March 26 — April 1, 2020
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 • V ol. X XX N o. 6
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Town Hall Updates on F.C.’s Pandemic Response 2 Covid-19 Monday’s Virtual Positive at Distillery Distribution Meeting Covered Latest on City, F.C. Senior Schools & Region Care Home by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
“This is not a potential disaster, this is devastating right now,” Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields intoned to Monday night’s virtual town hall that emanated from an eerily-near vacant Council chambers at the Falls Church City Hall. The event, where strong social distancing policies were exercised in the midst of the massive, global Covid-19 virus epidemic that is beginning to sweep through this region, was broadcast over the City’s website. where it can still be accessed, and its cable channel. Shields, F.C. Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan along with School Board chair Greg Anderson and State Del. Marcus Simon, were arrayed as moving giant heads, images on the big screen beside the dais, appearing remotely by live video feed, while Mayor David Tarter sat alone in the center of the dais as the only Council member present, the Fairfax Health Department’s Senior Emergency Planner Colin Brody sitting where the city clerk is usually sitting in front of the dais, and Assistant City Manager Cindy Mester, City Public Information Officer Susan
Supplies Needed at The Kensington, Site of City’s 1st Cases of Virus by Jody Fellows
Falls Church News-Press
zens. Overall, an enormous amount of useful and timely information was presented to the public, all subject to the rapidly changing realities of the pandemic.
The Kensington assisted living center in the City of Falls Church is in need of supplies, including respirators and other face masks, after two residents tested positive for the coronavirus disease in the past week. “Our biggest issue on the horizon is keeping a robust supply of personal protective equipment,” The Kensington said in a statement to the News-Press. The senior center is looking for supplies including N95 respirators and other surgicallike masks, latex gloves and medical gowns. “If you have, or have access to [them], please let us know immediately,” the statement read. Kitty Janney, outreach coordinator at The Kensington, told the News-Press they’re also in need of Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer.
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PEOPLE WAIT IN LINE outside Falls Church Distillers last Friday evening after Michael Paluzzi announced his distillery would distribute its newly-produced hand sanitizer free to the public. Demand at the “bring-your-own-bottle” event was so high, Paluzzi exhausted his entire supply of 300 gallons, which he intended to last until Saturday, in just a few hours. The next batch, which may be available this weekend, can be purchased via pre-order, the distillery owner says. Eventually, Paluzzi hopes to produce 5,000 gallons of sanitizer a week. (Photo: J. Michael Whalen) Finarelli and a cable TV technician fiddled with the cranky technology. Way in the back, Council member Phil Duncan sat quietly through the two-and-a-half hour virtual town hall, Councilman David Snyder came in, and that was it, except for
this reporter who grabbed his usual front row seat to better photograph the event and report on it. Finarelli acted as an apt moderator for the event, including the fielding of questions emailed in from anxious Falls Church citi-
Inside This Week Local Businesses Adapting To a New Normal
Falls Church Community Unites to Help Those At-Risk
See story, page 15
See story, page 4
The coronavirus pandemic has been majorly upsetting businesses’ operations around the country. Many Falls Church owners are being forced into adapting and innovating to salvage — and later, expand — on the services they offer.
Concerned citizens in and around Falls Church are teaming up to help the area’s most vulnerable by dropping off medicine, delivering groceries, taking out the trash and other once-ordinary tasks during the coronavirus pandemic.
Press Pass with Rockin’ the Suburbs
Northern Virginia’s own “Rockin’ the Suburbs” podcast from Falls Church’s Patrick Foster and Ashburn resident Jim Lenahan will take their show to Jammin’ Java’s stage next Wednesday. See Press Pass, page 14
Index
Editorial........................................................ 6 Letters...................................................6, 18 News Briefs................................................. 9 News & Notes.....................................10–11 Comment........................................7,12–13 Calendar....................................................14 Classified Ads............................................16 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword..................17 Crime Report.............................................18 Critter Corner.............................................18 Business News..........................................19
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Staying home saves lives.
For more information, visit
coronavirus.gov
MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 3
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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PAGE 4 | MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
BARBERS DUSTIN FOLEY AND WILL ARMSTRONG (center, left to right), of the City’s Neighborhood Barbershop, started one of two Falls Church volunteer groups assisting at-risk members of the community during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: J. Michael Whalen)
Falls Church Community Unites to Help Vulnerable During Pandemic by Jody Fellows
Falls Church News-Press
Concerned citizens in and around Falls Church are teaming up to help the area’s most vulnerable by dropping off medicine, delivering groceries, taking out the trash and more during the coronavirus pandemic. At least two separate groups of residents have created teams of volunteers offering their services to assist the elderly, those with health issues and other at-risk members of the community with once-ordinary tasks that have not only proved increasingly difficult during this time but can also be life-threatening. With more than 125 members, the Facebook group “Falls Church Community help during covid19” was started by the crew at the
City’s Neighborhood Barbershop after barber Will Armstrong got the idea when he was inspired by a similar group from another state. Shop owner Dustin Foley, who has been spreading the word and soliciting volunteers by promoting the group through his personal and business social media accounts, says everyone is welcome to join and participate. “It doesn’t take a special skill set to help out your neighbors,” Foley told the News-Press. “Taking trashcans to the curb, mowing lawns, moving cars to avoid parking violations, grabbing grocery items, or cooking a meal for an elderly person could be life changing for some folks.” Foley knows full well the damage the pandemic has had on the Falls Church community, having seen his friends’ businesses tempo-
rarily closed down and the ensuing efforts made via GoFundMe and other campaigns to help affected employees. On Tuesday night, his barbershop was forced to close its own doors when Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s order shuttering certain non-essential businesses went into effect at midnight. “My nerves have been on edge,” Foley said. “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions watching my shop and other businesses in the area face the challenges this pandemic has caused.” So far, the group’s runs have included procuring and delivering hard-to-find items like tissues to people isolated at home with flu symptoms, with Foley anticipating greater demand for groceries and medicine in the days ahead. The duo behind another group, “Falls Church Area COVID-19
Aid,” came together after F.C. residents Mike Michener and Ally Bernstein made similar posts on the neighborhood social networking site Nextdoor, seeking to help those in need. Michener got the idea to help after he was travelling in Italy last month, just before virtually all services in the country were shut down in an effort to stem the tide of the virus. “I visited some of my friends right before the whole country was put on lockdown,” Michener said in a news release. “I have heard some heartwarming stories about how young Italians are checking on their elderly neighbors and doing their shopping so they can stay home and safe.” Bernstein said “Ensuring that the most vulnerable people in our community do not feel forgotten
or left behind is our main priority. That would include the elderly, healthcare workers on the front lines who get off duty too late to shop for groceries, low-income families who already face food insecurity, or people with mobility issues and disabilities.” Michener told the News-Press his group has been delivering groceries to a client with a compromised immune system and who recently suffered a stroke. “Both her mobile phone and truck were not working, she couldn’t leave her apartment, and her weekly grocery delivery from Safeway was canceled last Monday with only an hour’s notice due to lack of inventory from panic buying,” he explained. “She filled out on online form that one of our volunteers created, and I reached out to her to ask what she needed.” Michener and Bernstein’s operation has weekly logistic coordinators fielding calls and then assigned runners to shop and deliver groceries via non-contact drop-off. Foley says his group is also taking the proper precautions during runs to ensure safe delivery. “Hands are properly sanitized, the items are being disinfected and are left on porches to ensure contact-less delivery,” he told the News-Press. Requests to the Falls Church Area COVID-19 Aid group can be made by filling out a form at the link forms.gle/ RpBfT9ffA7wbSrGM7, or by calling 703-982-0736. For assistance from Foley and Armstrong’s volunteers, a request can be made by making a post in their Facebook group at www.facebook.com/ groups/601374443780252. “The community thus far has been ready to jump on any need,” Foley said. “The selfless outpouring of support has been overwhelming and uplifting during these challenging times.” In addition to the citizen-led groups, the City of Falls Church also has its own list of resources available for residents seeking assistance. “We recommend those who want to volunteer to view the list of established resources on our website, www.fallschurchva.gov/ help,” City of F.C. Director of Communications Susan Finarelli told the News-Press in a statement. “Please be safe and practice social and physical distancing as much as possible. We wish everyone well and thank them for their big hearts.”
