Falls Church News-Press 3-25-2021 by Falls Church News-Press

March 25 – 31, 2021

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. XXXI N O. 6

T�� C�� F�� C��’� I��, L�� O�� N�� R��, S�� N. V��

F.C. Council’s 4-3 Vote Makes Net Tax Increases Possible

Federal Relief $ Could Lessen Burden on Taxpayers

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

As of the News-Press’ deadline late Wednesday, officials in the City of Falls Church had no new information about what share of the massive $1.9 trillion federal American Rescue Plan would come for use in the Little City. City Manager Wyatt Shields told the News-Press that, pending more news, City Hall is going ahead with some tentative planning based on the estimate, reported by U.S. Rep. Don Beyer and reported in last week’s edition, that the City can expect $13.28 million. But that number is as yet far from secure, pending more announcements from the U.S. Treasury Department, as is better information on how the money can be spent. The biggest unanswered question swirling around

City Hall is, for example, if it can somehow be used to lower the real estate tax rate. That’s what some members of the City Council are hoping for as they grapple with the next fiscal year’s $106 million City budget. On Monday they set the proposed real estate tax rate a half-cent below what Shields recommended last month — dropping it a pennyand-a-half to $1.34 per $100 of assessed valuation — for official notification to City taxpayers. Under the law, the finally agreed upon rate, to be set in late April, cannot go higher than the advertised rate announced this week, but it can go lower. A motion by Council member Phil Duncan to lower the rate an additional penny, to $1.33, failed to pass, with four votes from Mayor Tarter, Vice Mayor

Continued on Page 5

VIRGINIA GOVERNOR Ralph Northam officially ends the state’s death penalty at a signing ceremony at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. (P��: C�� O�� G�� V��)

Northam Inks Virginia’s Repeal of Death Penalty at Signing Ceremony BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

JARRATT — Virginia joined the growing ranks of 23 U.S. states, the first in the South, banning the death penalty when Gov. Ralph Northam signed a measure here Wednesday that passed the state legislature ear-

lier this year into law. The effort culminates a 12-year effort of its primary initiator, Northern Virginia State Sen. Scott Surovell. Virginia has exercised the death penalty for 400 years to more than 1,400 persons, more than any other state in the union. Surovell stated at the signing ceremony Wednesday

that during his first year in office in 2010, the state legislature was overwhelmingly in favor of the death penalty, even protecting data concerning use of lethal injections as recently as 2014. But the national public reaction to the high profile murder of George Floyd last summer helped to spur

momentum against racial discrmination, and all the evidence has shown its role in the application of the death penalty. Northam said, “Over our 400year history, Virginia has executed more people than any other state. The death penalty system is fundamentally flawed — it is inequitable,

ineffective, and it has no place in this Commonwealth or this country. Virginia has come within days of executing innocent people, and Black defendants have been disproportionately sentenced to death.” He added, “Abolishing this inhumane practice is the moral thing to do. This is a truly historic day for Virginia, and I am deeply grateful

Continued on Page 4

I�� T�� W�� B�� D�� F.C. S�� A�� M�� V��

Prioritizing the elderly for Covid-19 vaccinations appears to be paying off nationally and locally, with senior living communities within Falls Church getting their first taste of normal in over a year and a “hopeful” air starting to be felt among the long term care facility residents. SEE STORY, PAGE 2

F.C. C�� D�� M�� H�� S�� K��

Students are returning to school after nearly a year of virtual instruction since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and teachers at all levels of Falls Church City schools are bringing some of the new tricks they’ve learned while away back into the classroom. SEE STORY, PAGE 9

P�� P��: M�� R��

It can be hard to find a favorable venue for performaers in Northern Virginia’s music scene. Only the most skilled artists are able to satisfy crowds wherever they go, and JV’s Restaurant will be lucky enough to welcome one such band when Mars Rodeo plays there on Saturday. SEE STORY, PAGE 16

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes.............................10-11 Crime Report .................................... 12 Business News ................................. 15 Calendar .....................................18-19 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22

LO CA L

PAGE 2 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. Seniors Breathing Easy Following Mass Covid-19 Vaccinations by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

Prioritizing the elderly for Covid19 vaccinations appears to be paying off nationally and locally, with senior living communities within Falls Church getting their first taste of normal in over a year. Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads and Chesterbrook Residences are two prominent longterm care facilities, as they are categorized by the public health officials, in and around the City of Falls Church, that have finally started to ease back into their regular swing of things. But that’s not surprising given how eager residents at both senior communities were to get their vaccine doses. “Our residents at Goodwin House were very anxious to get the vaccine, so it wasn’t a difficult sale for them at all. They were very excited to get it,” said Karen Doyle, who’s the Director of Nursing and the Associate Executive Director for Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads.

GROUP ACTIVITIES have returned to Chesterbrook Residences following the long term care facility’s successful vaccination campaign earlier this year. Chesterbrook had 98 percent of its residents fully vaccinated and 90 percent of its staff. (Photo: Facebook.com/ChesterbrookRes) Goodwin House announced earlier this month that 98 percent of its residents at its Bailey’s Crossroads location were fully vaccinated, as was 92 percent of its

staff. Meanwhile, at Chesterbrook, 98 percent of its residents were also fully vaccinated, with 90 percent of its staff receiving both doses as well. Being long-term care facilities,

both Chesterbrook and Goodwin House are enrolled in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care Program, which is hosted by the Virginia Department of Health and

CVS Pharmacy. The two communities held their multiple vaccine clinics — with some starting as early as the tail end of 2020 — that allowed them to deliver vaccines to all interested residents by mid-February at the latest. The best news of all is that, since vaccinations, the staff at both facilities have reported no new cases of Covid-19 nor did anyone have adverse reactions to their dosages. That paved the way for laxer policies around their respective buildings where residents can enjoy some of the things they hadn’t for the past year, and has even allowed them to welcome visitors as well as take trips off-site again. Both hadn’t allowed visitors since November when case numbers spiked up again. “The relief and joy are visible on the faces of our residents and families, especially now that family visits and small group activities have resumed in our community, as well as the re-opening of the dining room for all meals,” Vijay Maharajan, the executive director for Chesterbrook,

Continued on Page 15

Coming Thursday, April 22nd The 2021 Summer Camp Guide in the Falls Church News-Press. This very popular special section has been used by families in Falls Church, Arlington, McLean and throughout Northern Virginia for years as they make summer camp plans for their children. Make sure your camp is included in this widely read publication.

703-532-3267 • mmorse@fcnp.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 3

A FREE, DRIVE-THRU FAMILY EVENT!

Breakfast with the

HOURS OF OPERATION MON-THURS: 11:00 AM - 09:30 PM FRI: 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM SAT: 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM SUN: 03:30 PM - 09:30PM

Easter Bunny! Saturday, April 3 9 - 10:30 am Your kids can safely visit with the Easter Bunny without ever getting out of the car.

800 W. BROAD STREET, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22046

703-533-1191 • WWW.SFIZI.COM

Welcomes the Falls Church News-Press as the SPOT OF THE WEEK

NEXT THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST

TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAPER!

THIS WEEK MARCH 18TH WILL BE AT: LIBERTY BBQ

We are OPEN and ready to safely serve your dental needs! Currently accepting new patients

Kids can also enjoy breakfast to go (one per child) compliments of your friends at Chesterbrook! RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.

Call 703-531-0781 or email RSVP@cri-va.org. chesterbrookres.org 2030 Westmoreland Street A Caring Assisted Living Retirement Community

Falls Church, VA

Coordinated Services Management, Inc.—Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981.

Spring is Just Around the Corner! For Sale

1439 Mayflower Dr, McLean

Exceptional NEW CONSTRUCTION coming Sept 2021 featuring 6 bds/7.5 baths on 4 levels. Gourmet chef’s kitchen w/ large breakfast bar island, SS appliances, and sunny breakfast nook. Large lot and minutes from downtown McLean. Kent Gardens, Longfellow and McLean High School! Offered at $2,175,000

Considering a move to Williamsburg or a Beach House in Delaware? Now serving these areas & NOW is the BEST time to find a good deal!

For Rent

444 W Broad St #206, Falls Church City

2 bd/2 ba plus garage and storage in the Heart of Falls Church City. $2850/mo

Zillow Review

Highly Likely to Recommend Louise is an excellent, very professional realtor. Our situation was somewhat complicated since as owners we are out of state, and the home was occupied by renters. She worked with us and the renters to make sure the home was ready to show and to schedule the showings. Louise handled all the details in selling the home through closing, plus made sure the transition from renters to new owners was smooth. We did not have to return throughout the process. We give Louise our highest recommendation.

~ S. Lightbourne

Louise Molton Broker/Owner Phone: 703 244-1992 louise@moltonrealestate.com

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

2021 Housing Predictions Point your cell phone camera here! 710 W Broad St Falls Church, VA 22046 703-596-5303

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

REALTOR

LO CA L

PAGE 4 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Racial Inequities of Death Penalty Helped Drive Law’s Repeal

Continued from Page 1

to those who have fought tirelessly and for generations to put an end to capital punishment in our Commonwealth.” “The (death penalty) remedy cannot apply to a society that values civil and human rights,” State Sen. Surovell said. He said Virginia’s new law “puts the state at the forefront of the fight for justice globally.” A key in the reversal of fortune for the policy earlier this year came when State Sen. Dick Saslaw, whose district includes Falls Church, reversed his long-standing position to vote for the change. According to an article in Wednesday’s Washington Post, Falls Church City activist Cindy Cunningham, head of the Virginia Progressive Legislation Alert Network (VPLAN) and member of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee, was a major player in the development. According to the Post article by Greg Schneider, Cunningham was instrumental in persuading Saslaw. It reported that she “initially thought the solution was finding a more liberal Democrat to unseat Saslaw. Then

Saslaw called her up, she said, and they became regular correspondents, with Cunningham emailing him articles about declining public support for the death penalty.” Northam said he’d campaigned on removing the death penalty in 2017, as had his colleague Attorney General Mark Herring, to reverse the ugly history of Virginia which has seen an overwhelming majority of deaths imposed on black persons. As one example, since 1908 when the electric chair was instituted, 808 white men were found guilty of rape, but none were executed. On the other hand, 45 Black men have been executed for the same crime. In 1901 and 1981, six times more Black people were executed by the state than white people. It has also been shown that one in 10 cases have been reversed due to evidence that the sentence was improperly given. Executions of innocent persons at such a high rate “is a price far too high to pay for perpetuation of the death penalty,” Surovell said. Earlier in the day, Northam visited the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt where executions

are carried out in the commonwealth. He signed the bill into law there at 2:47 p.m. Also on the signing podium was State Del. Ken Plum, a relentless advocate for the abolition of the death penalty since 1980. Claire Gastañaga, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia issued the following statement upon Northam’s signing of the new law: “As I watched the governor sign a law ending the death penalty in Virginia, I thought of the centuries of executions carried out on behalf of Virginians. Our Commonwealth has executed more people than any other state under the guise of justice, but it is a racist, barbaric practice. And thankfully, it ends today. “The death penalty has always been about race. Prior to a Supreme Court ruling in 1978, 90 percent of people who were executed in the commonwealth were Black. Even today, someone who commits murder is far more likely to get the death penalty if their victim was white, and less likely if the victim was Black. The disparate enforcement of the death penalty is one more way the criminal legal system has devalued

Black lives, and ending the death penalty is a victory in the pursuit of racial justice. “Virginia is the first state in the South to ban the death penalty, and it took many decades of hard work for us to get here. My predecessor, Kent Willis, advocated tirelessly for more than two decades on this issue, and alongside many organizations and individuals, the ACLU of Virginia staff and Board of Directors has worked continuously to influence

lawmakers and change hearts and minds. Today’s historic move is a credit to courageous legislators like Frank Hargrove, Harvey Morgan, and Ken Plum, committed capital defense counsel, advocates like Jerry Givens and Marie Deans (often called the ‘courageous fool of death row’), and leaders from Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, the Virginia Interfaith Center for

