

A young man discovers his musical calling, rebels against his mother and sets off for Europe.

Signature Theatre

4200 Campbell Ave. | Arlington

Audrey (5/11-6/4)

Audrey re-examines the life of a legend through song, dance, and the technicolor lens of her most iconic screen performances.

Creative Cauldron

410 S. Maple Ave. | Falls Church

Sweeney Todd (5/16-7/9)

A dark, savory Victorian melodrama.

Signature Theatre

4200 Campbell Ave. | Arlington

Incendiary (5/29-6/25)

Tanya is a Black mother determined to break her son out of death row — or die trying.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

641 D St. NW | DC

Kumanana! (6/7-6/25)

A musical revue spotlighting the wealth of artistry from the Afro-Peruvian community.

GALA Theatre

3333 14th St. NW | DC

Live Music (cont’d)

Freedom Flight | Alden Theatre | 3/4

Cirque FLIP Fabrique | GMU Arts Ctr | 3/31-4/1

Into the Woods | | Kennedy Ctr. | 2/23-3/19

Les Misérables | | Kennedy Ctr. | 4/11-4/29

Spamalot | Kennedy Ctr. | 5/12-5/21

La bohème | Kennedy Center | 5/13-5/27

The Lion King | Kennedy Center | 6/22-7/29 1776 | Kennedy Center | 6/27-7/16

Lettice & Lovage | Little Theatre of Alex. | 2/25-3/18

Environmental Film Festival | DC | 3/16-3/26

Jagged Little Pill | National Theater | 3/14-3/26

My Fair Lady | National Theater | 4/6-4/9

Disney’s Aladdin | National Theater | 4/19-4/30

The Cake | NextStop Theatre | 3/10-4/2

In The Heights | NextStop Theatre | 5/12-6/11

Silent Sky | Providence Players | 3/17-4/1

Don’t Dress for Dinner | Providence Players | 6/9-6/24

Macbeth | Shakespeare | 3/10-3/11

Tinner Hill Music Festival (6/10)

A rebranded, restyled all-day music festival celebrating culturally-rich live music and interactive villages to create a sensational Falls Church festival experience.

Cherry Hill Park

312 Park Ave. | Falls Church

Broadway in the Park (6/16)

Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap welcome Lea Salonga for their annual night of stellar show tunes and memorable performances.

Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap

1551 Trap Rd. | Vienna

Suessical: The Musical (6/17-7/22)

A fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza for all ages, that lovingly brings to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters.

The Keegan Theatre 1742 Church St. NW | DC

Soul Divas Reprise (6/27-7/9)

Unbelievable voices toast luminaries from Aretha to Whitney to Beyoncé and all the incredible divas in-between.

Signature Theatre 4200 Campbell Ave. | Arlington

Theatre (cont’d)

Here There Are Blueberries | Shakespeare |

C.S. Lewis on Stage | Shakespeare |

The Griegol | Alden Theatre | 3/25

Hiccup! | Alden Theatre | 4/23

The Pa’akai We Bring | Alden Theatre | 5/6

“L’Chaim” | Alden Theatre | 5/7

Mary Stuart | Little Theatre of Alex. | 4/22-5/13

The Nacirema Soc | Little Theatre of Alex. |

Beetlejuice | National Theater | 5/16-5/28

Hadestown | National Theater | 6/6-6/18

Urinetown | Workhouse Arts Center | 3/18-6/3

Dance

VA Nat. Ballet’s Aladdin | Capital One Hall | 3/24

Am. Ballet Theatre: Giselle | Wolf Trap | 7/27-7/28

Culture

Cherokee Days Festival | National Museum of the American Indian | 3/31-4/2

Comedy

Nicole Byer | DC Improv | 4/20-4/22

Jo Koy | Capital One Arena | 3/11

Bored Teachers Tour | Capital One Hall | 4/1

Craig Robinson | DC Improv | 4/13-4/16

Jeff Ross | DC Improv | 5/18/5/20

sister hides her translator brother from the Taliban in this heart-racing Pulitzer Prize finalist

by

In the City of Falls Church, live music remains a popular entertainment escape for locals. One of the longest, featured acts in the city has been the Shartel and Hume Duo, formed by Steve Shartel and Bob Hume.

Since 1998, the Shartel and Hume Duo — formerly The Bob and Jerry Show until 2011 — have been covering songs from The Beatles, the Grateful Dead, Elton John and more, as well as performing a few original songs written by Shartel.

“We like to take a different approach to songs you know,” Shartel said.

Rhythm guitar player and vocal-

SPRING ARTS PREVIEW

with Shartel & Hume

ist Shartel said he started playing guitar at the age of 13 and singing by 16. Influenced by listening to the artists and bands his older siblings would listen to, Shartel played in various college bands before settling in Northern Virginia and meeting

Hume.

Hume, who is the lead guitarist of the duo, was raised in Falls Church and taught to play guitar at the age of 11 by a teacher at Foxes Music Company — a local, independent business that offers lessons and instruments. Following this “fortunate experience,” Hume went on to play in jazz and pep bands in high school, later playing with “Elvis impersonators,” folk groups and more as he got older.

As fate would have it, Shartel and Hume would meet at the

Courtyard Cafe — a business off of Route 50 that has since been closed. Hume was performing at the cafe with another person, when Shartel said he noticed “how good he was.” Shartel was in need of a partner for his acoustic duo, so Hume gave him his card. The rest is history.

Some of the duo’s first gigs were at various places in Northern Virginia, but they have become a popular act at JV’s Restaurant in the Little City, due to owner Lorraine Campbell.

“[Lorraine] gave us an opportunity [at JV’s] to kind of blossom and have consistent gigs,” Shartel said. “It’s sort of our special place to play.”

Hume said one of his favorite parts of performing with Shartel is the large amount of guitar interplay the two get to do together.

“The great thing about Steve is that he really does listen,” Hume said. “Our songs are different because he’s

listening to what I’m doing and he reacts to it.”

As for Shartel, the music played between him and Hume is “very organic,” due to it being just vocals and guitars being performed on stage.

“We’re able to adjust and kind of improvise much more quickly and creatively without worrying about a bunch of other musicians on stage that are not going to get the cue,”

Shartel said.

The future of the duo is simple: Shartel and Hume both stated that they enjoy playing with each other and hope to still perform together as the years go on, with the chance of playing at bigger venues at some point.

“We’re sort of realistic about the fact that we just want to keep playing as much as we can and be healthy and enjoy it,” Shartel said.

Kylee Toland Falls Church News-Press

FOR OVER 25 YEARS, Shartel and Hume have been performing cover and original songs in F.C. (Photo: Steve Shartel)

Tribute & Cover Bands Prove Popular in The Little City

by Kylee Toland Falls

For over 80 years, the State Theatre has been providing entertainment to Falls Church residents and non-F.C. visitors, and more recently, has become the unofficial home of various tribute and cover bands to perform.

Meredith Johnstone, the COO and Talent Buyer at The State Theatre, said tribute bands have always been a “staple” at the theater and she has seen an increase in the number of touring tribute bands in the past year.

Songs by Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, and other classic artists/bands are celebrated by these cover/tribute bands, with many of these bands dressing and acting like the members of the bands they are covering.

“Falls Church has always had a very active community of people who love going out,” Johnstone said. “Tribute shows can sometimes be a more accessible way to experience the music of one of your favorite bands.”

