Tuesday night’s speech to a joint session of Congress by President Donald Trump was characterized as “the worst State of the Union speech I’ve ever heard” by Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner, recording a statement from his car that was posted on social media in the hour after the address. He cited “no empathy” for the many federal workers who’ve lost their jobs.
U.S. Reps. Donald Beyer and Gerald Connally of Northern Virginia were among a handful of federal lawmakers who boycotted the speech altogether, while others attended, spoke out, and walked out.
As Beyer put it in a town hall conference call Monday, “The State of the Union message is a hallowed tradition, but this president has shown a contempt for Congress, treating it like it doesn’t exist while thousands of lives are being destroyed.”
At that town hall, Beyer announced a resource fair that he is sponsoring along with all the jurisdictions of Northern Virginia, including the City of Falls Church, that will be held from noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday, March 8, at Wakefield High School, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St.
15,000 POINTS OF LIGHT
Defending World Figure Skating champion Ilya Malinin of Northern Virginia fondly recalled his interactions with some of the young figure skaters who died in the tragic January 29 plane crash following his passionate performance in front of a sellout crowd at the Capital One Arena in D.C. Sunday.
Responding to a question from the News-Press in a brief appearance before the media after the huge tribute before 15,000 to the 67 victims of the crash, Malinin, himself only
20, said his memories of those young skaters who perished that practiced with him at the Reston Ice Forum in Northern Virginia were fond ones. He recalled that they looked up to him as they watched him practice as a repeat national and world champion.
The skaters were returning with family members and coaches from a National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, following the annual national championships that were being held there. Malinin won his third U.S. championship there earlier in the week.
Malinin, who graduated in 2023 from Marshall High School just up Rt. 7 from the City of Falls Church, provided the final exhibition skate before all participants came out for a grand finale. He performed to the song, “Hope,” by NF. Malinin was among more two dozen other participating skaters, nationally recognized champions from past and present, who performed or spoke at the benefit, with proceeds going to help the families of the survivors and first responders to the incident. He did a particularly emotive performance that included a back flip.
One of the 11 young skating victims on the plane, who with family members and coaches constituted 30 among the 67 total who were killed, was Franco Aparicio of nearby Dunn Loring. He was remembered Sunday by a performance by his 13-year-old sister Isabella. Their father, Luciano, also died in the crash.
Proceeds from the event will support the families and loved ones of the 67 lives lost in the tragic aviation incident at Reagan National Airport on January 29, and the first respond-
in Arlington. It will provide unemployment assistance, mental health support, housing information, food aid, and information on federal workers’ rights.
In the call Monday Beyer added, “Trump says things that are simply not true, that are fabricated, he’s lied tens of thousands of times, while firing people who are curing diseases, preventing natural disasters, fighting hunger and homelessness and who are our neighbors. Hundreds of thousands are dying of starvation in the third world, cases of Ebola are rising, children born with AIDS are receiving none of the care that would be available, and polio and malaria cases are on the rise. This is unacceptable. I will not listen to that garbage. I would be disappointed watching Republicans stand up and cheer him,” Beyer intoned.
Beyer also left open the question of whether he will vote for a continuing resolution to keep the government operating after March 24, noting that Trump has illegally impounded funds that Congress has authorized.
“I have never known anyone who has less empathy, less love, for other human beings than this man,” Beyer said, also warning of the national security threat of “having a Russian puppet in the White House.” He said there are reports that a half-million tons of food are now idled in U.S. ports and farmers are “raiding holy hell” because they are not getting paid to provide the food required to feed starving millions.
But Beyer focused on ways to address the crisis, noting that over 100 lawsuits have been filed against what Trump and Elon Musk have been doing, with some significant wins against some funding freezes, access to personal information, the stripping of rights and more.
There is also an important election in Virginia this year, including for governor and all state representatives, he said. He urged people to tell their stories, noting that there is now a place to do that on his website.
Beyer said he will do everything he can to get Robert F. Kennedy fired from his Health and Human Services position, noting that he is one of the world’s foremost anti-
vaxxers, and that he continues to spout debunked theories while ignoring well-established practices that are leaving the nation vulnerable to outbreaks of measles, the bird flu and many other diseases, making the nation unhealthier.
“Social security and Medicare are not entitlements,” he added. “They are programs that Americans have paid into their entire adult lives. “Medicaid is an essential program to help the less fortunate,” and Virginia alone is at risk now of having over 650,000 kicked off Medicaid.
Beyer assailed the attacks on transgender Americans, including the cutting off of services in Iowa this week. “The only requirement a person has to answer to is the question of whether or not they can do the job, nothing else,” he said.
Beyer said he is producing a new newsletter and is urging constituents to go on his website, or to YouTube or Blue Sky, and tell their stories of why their work is vital to humanity and democracy.
At the gala grand opening ribbon cutting of Virginia Tech’s new Innovation Campus in Alexandria last Friday, Senator Warner, as for-
mer chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, unloaded on the Trump administration’s real and threatened cuts to the kind of cutting edge R&D programs such as those being carried out at the new campus.
