Falls Church News-Press 3-21-2019 by Falls Church News-Press

M a rc h 2 1 – 2 7 , 2 0 1 9

FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE

FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXIX N O. 5

F�� C�� • T�� C�� • M�� • M�L�� • N�� A�� • B��’� C��

I�� T�� W��

F.C. R�� W�� S�� M��

The seventh annual installment of Falls Church Restaurant Week starts Monday and the News-Press kicks off the celebration with a special food and dining issue inside featuring all the week’s dining specials plus features on longtime Little City institutions, an expanding gluten-free business and the return of an iconic Falls Church frozen favorite.

F.C. Council Expected to Give ‘1st Reading’ OK for Shields’ Budget I� S��

Reviews Plans for New Inspectors & Police Hire

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

to the City will be higher than originally projected, the board voted to deploy the additional $200,000 coming as a result into reserves to hire new staff in the event enrollment numbers in the fall are higher than currently projected. Second, the School Board is

At its business meeting this coming Monday night, the Falls Church City Council is expected to vote a preliminary approval for the coming Fiscal Year 2020 budget with no substantial changes to what was recommended to it by City Manager Wyatt Shields last week. The big news is that budget includes no tax increases at any level, even as the City is expected to be issuing bonds for $120 million later this spring to construct a new high school. The proposed general fund operating budget is $99,251,876, up from $92,547,237 in the current fiscal year, including a $43,396,814 transfer to the City schools, only a slight increase over the $42,351,898 sum in the current year. With the preliminary OK on the budget will also come a preliminary OK on the tax rates, including the real estate tax rate that will remain at its present level of $1.355 per $100 of assessed valuation. The public will have two opportunities to comment on the whole thing prior to this Monday’s vote, first at the latest in the monthly series of Sunday town halls at 2 p.m. in the Community Center on Sunday, and then before the Council votes at its Monday night meeting which will convene at 7:30 p.m., also at the Community Center.

Continued on Page 5

Continued on Page 4

SEE INSIDE, PAGES 13 – 24

W��’� H�� W�� S�� M�� 31 With 2019 marking the beginning of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, a coalition of women leaders in Falls Church has organized a one-mile walk through the City’s downtown on Sunday, March 31. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 8

M�� H�� S�� S�� P�� I��

The News-Press previews George Mason High School’s spring sports programs, already in the early portion of their schedule with most teams in their second week of the regular season. SEE SPORTS, PAGE 28

THE DAR AL HIJRAH mosque in the Seven Corners area of greater Falls Church was host to a standing-room-only vigil of support last Saturday for members of the Islamic faith in response to the mass killing at mosques in New Zealand last week. It was attended by persons of all faiths, including Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields, F.C. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly and Councilman Phil Duncan, among many others. (P��: C�� L��)

F.C. School Board Prepares to Move Central Oﬃces in June

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

INDEX

Editorial............... 6 Calendar ..... 30–31

Classified Ads ... 32 Letters...........6, P�� P��34 �� S�� Comics, Sudoku News & Notes 10–11 D�� T�� B�� T��& Comment ..... 12, 25 Crossword ........ 33 Business News . 27 Crime Report .... 34 Sports ............... 28 Critter Corner....34

With so much attention rightfully being paid to the imminent commencement of the $120 million construction of a brand new, state of the art George Mason High School, other important changes in the Falls Church City Public Schools that are bringing

savings to taxpayers are also in the works. They are considerable, and are in two areas. First, the School Board-approved budget for the coming fiscal year came, for the first time in more than a decade, within the two-percent growth guidance provided by the City Council last fall. And, with the news last month that new revenues

PAGE 2 | MARCH 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 27, 2019

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

presents the 7th Annual

the

Little City. Big Eats.

Restaurant Specials & More Details at FCRestaurantWeek.com #FCRESTAURANTWEEK

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JD Sold More Homes Last Year in Falls Church Than Any Other Agent!

MARCH 21 - 27, 2019 | PAGE 3

Don’t miss my annual Community Clean-up Day!

Pack up your car or truck and bring over your unwanted items and we will dispose of them FREE OF CHARGE! Saturday, April 7th, 2019 8:00am-12:00pm $1,249,000

WHEN:

JD CALLANDER Top 1% of Realtors Nationwide

5848 Hilldon Street, McLean

WHERE: Chesterbrook *FANTASTIC* 4BR/4.5BA all brick home inElementary sought-after

Chesterbrook neighborhood! Featuring stunning addition w/ great rm, 1753 Kirby Road vaulted ceilings, & MBR w/en suite BA; updated kit & BAs; finished LL McLean, VA 22101 rec room w/frpl; fenced back yard w/ private, treed views!

For questions and information about $1,199,000 what and what NOT to drop off, please call us at: 1017 Parker Street, Falls Church City

*STUNNING* 5BR/4.5 BA home on 3 levels in Falls Church City! Wonderful open floorplan w/gourmet kitchen; hdwd floors throughout; double French doors leading to flagstone patio & beautifully manicured, large level yard; chic master BR w/ gorgeous en suite BA! Haycock, Longfellow, & McLean Schools

(703)821-1025

$1,114,900

6406 Washington Blvd

*BEAUTIFUL* 4BR/3 BA colonial in sought-after Arlington location! Lightfilled home with stylish gourmet kitchen; sunny fam room; lovely manicured yard!

JUST LISTED!

#1 Agent, COMPANYWIDE

*OPEN* SUN 3/24 2-4pm!

703.606.7901

JD@newNOVAhome.com www.newNOVAhome.com

$1,179,000 McLean HS Pyramid! # 1 Listing Agent #1 Selling Agent 2604 Midway Street, Falls Church 1620 Oak Lane, McLean #1 Total Volume *WONDERFUL* 4BR/3BA home in sought convenient Falls Church location! *AMAZING* 5BR/3.5BA in sought-after Chesterbrook Woods This home features sunny family room w/ wood burning fireplace; main level This home features open floorplan w/ updated kit featuring new #1 Total Transactions neighborhood! appliances, granite counters, & vaulted sky-lit ceiling; light & bright sunroom; hardwood floors; master bedroom w/en suite bathroom; walk-out lower level rec room Weichert/Dolley Madison Office

main level MBR suite w/ custom built-ins; refinished floors & fresh paint!

Weichert 1313 Dolley Madison Blvd McLean, VA 22101 703-760-8880

w/ new carpeting & wood stove; large beautifully landscaped yard w/ treed views!

Call Me Today for a Free Analysis of Your Home’s Value!

Bethany Ellis

Serving all of Falls Church, Arlington, McLean, Vienna, Great Falls & Northern VA markets.

Open Sat 1-3pm & Sun 2-4pm

Open Sunday 2-4pm

If you're thinking about selling or buying, contact Bethany for a free, confidential meeting.

703-307-7003

bethany.ellis@longandfoster.com REALTOR ®, SRES, e-PRO, Corporate Relocation Specialist NVAR Lifetime Top Producer & Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club

Licensed in VA & DC

McLean Sales Office: 1355 Beverly Rd Ste 109, McLean VA 22101 • 703-790-1990 Office

www.buyandsellwithBethany.com HOMES NEEDED:

We are in a low housing inventory If you or someone you know is looking to sellPlease call meI have buyers in the following areas:

5702 Cricket Place McLean VA 22101 Beautiful townhouse in McLean’s Merrywood on the Potomac. 3 levels with over 5,000 sq ft of living space. Elevator ready. Updated throughout. Priced at $1,550,000.

Opening Day Parade and Ceremony McLean Little League Westmoreland St. Fields 8am-9:30am

601 West Falls Way, Falls Church City

Just Listed ! Wonderful 5 bed 3.5 bath colonial on a private cul de sac in Falls Church City. Large lot and a mile to metro. Two car attached garage and many updates! Offered at $1,100,000

Open Sunday 2-4pm

Making sure it’s secure.™

Saturday March 30, 10am-12pm

915 N Patrick St #203, Alexandria

(+ hard drive destroying) APRIL 27th 9am-12pm Haycock ES (Westmoreland St. parking lot) 6616 Haycock Rd. Falls Church Free donuts, coffee and juice. Sponsored by: Bethany Ellis Contact Bethany for more information.

Shredding Event Join us this Spring to shred your valuable papers and help protect the environment at the same time.

TH in Falls Church City up to $800,000 SFH in N or S Arlington up to 1Million. SFH in Vienna up to $850,000 SFH in Great Falls, Falls Church, Vienna up to $800,000 SFH in McLean, Arlington with swimming pool

SAVE THE DATE! FREE SHRED EVENT

1308 Tracy Place, Falls Church City

Beautifully maintained colonial on pretty tree-lined street feat. three finished levels w/ light-filled addition. 3 beds/2.5 baths & a finished walk out lower level leading out to a beautiful yard. Offered at $849,000

Lovely light-filled 1 bed /1bath with den in the Old Town Alexandria area. Minutes away from the new Amazon headquarters and less than 1/2 mile to metro. Offered at $460,000

Parking area behind 710 W Broad St, Falls Church

Breakfast provided by Kamelia Sacks at

Louise Molton

Falls Church City Resident Phone: 703 244-1992 louise@moltonrealestate.com

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

REALTOR

710 W Broad St Falls Church, VA 22046 703-596-5303

LO CA L

PAGE 4 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Budget Expected to Get 1st OK from Council Monday Continued from Page 1

After Monday’s “first reading” vote, the Council will be unable to increase, but could decrease, the tax rate before voting its final approval of the FY20 budget, which is expected to occur on April 22. The Council began its department-by-department review of the proposed budget at a work session this Monday night where some of the benefits of a greater-thanexpected growth of revenues were discussed. Compared to projections from last December, actual real estate assessments rose by 3.35 percent, as calculated by the City assessor last month, more than the 2.5 percent originally estimated. The result was an added revenue infusion of about $400,000, and in an agreement with the schools that any added revenue would be split 50-50, the City was $200,000 to the upside, and Shields said he used the added revenue to hire some new, sorely-needed personnel to handle expected real estate development

and public safety. City Planning Chief Jim Snyder spelled out the need for Shields’ proposed addition of two new, full time building inspectors and an increase from a half to a threefourths full time equivalent for the fire safety inspector. He noted that the funds for that would eventually be covered by the licensing fees for the 4.3-acre Founders Row mixed-use project that has now begun on West Broad. Snyder noted that the new high school, which will begin being constructed this summer, will involve 300,000 square feet needing OKs, and that beyond the Founders Row, there is the 10.3 acre West End Gateway project on the high school campus that will be three times bigger than Founders Row. There will also be an expansion of the Columbia Baptist Church, the renovation and expansion of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library and more. On public safety, F.C. Police Chief Mary Gavin spoke to her department’s need for an added full time officer, as Shields has proposed. The addition would

increase the size of the department up to 33 uniformed personnel, catching up to the level of 10 years ago before the recession hit and cut into the size of the City government. “We’re experiencing a 15 percent increase per year in calls for service,” Gavin told the Council Monday. “Crime is up.” The explosive population growth in the Little City to almost 15,000 now has defined the need for supplementing the police numbers, even as Gavin said that the policy will remain of having three officers on the street at any time. When she was asked by Councilman David Snyder if she considered her “ask” to be sufficient for her department’s needs, she said yes. She noted the importance of interjurisdictional collaboration, including the fact that the City’s department works with 17 other regional jurisdictions in a gang task force, even though the City doesn’t have a specific officer assigned to that work. She said that in the effort to T:9.75” provide adequate traffic and park-

ing enforcement, that the introduction of new tolls on I-66 has been “bringing new people into Falls Church” looking for cut-through ways to avoid the tolls. Danny Schlitt, the City’s director of Parks and Recreation, briefed the Council on projects underway to improve the parkland here, including the fact that upgrades to the Big Chimneys Park are only about three weeks away from being initiated, work that should be completed by the end of July. He added that planning on the development of the recentlyacquired Fellows Tract on S. Oak will begin soon, that the Larry Graves Fields are due for major improvements provided by Fairfax County and that the Herman Stream Valley Park in the City is going to be improved with street frontage and benches. Council member Letty Hardi asked what his department’s role will be in the preparation of the new downtown pocket park in the 100 block of W. Broad that has been viewed as an Economic Development Authority project so far.

Councilman Ross Litkenhous asked what the Council can do to “activate” the community to make the parks work, since amenities like them have a lot to do with people making decisions to move in. Litkenhous had a lot to say, as well, about whether the City is moving fast enough, in the face of the new economic developments in the pipeline, to “brand” itself sufficiently to augment the attraction of the new office and retail tenants that the City will need to make it all work in the coming years. “I am concerned that we are not ahead enough,” he said, adding that Falls Church is now constantly being talked about in the wider region for its development initiatives and the role that it will undoubtedly play as Amazon begins to move its HQ2 to the region. “We are going to play a big role, including with considerable spinoff industries that the Amazon move will generate. We need constant visibility in the wider region, or we may not be able to fully capitalize on our opportunities.”

Give your money a raise Make your money work harder by earning higher interest rates. Talk to a banker for more details. Offer expires March 22, 2019.

Platinum Savings Account

2.10%

Fixed Rate CD

2.60%

Annual Percentage Yield for 12 months1

Enjoy a special interest rate for 12 months with new money deposits of at least $25,000 and a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 or more.

Annual Percentage Yield for 11 months2

Guaranteed fixed rate with new money deposits of at least $25,000 for an 11-month term.

1. To qualify for this offer, you must have a new or existing Platinum Savings account and enroll the account in this offer between 01/21/2019 and 03/22/2019. This offer is subject to change at any time, without notice. This offer is available only to Platinum Savings customers in the following states: CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NJ, NY, SC and VA. In order to earn the Special Interest Rate of 2.08% (Special Rate), you must deposit $25,000 in new money (from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or its affiliates) to the enrolled savings account and maintain a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 throughout the term of this offer. The corresponding Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for this offer is 2.10%. The Special Rate will be applied to the enrolled savings account for a period of 12 months, starting on the date the account is enrolled in the offer. However, for any day during that 12 month period that the daily account balance is less than the $25,000 minimum, the Special Rate will not apply and the interest rate will revert to the standard interest rate applicable to your Platinum Savings account. As of 12/10/2018, the standard interest rate and APY for a Platinum Savings account in CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NJ, NY, SC and VA with an account balance of $0.01 to $99,999.99 is 0.03% (0.03% APY) and with an account balance of $100,000 and above is 0.05% (0.05% APY). Each tier shown reflects the current minimum daily collected balance required to obtain the applicable APY. Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly. The amount of interest earned is based on the daily collected balances in the account. Upon the expiration of the 12 month promotional period, standard interest rates apply. Minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $25. A monthly service fee of $12 applies in any month the account falls below a $3,500 minimum daily balance. Fees may reduce earnings. Interest rates are variable and subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo may limit the amount you deposit to a Platinum Savings account to an aggregate of $1 million. Offer not available to Private Banking, Wealth, Business Banking or Wholesale customers. 2. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is effective for accounts opened between 01/21/2019 and 03/22/2019. The 11-month New Dollar CD special requires a minimum of $25,000 brought to Wells Fargo from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank N.A., or its affiliates to earn the advertised APY. Public Funds and Wholesale accounts are not eligible for this offer. APY assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity. Interest is compounded daily. Payment of interest on CDs is based on term: For terms less than 12 months (365 days), interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or at maturity (the end of the term). For terms of 12 months or more, interest may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. A fee for early withdrawal will be imposed and could reduce earnings on this account. Special Rates are applicable to the initial term of the CD only. At maturity, the Special Rate CD will automatically renew for a term of 6 months, at the interest rate and APY in effect for CDs on renewal date not subject to a Special Rate, unless the Bank has notified you otherwise. Due to the new money requirement, accounts may only be opened at your local branch. Wells Fargo reserves the right to modify or discontinue the offer at any time without notice. Offer cannot be combined with any other consumer deposit offer. Minimum new money deposit requirement of at least $25,000 is for this offer only and cannot be transferred to another account to qualify for any other consumer deposit offer. If you wish to take advantage of another consumer deposit offer requiring a minimum new money deposit, you will be required to do so with another new money deposit as stated in the offer requirements and qualifications. Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. 3. The Portfolio by Wells Fargo program has a $30 monthly service fee, which can be avoided when you have one of the following qualifying balances: $25,000 or more in qualifying linked bank deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs, FDIC-insured IRAs) or $50,000 or more in any combination of qualifying linked banking, brokerage (available through Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC) and credit balances (including 10% of mortgage balances, certain mortgages not eligible). If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the bonus interest rate on all eligible savings accounts, and discounts or fee waivers on other products and services, will discontinue and revert to the Bank’s then-current applicable rate or fee. For bonus interest rates on time accounts, this change will occur upon renewal. If the Portfolio by Wells Fargo relationship is terminated, the remaining unlinked Wells Fargo Portfolio Checking or Wells Fargo Prime Checking account will be converted to another checking product or closed. © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Investment and Insurance Products: Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Are not Insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency May Lose Value Are not a Deposits of or Guaranteed by a Bank NMLSR ID 399801

P3002_BB_Phase 1_19_East 1_2.1_9.75x5.5.indd

Saved at

12-17-2018 5:52 PM

Job info Job Client Media Type Live Trim Bleed Pubs

from

SFW-RichGarbarino (2)

Approvals BDSF-P00002772 Wells Fargo Newsprint None 9.75” x 5.5” None None

EAST

Printed At

Garbarino, Rich / Garbarino, Rich

Fonts & Images Art Director Copywriter Account Mgr Studio Artist Proofreader

Notes

Katie Burleson Alicia Pagano Michella Ore Rich Garbarino None

Fonts Myriad Pro (Bold, Regular, Italic, Semibold, Bold Italic), Archer (Book) Images WF logo-highlight-cmyk.ai (30.47%) Inks Cyan,