Continued on Page 22

Status Update on Monday, March 22 City of Falls Church Vaccine Data Date

Doses Administered

Fully Vaccinated

Monday, March 22

5,252

1,878

Monday, March 15

4,380

1,617

Monday, March 8

3,656

1,301

Monday, March 1

3,165

1,157

Monday, February 22

3,237

1,144

1,077

(4 weeks ago) Monday, January 25 (about 8 weeks ago)

*NOTE: This data point decreased as the Virginia Department of Health found that the individuals lived in the Fairfax County part of Falls Church, not the City of Falls Church.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LO CA L

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 5

Tax Dollar Increase for F.C. Residents Hovers Around $200 in Next Fiscal Year

Continued from Page 1

Connelly, Letty Hardi and Debbie Hiscott voting down the proposal over votes from Duncan, Ross Litkenhous and David Snyder, 4-3. The subsequent vote that passed with the rate at $1.34 passed 5-2 with only Duncan and Litkenhous voting against that, and Litkenhous changing his vote to “Aye” shortly after that. That would lower the dollar increase in City real estate taxes to more like $200 for the average single family home, given that assessments on those homes have risen by 4.2 percent as determined by the City Assessor in January. Shields told the City Council Monday that he is hopeful the federal Treasury will be forthcoming with considerable added information by the end of next week, which will be plenty of time for the Council to factor in the impact before finally adopting its FY22 budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

In addition to real estate taxes, the Council is eager to see whether the federal money can be used to alleviate storm water tax pressures on citizens. Shields’ proposed budget recommended a 2 percent increase in those, but substantially higher rate increases in the coming years. To completely eliminate any dollar growth in the real estate tax would require access to a new $960,000 in revenue, which would be only a small portion of the $13 million that may be coming to the City and would make the legal question of whether that money, provided under what is called the American Relief Plan, can be put to that purpose. To be sure, other jurisdictions in the region face similar concerns, and talks of lowering their tax rates by three cents or more. One Falls Church developer has repeatedly said that if the City takes full advantage of all the offers for economic development now in the pipeline and due to follow on them, that within a decade

the City’s real estate tax rate will drop by closer to 20 or 30 percent, not the tiny number being talked about now. Duncan said the City’s currently prioritized stormwater projects should be rendered “shovel ready” as quickly as possible so that they will be in line for federal dollars as soon as they are given the OK. Shields counseled the City Council to be cautious now pending better information on the amount, allowed uses and other factors associated with the expected federal funds. “Soon enough the Council will have the information it needs, but we are not there now,” he said. “Without more information, I think it is prudent to proceed with caution.” Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly said, “While I appreciate the optimism of Ross (Litkenhous) and Phil (Duncan), I am worried about reducing the tax rate too far right now. Mayor David Tarter added, “What we can and cannot do with the federal money will be critical.” Hardi stressed that it is critical

FAIRFAX HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S Colin Brody (right row, middle block) updates the F.C. City Council on vaccine distribution. (S��: N��-P��) the Council “align on principals for how to use the federal money to best achieve transformational change.” In other Council news, Colin Brody of the Fairfax Health Department, which has jurisdiction over the City’s Covid19 response, said that with 119 new cases in the Fairfax District (including Falls Church) Monday, the total has reached 70,860 with a positivity rate (percentage of those tested testing positive for the virus) at 5.1 percent, compared to

the 5.0 percent rate that is considered “good” by the World Health Organization. He said there are currently 281 hospital beds treating Covid-19 patients in the area, 40 in intensive care and 25 on ventilators. On vaccines, he reported that 290,853 doses have been administered so far, and with 359,000 entering wait lists. In Falls Church City, he said, 3,475 have received at least one dose, and 1,378 have been fully vaccinated.

PAGE 6 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 

One of the Nation’s Foremost Weekly Newspapers

(Published by Benton Communications, Inc.)

FOUNDED IN 1991

Vol. XXXI, No. 6 March 25 – 31, 2021 • 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�� .��

N�� G�� A�� S�� A�� .��

M�� D�� N�� E��

��.��

M�� M�� A�� O�� .��

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 105 N. Virginia Ave.., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2021 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.

E��

E D I TO R I A L

Affordable Living’s Boost in Fairfax

As part of a sweeping revamp of its zoning code, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors Tuesday made a major revision in its conditions for homeowners to add secondary living units on their properties. It marked a major step forward for advocates of affordable housing in the region, and hopefully the City of Falls Church will follow suit quickly. According to Jeff McKay, chair of the Fairfax Board, the changes to the “affordable living units” (ALU) provisions in the code make it so that they “allow people to house additional residents in their existing home while still adhering to County regulations, so long as no exterior changes to the home are made and parking can be accommodated.” He explained in a Tuesday release, “With our previous ordinance, permitting for ALUs was financially unobtainable for most people, costing over $16,000 a permit, and only allowed with residents over the age of 55.” But the change to the county zoning ordinance now “allows residents the flexibility to make changes within their own home, while protecting neighborhoods, simplifying the process, and lowering the cost.” As a result, he said, “Homeowners take on tenants to offset their mortgage, or help them earn some extra income during hard times. To be approved, a homeowner must reside at the property with an ALU, they may not be distant landlords. ALUs will also be important to meeting our affordable housing goals because increased housing availability helps lower the cost of housing.” This follows a similar move taken in Montgomery County, Maryland, last year. While the board there was 100 percent for it, it was over the very noisy, organized opposition of residents claiming to represent single family homeowners who argued, essentially, that such an option would ruin their neighborhoods and destroy their property values. In fact, studies have shown that the opposite is the case. In well run communities that allow ALU’s, the addition of a second living unit on a property results in an appreciation of property values, not the opposite. Still, while McKay puts the reference to affordable housing at the end of his explanation for the new policy, for many affordable housing advocates in Falls Church it belongs right at the top. This is a win-win way of bringing new households into the City at a fraction of the rents they might otherwise have to pay even for a studio or small one bedroom apartment. Actually, you see, opponents to this ALU policy are more likely to be multi-unit residential developers, who could see ALU driving down the value of their units. But there is room for a multitude of options that will make for a more diverse and interesting community that will be able to enjoy higher quality services because good employees of local businesses will be able to afford to live here and be part of the community.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

L��

Let’s See How 1st Founders Row Goes Before Starting 2nd Editor, Before we jump and give permission for the building of the 2nd Phase of Founders Row would it not be wise to wait and see how Phase 1 effects the neighborhood? Do the apartments rent quickly? Are the schools impacted? Is traffic impacted? Is area parking impacted ? Do we get the commercial space that was envisoned? What the builders promised/forsaw is not always the actual outcome. As for the commercial space for Phase 2 which will be 97 percent residential, do we need another drugstore, another 7-Eleven, more dry cleaners? And if allowed, what benefit is this to the rest of us in the area? Eileen Bogdanoff Falls Church

F.C. School Board Disregards Citizens & ‘Cancels’ History

Editor, The School Board of Falls Church should now be recognized as the proud sponsors of the principles of the new Quasi-Democracy. The principles of democracy rely upon the wisdom and will of the majority of voters on subjects upon which the voters are called to decide. On the subject of changing the names of the Jefferson Elementary School and the Mason High School, the School Board solicited a vote to determine the

[ LETTERS ]

Got Beef?

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.

will of the citizens of Falls Church. The vote was to NOT change the school names. Applying democratic principles would have required the School Board to retain the existing school names. However, the School Board members are part of the more enlightened followers of the principles of the new Quasi-Democracy, which means the majority vote only counts when it suits the pleasure of the vote counters. A valuable lesson for the students in the Falls Church system. The School Board of Falls Church should also be recognized as proud proponents of Cancel-Culture as the new guide for education. For example: George Mason was the father of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the recognized leader of the battle to ensure that the Bill of Rights — freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to assemble, etc. — copied from the Virginia Declaration of Rights, became a cherished part of our Constitution. However, under the principles of Cancel-Culture his name is to be eradicated because at that time he owned slaves. Applying the same educational principle, our School Board should also abolish any reference to the Bill of Rights, and, alas, the entire U.S. Constitution, because 25 of the 55 framers of the Constitution were slave owners at that time. But why should a school board be bothered with history? The names of those men or the document they crafted should no longer be recognized in the schools in Falls Church. Banishment is appropriate. Quasi-Democracy and CancelCulture should be honored here with fireworks and celebrations. Mark Friedlander Falls Church

Send us a letter and let us know what you think. The deadline for Letters to the Editor is 5 p.m. Monday each week of publication Letters should be 350 words or less. Email letters@fcnp.com Fax 703-342-0347 Mail or drop off Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 105 N. Virginia Ave., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

ADVERTISE IN THE

Call 532-3267 or visit www.FCNP.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

G � � � � C � � � � � ��

CO MME NT

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 7

Barb Cram Is The One Woman Who Helped Me Grow The Most B� S�� C��

I became the Executive Director of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce in the spring of 2004 when the inimitable Stacy Hennessey left to take over Caffeine’s. That year, the incoming chair was Helene Safford, founder and then owner of Clay Café Studios. I learned a great deal from these women. Helene’s strategic flair for business and the energetic roadmap left by Stacy and her predecessor Barbara Gordon were critical to my growth and that of the Chamber. In thinking of women’s history in Falls Church, an outstanding local business woman comes to mind: the late, great Barb Cram. I have never met anyone more supportive of women or enamored with history. Barb was a wonderful mother, an adoring grandmother, a loving wife, a woman of great faith, an enthusiastic party planner, a talented landscaper, a passionate volunteer, a successful entrepreneur, an eager mentor, a loyal friend, a capable shoulder on which to lean, an inventive creator, and a very talented artist. She passed away June 2 of 2020 but she left a legacy in Falls Church that is evident throughout our community and in the hearts and minds of many. Barb left an indelible mark on my life and my job. I met her when she was serving on the Chamber Board as the founder and owner of Greenscape, a lovely plant and gift shop housed where Clare & Don’s Beach Shack is now located. Barb loved

the Chamber and our local business community and she expressed that by serving as an active volunteer and member of the Chamber’s Board for 15 of the 17 years that followed. Barb was a reliable source of inspiration and strength for me and many others.

“[Barb] passed away June 2 of 2020 but she left a legacy in Falls Church that is evident throughout our community and in the hearts and minds of many.” That inspiration came from her regular words of support and offers of assistance. It came from learning about her efforts to install pole planters with beautiful flowers and organize the City’s tri-centennial celebration and it came from watching her charge into full time volunteerism with enthusiasm and passion after selling her beloved business. She became a standout leader for Falls Church Arts, helping them secure the beautiful new gallery in The Kensington, and focusing the nonprofit’s

efforts to host regular events and provide an increased number of exhibit opportunities for its artists. She also took over Watch Night, the City’s free New Year’s Eve celebration which had been founded by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation and she helped create and lead the City’s Arts & Humanities Council and its Little City CATCH Foundation to support the arts in Falls Church. And, while she was doing all of this, she was also renovating her beautiful historic home in Falls Church, creating and maintaining her garden worthy of becoming a public park, landscaping for a few chosen clients, serving her church, caring for her kids and grandkids, and always being available to help others in need. Barb had been ill for some time when Covid caused everything to shut down last March, but she reached out immediately to see how she could help the Chamber and our suffering businesses. Her unfailing support, along with that of Chamber Chair Barbara Benson of Body Dynamics, Vice Chair Emily Jenkins of The Geller Law Group, Immediate Past Chair Lisa D’Ambrosio-Irons of John Marshall Bank, and Cathy Soltys who works with me at the Chamber, was crucial in our efforts to stay focused on the Chamber’s mission to promote local business interests for the good of the community. Over the past year, the Chamber shared information about Covid-19 related loans, grants, and resources; created a video

featuring local business owners and shared information with the public on the importance of supporting our business community; partnered with BioPrep Solutions to offer a Healthy Business Training Course to help businesses open safely and build customer confidence; stepped up our social media presence to share resources with the business community at large; and hosted virtual events to help businesses grapple with the situation and learn from others. And we did so while watching our local businesses, many owned or co-owned by women, step up to support others by providing grant and loan writing assistance, feeding first responders and hospital staff, sewing masks and providing PPE, and being ready and willing to share resources and advice. While Barb was not directly involved with these efforts, her spirit was a guiding force. She would be proud to see the Chamber’s efforts and the resiliency shown by so many of the local businesses she loved. Thank you to Barb and to all the women out there for supporting other women, many of whom were mentioned in the Guest Commentary by Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly and Assistant City Manager Cindy Mester. Barb left many legacies, but her understanding that when women support one another, amazing things can happen is the lesson I will cherish most. Sally Cole is the executive director for the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce

Q�� W�� What are your feelings on Virginia repealing the death penalty? • Approve

• Disapprove

• Indifferent

Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

[WRITE FOR THE PRESS]

Last Week’s Question: Should F.C. lower its tax rate below the increase in assessments?