Warner spoke before hundreds of state and regional officials, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Sen. Tim Kaine, gathered for the event. With all the kudos and congratulatory remarks about the new campus, Warner said he had to address “the elephant in the room,” the cutting by Trump of funds mandated by Congress for vital national securityrelated R&D. “No administration can take away what Congress has mandated, and I will stand with Virginia Tech students and everyone involved in our effort to compete with China.”
He said national security now revolves around technology, and China is moving in that area as the U.S. did in the post-Sputnik era.
“The race for AI and the energy to power it will decide who wins the 21st century,” he said.
Sen. Kaine followed Warner to note the importance of the proximity of the new Innovation Campus to the Pentagon, saying
“our challenges from a defense perspective are to develop the talent, the technology and the cooperation and innovation that we need.” He said that America’s is a challenge “we cannot do on our own, but with cooperation that ranges from that between Virginia Tech and George Mason University in this area, to the U.S. House and Senate, to our relations with NATO.”
As for a brief interruption of the ceremonies by a group protesting the university’s ties to the defense industry, Sen. Warner remarked that the right of the demonstrators to express themselves is what distinguishes a democracy from an authoritarian regime, and is “the secret sauce of our success.”
The role of Virginia Tech’s presence on the fringe of Falls Church will be resumed when the new innovative building now under construction there, across the new Mustang Alley from Meridian High School is completed, and Virginia Tech Senior Vice President Lance Collins mentioned the Falls Church location’s future role in his remarks at the event.
N. Va.’s Malinin Recalled Interaction With Young Plane Crash Victims
ers and aviation professionals who responded heroically to the tragedy.
The sellout event of more than 15,000 – including nearly 500 first responders and approximately 150 family members of victims in attendance to honor their loved ones –raised nearly $1.2 million to date, and that sum is expected to increase this month as the event is streaming on Peacock and will be reshow in its entirety on NBC March 30 and viewers are encouraged to donate, and upon the conclusion of an online auction. Donations can also be made directly through LegacyOnIce.com.
pulled together in just over 30 days and included 37 of the figure skating community’s most iconic athletes and decorated stars, including Brian Boitano and Johnny Weir. The athletes and production team had only scant hours of in-person rehearsal time before going live. Still, the twohour program came together in nearly flawless execution, pulled together by hundreds of staff working behind the scenes.
were Angela Yang, 11, Sean Kay, 11, Brielle Beyer, 12, Cory Haynos, 15, Edward Zhou, 16, Everly Livingston, 14, Alydia Livingston, 11, Franco Aparicio, 14, Jinna Han, 13, Olivia Eve Ter, 12, and Spencer Lane, 16, along with coaches Alexandr Kirsanov, Inna Volyanskaya, Vadim Naumov, and Evgenia Shishkova.
Participating in Sunday’s benefit were Jeremy Abbott, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
Hall of Famer, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, 2025 U.S. Pairs Champions, Sarah Everhardt, 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist Peggy Fleming, 1968 Olympic Champion, Amber Glenn, 2024 Grand Prix Final Champion
Gracie Gold, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist, Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic Champion
Jimmy Ma, 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist, Ilia Malinin, 2024 World Champion, Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman, 2025 U.S. Pairs Silver Medalists, Yebin Mok, 19982008 Team USA, Maxim Naumov, 2025 U.S. Pewter Medalist
Camden Pulkinen, Two-Time U.S. Bronze Medalist, Andrew Torgashev, 2025 U.S. Silver Medalist
Michael Weiss, Two-Time World Bronze Medalist, Johnny Weir, Three-Time U.S. Champion, and Paul Wylie, 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist. Continued from Page 1
“We continue to be in awe of and grateful to this community, whose compassion and support was out in full force for the ‘Legacy on Ice’ event,” said Ted Leonsis, founder, chair and CEO of Monumental Sports which hosted the event. “Against the backdrop of this massive tragedy, this region has provided a light in showcasing its generosity and empathy for the victims, their families, and the heroic first responders.”
The event was announced just one week after the tragedy and was
Meanwhile, this Monday, U.S. Congressman Don Beyer of Northern Virginia, whose district includes Falls Church and also Reagan National Airport, delivered floor remarks during debate on House Resolution 153, “Expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25, and for other purposes.”
The legislation passed without objection on a voice vote.
Beyer said that each of the victims “was more than a passenger, more than a soldier; they were loved ones—friends, parents, classmates, children, teammates, and colleagues—whose presence made the world better.”
Young skaters lost in the crash
Sofia Bezkorovainaya, 2024-25 Team USA, Brian Boitano, 1988 Olympic Champion, Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville, 2024 U.S. Bronze Medalists, Jason Brown, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
Ashley Cain, Two-Time U.S. Pairs National Champion, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, Two-Time Four Continents Ice Dance Bronze Medalists, Kitty and Peter Carruthers, 1984 Olympic Pairs Silver Medalists, Molly Cesanek and Yehor Yehorov, 2020 U.S. Junior Pewter Medalists
Nathan Chen, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, 2022 Olympic Team Gold Medalists, Richard Dwyer, U.S. Figure Skating
Nancy Kerrigan, 1994 Olympic Silver Medalist, Ilia Kulik, 1998 Olympic Champion, Isabeau Levito, 2024 World Silver Medalist, Alysa Liu, 2022 World Bronze Medalist,
WORLD CHAMPION Ilya Malinin (left) spoke briefly with the media following Sunday’s sold out benefit for the victims of the Jan.29 plane crash and their families. (News-Press photo)
March 6 - 12,
In Shadow of White House, Progressive Church Crisis Role Grows
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
As the Trump 2.0 administration continues to wreak havoc on the D.C. region and nation, faith leaders are among those stepping up to challenge it and seek remedies.