Hailing from Las Vegas, Bruce In The USA pays homage to the songs and performances of “The Boss” himself, Bruce Springsteen. Having started the band 19 years ago, lead vocalist Matt Ryan stated being a part of Bruce In The USA has allowed him to “step up” as an actor after being told that he looked and sounded like Springsteen.

“We get to travel the country and play in front of 1,000 people a night,” Ryan said about the band’s various concert locations. “I feel kind of blessed about it in some weird way, you know?”

Out of all of the cities the band plays, Ryan said the D.C./Northern Virginia area is “big Bruce country,” which led to their first performance at The State Theatre 17 years ago. Although their first time performing in Falls Church brought them “about 200 people,” nowadays the band sees sold out shows at the theater, according to Ryan.

“We’ve got a very long relationship with the same audiences and the same faces,” Ryan said. “We were kind of blessed with The State Theatre [and] it’s such a great venue as well.”

As for what Springsteen’s reaction is to the popularity of Bruce In The USA? Ryan said “The Boss’s” messages to the band through the years was to “keep doing what you’re doing, keep the music alive and best wishes.”

“It’s really about celebrating the music and the memories,” Ryan said.

New Jersey-based cover band Double Vision pays homage to the British-American rock band Foreigner, and is a returning performer at The State Theatre. Chandler Mogel, the lead singer of Double Vision, started the band in 2018 after being told by various people that his voice sounded like Lou Gramm — former lead vocalist of Foreigner.

“With the rise of tribute bands and everything, I thought ‘Well, let me throw my hat in the ring here,’” Mogel said. “I wanted to do

COVER BANDS, such as Zoso (pictured above) can be an accessible way for locals to experience the music of their favorite bands.

something that was second nature to me.”

Named after Foreigner’s 1978 hit song, Double Vision has not only performed in the Little City, but also in various east coast cities and even the Midwest. Rather than focusing on the “wigs” and “spandex” that Foreigner popularized, Mogel said he created Double Vision to celebrate the music of the band.

Since 2020, Double Vision has been a regular performer at The State Theatre, with Mogel stating the venue has become a “home” for them to play in the Northern Virginia area. Mogel further stated the band’s favorite part of playing in Falls Church is The State Theatre’s accommodating venue and staff, as well as the “vibe” of the audience.

“People in Falls Church really are music aficionados,” Mogel said. “They really know their stuff.”

Zoso, called “The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience,” has embodied the 70s English rock band since the mid-’90s, with lead guitarist James Volpe Rotondi stating the band was one “pioneer” behind the popularity of tribute/cover bands.

Rotondi, who is the newest member of Zoso since last year, takes on the role of a Jimmy Page-like character while performing. On Friday, March 3rd, Zoso will be performing at The State Theatre, the first time for Rotondi as a band member.

“I know that the [other Zoso members] are very fond of it and that they always do well there,” Rotondi said. “I’m excited about playing there.”

As for why he thinks cover/tribute bands are popular with cities like Falls Church, Rotondi stated he believes the older rock generation wants to “recapture” and “relive” the music of their youth, while younger audiences are reintroduced by that style of music.

“The thing we hear the most at our shows from fans is ‘Thank you,’” Rotondi said. “I think most good tribute bands: they give [fans] something that they can’t get anywhere else.”

(Photo: John Nienstedt)

Church News-Press

F.C. Resident Expresses Truth & Goodness Through Beauty

by Mark Dreisonstok

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” wrote the English Romantic poet John Keats. For artist Dony Mac Manus, beauty and truth are also intertwined with goodness. “If there is no objective truth and goodness, there is no beauty,” the Falls Church resident declares.

Mr. Mac Manus hails from Dublin, Ireland, where he began his art studies and then became a master silversmith and sculptor. Just as art is linked to truth and goodness, so is it linked to travel for this artist who works in a variety of media.

In 1999, Mr. Mac Manus took up a scholarship to study at the New York Academy of Art in downtown Manhattan, where he earned a masters in figurative sculpture. It was this intense formation in artistic anatomy as an expressive grammar which helped him over the next decade to decode the Great Masters across Europe.

“All language comes from thought, and if we are to penetrate the depths of the Great Masters, we need to understand their language in the context of the thought that gave it form. In the case of the European

masters, it was Christian humanism, stemming from the profound epochchanging influence of St Francis of Assisi, on Giotto in the visual arts, and Dante in the written word. St Francis’ emphasis on the humanity of Christ created an alternative perspective to the eastern emphases on His divinity forming the foundation of Western culture.”

He spent twelve years in Italy, where many of his beautiful sketches of Florence, Venice, Saville and other locales on the Italian and Iberian Peninsulas were executed and are currently on exhibit at Catholic University of America’s May Gallery at the Mullen Library.

In his “Italian Journey,” the poet Goethe enjoins us to “imagine the admirable artist, born with an inner feeling for the grand and the pleasing, now, for the first time, forms himself by the ancients, with incredible labor, that he may be the means of reviving them.” In such manner did Mr. Mac Manus spend his Italian years, sketching and sculpturing after ancient, Renaissance, and Baroque masters (for the latter, we particularly noted with admi-

ration his sketch of “St. Longinus after Gian Lorenzo Bernini).” His goal is to pass this tradition on to future generations of his students at Catholic University, the National Gallery of Art, and elsewhere.

Professor Mac Manus, Catholic University’s Artist in Residence, notes in particular how in Ancient Greek art, the human body, the incarnate, was of primary importance, for “it is the human body in its unity and variety which is the highest manifestation of beauty, the crown of creation” It is crucial, he states, that artists understand and draw anatomically —“the very grammar of figurative drawing, painting, and sculpture”—as a starting point in figurative work. In fact, “incarnation” is his philosophy of art in one word, which he notes is “true on a human level and on a sacred level.”

Here we should note the religious aspect of much of his work, including an oil-oncanvas of the Virgin Mary, St Joseph, and the infant Jesus in his Falls Church home; a terra -

cotta bust of Pope John Paul II; and a bronze statue in miniature of a commission for an image of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who mastered the art of public speaking in the early days of television in his “Life Is Worth Living” series on the legendary though short-lived DuMont Network.

As for his lessons at the National Gallery of Art, Mr. Mac Manus blends his role as art instructor and art history professor: “We do a one-hour tour of the National Gallery followed by two hour of drawing lessons from the collection every Saturday morning from 10-1, which is open to all.”

Mr. Mac Manus is enjoying his life in Falls Church and shares this thought with Falls Church News Press readers: “There was recently a lot of interest in me also providing the fundamental instruction of life drawing lessons at the Falls Church Art Center, but Covid got in the way. Maybe we can revisit that option, because there is a lot of local interest in serious artistic instruction.”

We indeed hope this will come to fruition, for Falls Church resident Dony Mac Manus has much to share in terms of synthesizing truth and goodness through beauty in aesthetics and his philosophy of life itself.

Art and Frame Of Falls Church Is Expanding

In its 22nd year, this popular City business is growing and moving to a new location in April. Artist studios and small business office spaces are available for rent at 307 E. Annandale Road, a Gateway location into the City of Falls Church. Studio/office spaces range from 102 to 910 square feet. Floor to ceiling windows in every space and plenty of onsite parking!

Contact Tom Gittins at: artandframefc@gmail.com For more details and to arrange to see the remaining available spaces.