16% No 8% Not Sure

76% Yes

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

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.

LO CA L

PAGE 8 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND

CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!

15% & 10 % OFF

SENIORS & MILITARY!

YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE *

WE INSTALL

YEAR-ROUND!

TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS ONLY! **

LIFETIME WARRANTY

Promo Code: 285

ER GUA

% OFF

FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1

NATIO

’S

OFF

Subject to credit approval. Call for details.

CALL US TODAY FOR

A FREE ESTIMATE

1-877-614-6667

Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Oﬀer valid at time of estimate only 2 The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suﬀolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114

IT’S TIME TO LOVE YOUR KITCHEN AGAIN

50% OFF INSTALLATION* *Limit one offer per household. Must purchase 5+ Classic/ Designer Shelves.

EXP 3/31/21

Schedule Your FREE Design Consultation Now:

(866) 982-2260

Hours: Mon - Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 10am - 4pm EST

A Smarter Way to Power Your Home. REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

ACT NOW TO RECEIVE A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*

(833) 688-1378

*Offer value when purchased at retail. Solar panels sold separately.

F� � � � C � � � � �

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NEWS BRIEFS News-Press ‘Spot of the Week:’ Liberty Tavern Today’s (Thursday, March 25) Falls Church News-Press Delivery Day ‘Spot of the Week’ will be at the Liberty Tavern in the Broaddale Shopping Center at 370 W. Broad Street. The new paper and members of the Team NewsPress will be on hand to greet all visitors and encourage their support of this fine local business. Next week, the ‘Spot of the Week’ will be Sfizi, 800 W. Broad Street.

Northam Relaxes Some Indoor Gathering Limits Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam this Tuesday announced some limited increases in social gathering limits, from 10 to 50 for indoor gatherings, and from 25 to 100 for outdoor gatherings. Entertainment and public amusement venues will remain at 30 percent occupancy, but the cap for indoor venues will increase from 250 to 500 persons, and the cap for outdoor gatherings will be removed. Recreational sporting event spectators will increase from 25 to 100 indoors, and from 250 to 500 outdoors, and remain limited at 30 percent capacity. Graduations and commencements will be limited to 500 persons indoors and 5,000 persons outdoors, as previously announced. Other safety guidelines, already in effect, include dining establishments, with the on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol permitted until midnight. All restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must be closed between midnight and 5 a.m. Overnight summer camps will be able to open this summer with strict mitigation measures in place. Registration can begin now. Eligible for vaccines now (pending registration) are public transit workers (does not include airline workers, such as pilots, flight crews and ground crews) and mail carriers and the next two

priority groups of frontline essential workers in Phase 1b as outlined by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Fairfax Health is now accepting registrations for the eight categories on this list: Police, fire, and hazmat (currently eligible), corrections and homeless shelter workers (currently eligible), childcare/K-12 teachers or staff (currently eligible), food and agriculture workers (currently eligible), manufacturing workers (currently eligible), grocery store workers (currently eligible), public transit workers (currently eligible), mail carriers (USPS and private) (currently eligible), not to include officials needed to maintain continuity of government, clergy/faith leaders, janitorial/ cleaning staff.

F.C. Council in Solidarity With Asian Community Last Friday, the Falls Church City Council issued a statement of solidarity with members of the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the wake of the mass murder of eight in the Atlanta area last week. The statement in full reads: “We join the City of Falls Church community and people everywhere in mourning the victims of the horrific shootings in Atlanta that occurred this week. This attack comes amid a disturbing nationwide rise in violence directed against members of the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander community, exacerbated by misinformation and xenophobia around Covid19. We condemn these recent acts of violence, but also the discrimination and stereotyping that has for too long harmed Asian American lives and impoverished our society. “The City is proud to host one of the largest and most vibrant Asian commercial centers in the country. The many and diverse members of Asian American community who live or work here are a vital source of creativity and strength for our City and our region. Our very future depends on ensuring that people of all backgrounds, ethnicity, and race are able flourish fully here

and across America. In the coming weeks, the City will be launching enhanced efforts to engage and support our AAPI community and businesses. “The City of Falls Church is committed to promoting a more inclusive and equitable society in all our work in the community, from our police department, public schools, public library, and in all City programs and services. Hate, violence, and bias have no home here. Each of us has a personal responsibility to prevent misinformation, condemn violence, and unite to stand up for all fellow community members. We mourn for the victims in Atlanta, we pledge our renewed and ongoing commitment to work for a better future, and we stand in solidarity with all who contribute to the beautiful and vibrant diversity of our City, our region, and our country.”

H.S. Students Welcome Female Yemeni Students On Monday, students from the local high school’s International Club met virtually with a group of female students from Hadhramout, Yemen, for cultural exchange. The event was arranged by Dr. Zennia Paganini, Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Embassy to Yemen, according to the F.C. Public Schools’ daily report. She was connected to the club by FCCPS parent Lynn Roche. Club president Elisa Goislard Nguyen, vice president Henry Behr, and treasurer Naomi Holliday shared a “Top Five Things We Spend Our Time On” to connect with the Yemeni students. They covered the sports they play, foods they make with their families, and the International Club’s activities. The Yemeni students explained how they spent their time and noted how it can be different for boys and girls. They were excited to share ideas and questions and their hopes to visit the United States one day. The International Club is currently conducting a fundraiser with Pencils of Promise to provide quality education for students in Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos.

LO CA L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 9

Langley High’s Original Show ‘Long Division’ Makes Most of Virtual Format BY LENA WEIMAN

CAPPIES REVIEW TEAM

Does space or separation bring us closer together or drive us further apart? Find out in Langley’s “Long Division,” a moving exploration of the many divisions in our world today and how we cope and adapt to them. “Long Division” is a piece of devised theater, completely written and directed by Langley students, and filmed and edited into a moving short film. They separated into two groups and collaborated to write two separate pieces that encompassed their interpretations of the phrase “long division.” Each piece said so much on its own, but together they brought a cohesive message under one common theme. The first group, Group A, focused more on emotional division. This piece explored personal conflict through a quarrel between friends, a stubborn family member, and a political divide, but it also ended with hope that humanity can overcome these divisions and improve. A standout moment in this

piece was the scene titled “Covid” in which a voice-over described a monotonous routine of waking up, brushing teeth, going to school, in a never-ending loop. The actors in this scene — Claire Fulton, Kendall Wilson, Conard Racich, Christina Barton, Eli Roberts, Julia Toloczko, Cristina Sayegh, Miky Kassem, Lindsay Muangman, Tiffany Bennett, Hannah Toronto, and Thalia Eid — truly portrayed the monotony and dreary repetition of quarantine that is relatable and topical. The element that brought this section together was the phenomenal editing. The use of stock footage throughout the piece tied the whole segment together, and the sound mixing was fantastic. Editor Conard Racich used a perfect combination of voice-over, sound effects, and music to really enhance the piece. The second group, Group 1, focused on the relationship between emotional distance and physical distance. It contained complex thoughts about the meaning of the word “division” and personal anecdotes connected to the theme. It explored how people

SPLIT SCREENS along with clips of news coverage and positioning their webcams in different ways helped Langley High School’s students give “Long Division” a unique feel. (S��: N��-P��) maintain meaningful connections and relationships even with physical distance. A standout scene in Group 1’s project was the segment titled “Time Apart.” In this scene, a couple, Devran Johnson and Elizabeth Tippens, reflected on the effect that quarantine has had on their

new relationship. One line in particular stood out: “As the world grew farther apart, we grew closer together.” This poignant statement summed up the message of this piece so beautifully, and their moving anecdote emphasized their point. Overall, “Long Division” was

a refreshing interpretation of the concept of division, and an extremely creative format of theater. Each scene was so personal and unique, but it all came together to deliver a beautiful message: no matter how divided we may seem, we are never alone.

Drs. Love & Miller, PC

Melanie R. Love, DDS, Mark A. Miller, DDS

FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Drs. Love and Miller provide a family practice with special emphasis on healthy and beautiful smiles for adults and children. Both doctors graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and have been practicing together in Falls Church for over 25 years. Our patients’ health and safety are always our first priority. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, many changes have been instituted, including:

Make an appointment with this award winning dental team.

www.loveandmiller.com 450 W. Broad Street, Suite 440, Falls Church, VA 22046 703-241-2911 (office) • 703-534-3521 (fax)

• Plexiglass barriers at front desk areas • Screening each patient via phone and before appointments, including taking temperatures • Minimizing patient contact with others • State of the art Hepa-13 air purifiers • Increased time between patients to allow for additional cleaning and sanitization according to the guidelines from the CDC.

LO CA L

PAGE 10 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes

DEMONSTRATORS gathered along the outside wall of the Febrey-Lothrop Estate on Saturday to protest the demolition of the historic home. The owners of the estate, which sits right on the border of Arlington and Seven Corners, got the OK to demolish the home by the Arlington County board earlier this month. By press time, it had already been partly destroyed. (Photos: Courtesy Charlie Clark) science problems to prove the team was qualified to view the system’s data.

F.C. Resident Wins Foxcroft STEM Challenge Falls Church resident Kyra Schrage, a junior at Justice High School, teamed up with Foxcroft School freshmen Mackenzie Jenkins and Alex Nelson to take the top prize during the high school competition at Foxcroft School’s 10th Annual STEM Challenge. Run as a virtual event for the first time, the 10th Annual STEM Challenge drew 48 middle school and 36 high school students from around the country and globe to

compete for prizes on Feb. 20. Designed for middle and high school girls, participants used their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math in challenges revolving around this year’s theme of “Code for Good.” Students registered as individuals and were randomly assigned to virtual breakout rooms for their respective middle and high school competitions. The girls in each breakout room then worked collaboratively to solve four challenges to fix a system hack using the answers to math and

McLean Art Society Meeting Set for Friday Gavin Glakas, a well known local artist and the recipient of awards from The Portrait Society of America and the Butler Institute of American Art, will be the featured presenter on the Friday, March 26 meeting of the McLean Art Society. Glakas attended Washington University in St. Louis and The Slade School of Art in London. He teaches locally at The Yellow Barn Studios. As an adjunct to his portraiture he will focus on painting technique for hair. The meeting

will be conducted on Zoom with the business portion starting at 10 a.m. to be followed by the artist’s demonstration. Visitors are welcome and can contact M.A.S. President Ray Goodrow at raymgoodrow@aol. com to be given the link enabling them to join.

5 Adults, 8 Teens Running For McLean Center Board McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean) has certified 13 Dranesville Small District 1A residents — five adults and eight 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. The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave. 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. Adult candidates — Sepehr Harandi, Lisa Mariam, Rasheq Rahman, Shivani Saboo and Allison Stratton. Langley High School

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, 105 N. Virginia Ave #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

LO CA L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Boundary Area Candidates — Ivy Chen, Rowan Johns and Charlotte Loving. McLean High School Boundary Area Candidates — Max Blacksten, Tyler Jensen, Cate Kanapathy, Noor Lecanu and Emma Saunders. Residents of Dranesville Small District 1A are eligible to vote during the election. Open Voting began on Wednesday, March 17. Residents may vote in-person or by mail. To request a ballot, residents may fill out an online form on the center’s website, www.mcleancenter.org, phone 703-744-9348, or send an email to elections@mcleancenter.org. Open voting will end on Saturday, May 15, at 5 p.m. All ballots must be received at MCC by 5 p.m. to be counted. There also will be two inperson voting opportunities at MCC: MCC’s Earth Day McLean — Act Locally event on Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. – noon and McLean Day 2021: A Drive-Thru Celebration, on Saturday, May 15, between 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Both events will be held at McLean Community Center. Write-In candidates are allowed. Write-in candidates must receive at least 10 votes from 10 residents of the Center’s tax district in order to have their votes counted. For youth write-in candidates, the 10 votes must come from teens who live within the same high school boundary area as the candidate.