Magenta,

Yellow,

Black

None

T:5.5”

Both accounts are FDIC-insured up to the maximum allowable limit. Platinum Savings offer available in CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NJ, NY, SC and VA. Fixed Rate CD offer available in AL, AZ, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NJ, NM, NV, NY, PA, SC and VA. Portfolio by Wells Fargo® customers are eligible to receive an additional interest rate bonus on these accounts.3

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

School Board

Continued from Page 1

moving its central office into new digs this June with its 10-year lease on its current location expiring. The new location, in a building at 150 S. Washington Street, comes with a substantial savings, no less than $1.5 million over 10 years, according to Superintendent Peter Noonan. Improvements to the new space — new carpeting, light fixtures, paint — are now being made, and the move is scheduled for the final week of June, after the school year has ended and the groundbreaking on the new high school project will have occured. The move, from the board’s current 800 W. Broad location where it has been based for the last decade, will not only result in significant savings over the long haul, but will be making a huge difference in the first year coming up. That’s because an incentive offered by the building owners, Atlantic Realty, was to provide one free month a year for the 10 year term of the lease, and all 10 free months will be applied to the

first year. The savings are identified in the School Board budget in the category of “logistical savings,” and, again, helped the School Board keep its budget within Council guidance. “I’m excited by this move,” Noonan told the News-Press, “We will be moving into a smaller space (7,500 square feet instead of 10,000, Noonan said) but we’ve planned out where everything will go and we’ll be ready to go the minute we move in.” (Meanwhile, Bob Young, the owner of the “Flower Building” that the School Board will be vacating, and chair of the City’s Economic Development Authority, has said there’s been a surprising interest in the commercial office space, once it becomes available, in his building). The Atlantic Realty owners of the new School Board location also own the adjacent Mason Square building at the southwest corner of W. Broad and S. Washington (above the popular Ireland’s Four Provinces restaurant), and according to News-Press sources may still be planning to revive a version of the massive $315 million “City Center Plan” that was

LO CA L approved a decade ago and went into hibernation when the Great Recession hit. The Schools face a daunting schedule of deadlines in the coming 90 days before the shovels begin going into the ground at the high school site. After this Sunday’s town hall meeting update at the Community Center (at 2 p.m.), the design and development plans are continuing to be reconciled, Noonan said, with the target of May 15 for the signing of the first of two “guaranteed maximum price” (GMP) contracts with the developers. The May 15 deadline has been moved back two weeks from an original May 1 date, and Noonan said that was decided to enable the City to sign a comprehensive agreement for the 10.3 acre West End Gateway economic development project on May 13. The first school GMP contract will subsume the acquisition of the big cost items in the construction, including the steel and concrete for the project, and there is a concern for buying these commodities sooner rather than later due to the impending new tariff impacts on their cost. While the campus awaits its transformation, the existing high school footprint will not be altered

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 5

FALLS CHURCH Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan (second from right) briefed the School Board Tuesday. (Photo: News-Press) until the new school is built next to it on the site, with the completion date a year-and-a-half ahead, in December 2021. The official groundbreaking event marking the onset of that effort is set for midJune, just after the school year ends. In addition to the existing high school footprint, the football/soccer and baseball fields will also not be touched by the construction, except, that is, for work on the baseball field to fix a flooding issue that has impacted the visiting team

dugout, and will be corrected over Spring Break next month. A meeting of Mason Athletic Boosters with the school’s athletic director, Julie Bravin, and director of facilities, Seve Padilla, was held this Monday to address that problem and also minor fixes to the concession stand, with the idea that longterm improvements to the field will be taken up at coming meetings. Plans are also to go ahead with the City’s annual fireworks show at the campus stadium on July 4.

1 1 2 5 W. B r o a d S t . , F a l l s C h u r c h , V A

$195PER MONTH $0 DOWN!

2019 KIA

24 MONTH LEASE 12,000 MILES/YEAR*

SORENTO

Stock# 6972C. MSRP: $19,255. On approved credit. Must finance through KIA Motors Finance. $3525 due at signing - includes VA tax, tag, freight, acquisition fee and processing fee of $699. $0.00 security deposit required. Offer Expires 4/4/2019

PAGE 6 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 

One of the Nation’s Foremost Weekly Newspapers, Serving N. Virginia

(Published Weekly by Benton Communications, Inc.)

FOUNDED IN 1991

Vol. XXIX, No. 5 March 21 – 27, 2019 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •

N�� F. B�� O�� E��-I�-C�� .��

J�� F�� M��

��.��

M�� D�� N�� E��

��.��

N�� G�� A�� S�� A�� .��

H�� W�� C��

��.��

C�� C��, T�� W�� C�� T�� W�� C�� E�� J�� I�� C�� M�� .��

T� C�� N��-P�� : 703-532-3267 ��: 703-342-0347 ��: ��.�� .�� .�� .�� .��

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

E��

E D I TO R I A L

Delighted By These Busy Days

It’s crunch time for the City of Falls Church. For anyone paying attention, it has to appear just about as daunting as it actually is for the City Hall and School System staffs, elected City Council and School Board members, and the scores of caring citizens who volunteer on the abundant boards and commissions in town. Even as the 4.3 acre area near the center of the Little City looks like a Mad Max set or a moonscape now (resulting from the massive demolition effort underway by developers of the Founders Row), City and School officials are working overtime now making sure all the proverbial i’s are dotted and t’s crossed to ensure the interests of the City and its citizens are fully enfranchised and protected by the legal documents soon to be signed for the construction of a new high school and the dense economic development of the City’s West End. In the midst of that, with timetables for sign-offs and groundbreakings looming by mid-June, the City Council and City Hall staff are also working through the nuts and bolts of the City’s annual $99 million operating budget that includes the $43 million transfer to the Schools, its capital improvement plans, and short and long term impacts of it all. Yes, for all the Looney Tunes going on at the federal government level right across the Potomac, here in little old Falls Church, as in all comparable jurisdictions at the local level, the wheels of good governance are being maintained and important things are getting done. Even as President Trump in Washington continues to lash out, among so many other things, at “fake news,” we at the News-Press are happy to continue joining the devoted efforts of our local engine of government to fulfil our role in this democracy of keeping our citizens informed, engaged and alerted. We’re entering our 29th year of consecutive weekly publication and distribution to every citizen in this highly conscientious community, one that regularly is among the leaders of the nation in voter turnout at elections and the quality of its schools, and take heart in our role moving this community forward over that time frame. We’ve learned that leaders from surrounding communities have been paying attention, and have come to Falls Church to learn how this City has done so well. We hope that the wisdom imparted to them has included the role of a good community newspaper. Surrounding jurisdictions, we are not happy to report, have over the last 29 years lost almost all, if not all, their community papers. It is not difficult to document how no website can match, by a longshot, the depth of exposure to a community, that a newspaper with a “total market coverage” can, and as we have done. And as we’ve spotlighted the need for economic development relentlessly from our day one in March 1991, we’re delighted by these days.

L��

F.C. Should Prioritize Affordable Housing

Editor, In 25 happy years in Falls Church I have only written the City on a very few occasions. I am moved to write this time by the editorial, “Add Housing to the City Budget.” From my work as a researcher and observations as a citizen, I think there is a genuine housing crisis throughout this country. At a time when our City is

booming and property values are going up, we should be careful to keep as much affordable housing as possible in the City. Without housing, we cannot seriously address the huge inequality and opportunity gap we have created in our country. This is unquestionably a challenge that goes far beyond our City, but we are blessed by a very functional

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

P�� 1. Keep the news clean and fair.

2. Play no favorites, never mix business and editorial policy. 3. Do not let the news columns reflect editorial comment. 4. Publish the news that is public property without fear or favor of friend or foe. 5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.

6. Give “value received” for every dollar you take in. 7. Make the paper show profit if you can, but above all keep it clean, fearless and fair.

ADVERTISE IN THE

The News-Press is delivered to every household and many businesses in the City of Falls Church (22046), and to many homes and businesses (but not all) in the adjacent 22041, 22042, 22043, 22044 and 22205 zip codes. Its total circulation of 10,000 per issue is greater than any other newspaper in the distribution area, including dailies. For complete advertising information, call us or check out our web site.

Call 532-3267 x2274 or visit www.FCNP.com

All original and some syndicated content is accessible via the Falls Church News-Press online site, www.FCNP.com. FCNP.com also includes photos, stories, ads and more not appearing in the print edition.

For information on online advertising, please contact Nick Gatz at 703-532-3267 or ngatz@fcnp.com. ONLINE

City government, a much stronger tax base than we’ve had in the past, and informed, committed citizens who should support this. I hope the City will prioritize affordable housing in the budget and in other City activities. Peter Fox-Penner Falls Church

F.C. Developed At Expense of Quality of Life Editor, The letter last week from Mr. Hayes [concerning the disruption

on Broad St.] is very accurate as we avoid the area because of the constant state of traffic frustration. The ridiculous lack of parking coupled with a failure to prevent delivery truck unloading on Broad St. in a travel lane is ludicrous. However the problem is the City of Falls Church. This work was planned, and like other projects I have seen springing up in the congested city I see nothing being done to proactively provide traffic mitigation. The City has consistently failed to

Letters Continued on Page 34

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CO MME NT

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 7

G � � � � C � � � � � �� Fond Memories of Our Neighbor Dr. Frank D’Aquila B� M�� N��

I grew up thinking that a trip to the dentist meant a time for play. I would sit in the waiting room, pushing small wooden blocks along twisting wire tracks. When it was my turn and I settled into the dentist’s chair, Dr. Frank D’Aquila (or Dr. Frank, as we all called him) sat at my side, a grandfatherly figure with his bright white hair and round glasses. He spoke in a gentle banter, telling stories and jokes in a lilting Southern accent, pausing occasionally to smile and make sure I understood. He folded an origami boat out of a yellow sticky note, took out his pen, and drew a little waving person on it with a flourish before handing it to me. He blew bubbles that floated and winked around in the natural light of his office. He was so skilled at captivating children that I never quite remember him doing anything to my teeth, save the taste of the bubble gum fluoride treatment. When he read years later that I was accepted to a local magnet school, he sent me a letter in the mail. He had photocopied a page from the dictionary and circled the word “joyful,” noting that it was how he felt when he heard the news. And he didn’t just do this for me — whenever one of his patients did notably well in sports or academics, he would cut out the newspaper article, add his personal congratulations,

and mail it to their home. When I was in college trying to figure out job ideas, he met me at the Four Provinces to tell me about his career in pediatric dentistry. His niece, Christy D’Aquila, describes

“When he read years later that I was accepted to a local magnet school, he sent me a letter in the mail. He had photocopied a page from the dictionary and circled the word ‘joyful,’ noting that it was how he felt when he heard the news.” Frank as artistic, spiritual, and passionate about the many topics featured in his collections of books, records, photography and homemade greeting cards. “[He loved] opera, cooking, history, Charlie Brown and the Far Side, Catholicism, poetry, music, and anything local to Falls Church,” she said.

Dr. Frank moved to Falls Church in 1978, after spending his youth in Mississippi, serving in the Navy during the Korean War, and graduating from Marquette University Dental School in Milwaukee, WI. He quickly became involved in this community, as a generous and witty friend and neighbor, an active parishioner at St. James Catholic Church, and as a volunteer docent and historical reenactor. Midge Wang remembers how on one of his long walks around the city, Dr. Frank once encountered her with fellow members of the Victorian Society selling peanuts and dressed in full period costume to raise funds for the group. “He took pictures of us and then decided to join — he became the group photographer and got all the outfits the gentlemen wore and did a lot of living history with us. He used to chuckle and say that life was never the same after that,” she said. Come Halloween, he would host a gathering for the neighborhood children and tell stories, broadcasting spooky music from his driveway on Riley Street. “He was a real star over on Riley Street,” said Wang. “On Halloween, he would have a charcoal fire and put on a witch’s costume and play the witch…and, he would give the children toothbrushes because he was a pediatric dentist.” After retirement, he shared his skills as a dynamic storyteller and puppeteer with

the young and old alike. Dr. Frank donated significant time to volunteer causes, hosting tea parties for residents at local retirement and nursing homes and chatting with them about their childhoods. He didn’t have any local family, so as he grew older, his neighbors and friends began to look out for him. I often saw him walking slowly around town, on his way to church or the grocery store or to brunch with a neighbor. The last time I visited him, and before he moved closer to family for full-time nursing care, I brought my 3-year-old son along and Dr. Frank lit up. He reached for a handmade stuffed bear and pretended to talk as the bear, making my son smile. He finished off the presentation with a mini puppet show. “He was always sharing himself with others. He had a wonderful sense of humor,” said Wang. Frank D’Aquila, a Falls Church citizen for 40 years, was born at home on July 13, 1929 in Fort Adams, Mississippi and passed away on Feb. 23, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To contribute funds for a bench in Falls Church in memory of Dr. Frank D’Aquila, please mail a check made out to “Michelle Neyland” by March 31, 2019 with “Dr. Frank D’Aquila Bench” in the memo line to: 800 W. Broad St., P.O. Box 6939, Falls Church, VA 22040.

Q�� W�� Are you excited about the changes underway in the City of Falls Church? • Yes

• No

• Not sure

Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

Last Week’s Question:

Are you surprised at the proposed budget including no tax rate change?

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

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

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

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

LO CA L

PAGE 8 | MARCH 21 -27, 2019

Fa l l s C h u r c h

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NEWS BRIEFS OPEN SUN 3/24, 1-4 PM

Falls Church City | $1,349,000

Expansive light-filled home with 5 bedrooms up including gorgeous master suite. Third floor family room with tons of skylights and main floor with room for entertaining and privacy. Kitchen overlooks pool and spa. 610 Knollwood Dr 22046. Stacy Hennessey 703.395.4868 www.StacyH.com

Falls Church | $1,175,000

Rarely available end-row brick Georgian Colonial Townhome. Lightfilled, 4,000+ SF, with an elevator to all three levels. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2-car garage. Located on the border of Falls Church and McLean. Minutes to 2 Metro stations. Ann Worley 703.593.3215 www.AWorley.com

Fairfax Station | $649,900

Sensational 1/2 acre lot with privacy and natural beauty. Sunfilled kitchen and breakfast room, open living and dining rooms lead to screened porch and decks. Fenced yard. New roof and siding. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Laura Fall 703.967.9987 www.FallProperties.com

UNDER CONTRACT

Falls Church | $1,185,000

Like new 2014 Craftsman featuring high ceilings, tons of natural light, recessed lighting, crown molding and wainscoting. Hunter Douglas shades throughout. White kitchen, gas fireplace, spacious family room. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Minutes to WFC Metro. Laura Schwartz 703.283.6120 www.GuidingYourMove.com

Hello Vienna! We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Vienna Office! With almost 40 years of experience in the Vienna market and surrounds, our agents are thrilled to have a ‘home base’ in town to more easily provide their superior service and exceptional results. We look forward to meeting you!

374 Maple Avenue E, Suite 202 Vienna, Virginia 22180 703.839.8200

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

F.C. Women’s History Walk Set for March 31 With 2019 marking the beginning of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, a coalition of women leaders in Falls Church has organized a one-mile walk through downtown Falls Church for Sunday, March 31, beginning at 1 p.m., kicking off from the community park at the Lincoln at Tinner Hill, between S. Washington and S. Maple, and ending at the Cherry Hill Farmhouse by City Hall. Honorary grand marshals will be standpoint women Falls Church leaders Nikki Graves Henderson, Lindy Hockenberry, Laura Hull and Jane Scully. Organizers of the event include Henderson, Rebecca Tinner Stotts, Irena Chambers and Tori McKinney, City Treasurer Jody Acosta, Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, Council members Letty Hardi and School Board members Erin Gill, Shannon Litton and Shawna Russell.

F.C. Council Mulls Tree Commission Name Change The Falls Church City Council this week mulled a proposal introduced by City Arborist Kate Reich to change the name of the volunteer Tree Commission to the Urban Forestry Commission, and to add an alternate member to its current membership of five. According to a staff report, “The commission’s advice on broader goals and policies relating to tree canopy and green space cover is of great value to the City, and this broader view is commonly referred to as urban forestry.” Although Falls Church has taken in its role as a Tree City USA going back over a century, a Tree Commission was not formally established by the City Council until 1978.

Northam Vetoes 2 Pro-Pollution Bills Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam this week vetoed two bills that sought to limit the Commonwealth’s ability to combat air pollution generated from vehicles and power plants. First he vetoed a bill passed by the state legislature that would have prohibited the governor or any state agency from adopting any regulation establishing or bringing about the participation by the Commonwealth in the Transportation and Climate Initiative or any other regional transportation sector emissions program. In a similar move, he vetoed a bill which would have prohibited the governor or any state agency from adopting any regulation establishing a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program or bringing about the participation by the Commonwealth in a regional market for the trading of carbon dioxide allowances.

Goldman Celebrates Birthday at Chamber Luncheon Evan Goldman, principal spokesman for the West End Gateway Developers of EYA, PN Hoffman and Regency, chosen by the F.C. City Council to develop the 10.3 acres at the City’s west end, presented the plan being prepared for a special exception site plan approval by the Council next month to the monthly luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce this week. He was joined by Nathan Bath of the Regency group. Goldman, who has been making similar educational presentations to a wide array of City boards and commissions this month, announced it was his birthday Tuesday, and the Chamber’s executive director Sally Cole and chair Barbara Benson forthwith presented him with one of the Italian Cafe’s elegant desserts topped with a candle. Goldman announced at the meeting that all three partners in the Gateway group, had joined the Chamber at the bronze sponsor level.