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MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 5
Beyer, Simon & Palchik Update Their Constituents in Remote Town Halls by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Two important virtual town halls were held in recent days by elected officials representing the City of Falls Church at the federal and state levels that provided vital information to the public. U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, who represents the 8th District of Virginia that includes Falls Church, drew 3,000 constituents to his town hall broadcast over the phone Tuesday night, and last Saturday, Virginia State Delegate Marcus Simon held a video town hall viewed on Facebook with Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik of Fairfax County. Beyer was accompanied by the head of the Fairfax Health Department, Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, who answered an array of questions about the Covid-19 pandemic. Schwartz’ most poignant contribution was to say that studies have shown that with four simple but effective measures, the
instance of the spread of the virus can be reduced by two-thirds. Those four steps are 1. staying at home if sick, 2. persons who come into contact with a sick person staying at home, 3. social distancing, not to come within six feet of other persons, and 4. washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth. As straightforward as that. With tight resources in the face of the growing epidemic, he said that persons should not seek to be tested for exposure unless displaying symptoms, as when a drive through testing station was set up last week at the Virginia Hospital Center, 99 of 100 people tested were negative, meaning the vast majority did not have the symptoms of the illness. Beyer’s contributions dealt a lot with the $2 trillion-plus rescue package being debated on Capitol Hill Tuesday night, with information from that still pending what the final shape of the legislation
was to look like. He and Dr. Schwartz made strong cases for why cutting off social distancing prematurely would be a disaster. “It would destroy the U.S. hospital system,” Beyer said, based on ensuring it will lead to massive overcrowding. Getting past this crisis “won’t be a sprint,” Beyer said. The Del. Simon and Palchik virtual meeting Saturday afternoon was not without minor technical glitches, as the sudden new reality confronts us with remote forms of public events. Simon, representing the 53rd State Delegate District that includes the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County Supervisor Plachik representing the Providence District adjacent Falls Church were originally scheduled for a public place, but instead did it online today before an audience that ranged up to 44 viewers. They responded to questions both about the current pandemic and, for Simon, the recently-concluded legislative session
STATE DEL. MARCUS SIMON conducted a virtual town hall from the living room of his home in Pimmit Hills Saturday afternoon, and Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia Palchik participated via a second screen (shown on Simon’s cell phone). (Photo: News-Press) in Richmond. The News-Press sat in at Del. Simon’s home for the event, and Supervisor Palchik participated from her home. Viewers were directed to the Fairfax County Health Department’s website for periodic updates on the pandemic in the City and county. Persons experiencing symptoms and seeking testing were directed to the Inova Hospital on Gallows Road.
Palchik also pointed to volunteer opportunities through the county public schools, as there are currently 44 locations in the county where food for students and parents in need can be picked up and 7 bus routes circulating to provide for families in need. Simon also noted the daily video updates coming from
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E D I TO R I A L
We Will All Emerge Heroes
So, how are you doing? We’re just getting into serious social distancing and quarantine public practices, and the best medical assessment of the exploding coronavirus pandemic is that, notwithstanding a massive self-destructive turn, it’s going to remain in effect for numerous months, at best. As the cases of new infections rise at a frightening rate in today’s hot spots, it is heartening to note that there is already evidence to show that where serious social distancing policies have been put in place in recent weeks, the rate of new infections is dropping rapidly. A study by the Kinsa company, reported on the Rachel Maddow Show Tuesday, shows this. This means that making the effort to stem this pandemic is not in vain. While research labs are working overtime to develop a vaccine that could be available within a year or so, if enough people resolve to stay the course on social distancing, then many lives and much social chaos will be saved and avoided, respectively. Here is a situation where in a unique way, each and every one of us has the potential to be a true hero, and that is not an overstatement. Moreover, since we are doing this as a collective human community, we will enjoy the rewards of such a shared sacrifice in the form of a sense of human solidarity and mutual love and respect that promises to unleash uncommon levels of joy and happiness. As we spin on this orb through a wider universe that we know far too little about, nothing will answer any sense of existential separation better than such an exercise in solidarity, a victorious solidarity that we all played a role in achieving. Yes, you won’t have to be a superhero or superstar to bathe in the glow of a great human victory. You need only to stay the course of our current offensive to defeat this deadly virus with our willful actions to act out the necessary prohibitions and, if so inclined, engage myriad volunteer opportunities to help others in the fight, too. Who would have thought the challenge in such a war as this would be not only be the mindless but aggressive virus, itself, but a U.S. president and his sponsors who are trying to lure enough of us with the sickening promise of a “return to normal” in the midst of a battle that is a pure, potentially genocidal, illusion? How appalling that our adversaries in this battle are “Donald and the Other Deadly Bugs.” The temptation that we could all just call this whole thing off in a couple weeks, will, we hate to say, be overwhelmed by the inevitable flood of new infections, seriously ill people and deaths. Maybe social distancing will work so well that the pandemic fails to materialize on the scale now being predicted. If so, some may criticize us, but how happy we’ll be if that were to occur.
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Remember Social Distancing On Roads & Trails, Too Editor, Covid-19 has driven bike usage way up. Kids are out of school, people working from home have more flexible schedules and people commuting are avoiding Metro. You can see this on local streets and trails. What this means is that we all need to watch out for each other. So, please, people driving cars
and trucks, there are far more cyclists on the roads, some of whom may be new to biking on streets and may not always ride in ways you would predict. There are also a lot of children riding bikes and scooters in the streets, as is their right. Please look out for them — and all of us — by staying under the speed limit, doing full stops at stop signs (and waiting your turn),
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looking in every direction before you make a turn, and refraining from passing a bike if you’re about to make a turn or if you can’t see around the turn or over the hill. These are best practices at all times, but especially now. People riding bikes, please ride on the right side of the road and obey all stop signs, red lights, and other traffic signals, and ride predictably. Virginia lets you ride on sidewalks and in crosswalks, but please yield to pedestrians and leave them plenty of space. On multi-use paths — especially the W&OD, Custis Trail, Four-Mile Run and Mount Vernon Trail —
please practice good social distancing: six feet minimum. For some people, these trails are their safest or most direct route to work, but the heavy volume is creating a risk for Covid-19 contagion. Right now it’s best to use these trails only if you really need to — not for general recreation — and when you do, to leave plenty of space when passing and to allow room for others to pass. Arlington has already closed its public parks, and D.C. is limiting access to the Tidal Basin, etc. We should treat these trails similarly to limit contagion.
Letters Continued on Page 18
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MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 7
There’s Never Been a More Important Time to ‘Live Local’ B� S���� C���
Small businesses are an essential part of Falls Church and one of the reasons why our community is so unique. They provide delicious food, great entertainment, and much needed personal and professional services that help make Falls Church a livable, walkable area. They also contribute significantly to local PTAs, athletic and music boosters, scouts, sports teams, assistance for low income students and families, homeless shelters, programs for people with disabilities, nonprofit arts organizations, and local events. They employ friends and neighbors and generate sales, meals, and business taxes. They are our friends, our neighbors, and significant contributors to our community. They make it possible for us to Live Local. As we all face health fears for ourselves, our friends, and our loved ones, our small business owners are also dealing with the uncertainties of what is to come. They have rent, payroll, supply bills, and other expenses in addition to their personal expenditures. They feel responsible for their employees’ health and wellbeing as well as their employees’ abilities to buy food, pay rent, and care for their families. And for many, their small business is their sole source of income. For those lucky enough to have discretionary income or be in salaried positions with the ability to work from home, there are several ways we can support our small businesses.
• Arrange for take-out and delivery — many restaurants are offering hands free options for pick-up and provide delivery. And if you can, tip generously. • Purchase items from small businesses online or over the phone. • Purchase gift cards for your own use
“As we all face health fears for ourselves, our friends, and our loved ones, our small business owners are also dealing with the uncertainties of what is to come.” when appropriate or as birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or other gift giving occasions later in the year. • Schedule appointments for consultations via phone, Skype, Facetime, or Zoom, • Keep your fitness memberships, • Purchase multi-session packages for future use or use them for virtual classes, • Continue to pay your at-home service providers such as cleaners or dog walkers, • Consider contributing to funding pages set up via GoFundMe, PayPal, and Venmo, • Post helpful, supportive reviews on Facebook, Yelp, and Google,
• Connect on social media by responding to their posts, staying up to date on their activities, and sharing posts. Governments at all levels are focusing efforts on ways to help small businesses. The federal government, through the Small Business Administration, has authorized Injury Disaster Loans for small business owners to help businesses cover payroll and other costs. What will be even more helpful is a new program in the pending stimulus package that would provide loans that could convert to grants. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth of Virginia has deferred sales taxes and local jurisdictions, such as the City of Falls Church, are considering a variety of ways to support local businesses such as easing signage requirements to enable businesses to put banners out and operate from their sidewalks. But government can’t do it alone, especially given the many priorities right now. We must all work together to preserve our community. Restaurants have found ways in which to provide food safely while keeping some employees working. Professional services, fitness, wellness, counseling, and child-focused businesses are offering virtual meetings and classes. Some are creating new ways to support their fellow businesses and those in need. For example, Diener & Associates is offering free consultations to businesses applying for the SBA’s Disaster Injury loans while Falls Church Tech support is offering 12-month payment plans for businesses that need help creating virtual meetings
and events. Zoya’s Atelier is making masks and the Neighborhood Barbershop and real estate agent Alison Miller have created Facebook pages to gather volunteers and share information about local needs. Partnerships have developed as well. Falls Church Distillers and Ekoe Health created a hand sanitizer available to residents for free in small quantities or at cost in larger quantities while Galleria Florist and Dominion Wine & Beer partnered to deliver flowers and wine to residents. These offers of assistance and partnerships are being shared on the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s Live Local Falls Church! Facebook Group, open to area residents, businesses, and employees. Created to support November as Live Local month in Falls Church, the Live Local Falls Church! Group has expanded to allow businesses to share news and changes in operations, and it is serving as a portal for information, and as a hub for those interested in supporting our precious small business community. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last but we do know that for now at least, our business community is doing what it can to keep us safe. It seems the least we can do is support them while trying to maintain as much normalcy as possible. Let’s all keep a safe distance, wash our hands, support our local small businesses, and Live Local Falls Church!