Within a few blocks of the White House is the First Congregational Church of Washington D.C., affiliated with the United Church of Christ, whose history dates back to the Abolitionist movement and the times just after the Civil War when it was involved in the founding of Howard University. The senior minister there is the Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss.
She agreed to the following Q and A with me about how her church is responding and what she thinks all persons, including all persons of faith, can be doing in this crisis. (Disclaimer–I am a member of this church.)
Q. You open your services with a wide welcoming statement. Can you recount what it is you say?
A. Here at First Church our welcome is intentional: whether your heritage is Black or Latino, European, Asian, Native American or any other identity, you are welcome here. if you are gay or lesbian, bisexual or transgender, we welcome you. If you are female or male or nonbinary; if you are undocumented or afraid, if you are street smart or college educated, if you can’t pay the bills or have more than enough to share, if you are bone-tired or resolved, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome into this shared experience of worshiping the God whose love knows no bounds.
Q, Please add a little bit about yourself, how you’ve come to be here.
A. After founding and co-pastoring Land of the Sky United Church of Christ in Asheville, NC, for nearly a decade, I decided to step back from ministry to write and engage in sacred activism. A year later, I felt the Spirit’s stir to return to pastoral ministry. When I saw that First Congregational UCC of Washington DC identified their multiracial/multicultural calling as a top leadership goal for their next pastor, I became interested in applying. My first Sunday in March of 2020 was our first Sunday worshiping completely online due to the pandemic, and it would be a full year before I would meet some members of the congregation. We were brought together in a year unlike any other, and I give God thanks every day for this incredible calling.
Q. How have you reacted to the steps that the new administration has taken since coming in?
A. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday we opted to worship with a sibling congregation, Peoples Congregational UCC, a historically Black congregation also in Washington, DC. We worshiped with them due to the multiple MAGA rallies (including Sunday afternoon) taking place at the Capital One Arena just blocks from our building. By strengthening the relationships we value in the work for justice, we are laying the groundwork for what is ahead.
We organized a webinar on workplace ethics for federal workers in UCC congregations across the DMV with a professor who studies Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We will be offering another meeting
for federal workers this week as we seek to support them. We have developed standard operating procedures related to ICE raids as the administration’s mass deportation campaign has begun and the Sensitive Locations Memo has been rescinded.
Our congregation submitted information that strengthened the Central Atlantic Conference’s (UCC) action as part of a lawsuit against the Trump Administration stating that our religious freedom and right to worship freely are at risk now that ICE is free to conduct raids during religious services.
On Sunday we held a congregational conversation on what it means to be a Sanctuary Congregation in these times. We have attended partner meetings with local clergy and nonprofit organizations committed to the work of advocacy and justice and we are working in collaboration with them.
On Ash Wednesday we will participate with Bishop Barber II and Repairers of the Breach to march from the Supreme Court to the Capitol Building as a sacred act of witness and truth-telling. The DC Office of Justice and Witness (UCC) has released Advocacy Resources for the First 100 Days of this administration, which offer weekly actions across our denomination to advocate for a more just world and the dignity of every human being.
In February we celebrated Black History month even as members of our congregation have been forced to strip any mentions of it from their federal workplaces. In worship we address justice issues weekly, but we have also celebrated a baptism, reminding us of our
In Memoriam: Lee Anthony Buddendeck
Anthony
Born on January 2, 1939 in Dayton, OH. to Katherine (n. Finley) and Anthony J. Buddendeck, he was a graduate of Chaminade High School in Dayton, OH and then attended college at Ohio State University in Columbus, where he graduated in 1961. Lee joined the Navy in the Fall of ’61 and attended U.S. Naval OCS in Newport, RI, receiving his commission in the Spring of 1962.
Duty stations included the amphibious fleet at Little Creek and Norfolk, VA., and NCS Londonderry, Northern Ireland. While stationed in Derry, Lee met and courted M. Denise
(n. Duncan) Buddendeck from Drumquin, Co. Tyrone, NI. They were married at Castlerock Presbyterian Church, Co. Londonderry in June of 1964. Returning to the U.S. in 1965, Lee and Dee started a family in Columbus, OH. where he earned a second BA and took a job in the local school system as an English and social studies teacher to middle schoolers. Lee enjoyed teaching but realized to make ends meet, he needed another career, so he sat for and passed the federal government civil service exam. He was employed with the LEAA and the FCMS over the next nearly
baptismal vows to resist evil, walk in the ways of Jesus, to do justice, and to grow in faith.