Nominees Set for F.C. Employee of Year The City of Falls Church this week announced the names of 10 employees nominated for its annual Employee of the Year award. The winner will be announced at the April 8 F.C. City Council meeting, with the City’s Employee Review Board making the selection. The nominees announced are Carly Aubrey in the Planning office, Major Rick Campbell in the police department, Clare Casey in the Communications office, Meaghan DeCelle in the human resources office, Nate Dupree in IT services, Charlie Hamilton in IT services, Gary LaPorta, posthumously, in the Revenue Commissioner’s office, Tom Polera, fire marshal and emergency manager, Veronica Prince, deputy city cleerk, and Jimmy Ruby, recreation supervisor.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 21 - 27, 2019 | PAGE 9

Now Open in FALLS CHURCH

Care Is Around the Corner Convenient, cost-effective urgent and primary care. Open 365 days a year, 8 am to 10 pm, including weekends and all holidays. • Walk-in, no appointment necessary • Physician always on-site • Primary care available for patients who do not have a regular physician

• Wide range of on-site labs, always a lab tech on duty • All routine x-rays on-site including chest x-rays; every x-ray over-read by a radiologist • Prescription drugs on-site, regular prescription insurance accepted • 74 locations in the mid-Atlantic region

Falls Church 502 West Broad Street #2 (571) 421-8431

• Most major insurance plans accepted — your claims filed for you • Less costly than the ER — we routinely care for more than 60% of the diagnoses seen at the ER at one-third the cost Founded in 1981. Accredited by the Urgent Care Association.

prfc11161818post

OPEN SAT & SUN 1 - 4 PM

526 Poplar Dr • Falls Church City • VA • 22046

Love to cook? Remodeled and expanded gourmet kitchen is a chef’s dream, designed with meticulous attention to detail: Breakfast bar w/pendant lights, soft close cabinets, under cabinet lighting, roll out shelves, pantry, stainless steel sink w/sprayer, soap dispenser and instant hot water, pull out spice rack cabinet, trash/recycle drawer. Want to be pampered? Gorgeous remodeled & expanded Master BR with ample closets, ensuite bathroom: a spa shower, heated floors, lots of drawers and cabinets! Love to entertain? Plenty of space with main level formal living and dining rooms plus a family room. Screened porch and spacious deck overlook a fully fenced yard with lush landscaping, where a symphony of colors will burst in the spring. Kids and pets will enjoy playing in the grass and exploring the woods. Offered at $875,000 Directions from 66: East - Route 7, Right - N Oak St, Right - Timber Lane, Left - Poplar Dr.

Leslie Hutchison 703-861-8119

PAGE 10 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

LO CA L

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes F.C. Resident Recognized As Distinguished Alum

A DOUBLE DOSE OF NEWS FROM CAPITOL SERVICES, INC., a Falls Church-based event management company. (Top) CSI helps warm up homeless citizens with a scarf blitz throughout Washington, D.C., tying scarves on trees or passing them out to the homeless on the street. (Bottom) Melis Feingold (left), CSI senior creative services manager and Jackie Curran, CSI senior creative services manager receive the ADMEI (Association of Destination Management Executives International) Excellence in Technology Integration Award in Houston. (Photos: Courtesy ASHA Public Relations)

Ohio Northern University’s Raabe College of Pharmacy recently honored Falls Church’s David W. Bobb with a Distinguished Alumni Award. This was the 10th year that Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented by the College of Pharmacy. Bobb, a 1977 graduate, was recognized for his outstanding career accomplishments and their contributions to ONU. Bobb is a pharmacist, attorney and retired United States Air Force colonel with experience in both the civilian and federal health care management sectors. His varied career has placed him in such practice settings as independent pharmacies, large retail chain pharmacies, USAF pharmacies, industry, and, more recently, positions with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense. Bobb works with Congressional delegations and staff to provide Department of Defense pharmacy program updates to both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. He has served on the board of directors for the American Society for Pharmacy Law, Department of Defense Pharmacy Advisory Board and the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium. In addition to receiving a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from ONU, Bobb earned a Juris Doctor from Franklin Pierce Law Center, a Master of Arts in air warfare from the American Military University and a Master of Military Art and Operational Science and a Master of Strategic Studies from Air University.

McLean Community Center Seeking Public Suggestions Having recently completed the renovation and expansion

of its Ingleside Ave. facility, the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean) is now asking residents what kinds of programs and services they would like to see offered there. MCC’s Public Hearing on FY 2021 Programs will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27. All meetings of the board are open to the public. The MCC Governing Board wants to hear from residents of Small District 1A-Dranesville, who pay a real estate surcharge to support the center. The hearing is the first step in planning for the FY 2021 budget cycle, which begins July 1, 2020 and ends June 30, 2021. The center’s divisions include the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and The Old Firehouse Center. Tax district residents who wish to speak at the hearing are asked to call the Center at 703-7449348, TTY: 711, to have their names placed on the speakers list; however, speakers are not required to sign up in order to speak. Residents also may submit comments by mail, fax at 703-556-0547 or email at holly. novak@fairfaxcounty.gov or in person up to seven days after the hearing. For more information, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit mcleancenter.org.

NoVa Teen Book Festival Comes to Marshall High The NoVa Teen Book Festival to celebrate and promote Young Adult (YA) fiction is Saturday, March 30 at Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). Presented in partnership with Arlington Public Library, Fairfax County Public Library, Loudoun County Public Library, George Mason University’s Fall for the Book, Friends of Arlington Public Library (FOAL) and other area public library and school systems, this sixth annual free day-

Send Us Your News & Notes!

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

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

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

long literary event features over thirty bestselling and emerging young adult authors. In addition to the keynote address by New York Times bestselling YA fantasy author Libba Bray, the event will include 15 moderated author panels, 18 breakout sessions led by the authors, 5 literary games, two writing workshops (tickets required) and author signings. 2018 marked the fifth annual NoVa Teen Book Festival and attracted 800+ attendees.

Adult candidates — Maria Foderaro-Guertin; Suzanne Le Menestrel; Sun Park; Carla Post and Barbara Protacio. Langley High School boundary area candidates — Alize Ashraf; Anna Krause-Steinrauf and Megan Markwart. McLean High School boundary area candidates — Sabrina Benmira; Xavier Jimenez and Lindsea Strelser.

McLean Governing Board Candidates Announced

This Friday, March 22 from 11 a.m. – noon at the Virginia Hospital Center’s Carlin Springs Campus (601 Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington) interested residents can attend a lecture on Colorectal Cancer Awareness with Wayne M. Johnson, DMSc, PA-C, Colorectal Physician Assistant, Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group, Colorectal Surgery. Attendees will learn the basics of prevention, colonoscopy procedures, the latest screening guidelines and treatment of colorectal cancer. This meeting is free, but attendees are asked to register beforehand. Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of death among men and women combined, with an estimated 140,250 new cases in the U.S. each year. One in 20 people will be diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer in their lifetimes and 1 in 3 people are not up to date with their screenings, with 60 percent of the deaths caused by the cancer being declared preventable. Attendees are instructed to enter through the Urgent Care Center entrance, and then take an immediate right into the Wellness Room. To register, call Senior Health at 703-558-6859, hit reply and register, or email lifeline@virginiahospitalcenter.com.

McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean) has certified 11 Dranesville Small District 1A residents, five adults and six teens, to run for seats on the McLean Community Center Governing Board. The board sets policy and provides general oversight for all facilities and programs of the center, including the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Teen Center. Residents of Dranesville Small District 1A are eligible to vote during the election. Voting for Governing Board members will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the McLean Day 2019 festival at Lewinsville Park (1659 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). Residents also may vote by absentee ballot from Monday, March 18 – Wednesday, May 15. Three adult positions and two youth positions are open this year. The adult candidates who receive the three-highest vote counts will serve three-year terms. Youth candidates, one from the McLean High School boundary area and one from the Langley High School boundary area, will serve one-year terms. Youth candidates do not have to attend these schools to serve on the board.

LO CA L

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 11

Colorectal Cancer Seminar At Virgina Hospital Center

REPRESENTING FALLS CHURCH in New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade over the weekend was Falls Church High School. The Marching Jaguars were one of the few school bands selected to participate in the 258th parade. (Photo: Courtesy Casey McCormick/groupphotos.com)

All-Met Honorees from Area Schools Released

fly is the fastest time posted by a girls’ swimmer in high school history. According to the Post, Huske also holds the Virginia state record in the 50 freestyle (21.95), which is just 0.31 seconds short of the national high school record set in 2016 by Olympic medalist Abbey Weitzeil. Boys Swimming — Mason senior Adam Janicki made the All-Met Second Team, while McLean junior Steve Han, Bishop O’Connell junior William Mullen and Yorktown senior Ryan Soh

The Washington Post released its All-Met teams and honorees for Winter 2018-19 season, with a couple of local students being recognized as some of the area’s best in their respective sports. Swimmer of the Year — Sophomore Torri Huske from Yorktown High School was named the All-Met Girls Swimmer of the Year by the Post, who noted that Huske’s 51.29-second 100 butter-

t& Sa

513 W. Broad St., #202, Falls Church, VA, 22046

were all Honorable Mentions. Girls Indoor Track — Marshall High School senior Natalie Bardach and McLean High School senior JaneAnne Tvedt were Honorable Mentions. Girls Swimming — Bishop O’Connell High School freshman Kate Bailey and sophomore Paige Hall along with Yorktown junior Mary Kate Reicherter and senior Kayle Park and George Mason High School sophomore Marie Roche were all Honorable Mentions.

Leave snow and leaves behind and enjoy the no-hassle lifestyle of luxury living at Falls Church's finest address! Located on a corner at the back of the building, this quiet condo overlooks the circle and the private fountain/slate patio below. This move -in ready home has ever ything that a discerning buyer needs ... an extra den/office/guest room, gleaming hardwoods in all of the living spaces, 10' ceilings, new high end carpeting in the bedrooms, a spacious kitchen with stainless & granite, two balconies & so much more. Two underground parking spots & a storage bin convey. Condo fee covers nearly everything (on-site property manager, too!) ... this couldn't be an easier way to live! Price Improvement! $734,900

Kerstin Stitt

twitter.com/fcnp

facebook.com/fallschurchcity

KerstinStitt@verizon.net

1313 Old Dominion Dr. McLean, VA 22101

PAGE 12 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

CO MME NT

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

It happened again. An attack on a faith community — this time two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, half a world away from Mason District. Horrific massacre. Dozens of innocent lives snuffed out in minutes by one man with a rifle — and lots of hate. The perpetrator reputed to be a white supremacist, whose weapons were purchased legally. Shock and condemnation followed, from around the world. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Baha’i — no matter the faith or cultural foundation — all were horrified, and all pondered both the message, and the action, that should follow. At Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in the Seven Corners area of Mason District, the response was swift and direct. The mosque opened its doors, its heart, and its hospitality to a standing-room only crowd on Saturday evening for a prayer vigil to remember what happened in Christchurch barely a day before. The central atrium was filled, the entry hall was filled, even the second floor hallways overlooking the atrium were filled. Two tables flanked the podium; each table had two signs that remembered previous attacks on faith communities, such as Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and Texas’ First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Also on each table, in blood-red letters on a stark white background, were poster-size names and ages of the victims in New Zealand. Each elected official, and pastor, rabbi, or imam (all the local churches and synagogues were represented) was asked to come forward and hold up the name of a victim. By the end, the list of names stretched from one side of the vast atrium to the other. In lieu of lighting candles in

the crowded room, attendees were asked to lift their cellphones in flashlight mode. Hundreds of cellphones illuminated the darkened space, like hopeful bright stars against an inky sky. In a voice fraught with emotion, one speaker exhorted those “with any connection to the current administration” to let the president know that his rhetoric has not been helpful to faith communities and people of peace. President Trump had said that white supremacists were just a “small group of people with very serious problems.” In a way, he may be correct: white supremacy and hate groups have been around, but somewhat latent. By repeatedly impugning various faith groups, including individual members, and not condemning hate-filled actions, Mr. Trump has encouraged the horrific activities of a few, and emboldened many others. This is wrong, wrong, wrong, and all must speak out, whether against use of racist language, catcalling the LBGTQ+ community, demeaning disabilities, or any other hateful and disrespectful actions. Another speaker pointed out, to a lot of heads nodding in agreement, that “God didn’t create us to kill each other; we were created to live together with one another.” The vigil ended with “peace, salaam, shalom,” sung in unison, to which all responded Amen! How many more deaths, how many more vigils, how many more explanations to our children and ourselves, before we learn to live together, in peace?  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

86 million Americans

Maybe even you,

have prediabetes. person-ABOUT-TOFACT-CHECK-THIS-FACT.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Delegate Marcus Simon’s

Richmond Report In a future column I’ll talk about laws that passed during the 2019 session that you’ll need to know about before they go into effect on July 1 of this year. This month, though, I need to share with you a rundown of the important legislation that failed to pass. As this is an election year here in Virginia, with all 140 seats in the General Assembly on the ballot, I think it’s important readers understand what’s at stake. Gun Violence Prevention Unlike the sure, swift action we are seeing parliament take in New Zealand after the tragic mass shooting at a Christchurch mosque, the Virginia General Assembly remains a steadfast obstacle to common-sense reforms to our firearm laws. For instance, Delegate Rip Sullivan’s bill to create substantial risk protective orders to allow removal of firearms from the homes of individuals who have been reported as posing a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others — a so-called Red Flag Law that is even supported in concept by the Trump Administration — died in subcommittee on a party line vote. Other bills killed would have reinstated Virginia’s one handgun purchase per month law, banned the sale of bump stocks and high capacity magazines, and simply required proper storage for firearms in homes where daycare centers operate. Student Loan Debt I’ve worked closely with Delegate Marcia Price of Newport News for several sessions on solutions to the growing student loan debt crisis in Virginia, where over 1 million people carry student loan debt totaling $30 billion. This year, our House Bill 1760, would have licensed student loan servicing companies operating in Virginia, empowering the State Corporation Commission to enforce a student borrower bill of rights. Deceptive and corrupt practices have led borrowers and attorneys general in several states to file dozens of lawsuits against companies like Navient, a prominent student loan servicing company headquartered in Fairfax County. Working Families With the help of Delegates like Ken Plum, we continue to work hard to improve the lives of working families here in Virginia. Even as our neighbors in Maryland,

D.C. and even West Virginia are seeing increases in the minimum wage each year, our bills which would have very gradually raised the wage over the next five years, failed on a party line vote. While the General Assembly agreed to provide paid family leave for our own employees, so that workers can care for chronically or seriously ill children or family and still be able to pay their rent, health insurance, and other bills, legislation to bring the same worker protections to the private sector continue to go nowhere in the General Assembly. Virginia’s lack of paid family leave affects the state economy and economic productivity. Solar Freedom I worked for months between the 2018 and 2019 sessions with Delegate Mark Keam, the Sierra Club, and other stakeholders on a bill that would have removed legal barriers preventing Virginia homeowners and business from using solar energy to meet their electric power needs. It would have expanded access to net metering, lifted Virginia’s 1-percent limit on solar energy generation, and allowed the development of community solar projects. The bill had wide support among a variety of groups, but it was still defeated on yet another party line vote. Contraception & Women’s Health Removing unnecessary and costly barriers to women’s healthcare, including birth control medication, was another initiative I pursued this year, with a bill to allow the Board of Pharmacy to issue licenses to non-profit facilities and clinics to dispense contraceptives on site. Although this bill had nothing to do with abortion, the bill died in subcommittee on a party line vote after the Family Foundation spoke against it. These are just a few of the areas where there is so much work left to be done. That is why I’m running for reelection this year and hope to once again earn your support. We’re so close to having the majority in the House and the Senate – I see all the potential, progressive legislation that we can accomplish that would have a truly lasting and meaningful impact in our community.  Delegate Simon represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be emailed at DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov

March 25 - 31, 2019

PAGE 14 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

COME TO FIRST SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE: April 7 from 11am-1pm JOIN US DURING RESTAURANT WEEK: March 27-March 31 from 5pm-9pm

Enjoy a cup of Illy coffee on us

Spring has sprung at Famille. EAT, DRINK, GATHER! Enjoy time together with friends and family as well as live entertainment by the Leesburg Pike Band at our Sunday Open House Grab a mug and a seat. Relax and unwind. Read and get inspired. Plug in and be productive. Unplug and meet a new friend. As cold temps move out, catch some sunshine at Famille—a welcoming café where we aim to please coffee lovers and tea drinkers, brewmasters and wine enthusiasts, creative souls and patrons of the arts, executives and students, parents and kids, and all who walk through our doors. Check out our online schedule of events, and visit soon! #livelocal (703) 570-8669 | 700A West Broad Street | Falls Church, VA 22046 | www.FamilleCafe.com

HOURS: Wed-Fri 7am-4pm | Sat & Sun 8am-4pm | Closed Mon & Tue

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

7 Ha yc oc

495

Blv

lli Wi

rg bu

N. Sycamore St

Pim

it D

2115

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 15

St.

ve. le A

Map

elt ev St.

lwo

Hil

Av e.

on Wils

Annandale Rd.

. Blvd

Sle

epy H

Where’s the Food?

ollo wR

19 12

Graham R d.

6 22

. St

16 5

lls Fa

at Gre

st We

There are 23 restaurants particpating in this year’s Falls Church Restaurant Week, so don’t waste time standing around asking for directions. Use our handy dandy map to plan your dining strategy and get on to the good stuff: EATING.

 Celebrity Delly • 7263A Arlington Blvd.  Clare & Don’s Beach Shack 130 N. Washington St.  La Cote d’Or • 6876 Lee Hwy  Dogﬁsh Head Alehouse 6220 Leesburg Pike  Dogwood Tavern • 132 W. Broad St.  Falls Church Distillers 442 S. Washington St.