DONY MAC MANUS with his oil on canvas of the Holy Family in front of his Falls Church home.

(Photo: Cordelia Dreisonstok)

Local High School Theater Seniors Take A Bow for Spring Performances

by Kylee Toland Falls Church News-Press

As the class of 2023 enjoy the last few months of the school year, local seniors involved with their school’s theater department are about to take the stage one last time.

Around the Little City’s community, Falls Church City Public Schools and surrounding districts are preparing for their spring show or musical, which can be a bittersweet time for those who will be graduating this year. Amid preparation for these spring performances, the NewsPress spoke to theater seniors from various local high schools about their emotions on their final show, and how being a part of their theater department impacted their life.

At Meridian High School, senior Isabel Pierce will be performing her last spring show “The Love Doctor,” a French comedy written by Molière about young lovers and a mistaken identity. Taking on the role of Martine, Pierce has been involved in Merdian’s theater department since her freshman year.

Pierce stated her favorite part of being involved in the theater department has been taking part in the

mainstage productions, which allows a theater student like Pierce to present a show they have been working on for a larger audience. Her favorite show from her last four years was last year’s “Tick, Tick … Boom!” production, due to it being a “tightknit” cast and being one of the first in-person shows since the pandemic.

Wanting to double-major in theater and another subject while in college, Pierce further stated she will miss the friends she’s made along the way with the theater department.

“It’s given me a lot more confidence because you’re kind of forced out of your comfort zone,” Pierce stated.

At local Catholic Bishop O’Connell High School, theater students will be performing “Anything Goes,” a ‘30s-esque musical about antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London. This will also be the last show for seniors Kate Stewart, Matthew Secrest and Peyton Bliley, who have been a part of their school’s theater department at various times in their academic careers.

Stewart said she’s always been interested in singing and learned to love the people she was performing with. When she attends Ohio

University as an underclassman this upcoming fall, Stewart will be majoring in vocal performance, something theater has given her a love of doing. For Secrest, joining the theater department has given him a “social life” in high school and plans to major in acting or something similar in college. Bliley said being involved with the theater department has given her a chance to make friendships with people “a lot like her,” and that she hopes to join a group or club in college.

George C. Marshall High School seniors Sara Porjosh and Lia Davila are beginning to rehearse their final spring musical “Xanadu,” a show they were supposed to perform as freshmen before the pandemic began. Porjosh and Davila will be portraying Melpomene and Calliope, an “evil sister duo” in the story that incorporates mythology with an ‘80s flair.

Porjosh, who is majoring in vocal performance in college, said she still plans to have theater “in her life,” as it has been a way for her to “let loose” and not judge herself on. Although Davila said she doesn’t plan to pursue anything in college that is “arts-related,” she said theater has helped her build confidence and

not to take herself too seriously.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” will be performed by Falls Church High School’s theater department, with senior Jimmy Benjamin portraying the character of lion king Aslan. Benjamin, who has been involved in theater since eighth grade when he attended school in Guatemala, said his favorite part of the school’s theater department is working with other cast members behind the scenes and onstage.

Benjamin’s favorite show he has

acted in is last winter’s production of “Chicago,” which took on a PG-version of the classic musical. Although he said he won’t be pursuing theater as a career when he attends college, theater has helped him be able to “express himself” in ways he didn’t think of before.

“I started to just have fun,” Benjamin said. “I was able to come out of my comfort zone to work with new people and raise my confidence.”

Temple Rodef Shalom Brings Broadway to F.C. for Purim Holiday

by Mark Dreisonstok

Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. As part of this commemoration, the Reform Jewish congregation decided to revive its first Purim Spiel, which took place in the year 2000. The Purim holiday itself focuses on the Book of Esther, in which the villain Haman seeks to destroy the Jewish people. It is up to Queen Esther, at the urging of her uncle Mordecai, to save them. Esther’s husband, Persian King Ahasuerus, turns his wrath instead on Haman.

The story conveyed in Esther, nearly resulting in the annihilation of the Jewish people, is a very somber one, yet the Purim Spiel, as director Yoni Bronstein notes, is tonguein-cheek, has a bit of fun with the story, and makes this ancient narrative accessible to a modern audience. Last year Mr. Bronstein chose the theme of Billy Joel songs; the year before, during the pandemic, Temple Rodef Shalom celebrated its Purim Spiel online with a “Phantom of the Opera” pastiche. The theme for 2023 is Broadway in a Purim production written in New York by

Norman Roth. The Book of Esther is dramatized with humor, interspersed with music from Broadway musicals such as “Guys and Dolls,” “Hello, Dolly,” “Funny Girl,” “The Pajama Game,” “A Chorus Line,” and, of course, “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The songs are sung with lyrics tailored to the Esther Megillah (or scroll), the Purim holiday, and Jewish tradition. “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance” becomes “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Rabbinate;” Vashti, the King’s first wife who disobeys him, “doesn’t have heart,” sung to the tune of “(You’ve Got to Have) Heart” from “Damn Yankees;” and Pal Joey’s “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” becomes the Yiddish “Farmesht, Fartummeled, and Farblondget,” which Mr. Bronstein translates as “Confused, Bewildered, and Aimless.” The piece is sung wonderfully by Jen Jacobson as Vashti.

In addition to song parodies, the performance is replete with references to (and short musical snatches from) other Broadway

tunes, including “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” from “Evita” and “Food, Glorious Food” from “Oliver.”

The Rodef Shalom troupe performing Esther has had two rehearsals per week for a month and a half, includes musical accompaniment of a somewhat klezmer bent (piano, clarinet, trombone, bass, drums, and even a melodica), and features congregation members as actors. Stage performers include Danielle Feist as Esther, Leslie Jacobson as Mordecai, Janice Zucker as King Ahasuerus, and Jason Steinbaum as Haman. We had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Steinbaum dressed as a gangster from “Guys and Dolls,” proving that the villain trope is universal and timeless!

For further information on Rodef Shalom’s modern, fun way to explore an ancient biblical text—“The Megillah According to Broadway!”—please visit the Temple’s website at: Home | Temple Rodef Shalom Purim is celebrated on March 5 and 6 and also includes holiday moments at Rodef Shalom such as a more traditional reading of the Book of Esther as well as a Purim Carnival.

JASON STEINBAUM as the Book of Esther’s villain Haman, costumed as a gangster from the Broadway classic “Guys and Dolls.” (Photo: Cordelia Dreisonstok)

FOR MANY SENIORS, being involved in their theater department has given them more confidence. (Photo: Shawn Northrip)

A Penny for Your Thoughts News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

As Fairfax County’s budget season was beginning, Virginia’s budget season was ending, or so everyone thought. The Virginia General Assembly adjourned on February 25 without adopting a complete state budget, pledging instead to come back in April to finish the job. That lack of action on a final budget places localities in the unacceptable position of not knowing how much state revenue will be available for local services. Counties in Virginia rely heavily on the real estate tax for local revenues; they do not access income tax revenues. State taxes are paid to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which generally returns to Fairfax County only about 25 cents of every tax dollar sent to Richmond. The state remittance is only about 2.2 percent of the county’s five-Billion-dollar budget, but it is a source of revenue that can reduce the burden on the residential real estate taxpayer.