Sally Cole is the executive director of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.
Q������� �� ��� W��� Do you personally know someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus? • Yes • No
Last Week’s Question:
Are City of F.C. and Virginia officials doing enough in response to the coronavirus pandemic?
• Not sure
Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote
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& 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.
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PAGE 8 | MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020
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Supplies Needed At Kensington After 2 Test Positive at Senior Care Center
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Those able to donate are asked to bring the supplies to the main entrance of the community at 700 W. Broad St. and press the concierge button. Someone will then come down and pick up the supplies. Masks, including the N95, which works as an air-purifying respirator, and other items like protective gloves are in short supply in the area as a result of the pandemic. “Many people have them or something similar in wood shops and hobby rooms,” The Kensington said. “We are looking for these items to make sure that our inventories are ready to meet the need in coming weeks.” For those who don’t live close to the Falls Church center and have supplies they’d like to donate, the Kensington asks individuals to drop them off at the nearest assisted living or memory care facility.
F.C. Town Hall Continued from Page 1
Eight questions were directed to Brody following his extensive presentation on the parameters of the pandemic, including data on its spread and the do’s and don’ts the public needs to heed to stem its contagion. He was asked if it was OK to walk pets in the parks, and he said yes, as long as the six-foot social distancing rule is obeyed. He also said it is “perfectly safe” to order takeout from local restaurants (he noted that 45 percent of Virginians now enjoy dining out as their primary source of nourishment) and that boxes arriving through the mail or deliveries are safe to handle. “This is not a hearty virus,” he said, and its half-life on surfaces is about six to seven hours (and it ceases to be contagious in an even shorter time). Questions directed to Noonan addressed the completion date of the new high school (Noonan said that supply chains for the construction could be interrupted), that International Baccalaureate diplomas would be presented this spring even as the IB program’s full evaluation resources will not be brought
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
The first positive case of Covid-19 at the City’s senior living center was confirmed by the Fairfax County Health Department last Thursday, and the second was reported on Sunday. The cases are also the first, and only thus far, positive coronavirus cases reported in the City. “The virus has now hit home for our community as it has for so many communities around our country and around the world,” said City of Falls Church Mayor David Tarter in a statement last Thursday. “It underscores just how serious this pandemic is, and the importance of following the recommendations and mandates of our health care professionals.” At least seven other individuals at The Kensington who were also symptomatic have been tested for the virus and all were negative, according to City officials. A statement from The Kensington, issued after the second positive test Sunday, says the
facility has been providing written updates at least once a day to the families of residents, along with phone calls, photos and Facetime. “Our regular communications give them the latest information we have and provide news of our ongoing protective measures,” the statement read. Janney said they’ve already received several donations at the center and F.C. Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, who also serves as community outreach director for Falls Church City Public Schools, told the NewsPress that the City school system has donated 15-20 commercialgrade containers of wipes to the facility. Connelly said that Seve Padilla, director of the school system’s facilities and security services, had stocked up on wipes when news of the coronavirus first started to break. “We don’t typically order those types of supplies,” she explained.
The coronavirus disease, Covid-19, is especially dangerous to the elderly and with 108 residents and 181 staff members, The Kensington’s population is particularly at-risk. As of last Friday, at least 55 people in elder care centers in the United States have died from the coronavirus, according to a report in The Washington Post. In one Washington state nursing home, 35 people died after the virus ran rampant through the facility. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data shows a fatality rate of 3 – 11 percent for ages 65-84 and between 10 – 27 percent for patients aged 85 and up who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the U.S. Per guidance from the CDC for health care communities, The Kensington had already been limiting visitors and canceled all events and outings prior to the positive results. “We had asked families not to visit or take residents out into the community,” said Amy Feather, executive director of The Kensington Falls Church. “We had canceled all but critical doc-
to bear, that graduation in June “may not the done in the ways of the past” this year, “but we’ll figure out a way to do something special,” moving spring sports to the fall this year is being considered, with availability of playing fields being a challenge, and with Gov. Northam’s order to close all schools for the academic year, the virtual teaching of students at their homes will need to get more creative. He said virtual classes will continue through the end of this week, then next week will be off for spring break, before new approaches are introduced after that. He said that students with special needs will see their programs “continue with continuity” and that the parents of every student in that program will be contacted with a phone call in the coming week. He noted that, depending on how bad the pandemic gets, some of the system’s buildings might have to be “repurposed” for temporary use for hospital beds. Noonan broke his presentation down into three areas, continuing instruction, ongoing operations and the community. Playgrounds are closed to the public, the employees, including the hourly-paid employees, are being paid and the schools have enjoyed enormous help
from the Falls Church Education Foundation and the PTA. They’ve provided 230 families with food boxes good for two weeks and $50 gift cards that will probably be repeated soon. Noonan said he’s continuing with extensive Tuesday and Friday updates that the public can read on the schools’ website. Questions directed to City Manager Shields focused on how the City will deal with the expected sharp revenue shortfall from this, and he said the Council will have a 30-day pause on the budget process this spring to better assess where things stand. “This is an incredibly difficult time for the business community,” he said, noting the sales, food and gross revenue taxes they normally pay. This is especially true since Northam ordered all restaurants closed to all but takeout and delivery service effective Tuesday at midnight. Shields said he’d like to keep the City parks open so that people can exercise, as long as they are observing the six-foot separation rule. The farmers market on Saturdays, even though it is a part of the food supply system, will probably remain closed. Shields said this is being treated as “a long-duration event” and that the City’s primary role is to
protect its citizens. He said an “individual tool kit, a community tool kit and an environmental tool kit” have been developed as approaches. The library, community center and playground equipment are all closed, and City Hall is to all but building permits and the operations of the treasurer and commissioner of the revenue offices. All City employees who can are working from home, he said. The number of 703-248-5100 can be called to reach the City government, and Shields will send out online a daily 2 p.m. update. He noted that over 400 have signed up for the alert.fallschurchva.gov site and that a full page ad was placed in the News-Press last week that is carrier-delivered to some 5,000 households. The county’s Brody gave the public health background to the spread of the virus out of China’s city of Wuhan, where the first case was reported on Dec. 8 last year. The first reported case in the U.S. was Jan. 21, and the first reported in the Fairfax/Falls Church area was March 7. Now, just two and a half weeks later, there are 43 confirmed cases in this area, and one death so far. A fever, dry cough and shortness of breath are the main symptoms of an infection. He said that
tor’s appointments for residents. Our teams are creative and have set up virtual ways for residents and family members to connect in lieu of in-person visits.” Fairfax County Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu said “When Covid-19 occurs in a setting where there are many older people with underlying health conditions, we are concerned. We’ll be working very closely with the facility over the coming days to protect other residents and staff and prevent further spread.” There have been 391 reported cases of Covid-19 in the state of Virginia and nearly 20 percent of the total has come from the Fairfax Health District, which includes the City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, Fairfax County and its towns. In neighboring Arlington Co., there have been 46 cases reported. Last Saturday, health officials in Fairfax reported the district’s first death when a man in his 60s, who contracted the virus through a previously-reported case, died due to respiratory failure as a result of Covid-19. As of Wednesday afternoon, there have been 12 reported deaths in Virginia.
following an initial infection, it takes five to six days for an illness to manifest, and medical attention and or hospitalization comes four to seven days after that. He said of those infected, 15 percent percent suffer a severe illness and 2 percent die, a rate equal to the rate of fatalities from the Spanish flu epidemic right after World War I. In the end, he said, up to 20 percent of the population may become infected, and it comes in waves like the flu, with the spring, fall and winter months the worst for its spread. He said it will take 12-18 months for a reliable vaccine to be developed. The public health policies of containment and mitigation to “flatten the curve” of the rate of increase of infections is about halfway between containment and mitigation so far. Brody’s remarks were followed by those of Del. Simon, remotely from his home (Simon held his own virtual town hall last Saturday with a lot of content about what transpired in the justcompleted legislative session in Richmond. See story, elsewhere this edition). Mayor Tarter opened and closed Monday’s meeting with remarks and Councilman Snyder also added some at the end.