Famille Cafe • 700a W. Broad St. Fava Pot • 7393 D Lee Highway Hot N Juicy Crawﬁsh • 116 W. Broad St. Idylwood Grill • 2190 Pimmit Dr. Ireland’s Four Provinces • 105 W. Broad St. JV’s Restaurant • 6666 Arlington Blvd. Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen 7049 Leesburg Pike  Liberty Barbecue • 370 W. Broad St.       

        

Mark’s Pub • 2190 Pimmit Dr. Northside Social • 205 Park Ave. Pizzeria Orso • 400 S. Maple Ave. Plaka Grill • 513 W. Broad St. Present Restaurant • 6678 Arlington Blvd. Sﬁzi Cafe • 800 W. Broad St. Taco Bamba Taqueria • 2190 Pimmit Dr. Takumi • 310 S. Washington St. Yume Sushi • 2121 N. Westmoreland St.

PAGE 16 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Restaurant Week Special 3 Course Meal: $24.95 Choose one for each section

1st Course

Deviled eggs (4) Tomato Soup Smoked Brisket Chili Field Green Salad Caesar Salad Hush Puppies (6) Smoked Wings (5)

2nd Course

Double Platter Choose 2 smoked meats (1/4lb of each), Choose 2 Sides or Grilled Salmon Filet

3rd Course

Texas Sheet Cake

370 West Broad St Falls Church, VA 22046

703-237-8227 Catering Services

www.libertyfallschurch.com Nueske’s Family Breakfast Box

Reg. $42.99

Now Only

$35.99* Save over 15%

An Easter Morning Customer Favorite Enjoy an extraordinary breakfast or send our best-selling breakfast assortment as a thoughtful gift. From our smokehouse to your table, we continue Old World traditions smoking our superior quality meats over glowing Applewood embers to achieve a rich, smoky flavor. Our delicious breakfast assortment includes: • Applewood Smoked Bacon (12 oz.) – The Official Bacon of Baconfest, our bacon is lean with a rich, smoky Nueske’s flavor.

• Corned Beef Hash (1 lb.) – Lean corned beef cured with salt, peppercorns and bay leaves along with diced potatoes and select spices. • Pancake Mix (16 oz.) – Serve a platter of approximately ten savory, fluffy buttermilk pancakes. • Maple Syrup (8oz.) – Old-fashioned goodness from our Wisconsin sugar maple trees.

Order now and Save over 15% Only $35.99* (reg. $42.99), plus $14.99 shipping & handling.

Visit Nueskes.com/spring62

or Call 1-888-652-5703 to Order Item #990 *$14.99 shipping applies to standard delivery only to the 48 contiguous states for item #990. Not valid with any other offer. Offer ends May 5, 2019 or while supplies last.

Family Owned since 1933 Wittenberg, WI 54499

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 17

Happy Tart Downsizes to Prep for New Delivery Service BY ORRIN KONHEIM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

The City of Falls Church now houses the sole storefront for the award-winning gluten-free bakery, The Happy Tart, after the shop closed the doors of its Alexandria location in January. Proprietor Emma Cech’s decision to consolidate the bakery’s physical presence is part of a broader plan to reach her customer base through the mail. The Happy Tart estimates implementing this plan will probably take half a year. “The reason that we decided to do this is that we have a lot [of people] who don’t live in this area and ask if we can deliver products to them,” said Cech. ”They are tourists and they stop by and ask if we can do a Happy Tart where they live” Cech, who has a degree in food science, wanted to close down the shop in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood to focus on the research and product development on running a shipping business. At the moment she’s researching packaging options to maximize the shelf life of her products without adding any preservatives and without requiring additional refrigeration. Cech will be spending months experimenting with modified atmosphere packaging and different packaging materials. Few restaurateurs have lived as many lives before baking as Cech. A 1993 graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree of food science, she then obtained a second degree in immunology, worked a stint at the patent and trademark office, had children and lived in South America for a dozen years with her husband

who worked with the U.S. State Department. She eventually came back to the states and studied in culinary school in Gaithersburg. “I always used my food science [experience]. Before we even opened the Happy Tart, I spent two years doing nothing but developing recipes,” said Cech. Cech wears many hats including owner, head chef and manager “The interesting thing about Emma is she knows literally everything about how this place works so it seems like she runs everything, because you can come to her with everything,” said store employee Aemon Sugarman In designing the menu, Cech was motivated by an affliction of celiac disease that is also shared by one of her daughters. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage in the intestines upon the consumption of the gluten protein (found largely in bread). According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, 2.5 million Americans are undiagnosed and at risk of long-term complications. “It’s been diagnosed for a long time,” explained Cech. “I have customers who have been diagnosed for 50 years, but it’s been diagnosed more recently and more conscious in culture.” The community that has formed around the culture of gluten-free and other specialized diets has allowed Cech to thrive in a much-needed niche market. Delight Magazine, a bi-monthly international food and lifestyle publication for people living with food allergies and sensitivities, has ranked The Happy Tart as one of the top 20 gluten-free bakeries in the country nationwide. USA Today also has it ranked in its top ten.

WITH ITS DOORS CLOSED IN DEL RAY, The Happy Tart’s display window in Falls Church is the last one of its kind in the area. Owner Emma Cech made the move in order to expand the bakery’s services to include shipping its gluten-free products to customers. (P��: O�� K��) Christy Vogel discovered the restaurant from the website findmeglutenfree.com and originally took her mother Donna Johnson here for Mother’s Day. The two gluten-free dieters, who travel all the way from Chantilly, are now returning customers. “This is a special treat because you don’t have to worry about the food,” said Johnson. “There’s becoming more gluten-free places but there aren’t as many that are as committed. You go to a lot of places that sell gluten-free goods but they can’t guarantee it because of cross-contamination.” When the Happy Tart made a Facebook post thanking their loyal patrons, many were elated to what

Cech was going to be devoting her time to instead. “So excited to hear you will be shipping! I haven’t found another gf bakery that’s as good as your items,” wrote one fan. Another user wrote, “I’m sad for your store but this makes me day!! We had to move farther out of the city, so getting to your locations is not as easy anymore. Love that you will be on amazon!!!” Besides their baked goods, the Happy Tart includes a menu including several varieties of crepes, quiches, omelets and more in a fast casual setting. They also boast 12 types of cider. Cech is always experimenting with the menu in hopes of maintaining

quality. “I have to tell you the first couples time I came here, I didn’t know it was gluten-free, I just came because it was convenient. I’m here now because it’s just delicious” said patron Michelle Maynard. The Happy Tart will be selling its products through its own website, Amazon and Etsy at a date to be determined later in the year. An announcement will be made through The Happy Tart’s website and on social media in the near future to specify when that service will launch. The Happy Tart is located at 410 S. Maple St. #110, Falls Church.

PAGE 18 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE EK

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

The News-Press is proud to present the 7th Annual Falls Church Restaurant Week! This year’s culinary celebration features an exciting selection of restaurants from in and around The Little City serving up special lunch and dinner dining deals all week long starting Monday, March 25 and running through Sunday, March 31. All partcipating restaurants and their dining specials are listed below and are also available online at www.fcrestaurantweek.com.

CELEBRITY DELLY LUNCH, DINNER

7263A Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church celebritydeliva.com 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu for $10 • Half Sandwich (your choice of meat) and Bowl of Matzoh Ball Soup and; • 1/4 lb. of Potato Salad (or Pasta Salad or Cole Slaw) and; • 2 Rugelach or 2 Black & White Cookies

CLARE & DON’S BEACH SHACK LUNCH, DINNER

130 North Washington Street, Falls Church clareanddons.com 4-Course Meal for $25 Appetizer: Hush Puppies Salad: Chopped Salad with Key Lime Vinaigre�e Entree: Pan-Seared Grouper smothered in creamy crawﬁsh scampi and served with mashed potatoes and broccoli Dessert: Homemade Key Lime Pie

LA CÔTE D’OR CAFÉ LUNCH, DINNER

6876 Lee Highway, Arlington lacotedorarlington.com 3-Course Lunch for $22 includes Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert 3-Course Brunch for $22 includes Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert 3-Course Dinner for $35 includes Hors d’oeuvre - Appetizer, Plat de résistance - Main Course and Dessert

DOGFISH HEAD ALEHOUSE LUNCH, DINNER

6220 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church dogﬁshalehouse.com 3-Course Meal for $25 Appetizer: Beer-Battered Deep Fried Mushrooms with Cajun Dipping Sauce Entree: Chicken Fried Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Creamy Ham Gravy Dessert: Alehouse Banana Pudding

DOGWOOD TAVERN LUNCH, DINNER

132 West Broad Street, Falls Church dogwoodtavern.com 3-Course Meal for $25 Appetizer: Oyster Fri�ers, panko crusted and ﬂash fried oysters

served with Cajun remoulade Entree: Braised Pork Shank, tender, braised bone-in pork shank with roasted Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes and a red wine jus Dessert: Chocolate Brownie, house made chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Finished with a caramel and chocolate drizzle and candied bacon

FAVA POT

FALLS CHURCH DISTILLERS

HOT N JUICY CRAWFISH

442 South Washington Street Suite A, Falls Church fcdistillers.com

116 West Broad Street, Falls Church hotnjuicycrawﬁsh.com

4-Course Surf or Turf Meal for $25 Appetizer (choose one): • Salad • Crab Bisque • Italian Wedding Soup Entree (choose one): • Salmon • Beef Sal�mbocca Dessert (choose one): • Tiramisu • Warm Brownie and Gelato

Seafood Feast for $65 includes: • 1 lb. of Crawﬁsh • 1/2 lb. of Shrimp • 1/2 lb. of Green Mussels • 1/2 lb. of Black Mussels • 2 Corns • 2 Potatoes • 1 dozen Andouille Sausages • 1 Cajun Calamari • 1 Cajun Fries • 2 Sodas (substitute sweet potato fries for $2 more. One seasoning and spice level per order)

LUNCH, DINNER

FAMILLE CAFE LUNCH

700A West Broad Street, Falls Church famillecafe.com 3-Course Meal for $25 Appetizer (choose one): • Sliced Fresh Mozzarella, Vine-Ripe Tomatoes, Fresh Basil drizzled with Balsamic Glaze • Ar�choke brusche�a with plum tomatoes and roasted garlic served on a toasted cros�ni • Hummus and Roasted Vegetables served with warm Na’an bread Entree (choose one): • The Famille Burger: Wagyu beef grilled to perfec�on, served on a brioche bun with a choice of caramelized onions, bacon or fried egg • Homemade Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes seasoned to perfec�on, pan-fried served with Old Bay aioli • Slow-Roasted Pulled Pork Al Pastor Tacos marinated with guajillo, topped with grilled pineapple and fresh cilantro (All entrees accompanied with seasoned potato wedges, Caesar salad or Famille Mista salad) Desserts (choose one): • German Chocolate Cake • Carrot Cake • Creme Brulee

LUNCH, DINNER

7393D Lee Highway, Falls Church favapot.com 50% Oﬀ All Wine and Beer, All Day (Must mention Falls Church Restaurant Week)

LUNCH, DINNER

IDYLWOOD GRILL & WINE BAR LUNCH, DINNER

2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church idylwoodgrill.com 3-Course Lunch for $20 3-Course Dinner for $35 Choose any one appe�zer, one entree and one dessert from regular lunch or dinner menu

IRELAND’S FOUR PROVINCES LUNCH, DINNER

105 West Broad Street, Falls Church 4psva.com 3-Course Dinner for $19.99 Appetizer (choose one): • Housemade Potato Leek Soup or Emerald Green Salad Entree (choose one): • Hand Dipped Fish & Chips: beer ba�ered ﬁlet of cod, Irish fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce • Beef & Guinness Stew: tender cubed beef, carrots, celery, onions, housemade mashed potatoes • Whiskey Chicken Tullamore: grilled breast of chicken, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey cream sauce, mashed potatoes, fresh market vegetables Dessert: • Chocolate Canoli stuﬀed with Bailey’s Irish Cream Mousse

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F. C . R E STAUR A NT W E E K

JV’S RESTAURANT

Dessert: • Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich

6666 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church jvsrestaurant.com

NORTHSIDE SOCIAL

Homemade Meatloaf Dinner (as seen on the food channel), mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies for $10.99 Grilled Jumbo Shrimp Kabobs, homemade rice and fresh garden salad for $14.25 JV’s Stuﬀed Homemade Steak and Cheese smothered with cheese of choice, lettuce ,tomatoes, grilled onions, hot peppers chips and pickle for $10.99

205 Park Avenue, Falls Church northsidesocialva.com

LUNCH, DINNER

DINNER

LAZY MIKE’S DELICATESSEN

3-Course Dinner for $25 Appetizer: Smoked Salmon, Caperberries, Red Onion Marmalade Entree: Vermont Pizza - Cabot cheddar, caramelized onion, smoked prosciu�o, sage Dessert: Citrus Cheesecake with homemade graham crackers, raspberry coulis

7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church mikesdeliatlazysundae.com

PIZZERIA ORSO

3-Course Meal for $20.19

400 South Maple Avenue, Falls Church pizzeriaorso.com

LUNCH, DINNER

1st Course: • Matzoh Ball Soup 2nd Course: • Homemade meatloaf smothered with savory gravy with creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach 3rd Course: • Scoop of Homemade Ice Cream

LIBERTY BARBECUE LUNCH, DINNER

370 West Broad Street, Falls Church libertyfallschurch.com 3-Course Meal for $24.95 1st Course (choose one): • Deviled eggs (4) • Tomato Soup • Smoked Brisket Chili • Field Green Salad • Caesar Salad • Hush Puppies (6) • Smoked Wings (5) 2nd Course (choose one): • Double Pla�er - Choose 2 smoked meats (1/4lb of each), Choose 2 Sides • Grilled Salmon Filet 3rd Course (choose one): • Texas Sheet Cake • Bu�erscotch Banana Pudding • Selec�on of So� Serve

MARK’S PUB LUNCH, DINNER

2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church markspub-fcva.com 3-Course Meal for $12 1st Course (choose one): • Salad • Chili • Soup 2nd Course (choose one): • Pulled Pork • Chicken Platter

LUNCH, DINNER

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 19

julienned carrots, sweet onions, lemongrass, fried garlic, peanuts, shrimp, and ivory calamari on a bed of half-cut pineapple • Lotus Flower Garden: Lotus stalks salad with pork and shrimp tossed in vinaigre�e dressing with peanuts • Jewel-Green Papaya: Green papaya salad, topped with beef and liver jerky, peanuts served with special sauce Main Course (choose one): • Wicked Wishes: So� shell crab (2) with Chef’s special lemon sauce • Duck in Tamarind Basket: Roasted duck un�l crispy then topped with Chef’s special tamarind sauce • Gregarious Lemongrass Chicken: White meat chicken sautéed with lemongrass, garlic onion and spicy chili • Shrimp in the Fresh Ocean: Jumbo salted prawns sautéed with salt and black pepper on a pineapple bed • Cow on the Open Field: Marinated beef tenderloin tips shaken in high flames on top of fresh lettuce and sliced onion • Mosaic Pathway: Chef’s signature jumbo lump crabmeat and cellophane noodle sautéed with fresh vegetable Dessert (choose one): • Banana fri�ers with coconut cream sauce • Chocolate molten with vanilla ice cream

3-Course Meal for $20 Appetizer (choose one): • Arancini • Caesar Salad Entree (choose one): • Margherita Pizza • Diavola Pizza Dessert (choose one): • Brownie • Gelato

SFIZI CAFE

PLAKA GRILL

2190 Pimmit Drive Suite G, Falls Church tacobamba.com

LUNCH, DINNER

513 West Broad Street, Falls Church plakagrill.com 3-Course Meal for $25 1st Course (choose one): • Plaka Salad • Soup 2nd Course (choose one): • Braised Lamb Shank • Vegetarian Stuﬀed Peppers 3rd Course (choose one): • Baklava • Galaktoboureko • Rizogalo (Beer and Wine by the bottle, 1/2 price all week)

PRESENT RESTAURANT DINNER

6678 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church presentrestaurantusa.com 3-Course Dinner for $30 Starter (choose one): • Red Sea calamari: Slices of center cut calamari with Chef’s special seasoning with salt, blackpepper served on top of fresh le�uce with sweet onions • Silken Shawl Imperial Autumn Roll: Hand-made rice thread wrapper ﬁlled with marinated prawn, pork slowly fried un�l crispy served with ﬁsh sauce • Treasure from the Sea: Salad made with fresh pineapple,

LUNCH

800 West Broad Street, Falls Church sﬁzi.com 20% Oﬀ Lunch Menu

TACO BAMBA TAQUERIA LUNCH, DINNER

Three Tradi�onal Tacos and Mexican Street Corn for $10

TAKUMI LUNCH

310-B South Washington Street, Falls Church takumiva.com Lunch Special for $18 Miso Soup (choose one): • Wakame & Tofu • Mushrooms Salad: Green Salad with ginger dressing Appetizer Sampler (choose one): • Tempura assortment • Aji Furai (deep fried horse mackerel) • Kaki Furai (deep fried oysters) Sushi: • Nigiri sushi: walu, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp • Maki sushi: spicy tuna and crunchy shrimp Dessert (choose one): • Ginger ice cream • Green tea ice cream

YUME SUSHI DINNER

2121 North Westmoreland Street, Arlington yumesushiva.com 20% Oﬀ All Menu Items, 4-7 p.m.; Weekends 12-6 p.m. (Dine-In Only, excluding Omakase menu and alcohol)

PAGE 18 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE EK

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CELEBRITY DELLY LUNCH, DINNER

CLARE & DON’S BEACH SHACK LUNCH, DINNER

LA CÔTE D’OR CAFÉ LUNCH, DINNER

DOGFISH HEAD ALEHOUSE LUNCH, DINNER

DOGWOOD TAVERN LUNCH, DINNER

132 West Broad Street, Falls Church dogwoodtavern.com 3-Course Meal for $25 Appetizer: Oyster Fri�ers, panko crusted and ﬂash fried oysters