Q. How has your congregation reacted?
A. Like many congregations in this region, we have many facing job losses or placed on administrative leave. However, the loss of personal livelihood is not the most difficult thing,
I believe. I believe the most difficult thing is watching the work to which they have dedicated their lives be eviscerated by this administration in a manner that reveals they are not seeking to trim the fat or save taxpayer dollars, the administration is rooting out civil servants to replace them with loyalists and taking a chainsaw to the good work of our federal government to feed the hungry, prevent war, and care for the refugee.
Jesus was a refugee in his childhood, and said clearly: What you do to the least of these, you do to me. The congregation is grieving. We are also resolved to act alongside others to slow down the damage, to advocate for justice and accountability, and to lift up the dignity of all people as human beings created in God’s own image.
Q. What is your church doing about it?
A. We are showing up at popup protests outside the Treasury Building, USAID, and the CFPB. We are coming alongside partner organizations on the ground with the most impacted people, supporting them and following their lead. We are also caring for the federal workers in our midst, whose faith provides a vital source of strength and hope in these times. We are loving one another and loving our neighbor as ourselves. In so doing,
20 years. In 1970, Lee, Dee, and their three children moved to Brookline, MA where Lee worked in the New England regional office of the US Justice Dept. In 1977, when the Carter administration consolidated the government workforce to Washington, DC, Lee, Dee and their now four children relocated to Falls Church, VA. While all four of his children attended and graduated from Fall Church city schools, Lee was an active participant in the George Mason HS PTO, serving a stint as president of the organization. Lee and Dee amicably sepa -
we love God.
Q. What is your message to the wider public in these times?
A. Churches in the DC metro region are canaries in the coal mine. As the scorched-earth tactics of eviscerating our federal government ripple out to other communities, such as farmers in the great plains, cities in the Midwest with considerable populations of federal workers, to our great National Parks, many will feel what we are currently experiencing here in the nation’s capital: these policies are death-dealing.
They have not solved inflation or helped the working poor. They do not lift up the best of who we are as Americans or invigorate democracy around the world. They do not support better public health outcomes or keep our children safe.
The actions of this Administration are death-dealing to all but the billionaires set to receive tax-cuts at the expense of those who rely on Medicaid. Now is the time when we must come together to lift our voices for a more just world. Lives depend upon it. In the words of that great protest song, “Keep your eyes on the prize. Hold on.”
rated in 1992 and Lee took up residence in DC, where, after he retired from government service, worked jobs notably at Tower Records and Borders Books. He lived in DC until his passing.
Lee is preceded in death by his parents and an older sister Margaret Bruck, his wife Dee, and his partners Stan Rick, and Don Jones.
He is survived by his four children, a son and two daughters-in-law, 14 grandchildren, and his younger sister Kathy Hutchinson (Roy) of Blue Springs, MO, cousins, and childhood friends.
Lee
Buddendeck died Oct. 25, 2024 at his home in Washington, DC, surrounded by his beloved books, music, and art in the company of family.
Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss.
12, 2025
Since 1991, an award-winning LGBT-owned general Interest community newspaper.
Vol. XXXV, No. 4
March 6 - 12, 2025
• City of Falls Church
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This is the kind of period when true leadership is called for and often emerges. It is distinguished from lip service and fair weather friendshiping.
There is nothing to indicate that the Trump-Musk administration across the river has any intention of letting up its campaign to dismantle America and destroy the western alliance, so this is not a situation where we take cover and wait for the storm to pass. Any indication of acquiescence only invites more abuse.
As Jane Fonda stated in her memorable speech at the Screen Actors Guild awards a couple weeks ago, “Woke means only that you give a damn.” The same with DEI. This administration’s “shock and awe” is not going to stop short of dismantling everything that’s been done in the name of democracy and good will since 1934, when Social Security and other life saving measures were instituted in the midst of the Great Depression to save millions of lives.
There were pro-fascists then who opposed FDR’s New Deal to put the country back to work. They were the ones who supported the idea of using the U.S. military to break up the “Bonus Armies” of World War I veterans who were descending on Washington to collect the payments they were promised in order to survive.
The cruelty behind the moves to use lethal force to prevent average people from getting what is owed them is astonishing, but it’s always been with us and only now has it gained a measure of ascendancy. We believe it will only be a temporary ascendancy, but that is something that the people of this nation will decide by their willingness to stand up and fight, or not.
In the case of Falls Church, we have the benefit of a local government that is close to its people and that has demonstrated its willingness to stand with its constituents when push comes to shove. This will now be tested.
We are looking to see our local government respond effectively to this current crisis with emergency measures that will free up resources its population is likely to need as things progress. It will be time for breaking the rules, in the form of thoughtfully modifying them, to address very real needs of very real people, including of those who live here, who may be coming here seeking help or refuge, and those around us when their needs are not being met by their local jurisdictions.
Modifying “business as usual” to address this situation is the order of the day. The City needs to be drawn closer and the public informed and urged to buy in to changes that only times like these require. As with anything, there will not be 100 percent agreement, but true leaders do not fear rolling with even a slim majority.
We’ve no specific proposals yet. But they need to be in formulation. Everything from unprecedented foreclosures to mass hunger may confront us, maybe sooner than later.