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NEWS BRIEFS City of F.C.: ‘We Can’t Inform Public of Each New Covid-19 Case’ On Wednesday afternoon, the City of Falls Church said it could no longer announce each new positive Covid-19 case in the City. “The City will continue to be in close contact with [Fairfax County Health Department], but we will not be able to inform the public of every case in the City from this point forward,” it wrote in its daily coronavirus newsletter. The note cited a recent announcement by Fairfax County Health Department officials that they would stop reporting summaries for each new positive case. “Fairfax Health District is no longer reporting case summaries for each new COVID-19 positive case, as laboratory reporting is increasing from public and commercial labs,” the department said, though total cases in each health district will continue to be updated daily.
Schools, Non-Essential Business Shuttered in Virginia Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday that schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year in response to continued community spread of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, Northam ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses in the state. Exemptions include medical and related businesses, law enforcement, media and food sales services — though all dine-in service was suspended effective midnight Tuesday. “School closures are necessary to mitigate the speed at which Covid-19 spreads and protect the capacity of our healthcare system,” Northam said at his Monday news conference about the pandemic. He added that the state is already working on waivers to relieve testing requirements and ensure that students on track to graduate can do so. Peter Noonan, Falls Church City Public Schools’ superintendent said in a statement that learning plans will still be presented through the school system’s online learning platform, Schoology, through April 10. FCCPS will also be honoring spring break. “While it is the right thing to do to stop the spread of Covid-19, we are disappointed that we are closed for the remainder of the year,” Noonan told the News-Press. “FCCPS is committed to continuing to support our families during the time of closure, getting through this, and getting school opened again,” Noonan continued. “We await the Virginia Department of Education’s guidance that will inform our next steps. FCCPS stands ready to serve in any capacity we are called on to support essential personnel as we ensure the safety of all. We continue to ask that all community members do their part and recognize that we are stronger together.”
Decision Delayed on Saturday Farmers Market in F.C. Falls Church City Hall officials were still undecided as of press time last night on whether this Saturday’s Falls Church Farmers Market will be on, or not. Interested persons should check the City’s website for a late-breaking announcement on its status. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, in his list of edicts about essential (to stay open) and non-essential (to close) businesses earlier this week, stipulated that farmers markets are, like supermarkets, eligible to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic crisis. While the Falls Church market was ordered closed last weekend by F.C. City Hall, the governor’s ruling has led to a reconsideration here.
Virginia Attorney General Warns Online Giants Vs. Gouging Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring joined 33 attorneys general from states across the U.S. in urging Amazon, Facebook, Ebay, Walmart, and Craigslist to more rigorously monitor price gouging practices by online sellers who are using their services. “We are in the middle of a national public health crisis and the last thing folks should be worrying about is someone charging insanely high prices for necessary goods like cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, or medicines,” said Attorney General Herring. “While Virginia law offers protections for folks against price gouging, online marketplaces like Amazon, Facebook or Craigslist must be regulated by their parent companies to make sure people aren’t taking advantage of this crisis.”
Sen. Warner Hails Employee Retention Provision Virginia’s U.S. Senator Mark Warner, saying he personally fought for it to be included in the $2 trillion package passed in the U.S. Senate yesterday, hailed the “Employee Retention Credit for Employers That Had to Close” due to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. “It took a lot of hard work to have it included,” he said, “But it is going to mean a lot more people are going to be able to keep their health care and have a job to come back to when this is all over,” he said.
MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 9
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PAGE 10 | MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020
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Community News & Notes Chamber Encourages Notes For F.C. Seniors The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce encourages local residents to mail letters, drawings and notes to residents at nearby senior living facilities. The two closest are The Kensington Falls Church (700 W Broad St., Falls Church) and Chesterbrook Residences (2030 Westmoreland St., McLean). Since senior living facilities are high risk areas for the spread of the novel coronavirus, few visitors have been allowed and residents have limited mobility within the facilities themselves. The contact through the mail has been deemed a safe way to communicate according to the latest research. Those interested in sending something to either facility should contact The Kensington’s Kitty Janney at kjanney@kensingtonsl.com or Chesterbrook’s Kelly Halteh at khalteh@cri-va.org.
F.C. Grocery Stores Reserve Time for At-Risk Shoppers Aldi, Giant Food, Harris Teeter and Safeway grocery stores in the Falls Church area have announced dedicated shopping hours for seniors and at-risk shoppers during the coronavirus pandemic. At Aldi, the store has reserved the first hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. for vulnerable shoppers including senior citizens, expectant mothers and those with underlying health conditions. Aldi has three Falls Church locations, one at 155 Hillwood Ave. in the City, one at 5725 Columbia Pike and the other at 8100 Arlington Blvd. Giant’s stores, with locations at Bailey’s Crossroads (3480 S Jefferson St, Falls Church), the City of F.C. (1230 W Broad St, Falls Church) and Seven Corners (6360 Seven Corners Center) are now offering
dedicated shopping hours, daily from 6 – 7 a.m., for senior citizens 60 and older and individuals with compromised immune systems. At Harris Teeter (301 W. Broad St., Falls Church), every Monday and Thursday from 6 – 7 a.m. is reserved for shoppers over 60. Safeway’s two Falls Church locations (7397 Lee Highway in the Shops at West Falls Church and in the Willston Center at 6118 Arlington Blvd.) have set aside the first two hours each Tuesday and Thursday, from 7 – 9 a.m., for seniors and at-risk members of the community.
FDA Monitoring Market for Potential Coronavirus Fraud The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it is actively monitoring the market for any firms offering products with fraudulent coronavirus (Covid-19) diagnostic, prevention and treatment claims. as part of the agency’s efforts to protect public health during this pandemic. The FDA wants to alert the public that, at this time, it has not authorized any test that is available to purchase for testing Covid19 at home. The FDA does see the public health value in expanding the availability of Covid-19 testing through safe and accurate tests that may include home collection, and is actively working with test developers in this space. The agency warns that fraudulent health claims, tests and products can pose serious health risks. They may keep some patients from seeking care or delay necessary medical treatment. The FDA reminds consumers to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and speak to their medical provider if they have symptoms of Covid-19. A medical provider will advise a patient about whether they should
THE MEDICAL CARE for Children Partnership foundation’s mobile dental van has been repurposed for the coronavirus outbreak. It is now working in collaboration with MCCP partner organizations to ensure the most vulnerable members of the community receive healthy and nutritious meals each day. (Photo: Courtesy MCCP Foundation) get tested and the process for being tested with an appropriate test. The FDA will take appropriate action to protect consumers from bad actors who take advantage of a crisis to deceive the public by marketing tests that pose risks to patient health. This may include issuing warning letters, seizures or injunctions. The agency has already identified and issued warning letters to companies found selling and promoting fraudulent items, and it expects additional such actions will follow. Additionally, the FDA is stepping up enforcement at ports of entry, including international mail facilities, to ensure these fraudu-
lent products that originate outside the country do not enter through U.S. borders. The FDA asks all citizens to report any fraudulent test kits they are aware of to the agency.
W&OD Trail Detour at Lee Highway Changes The Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail detour at Lee Highway (Route 29) in Arlington changed last Friday as construction of the new trail bridge over Lee Highway progressed. The new trail bridge is scheduled to open in the fall. The current detour west of Lee Highway, which uses nearby
streets, has been in place since construction began last April. Trail users will now travel on 200 feet of temporary pavement adjacent to the new bridge and original trail alignment. This new configuration will remain in place until completion of construction, with the occasional need to revert to the previous detour during certain construction activities. Since construction of the new trail bridge began in April 2019, new bridge abutments have been built and bridge beams have been installed. Crews working on the bridge deck should be completed this April after installing steel and preparing for upcoming concrete deck pours.
Send Us Your News & Notes!
The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!
Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
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MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 11
DAM SAFETY AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT www.dcr.virginia.gov/floodawareness
OUR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SAFETY
FALLS CHURCH’S HANS MILLER saw a long chain link drawn on the sidewalk of Rosemary Lane in the City alongside the message “Keep Us Connected - FCC.” He says he thought it was “really cool” and made him think of the negative aspects of the pandemic, like hoarding and other selfish acts, contrasted against more positive, community-minded actions. (Photo: Courtesy: Hans Miller) W&OD Trail bridge construction is part of the Transform 66 Inside the Beltway Eastbound Widening Project, which is adding a travel lane along four miles of eastbound I-66 and installing approximately 12,000 linear feet of new and replacement noise barriers. The project also includes constructing a new direct access ramp from eastbound I-66 to the West Falls Church Metro Station at the Route 7 Interchange, which is scheduled to begin in spring 2020. The additional eastbound lane is scheduled to open to traffic in fall 2020, and the overall project is expected to be complete in fall 2021.