FAVA POT

FALLS CHURCH DISTILLERS

HOT N JUICY CRAWFISH

442 South Washington Street Suite A, Falls Church fcdistillers.com

116 West Broad Street, Falls Church hotnjuicycrawﬁsh.com

LUNCH, DINNER

FAMILLE CAFE LUNCH

LUNCH, DINNER

7393D Lee Highway, Falls Church favapot.com 50% Oﬀ All Wine and Beer, All Day (Must mention Falls Church Restaurant Week)

LUNCH, DINNER

IDYLWOOD GRILL & WINE BAR LUNCH, DINNER

2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church idylwoodgrill.com 3-Course Lunch for $20 3-Course Dinner for $35 Choose any one appe�zer, one entree and one dessert from regular lunch or dinner menu

IRELAND’S FOUR PROVINCES LUNCH, DINNER

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F. C . R E STAUR A NT W E E K

JV’S RESTAURANT

Dessert: • Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich

6666 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church jvsrestaurant.com

NORTHSIDE SOCIAL

205 Park Avenue, Falls Church northsidesocialva.com

LUNCH, DINNER

DINNER

LAZY MIKE’S DELICATESSEN

7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church mikesdeliatlazysundae.com

PIZZERIA ORSO

3-Course Meal for $20.19

400 South Maple Avenue, Falls Church pizzeriaorso.com

LUNCH, DINNER

1st Course: • Matzoh Ball Soup 2nd Course: • Homemade meatloaf smothered with savory gravy with creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach 3rd Course: • Scoop of Homemade Ice Cream

LIBERTY BARBECUE LUNCH, DINNER

MARK’S PUB LUNCH, DINNER

2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church markspub-fcva.com 3-Course Meal for $12 1st Course (choose one): • Salad • Chili • Soup 2nd Course (choose one): • Pulled Pork • Chicken Platter

LUNCH, DINNER

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 19

3-Course Meal for $20 Appetizer (choose one): • Arancini • Caesar Salad Entree (choose one): • Margherita Pizza • Diavola Pizza Dessert (choose one): • Brownie • Gelato

SFIZI CAFE

PLAKA GRILL

2190 Pimmit Drive Suite G, Falls Church tacobamba.com

LUNCH, DINNER

PRESENT RESTAURANT DINNER

LUNCH

800 West Broad Street, Falls Church sﬁzi.com 20% Oﬀ Lunch Menu

TACO BAMBA TAQUERIA LUNCH, DINNER

Three Tradi�onal Tacos and Mexican Street Corn for $10

TAKUMI LUNCH

YUME SUSHI DINNER

2121 North Westmoreland Street, Arlington yumesushiva.com 20% Oﬀ All Menu Items, 4-7 p.m.; Weekends 12-6 p.m. (Dine-In Only, excluding Omakase menu and alcohol)

PAGE 20 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

F.C.’s Taco Bamba, Open Road Earn RAMMY Nods

Tacos and a torta at Taco Bamba. Photo: Jody Fellows

Two Falls Church eateries earned coveted Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington award nominations and will be vying for hardware at the group’s annual award ceremony, known as the RAMMYs, later this summer. Perennial nominee Taco Bamba, with a nod for a fourth consecutive year, is up, once again, for “Favorite Fast Bites” with hopes of finally bringing home the prize. Bamba, which first opened in Pimmit Hills in 2012, has become quickly become a Washington, D.C.-area favorite, with the taqueria now boasting five locations including shops in

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

Vienna, Springfield, Chinatown and, most recently, Fairfax. Merrifield’s Open Road, which debuted in 2013, will also represent Falls Church at this year’s awards, with the roadhousestyle restaurant nominated in the “Favorite Gathering Place of the Year ”category. In addition to the two restaurants, Taco Bamba owner and founder Victor Albisu is in the running for Restaurateur of the Year, for heading up the upscale Mexican restaurant Poca Madre in D.C. along with his Taco Bamba empire. Albisu took home Chef of the Year honors at the 2015 RAMMYs. Both “Favorite Fast Bites of the Year” and “Gathering Place of the Year” winners will be selected by online voting, available through 5 p.m. on April 30 at www.nbcwashington.com/ RAMMYS. This year’s RAMMYs Awards ceremony will take place Sunday, June 30 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

F.C. Distillers ‘Great Falls Gin’ Recognized Statewide The Little City’s one and only distillery, Falls Church Distillers, earned statewide

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

recognition this year when it was named a 2018 Made in Virginia Award winner by Virginia Living magazine. The F.C. distillery was lauded for its Great Falls Gin, with the mag praising its “soft juniper and citrus nose” and its “floral flavor imparted by chamomile and elderflower, with a hint of anise at the finish.” Falls Church Distillers opened on S. Washington St. in 2017 and is run by founder Michael Paluzzi and his son, Lorenzo. Falls Church Distillers 442 S. Washington St. | Falls Church fcdistillers.com

Open & Coming Soon to a Little Outside The Little City

A selec�on of Mama Chang’s home-style dishes. Photo: Rey Lopez

While next week should be spent eating everything Falls Church Restaurant Week has to offer, once the festivities come to an end, several new and upcoming restaurants in the area are deserving

of attention. Mama Chang (3251 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax), the latest restaurant from acclaimed Chinese chef Peter Chang, is now open in Fairfax. Paying homage to the women of the Chang family, the menu at Mama Chang features home-style Chinese dishes that Chang’s mother and grandmother prepared for him and his family. Rebellion on the Pike (2900 Columbia Pike, Arlington) brings former Mad Fox chef Travis Weiss’s food — and burgers — back across the river. With locations on 18th St. in D.C. and in Wilmington, North Carolina, the newest restaurant in the Rebellion family is set to open at the beginning of April in the former BrickHaus space on Columbia Pike in Arlington. Expect a menu including comfort food like loaded nachos, pork shoulder-topped mac and cheese, creative burgers and an extensive whiskey and beer selection. For those who like a variety, Quarter Market Food Hall (4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington) is slowly developing in the mall formerly known as Ballston Common. The 25,000-square-foot food court, housed in the “new” Ballson Quarter shopping center, has just three places open now, with nine more set to join the mix in the upcoming months. Currently, hot fried chicken shop Hot Lola’s, small plate Spanish restaurant Copa, and Mi & Yu Noodle Bar are the lone open eateries in the burgeoning food hall. — Jody Fellows

Restaurant Week Special App Hush Puppies

Salad

Chopped Salad with Key Lime Vinaigrette

Entree

Pan-Seared Grouper smothered in creamy crawfish scampi and served with mashed potatoes and broccoli

50% Off Eat Healthy For a Good Cause Egyptian Restaurant and Cafe

ALL Wines and Beer All Day, Including Weekends. Mention: Falls Church Restaurant Week for the discount!

www.favapot.com (703) 204-0609 7393 D Lee highway Suite D. Falls Church VA 22042

130 North Washington Street Falls Church, VA 22046

Key Lime Pie

$25.00

(703)532-WAVE(9283) • www.clareanddons.com

Homemade Ice Cream & Delicatessen

OUR NEW LOCATION 7049 Leesburg Pike

facebook.com/FavaPot • instagram.com/favapot • twitter.com/FavaPot

Dessert

(703) 532-5299

Soup

Matzoh Ball Soup

Entree

Homemade meatloaf smothered with savory gravy with creamy

mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach

Dessert

Scoop of Homemade Ice Cream

$20.19

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

USMAN AND LILLY BHATTI hold up photos and sketches of the original Frozen Dairy Bar roadside stand. The Bhattis are bringing back Falls Church’s iconic frozen custard when their new restaurant, DC Steakholders, opens on Arlington Blvd. in early April. (Photo: Jody Fellows)

Just in Time for Spring, F.C.’s Iconic Frozen Dairy Bar Custard to Return by Jody Fellows

Falls Church News-Press

Almost 70 years after it first started churning out frozen custard in an art-deco-styled roadside stand at the corner of Route 50 and Annandale Road in Falls Church, Frozen Dairy Bar is set for a triumphant return this spring. The historic frozen custard purveyor will be reborn as part of Usman and Lilly Bhatti’s new restaurant opening in the former FDB Eatery space on Arlington Boulevard in two weeks. The iconic Falls Church business struggled in recent years and after reinventing itself a few times, failed to find its footing and closed its doors — seemingly for good — last September. But now Usman, who grew up just down the street from the original shop, has plans to bring the old-time Frozen Dairy Bar feeling back. “My dad used to take me [to Frozen Dairy Bar] when I was a kid,” Usman, who owns and operates the food truck DC Steakholders tells the News-Press. And over the years, through Frozen Dairy Bar’s various transitions, the father of four kept the family tradition alive, regularly taking his own children for cups and cones of the custard at the shop, now located in a shopping

center just a few yards from its original location. Then one day, on a trip for some custard with his twins, Usman found a “Temporary Closed” note on the door. A few months later, another sign went up, signalling the closure was more permanent. “We had just come back from lunch [a few doors down] at Miu Kee and saw the ‘For Lease’ banner,” says Usman. “We had been considering getting into the brickand-mortar business,” adds Lilly. So, after talking to the leasing manager and setting up a meeting with the owner, she started doing her homework. “I looked at every single review online,” Lilly says, hoping to learn from customer feedback what went wrong with the previous operations. First opened in 1950 by Guy and Walter Sponseller, Frozen Dairy Bar became a sensation in Falls Church — and the Northern Virginia area — with its custard, an ice cream-like treat made with eggs, served from a then-state-ofthe-art Elektro-Freeze machine. In the 50s, frozen custard was still a relative novelty in the food world. While it was introduced commercially on Coney Island in 1919 and, later, to a wider audience at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, the treat wasn’t widely avail-

able outside of the midwest. For 44 years, Falls Church’s neon-lit shop with “wings” served cone after cone to lines of customers until it shuttered in 1994. The business then briefly relocated to a Lee Highway stripmall for two years, during which time its original building was torn down and a shopping center was built around its former site. After construction of the center was completed, Frozen Dairy Bar, then owned by Kevin Eakin, returned to Arlington Blvd. in 1999. The store moved once more in 2007, to a larger space in the same shopping center, and rebranded as Frozen Dairy Bar and Boardwalk Pizza. The business made one more transition at the end of 2014 when it shuttered for renovations and rebranding until reopening in March 2015 as FDB Eatery. With a shift away from the casual, counter-service it offered for more than 60 years, the latest concept was a full-service operation with a menu featuring items like duck empanadas and crab mac-and-cheese. The walk-up custard counter was now relegated to a small, segregated section of the restaurant, though custard was still available in its sit-down portion. FDB Eatery lasted until September of 2018 when it went dark and soon after, Usman and

Lilly decided it was up to them to bring the custard back. Several other parties were interested in the space, including a barbecue chain and a local taco restaurant says Usman, but Eakin, whose grandparents owned the land where the original custard stand once stood, wanted someone to continue the Frozen Dairy Bar legacy. “I’m excited that Frozen Dairy Bar will remain a Falls Church staple,” Eakin told the News-Press in an email. After pouring over reviews, Lilly says it sounded like most people were intimidated by the change from Frozen Dairy Bar to FDB Eatery and, combined with low staff and spotty service, the new business didn’t make people feel welcome. “The concept wasn’t working,” says Usman. The Bhattis hope to bring back the casual feeling and atmosphere that made Frozen Dairy Bar successful in the first place. That means no more full service and glazed pork chops. Instead, counter service will return and the menu will have a simple focus featuring the same cheesesteaks Usman has been selling out of his food truck for the last five years, along with burgers, fries and onion rings. The walls have also been repainted and the lighting is changing, moves they hope will create a brighter interior and make the space more welcoming. Vintage signs and photos and drawings of the original custard shop plus a collage by local artist Paul McGehee will adorn the walls. “We’re bringing 1950 back,” says Usman, who wants to keep as much of the shop’s history around as possible. The biggest challenge of the new venture won’t be the food portion of the restaurant, however. Instead, Usman admits, it’s the frozen stuff that’s been trickier than anticipated. In advance of the foray into the new business, Usman spent time on two ice cream trucks to get a better idea of what to expect. But it did nothing to prepare him for the challenge of frozen custard. “Ice cream is so easy,” he says, “but custard is a whole new ballgame.” For research, Usman and Lilly visited more than 10 shops around the area and have been experimenting with recipes in order to find what makes for the best custard. After an early misstep with a Sysco mix (“Threw it away, it wasn’t good,” says Usman) and a from-scratch vanilla recipe they had to spit out, they’re still work-

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 21

ing on the final product — and will continue to, up until the doors open. They have been making progress. A recent batch of chocolate was “on point,” though since vanilla is the base for all the flavors they plan on eventually offering, they need to make sure it’s perfected by opening day. “While we’re not going to have the exact original recipe, we’re going to get it as close to 1950 as possible,” Usman says. In addition to the recipe work, the maintenance on the custard machine is proving to be quite the task. Every night, the machine must be broken down and its nearly 100 parts cleaned with a special detergent at a specific water temperature. “I did not think custard was that hard!” Usman says about the journey into perfecting the frozen treat. Initially, the restaurant will offer three flavors — vanilla, chocolate and strawberry — with a rotating “flavor of the week,” plus plenty of toppings. There will also be a suggestion box where input from customers will be used for future flavors. Custard won’t be limited to the shop either. Lilly says they’re considering selling to-go pints, and plans are in the works for a Frozen Dairy Bar truck, complete with white wall tires and a big cone on top, that Usman hopes to have mobile by next spring. Understandably, trying to keep news of an iconic custard brand’s imminent return under wraps — especially as the weather turns for the better — has been a challenge. Since the husband-and-wife team signed a lease and started work on the space earlier this month, there has been a constant stream of curious passers-by stopping outside, knocking on the window or simply walking through the front door inquiring about the restaurant’s future. They even told their children to keep the news quiet at school but that was easier said than done. “They told their teachers, they told everyone,” Lilly says with a smile. “There’s been a lot of anticipation and interest. We have a lot to live up to.” But now that the news is out, the wait is just about over. The opening of DC Steakholders featuring Frozen Dairy Bar custard is set for Wednesday, April 3 at 6641 Arlington Blvd. They want to take it slow at the beginning, so milkshakes won’t be available for the first week or so but once they get used to the new operation, they say, the old custard favorites will be back.

PAGE 22 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. Restaurants Brave Trials of Industry to Become Area Staples by Patricia Leslie

Falls Church News-Press

Falls Church’s residents are known to be healthier, wealthier and more educated than most in the U.S. When it comes to restaurants, the Little City exceeds the norm, too, with a small, diverse core of establishments making themselves into pillars of the local dining scene despite some adversity. Studies show that a third of all restaurants shut their doors after their first year of operation, and if they can make it past that first anniversary, their average life span is about five years. These figures come from research by Cornell University, Restaurant Brokers and the Perry Group International, a hospitality consulting firm. The Falls Church News-Press visited several classic restaurants in town to find out how they defied the statistical odds and achieved their long-term staying power. The old guard in Falls Church’s restaurant landscape include Celebrity Delly at Graham Park Plaza, Pistone’s Italian Inn in the heart Seven Corners and Anthony’s Restaurant just outside City of Falls Church limits. Each one has clocked nearly half a century in operation. Anthony’s, which serves Greek and Italian food, spent 41 of its 46 years at its Broad Street location in the City before moving to its current Annandale Road spot. Pistone’s has been in Falls Church ever since it was converted from a Howard Johnson’s in 1974, while Celebrity’s is close behind being open for the past 40 years. The trio possess their own vibe that’s been honed over their lifespans. Pistone’s delivers a classic lounge aesthetic. Celebrity balances both a kitschy, but no nonsense big city delly atmosphere inside. And Anthony’s feels like an extension of your home’s dining room. The appeal cultivated by the elder statesmen has made them destinations in otherwise transient locales. “We are the draw here now. People come here,” said William Thompson, co-owner of Celebrity with his wife and mother-in-law. Though Thompson did say that the opening of Mosaic District five years ago was a huge change for his restaurant. Still, Celebrity was able to recover after customers experienced the traffic prob-

lems at the Merrifield Shopping center. However, those restaurant foreclosing trends haven’t always been easy to beat in the face of new developments, particularly for Anthony’s. Even though its gone five years strong at its new location just a few miles away, having to uproot and leave the City left Anthony’s without a new home for about 18 months, according to Ted Akis, the son of founders Anthony and Faye Yiannarakis. This caused the restaurant to hemorrhage some employees. “We had to buy new booths, tables, chairs. We had to reorganize and try to keep the staff,” Akis said, noting that some went to work at their Manassas location, but others had to find new jobs. “Many returned, but we had to start from scratch. Each year becomes more and more difficult. I can’t say how much longer we’ll keep going, but we appreciate our customers.” Another entrenched Falls Church restaurant that was also forced to move by development is Panjshir which served Afghani food at its Broad Street location for 32 years. Similar to Anthony’s, where the children of owners over time have taken on restaurant responsibilities, Esmat Niazy has assumed many of the duties of his father who opened Panjshir in 1985. For a long time, the Niazy family wrestled with staying or leaving Broad Street while development was debated. Panjshir, named after a province in Afghanistan, was in limbo for a while and uncertain of how long the project was going to take. But ever since moving to its new Fairfax Street location, it’s regained its vitality with diners. “It’s almost like being reborn. We’re a lot busier here. A lot of our old customers revisit us, and we’ve got new customers. Most of the residents in Falls Church love the diversity in cultures and they bring their kids,” said Niazy, who mentions that Panjshir has served multiple generations over the years. “I’ve seen a lot of kids grow up and then their kids grow up.” Others restaurants have been fortunate to fit in with the City’s development vision, such as Ireland’s Four Provinces. The Irish pub opened 22 years ago at its present location on Broad Street, per current owner Colm Dillon, who has been in charge the