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Meridian Boys Hold Off New Kent, Advance To State Semifinals
by Ryan McCafferty
The undefeated, Region 3B Champion Meridian Mustangs began State Tournament play on Tuesday night, hosting the Trojans from New Kent in their final home game of the 2024-25 season. New Kent, the runnersup from Region 3A, entered the game with a record of 24-2 and figured to be yet another formidable foe along Meridian’s postseason quest. It was a slow start for the Mustangs, as New Kent scored the game’s first seven points before an Isaac Rosenberger free throw and a Jarrett Jardine layup got the home team on the board. Meridian would fall behind 11-3, but then everything changed after head coach Jim Smith brought in the Mustangs’ secret weapon in Marquis Myles. The backup guard has provided a spark off the bench all year long with his energy and quickness, and he scored nine first half points on Tuesday as part of a 25-2 run to completely flip this game on its head. Meridian led
28-13 before New Kent got a three at the end of the half, and the Mustangs went into the break leading by a comfortable margin.
The Trojans started out the second half back on the run, getting within 32-29 before Meridian scored six straight to open it up again – coinciding directly with Myles’ insertion back into the game. The advantage briefly expanded back to double figures and Meridian led 42-34 after three quarters, but New Kent wasn’t going to go away quietly, and went on an 8-1 run in the closing frame to get back within one possession. The Mustangs began to stall time in the final few minutes, playing keepaway until John Lyman got open under the basket for a clutch layup to put Meridian up by four, and New Kent turned it over on the other end with about a minute remaining. Will Davis then made two free throws to officially put this one on ice, and the Mustangs escaped with the 51-45 victory to survive and advance.
Jardine ended up with
12 points to lead all scorers, while Myles had 11. Said the latter regarding his impact in Meridian’s game-changing run, “I just focus on locking in on defense and bringing the energy.”
Meanwhile, assistant coach Bobby Smith (son of Jim) noted that despite the win, there were some areas that the Mustangs need to clean up – notably rebounding and free throws. “We had some opportunities where we could’ve broken things open,” he said. “Even in the second quarter, we felt like we could’ve pushed it to around 20 and made it a different game.”
The Mustangs will now travel to Central Virginia on Friday to face the Hopewell Blue Devils in their home gym. Win that one, and they’ll earn a trip to just north of Hopewell to play in the State Finals at VCU on Saturday, March 15th.
“We’re going to need to bring our best,” the elder of the Smiths remarked of the pending matchup. “They’re a great team, a really great team. But so are we.”
MERIDIAN BOYS USED a big 2nd quarter run to pick up a state quarterfinal win. (Photo: News-Press).
The Sexual Impotence Of the ‘Manosphere’
Nicholas F.
As we, the people, are compelled to examine everything about what in God’s name has brought us to this awful place, I am drawn to some fundamentals that we allowed ourselves to let slip in the last 80 years, in the period since the last time we defeated the Nazis.
If I were to put it in the most naked form, I’d say the core issue is one of empathy, or the lack of it. Empathy is a pretty basic aspect of our shared humanity, and so almost by instinct, its lack is the one issue that comes up the most as we are faced with our current critical circumstances. Make no mistake, we are at risk of losing it all, losing democracy, losing the western alliance, losing any modicum of freedom or of an ability to take care of anyone less fortunate than ourselves.
To quote Lenin (without being a Leninist), there are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when everything happens. This period corresponds with the latter, and that is why all that’s happening seemingly so swiftly now could inflict many generations’ worth of damage. Old time tables, the ones that worked for us even just a few months ago, cannot now apply.
I am struck, in particular, by the overtly misogynist aspect of all this. Maybe empathy owes its origins in each new advancement in this world to the intimate relationships of mother and child, to the attention and love that a mother feels and acts upon to provide for and cultivate the life of a helpless newborn and continues through his or her development at least up until the age of a Bas Mitzvah or Confirmation.
For the male adult, it is a combination of perceived necessity and jealousy that can inject itself into this relationship and, in the child’s adolescence or earlier, rip him or her away from the mother into the cold, cruel world where boys are conditioned for war and the girls are diverted into decid-
edly subservient roles.
All of the adult male heartburn about gender issues are derived from this context. Those among adult women, to the extent they have been thoroughly conditioned to their assigned roles in this male-dominated matrix, will often be assigned to the forefront of howling about this.
Boys become men in order to fight older men’s wars, whether on the battlefield or in an office.
Older men see younger ones as fodder. Empathy does not fit into this equation. If younger men are to be sent to war, to kill or be killed, empathy cannot be allowed to cloud the mission, don’t you see. It is solely the domain of the incubator phase of a life.
So now we have Trump, Musk, Vance and the Tate Brothers, all in a row. If you are not familiar with the Tate boys, you should Google them. Trump just bought their freedom from the Romanians where they were being held in jail as traffickers, dealers and rapists. As “influences” on the Internet, they’ve developed a mass cadre force of a million young American men who are feeling their disenfranchisement.
This is now the “manosphere.” The realm of womenhating, chest pounding males, who run around bashing gays and hitting on underaged girls. “Manosphere” might be pronounced “mans who fear,” because, of course, in reality most all “dudes” who sign up as Taters are deeply insecure and wildly sexually impotent. That is, their idea of sex is so damaged by their conditioned psyches that it has become for them nothing but an exercise in power, in “power over,” to please daddy. Almost by definition, sex is equivalent to rape. It has to be, because daddy says we must disrespect the partner in order to emerge from the experience as one fit to roar and dash to be slaughtered on a battlefield, in reality or metaphorically.