McLean 9-Year-Old Earns Little Miss Virginia Title Nine-year-old McKenzie Watt, daughter of Philip and Andrea Watt of McLean, was awarded the
Little Miss of Virginia 2019-20 McKenszie Watt. (Courtesy photo) title Little Miss of Virginia 201920. Young ladies, ages 7–26, are eligible to participate in the scholarship program which culminates with a national competition this June in Atlanta, Georgia. Several
local organizations, including RPJ Advisors, Realtor Christine Rich, Janney Montgomery Scott and Banaji Pediatric Dental Specialists are serving as sponsors for the Virginia title holder. As Little Miss of Virginia 2019-20, Watt will serve as an inclusion ambassador for Special Olympics’ Spread the Word to End the Word. As a titleholder, she will have the opportunity to compete for the national title and over $60,000 in scholarships, cash, travel and prizes in June’s national competition. The candidates vying for the title of Little Miss of America compete in six categories of judging: Personal Development of Talents & Skills, Service & Achievements in School & Community, Scholastic & Professional Record, Personality Projection & Poise in Evening Wear, Judge’s Interview and Personal Introduction.
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A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
If the coronavirus — Covid-19 — is a pandemic, so, too, is the coverage of its effects across the globe. There seems to be little else presented on newscasts, talk shows, print and social media, or between neighbors and family members. Despite repeated information about washing your hands, covering coughs, and practicing social distancing (keeping at least six feet of distance between yourself and others), it appears that many people are not taking the cautions seriously. Reports of large numbers of youth gathering at local playing fields and other open spaces are cause for concern. On Sunday, the soccer field at Mason District Park was full of players, apparently walk-ons since all field reservations have been cancelled, and there wasn’t much social distancing being observed. All parks and park facilities in Fairfax County are closed, including playgrounds, skate parks, off-leash dog areas, and restroom facilities. As of this writing, trails remain open for individual use only. The Covid-19 pandemic affects the basic operations of local government, too. A recent amendment to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), sometimes referred to as the “open meetings” law, grants the opportunity for local governing bodies to adopt a written policy, including participation remotely, so that they can continue to conduct county business. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors first had to adopt that written policy before some members could participate from remote locations during the pandemic. VFOIA still requires that a quorum be present, in person, to conduct county business. The meeting was moved to Room 11 at the Fairfax County Government Center, where social distancing could be observed, and 10 or fewer people, with a minimum of staff – the County Executive, County Attorney, and the Clerk to the Board in the room. Room 11 is set up for televising Board Committee meetings via live-streaming and on Channel 16; camera operators work from a control room elsewhere in the building. Participating in a Board meeting via computer screen was unusual, but it got the job done. Public hearings for land use applications are suspended for now; two time-sensitive agenda items allowed public testimony via video from an adjacent room, to accommodate the required public hearing
and social distancing. Two important changes to usual county business were announced: effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27, all county buildings will be closed to the public; and the first installment of real estate tax payments, normally due on July 28, will be due a month later, on Aug. 28, without incurring any interest or penalties. The economic and budgetary effects of the pandemic simply are unknown. The FY 2021 budget proposed by County Executive Bryan Hill just a month ago will have to be recalculated and revised; the state budget passed by the General Assembly is on Gov. Northam’s desk for signature. In a conference call with local leaders on Monday night, Cabinet Secretaries indicated that budget adjustments will be required, without knowing what federal aid, if any, or when, will be available to states and localities. Alarmingly, the president seemed to indicate that the governors are on their own in this crisis. Of local interest, the deadline for applying for senior citizen tax relief has been moved from April 1 to June 1. The deadline for federal income tax filings has been moved from April 15 to July 15. In Virginia, you must file your state income tax return by May 1, but tax payments are not due until June 1. The Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) Task Force meetings (March 23 and April 2) to review nominations are postponed; no new dates have been announced. Room reservations at the Mason District Governmental Center have been suspended, as has the prescription drug take-back program in the lobby. The glass recycling (Purple Can) collection point in the parking lot still is open, and my office is operating with limited staff. Please call 703-256-7717 or send an email to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov with your questions or concerns about any county-related matter. One event not postponed is Census Day, April 1. Look for the invitation that came in the mail earlier this month, log on with your participation code, and take a few minutes to complete the census. It’s easy, quick, and you already know all the answers! Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
YOU DESERVE TO LIVE SAFE FROM SEXUAL HARASSMENT. Sexual harassment by a landlord or anyone related to your housing violates the Fair Housing Act. If you receive unwelcome sexual advances or are threatened with eviction because you refuse to provide sexual favors, you may file a fair housing complaint.
hud.gov/fairhousing 1-800-669-9777
To file a complaint, go to or call
If you fear for your safety, call 911.
FAIR HOUSING IS YOUR RIGHT. USE IT. A public service message from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in cooperation with the National Fair Housing Alliance. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. For more information, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Area Town Halls Go Virtual Continued from Page 5
the office of Gov. Ralph Northam. He said that while there are considerable expansions in capacity for tests, for example, getting hands on the chemicals needed to make the tests has continued to be a challenge. Simon said that while a month ago, the idea of a universal basic income for everyone was seen as outlandish, it is not so much the case anymore. “It is not so crazy anymore if we can cut through layers and layers of bureaucracy.” He said that studies have shown it costs more to process all the bureaucratic hurdles than it does for a certain amount of fraud to slip through the system. Several questions were raised about the recently passed state budget. Simon shared that the current pandemic has certainly affected the budget and that it will have to be reforecast to take into account the increased demand in state services. Palchik expressed similar concerns about the County’s budget, which will be reviewed in April. Since the state’s fiscal year ends June 30, the state is not able to delay the tax filing deadline nor can there be any deficit spending. The General Assembly is required by law to have a balanced budget every year. He noted the governor has acted in the last week to expedite the ability of persons to get signed up for unemployment insurance with the removal of waiting peri-
ods, expanded eligibility and fewer restrictions. He noted that the number of applications for unemployment insurance in the last week alone in the state outstriped the entire year to date. He said there are also new small business employer benefits. Some key legislative changes passed in Richmond this session will also help, such as for an increase in the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour, and to go up to $12.50 and then $15 after a couple years. There were key changes made to improve women’s health options and to ban discrimination for LGBTQ persons in housing, employment and other areas. A bill to remove the work requirement for those on Medicaid was also approved. Major changes to voting rights and access are also coming – legislation to allow for automatic voter registration, same-day registration, and no excuse absentee voting all passed. Del. Simon noted the ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court to pause all action on pending evictions and the ruling that sheriffs won’t execute eviction orders during the current crisis. Palchik said that the Fairfax County board will be taking up legislation to enable and incentivize the construction of so-called “granny flats,” or auxiliary dwelling units, on residential properties in the county, saying that with the current crisis, the demand for them as a form of affordable housing can be expected to go way up.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Trump-Backers Call For ‘Final Solution’
You learn a heck of a lot about people in a crisis. It’s a time when core values come to the surface that you might otherwise not see, especially if you’re not paying attention. It’s surely true in this instance. On the level of policy making, it’s easier to see the extent to which two opposing viewpoints either value human life, or something else instead. There is not a difference of degrees between President Trump, on the one hand, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, on the other. It is not an issue of style or communication skills. It is a difference between someone who is willing to sacrifice human life in pursuit of filthy lucre, and one who puts human life first. FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS In the Trump vs. Cuomo case, the difference is crystal clear. It’s a difference that political leaders and even public health experts are loath to spell out clearly, because it is their job always to try to coax and nudge the process to improve outcomes. It is the role of truth-telling leaders outside the formal system, like good journalists and columnists, to inform the public of the real consequences of the contrary views of public policy makers, like the president. Here you have our president making it clear that he places economic activity ahead of however many human lives may be sacrificed in a futile effort to restart the U.S. economy. Some of his backers say it even more plainly, like that Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who suggested that elderly persons ought to willingly support the sacrifice of their own lives to keep the economy going. Ladies and gentlemen, if you ever wondered how the German population could have sat by while Hitler condemned millions of Jews and others to the extermination camps, you have your answer in the contemptible comments by this man. This is no exaggeration. The issue in Nazi Germany was the same as today. In a global depression, Hitler chose to throw a whole segment of his population, defined as “useless eaters,” on the scrap heap. He chose a racially-prejudiced basis for singling out the segment to exterminate. Today, people like Patrick, and by extension those like him who back Trump, are singling out a different class of “useless eaters,” in this case the aged. It follows suit that Fox News’ Brit Hume would find Patrick’s viewpoint “reasonable.” Comments by Trump-lovers like Glen Beck are saying similar things, like “I’d rather die than kill the country,” as if that’s the choice we face, and others cited in columnist Katie Shepherd’s article in this week’s Washington Post, entitled, “The Conservative Chorus Pushing Trump to End Social Distancing.” (In this context, how contemptible it is for Franklin Graham, the Trump-backing Evangelical charlatan, to place ads on CNN to exploit people’s fears of the pandemic with a hollow offer of prayer.) Trump’s own mantra that “the cure cannot be worse than the problem” in his call for the country to re-open for business by Easter is just a milder form of the same pro-Nazi call to throw a whole segment of “useless eaters” among our population into graveyards. One must assume that every Trump backer who does not at this point stand up to denounce this unspeakable treachery is, in fact, complicit with its intent. In sharp contrast with this Trumpian call for a veritable genocide are people like New York Gov. Cuomo, who said very clearly in his daily update briefing carried live on major news networks yesterday that his commitment is to all “the people we love and will do everything we can to protect.” Indeed, it is governors like Cuomo, Gavin Newsom of California and a growing list of others, who are holding the line along with public health officials like Anthony Fauci against the Trump treachery. For political reasons they are unwilling to really tell it like it is. But if the numbers of the dead rise dramatically, then as Bill Gates suggested, the economy will not recover if it is forced to operate over piles of dead bodies, all those bravely holding the line against the Trump “final solution” will be speaking out more outspokenly.