BEING A JACK OF ALL TRADES is mandatory for all owners, including Panjshir’s Esmat Niazy (top) and Pistone’s Telemaco Bonaduce. (Photos: Patricia Leslie) past 15 years. “We’ve been here a long time and will stay a long time,” Dillon said firmly. Neither Anthony’s nor Panjshir’s owners showed any hard feelings at circumstances beyond their control which forced them out. “The project looks great and looks like it’s going to do well for the city,” Niazy said. Meanwhile, Telemaco Bonaduce, Pistone’s owner since 2008 after its previous owner died, says having a plan doesn’t always work. “I don’t like to make plans way into the future. Plans are made to be changed.” It’s why Bonaduce likes to keep his menu open just like his plans. He knows tempting tasters with new items is difficult to do, so he entices them by offering dishes at a discount which are not on the menu. What they like, he keeps. Challenges for restaurants are

many and varied, and range from finding suitable labor to a transient clientele and expenses. Attracting new customers is not easy, according to Tom Van, co-manager at Four Seasons at Eden Center, the east coast center for Vietnamese retail. Previously under a different name (Viet Royale) Van’s was one of the first Vietnamese restaurants to open at Eden Center and continues to fill his establishment with regulars almost 30 years later. It’s kept his business afloat, but the “Vietnamese mentality” that patrons like to stick with the old has also made finding new diners difficult. In the middle of a busy Saturday afternoon at Ireland’s Four Provinces, customers lined the bar and filled tables, served by what appeared to be a large staff but owner Dillon said it wasn’t enough. “Finding staff, any staff is a challenge,” he said wearily. Opinions on restaurant tech-

nology and new trends vary, but most agree that change is inevitable. “We have to adapt to the evolution. You have to step up to the game. You have to develop,” Bonaduce said. Van, who has Four Seasons on Facebook, Instagram and Yelp, added separately, “We learn as we go. Social media is very critical to our marketing campaign. One little mistake [can have] adverse effects. We plan carefully, execute and hope for the best.” Thompson is an IT guy who created Celebrity’s web page. “The death bell has already rung for anybody who doesn’t look towards the future and what’s going to happen with technology and social media,” he said. “By ignoring it, you are never going to survive.” Celebrity Delly is on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. “We haven’t gotten so much into

Continued on Page 24

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 23

DON’T LET THE SIGN FOOL YOU — Mark’s Pub has reclaimed its spot where Art’s Tavern has resided for the past seven years. The pub has been brought back (almost completely) in body and is definitely there in spirit. Outside of the name change, one of the ways Mark’s is trying to leave an impression on customers is through their food, especially their brunch, with rotating specials such as Banana French Toast. (Photos: Left: News-press/Right Courtesy Lisa Cedrone)

Mark’s Pub Experiences Rebirth Under New Ownership by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

Nostalgia usually makes us remember things from the past as better than they were. Falls Church residents aren’t putting any extra gloss on their infatuation with Mark’s Pub, however, as the lowkey but lovable relic will be reborn under new ownership in early April. Mark’s Pub was, well, always Mark’s Pub at the Idylwood Plaza. At least it was to its regulars, according to new owner Lisa Cedrone. But for a seven-year stretch it was owned and operated by Sharon Sachs, who acquired the bar from Mark’s Pub founder Ray Adame, and renamed it to Art’s Tavern after Sachs’ father, a war veteran. Sachs’ iteration of the business never caught on with patrons during its run. Cedrone figured as much when, after working one shift alongside Sachs as a bartender, the Art’s Tavern owner propositioned Cedrone if she wanted to buy the bar. “My kids had just gone off to college and I told myself I was gonna sell my house and maybe move to the beach,” Cedrone said both whimsically and sarcastical-

ly. “And then [Sachs’] offer comes along, so I bought a bar.” With the help of investing partner Lod Granger and the blessing to take on the name of Mark’s Pub from Adame, Cedrone’s pet French bulldog Bentley and his “sexy leg” became the new face of Mark’s Pub while Cedrone herself assumed the role as maven of the sleepy dive bar. Awakening the bar’s potential, however, is the mission for Cedrone entering her second year of operating the bar as it will officially be re-christened as Mark’s Pub on April 1. A 35-year veteran of the food industry, Cedrone worked everywhere from Chili’s to the old Cowboy Cafe in Arlington and Orange Anchor along the Georgetown Waterfront in Washington, D.C. She’s held jobs in all phases of the business as well, working as a bartender, in the kitchen and as a general manager. Cedrone was no stranger to running an establishment from top to bottom, and her experience has paid off with the business running well into the green. Despite the financial health, Cedrone isn’t too satisfied with the pub just yet, mainly because

she feels it has untapped potential when it comes to food service. The weakened brand really stuck out to her when she participated in the City of Falls Church’s Fall Festival in September — as Art’s Tavern — and got little attention from festival goers. “When [Adame] was running Mark’s Pub, it was popular because he didn’t have to compete with Taco Bamba or Jason’s Deli nearby,” Cedrone said. “We have our regulars who we love, but regulars get old and don’t drink as much when they do. We do have a solid late-20’s crowd that comes by, but it’s not where I want it just yet. That’s why part of the key strategy to improve Mark’s presence with locals is revamping the menu. Cedrone didn’t feel that Art’s Tavern’s food was made with, in her words, “a lot of love.” With the help of her husband, Mike Pallesen, and his smoker along with Cedrone’s own knack for cooking, the menu has taken on a new feel. Smoked chicken noodle soup, homemade mac and cheese, smoked corn beef and dressings made in house are some of the early creations that are setting a new tone. Introducing brunch was

another focal point for Cedrone, who gives customers the option to purchase $2 mimosas and Bloody Marys along with a variety of brunch entrees. One advantage of being a small business is its flexibility — for instance, Cedrone saw a good deal for ravioli at a recent trip to Restaurant Depot, and made that a weekly special for customers. A new menu is accompanied by a more customer-friendly experience in Cedrone’s eyes. Karaoke has returned to high praise as has a golfing video game. During the Art’s Tavern days, the bartenders had sole control of the music; Cedrone is giving music options back to the patrons by installing a TouchTunes system at the end of the bar. There’s even the bar favorite drink order, a “Shot and a Shag,” which is a mug of Miller Lite with a shot of Jim Beam and Jack Daniels for just six bucks. These changes in operations all come with a more expansive kitchen, a repainted interior and new decor that displays some classic Americana as well as some favorite dogs, including, of course, French Bulldogs. One thing that hasn’t changed yet is the signage. “Art’s Tavern” is still emblazoned over the build-

ings entrance. It’s made for some confusion, per Cedrone, but Fairfax County will be approving their new sign in a matter of days to allow for the transformation to finally be complete by early April. Cedrone notes how the Mark’s Pub vibes have already returned, with a Marshall High School teacher returning in excitement and becoming a lunch regular during the week. Getting people to stay for the food after they come for the drinks while also navigating the “free” marketing space of social media are all challenges that Cedrone is attempting to overcome. But she’s relieved knowing that, even if the bar isn’t where she wants it to be at this moment, she’s leaving the door open for a better experience down the road. “This is mine. I’m proud of it and I’m proud of what we’ve done and what we’re doing, not just financially but with the people who come in here,” Cedrone said. “Some places, people will leave and they’ll be unhappy about one thing or another. I don’t think anyone leaves here unhappy. We want everyone to leave and think they’ll come back.” Mark’s Pub is located at 2190 Pimmit Dr., Falls Church

F.C. R E STAUR A NT WE E K

PAGE 24 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Guile & Good Food Keep These Local Spots in Business Continued from Page 22

Snapchat, but we are definitely looking into it. As times change, you have to change,” Thompson said. Not long ago, one of Celebrity’s menu items went viral when three million viewers took a look at its steak and cheese eggrolls. “Now we have more than 10,000 following us on Facebook,” Thompson said. “Our website is extremely popular. We get more than 2,000 viewers that go to the website every month, and we have online ordering.” All restaurants have staple menu items which keep customers coming back. At Anthony’s, their pizza and steak and cheese pastitio have been popular for decades, Akis said. Celebrity Delly’s most popular item is the “Wes Johnson,” named after the famed sportscaster for the Washington Capitals hockey team, a frequent Celebrity guest who came up with the ingredients himself, per Thompson: grilled roast beef, Russian dressing, melted Muenster, and coleslaw.

the

“You can get it with an egg [$1 extra] which Wes always does,” said Thompson. “He’s has lost a lot of weight recently but still comes in here and buys his sandwich.” (Calories are unspecified.) At Pistone’s, some classic stuff that “You can’t touch,” are musts on the menu, such as lasagna, veal parmigiana, chicken parmigiana and meatballs. Bonaduce knows they aren’t innovative, but Pistone’s still has to have them. Pumpkin anything is a hot seller at Panjshir, according to Niazy. Dillon said the most popular selections on Ireland’s menu are chicken tullamore (“going on 15 years”), Guinness and beef stew. Great customer service is another big ingredient for success, owners agreed. “Hospitality for Afghanis is almost part of our religion. We try to give that same kind of warm feeling [at the restaurant] like when someone comes to your home,” Niazy said. In the restaurant business, managers handle multiple tasks and attribute success to hard work and working six or seven days a week for about 14 hours a day

presents

which Bonaduce relishes. “It’s a lifestyle. I love it. You can’t put me in a cubicle making phone calls. I would never do that,” Bonaduce said while discussing how he handles landscaping and minor plumbing repairs at Pistone’s. “You work days and nights. You cook. You get used to it and it gets easy. You have to do things that corporate and chains won’t do.” Said Dillon, “All businesses are tough. The restaurant business is not tougher than any other.” Akis credits his parents who still work 14 to 16 hour days seven days a week: “Our success really rests with them. I am very proud of my mother and father and the values they have brought to the community.” Thompson said Celebrity’s owners have faced “times when you have to reassess and determine the direction we are going. A lot of larger companies have mission statements. Our mission statement has always been to make great food. We refuse to lessen our quality.” Falls Church residents will eat to that.

the 7th Annual

List of participating restaurants coming soon to FCRestaurantWeek.com

MANAGER OF THE FOUR SEASONS Tom Van experiences the same struggles of attracting new customers that other longtime businesses do, but has been a savvy user of social media to help increase the Four Seasons’ online presence. (P��: P�� L��)

#FCRESTAURANTWEEK

Little City. Big Eats.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A Cornered Rat For President

What if a cornered rat had at its disposal more power than any other person in the country? What do you think would happen as his enemies close in on him? This is not a pretty picture, and if you think that all his allies would scurry to leave him standing alone, think again. Wishful thinkers and those who always think it is their job to calm the public nerves don’t, of course, want anyone contemplating this. But the Mueller investigation is tightening its noose around the White House, and all those redacted pages in the Cohen documents released this week point to the certainty that, at last, Individual Number One, Donald Trump, is about to have the blinding FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS spotlight of the law shined directly on him and him alone. We’re already hearing the desperate bleats of a guilty, shaking, bug-eyed rat. His recent tweet barrages are evidence that he’s hearing slow and heavy footsteps moving toward him. He may already know what’s in store, at least in this next phase. Normally, we could say without a doubt that Donald Trump will wind up spending his last years behind bars. The evidence of his lifelong disdain for the law, beginning when he effectively signed onto the mob culture in New York, is clearly what special prosecutor Mueller and others have amassed against him. Had Trump not been fingered for serious drug or human trafficking crimes, the law might have left him alone, but he made the grievous error of winning the race for president of the U.S. However, it is that factor which makes the outcome of all this far less certain, and potentially, at least, horrific. In times of relative peace and stability, it is remarkable how the human spirit adapts to a mode of optimism and serenity. As New York Times columnist Frank Bruni wrote this week about Yale professor Nicholas Christakis’ new book, “Blueprint,” due out next week, a case can be made that humans are “transcendently good...genetically wired for it, thanks to a process of natural selection that has favored people prone to constructive friendships, cooperation, teaching, love.” The book appears to have the same optimistic tone of another Ivy League thinker, Steven Pinker, in his recent best seller, “Enlightenment Now,” and admittedly, it is refreshing to hear some better news than what our popular culture provides these days with its blizzard of dystopian, pessimistic visions of our future and the nature of the cosmos (advanced aliens being usually portrayed as purely evil). It’s true that we humans commonly think of the bright side, due in part to the natural tendency to forget what pain feels like once one is no longer experiencing it. But the more likely case for us, and for the cosmos for that matter, is that we are neither overwhelmingly good or bad, but capable of a wide spectrum of behaviors and motives, which is why institutions, ideas, art and writings that promote kind spirits and good behavior are so important. What we need are not books telling us how good we are, but telling us how to cultivate goodness, and what it means in the context of a mixed-up world where good and bad coexist, and there’s no guarantee which will prevail. Does it matter? Some would say maybe not. Out of the trillions of life-bearing planets around us, if the outcome of ours reverts to lifelessness, then there are plenty to take its place in the universe’s fight against being sucked into an eventually-universe-sized black hole. On the other hand, who can know? What we, in the universe’s vanguard of self-aware, reasoning and loving-capable living organisms, do know is that striving for more life, longer life, happier life is an inherently good thing. People like Trump, and those who may launch a new civil war if necessary to defend them, are embedded in the profound, cosmic error that their gain must come at the expense of another’s loss. People of good will must contain and defeat this error, and not underestimate its danger, especially when it is commanding the advantage of the White House.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

CO MME NT

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 25

Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

Arlington’s courts exist for more than stern justice. Their officers also display compassion for those struggling outside the courtroom. Joanne Hamilton for two months has been coordinating an intriguing new service of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Known as Arlington Safe Havens in the Sequoia building, it has the appearance of a daycare center — shelves of toys, kid’s books and board games. In fact, its comfortable furniture make up Arlington’s longsought protected neutral territory at which children victimized by marital split-ups and threatened violence can enjoy supervised meetings with an estranged parent. “The children are referred for many reasons from criminal or civil cases,” Hamilton told me. Domestic violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, sexual assault and, potentially, child sexual abuse, said the former probation counselor who speaks English and Spanish. Often one parent (more often the father) is subject to a restraining order due to incidents of abuse, said Hamilton, the sole full-time employee with threepart-time aides. Co-occurring issues can include “substance abuse, mental health or anger management.” The noncustodial parent doesn’t know where the child is living or what school he or she attends, Hamilton said.

Both parents meet her for intake. “They often have differing explanations of how their case got to court.” Safe Havens allows supervised visitation during which “our monitors watch and listen to ensure safety and appropriate contact,” she said. “The child continues access to both parents and doesn’t have to choose between them.” I witnessed the Safe Havens ribbon-cutting Jan. 10, attended by two judges, county board member Katie Cristol and a roster of partners in the legal, law enforcement and violence prevention community. “This has been a goal of mine for years,” said chief juvenile and domestic Judge George Varoutsos. ”It’s not easy for this to happen — it takes a real champion and lots of money,” he added, citing a new grant from the U.S. Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women. Varoutsos pointed to a model program in Fairfax. Presiding Judge Robin Robb catalogued the difficulties the facility helps ease. Parties in custody and visitation fights have long been forced to meet in “a public restaurant or the library, which are not conducive” to privacy and relationship building, she said. Many relied on private third parties, such as attorneys that charge $50 or $150 an hour. “And parents say the children don’t always want to see them.” Cristol noted that the county issues 100 protective orders a year. The 35-50 families that use the facility “are not in a fam-

ily celebration at a moment of triumph, but at a moment when they’re most challenged.” Since the opening, Hamilton has done intake for 16 cases, “a great response,” she said. “At times not having control of when and where to see their kids makes people angry and anxiety-ridden. But now even the noncustodial parent doesn’t have to worry. The children know they’re going to see their parents, which diminishes anxiety.” In the supervised setting, “parents know to be on their best behavior,” she said, which makes the facility “an artificial setting” — not good for final judgments about a parent’s suitability. “Things get emotional,” Hamilton said. “People in these cases are repeating a cycle they learned and are not able to break. The kids really appreciate seeing their parents. We’ve found our niche.” *** The county board’s 5-0 approval of Crystal City welcome-mat incentives for Amazon came Saturday evening after protests by an array of groups on the left. To keep track: Nine of them recently merged to form “For Us, Not Amazon.” They include Revolution Arlington, the NoVA branch of the Democratic Socialists of America and Showing Up for Racial Justice Northern Virginia. Also blitzing the tense public meeting were immigration and housing groups such as Tenants and Workers United, as well as the NAACP and a unit of the AFL-CIO.

PAGE 26 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

We reach some of the

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

SMARTEST, HEALTHIEST & WEALTHIEST

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

Contact us today to reach the smartest, healthiest and wealthiest readership in the country. Call 703-570-5813 or email ADS@FCNP.COM More info at fcnp.com/advertising

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LO CA L

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 27

F� � � � C � � � � �

B�� N�� N��

Guuanteein g Succcs ff

30 Yees!

CommuniKids Sponsoring New Creative Cauldron Production CommuniKids is sponsoring Creative Cauldron’s “Alice in Wonderland,” which will be performed weekends March 22 – April 14. The performance, based on the novel by Lewis Carroll, was adapted by Laura Connors Hull and Ellen Selby, with music by Matt Conner and lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. creativecauldron.org.

New F.C. Physical Therapy Office Hosts Open House Sunday Focus Physical Therapy & Wellness is hosting an open house at its new Falls Church location on Sunday, March 24, from 2 – 5 p.m. The event will include refreshments, the opportunity to meet therapists and tour the facility, and a chance to win a free private Pilates session. Focus Physical Therapy & Wellness is located at 803 W. Broad Street, Suite 330, Falls Church. Registrations are encouraged. Email PatientCare@FocusPTVA.com to do so or for more information.