Mustangs B-ball Players Receive Season’s Honors Members of the Mustangs’ boys and girls basketball team received multiple honors for their performance this season. Check them out below.

Girls Basketball: Junior Zoraida Icabalceta — Northwestern District & Region 3B Player of the Year; 1st Team All-Northwestern District, 1st Team All-Region 3B and Class 3 State Tournament 1st Team. Sophomore Elizabeth Creed — 1st Team All-Northwestern District & 1st Team All-Region 3B and Class 3 State Tournament MVP. Sophomore Peyton Jones — 1st Team All-Northwestern District & 1st Team All-Region 3B and Class 3 State Tournament 2nd Team. Junior Bella Paradiso — 1st Team All-Northwestern District & 1st Team All-Region 3B, and Class 3 State Tournament 2nd Team. Junior Rianna Arsenault — 2nd Team All-Northwestern District & 2nd Team All-Region 3B. Coach Chris Carrico — Coach of the Year: AllNorthwestern District, AllRegion 3B, Class 3 State Tournament. Boys Basketball: Senior Bobby Asel — 1st Team All-Northwestern District & 1st Team All-Region 3B.

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 11

CAR LINES �illed the parking lot at Saint James Catholic School parking lot for its weekly �ish fry distribution. Taking place each Friday, the Covid-safe event helps those adhereing to Lent’s restrictions on meat during Friday by giving out a solid meal. (P��: N��-P��)

F.C. Native Wins Basketball Award in Massachusetts Davis Kendrick of Falls Church is a sophomore at Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, Massachusetts. He received the 2020-21 John Havlicek Award for his contributions to his high school basketball team. This award is given to the player who consistently made impact plays that changed the course or outcome of the game. Davis was described by his coach as “a jack-of-all-trades, providing whatever his teammates needed at pivotal moments in the games.”

NEARLY 200 STUDENTS participated in Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School’s GIVE Day on Monday, helping pack meals 20,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief non-profit organization that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food and other aid to people in developing nations. (P��: C�� FCCPS P��/C�� S��)

Seeking friendly and motivated individuals to add their skills to our staff for Full-Time Retail Deli/Grocery Customer Service Call Cliff to set an interview time. Email resume to info@germangourmet.com, or fax to 703-379-6117

German Gourmet 5838 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 703-379-8080 www.germangourmet.com

CO MME NT

PAGE 12 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

Slamming a door. Throwing a dish, a book, a vase. Yelling at a spouse, or a pet. These all are examples, perhaps, of reactions to a bad day. Buying a gun and murdering eight people is not. It’s a heinous crime spree, one that exposed the fragility of our society in multiple ways — weak gun laws, latent racism and hate, lack of mental and behavioral health treatment opportunities and, perhaps, misunderstanding the power of words. The youngest person killed by the 21-year-old assailant was 33, the oldest was 74. The Georgia lawman who tried to classify Aaron Long’s motive as “having had a bad day” has been pilloried, rightfully so, in the media. His awkward comment drew gasps, as it appeared to downplay the tragedy that played out in Georgia, and rippled across the nation. At nearly 20 percent, Asian-Americans are the second largest demographic in Fairfax County’s population, so the slaughter of six AsianAmericans, including four Korean-American women, in Georgia has significant repercussions locally. America has long been a melting pot, with people from around the world, who come to America seeking a better life for their families, not just in the 21st century, but for centuries prior. The 2020 federal census form contained questions about race and national origin (2020 data is expected to be released later this year). For many, it probably was easy to check one box and think nothing about the racial and sociocultural foundation behind family relationships. By the third, fourth, or fifth generation, those connections may be pretty tenuous. Today’s adult grandson may know about his father’s and grandfather’s background, but the history may get foggy when you get to great-granddad, who emigrated from Ukraine in the 1890s, and no one in the family still speaks Yiddish. Grandson may

not even realize that his family tree was rooted, originally, in another country. For more recent immigrants, the history of family in this country may be much clearer. That older generation may not have moved here with their children and grandchildren; birth language still is spoken at home, and sociocultural practices may be focused on the country left behind. Global diversity is fascinating to some, upsetting to others. It seems to have been that way for a very long time. Can someone be fascinated by distant and unfamiliar art, design, and food, and, at the same time, have an aversion to those responsible for those same exotic creations? Apparently so. Incidents of anti-Asian American violence have increased since the beginning of the global pandemic, and a recent Pew Research Center poll found that one-third of Asian-Americans nationwide report being the target of racial slurs and scapegoating. Similar racial and ethnic violence against Muslim-Americans was reported after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 and, sadly, continues to this day. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution that condemns all bigotry, harassment, and hate violence directed at AsianAmericans in our community. The resolution seeks to reassure residents feeling more vulnerable as a consequence of the Georgia shootings. When coupled with another horrific shooting in Colorado that killed 10 people at a supermarket, it’s not surprising that we all are vulnerable — from hate, from terrorism, from intolerance, from violence. Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine to counter it.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@ fairfaxcounty.gov.

C � � � � � F� � � � C � � � � �

CRIME REPORT Week of March 15 – 21, 2021

Burglary, 800 blk N Roosevelt St, sometime prior to March 15, unknown suspect(s) forced open a door and took an item of value. Shoplifting, Disorderly Conduct, 300 blk W Broad St, March 17, 3:30 PM, unknown suspect entered eatery, refused to wear mask, threatened employees and stole two bags of prepared food. Suspect described as black male, approximately 5’7 – 5’10, mid-twenties, with long black hair with dreads, wearing a

white jacket and blue jeans. Stolen Auto, 1000 blk N Tuckahoe St, between 10 PM, March 16 and 5 PM, March 18 unknown suspect(s) stole a Chevrolet Cruze. Investigation continues. Fraud, False Pretenses, 400 blk S Washington St, March 18, 6:02 PM, an incident of fraud was reported. Driving Under the Influence, Refusal, 7100 blk Leesburg Pike, March 19, 12:08 AM, a male, 37, of McLean, VA, was arrested for

Driving under the Influence and Refusal. Larceny from Motor Vehicle, 100 blk Gordon Road, March 19, 5:20 PM, two pairs of sunglasses were stolen from an unsecured parked vehicle. Assault, Drunk in Public, Disorderly Conduct, 300 blk Hillwood Ave, March 20, 10:12 PM, a male, 36, of Annandale, VA, was arrested for assault and battery, drunk in public and disorderly conduct.

WWW.FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

From the Front Row: Delegate Kaye Kory’s

Richmond Report The following column was written by one of Del. Kory’s interns, Samantha Townsend, a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University. who had to research and propose legislation as part of her internship. Speech: Rescuing women is the world’s oldest justification for male violence. Since at least the 1800s, white upper-class men and women took it upon themselves to rescue “fallen” women by acting in concert with the criminal justice system to control the lives of poor women. Since the 1970s, anti–sex work feminists have joined forces with conservative, right-wing, anti-sex crusaders to frame all sex work as “sex trafficking” and, more recently, “modern slavery.” These “carceral feminists” turn to the criminal justice system to solve gender violence and end up criminalizing marginalized populations. The root cause of sex work is poverty. Poverty is a state-generated problem; the state pushes people into sex work by denying them access to a safety net and then arresting them as sex traffickers. Helping sex workers does not mean viewing them as victims and sending in the state to punish them. As with any other struggle, if we’re interested in improving their often dangerous working conditions, we have to heed and support the demands of the workers themselves. We must stop reinforcing a racist, sexist system of moral judgment and punishment, and instead work toward systemic change. With HB729, sex-work will no longer qualify as a means to criminalize already marginalized populations. In order to stop the cycle of violence created by previous legislation, Virginia must take these steps towards legitimizing the profession of sex work. Pros: • Ends the cycle of incarceration of poor women • Calls to attention the negative bias placed on the topic of sex • Does not remove restrictions on solicitation of a minor, or sexually transmitted disease • Creates jobs Cons: • Needs further enforcement; sex work commerce board? • Doesn’t remove the traditional standard of punishing the sex worker and not the adulturer • Needs restrictions on where/ when sex work is legal • In order to decriminalize sexwork and to amend the existing VA

statute 18.2 so that only the prostitution of a minor would be penalized by law. § 18.2-346. Prostitution; commercial sexual conduct; commercial exploitation of a minor; penalties. • Recently passed legislation to allow victims of coerced prostitution to repeal charges • Needs to emphasize the impact of carceral feminism and why this creates a cycle • Highlight the statistic on why sex work historically is always in high demand, this not only creates a need for a supply of sex work, but those same people who cry injustice at prostitution are consuming the goods and services provided by that same act. Specific counties in Nevada have legalized prostitution — Churchill, Esmerelda, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye and Storey. Code: A. Any person who, for money or its equivalent, (i) commits any act in violation of § 18.2-361; performs cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus upon or by another person; engages in sexual intercourse or anal intercourse; touches the unclothed genitals or anus of another person with the intent to sexually arouse or gratify; or allows another to touch his unclothed genitals or anus with the intent to sexually arouse or gratify or (ii) offers to commit any act in violation of § 18.2-361; perform cunnilingus, fellatio, or anilingus upon or by another person; engage in sexual intercourse or anal intercourse; touch the unclothed genitals or anus of another person with the intent to sexually arouse or gratify; or allow another to touch his unclothed genitals or anus with the intent to sexually arouse or gratify and thereafter does any substantial act in furtherance thereof is guilty of prostitution, which is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. B. Any person who offers money or its equivalent to another for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts as enumerated in subsection A and thereafter does any substantial act in furtherance thereof is guilty of solicitation of prostitution, which is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, any person who solicits prostitution from a minor (i) 16 years of age or older is guilty of a Class 6 felony or (ii) younger than 16 years of age is guilty of a Class 5 felony. Fiscal Implications: The fiscal impact of HB729 would be driven by: Establishment of licensed prostitution business.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Biden’s Reengagement On Key Global Issues