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MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 13
Nicholas F. Benton
Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark
Mighty oaks are not as mighty as homebuilders with chainsaws. Still, tree policy changes are a-blooming. In the latest in Arlington’s tree wars, homeowners at 5920 N. 35th St. joined with passionate volunteers from the Arlington Tree Action Group to sound alarms over the threat to a towering water oak outside their home of 28 years, which might soon be a tear-down. Patricia Teutsch and John Malerich, as they prepared to sell, invited the press March 4 to witness a Davy Tree expert evaluating their prized tree. The healthy 96-foot, 60-inch diameter specimen, he estimated, is 175-210 years old “with a strong root flare” and “active wood production.” The owners believe it is Arlington’s tallest outside the national cemetery. It is “such a valuable resource to our home, that saved us thousands in utility bills, provides shelter for all kinds of wildlife, and brings a feeling of being established in the neighborhood,” Teutsch said. Her area “faces enormous developer pressure, and Arlington county provides no protection against developers clear-cutting lots. A $2,500 fine for violation is a mere cost of doing business for the developers.” ATAG has linked this tree’s cause to its other recent complaints. The county has too few urban foresters, said member Kit Norland. It mowed down trees to build the new Lubber Run Community Center. And authorities “rubber-stamped” a devel-
oper’s felling of 200 trees in adding new homes to Chain Bridge Forest, she said. “We can’t expect help from the county.” Several Arlington officials met with me to explain their talks with stakeholders and efforts they see as anything but ignoring threats to the tree canopy. “What makes saving trees on single family projects challenging is that about 90 percent of such sites are developed by-right, with only about 10 percent as special exceptions or use permits,” said Luis Araya, chief of the Development Services Bureau at the Environmental Services Department. Trees can be preserved “more effectively with sitespecific design solutions through a public process. But developers prefer to develop by-right because the review and approval process is more predictable and does not require public hearings. Staff has no discretion in the approval of a by-right development plan that meets minimum requirements.” Jennifer Fioretti, deputy director at Parks and Recreation, said the county has pushed legislation that “provides greater incentives for tree canopy preservation and planting.” Delegate David Bulova’s bill (HB520, also backed by ATAG), is now on the governor’s desk. It would have the Department of Environmental Quality convene a stakeholder advisory group to study planting or preservation of trees as an urban land cover type and as a stormwater best management practice. Recommendations for incentivizing tree preservation
could come in 2021, following a symposium on future legislation by the Virginia Department of Forestry. Vincent Verweij, urban forest manager at Parks and Recreation, says the latest county budget would add an urban forester to the three he currently supervises, which would increase capacity for permit review (though the coronavirus is forcing new budgeting). It would add resources for maintenance and pest management, he added. “Just because we have to approve a plan doesn’t mean we like it.” The for-profit homebuilders also backed the Bulova bill. Andrew Clark, vice president for government affairs at the Home Builders Association of Virginia, said his companies prefer to protect natural vegetation. “The tree canopy is a huge selling point. It creates a beautiful sustainable communication for the environment and clean waterways, a sense of place people want,” he said. Antiquated zoning “makes it difficult for developers to maintain natural vegetation and trees. We encourage local government to look at the local process and regulations.” *** As a gesture toward customers socially distanced by the coronavirus, a barber in Westover has been moonlighting offering mobile appointments for $16. But when a satisfied customer posted an announcement on the Nextdoor neighborhood listserv, critics warned that home-service haircuts are an unhealthy idea. Khalid Salmi told me he understands people’s fears, and that business is slow.
PAGE 14 | MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting the globe and policies enacted to avoid social gatherings, the News-Press will publish a list of virtual events weekly in lieu of its regular listings. If you have a virtual event you’d like to see listed, please email calendar@fcnp.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Monday weekly.
VIRTUALEVENTS DAILY Bloom Cam for Cherry Blossoms. While the coronavirus pandemic has closed off visitation to Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms in person, an alternative has been offered thanks to the Trust for the National Mall in the form of
the Bloom Cam. The live feed will allow those who are interested to remotely observe the cherry blossoms in peak bloom from the comfort and safety of their homes. The camera runs 24/7 and is viewable at nationalmall.org/ bloomcam. Virtual Paint Nights with Local Artist Jason Good. Arlingtonbased painter Jason Good is taking his paint night classes that were held at Falls Church Distillers pre-pandemic shut down online now. It’s a $15 fee for those who are interested in participating in the class. Times and painting style/subject of the class vary depending on which event participants select. Visit yaymaker.com/hosts/jason-good1498/?welcome=paintnite to take one of Good’s classes. Lunch Doodles with children’s author Mo Willems. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and
explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Participants should grab some paper and pencils, pens or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. Daily at 1 p.m. Visit kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems to watch. Virtual Museum Tours. Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 2,500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world. The collection includes the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Guggenheim in New York City and more. This collection is geared toward students who are looking for ways to stay on top of their studies while schools are closed. Visit travelandlei-
sure.com/attractions/museumsgalleries/museums-with-virtualtours to find out more about taking a tour. Manners in a Minute videos presented by Tea with Mrs. B. Local women’s etiquette business Tea with Mrs. B created a YouTube video series, “Manners in a Minute,” to help families stay engaged in new and creative ways while being quarantined together. The topics cover formal place setting, fork and knife arrangements and napkin usage, among other things. For a full list of videos, visit Mrs. B’s YouTube page at youtube.com/channel/ UCU5NTwcOyX3gQXVyuf1XY1w. “Stars in the House.” Playbill correspondent and SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky and producer James Wesley will produce a daily live streamed concert series, “Stars in the House,” to promote support for
The Actors Fund and its services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. New shows air daily at 2 and 8 p.m., featuring performances by stars of stage and screen and conversations with Rudetsky between each tune. Stream at actorsfund.org/aboutus/news/stars-house.
Home Safari Facebook Live. The Cincinnati Zoo is offering a Home Safari Facebook Live each weekday where zoo staffers will highlight one of the animals and include an activity that viewers can do from home. Daily at 3 p.m. To join the live stream, visit www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo. The Social Distancing Festival. This online artist community showcases the work of artists from around the world who have been affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus and the need for social distancing. The site gathers lives streams and videos from all different artists and performances from all over the world and puts them all in one place. Visit www.socialdistancingfestival. com for the calendar of streaming events.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 15
As Virus Spreads, F.C. Businesses Adapt to a New Normal
BUSINESSES AROUND THE country are adapting their operations to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Here in Falls Church, the studio at Karma Yoga has now been outfitted as a media studio, with an instructor preparing to go live for his class over Zoom. (Photo: Courtesy Olivia Jeffers/Karma Yoga)
by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
Crises, like the coronavirus pandemic, can seriously impact businesses’ typical way of doing things, but they’re also opportunities for innovation to salvage — and later, expand — on the services they offer. Owners from fitness studios to florists in and around the City of Falls Church have adapted in real time to meet the demands of customers who still have room in the budget for more than just the basics. Ever since the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a global pandemic two weeks ago, local and state officials in the U.S. have been gradually expanding measures to contain its spread among communities. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s news conference on Monday, where he announced his executive order that all non-essential businesses close by midnight Tuesday, has crippled the foot traffic that most businesses rely on to keep going. Quinn Auction Galleries is one of the businesses that will have to close up shop following the governor’s announcement.