Sislers Stone, Audacious Alework Team Up for Next F.C. Chamber Mixer Sislers Stone and Audacious Aleworks Brewery & Taproom are co-hosting the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s March 26 networking mixer. The event is free to Chamber members and to friends and those interested in learning more about Sislers Stone and Audacious Aleworks. Refreshments will be available. The event will take place from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at 110 E. Fairfax Street in Falls Church. For more information, visit www. FallsChurchChamber.org.

125 Rowell Ct, Falls Church (703) 241-8807

F.C. Pancake House Donating Proceeds to F.C. Education Foundation The Original Pancake House is donating 15 percent of proceeds on Thursday, March 28 to the Falls Church Education Foundation which partners with the Falls Church City Public Schools to ensure student equity of access, staff readiness, and the preparation of students to function in the 21st Century. Open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., the Original Pancake House is located at 7395 Lee Highway in Falls Church. For more information, visit www. ophrestaurants.com and www.fcedf.org.

F.C. City Offering 2 Opportunities for Health & Wellness Businesses The City of Falls Church has two promotional opportunities available for health and wellness businesses in the City. Businesses interested in providing a free fitness class during the Fit at the Farmers Market program on Saturdays at 9 a.m. can contact Amy Maltese Youngs at AMaltese@fallschurchva.gov. Businesses interested in participating in the second annual Falls Church Wellness and Benefits Fair are to contact Meaghan DeCelle at mdecelle@fallschurchva.gov.

Trunk Show at Zoya’s Atelier Set for April Zoya’s Atelier is hosting a Tom and Linda Platt Trunk Show Thursday, April 11 through Sunday, April 14. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the 2019 Collection, try on fine silk garments, and find staple pieces that go from the boardroom to lunch to evening drinks. Appointments are strongly recommended as the event will book up quickly. Owned and operated by Zoya Bitici and Amy Bitici, Zoya’s Atelier offers bridal wear, evening wear, alterations, and accessories with New York Style and London attitude. It is located at 260 W. Broad Street. For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.zoyasatelier.com.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

AUTO INSURANCE DESIGNED FOR AARP MEMBERS

$357

AVERAGE SAVINGS WHEN YOU SWITCH

IF YOUR CURRENT INSURANCE IS:

YOU COULD SAVE:

GEICO

$482

ALLSTATE

$571

STATE FARM

$427

Experienced Drivers 50+: You could save hundreds* on Auto Insurance when you switch to the AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford. • Rates that reward you for your safe driving • Exclusive package of benefits • 24/7 Claim Hotline and exceptional claims service CALL THE HARTFORD TO REQUEST A FREE QUOTE AND SEE HOW MUCH YOU COULD SAVE:

1-855-562-0727

Not a member? If you’re 50 or over, request a FREE quote and more information today!

LIMITED TIME OFFER! Receive this calculator FREE when you request a quote and provide your email address.** * Savings amounts are averages based on information from The Hartford’s AARP Auto Insurance Program customers who became new policyholders between 1/1/17 and 12/31/17 and provided data regarding their savings and prior carrier. Your savings may vary. ** The gift offer is only good for first time responders who provide a valid email address. Responders will be sent an email to confirm the gift. All responders in IA, IL and RI who do not provide an email address are still eligible to receive the gift. The gift offer is not available in GA, ND, NM or PA, but residents may still request a quote. The gift is only available as a limited time offer. Please allow 4-7 weeks for delivery. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states. The AARP Automobile Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. Auto program is currently unavailable in Massachusetts, Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions. Specific features, credits and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law. Applicants are individually underwritten and some may not qualify.

8/18 CW

SPO RTS

PAGE 28 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

New Season Means New Challenges for Mason’s Spring Sports by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

Spring may be sprung-ing on and off, but George Mason High School’s spring sports programs are already in the early portion of their schedule with most teams in their second week of the regular season. The teams are all in different positions — some are looking to continue years-long state championship streaks, others are looking to supplant rivals at the regional and state level and a few are just trying to recuperate from a big graduating class last spring. But enough of that — let’s jump into the preview.

Baseball After being edged out 4-3 to eventual state champions Page County High School in the Region B quarterfinals, Mason’s baseball team (1-3) is optimistic it can cause some trouble in the postseason — as long as they conjure up the bats to get them there. Returning their one-two pitching combo in senior righty Jay Nesson and sophomore lefty Peter Villa is a big plus for the Mustangs. Rotational contributions from seniors Johnny Asel and Brian Murphy as well as junior Caleb Parnell and freshman Thomas Pierce make the mound a definitive strength for Mason. Finding the right bats to deliver at the plate, however, is going to be a work in progress. Mason’s top three offensive hitters graduated last year, so putting together an imposing order is just as important as the team buying into the head coach Adam Amerine’s batting philosophy. “We as a coaching staff just need to find the right combo of hitters who will buy into our style of situational hitting and smart base running and we should be able to compete every night. A little bit of luck never hurts either in baseball!” Amerine said. Mason will play Strasburg High School tomorrow night on the road.

Boys Lacrosse Overcoming a lack in numbers will be an ongoing challenge for Mason’s boys lacrosse team (1-0) this season, but a switch in playing style plans to accommodate that. Back in 2018, the Mustangs

took a big step forward by beating 4A rival Loudoun Valley High School in the Region B quarterfinals. It was the first win that senior class had over Loudoun Valley, so it was a sweet moment. But to keep that on the ascending with a mostly new team, Mason’s new crop of players will have to fill that hole with their talent more than their experience. “We have a lot of young guys who have lots of talent. They are going to need to replace a lot of great players but I am confident that they will do so,” Mason head coach Marc Mesmer said. “We have two seniors who will greatly help the team out with a lot of young guys taking roles as captains or team leaders.” A small roster has forced the Mustangs to adapt its style on the field. The approach will be more situational in order to slow the game down and preserve the team’s legs. But it will also require the players to manage their bodies properly off the field. The Mustangs will play Wakefield High School tonight.

Boys Soccer A disappointing end to 2017 with a loss in the Region B quarterfinals saw Mason’s boys soccer team (2-1-1) come back with a vengeance last spring to reclaim the Class 2 state title. Despite the past successes, the team still isn’t looking any further ahead than it needs to. “The expectations and goals have not changed from last year — we just want to focus on one game at a time, and then go win that game,” Mason head coach Frank Spinello said. “If we can do that all season we will be successful.” So far, so good in that department. Spinello tasked the seniors with stepping up and taking on more leadership on and off the field, while underclassmen are being directed to take ownership of the team and contribute in all possible ways. According to Spinello, both have exceeded expectations. Overcoming a regional and state-level heel in Staunton-based Robert E. Lee High School will be the main concrete challenge for this team. But the current #18 ranked team in the nation is confident it’s made of the right stuff to handle any team in front of them. Mason will host Springfield-

MASON’S TRACK TEAM will need to summon the spirit of alumnus Kori Wills as it prepares to compete without much of its usual depth this season. As for other Mustang programs, they have plenty of hurdles of their own to clear on their respective schedules, whether it be new opponents or beating old personal demons. (Photo: Carol Sly) based Robert E. Lee High School next Tuesday, March 26.

Girls Lacrosse After winning it all for the first time in school history in 2017, Mason’s girls lacrosse team (1-2) failed to qualify for the Class 2 state tournament in 2018 — something Mason head coach Courtney Gibbons could tolerate if she felt the team was buying in each and every game. “Our biggest obstacle this year is showing up in games,” Gibbons said. “Everyone needs to do their part and as a team we need to apply what we do in practice to games. We have to play together as a team if we want to win.” Mason’s early end to the season was its first time since 2014 not making the state tournament. The road back will be bumpy, as only five seniors and one junior will lead a team full of freshmen and sophomores. Gibbons acknowledges that it will take time to get comfortable and play together, but also expects the team to do some work outside of practice to help speed the gelling process up. The Mustangs will look to get a win against Culpeper County High School tonight at home.

Girls Soccer Going for 12 years in a row to cap off a final season in the 2A classification is Mason’s girls soccer team (1-1), even with a new head coach for the second year

in a row. Leah Partridge takes over the program after serving as an assistant coach for her first couple of years at Mason. She inherits a good amount of challenges to work through. Seven seniors graduated last season, leaving the only experienced players in senior midfielders Maddie Lacroix and Maura Mann along with junior defender Julia Rosenberger and junior striker Emma Rollins with a host of underclassmen. Even with some adversity mixed in, the young team is rallying around their season’s theme of “UN1T9D.” “A unified team works together,” junior defender Isabel Davis said. “They trust each other, and become something better than simply the sum of their players. Everyone’s involved. Everyone works for each other. And everyone wins.” Mason will play Springfieldbased Robert E. Lee High School next Tuesday, March 26.

Softball An absence of true fast-pitch softball teams in the area give Mason’s softball team (2-1) a tricky hurdle to clear when it comes to acclimating to the game speed of the regular season. “I consistently have groups of 5-10 girls asking to stay after practice just to get extra reps in,” Mason head coach Kat Marsh said. “They are putting in the work, but with many of our first contests

getting cancelled/postponed, our success this year will largely be determined by how quickly the girls can get in rhythm with one another in game situations.” Marsh is bringing in a slew of new girls to the program, primarily at the JV level, in hopes the investment will pay off as they age. The Mustangs will travel to Strasburg High School on Friday.

Track & Field Boys and girls track & field is an evergreen strength for Mason, but the team will be going through some growing pains as it tries to bring a young group of players up to speed. Losing its top sprinter on the girls side will make its four-year streak of being Bull Run District champions a much steeper hill to climb. On the boys side, improving upon a third place finish in the district, a fourth place finish in the region and a 14th place finish in the state, while adding more state qualifiers, will also be difficult given the lack of numbers on the team this season. “On both sides the biggest obstacle is depth,” Mason head coach Jeff Buck said. “We have some great talent at the top, but if injuries, illnesses or other issues pop up we will need some athletes to step in — who may or may not be quite ready.” Mason will open its season at the Strasburg High School Invitational on March 28.

LO CA L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 29

Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs INTERNATIONAL NIGHT came and went at George Mason High School last week, with exotic cuisine and fashion on display for students and parents in attendance, such as this duo sporting some traditional garb from Poland. (Photo: FCCPS Photo/ COurtesy Carol Sly)

Fa l l s C h u r c h

School News & Notes Commemorative Bricks At Mt. Daniel Available Falls Church City Public School families are reminded to commemorate themselves, or honor a favorite teacher or a staff member by purchasing an engraved brick for the Mt. Daniel Elementary walkway entrance before the March 22 deadline. Proceeds fund the new Mount Daniel STEAM Lab and other STEAM opportunities at the school. Order online at fcepta.org/buyabrick.

TJ Hosts Elementary International Night on Friday The Falls Church Elementary Parent Teacher Association’s International Night is on Friday, March 22 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Elementary (601 S. Oak St., Falls Church) the FCEPTA community will explore the PYP Unit of Inquiry “How we express ourselves” by learning about stories, music and performance art from around the world. Attendees will grab a passport and “visit” over 20 countries during the evening. Those in attendance can also sample food at the Foods of the World tasting table and watch numerous cultural performances. Students are invited to wear tradi-

tional clothing representing their culture to school on Friday and to International Night.

Henderson Students Recognized at Science Fair This past weekend students advancing from the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Science Fair competed in the Northern Virginia Regional Science & Engineering Fair. The following students were also given special recognitions: Tucker Albaugh and Felix Green in Animal Sciences, Kathryn Snyder in Behavioral & Social Sciences, Ketevan Gallagher in Chemistry and Noah Flannigan and Nicholas Artiedamarin in Physics and Astronomy were awarded 1st place for their projects. Andrew Hanna, Emilia Howard and Mia Rodriguez in Animal Sciences, James Teague, Susan Rotherham and Marin Baroody in Behavioral & Social Sciences and Kate Sharrer in Physics and Astronomy were all awarded 2nd place Alexandra Funk, Grace Crum and Alexis Niemi in Behavioral & Social Sciences along with Jon Talka and Gabe Contessa in Biochemistry were awarded 3rd place.

Katherine Anderson, Phoebe Way, Madison Keelen and Abby Lindly were named Honorable Mention for their Behavioral & Social Sciences project.

Parenting in the Digital Age Has Next Installment Parenting in the Digital Age with Christina Frank received a strong turnout on Feb. 11. The committee thanks her for volunteering her time for the presentation. If parents requested copies of her slides, they are advised to stay tuned as work on that is in progress. The next seminar for parents will be on March 26 with Dr. Stixrud and their discussion on The Self Driven Child.

Local Students Win Big At Chess Championships The K-3 team from Spring Hill Elementary School won the team title in its age group; team members are Andrew Du, Bryan Tan, Ryan Guo and Winston Yu. In the K-5 category, Spring Hill Elementary’s team finished in third place and Westbriar Elementary finished in fourth place. In the K-5 individual competition, Elvin Baim of Westbriar Elementary finished third.

Pamplin College of Business Pamplin College of Business at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church is seeking an Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs. Applicants should be dynamic professionals able to perform a broad range of administrative duties including directing the daily operations of the office, managing multiple priorities, and fostering a collegial environment. Must demonstrate ability to take initiative and problem solve. Serves as the key liaison between the Dean and faculty, staff, alumni and key administrators in both the National Capital Region and Blacksburg. To apply for this posting, please follow this link: https://listings.jobs.vt.edu Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. A criminal background check is the condition of employment with Virginia Tech.

CA L E NDA R

PAGE 30 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 21 High School Book Club. The month of March’s Book is “The Adoration of Jenna Fox” by Mary E. Pearson. Book Club for teens in grades 9th-12th. Limited copies of the book are available to borrow from the Youth Services Desk. Registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. 703-248-5034.

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

Ocean Heroes @ Library. Children will learn about the ocean’s endangered species and how they can be advocates for beaches and sea creatures through crafts and activities. Pre-K and up, drop in. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 3 – 4:30 p.m. 703-248-5034. Spring Arts & Crafts with Shannyn Snyder. Interested attendees can join Shannyn Snyder for a medley of crafts just in time for the start of spring. For grades K to 5th, registration required. Registration opens March 9 by phone or in person. This program was made possible by memorial funds donated to the library in honor of Jen Dismukes. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 3 – 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24 Town Hall: FY2020 Budget, West

Falls Church Project and High School Project. City and school officials will make a presentation and answer questions on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2020 Budget and Capital Improvements Program as well as the West Falls Church Economic Development project and George Mason High School project. This event will be recorded by FCCTV and posted on the City’s website and YouTube channel. Senior Center @ Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). 2 – 4 p.m. 703-248-5014.

nity are invited and encouraged to wear blue, the official color of child abuse and neglect prevention. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 7:30 p.m. 703-248-5005.

MONDAY, MARCH 25

Great Books Discussion. A “Great Books” discussion concentrating on literary classics meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday most months. This meeting’s book is “The Decay of Lying” by Oscar Wilde. Open to all and no registration required. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Pinwheel Garden Planting. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the City of Falls Church is working to raise awareness about the safety and well-being of children by planting a pinwheel garden at the entrance of Cherry Hill Park. Members of the commu-

ESL Conversation Group. A general conversation group (for adults) learning English as their second language meets every Monday. Drop-in. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 – 8:30 p.m. 703-248-5034.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

THEATER&ARTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” Three women—an art restorer, her nurse and their military captor—are trapped in a ravaged museum during a catastrophic hundred years war. Tasked with restoring a damaged Rembrandt painting, the women find common shreds of humanity as they try to save a small symbol of beauty in their broken world. Signature Theatre (420 Campbell Ave., Arlington). $40 – $89. 7 p.m. sigtheatre.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 “Alice in Wonderland.” “Curiouser and curiouser” down the Rabbit Hole we go! Come join Alice on her fantastical journey through Wonderland. The White Rabbit, The Cheshire Cat, The Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, all your favorite characters are here in this musical adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Another one of the original

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

adaptations that is being revisited for the 10th anniversary season, Alice gives the entire family a chance to spend an utterly “mad, mad day” at the Cauldron enjoying one of the most famous and enduring children’s classics of all time. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church) $18. 7:30 p.m. creativecauldron.org.

“Confection.” Third Rail Projects’ newest immersive experience, Confection, is a rollicking rumination on opulence, inequity, and teeny-tiny desserts. Using accounts of the extravagant banquets and sumptuous feasts held by the aristocracy of the late 17th-century as a springboard, “Confection” is a multi-sensory dance/theater performance that contemplates cultures of consumption and poses the questions: How much does sweetness cost, and what are we willing to devour to satisfy our appetites? Folger Theatre (201 East Capitol St., Washington, D.C.) $60. 8:30 p.m. folger.edu.

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

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, MARCH 21 March Madness. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6:30 p.m. 703-2378333. Annie Lawrence – “If I’m Being Honest” Album Release Tour with Andrew Rohlk. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna).

CA L E NDA R

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 31

$12 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. The Second City. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $30 – $35. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900. Soul Sister with Wicked Jezabel & Shirletta Settles. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 Happy Hour: Steve Shartel & Bob Hume. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-241-9504. The THE BAND Band – Tribute to The Band. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $28 – $35. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. Bob Sheppard. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-8589186. Saved by the 90s — A Party with the Bayside Tigers. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $17 – $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300. Lost Highway. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504.

MARK WENNER will be at JV’s Restaurant on Tuesday. (Photo: Facebook.com/MarkWenner) Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $30 – $35. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504. Tongue & Cheek. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

Misil Stereo — Soda Stereo Tributo with Tres Minutos. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

The Band – Changed + The Frontier. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 1 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Memphis Gold & Ms. Zano. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504.