Localities are required to adopt balanced budgets in the spring for the Fiscal Year that begins July 1, 2023. Unlike the federal government, localities cannot run a deficit or pass Continuing Resolutions to kick the budget down the road; local budgets must be balanced, on both the revenue and the expenditure side. Without a firm commitment from

the Commonwealth, localities are left to speculate what state revenue might be available for public education, mental health services, and other local programs that receive some state support. Commonwealth officials bragged about a huge state surplus this year, but there is no surplus until all the bills are paid, as local officials have reminded lawmakers in Richmond many times.

When County Executive Bryan Hill presented his proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors on February 21, he based it on the current tax rate of $1.11 per $100 valuation, but did not allocate $90 million in revenue, leaving it for Board consideration as to its disposition. That “disposition” could, and should, be applied to a tax rate decrease. The Board will advertise the tax rate at its March 7 meeting; the eventual adopted tax rate can be lower than the advertised rate but, by law, it cannot be higher. The Mason District Budget Town Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 9, at 7 p.m., at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. I look forward to seeing you there.

Although the General Assembly still has work to do, some longtime members of the Fairfax County delegation announced their retirement

City of Falls Church

at the end of the official session. Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, who has served for more than 40 years, will be a major loss to Mason District especially, and to Northern Virginia as a whole. His mastery of the arcane rules of the state Senate, and the relationships forged across decades, are skills that will be impossible to replace. Likewise, Delegate Ken Plum, who represents the Reston area, and is the longest-serving delegate, will retire after 40 years of service. Delegate Plum’s dedication to improving public education will be missed by the largest school district in the Commonwealth. Delegate Kathleen Murphy, from the McLean area, also announced her retirement, and Senator Janet Howell, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is expected to make a retirement announcement soon. These four legislators certainly have earned their retirements, but, together, they have more than 100 years of leadership and seniority, and it will take decades to re-establish that kind of seniority and deep experience for Northern Virginia.

 Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax, VA, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Larceny from Building, Cardinal Ln, between 3 PM, February 18 and 6 AM, February 20, unknown suspect(s) took approximately 200 feet of copper pipe from a construction site.

Driving Under the Influence, Park Ave, February 21, 2:29 PM, a female, 61, of

Drunk in Public, W Broad St, February 23,11:33 PM, a male, 47, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested for Drunk in Public.

Assault-Domestic, Wilson Blvd, February 26, 1:57 PM, a male, 48, of Silver Spring, was arrested for Domestic Assault.

The 2023 session closed out strong but incomplete. We heard hundreds of bills and spent countless hours debating the significant issues facing the Commonwealth. Unable to find a budget compromise in time, we passed a stopgap budget that funds a few select expenditures. This includes money to fill the funding gap caused by the Department of Education’s miscalculation, as well as a contribution to the mandatory rainy day fund and the Virginia Retirement System. Over the next several weeks the budget conferees will continue to meet to hash out the differences.

I am part of the Senate conferee team tasked with finding a compromise between the two starkly different Senate and House proposals. While the House prioritized major tax cuts, the Senate concentrated on investing in workforce development, raising teacher and state employee pay, and mental health reform.

Workforce shortages are plaguing nearly every sector but are particularly desperate in the healthcare field. The Senate budget offered an increase in funding to healthcare workforce programs, including a salary increase for nursing faculty to help retain qualified professors at our higher education institutions. Additionally, we made investments in our teachers with the goal of aligning their pay to the national average. Both chambers proposed a total 7 percent salary raise for teachers and an additional $1,000 bonus for support staff. Also agreed on by both chambers is an additional 2 percent raise (on top of a 5 percent raise coming July 1) for all state employees to keep their compensation competitive.

The mental health crisis has reached new heights and we can no longer ignore staffing shortages or facilities well over capacity. The Senate proposed $50 million to raise pay for Community Service Board employees to attract and retain qualified workers. One common issue faced by those in crisis is stable housing. In response, the Senate proposed to double the current allotment for supportive permanent housing.

Thanks to previous legislative efforts that expanded access to voting, there were a record six million registered voters in 2022. Clinging to the debunked allegation of rampant voter fraud, many Republican bills attempted to roll back current election law. However, the evidence tells a different story. Bills requiring a photo

ID, removing same-day registration, and limiting absentee voting failed once they reached the Senate.

Senate Democrats also defeated numerous measures that attempted to curtail reproductive freedom. Similarly, House Republicans defeated a handful of common-sense gun violence prevention initiatives, including a crack-down on safe storage, as well as a ban on certain highcapacity assault rifles. Republicans and Democrats were able to find bipartisan support for a measure that creates a tax credit to incentivize people to purchase a gun safely when they purchase a gun. That bill is currently on its way to the Governor for final approval.

It has been an honor and privilege to serve in the General Assembly for 48 years (44 in the Senate and 4 in the House). Recently, I announced that I will not seek re-election. I am proud of the role I have played to make Virginia a better place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

Over the years, I have realized the value of public education is limitless and a cause worthy of championing.

As our region has grown to become home to over 2.3 million people, we made significant investments in infrastructure to keep Northern Virginia moving. We must continue to address the challenges of today as we face social justice reform and attacks on reproductive freedoms. Finally, public safety remains paramount, as gun violence plagues our communities.

I am grateful to the voters that entrusted me to serve in the same body where Thomas Jefferson and other democratic founding fathers did before me. Equally, I could not have done this without the support of my wife, Eleanor and our daughter, Jennifer. Over the years, I have been fortunate to have been assisted by dedicated staff as well as meet numerous advocates and made countless friends. A heartfelt thanks to everyone that shared this near half century in public service.

I will serve out the rest of my current term until January 2024. My longtime Chief of Staff, Janet Muldoon, will be retiring at the end of March. Megan Center, my legislative assistant, will continue to work alongside me to address constituent needs.

 Senator Saslaw may be emailed at district35@senate.virginia.gov.

Senator Dick Saslaw’s Richmond Report

Community News & Notes

Local Water Spring Flushing Currently Happening

Fairfax Water’s annual program may cause a temporary change in taste and odor through May 15th, 2023.

Each spring, Fairfax Water flushes its water mains by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. They do this to maintain the high water quality in the distribution system.

One may notice a chlorine taste and odor in the drinking water during the flushing, while free chlorine is utilized. This is temporary.

If one has questions about this program or the work being conducted in the area, they may call their dispatch operator any time of the day or night at 703-698-5613 (TTY 711).

Local Poet to Launch “Poetry in the Parks” in April

As a poetry and literary arts ambassador for Fairfax County, Poet Laureate Danielle Badra will launch a new series of public programming called “Poetry in the Parks” this

spring. In close partnership with ArtsFairfax and Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA), Badra begins her new initiative with three distinct events that invite area poets and park goers to consider the relationship between nature and poetry.

Events include “Arab-American Heritage Month Poetry Reading,” “Pride Month Poetry Reading” and “Poetry Beneath the Stars.”

Grants Coming Soon for Homeowners in the City

The Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) announces 2023 grants to City of Falls Church residents for projects to reduce stormwater runoff. Grants are available for projects to install rain gardens or conservation landscapes and for purchase of rain barrels to store rain water.

The grants are part of the RainSmart Program implemented by VPIS with support from the City of Falls Church. The Program is intended to help City of Falls Church residents implement practices that help rainwater soak into the ground on-site to prevent flooding and protect water quality locally and in the

Chesapeake Bay watershed. For more information about the RainSmart Program and for rain barrel and rain garden applications, go to: vpis.org/ environment/rainsmart-program. If one has questions about the RainSmart Program, send an email to RainSmartFallsChurch@ gmail.com.