Most of the attention on what President Biden has been doing to undo the terrible damage caused by his predecessor has been on many domestic fronts. They include an enormous ramping up of the war on Covid-19, and buoying the grass roots of what will be an explosive economic recovery with a masterful achievement of the $1.9 trillion American Recovery Plan. That will be followed soon by an equally massive infrastructure development and jobs initiative. So, what Biden’s doing in his first 100 days (he’s got a few weeks left) eclipses what President Obama did in his first 100 days and it puts him in the heady ranks of Lincoln and FDR as truly transformative national leaders. Obama was transformative by FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS simply being who he was, and was a model of moral and principled leadership with Biden as his sidekick. Lyndon Johnson did some magnificent things, too, with his Great Society initiatives advancing the legacy of FDR in the 1960s. In the meantime, it’s become so bad for the GOP that they’ve gone full postal over the last decade and now are the party identified by the January 6 sacking of the capitol. They chose a willful failure to respond to the challenge of the times with a principled and moral fight to win the growing legions of racial and ethnic minorities into their ranks. Instead, they decided to repudiate and disenfranchise those elements with a horribly racist and reprehensible attack strategy on voting rights. Yes, in the spirit of Robert Frost, when their two roads diverged in the woods, the terrible one they chose made all the difference. That horrible degeneration — that choice of Potterville over Bedford Falls — has almost destroyed American democracy, and is still a threat. But the Biden administration is pressing aggressively on its recovery agenda. So the nation now has hopes of emerging stronger than ever as a global bastion for democracy, freedom and human rights. The challenges extend to the nation’s foreign and trade policies. In particular, the damage done by Trump to America’s relations abroad has set us back greatly, both with respect to allies and adversaries. It may emerge that the single greatest damage done to our democracy by Putin’s influence on Trump will be in this area of engagement. Still, the world needs to learn that “America is back,” and will quickly find that her reengagement with her strategic allies will be achieved without a great loss in influence, after time, and that reengagement will serve her in the effort to stand strong against some adversaries, such as the Chinese, who may be trying to exploit a perceived new American weakness since Trump. Already America is joining with her allies to slap new sanctions on China for its reprehensible treatment of Muslim Uyghurs in that country’s northwestern provinces. The U.S. has joined her allies the European Union, Britain and Canada in imposing new sanctions against something that has been going on for years. It is asserted that there are as many as a million Uyghurs in concentration camps in that part of the world. Not enough attention is being paid to why this is, other than that China is a brutal, racist dictatorship in its own right. It has to do with clearing the area for China’s aggressive Belt and Road initiative to build overland multimodal transportation routes to Europe, its ‘New Silk Road” plan to gain a strategic, global upper hand in the economic and military domination of Eurasia. An independent task force paper released this week, “China’s Belt and Road: Implications for the United States,” states in its opening sentence, “The Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy undertaking and the world’s largest infrastructure program, poses a significant challenge to U.S. economic, political, climate change, security and global health interests.” Reorienting global commerce away from the United States and Western Europe toward China, it may undermine global stability by, among other things “enabling China to lock countries into Chinese ecosystems by pressing its technology and preferred technical standards onto the initiative’s recipients.” If treatment of the Uyghurs in this is evidence, this initiative does not bode well.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

CO MME NT

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

My early springtime treat: A unique and spectacular elevated view of the roiling Potomac River. I viewed the white-tipped currents from the historic whiteand-orange-tiled home called Highpoint, perched for nearly a century 200 feet above Chain Bridge. It changed hands last October. The new owner (whom I’ll simply call Cohen), has taken possession of several multi-million-dollar properties on those palisades. He gave me a tour of Highpoint and shared enthusiasm for the history of that rich — but hard-to-access — neck of the Arlington woods. This exclusive, highly private neighborhood on Chain Bridge Rd., gets marketed with the “cachet” of McLean. But it’s officially in Arlington. Former neighbors include: famous architect Charles Goodman, AOL co-founder Jim Kimsey, Lisa Najeeb Halaby (now Queen Noor of Jordan) and Congressman Jim Moran. My host and I reviewed the two-century tale of eight different spans over that Potomac crossing. The Chain Bridge area has seen storage (for safekeeping) of the Declaration of Independence during the British attack in the War of 1812. It was the scene of Civil War drama as Union troops guarded this entry to the capital (a flagpole stand at Highpoint may be a vestige, reports my host). The promontory was also the site of the colorful High View Hotel, built in the 1890s as a

luxury venue, but abandoned in disrepute and then burned in 1912. Then came the house built 1924-27 by rail union executive William Doak, later Labor Secretary under President Hoover. He and his decorator wife named it “Notre Nid” (French for “Our Nest”) and hosted prominent figures from the Hoover Cabinet and later President Roosevelt, who surveyed the 1936 flood at Chain Bridge. As housewarming presents, the new owner was given rare images of the High View Hotel and a July 1945 National Geographic with a stunning color photo of the breathtaking view. For modern flavor, Cohen put me in touch with perhaps the home’s favorite son, Stephen Cox. His grandmother Louise Thorne Trowbridge bought it in 1956 with her husband, Alexander Trowbridge, who son, the Johnson Administration Commerce secretary, visited often. She renamed it Highpoint, remodeled and in 1991 bequeathed it to Stephen’s mother, Joya Bovingdon Cox. Stephen Cox’s fond memories of family get-togethers include confusion about the property’s location. Mail got misrouted, he told me, and first-responders (including the occasional suicide off the Potomac cliffs) have been confused as to whether Fairfax or Arlington has jurisdiction. (It’s Arlington, I’ve confirmed.) “When I registered to vote in 2007, I presumed that with the McLean address, I should register in Fairfax county,” Stephen said,

“but was informed I had to register in Arlington.” Stephen’s mother was a music lover and environmentalist (Cohen enjoyed concerts in her living room before he bought it). Twenty years before Joya died last June at 95, she donated a scenic easement to the nonprofit Potomac Conservancy to protect the prized view against development. Cohen renewed it, though it limits renovations. “I’m attached to the house, but it’s in bad shape,” he said, noting that the cliff is listing and the pool already condemned. But he loves “the killer view” that makes the property so special. “The perilous driveway makes you feel like you’re going up a castle in old Europe,” he said. “I love my little corner of the world.” *** Workmen last Saturday were preparing the historic FebreyLothrop house for demolition. That didn’t stop several dozen masked protesters to gather and carry “Save the Febrey House” signs to the honks of cars passing on Wilson Blvd. “It’s all about the money,” one complained about the builder’s unfolding plan to raze the mid19th-century structure and put dozens of new homes on nine acres. Organized by civic activist John Reeder and preservationist Tom Dickinson (and attended by Civil War historian Peter Vaselopulos), the protest is more likely to generate debate over future policy than to block the tear-down, a step the county board believes it is powerless to take. The estate had been partially demolished on March 24.

LO CA L

PAGE 14 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F�� F�� C��

THE FORMER George Mason High School. (P��:N��-P��)

School News Updates: Committees Suggest New Names, School Board Candidates Announced Suggested School Names With their next to last virtual meeting taking place Wednesday night, the Falls Church City Schools’ high school renaming committee of 26 citizens reported to the School Board Tuesday night that it has narrowed an initial list of 617 suggested new names for the high school (including 274 unique suggestions) to 18. The elementary school renaming group has narrowed 522 suggestions (181 unique) to 53. The goal of each is to present the School Board, which will make the final decision, to five by April 9. Emerging names, as reported by the committee, include Broad Street High, City of Falls Church High (or City High, City Falls High), Cornerstone High, Falls Church City High, Four Mile Run High, Greater Metropolitan High (or Metro High), Little City High, Little Falls High, Mary Ellen Henderson Secondary Campus (or Mary Ellen Henderson Schools, Mary Ellen Henderson MS/HS, Mary Ellen Henderson Secondary School), Barbara Rose Johns High, Memorial High, Meridian

High, Metropolitan High (or Metro High), Monument High, Mustang High, Tinner Hill High, West End High (or West Falls High, West Falls Church High). For the high school naming group, choices were narrowed by categories, including person names of those deceased more than 10 years, more recently deceased, places, ideas and values and low or ineligible (such as living people and existing names). Secondary factors included names starting with the letter “M,” local area connections, not similar but open for discussion, and historical significance. Both small group and full committee discussions were held, and feedback encouraged from community members and groups, and names considered as derivatives (such as Metro). For the elementary naming group, suggestions were placed into the categories of place making, historical individuals, aspirational and ineligible. After receiving lists of top five suggestions from each group, the School Board is scheduled to make its final choices on May 13, although it is not required to choose from either list.

School Board Candidates The Falls Church City Public Schools’ elected citizens board considered nine individuals at its virtual meeting Tuesday night who submitted their names seeking appointment to the board to fill the unexpired term created by Shawna Russell’s resignation last month. The names are Ilya Shapiro, Deborah Smyth, David Calabrese, Edwin B. Henderson II, Hunter Hicks, Jenny Thomas, Jerrod Anderson and Caroline Lyon. Each spoke for a brief period at Tuesday’s meeting. Shapiro is from the Cato Institute, Smyth a former English and journalism teacher, Calabrese a member of the City’s Board of Zoning Appeals, Henderson the founding director of the Tinner Hill Foundation and grandson of Mary Ellen Henderson, after whom the City’s middle school is named, Hicks a rising high school junior, Thomas a substitute teacher, Anderson a school reopening advocate and Lyon a D.C. schools employee. The School Board is expected to make its decision at its next meeting on April 9.

HOLDING DOWN THE FORT over at Clay Cafe Studios on N. Maple Ave, Jessi and the gang offered Art Day Monday during the period when lockdown restrictions began to ease. In her words, “It was three hours once a week for kids to be normal.” They are currently accepting enrollment in their Claymagination Art Camp that begins in June. (P��: J. M�� W��/JM��W��.��)

Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

844-947-1479

FREE

7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!

Offer valid February 15 - June 6, 2021

Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval

*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

LO CA L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 15

Virus Deaths in Nursing Homes Dropped By More Than 80% After Vaccinations Continued from Page 2

said. “Although we are fortunate to be able to safely modify previous restrictions, we continue to adhere to [Centers for Disease and Control Prevention] and health department guidance that includes wearing a mask, remaining socially distanced, and implementing enhanced infection control and sanitation protocols.” There’s been little doubt shown about the vaccine’s efficacy, but whether the vaccine does, in fact, stop transmission of the virus has remained murky. So far, it seems that there’s reason for some cautious optimism. Dr. Maggie Gloria, Goodwin House’s Hospice Medical Director, mentioned a study done in Israel that found the Pfizer vaccine stopped symptomatic transmission of coronavirus 97 percent of the time, and asymptomatic transmission of it 94 percent of the time. The overwhelming majority of residents and staff being vaccinated has brought a hopeful air to the facility, but there’s still some hesitation as it relates to

the new variants, especially the one coming out of the United Kingdom. “We’re definitely moving in the right direction, but we have to be cautious because of the variants,” said Dr. Mariatu Koroma-Nelson, Goodwin House’s medical director. “There’s a lot that we are still learning about the variants. So we still have to follow certain protocols in order to keep the residency safe from any unknown risk.” Virginia is middle of the pack when it comes to vaccinating its population of residents that are 65 and older. Of the 1.3 million state residents that are 65 and older, which is 12th largest in the nation (Virginia is also the 12th largest state by general population), 40 percent of those Virginians have received both doses of their Covid-19 vaccine per the CDC. While its vaccination rate does better than some bigger states — such as Texas (38 percent), Pennsylvania and New York (both 34 percent) — it’s easily outpaced by other large states, such as North Carolina (52 percent) Florida (47 percent) and California (46 percent).

Regardless, the emphasis on senior vaccinations has paid off nationwide. The New York Times reported that from late December to early February, “new cases among nursing home residents fell by more than 80 percent, nearly double the rate of improvement in the general population. The trendline for deaths was even more striking: Even as fatalities spiked over all this winter, deaths inside the facilities have fallen, decreasing by more than 65 percent.” Who deserves the credit for such an achievement? There’s plenty to go around — from government incentives to produce a vaccine in record time, to the scientists at Pfizer and Moderna who spearheaded its development to the successful distribution campaigns across the nation. Back in Falls Church, Doyle gives credit to Goodwin House’s frontline staffers who made an effort to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. She said that came about in a bunch of different ways, and was a major factor to rooting out any hesitancy among residents or fellow staff members.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS are still followed, including wearing only surgical masks — which this man was in the process of switching to after his temperature check. (Photo: Courtesy Goodwin House)

Clay Cafe Studios

News-Press' Nicholas Benton's Latest Book:

Pottery Painting & Glass Fusing *Indoor/Outdoor Seating & Parties

*Summer Camp

*Shop Online

*Pottery To-Go

101 N Maple Ave - Falls Church, Va 22046 (703) 534-7600 www.shop.claywire.com

Available at the FCNP Office or from Amazon

A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT

PAGE 16 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

with

MARS RODEO

FEBRUARY

25 AY

SD R U H T

Yasmin Williams Jammin’ Java 7:30 p.m. 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna 703-255-1566 • jamminjava.com

26 AY

FRID

Lucid

Falls Church Distillers

6 p.m. 442 S Washington St., Falls Church 703-237-0300 • fcdistillers.com

The Jerry Tripsters The State Theatre 7:30 p.m. 220 N Washington St., Falls Church 703-858-9186 • thestatetheatre.com