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

March Madness. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

March Madness. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

No Reply. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186. Carrie Newcomer with Lindsey Hirshfeld. Jammin’ Java (227

Dixieland Direct. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-241-9504. Sitkovetsky Trio. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $40. 3 p.m. 703-255-1900. Thrillbilly’s. JV’s Restaurant (6666

Open Mic with Sean Tracy. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186. Look Alive Benefit Show feat. Savannah Sgro + Zach Benson + Lamont Wiley + exits. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10 – $20. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566. Dave Herman & Sherman Holmes. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

MONDAY, MARCH 25 An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $85 – $95. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.

Wolf Blues Jam Weekly Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26 Free Acoustic Open Mic. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Mark Wenner with Blues Warriors from Nighthawks. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Majestic: Weekly LGBTQ Night & Drag Show. Diva Lounge (6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 571-234-2045.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 Peter Mulvey “There is Another World” Record Release with John Smith. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $20. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046

Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CA L E NDA R

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 31

MARK WENNER will be at JV’s Restaurant on Tuesday. (Photo: Facebook.com/MarkWenner) Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $30 – $35. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504. Tongue & Cheek. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

Misil Stereo — Soda Stereo Tributo with Tres Minutos. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

The Band – Changed + The Frontier. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 1 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Memphis Gold & Ms. Zano. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-2419504.

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

March Madness. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

March Madness. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

No Reply. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St. A, Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-858-9186. Carrie Newcomer with Lindsey Hirshfeld. Jammin’ Java (227

MONDAY, MARCH 25 An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $85 – $95. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.

Wolf Blues Jam Weekly Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 Peter Mulvey “There is Another World” Record Release with John Smith. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $20. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046

PAGE 32 | MARCH 21 -27, 2019

CLEANING SERVICES

House Cleaning Service Available 7 days a week Weekly - By Weekly - Monthly or by Time Move Out - Move In • 14 years Experience Good References • Senior Discount For Further Information: Call Susy • Cell (703) 901-0596

ACCT/TAX SERVICES

www.beatsonlaw.com

RBeatsonatty@netscape.net

A CLEANING SERVICE Licensed, Bonded and Insured since 1985 Over 30 years of providing cleaning services to NOVA, DC and MD Best Cleaning Company Award winner 2011-2017 If you like our service, please leave a review on Google or Yelp. If you have concerns about our service, please give me the opportunity to address it.

OTHER SERVICES The Law Firm Of Janine S. Benton Couselors & Attorneys At Law

Janine S. Benton, Esq

Give your Home a new look!! Affordable, Kitchen & Bathroom-Remodeling Home Additions Design & Build

jb@jbentonlaw.com

We Assist: government contractors small & large businesses

Tel: 703.217.2632 Fax: 703.832.3236 400 Maple Ave., So., Suite 210, Falls Church, Virginia 22046

Licensed and Insured 703-638-8863 www.usandygroup.com

703-892-8648

www.acleaningserviceinc.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Robert Beatson II

Attorney/Accountant, Former IRS Attorney All Federal, State, Local & Foreign Taxes Admitted to DC, MD, VA & NY Bars 703-798-3590 or 301-340-2951

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

classads@fcnp.com

4201 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Apt 3086 Washington, DC 20016

Gay Studies Best Seller Nicholas Benton

Extraordinary Hearts Reclaiming Gay Sensibility's Central Role in the Progress of Civilization

fcnp.com

Larry Kramer wrote: "A vital moral book about who we are and who we should be. I admire it and its author enormously." Order it from Amazon

C L AS S I F I E DS Miscellaneous

Public Notice

Auction

Education/Career Training

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND

PUBLIC NOTICE PLANNING COMMISSION FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

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

AIRLINES ARE HIRING – Get FAA ap-

TRUCKS AUCTION. Live and Online

Auction for Dump Trucks, Heavy Equipment, Road Tractors, Trailers and more. Tuesday, March 19 at 9 a.m. 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond, VA www. motleys.com or 1-877-MOTLEYS

For Sale ATTENTION. REALTORS: Advertise

your listings regionally or statewide. Print and Digital Solutions that get results! Call Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net

Help Wanted NEED CDL DRIVERS? Advertise your JOB OPENINGS statewide or in other states. Aﬀordable Print and Digital Solutions to reach truck drivers. Call Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-5217576, landonc@vpa.net

Services DIVORCEUncontested, $395+$86 court

cost. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook). 757-490-0126 Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. https:// hiltonoliverattorneyva.com.

classads@fcnp.com

On Monday, April 1, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold a public meeting in the Mary Ellen Henderson Cafetorium, located at 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043 to consider the following item: (TR19-08) RESOLUTION TO GRANT SPECIAL EXCEPTION ENTITLEMENT FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH A BUILDING HEIGHT UP TO FIFTEEN (15) STORIES ON APPROXIMATELY 10.38 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (PORTIONS OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBER 51-221-001) ON APPLICATION BY FALLS CHURCH GATEWAY PARTNERS On Monday, May 13, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., the City Council will hold a public meeting in the Community Center, Senior Center, located at 223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church, VA to consider the same item (TR19-08) described above. The City Council may continue this item to May 28, 2019. (Note: Meeting locations are subject to change due to City Hall renovations.) Application materials can be viewed in the temporary City Hall location at 400 N. Washington Street, Suite 101, Falls Church, VA, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Materials can also be viewed electronically on the City’s webpage at the following link: http://www.fallschurchva. gov/1599/WFC-Economic-DevelopmentProject This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)

proved hands on Aviation training. Financial aid for qualiﬁed students - Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance SCHEV certiﬁed 877-204- 4130

Tweet Streaming Selfie Search Results Connected FIND A PARK OR FOREST NEAR YOU AT

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) 3678530. Toll free call (888) 5513247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

14 17

22 25

32 39

41 44

43 46 49

31 33

45 47

56 62

54 58

55 59

Across

1. Stirred up, as memories 6. Jeweler’s unit 11. Ruler divs. 14. Ogre with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 15. “The Goldbergs” daughter 16. Bread for a Reuben sandwich 17. “Slumdog Millionaire” studio 19. “Come as you ____” 20. “Prince Valiant” son 21. River to the Seine 22. Nickname of the singer of 2007’s “Umbrella” 23. ____ Millions (multistate lottery) 25. Charles Lindbergh’s feat across the Atlantic 29. ____ Ewbank, 1969 Super Bowlwinning coach 31. One of the friends on “Friends” 32. Muzzle-loading tool 34. Costs of fighting? 38. Network showing “Suits” and “Mr. Robot” 39. Expresses boredom with 41. “Of course!” 42. Small version of a popular cookie 44. “And when we got to the village they ____ us ashore”: “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” 46. Actor Sharif 47. “____ bing!” 48. Year “Rosemary’s Baby” came out, in short 54. “American Gigolo” star 56. Sarah McLachlan hit that begins “____, I do believe I failed you” 57. Jacket

STRANGE BREW

1. Stirred up, as memories

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 33

59. Knee injury initials 60. Triumph 61. On the horizon, maybe ... or a description of this puzzle’s circled letters 65. Get dolled (up) 66. Alternatives to Nikes 67. Kind of diet replicating that of early humans 68. Mantra chants 69. Marriott alternative 70. Sirius XM radio star

DOWN

1. Indian state known for its tea 2. Words after a digression 3. Carmelo Anthony, when he played college ball at Syracuse 4. Prefix with plunk or plop 5. Big name in kitchenware 6. Kutcher’s character on “That ‘70s Show” 7. “The Little Mermaid” mermaid 8. Word after big or oil 9. German’s “Oh my!” 10. Tit for ____ 11. Bond portrayer after Brosnan 12. Gift in a Nativity scene 13. “Try to ____ my way ...” 18. That dude’s 22. Climb 24. ____ Lingus 26. “____ I like to call it ...” 27. Initial venture 28. Small item dropped at Woodstock 30. Buxom 32. Ingredient in a Dark ‘n’ Stormy

JOHN DEERING

Sudoku

33. Another name for the Furies 34. “____ knew?” 35. Great Seal image 36. Sagittarius 37. Crestfallen 40. Spice Girl Halliwell 43. Scintilla 45. What dogs’ tails do 48. Dealt with 49. “Piece of cake” or “easy as pie” 50. Places for pedestrians to be alert, informally 51. Onetime alternative to Facebook Messenger 52. Give a lift 53. Get some sun 55. John who sang “Bennie and the Jets” 58. Sugar and spice amts. 61. “Do ____ Diddy Diddy” (1964 #1 hit) 62. Poison ____ 63. One in la familia 64. “Am ____ risk?” Last Thursday’s Solution B L A H

L O G E

A B F A B

D O G M A

A H A B

T A C O

Y O U A N D W H O S E A R M Y

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

P L I T T I L E A M I N B E S I D E H O A O L T P S O M O J O N A S E I P M A H A N W E I T E R L I D E

O U T A

A A A

A S H E R E A L C A R L L E E C E O D D S I W A N F I F I S T O P H E E N A C K E D A I D A A S I N S E A

By The Mepham Group

Level 1 2 3 4

6. Jeweler's unit 11. Ruler divs. 14. Ogre with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 15. "The Goldbergs" daughter 16. Bread for a Reuben sandwich 17. "Slumdog Millionaire" studio 19. "Come as you ____" 20. "Prince Valiant" son

21. River to the Seine 22. Nickname of the singer of 2007's "Umbrella" 23. ____ Millions (multistate lottery) 25. Charles Lindbergh's feat across the Atlantic 29. ____ Ewbank, 1969 Super Bowl-winning coach

NICK KNACK

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

3/24/19

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

LO CA L

PAGE 34 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

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

20 s Yearo Ag

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

BACK IN THE DAY

20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press Falls Church News-Press Vol. IX, No. 2 • March 25, 1999

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XIX, No. 4 • March 26, 2009

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

CRIME REPORT

Simple Assault, 200 blk S Washington St, Mar 11, 5:27 PM, officers responded to a fight in progress. Both parties had left the scene and could not be located. Identity Theft, 300 blk Shirley St, Mar 11, 6:29 PM, an alleged identity theft was reported Driving Under the Influence, 300 blk S Washington St, Mar 11, 11 PM, a male, 22, of Burke, VA, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

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

Graffiti, 100 blk Pennsylvania Ave, Mar 14, 2:02 PM, graffiti was located on an electrical box Damage to Property, 6763-R3 Wilson Blvd (Diva Lounge), between 11 PM, Mar 15 and 2:30 AM, Mar 16, unknown suspect(s) cracked the windshield of a parked car. Hit and Run, 300 blk W Broad St, Mar 16, between 4 and 4:47 PM, a Chevrolet Suburban was struck by another vehicle which left the scene. Larceny from Building, 116 W Broad St (Hot N Juicy Crawfish), Mar 16, between 9:45 and 10 45 PM, items of value were taken from a jacket left inadvertently in a restroom. Driving Under the Influence, 300 blk E Annandale Rd, Mar 17, 12:10

AM, a female, 38, of Silver Spring, Md, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Refusal and Hit and Run. Drug/Narcotic Violation, Possess False Id, 300 blk E Broad St, Mar 17 2:29 AM, following a traffic stop, a male, 24, of Sterling, VA, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and six counts of Possession of False Id. Drunk in Public, 6700 blk Wilson Blvd (Eden Center parking lot), Mar 17, 2:59 AM, a male, 46, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for being Drunk in Public.

SPOTTED while scurrying for cover is this albino squirrel in an F.C residents backyard. Throughout the winter, with a general shade of gray coming from the sky, the squirrel doesn’t stick out too much. But with spring, summer and a burst of color fast approaching, this guy better get back into scampering shape. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

Larceny from Motor Vehicle, 200 blk W Jefferson St, Mar 17 8:58 AM, unknown suspect(s) rummaged through two unlocked vehicles. Larceny from Building, 300 blk Liberty Ave, between Feb 17 and Mar 17, power tools and hand tools were taken from a residence. There were no signs of forced entry. Drug/Narcotic Violation, 100 blk Birch St, Mar 17, 9:55 PM, following a traffic stop, a female, 23, of McLean, VA, was issued a summons for Possession of Marijuana.

LETTERS

Nothing runs on empty. Especially one in seven Americans who struggle with hunger. Join the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks to help end hunger. Act now at HungerActionMonth.org.

Continued from Page 6

get involved with traffic control or require more effective measures from the developers. The priorities appear to be all about over development at the expense of quality of life. One cannot help but feel that the City has abandoned the residents in favor of the mad rush to more and more revenue at any cost. S. H. King Falls Church

10 Year s Ago

Voting Monday to give themselves the option of raising the real estate tax rate even higher than the four-cent boost recommened by City Manager Wyatt Shields, most on the Falls Church City Council expressed the desire to keep some form of the City’s own GEORGE bus system intact. Shields’ proposed 2010 budget called for the complete defunding of GEORGE earlier this month.

City of Falls Church schools have the lowet incidence of alcohol or drug possession in any district in Northern Virginia, according to a survey published Sunday in the Washington Post. City schools also have the lowest rate of violence against students or staff in the region, according to the report, compiled by reporter Jay Matthews.

Driving Under the Influence, 200 blk N Washington St, Mar 11, 4:54 PM, a female, 79, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Critter Corner

F.C. Council May Opt for Steeper Tax to Keep Bus

City Schools Have Lowest Drug Bust Rate

Week of March 11 – 17, 2019

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

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

KNOW FOR SURE

IF YOUR CHILD IS IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 21 – 27, 2019 | PAGE 35

Your Family Deserves The

BEST

Technology... Value... TV!... America’s Top 120

190 Channels

Plus More!

CALL TODAY - SAVE 20%

Savings with 2 year price guarantee with AT120 starting at $59.99 compared to everyday price. All offers require credit qualification, 2 year commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/ Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification. Fees apply for additional TVs: Hopper $15/mo., Joey $5/mo., Super Joey $10/mo.

Add High Speed Internet

14.95 1

• FREE Standard Installation

in up to 6 rooms

/mo.

Subject to availability. Restrictions apply. Internet not provided by DISH and will be billed separately.

Where available.

• Smart HD-DVR Included! • FREE Voice Controlled Remote

Upgrade to the Hopper® 3 Smart HD DVR

Requires internet-connected Hopper

• Watch and record 16 shows at once • Get built-in Netflix and YouTube • Watch TV on your mobile devices Hopper upgrade fee $5./mo.

CALL TODAY - SAVE 20%

1-844-648-8812 Se Habla Español

Call 7 days a week 8am - 11pm EST

Offer for new and qualifying former customers only. Important Terms and Conditions: Qualification: Advertised price requires credit qualification and eAutoPay. Upfront activation and/or receiver upgrade fees may apply based on credit qualification. Offer ends 11/14/18. 2-Year Commitment: Early termination fee of $20/mo. remaining applies if you cancel early. Included in 2-year price guarantee at $59.99 advertised price: America's Top 120 programming package, local channels, HD service fees, and Hopper Duo for 1 TV. Included in 2-year price guarantee for additional cost: Programming package upgrades ($69.99 for AT120+, $79.99 for AT200, $89.99 for AT250), monthly fees for upgraded or additional receivers ($5-$7 per additional TV, receivers with additional functionality may be $10-$15). NOT included in 2-year price guarantee or advertised price (and subject to change): Taxes & surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), DISH Protect, and transactional fees. Other: All packages, programming, features, and functionality and all prices and fees not included in price lock are subject to change without notice. After 6 mos., if selected you will be billed $8.99/mo. for DISH Protect Silver unless you call to cancel. After 2 years, then-current everyday prices for all services apply. For business customers, additional monthly fees may apply. Free standard professional installation only. HBO®, Cinemax® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. SHOWTIME is a registered trademark of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS Company. STARZ and related channels and service marks are property of Starz Entertainment, LLC. All new customers are subject to a one-time, nonrefundable processing fee.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 36 | MARCH 21 – 27, 2019

MARCH SALES EVENT

2 0 1 9 V O LV O

XC90

$549 PER MONTH $0 DOWN

36 MONTH LEASE 7,500 MILES/YEAR*

T6 MOMENTUM AWD

donbeyer volvo.com | 703.762.2165 Stock #12121B. MSRP: $60,130. $0 down payment. 36-month lease and 7,500 miles/year. Plus taxes, tags, acquisition fee of $995 and Dealer Processing fee of $699. On approved credit only. Must qualify through Volvo Cars Financial Services. Not all customers will qualify. Pricing assumes Volvo/Saab loyalty incentive. Offer expires 4/4/2019.

For Sale in McLean!

ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service

Call ROCK STAR Realty Group when buying or selling your home: 703-867-8674

FOR SALE Open Sun 2-4

107 Hillier St, Falls Church City

402 S Spring St., Falls Church City

5,061 sq ft

FCC Schools

4,060 sq ft

New Build

4 bedrooms

4 full & 1 half bath

5 bedrooms

3 full & 1 half bath

FOR SALE Solidly built, well-maintained colonial in one of McLean's most convenient neighborhoods. Close to Tyson's, I-66, 495, West Falls Church Metro and Tuckahoe Swim Club. Hardwood floors, 2 Fireplaces, replacement windows and lots of built-in storage. Large nicely landscaped flat backyard. Extra room on lower level with an adjoining bath could be used as an extra bedroom. 1808 Baldwin Dr, Mclean, VA 22101. Priced at $899,999.

Open Sun 2-4

603 N West St., Falls Church City

REALTOR

FOR SALE Open Sun 2-4

2802 Lee Oaks Pl. #303, Falls Church

Minutes to METRO

FCC Schools

Steps to Shopping/Dining

Walk to Elem. School

5 bedrooms

4 full & 1 half bath

2 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

703-867-8674

Tori@ToriRocksRealEstate.com ToriRocksRealEstate.com 2101 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201