Co-owner Matt Quinn, who runs his auctions out of a building on S. Washington Street, had been able to successfully pivot to an online auction for the previous two weeks. With the help of a software platform, Quinn’s had joined in an industry trend that has been growing over the past 20 years where bids, payment and previews could all take place remotely. Of course, this being a local business, purveyors who wanted to get hands-on with items could make an appointment to come in and check them out; Quinn was just limiting them to two patrons per appointment to honor social distancing protocols. “In this pandemic world, it’s all about limiting social interaction,” Quinn said, who added that his employees are like family and that is why “We want to make the environment as safe as possible for the staff.” The buyer base remained strong for the first two digital auctions, according to Quinn. Highest bidders would have their items cleaned and placed on a table outside so they could come and grab them in a safe, non-transmissible way. But with Northam following Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s
order to close down even more businesses, store activity will halt for the time being. Quinn will now move forward with his latest plan of covering employee’s health insurance and other expenses while they ride this out. Hogan’s order to close nonessential businesses cut off a wholesaler to Galleria Florist just outside of City limits. That decision will likely cause owner Alisa Rabinovich to shutter temporarily after this week as well, which is unfortunate considering she was using that wholesaler’s excess product for new virtual flower classes. In those classes, Rabinovich — who’s personally a wallflower — would take groups of four viewers through a demonstration of how to go through either a short or tall flower kit complete with stems and greens over Facebook. She admits she was winging it, but she was getting more comfortable in front of the camera to the point where she was going to archive them on a YouTube channel. Green thumbers both near and far may be bummed about the florist shutting down, but Rabinovich isn’t. She understands that safety is the top priority right now and
has a new way to connect with customers once the business does re-open. Fitness establishments and bookstores seem to be coping with the closures the best. Pure Barre Falls Church has been putting out two daily classes ever since last week, according to owner Jasmine Palmer. The classes come in the mid-morning around 9 a.m. and another one in the afternoon during the 4 o’clock hour. The videos are posted on the store’s Facebook page for 24 hours, giving their members who may be on different schedules a full day to “attend” a session before they are swapped out for a new batch the next day. One More Page Books and Victory Comics debuted their curbside pickup service in the past week as well. Amber Taylor, the events coordinator at One More Page, said that “the phone has been ringing off the hook and online orders keep coming in” with the store’s new pickup service. Since they had already closed down to walk-ins, Taylor mentioned that One More Page has rearranged the store for books being picked up and books being delivered. A delivery route on Monday, Taylor said, took the driver three hours and traversed about 50 miles between North Arlington, Falls Church and McLean. The biggest draw for One More Page has been their new surprise box option. Staffers picked up the idea on a Facebook group for independent bookstore owners where they would ask customers the kinds of books they liked and didn’t like. For $100, One More Page would then fill it up and deliver it — a service that Taylor says will continue postquarantine. Victory Comics owner Jeff Weaver told the News-Press that things have moved a bit slower for them. He explained that the store is often buzzing with over a hundred visitors during the weekends — and that comic book fans like to come in and browse the selection themselves. Ten-person caps on who can come in have hampered patrons’ favorite way to buy. Another contributing factor is that suppliers Diamond Comics and Alliance Games, according to a Victory Comics Facebook post, are halting their weekly new releases. It’s dragged down demand, Weaver added, but he
mentioned that “TV only lasts so long,” so he expects business to tread water for the time being. Karma Yoga is also doing virtual classes. There’s an active YouTube yoga community online already, so classes being delivered in this form isn’t necessarily out-of-the-box, but owner Olivia Jeffers said it’s been a learning curve with instructors having to find space in their homes while practicing members get surprise guests in the form of pets and children who wander on camera. Jeffers noted that only a handful of people have paused their memberships while a small amount have taken advantage of new, slightly cheaper online membership options. And it’s something that Karma is considering making a regular membership option since it allows the studio to reach more people. But right now, it’s just about adjusting to the flow of doing what is often a groupbonding activity in the isolation of each person’s homes. “Yoga is not a practice of perfect body and perfect mind, it’s a practice of meeting ourselves where we are at this moment in our imperfect lives,” Jeffers said. “This is a real test of that.” One business that is essential, yet went virtual anyway? Dr. Gordon Theisz’s medical practice. What was maybe 10 percent of his business just last week is up to 50 percent in this current week. After finding a good platform that checks the HIPAA boxes so insurance companies can cover the “visits,” Theisz has been able to diagnose patients with ailments from back pain to clearing them of strep throat all from a quick video call over the phone. He’s noticed a drop off of inperson trips since patients are avoiding having their usual physicals or getting a closer look at their ankle sprain. But he has seen an uptick of those with respiratory illnesses — and those who are just plain worried — reaching out about virtual appointments. It’s also been a good way for Theisz to vet for Covid-19. He expects a good chunk of people to get it, but only the ones with severe symptoms, specifically shortness of breath, would be called into the office. It’s also just about tests, with the three to four day waiting period now hopefully making way for tests that can be done within hours in the very near future.
PAGE 16 | MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Crossword
ACROSS
By David Levinson Wilk 1
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© 2020 David Levinson Wilk
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1. News bit 5. Kris Kringle’s employer in a 1947 film 10. 1950s presidential monogram 13. Chicano rock band Los ____ 15. Marine menace of WWII 16. Have a hunch 17. National Theatre of Japan performance 19. Like some lingerie 20. Knight’s title 21. Alphabet trio 22. Closing passages 23. Have a brush with the law 26. ____ es Salaam 28. Opposite of NNW 29. Buffalo NHL player 30. “Dies ____” (Latin hymn) 32. [Wow, that’s bad] 35. Courtroom proceedings 38. Bespectacled Elton John persona 42. Feverish malady 43. To and ____ 44. ____ cable (computer/TV connector) 45. Dunham and Horne 47. Fixated on cleanliness, for short 50. Remote batteries 51. It’s standard for PCs 56. Yellowish-brown 57. #MeToo ____ 58. Opposite of post59. Romeo’s last words 60. Type of sibling represented by
STRANGE BREW
Across 1. News bit
MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 17
this puzzle’s circled letters 65. Short shot 66. What a current flows through 67. Pester with barks 68. Geom. figure 69. Fashion’s de la Renta 70. “Paper or plastic?” items
DOWN
1. Kind 2. Have down ____ science 3. Flow back 4. Speedy Gonzales, for one 5. Sludge 6. Toward the ship’s rear 7. Second longest African river 8. Billionaires’ vessels 9. Office address abbr. 10. Unsupportive parent? 11. Stick-on design 12. Steven’s wife on “Family Ties” 14. “SNL” segments 16. Thrive 18. State flower of Tennessee 22. Snake charmer’s snake 23. Struggle against 24. Broadway brightener 25. Heavy metal band with the triple-platinum album “Out of the Cellar” 26. Merriam-Webster ref. 27. Like ____ of sunshine 31. Alternative to Wi-Fi 33. Not quite right 34. Distant 36. Peru’s capital
JOHN DEERING
Sudoku
37. Bio. and chem. 39. Family nickname 40. “Good heavens, old chap!” 41. Beginner, in video game lingo 46. Balls of yarn 48. Handle hard times 49. Mr. ____ of “Pride and Prejudice” 51. Sticks with cotton ends 52. Crumple before tossing out 53. MD meeting an ambulance 54. When tripled, “and so on” 55. Place to get clean 60. Chinese leader who hosted Nixon 61. The Once-____ (Seuss character) 62. Craft beer letters 63. Skype annoyance 64. Wino’s woe
Last Thursday’s Solution L A B A M B A
T H E R O A D
S H A L A L A
I S H M A E L
S E E I N T O
I N A K N O T
A S H T A I T E N D O C E N T H I H A I G E H A L F T O A M A N T E N G E D E N E N A Z S P R
A P O O R
R P E I W N
E L L I E A T I I N H S A T T E E P
S T A S T A T E B S E A T E N A D S S A E N N T E N E C A A Y
T A G E N D S
Y O U R E O K
X S A N D O S
B R A I D E D
I A S S U M E
Z E T A P S I
By The Mepham Group
Level 1 2 3 4
5. Kris Kringle's employer in a 1947 film 10. 1950s presidential monogram 13. Chicano rock band Los ____ 15. Marine menace of WWII 16. Have a hunch 17. National Theatre of Japan performance 19. Like some lingerie 20. Knight's title
1
21. Alphabet trio 22. Closing passages 23. Have a brush with the law 26. ____ es Salaam
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
28. Opposite of NNW 29. Buffalo NHL player NICK KNACK
© 2020 N.F. Benton
1
3/29/20
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. © 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
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PAGE 18 | MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020
dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . pas
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BACK IN THE DAY
is the Now for all time cows good co me to aid to the the ir of t u r e . p a s is the Now for all time cows good me to to coaid of the their.
25 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press Falls Church News-Press Vol. V, No. 1 • March 23, 1995
Falls Church News-Press Vol. XX, No. 5 • April 1, 2010
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Critter Corner 10 Year s Ago
It is now the time fo r all good to go cows to aid of the the ir pas ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up
Woman Found Dead At Cherry Hill Park Apparently Murdered
F.C. Council Campaigns Stumble Out of Gate as May 4 Approaches
As the News-Press went to press late last night, no news had yet emerged on an indentification of the woman who was found dead in what Falls Church Police ruled was an “apprent homicide” behind the barn in Cherry Hill Park yesterday morning.
Weeks after the filing deadline passed, the campaigns for election to the Falls Church City Council in the May 4 election appear slow getting off the ground. There have been little to no high profile indicators of the race, in which eight citizens are vying for four seats on the sevenmember City Council.
News-Press
TO LETTERS THE EDITOR Continued from Page 6
There have been a lot of positive outcomes of all this physical distancing — a lot of social connection, actually. I’ve seen coworkers and neighbors really looking out for each other. Let’s do the same on our roads and trails. Thank you! Phillip Troutman Falls Church
Appreciates Positive Chalk Messages on Sidewalks in F.C.