27 Y

RDA U T A S

Chris Timbers Band

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

If you’re a musician who’s been kicking around the Northern Virginia music scene long enough, you know that it can be hard to find that one part of the area where every song you play resonates. Blame it on the region’s transient population that’s either moving here for a job or leaving town for their next one, or the fact that a given venue’s clientele changes each night of the week, or the animal spirits that decide bands like Imagine Dragons are what we now classify as “alternative rock” (they’re not, just FYI). Only the most skilled artists are able to satisfy crowds wherever they go, and JV’s Restaurant will be lucky enough to welcome one such band when Mars Rodeo plays there on Saturday. Finding that homeostasis of music tastes, however, wasn’t some predestination blessed upon the group’s vocalist and rhythm guitarist Nandan Kenkerem. It’s been a labor of necessity to give Mars Rodeo the best chance to land gigs everywhere from Fairfax to Alexandria. “We do a lot of variety, and we take on some sophisticated songs that maybe other people wouldn’t take on,” Kenkerem said. “We certainly play some regular bar band songs, but we also pay a lot of attention to the song mix so we’re sure we perform music from multiple decades and styles.” Some of the more off-the-beaten-path tracks featured by the band are Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” or songs by Fuel and Steely Dan, which are balanced out by playing some stuff from The Beatles. Kenkerem said the group’s intention is to not just key in on biggest hits through each decade, but also to switch up the mood of their performances so it isn’t the constant, in-your-face energy of pop songs on repeat. It’s also been a way to broaden the group’s

MARS RODEO. (C�� P��) appeal. That’s why Mars Rodo could be found opening for bands like Bowling for Soup back when the annual Alexandria Waterfront Festival was still around, or it could be entertaining upwards of 4,000 people for the town of Vienna’s Fourth of July celebration. They’ve been able to stand out, and people — and event organizers — seem to notice. Doing that on top of the band’s changing construction is all the more impressive. Kenkerem had a solid crew working with him, and then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and he had to reconfigure who was playing what. Gradually members started joining up: Nick Gallagher on lead guitar, Jim Kress on drums, a rotating tandem of Greg Snyder and Roy Richardson on bass and even harmony vocals sometimes provided by Heather Peck. And Kenkerem even adjusts the sets according to who’s available that night, so sometimes it will be a duo or trio playing rather than the entire band.

“This group has done very well in a relatively short time period,” Kenkerem said. “It’s not an easy framework to jump into because we’re not going to play just five songs, we’ve got a pretty extensive list we draw from. But it’s fun because they get to perform songs they wouldn’t ordinarily do.” Even with the diverse setlist, Kenkerem said he’s learned to give audiences more credit. He feels that some bands limit their music selection in order to avoid losing the crowd, but Kenkerem has seen younger listeners bobbing their heads to songs that predate them. It’s moments like that where Mars Rodeo’s leading man is emboldened to infuse some of his own original songs into a show — which are also well-received. Mars Rodeo will be performing at JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) on Saturday at 4 p.m. For more information, visit jvsrestaurant.com.

Live & In Concert JV’s Restaurant

These singles whet the appetites of the FCNP editorial team this week:

7:45 p.m.

 Nicholas F. Benton – In The Still of the Night by The Five Satins

6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church

 Matt Delaney – Yesterday Once More by The Carpenters

703-241-9504 • jvsrestaurant.com



Nick Gatz – You Get What You Give by New Radicals



Ted White – I Talk to the Wind by King Crimson.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F� � � � C � � � � �

LO CA L

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 17

B�� N�� N�� Preservation Biscuit Company Donating $1 for Sold Biscuits Preservation Biscuit Company, which opened last week in Falls Church, will donate $1 for each Goodness Gracious Biscuit sold through Sunday, March 28 to the Falls Church Education Foundation. The foundation will use the funds to support feeding students and families in need. Preservation Biscuit is located in the Southgate Shopping Center’s Lily Building at 102 E. Fairfax Street. Hours are 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.preservationbiscuit.com and www.fcedf.org.

VietFoods Opens in the Eden Center VietFoods has opened in the Eden Center at 6783 Wilson Boulevard in Falls Church. According to Yelp reviews, the restaurant offers traditional Vietnamese flavors and menu items, excellent Pho, large portions, and friendly, prompt service. Eden Center is Virginia’s premier Vietnamese shopping center with 130 different family businesses. Call 571-378-0961 or stop by for more information.

Three New Restaurants Opening Soon in F.C. Three restaurants have “Coming Soon” banners up in Falls Church. Pupuseria La Familiar, a Salvadoran restaurant with two locations in Maryland, will open at 308 S. Washington Street in the former Ramen Factory location; Cuates Grill, a Mexican restaurant with three sister locations, will open in the Broadway Building at 502 W. Broad Street in the former Locker Room space; and Tropical Smoothie Café, a franchise operation with hundreds of locations nationwide, will open in Falls Plaza at 1220 West Broad Street, at the former site of Hair Cuttery. For more information, visit www.pupuserialafamiliar.com, www.loscuatesrestaurant.com, and www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com.

Falls Church Animal Hospital

Northern Virginia Veterinary Associates NVVA Hours Of Operation:

Monday 8AM—6PM • Tuesday 8AM—6PM Wednesday 8AM—6PM • Thursday 8AM—6PM Friday 8AM—6PM • Saturday 8AM—2PM Sunday Closed

703-532-6121 www.fallschurchanimalhospital.com

Multiple F.C. Restaurants Featured in Northern Virginia Magazine Five Falls Church restaurants were written up in Northern Virginia Magazine’s April “Hidden Foodie Gems” issue. In Falls Church City, Rania’s Love in the Falls Plaza Shopping Center was lauded for its vegan Vietnamese food while Hai Duong in the Eden Center received praise for its Vietnamese turmeric-yellow fish and custom bowls. Just outside the City, Fava Pot in The Shoppes at West Falls Church got rave reviews for its Egyptian koshary, while LaEstancia Churrasqueria in Merrifalls Plaza was touted for its meat lovers Parrillada Argentina, and Balquees on Seminary Road was mentioned for its milk cakes,. The April edition is on newsstands now. For more information, visit www.NorthernVirginaMag.com.

Happy Passover

Northam Signs Bill Banning Use of Styrofoam Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill on March 18 that bans the use of Styrofoam cups and takeout food containers by food establishments. Businesses with 20 or more locations have until July 2023 to comply while smaller food vendors have until July 2025. He has since ordered all state agencies and public colleges and universities on Tuesday to stop using single-use plastics as part of an effort to reduce waste and a move toward a cleaner environment.

CMT Solutions Raises $10 Million in Debt and Equity Funding

From your friends at the

Falls Church’s CMT Solutions Inc. has raised $10 million in debt and equity funding. The company, which secures prior authorizations for labs and doctors ordering diagnostic tests for their patients, plans to use the capital to continue developing its technology. That includes launching a new product to help the health care community answer pricing and health plan coverage questions that tend to create barriers to diagnostic testing. For more information, visit www.cmtsolutions.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.

fcnp.com

CA L E NDA R

PAGE 18 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR LOCALEVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 25 News-Press “Spot of the Week.” Interested readers and supporters of the Falls Church NewsPress can join the staff at a restaurant in or around the City of Falls Church to celebrate the paper’s weekly publication. Learn how to become a member of the News-Press, get a chance to purchase one of the paper’s books, “The Front Page: The First Five Years: 1991 – 1996” or just get to know members of the staff better. This week the News-Press will be at Liberty Barbecue (370 W. Broad Street, Falls Church) from 6 – 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26 Spring Peeper Bowl. Interested participants can join the Arlington Parks staff as they learn about

and search for the tiny tree frogs and other amphibians native to Glencarlyn Park during this sunset walk. Families. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. To register, contact 703-2284747. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 7 – 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 Falls Church Farmers Market. The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) 9 a.m. – noon. For more information, visit the Calendar item’s page at fallschurchva.gov/547/ Farmers-Market-To-Go.

SUNDAY, MARCH 28 Endangered Wildlife. Interested

participants can join the Arlington Parks staff and learn about how some animals have become recently extinct and how/why some are on the brink of extinction. The group will also discuss the ways the world is trying to help prevent extinction. Ages 11 – 15. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. To register, contact 703-2284747. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 11 – 11:30 a.m.

(there are inclines/hills), though there are benches for rest along the way. Families. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. To register, contact 703-2284747. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 1:30 – 3 p.m.

Adapted Nature Hike — Long Branch Nature Center. All are welcome to join the Arlington Park’s staff and other participants on a leisurely-paced hike through a park. The forested trails will be accessible, smooth and shaded for a fun hike to explore and examine whatever we discover. Restrooms & water fountains inside accessible buildings, and paved trails are mostly in the shade, but not flat

Online Preschool Story Time. Those who are interested can join the Mary Riley Styles Library staff live on the library’s Facebook page for a virtual fun time of stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 0-5. Visit facebook.com/mrspl to join in on the activities. 10:30 – 11 a.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 25

Falls Church Writers Group. A group for aspiring writers.

Participants meet to discuss and offer constructive criticism for each other’s work. Contact psullivan@fallschurchva.gov to get the invitation to the group. 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 Sing Books with Emily (online). Interested attendees can join the Mary Riley Styles Public Library for a morning of stories and songs with Ms. Emily. The show will be live on the library’s Facebook page (facebook.com/mrspl) and is good for kids of all ages. This program will be available on the library’s Facebook page from March 27 – Saturday, April 3. 11 – 11:45 a.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 29 ESOL Conversation Group (online). Interested participants can practice their English with a weekly ESOL conversation group. This program meets online via Zoom. To request a Zoom invite, email Marshall Webster at mwebster@fallschurchva.gov. 7 – 8:30 p.m. City Council Work Session (online). City Council work sessions are held the first and third

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NEWS-PRESS

Get your news early! Since 1991, the News-Press has been on a mission to provide independent and honest journalism to the Falls Church community. We recognize and appreciate the support the City, its businesses and residents have shown us for the past 29 years.

Never before has the fight to ensure a free press been more important.

• Get the Front Page Early • Breaking Stories and more.. Visit our website for More perks!

Visit FCNP.com/members to become a member of the News-Press today

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. All participating members of the City Council will be present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this electronic meeting via www.fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings. The meeting may also be viewed on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. The virtual meeting will be held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. 7:30 – 11 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 26 “Passport to the World of Music” Live Streaming Series. Creative Cauldron returns with two performances this weekend as a part of its virtual “Passport to the World of Music’’ series. On Friday, March 26, Cissa Paz brings her captivating stage presence and soulful, upbeat voice to audiences. And on Saturday, March 27, the dynamic duo from Wammie award-winning Latin, jazz, samba group Veronneau closes out the series with an evening of their signature blend of global, retro and original music. All Tickets are $15; both concerts will be livestreamed 7:30 p.m. on their respective show dates. Visit creativecauldron.org for tickets and information.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 “Simply Sondheim.” Created specifically for Signature Theatre with special permission from Sondheim himself, this jampacked revue features over 30

CA L E NDA R

MARCH 25 – 31, 2021 | PAGE 19

songs from the composer’s canon. The quintessential “Finishing the Hat,” “Another Hundred People,” “Losing My Mind” and “The Worst Pies in London” meet lesser known gems including “Country House,” “Saturday Night” and “Goodbye for Now” and are fused with new orchestrations by longtime Sondheim collaborator Jonathan Tunick. Presented by Signature Theater via On Demand Streaming. $35. sigtheatre.org.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, MARCH 25 Tim Harmon — Solo Looping. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186. Sol Roots Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-241-9504. An Evening with Yasmin Williams (Indoors + Distanced). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Nowhere Men: An Acoustic Tribute to The Beatles. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-2370300. Kashmir — The Live Led Zeppelin Tribute Show. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26 Triple R’s Blues. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Lucid. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186. The Jerry Tripsters: A Jerry Garcia Band Tribute. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-2370300. An Evening with Eli Cook (Indoors + Distanced). Jammin’

BRAHMAN NOODLES will be at Falls Church Distillers on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo) Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. Free Flowing Musical Experience Live and in Concert. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $25. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Too Extra Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 Mars Rodeo Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-2419504.

Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.