Local Soccer Team to Compete at Soccer Tournament

Arlington/Falls Church City, Virginia based semi-professional soccer club, Virginia Dream FC is one of 32 teams that will compete for a $1 million dollar cash prize at The Soccer Tournament, the first ever 7v7 competition that will feature teams made up of former and unattached professionals

TST will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina June 1 — 4, 2023. Every match will be broadcast and streamed globally.

In the club’s first year of existence, they went undefeated in the Washington Premier League, capturing the 2022 Helge Boes Cup as league winners. In 2023, Virginia Dream FC will compete in the National Premier Soccer League as an expansion team, playing home

Lee Community Center, 5722 Lee Highway, Arlington).

Youth Basketball Players Honored With Awards

Two players in the Boys 10th -12th grade basketball league were honored this past week by the Falls Church City Recreation & Parks Department. (The boys were nominated and voted for by the coaches in the league.)

Danny Oppenheimer was recognized with the Steve Kuhn Award, which goes annually to the player who best exemplifies the hustle and effort Steve Kuhn gave

when he stepped on the court to Nathan Herman was honored

Both athletes played for Coach Howard Herman, who spent his 40-year career in Falls Church City and retired after service as the Director and General Manager of

On Sunday February 26, two Falls Church Women were awarded “Life Member” status in the Falls Churching each of them for 50 years of continuous service to the organization and the Falls Church community. Edie Smolinski served as President of the Falls Church League from 2003-2005 and Co-President from 2005-2007. Eleanor Karro served as League President from 1983-1986. The “Life Memberships” were awarded at a celebration marking the 103rd birthday of the national League of Women Voters and the 72nd birthday of the Falls Church chapter. Mayor David Tarter addressed the group gathered at the Community Center and congratulated them on their service to Falls Church.

Edie Smolinski (left) and Eleanor Karro (right) were awarded “Life Member” status in the F.C.

VIRGINIA DREAM FC is one of 32 teams that will compete for a $1 million dollar cash prize at The Soccer Tournament, the first ever 7v7 competition that will feature teams made up of former and unattached professionals. (Photo: Jared Soares)

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New Sounds at Talent Show Thanks to FCEF Grant

The MHS Music Department received a grant to purchase two new synthesizers and two amps to replace 25-year-old equipment. “Synthesizers have changed significantly in power and sounds they produce. Having the sounds required for the scores we are using for the musicals is crucial to the success of the orchestra and the actors, the stage crew, and the musicals. This includes performers as well as the audience.”

Girls Basketball are Region 3B Champions

Before a huge and boisterous crowd, the Varsity Girls Basketball team beat the Brentsville District Tigers for the third time this season (37-31) to claim the Region 3B Championship. Over the past four years, the Mustangs have been a 3-time District Champion, a 4-time Region Champion, State Quarter-Finalist, State Champion, and State Runner-Up.

Girls Wrestlers In First-ever VHSL-sanctioned Tournament

Congratulations to five Meridian girl wrestlers for competing in the first-ever VHSLsanctioned wrestling tournament. Macy Brock, Megan Carpenter, Sofia Lambrecht, Mikayla Turner, and Senya Urbom competed on the mat. Congratulations to Senya for coming in 5th place.

Media Discussion Coming Soon

The FCCPS Health and Wellness Committee invites FCCPS community members to join a community-wide discussion about the effects of digital media on kids’ mental health with award-winning journalist Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic.

The event will occur on Wednesday, March 29, from 7:30 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. in the Meridian High School auditorium.

Science Olympiad Place Fourth at Competition

The Science Olympiad team captained by Abby Lindly, Maureen Tremblay, Joy Wilson, Joyce Tadesee, Joseph Ziayee, and Joseph Cobucci achieved a 4th place at the regional competition held at Charlottesville HS.

The students will move on to the State Competition held at UVA’s campus on March 25th.

MHS Environment Club to Collect Plastic

The MHS Environmental Club asks the community to collect Plastic Film Waste and drop it off at the Meridian main entrance. Please help by keeping plastic out of waterways by collecting plastic film. Students are asked to set up plastic film collection spaces in their homes and bring them into collection bins at school periodically.

Meridian Girls Win Regional Title, Advance to State Playoffs

BY RYAN MCCAFFERTY

With homecourt advantage throughout the VHSL state playoffs on the line, Meridian High School’s girls’ basketball team hosted the Brentsville Tigers in the Region 3B Finals on Friday night. The Mustangs swept Brentsville in both regular season matchups, dominating them 57-29 at home back on January 20th and then pulling out a tight one on the road on February 7th, winning 47-44.

The girls got off to a fast start in this one, with Maureen Tremblay scoring the first points as the Mustangs went up 6-0 before the visitors could find the bottom of the net. But then Brentsville fought back, cutting the deficit to only one after the first quarter while clearly frustrating Meridian defensively. It took a while for the Mustangs’ offense to find its rhythm, but they used a 7-0 run in the second

quarter and took a 17-11 lead into the half in this low-scoring slugfest.

Brentsville came out of the break firing, scoring eight straight points to take their first lead. But the Mustangs regrouped, using a 5-0 run of their own late in the period and taking a 24-20 advantage into the fourth quarter, which quickly expanded to a 27-20 advantage on a massive threepointer by Ellie Friesen. The Tigers hit a few big shots late but never got any closer than within four, and Meridian handled business at the free throw line to come away with the 37-31 win.

The Mustangs got a balanced scoring effort with all five starters chipping in at least five points, and Maureen Tremblay and Elizabeth Creed both had ten to lead the way. They’ll get a week’s worth of rest before beginning state playoff play next Friday, against an opponent to be determined.

The Smile You Want The Attention You Deserve

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIVE MHS girl wrestlers for competing in the �irst-ever VHSLsanctioned wrestling tournament. Macy Brock, Megan Carpenter,

So�ia Lambrecht, Mikayla Turner, and Senya Urbom competed on the mat. (P����: K��� R������)

THIS WEEK IN THE LITTLE CITY

THURSDAY MARCH 2

City Council Economic Development Committee

Falls Church City Council Economic Development Committee meeting. City Hall (300 Park Ave, Oak Room, Falls Church), 1:00 p.m. — 2:00 p.m.

Tysons Used Books and Media Sale

Huge quarterly used book sale hosted by The Friends of Tysons Library, Thursday through Sunday, with more than 15,000 books and media across all genres! Volunteers have carefully cleaned, sorted and priced the books for resale (most between $0.25 and $3). TysonsPimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburk Pike, Falls Church), 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

DC Independent Film Festival

Through this Sunday at various locations, primarily at E Street Cinema. Details at dciff-indie. org. Landmark's E Street Cinema (555 11th St. NW, Washington), 5:00 p.m. — 11:30 p.m.

NSO Youth Fellows

National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellows perform. The NSO Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for serious music students interested in pursuing orchestral music as a career. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F St. NW, Washington), 6:00 p.m.

USAF Band: Celebrating Women In The Arts

Join the U.S. Air Force Concert Band for an evening of music celebrating Women's History Month. The program will feature music by four American, female composers and celebrate women in the military with solo performances by members of the Concert Band. Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center (4915 E. Campus Dr., Alexandria), 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

MARCH 3

GMU Mens Baseball vs. Niagara University

GMU Mens Baseball takes on Niagara University. Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax), 3:00 p.m.