When the angel told Abraham to back off and leave Isaac alone, we were supposed to learn from that what being, or becoming, truly human is all about.
The saved child emerges who is then capable of felling a Goliath, and we, as humanity, bathe in the sunlight of that liberation.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
Last week’s “meltdown” between Donald Trump and Vlodomir Zelensky in the Oval Office was stunning in its outcome and revealed Trump as the out-of-control bully that the public has seen rarely, and certainly not on the world stage with global leaders. Trump’s vitriolic attack on the president of Ukraine may explain why Republican Members of Congress have been spineless in pushing back against the chaos of the Trump/Musk actions to destroy the democratic principles that have governed this nation since its founding. It’s not hard to fathom that Trump took the same approach to threaten retribution against his fellow Republicans in Congress to keep them in line.
The video and audio captured an ugly scene as Mr. Trump constantly talked over and hushed the Ukrainian president, pointing his finger in Zelensky’s face and poking his shoulder in the crowded room. Body language, especially the hands of major players, painted a wordless picture but clearly indicated the mood in the room. Vice President Vance’s dismissive hand gestures spoke volumes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sitting next to Mr. Vance, kept his hands tightly folded in his lap, and looked like he wanted the sofa, mimicking furniture
ads, to swallow him whole. The Ukrainian Ambassador covered her face with her hands in shock and frustration. Mr. Zelensky placed one hand near his heart as he tried ardently to explain what his country needs to combat Russian aggression.
Some reports have posited that it was an ambush, and that Mr. Zelensky took the bait.
Meetings between world leaders usually are tightly scripted and handled in the privacy of a closed conference room until issues are settled. Other pundits accused the Ukrainian president, essentially, of not fawning over Mr. Trump enough. That certainly echoed the haranguing denunciations by Mr. Vance, who insisted that Mr. Zelensky hadn’t uttered the words “thank you” during the meeting. Was this an Oval Office meeting or a schoolyard brawl? Maybe the Oval Office needs a playground monitor!
Facetiousness aside, the damage done may be irreversible. Trust in America’s commitment to its allies was weakened by the first Trump Administration, somewhat restored by the Biden Administration, and nearly obliterated by the second Trump Administration last week. To their credit, European leaders are united in their commitment to Ukraine, and in pledging to seek a joint solution to the
City of Falls Church CRIME REPORT
Week of Feburary 24 - March 2, 2025
Larceny from Building, Little Falls St, Feb 25, 11:43 a.m., an unknown suspect stole the victim’s package from a mail room.
Larceny from Building, W Broad St, Feb 25, 1:38 p.m., an unknown suspect stole packages from the doorsteps of two victims. The unknown suspect is described as a possibly Asian or Hispanic female with black hair, wearing a red jacket, black sweater, black pants and dark colored shoes.
Public Intoxication, Douglass Ave, Feb 25, 4:03 p.m., a male, 62, of no fixed address, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
Sexual Battery, Grove Ave, Feb 25, 8:55 p.m.
Sexual Battery, E Broad St, Feb 25, 9:15 p.m.
Sexual Battery, W Broad St, Feb 25, 9:30 p.m.
Sexual Battery, Founders Ave, Feb 25, 9:45 p.m., victims reported an unknown suspect approached from behind and groped them. The suspect is described as a young adult male with a slim build, between 5’0” and 5’5” in height, wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, a black face mask, light-colored shoes, and carrying a lightcolored sling bag or messenger bag. Investigation is ongoing.
No Valid Operator’s License, W Broad St, Feb 26, 11:03 a.m., a male, 19, of Hyattsville, MD, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.
Fraud – False Pretenses, S Spring St, Feb 26, 2:34 PM, victim reported sending money to an unknown suspect after receiving a phone call in which the suspect claimed to be with the “Falls Church Sheriff’s Department” and that the victim had a warrant out for their arrest.
damage witnessed in the Oval Office meeting. Whether the United States will be part of that solution is doubtful but, realistically, a solution without America likely is doomed to failure. Despite Mr. Trump’s insistence that he has a mandate from the voters, he received less than 50 percent in last November’s vote, and few voters cast their ballots to align with Vladimir Putin and his despotic regime.
The United States has a long history of facing challenging international crises with strength tempered with caution. I remember being in my college French lab when a voice through our headphones announced the Cuban Missile Crisis. We all quietly packed up and left the language lab, speculating if the incident just 90 miles from our southern shore would result in another war. It didn’t, but it portended more postwar crises that might have brought civilization to the edge of potential annihilation. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed in American leadership then. Elected leaders were focused on preserving and maintaining American democratic ideals, not blowing them all up. There was dissension, of course, and difficult debates, but also a basic understanding that American ideals underpinned all attitudes. Supporting a European ally against a decades-old enemy bent on destruction of democracy should be a basic American tenet without question. International peace and security demand it.
Trespassing, W Broad St, Feb 26, 3:40 p.m., a male, 67, of no fixed address, was arrested for Trespassing.