Editor, I would like to express appreciation for the sidewalk, chalk drawings and messages I saw while walking on Ellison Street. It lifted my spirits to come across: “We love our neighbors! Stay well!” and “Stay well! And smile!” I send
the same messages back. Cecilia Op de Beke Falls Church
Gift Cards Sales Could Pose Problem For Restaurants
Editor, I see that Clare and Don’s has pledged all money from gift cards to their employees. That’s great. The problem is if we all show up with gift cards when this thing is over, the owners will have a big cash flow problem. How about all of us do the owners a favor and only use the gift cards for high margin items like drinks? Sure, it will take a few more visits to use up the credit but it’d ease shock to the owners who deserve a break. Roger Feeley Falls Church
C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h
CRIME REPORT Week of March 16 – 22, 2020 Driving Under the Influence, 1000 blk E Broad St, March 16 2:42 AM, following a traffic stop, a female, 27, of Arlington, VA, was arrested for driving under the influence. Tamper with Auto, 300 blk W Broad St, Between March 15 10:00 PM and March 16 5:30 AM, unknown suspect(s) tampered with an unattended vehicle. Larceny from vehicle, 300 blk W
Maurice West, Longtime F.C. Resident, Dies Maurice Lamoine West, born March 8, 1953, a longtime resident of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away on March 15, 2020. Maurice is survived by his sisters, JoAnn Lafferty, Marilyn Ghafoor, Caroline Nelson, and brother Michael West. A memorial service will take place at a later date, please visit https://tinyurl.com/ MauriceWestObit for more information.
[ LETTERS ] Email: letters@fcnp.com Mail: Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls Street #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
suspect(s) took items of value from an unattended vehicle. Larceny from vehicle, 200 blk E Fairfax St, March 16 11:30 AM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from an unattended vehicle.
Broad St, Between March 14 12:30 PM and March 16 5:30 AM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from an unattended vehicle.
Motor Vehicle Theft, 200 blk E Fairfax St. Between March 15 6:00 PM and March 16 12:57 PM, an unattended vehicle was taken by unknown suspect(s).
Destruction of Property, 300 blk W Broad St, Between March 13 8:00 AM and March 16 8:00 AM, unknown suspect(s) broke a window of an unattended vehicle.
Destruction of Property, 300 blk W Broad St, March 16 between 2:20 AM and 5:18 PM, unknown suspect(s) damaged an unattended vehicle.
Larceny from vehicle, 6500 blk Flagmaker Ct, Between March 15 9:00 PM and March 16 8:00 AM, unknown
Larceny from vehicle, 200 blk Katie Ct, Between March 15 8:00 PM and March 16 8:00 AM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from an unattended
HUNKERED DOWN in their N. Oak St. home are puppy Lulu and big sister Winnie. We know what you’re thinking...which one is which? Winnie blushes at our confusion. The News-Press got a hold of the elder canine for a comment, and revealed her twoword secret: “I moisturize.” Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com. vehicle. Destruction of Property, 500 blk Timber Ln, Between March 16 9:00 PM and March 17 8:30 AM, unknown suspect(s) damaged a shed. Tamper with Auto, 300 blk Liberty Ave, March 18 5:23 PM, unknown suspect(s) tampered with an unattended vehicle. Larceny from Building, 200 blk S West St, Between March 16 3:00 PM and March 18 5:12 PM, Unknown suspect(s) took an item of value. Larceny from Building, 100 blk S Spring St, Between March 14 12:00 PM and March 18 6:45 PM, Unknown suspect(s) took items of value. Larceny from Building, 800 blk
Parker Ave, March 19 between 12:00 AM and 1:47 PM, Unknown suspect(s) took items of value. Destruction of Property, 200 blk Noland St, March 20 3:47 AM, unknown suspect damaged a shed. Drunk In Public, 400 blk W Broad St, March 20 10:14 PM, following a call for service, a male, 46, no fixed address, was arrested for drunk in public. Shoplifting, 100 blk W Broad St, March 21 9:09 AM, an unknown male and female took items of value. Assault, 1000 blk N Roosevelt St, March 21 9:47 PM, a victim was assaulted by two unknown male suspects.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2020 | PAGE 19
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Where to Find Info On Falls Church & Arlington Restaurants Information on restaurant delivery and takeout options in the Falls Church area is available at the News-Press online at fcnp.com/covid19fcrestaurantstatus which includes a new interactive map. Additional information on grocery store and restaurant operation in the City of Falls Church is available on the City’s website at www.fallschurchva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?aid=991. Information on Arlington restaurant operations is available on both ArlNow.com at www.arlnow.com/list-arlington-restaurants-that-are-offering-delivery-ortakeout and on Arlington Magazine’s website at www.arlingtonmagazine.com/restaurantsand-shops-offering-takeout-and-delivery. Updates and information regarding restaurants, retailers, and other local business operations are also being shared in the Live Local Falls Church! Facebook group.
Free Consultation for Small Businesses on Disaster Loans Diener & Associates, CPAs is offering small businesses in the Falls Church community interested in applying for the Small Business Administration’s new Disaster Injury Loans with free consultations to help them through the process. For information about the SBA loans to help cover debt, payroll, and operations which is now available to all Virginia businesses, visit www.sba.gov. For information about Diener & Associates, visit www. diener.org.
Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force Announced In response to the increased threat of fraud presented by the coronavirus, federal and Virginia state law enforcement leaders announced the formation of the Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force. The joint federal and state partnership will be led by Assistant United States Attorneys from both the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, in partnership with experienced fraud investigators from the FBI and the Virginia State Police. The mission of the task force is to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Virginia such as scams related to treatments, supplies, providers, charities, phishing, app, and investments. For more information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, please visit: https://www.justice. gov/usao-edva. If you believe you have been victim of fraud, or need more information about Covid-19, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/covid-19-fraud. To report fraud directly to the FBI, please visit their website at https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.
Arlington’s Bownas Promoted to VP at CSI DMC CSI DMC recently promoted Arlington resident AJ Bownas to vice president of event management. In this new role, Bownas will oversee and assist with event management in all of CSI DMC’s regional offices, in addition to supporting program operations in destinations across the country and around the world. He will also contribute to the coaching and development of the CSI DMC event management teams. Starting out as a CSI DMC senior event manager, Bownas’ dedication and commitment to excellence led to his promotion as director of event management for CSI DMC Washington, D.C. headquarters, where he helped to expand the team while still maintaining a robust presence in the field operating programs for clients. In 2018, his promotion to CSI DMC general manager allowed him to gain more knowledge and insight on managing a large office. Bownas further connected with leaders and innovators from other CSI DMC offices providing him with thorough expertise for his role as vice president of event management. For more information on the award winning destination and event management company located in Falls Church, visit www.csi-dmc.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.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
PAGE 20 | MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2020
Beyer Auto Group family hopes everyone is staying healthy, enjoying their families, & social distancing.
T6 MOMENTUM
At Beyer Auto, the health of our customers and staff is our top priority. We understand that the Coronavirus is a growing concern and we take this matter very seriously. That's why we are actively implementing processes to better serve you—without you needing to leave the safety and comfort of your home. We have taken measures to provide our services to best suit the public, including: • An established a process that brings our vehicles to your door with all transactions being performed digitally. • Thorough practices involving frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, and sterilization of surfaces at all locations.
Stock # 12420B MSRP $59,790 $4528 due at signing plus taxes, tag, title, acquisition, dealer processing fee of $799.No security deposit. Price includes all available incentives. Offer Expires 3/31/2019
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Stay Healthy and please social distance you and your family. beyerauto.com
This is obviously a time of concern and uncertainty as we are all figuring out how to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our schools, our businesses and our daily lives. As a REALTOR® in Falls Church for over 40 years, I have never seen anything like this – yet I also want to provide some context and some advice.
ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service
TM
Call ROCK STAR Realty Group when buying or selling your home: 703-867-8674
JOIN US at our Virtual Open Houses! Visit ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com/Open-Houses
FOR SALE!
We entered this time of uncertainty with one of the best real estate markets I have seen. We had incredibly low inventory, historically low interest rates and strong demand. While In-person showing activity has declined this past week, and – very appropriately – most agents and sellers have suspended having public open houses in keeping with government health guidelines, we are also doing more with digital marketing, videos and social media so that homes can be seen- and we have had some wonderful success stories!
1013 Birch St, Falls Church City • $1,324,900 FCC Schools
5 Bed
Over 4,000 sq. ft
3.5 Baths
FOR SALE!
412 Jackson Street, Falls Church City • $914,900 3 Bed 2 Bath
FCC Schools Expansive Family Room
FOR SALE!
People are being affected in different ways; from those with a real, strong need to sell their homes this spring to buyers who will wait to see how this affects their job and income stability. I am here to help you sort through your own situation, if you would like to reach out for information. We know we are talking in terms of months -rather than weeks- before our world, both our health and economy stabilize but we are optimistic that it will.
8518 Old Dominion Dr, Mclean, VA 22102 • $1,399,900 5 Bed
3-Car Garage
5 Renovated Baths REALTOR®
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
2101 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
703-867-8674
Tori@ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com © 2019 Tori McKinney, LLC