GMU Mens Volleyball vs. North Greenville

GMU Mens Volleyball takes on North Greenville University. GMU Recreational Athletic Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax), 7:00 p.m.

The Dolly Party

The Dolly Parton inspired country western diva dance party. 930 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington, DC), 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY

MARCH 4

GMU Womens Tennis vs. Fairleigh Dickinson

GMU Womens Tennis takes on Fairleigh Dickinson University. GMU Recreational Athletic Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax), 10:00 a.m.

GAMEmason

Featuring guest speakers from the gaming industry; educational sessions featuring faculty and staff from Mason as well as alumni and business leaders; free arcade play; tabletop and console gaming; artist alley featuring work by Mason students; vendors

and businesses from across the game industry, and more! GMU Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax), 10:00 a.m.

GMU Mens Baseball vs. Niagara University

Double-header: GMU Mens Baseball takes on Niagara University. Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax), 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

GMU Mens Volleyball vs. Barton College

GMU Mens Volleyball takes on Barton College. GMU Recreational Athletic Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax), 5:00 p.m.

#StopSuicide Fundraiser

Drag show, raffle, and drink specials to help raise money and awareness about mental illness and suicide prevention! All monies raised will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out Of The Darkness Overnight Walks. Clare and Don's Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St, Falls Church), 6:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

Texture Exhibit & Opening Reception

Photographers explore how visual or tactile surface characteristics of objects or scenes can be enhanced or downplayed through the manipulation of light and angle. Because texture may either be real or implied, participants were also invited to take a broader look at the topic and to submit entries that convey texture through the basic or overall structure of an image. Falls Church Arts (700-B W. Broad St, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

FBI vs. Secret Service

Charity Hockey Game

FBI vs. Secret Service Charity Hockey Game. MedStar Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington), 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

OnStage Laughs: Tammy Pescatelli

Tammy Pescatelli is an American stand-up comedian who learned her skills growing up in a large Italian family outside of Cleveland, and has married into an even bigger Italian family. Her most recent comedy special, Tammy Pescatelli: Finding the Funny (2013), was released recently in an exclusive deal with Netflix, which also hit number 3 on the charts on iTunes. Workhouse

Arts Center (9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA), 7:30 p.m.

The Legwarmers

The Legwarmers perform. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church), 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY MARCH 5

Last Chance: Intangible Forms

Powered by choreographed kinetic lasers, strobes, haze, and moving lights, this multi-sensory exhibition is dramatic, visceral, and operatic in nature. Throughout multiple rooms of installations, intentional minimalism and repetitive, modular rhythms create a hypnotic, entrancing environment where the intangible can become tangible. Set in a meditative soundscape inspired by the powerful quiet of Shinto shrines in the mountains of Japan, visitors will see the centerpiece laser beams dance through the air — a performance at the intersection of human and machine — inviting all to feel a connection to the living beings of the past, present and future. Artechouse (1238 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington), 10:00 a.m. — 10:00 p.m.

The DC Big Flea

The DC Big Flea Antiques Market returns this weekend! Get one-of-a-kind jewelry, art, midcentury modern, vintage clothing, furniture, and much more, all at affordable prices. Admission $10 for both days. Children 12 and under free. Dulles Expo Center (4368 Chantilly Ctr., Chantilly, VA), 9:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 11:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

GMU Womens Lacrosse vs. University of Oregon

GMU Womens Lacrosse takes on University of Oregon. Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax), 1:00 p.m.

GMU Mens Baseball vs. Niagara University

GMU Mens Baseball takes on Niagara University. Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax), 1:00 p.m.

The Mortification of Fovea Munson

Fovea Munson is stuck working at her parents’ cadaver lab now that her summer plans have fallen through. But she is by no means

RUN RAVEN RUN EXPLORES HOW music has influenced Gypsy culture and survival, in a documentary showing at the DC Independent Film Festival this week. (Courtesy Photo)

EVENTS, MUSIC, SPORTS, THEATRE & ART

Dr. Frankenstein’s snuffling assistant, Igor! That is, until three disembodied heads, left to thaw in the wet lab, start talking. To her. Out loud. And they need a favor. Mary Winn Heider brings her uproarious book to musical life with music and lyrics by Justin Huertas; music direction, arrangements, and orchestrations by Steven Tran; choreography by Ashleigh King; and direction by M. Graham Smith in this world premiere commission. Kennedy Center Family Theater (2700 F St. NW, Washington), 4:00 p.m.

Last Chance: Diagnosed

Lydia is an African American woman who inherits a familyowned boutique. While searching for her own inner peace, she creates a safe space for women to share their stories of hurt, trauma and healing. Guided by the spirit of her ancestors, Lydia and the women are able to come face to face with their childhood and present-day demons. They will soon see that a boutique filled with women’s fashion, standout accessories and envyinducing handbags isn’t the only common ground the women share. Will they heal? Written by Helen Hayes Award winning actress and writer of last season’s critically acclaimed Girls of Madison Street

Creative Cauldron (410 S Maple Ave, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY MARCH 6

Evening Art Critique Group

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. Email any questions to facilitator John Valenti at info@ fallschurcharts.org. Falls Church Arts (700-B W. Broad St, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

City Council Work Session

City Council Work Sessions are held the first and third Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. Watch the meeting at fallschurchva.gov/Council -

Meetings or FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. City Hall (300 Park Ave, Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 11:00 p.m.

TUESDAY

MARCH 7

GMU Mens Baseball vs. Georgetown University

GMU Mens Baseball takes on Georgetown University. Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax), 2:00 p.m.

Dallas Smith

Dallas Smith performs. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church), 5:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

Economic Development Authority

Falls Church Economic Development Authority meeting. Viget Offices (105 W. Broad St., 5th Floor, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.

Selling Kabul

In 2013, a sister secretly shelters her translator brother from an increasingly powerful Taliban while he awaits the ever-delayed arrival of a promised American visa. On the eve of his son’s birth, the walls begin to close in, threatening him, her and everyone they love in a heart-racing exposé with devastating echoes to the present day. Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA), 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 8

Solid Waste Management Plan Advisory Committee

Falls Church Solid Waste Management Plan Advisory Committee meeting. City Hall (300 Park Ave, Oak Room, Falls Church), 11:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.

Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation

Falls Church Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation meeting. City Hall (300 Park Ave, Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m.

Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

Falls Church Recreation and Parks Advisory Board meeting. Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Kenneth R. Burnett Bldg., Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.

Architectural Advisory Board

Falls Church Architectural Advisory Board meeting. City Hall (300 Park Ave, Council Chambers, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 10:30 p.m.

King Lear

Caught in a carousel of memory, the head of a dysfunctional royal family grapples with powerhungry children and the threat of losing the empire he created. Real and imagined worlds coalesce, creating a political and personal horror that threatens to swallow the mind of the monarch. Klein Theatre (450 7th St. NW, Washington), 7:30 p.m.