Larceny from Building, Roosevelt Blvd, between 3:00 PM on Feb 24 and 11:00 a.m. on Feb 27, an unknown suspect stole four large planters and various other items.
Smoking in Restaurants Prohibited, Wilson Blvd, Feb 28, 9:11 p.m., a male, 56, of Chantilly, was arrested for Smoking in Restaurants Prohibited.
Larceny, Wilson Blvd, Mar 1, between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. victim reported losing their wallet while at a business. Upon checking the location of an Apple Air Tag inside the wallet, the location showed as Alexandria.
Driving Under the Influence, S Washington St, Mar 2, 1:22 a.m., a white male, 31, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Refusal to Submit Breath Test, Open Container Violation and No Valid Operator’s License.
CAMPS & Schools 2025 SPRING Guide
Pages 10 - 13
CAMPS & SCHOOLS
The Benefits of Camps: A Life-Changing Experience for All Ages
Camps have long been an integral part of childhood and personal development, offering unique opportunities for adventure, learning, and social growth. Whether it’s a summer camp for kids, a specialized training camp for athletes, or a wellness retreat for adults, the benefits of attending a camp extend far beyond simple recreation. Camps foster independence, build resilience, encourage social connections, and offer an immersive experience in nature that promotes mental and physical well-being.
In this article, we will explore the numerous benefits of camps, highlighting their impact on personal growth, social skills, mental health, and physical fitness.
1. Personal Growth and Independence
One of the most significant benefits of attending a camp is the development of independence and self-confidence. For many children, going to camp is the first time they are away from their parents for an extended period. This separation allows them to make decisions on their own, learn problem-solving
skills, and take responsibility for their actions.
Campers engage in various activities that push them out of their comfort zones, whether it’s learning how to start a fire, pitching a tent, or leading a group project. These experiences help them develop resilience and adaptability—valuable skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Similarly, for adults, wellness or adventure camps provide an opportunity to step away from their usual routines, embrace new challenges, and gain a fresh perspective on life.
2. Social Skills and Teamwork
Camps bring together people from diverse backgrounds, creating an environment that fosters social interaction and teamwork. Campers learn how to communicate effectively, collaborate on group activities, and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.
Unlike the structured environment of school or work, camps allow for organic socialization. Friendships formed at camp are often deep and long-lasting because they are built on shared experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. For children, this is especially
important, as they develop emotional intelligence and learn how to navigate social dynamics in a supportive setting. They practice empathy, compromise, and leadership—skills that will benefit them in all aspects of life.
3. Mental Health Benefits
Camps offer a break from the pressures of everyday life, including academic stress, social media, and work-related responsibilities. This break is essential for mental health, as it allows individuals to recharge, relax, and reconnect with themselves.
Nature-based camps, in particular, provide a therapeutic escape from the digital world. Studies have shown that spending time in nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. The combination of physical activity, fresh air, and a change of scenery can significantly boost mood and mental well-being.
Moreover, camps encourage mindfulness and self-reflection. Whether it’s through journaling, meditation sessions, or simply sitting by a campfire, campers gain clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.
4. Physical Fitness and Outdoor Activities
Many camps emphasize physical
activity, offering a variety of sports, hiking, swimming, and adventurebased challenges. These activities improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and enhance overall fitness levels.
In today’s digital age, where screen time dominates leisure activities, camps provide a much-needed opportunity for individuals to unplug and engage in active pursuits. This is particularly beneficial for children, helping to combat issues such as obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
Adventure camps, in particular, offer thrilling activities like rock climbing, canoeing, and zip-lining, which not only promote physical health but also boost confidence and a sense of achievement.
5. Exposure to New Skills and Interests
Camps introduce individuals to a wide range of activities that they may not have had the chance to experience otherwise. From archery and horseback riding to coding and music workshops, camps allow participants to explore new interests and discover hidden talents.
For children and teenagers, this exposure can influence future career choices and hobbies. A child who
attends a science camp might develop a passion for STEM fields, while an arts camp attendee might uncover a love for painting or theater.
For adults, skill-based camps provide an opportunity for lifelong learning, whether it’s a cooking retreat, a photography workshop, or a leadership boot camp. The immersive learning environment ensures that participants leave with valuable knowledge and hands-on experience.
6. Appreciation for Nature and Environmental Awareness
Camps often take place in natural settings, allowing participants to develop a deep appreciation for the environment. Many camps incorporate lessons on sustainability, conservation, and outdoor survival skills, fostering a sense of responsibility toward nature.
For city dwellers, camp experiences can be eye-opening, providing an understanding of ecosystems, wildlife, and the importance of preserving natural resources. This newfound awareness often translates into environmentally friendly habits that campers carry into their daily lives.
Camps offer far more than just a break from daily routines—they provide life-changing experiences.
CAMPS & SCHOOLS
The Best Learning and Adventure Opportunities for Kids!