U2Topia: A Tribute to U2. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

Josh Allen Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Raul Malo with Emily Julia Kresky (encore performance the following night at the same time and price). The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $49.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Chris Timbers Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:45 p.m. 703-2419504.

SUNDAY, MARCH 28

Marie Miller — “Little Dreams” Show & Birthday Party (second show at 7 p.m.). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 5 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Stoney Johnson’s Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 3:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

The Brahman Noodles. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls

Open Jam with Tim Harmon. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls

Mother’s Little Helper: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-2370300. Swearingen & Kelli — The Music of Simon & Garfunkel (Indoors + Distanced). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $22. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 Comedy Night. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-237-0300. Stop AAPI Hate Benefit Show featuring David Thong & Friends (Indoors + Distanced). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 105 N. Virginia Ave., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

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

PAGE 20 | MARCH 25 - 31, 2021

C L AS S I F I E DS

HELP WANTED

LEGAL NOTICE

Local drain cleaning company looking

Notice of Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing for Falls Church Residents

for reliable, honest non-smoker able to help lift heavy machine and ride along as helper on jobs. Must have transportation to & from office. Knowledge of drains or maintenance a plus. Call Debbie at Sparkle Drain Cleaning 571-237-4604

Help Wanted Maintains the overall appearance of cemetery, mausoleum and/or funeral home locations, which may include: maintenance and grounds keeping, locating grave sites, digging graves, installing crypt faces,conducting interments, entombments and inurnments, and simple repairs and maintenance tasks. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES - Cuts grass, maintains lawn, trims around trees, walkways and memorial markers, lays sod, moves and removes flowers to and from chapel and graveside - Clears debris and maintains drives and walkways which may require snow removal depending on location - Erects tents, canopies and arranges chairs for graveside ceremony - Assists with setup for openings and closings for interments, entombments and inurnments - Arranges chapel for services - Prepares crypts for entombments - Under supervision, may operate backhoe to dig graves without damage to surrounding vaults, markers or monuments - Installs grave markers, bronze memorials, crypt faces, etc. - Maintains and repairs existing markers and other cemetery features - Maintains, services, cleans and properly stores equipment - General maintenance of vehicles - Cleans and maintains facility to include performing minor repairs, painting, etc. - Observe safety rules and ensure compliance with the operating procedures of corporate, federal, state and local regulations, including OSHA regulations and Safety and Environmental guidelines. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Education - High school education or equivalent or relevant work experience Experience - Minimum 6 months of relevant experience Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Ability to operate hand-held tools and equipment, including, but not limited to a shovel, pick, rake, sledge hammer, lawn mower, weed trimmer and leaf blower - Ability to accurately use measuring devices (i.e. tape measure, yard-stick, etc.) - Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time - Ability to lift up to 150 with equipment assistance - Ability to push and pull up to 300 lbs. - Ability to communicate effectively with associates, contractor personnel and client families - Ability to work in extreme weather conditions - Ability to adapt to changing work schedules and multi-tasking - Basic computer skills to enable retrieving and responding to email Communications Please contact: Larry Milligan Larry.Milligan@ dignitymemorial.com or 540-467-0401

ads@fcnp.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Find out about: West Broad Street Multimodal Improvements VDOT Project No. 0007-110-197, UPC 11483

The City is planning a project called West Broad Street Multimodal Improvements and has 30% design prepared. The proposed project would provide improvements at five intersections on West Broad Street to improve accessibility for pedestrians. The intersections are West Broad and Virginia, Lee, Oak, Spring and West Streets. Elements of the project are: increase pedestrian accessibility, sidewalk widening, removal of sidewalk obstacles, redesign of intersection geometry, one new mid-block crossing between Virginia and Pennsylvania Streets, increase transit access by accommodating bus shelters and bus stops; and reduce automobile congestion by increasing mode choice and reducing automobile dependence. Review project information at the project webpage http://www.fallschurchva.gov/ or the City of Falls Church Department of Public Works, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046, tel. 571-651-0133 (TTY 711). Please call ahead for staff availability. If your concerns cannot be satisfied, the City of Falls Church is willing to hold a Public Hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Susan Long at SLong@fallschurchva.gov. Please reference “West Broad Multimodal” in the subject heading. Or mail comments to Susan Long, City of Falls Church Department of Public Works, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. Requests must be received prior to April 2, 2021. If it is deemed necessary to hold a public hearing, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted. The City of Falls Church ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For information call 703-248-5004 or (TTY 711). NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA Public hearing and final City Council action is scheduled for the following on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. (TR21-05) RESOLUTION TO AMEND CHAPTER 3 OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADD “ENRICHING FALLS CHURCH: PUBLIC ART SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY CHARACTER, APPEARANCE, AND DESIGN CHAPTER OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN” The ordinance referenced below was given first reading on March 8, 2021. Public hearing, second reading, and final City Council action is scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. (TO21-03) ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH AN ARTS AND CULTURAL DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN THE AREA SHOWN ON THE MAP ENTITLED ARTS AND CULTURAL DISTRICT Public hearings will be held electronically. To speak on a public hearing item, complete a speaker form at www.fallschurchva.gov/

PublicComment before noon on the day of the Council meeting. Following submission of the form, you will receive emailed instructions to join the virtual Council meeting. Written public hearing comments may be sent until noon on the day of the meeting to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. Council members will attend the meeting through electronic means and members of the public may view the meeting at www.fallschurchva. gov/CouncilMeetings and on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711). CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK PUBLIC NOTICE PLANNING COMMISSION On April 7, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., the City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a virtual public meeting to consider the following items and recommendations to City Council: (TR20-29) RESOLUTION TO GRANT SPECIAL EXCEPTION ENTITLEMENT AMENDMENT FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH A BUILDING HEIGHT UP TO FIFTEEN (15) STORIES ON APPROXIMATELY 9.78 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (PORTIONS OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51221-007, -008) ON APPLICATION BY FALLS CHURCH GATEWAY PARTNERS (TR20-30) RESOLUTION TO GRANT SPECIAL EXCEPTION SITE PLAN (SEC. 48-488.B(3)) FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH A BUILDING HEIGHT UP TO FIFTEEN (15) STORIES ON APPROXIMATELY 8.83 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (PORTIONS OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51-221-007, -008) ON APPLICATION BY FALLS CHURCH GATEWAY PARTNERS (TR21-07) RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY 0.33 ACRES OF LAND FROM THE FALLS CHURCH CITY SCHOOL BOARD TO THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH (BEING A PORTION OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBER 51-221-008) LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A DEED OF CONVEYANCE, AND EXECUTE THE DEED OF RESUBDIVISION AND SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION

submit comments to plan@fallschurchva. gov. All participating members of Planning Commission will be present at this meeting through electronic means; and all members of the public are welcome to view the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/PC and on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5040 (TTY 711).

ABC NOTICE Greek Eats LLC, Trading as: Plaka Grill, 1216 W Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine & Beer On/Off Premises. Peter Drosos, President of Greek Eats LLC. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

AUCTIONS AUCTION ALERT! ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS! Construction Equipment and Trucks | Selling for VDOT, Contractors, Lending Institutions and Other Consignors. Motleys Industrial | motleyindustrial.com | 804-486-4550 | VAL16 ATTN. AUCTIONEERS: Advertise your upcoming auctions statewide and 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

HOME IMPROVEMENT Vinyl Replacement Windows Starting at $235* Installed w/Free Trim Wrap Call 804-739-8207 Siding, Roofing, Gutters and More!

Home Improvement Handyman Service All repairs, plumbing, drywall, windows, doors, rotted wood, siding, lighting +

SUBDIVISION (LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT) PLAT APPLICATION (MUNIS #2019-0322), FOR APPROXIMATELY 34.65 ACRES OF PROPERTIES OWNED BY THE FALLS CHURCH CITY SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, 7124 LEEBSURG PIKE (REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51-221-007, AND -008). The public hearing will be held electronically. Meeting agenda and materials will be available on the following page prior to the public meeting: www.fallschurchva.gov/PC. Public comments will be accepted electronically only until the end of the public hearing. Please

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-614-6667 ATTN. CONTRACTORS: Advertise your business statewide and in other states. Affordable Print and Digital Solutions to reach Homeowners. Call Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net

LIVESTOCK SALES G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer/ Cow Sale. March 27th, 2021 12:00 noon. G&E Test Center Gretna, VA. Call George Winn at 434-489-4458.

REAL ESTATE ATTN. REALTORS: Advertise your listings regionally or statewide. Affordable Print and Digital Solutions that get results! Call Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-5217576, landonc@vpa.net

SERVICES DIVORCE-Uncontested, $395+$86 court cost. WILLS $195.00. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook). 757-490-0126. Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. https://hiltonoliverattorneyva.com. Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company- 844-509-1697 or visit www.Life55plus.info/vapress

Other Services

FREE estimates, Licensed & Insured

Call Doug (703)556-4276 www.fallschurchhandyman.com

The application materials for the above items may be viewed on the City’s web site: http:// www.fallschurchva.gov/WFC The Planning Commission will also consider approval of the following subdivision application:

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-877-636-0738

Accounting

www.gagnonsgutterworks.com

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

www.beatsonlaw.com

RBeatsonatty@netscape.net

Cleaning Services

Lawn Services

House Cleaning Service

CHARLES JENKINS TREE SERVICE

Avaliable 7 days a week Weekly - Bi Weekly - Monthly or One time Jobs Move out - Move in 28 years Experience • Good references • Free Estimates

For Information Call Susy

703-901-0596

Good deal- Spring Special Mulching

703-512-9166 Licensed and Insured

Week of 3/22/21 - 3/28/21

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT

MARCH 25 - 31, 2021 | PAGE 21

by Margie E. Burke

The Weekly Crossword ACROSS 1 Said, as a farewell 5 Selling point 10 Greek cheese 14 Onassis et al. 15 Close call 16 State positively 17 Catchall abbr. 18 Persistent badgering 20 Popular pasta 22 Second point in tennis 23 Eyeball benders 24 Diagnostic test 25 Gold miner's water trough 27 Major staff changes 31 Not windy 32 Selected 33 A Bobbsey twin 34 Mosque V.I.P. 35 Emergency signal 36 Overfill 37 Toothed wheel 38 At attention 39 Adorable one 40 Like some reactions 42 One in the red 43 Need a bath badly 44 Kind of ray 45 Send with an email 48 Small bit of matter 51 1964 Elvis movie 53 Sound of impact 54 Adjust, as a piano 55 Audacity 56 Advance 57 Military award 58 Went out with 59 Apt to snap DOWN 1 Pebbles' pal, when doubled 2 "Tosca" tune

by Margie E. Burke

27 32

43 46

23 25

3 Talk out of 4 Reality avoidance 5 Like sailors on leave 6 Hardly sufficient 7 Wrapped garment 8 Victorian, for one 9 Legal precedent 10 Feast or ____ 11 "...happily ___ after" 12 Campsite sight 13 Pretentious 19 Burger go-with 21 Marathon, e.g. 24 Out of funds 25 "Lip" or "slap" follower 26 Tart fruit 27 Crude dwelling 28 Single 29 Place for a barbecue 30 Contemptuous look 32 Court employee

35 Plenty of leeway 36 Foreign-film feature 38 Tape deck button 39 Small change 41 Pencil part 42 Made a sudden move

44 Purplish-pink shade 45 Crafts partner 46 Talk up 47 Sandwich fish 48 Dessert wine 49 Air bag? 50 Small whirlpool 52 Actress Arthur

Sudoku

Level 1 2 3 4

Answers to Last Week's Crossword:

A R C S

B O A T

L I M O

G A S P

G E N I E

S A L E

P L A T

I N T E R F A I T H

E L I O T N E S S I T C H Y

A F A R D O V E S O L E S L D R I A R E G G E R S N D O T F L A M T A L O A C C E L X E R A D U D S E D I S E U V E L P E S

P L A T E L E T B A T

B A R G A L O U S L U N I N K A N D P A T E A B A N O S N U T R A T E O P D O W S E L I E I S N S E T

E D G Y A G E S

E F T S

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

NICK KNACK

STRANGE BREW

By The Mepham Group

3/14/21

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. © 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

JOHN DEERING

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | MARCH 25 – 31, 2021

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

C�� C��

25 � 10 Y�� A�� N��-P�� Falls Church News-Press Vol. VI, No. 3 • March 21, 1996

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No.4 • March 24,, 2011

Lasso Seeks New Business Development Initiatives in Budget Message to Council

Shields Proposes F.C. Budget With Stiff Take-Home Pay Cuts, 6 Layoffs

The Falls Church City Council, meeting in its first work session on the upcoming Fiscal Year 1997 budget since a seven cent real estate tax hike was proposed by City Manager David Lasso last week, moved up its meeting with the School Board from midApril to next Tuesday night.