City Council Appointments Committee

The City Council Appointments Committee will meet to interview candidates for boards and commissions and conduct exit interviews. City Hall (300 Park Ave, Oak Room, Falls Church), 8:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

TEXTURE EXPLORES how light and angle manipulate the perception of texture, on display at Falls Church Arts (Photo: Daffodilby Janet Sifers )

KINETIC LASERS, STROBES, HAZE, AND MOVING LIGHTS bring multisensory visceral drama to Intangible Forms , on display through Sunday at Artechouse DC. (Courtesy Photo)

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on March 16, 2023 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following items:

Variance application V1637-23 by Andra Popa, applicant and owner, for a variance to Section 48-238(4)c. to allow a detached garage with a height of 13.8 feet instead of 12 feet maximum at premises known as 806 Ridge Place, RPC #53-215-004 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low

Density Residential.

Variance application V1638-23 by Steve Deering, applicants and owners, for a variance to Section 48-238(3)a. to allow a rear setback of 18.25 feet instead of 40 feet or the purpose of constructing a covered porch at premises known as 104 Lawton Street, 53-116-007 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned

R-1A, Low Density Residential.

Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on March 16, 2023. 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.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PLANNING COMMISSION

NOTICE: On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., the City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and meeting on proposed zoning text amendments related to outdoor dining. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Public comments can also be submitted ahead of time to larseneau@fallschurchva.gov.

The Planning Commission will consider the following item and recommendation to City Council:

(TO23-01) ORDINANCE TO AMEND, REENACT, AND RECODIFY CHAPTER 48, “ZONING” AS FOLLOWS: ADD A DEFINITION OF OUTDOOR DINING TO ARTICLE I “IN GENERAL” SEC. 48-2 “DEFINITIONS;” ADD A NEW DIVISION 11 “OUTDOOR DINING” TO ARTICLE V “SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS” IN ORDER TO CREATE STANDARDS FOR CREATION AND REGULATION OF OUTDOOR DINING USES; AND ADD REFERENCES TO THE NEW DIVISION

11 TO: (1) ARTICLE IV “DISTRICTS,”

DIVISION 9 “B-1 LIMITED BUSINESS

DISTRICT” SEC. 48-457; DIVISION 10

“B-2 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT” SEC. 48-490; DIVISION 11 “B-3 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT” SEC. 48-525; AND DIVISION 13 “O-D OFFICIAL DE-

SIGN” SEC. 48-589 AND (2) ARTICLE

V “SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS”

DIVISION 2 “OFF STREET PARKING

REQUIREMENTS” SUBDIVISION IV “REGULATION OF USE TYPES” SEC. 48-1003 “PARKING REQUIREMENTS BY USE”

The proposed changes are intended to update zoning ordinance language related to outdoor dining including: 1)

creation of a definition of outdoor dining; 2) consolidation of outdoor dining requirements for outdoor dining in a Supplementary Provisions section; 3) allow for administrative reductions in required parking to accommodate outdoor dining; and 4) add related administrative authority to regulate outdoor dining.

The public hearing meeting agenda and materials will be available on the following page prior to the meeting date: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/PC. More information about the proposed changes to the zoning ordinance and the outdoor dining process are available on the project webpage: https://www.fallschurchva. gov/civicalerts.aspx?aid=1307

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

The following was given first reading at the February 27, 2023 City Council meeting. A public hearing, second reading, and final City Council action is scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TO23-02) ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCES 2024, 2045, AND 2056 REGARDING THE BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND, THE SCHOOL OPERATING FUND, SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICES FUND, THE CABLE ACCESS FUND, AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS

The proposed ordinance would amend the FY2023 budget to appropriate new revenues and change appropriations for some capital projects.

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva. gov/publiccomment. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

Volunteers who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office (703248-5014, cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov, or www.fallschurchva.gov/BC) for an application form or more information.

Positions advertised for more than one month may be filled during each subsequent month.

Architectural Advisory Board

Arts & Humanities Council of Falls

Church Board of Equalization

City Employee Review Board

Environmental Sustainability Council

Historical Commission

Human Services Advisory Council

Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

Regional Boards/Commissions

Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia

CLASSIFIEDS

Long Term Care Coordinating Council

Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission

Virginia Career Works Northern Region Fairfax Area Commission on Aging

Ad Hoc Committee Sold Waste Management Plan Advisory Committee: This Committee will

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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 hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

Falls Church Business News & Notes

Art and Frame of Falls Church is Expanding

In its 22nd year, Art and Frame is growing and moving to a new location in April. Artist studios and small business office spaces are available for rent at 307 E. Annandale Road, a Gateway location into the City of Falls Church. Studio/office spaces range from 102 - 910 square feet. Floor to ceiling windows in every space and plenty of onsite parking! Contact Tom Gittins at artandframefc@gmail.com for more details and to arrange to see the remaining available spaces.

Locals Among Best Places to Work

Virginia Magazine has released the 13th Annual Best Places to Work in Virginia. Three Falls Church companies made the list, all in the midsize employer category. Dynamis Inc., a consulting firm, came in at number 7; SpinSys, a technology firm, came in at number 8, and Axiom Resource Management, Inc., a consulting firm, came in at number 14. Virginia Business compiles the list in collaboration with Best Companies Group based in Pennsylvania.

Local Among Top Hottest Companies

Via Satellite has named the top 10 companies to watch that provide satellite communications, ground systems, manufacturing, imagery and sensing, and launch services. Lynk of Falls Church was one of three named in Fairfax County for expected activity in 2023, transformational technology, groundbreaking deals, and overall industry excitement. Lynk’s direct satellite-to-cell service is making headway to connect four billion potential customers globally without broadband coverage, largely in rural areas. The FCC granted Lynk the first commercial license for a satellite-directto-standard-mobile-phone service last September.

Cybersecurity Risks and Trends

Thursday, March 9, 12:30 - 1:30 pm – The Virginia SBDC is hosting an online session on Cybersecurity. With growing incidents of attack surface expansion, data security breaches, identity theft, and remote code execution attacks, this presentation will offer proactive measures. Register for the free session to learn how to avoid the top five mistakes that could let hackers in. The meeting link will be shared upon registration at https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/reg.aspx?mode=event& event=900430012.

Fresh Start Business Grant

Incfile has announced another round of grant-making to aspiring entrepreneurs . One adult entrepreneur will receive $2,500 toward business startup costs and Incfile’s Gold Plan which includes incorporation services, free Registered services for a year, and free tax consultation. The deadline to apply is March 31st with details at https://www.incfile.com/entrepreneur-grant#entrepreneurgrant.

Bonus City Gift Card Expirations

The City of Falls Church wants you to be sure to use the Bonus Gift Cards soon. These expire within 90 days of purchase, whereas the original gift cards purchased do not expire.

BAE Systems to Repair and Modernize USS Nitze

The Pentagon has announced that under a $145 million ship repair contract, BAE Systems’ Norfolk Ship Repair will repair, modernize, and maintain the guided missile destroyer USS Nitze under a $145 million contract, the Pentagon announced Friday. The work will be completed in Norfolk by October 2024 and includes options that could be valued up to $161 million if selected. Signal Mutual, a provider of longshore worker compensation benefits, recognized BAE Systems’ U.S. ship repair business as a top safety company for 2022, the second year in a row.

 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.

Guest Commentary

CBC Youth Program In 10th Year

by Hal Lippman

It’s that time of year again: the application process will soon begin for the Citizens for a Better City’s (CBC) landmark Youth Representatives Initiative. What’s this all about, you may ask?

The CBC Youth Representative Initiative (YRI) is an outgrowth of our organization’s decades long (since 1959) commitment to promoting informed public discourse, civic engagement, and good government in Falls Church. It was launched in 2014, after the City Council voted unanimously to approve it in May.

The first group of 17 Youth Reps was appointed by and sworn in before the City Council at that time and began their service in the Fall.

The YRI was designed to involve City youth in local government, promote their development as leaders, and support City Boards and Commissions and other local civic organizations. Its core objective has been to create volunteer opportunities for youth to learn about local government and civics first-hand and, in so doing, demonstrate our City’s commitment to their having a voice in deliberations by government entities and civic groups.

It was also envisioned that the YRI would enhance participants’ college and scholarship applica tions and prompt increased engagement in community affairs on the pa rt of their peers. Notably, the YRI also ties in directly with Meridian High School’s International Baccalaureate learner profile – a list of ten attributes to “help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national, and global communities.”

Since its inception more than nine years ago, in excess of 150 of our City’s high school students hav e participated in the YRI. The current group for the school year 2022-2023 includes 50 participants, who are serving on 25 different City Boards and Commissions and civic organizations. Included among them are the: Falls Church Education Foundation, Environmenta l Sustainability Council, Economic Development Authority, Housing Commission, Village Preservation and Improvement Society, League of Women Voters, Chamber of Commerce, and Ti nner Hill Heritage Foundation Social Justice Committee.

Many Youth Reps have provided positive feedback about their experiences and every year CBC has received more applications – many of which come from participants’ younger siblings. One recent participant commented: “…[serving ] as

a representative….has been an incredibly unique experience that has given me a firsthand view of all the exciting new changes taking place in our city. I have not only had the opportunity to learn about the review process that the Board undertakes, but I have also expanded my knowl edge of engineering, design and architecture through the presentations and discussions that take place at meetings. Given that I plan to pursue engineering in college, these real-life scenarios have shown me how that field can be applied into my everyday life. I have also been able to ex press my own ideas, along with the feedback of my peers, to improve proposals and provide a unique voice on the Board. The other members of the Board have been very receptive and welcoming to my ideas and I feel that my voice has a real impact on the projects that we have reviewed.“

CBC’s YRI Committee will soon begin working with Meridian High School staff, as well as the community at large, to promote the program and application process. The process will begin in early March and all high school students, including homeschooled and those going to a private school, living in Falls Church City are eligible to apply. Students are encouraged to state on their applications what they hope to contribute and get out of the experience, as well as how they intend to share what they learn with others. The YRI Committee will review applications, interview candidates, and make recommendations to the City Council Appointments Committee and civic groups. Successful candidates will be notified in April and formal appointments will take place before the City Council in May.

Over the years, serving as a CBC Youth Representative in our Little City has proven to be a significant learning experience and unique opportunity to contribute to their community for hundreds of local high school students. CBC has been proud to serve as both the ambassador for and custodian of this truly exceptional program and, accordingly, enthusiastically invites eligible high schoolers to come join us and apply. Additional information about CBC and the YRI can be found at the respective websites: www.fallschurchcbc.net and https://www.youthrepsinitiative.net.

Other Commentary authors: CBC and YRI Committee Members Nancy Brandon, Julie Krachman, Lindy Hockenberry, Sally Ekfelt, and Josh Singer

Falls Church

The four announced candidates for the Falls Church City Council in the upcoming May 5 election who did not win the backing of the CBC organization last week were “encouraged” to run by the CBC’s rival, the FCCO.

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXIII, No. 1 • February 28, 2013

‘Fresh Market’ Letter of Intent Buoys Lincoln Group Bid for Mixed Use OK

The developers of the proposed Reserve at Tinner Hill large scale mixed use project delivered a signed letter of intent from the Fresh Market grocery people to occupy 20,000 square feet on the ground floor.

ELSIE is our five year old doodle from a rescue organization in Ellicott City (El-Ci = Elsie). We like to bring her on adventures in the city, although she’s not always that impressed and would prefer to take a snooze instead.

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

The Weekly Diplomatic Reach

by Brian Reach Falls

Saslaw Adjourns Senate

The Virginia General Assembly adjourned last weekend, with Senator Dick Saslaw (D-Falls Church) making the motion — for the last time. Saslaw is retiring after 48 years in the Virginia Senate.

A Wave of Departures

With the entire Virginia House and Senate up for election this year, many other leaders have also announced their retirements. Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax), Senate Finance Co-Chair, announced she will not be seeking re-election for her seat. Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston) also announced his retirement after 44 years of service.

Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-Vienna) announced her retirement as well, leaving Del. Rip Sullivan (D-McLean) as the only “incumbent” seeking to represent the newly-drawn 6th district.

Redistricting Incumbency

Murphy and Sullivan were not the only local incumbents pushed into the same districts after redistricting. Unless more retirements are announced, Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church) and Kaye Kory (D-Annandale) will face off for new House District 13. Two incumbents will also compete in four districts elsewhere in the Commonwealth.

Youngkin’s “Math Error” Corrected

Governor Youngkin (R-VA) has been the source of criticism after miscalculating over $200 million out of school funding — allegedly a result of the administration’s elim -

ination of the state grocery tax. The Virginia House of Delegates passed a resolution to fix this error.

Virginia Superintendent Resigns

On Wednesday the Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jillian Balow, resigned in a letter to Governor Youngkin. Balow moved to Virginia from Wyoming to join the Youngkin administration in her role.

Balow has been very involved in the attack on transgender students in the Commonwealth, having released “model policies” last year that would require trans students to use the wrong bathrooms and force them to use the wrong names.

“Wrong”

Bathrooms/Names

Coverage from most news outlets fail to use truly transaffirming language. Trans individuals have current, valid, identities and genders. Forcing them to identify otherwise is intentionally using incorrect words to refer to them, and forcing them to use a corresponding bathroom is just as aggressive and misguided as forcing a cisgender student to use the wrong bathroom.

Trans individuals refer to their prior name as their “dead name,” and using it knowingly is a malicious act. We hope other news outlets stop allowing abusive language to invade their chyrons and headlines.

Youngkin’s Ironic Media Blitz

Our readers will recall several recent issues where the Republican attack on schools was referenced — from hateful legislation targeting LGBTQ+ students to attempts to overthrow school board races, not

to mention the terrorizing of existing school board members.

From fighting masks to censoring books to whitewashing history, the past few years have been a total nightmare in Virginia.

Regardless of the horror of his track record on education after just over one year in office, Youngkin is rumored to be eyeing a 2024 Presidential run — using education as his topic of choice.

Today CNN announced that Jake Tapper will be moderating a Town Hall. It’s called — I highly recommend taking a deep breath if you’re passionate about these things — CNN Town Hall: Governor Glenn YoungkinAndTheBattleOver Education. Hopefully he has some time left over to replace the Superintendent.

COVID Emergency Ending

As of March 1, 2023, the Covid-19 Emergency Declaration for Virginia has been lifted, and the Biden administration has announced the National declaration will end May 11, after more than three years. Remember when it was supposed to be a two week lockdown, and we all thought we were losing it after it turned into a month? That was cute.

Anyway, Covid-19 is about to graduate from pandemic to endemic, largely because some folks just really hate following instructions. Regardless, it’s important that we all take a minute to be grateful, even if we may never be entirely rid of the virus.

Also, as a result, Falls Church is working toward making outdoor dining accommodations permanent, many events are starting to pick up, and a lot of organizations are comfortable planning their annual events again.

A sister hides her translator brother from the Taliban in this heart-racing Pulitzer Prize finalist