At a joint work session on the City of Falls Church’s budget projections for the next five years held at City Hall last Thursday, members of the F.C. School Board lashed out at arbitrary assumptions built into the projections that growth of the school budget will remain at a fixed two to three percent annually.

Mason Graduate Vincent Piccariello Dies at 61

Our beloved and constantly amazing brother, Vincent Piccariello, passed away on March 8, 2021 after losing a selfless and valiant battle with Covid-19. He was a fascinating person with whom to engage in conversation where provocative ideas would often emerge. Vincent was born to Harry and Ellen Piccariello on July 23, 1959. He graduated from George Mason High School in Falls Church, Virginia. A musician and a songwriter, he recorded and mixed his own music. In addition to music, he was a dedicated student of an eclectic mix of topics including science, business and the arts. Vince was a great lover of animals and nature, especially dogs and trees. Vince had a unique brand of philosophy and would con-

Death Penalty Continued from Page 4

Public Policy, and the Virginia Catholic Conference, among others. “While the wheels of justice often turn slowly, we are grateful to be closing the chapter on this racist and inhumane practice and bringing

jure up images not imagined before that would very often make people laugh. Vince was just an all-around engaging human being. Vincent was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ellen, and his brother, Peter Piccariello. He is survived by his brothers, Harry (Joan), Anthony, Thomas and Martin (Debbie) and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, greatnieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. A Virtual Memorial for Vincent will be planned, and family and friends will be notified. Memorial contributions in Vince’s name can be made to Pathway Homes, Inc., which is located at Stevenson Place, 10201 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030

VINCENT PICCARIELLO

our Commonwealth one step closer to being a place where all enjoy liberty and equality in equal measure.” Attorney General Herring issued the below statement following Gov. Northam’s signing of the legislation repealing the death penalty in Virginia: “For too long Virginia had the shameful distinction as one of the

states that most frequently imposed the death penalty. Now we are showing a better, more just way forward as the first state in the south to do away with it. Ending this practice is just one step in our ongoing, crucial work to reform the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system to make it more fair, equal and just for all Virginians.”

“THE FLOOF,” whose government name is Elvis (after Elvis Costello) moved here from London. This Elvis is a Maltichon who doesn’t sing, but he is mighty entertaining, if a bit of a sloth. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

Jacob Sanchez Diagnosed with autism

Lack of speech is a sign of autism. Learn the others at autismspeaks.org/signs.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 25 - 31, 2021 | PAGE 23

Where to Pick Up The • 7 Eleven (Box), 3019 Annandale Rd • Amazing Smiles, 444 W Broad St – D • Anthony’s Restaurant, 3000 Annandale Rd. • Audacious Aleworks, 110 E Fairfax St. • Ballston Quarter (Box) 4238 Wilson Blvd. • BB&T Bank, 225 W Broad St. • Bentley’s Restaurant, 6654 Arlington Blvd • Bikenetic, 201 W Jefferson St. • Bowl America, 140 S Maple Ave. • Clarendon Blvd & Courthouse Rd. Bus Stop (Box) • Broad Falls Apartments, 809 W Broad St. • Broadway Apt (in mailroom), 500 W Broad St. • Brown’s Hardware, 100 W Broad St. • Burke & Herbert Bank, 225 West Broad St. • Byron Apartments, 513 W Broad St. • Timberlane Condos Bus Stop, 7368 Lee Hwy • Lee Hwy/ Hollywood Rd. Bus Stop • Café Kindred, 450 N Washington St. • Celebrity Delly – Graham Park Plaza, 7263A Arlington Blvd. • Clarendon Metro, 3021 Wilson Blvd. • Clay Café Studios, 101 N Maple Ave. • Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N Washington St. • Courthouse Parking Lot, 2100 Wilson Blvd. • CVS, 1150 W Broad St. • CVS (Box), 134 W Broad St. • CVS (Box), 6404 N Williamsburg Blvd. • Falls Church Distillers, 442 S A. Washington St. • Across from Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center (Box), Route 7 & Rio Dr. • Differences Hair Designer, 8122 Arlington Blvd. • Dogwood Tavern, 132 W. Broad St. • Don Beyer Volvo, 1231 W Broad St. • East Falls Church Metro (Box), 2001 N. Sycamore St • Einstein Bros. Bagels, 913 W Broad St. • El Tio Restaurant, 7630 Lee Hwy. • Elevation Burger (Box), 442 S. Washington St. • Exxon Gas Station, 400 W Broad St. • Fairfax Auto Parts, 431 S Maple Ave. • Falls Church Animal Hospital, 1249 W Broad St. • Falls Church City Government, 300 Park Ave. • Falls Church City Public Schools, 150 S. Washington Street, Suite 400 • Falls Church City Public Utilities, Gordon Rd. • Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. • Falls Church News-Press, 105 N. Virginia Ave. Suite #310 • Falls Green Apartments (formerly Oakwood), 501 N. Roosevelt Blvd. • Flippin’ Pizza, 800 W Broad St. • Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, 8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax • Foxcraft Design Group, 110 Great Falls St • Galleria Florist, 248 W. Broad Street • George Mason & Wilson Blvd (Box), 5015 Wilson Blvd • George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike • Giant – Graham Park Plaza, 7235 Arlington Blvd. • Giant Food, 1230 W Broad St. • Goodwin House, 3440 South Jefferson St. • Grand Hunan Restaurant, 5845 Washington Blvd. • Harris Teeter, 301 W Broad St. • Hillwood Cleaners, 165 Hillwood Ave. • Hilton Garden Inn, 706 W Broad St. • Idylwood Towers Condominium, 2300 & 2311 Pimmit Dr. • Indian Spices, 1067_B W Broad St. • Inns Virginia Hotel, 421 W. Broad St. • Ireland’s Four Provinces, 105 W Broad St. • Joe’s Place Pizza & Pasta, 5555 Lee Hwy. • Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, 1136 W Broad St. • Kensington Falls Church, 700 W Broad St. • Lazy Mikes Deli, 7049 Leesburg Pike • Ledo Pizza, 7510 Leesburg Pike • Liberty Barbecue, 370 W Broad St. • Lil City Creamery, 114 W Broad St. • Lincoln At Tinner Hill Apartments, 455 S. Maple Ave. • Long Foster Realtors, 6299 Castle Rd. • Madison Apartments, 600 N Roosevelt Blvd. • Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, 7130 Leesburg Pike • Merrill House Apartments, 210 E Fairfax St. • Metro Diner, 4711 Lee Hwy. • Metro Dunn Loring, Gallows Rd & Belleforest Dr. • Mr Tire Auto, 105 Falls Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 • Moby Dick House of Kabob, 444 W. Broad St. • Munson Hill Apartments, 6729 Leesburg Pike • N Virginia Av & W Broad St (Box), 105 N Virginia Ave. • N. Washington & E. Columbia St., 106 E Columbia St. • Neighborhood Barbershop, 417 W Broad St #103 • Northern Virginia Center, 7054 Haycock Rd.• Northgate Apartments (lobby), 450 N Washington St. • Northside Social, 205 Park Ave. • Original Pancake House, 7395 Lee Hwy. • Park Towers Condos, 200 N. Maple Ave. • Peach Tree Towers, 2042 Peach Orchard Dr. • Pearson Square Apartments, 410 S. Maple Ave. • Pete’s Barber Shop, 5847 Washington Blvd. • Pho 88 Restaurant, 232 W Broad St. • Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7700 Leesburg Pike • Pizzeria Orso (Tax Analysts building), 400 S. Maple Ave. • PNC Bank, 402 W. Broad St. • Point of View, 701 W. Broad St. • Professional Building, 313 Park Ave. • Providence Recreation Center, 7525 Marc Dr. • Quick Copy, 417 W. Broad St. • Rare Bird Coffee Roasters, 230 W. Broad St. • Read Apartments, 402 W Broad St. • Re/Max West End, 710 W Broad St • Roosevelt Towers, 500 N Roosevelt Blvd.• Safeway, 5101 Wilson Blvd. • Safeway, 2500 N Harrison St. • Safeway – Route 29, 7397 Lee Hwy.• Sfizi Café, 800 W Broad St. • Silver Diner, 3200 Wilson Blvd. • Sislers Stone, 7139 Lee Hwy. • Smokey’s Garage, 1105 W Broad St. • Sonic Car Wash, 1050 W Broad St. • The Spectrum, 444 W. Broad St.• Spectrum Cleaners, 444 W Broad St. • Stratford Motor Lodge, 300 W. Broad St.• Sunrise of Falls Church, 330 N. Washington St. • Super A Market, 2800 Graham Rd. • Target, 500 S Washington St. • Target – Skyline Mall (Box), 5107 Leesburg Pike • West Broad Building, 301 W Broad St. • Thomas Jefferson Library, 7415 Arlington Blvd. • Towne Place Suites – Marriot, 205 Hillwood Ave. • Unity Club, 116-B W Broad St. • UPS Store Seven Corners, 6312 Seven Corners Ctr. • US Post Office, 2045 Wilson Blvd. • Virginia Hospital Center (Box), 1701 N George Mason Dr. • Virginia Hospital Center ER (inside), 1702 N George Mason Dr • Virginia Tech, Courthouse 7054 Haycock Rd. • Washington & S. Broad St. (Box) 101 W Broad St. • West Lee Apartments, 2200 N Westmoreland • Wendy’s – Bus Stop, 7391 Lee Hwy.• West Falls Church Metro (Box) 7040 Haycock Rd. • Woodrow Wilson Community Library, 6101 Knollwood Dr.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | MARCH 25 - 31, 2021

2021 VOLVO

XC60 449

/MO

36 MONTHS | 10,000 MILES *Stock #8988D. First payment, taxes and fees due at signing plus, tax, title, acquisition and dealer processing fee of $799. On approved credit only. Pricing includes all available incentives including loyalty. No Security Deposit required. Expires 3/31/21.

Beyer Volvo Cars of Falls Church

For Sale in Falls Church

ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service

FOR SALE!

COMING SOON - FOR RENT! 902 Madison Ln, Falls Church City 5 Beds 4.5 Bathrooms

$814,900 502 W Broad St #320, Falls Church City 2 Bedrooms + Den 2.5 Bathrooms

Gourmet Kitchen

1,800+ Sq ft Broadway Condo Open & Sunny Living Space

2-Car Garage

JUST SOLD! The best location in Falls Church! Under 1 mile to West Falls Church Metro, Giant Shopping Plaza, Lazy Mike's, Whole Foods, Trader Joes and the Falls Church City Farmers Market, so many good options! In addition, you get the top rated McLean Schools: Haycock Elementary School, Longfellow Middle School and McLean High School. This colonial features slate tile foyer, living room and dining room with hardwood floors. The large eat-in kitchen has granite counters, stainless steel appliances, pantry and laundry. The sliding glass door lead to private deck. There's a main level bedroom with full bathroom. .Upstairs you'll find hardwood floors throughout. The primary bedroom features an en-suite bath with tub/shower, and spacious closet. The 3 other bedrooms share a hall bath with tub/shower. 2 car garage. Priced at $900,000.

422 Sherrow Ave, Falls Church City 3 Beds

Falls Church City Schools

2 Bathrooms

Walk to Shops & Dining!

CALL 703-867-TORI

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

REALTOR®

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Falls Church News-Press 3-25-2021

Articles inside

Calendar

Classified Ads

News & Notes