Kenwood School
Kenwood School, located in Annandale, Virginia, is a private, independent school that has been providing quality education for decades. The school offers programs from preschool through elementary levels, focusing on developing well-rounded students who excel academically, socially, and emotionally. Kenwood School places a strong emphasis on individualized learning, ensuring that each child receives the necessary
attention to reach their full potential. With small class sizes, experienced teachers, and a nurturing environment, Kenwood School fosters a love for learning in its students. In addition to core subjects, the curriculum includes art, music, foreign languages, and physical education, ensuring a holistic educational experience. Kenwood School also offers various extracurricular activities and summer camps that keep students engaged throughout the year.
camp columbia
FallS church Camp Columbia Falls
Church is a summer camp program designed to provide children with an enriching and enjoyable summer experience. The camp focuses on outdoor activities, creative projects, and skillbuilding exercises to promote confidence, teamwork, and personal growth. Children attending Camp Columbia have the opportunity to engage in sports, nature exploration, arts and crafts, and leadership training. The camp is known for its welcoming atmosphere, where children of all backgrounds can interact, learn, and make lifelong friends. The professional staff ensures a safe and supportive environment, helping chil-
dren develop social skills and a sense of independence.
capitol debate
Capitol Debate is a renowned program that helps students develop public speaking and debate skills. With locations throughout the United States, including in Falls Church, Capitol Debate provides training in critical thinking, argument construction, and effective communication. The program caters to students from elementary school through high school, helping them prepare for competitive debate, college applications, and leadership roles. Capi-
tol Debate offers summer camps, workshops, and yearround programs, focusing on persuasive speaking, research skills, and confidence-building. With expert instructors and a curriculum tailored to different skill levels, Capitol Debate has gained a reputation for producing skilled debaters who excel in competitions nationwide.
city oF FallS church parKS
The City of Falls Church is home to a variety of parks and recreational spaces that provide residents with opportunities for outdoor activities, relaxation, and
CAMPS & SCHOOLS
Inspiring the Future: How Camps & Schools Shape Young Minds
community engagement. Popular parks in the area include Cherry Hill Park, Roberts Park, and Cavalier Trail Park. These parks offer amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails, and sports fields. The Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department organizes events throughout the year, including summer camps, fitness programs, and community festivals. Whether it’s a family picnic, a morning jog, or a youth sports league, the City of Falls Church Parks system ensures that residents of all ages have access to quality outdoor experiences.
Columbia CDC (ChilD Development Center)
Columbia Child Development Center (CDC) is a
highly respected early childhood education center that provides a safe and nurturing environment for young children. With a focus on developmental learning, Columbia CDC offers programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The center’s curriculum integrates play-based learning, fostering cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Teachers at Columbia CDC are trained to create engaging lesson plans that cater to each child’s needs while maintaining a warm and inclusive environment. The facility also emphasizes strong partnerships with parents, ensuring open communication and collaboration in supporting children’s developmental milestones. Columbia CDC is recognized for its commit-
ment to quality early childhood education and its role in preparing children for future academic success.
Kips Gym
Kips Gym is a gymnastics and fitness center dedicated to providing highquality athletic training for children of all ages. Located in Falls Church, Kips Gym offers a variety of programs, including recreational gymnastics, competitive gymnastics, tumbling classes, and special needs gymnastics. The gym is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and experienced coaches who focus on developing strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence in young athletes. Kips
Gym also hosts birthday parties, open gym sessions, and summer camps to keep children engaged throughout the year. With a strong emphasis on discipline, perseverance, and fun, Kips Gym has built a reputation as one of the premier gymnastics training centers in the region.
st. anthony sChool Camp
St. Anthony School Camp is a summer program affiliated with St. Anthony Catholic School, located in Falls Church. This camp provides children with an exciting and educational summer experience that blends recreational
activities with academic enrichment. The camp offers a structured environment where children can participate in sports, arts and crafts, science experiments, and field trips. Rooted in Catholic values, St. Anthony School Camp also emphasizes character development, teamwork, and community service. The program is designed to keep children engaged, active, and learning throughout the summer months while fostering friendships and social skills. With dedicated instructors and a commitment to a positive environment, St. Anthony School Camp is a great option for families looking for a faith-based summer camp experience.
Arlington Library Town Hall Again on Worker Threats
Arlington Democrats, hosted by Arlington Public Library, is hosting another Federal Employees and Contractors Town Hall tonight at 6:30 to discuss the growing threats to federal worker and contractor rights under the Trump administration. The library is at 1015 N. Quincy in central Arlington.
Between mass layoffs, agency takeovers, and resignation buyouts, organizers say it’s critical to understand how to protect oneself and prepare for further uncertainty in the current federal employment landscape. A panel of experts will help answer questions regarding rights, remedies and recourse.
Tesla Dealership Protests Planned This Saturday
Activists have scheduled protests at the local Tesla dealerships in this area in an attempt to have their voices heard “about the government takeover by Elon Musk.” Saturday, March 8, will markTesla Takedown across the country.
News & Notes
At 11 a.m. protests will commence in Rockville, Vienna and Northwest D.C., and a 2 p.m. on Glebe Road in Arlington.
Report: Trump to Cut 80,000 VA Jobs
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning a reorganization that includes cutting over 80,000 jobs from the sprawling agency that provides health care for retired military members, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The VA’s chief of staff, Christopher Syrek, told top-level officials at the agency that it had an objective to cut enough employees to return to 2019 staffing levels of just under 400,000.
The memo instructs top-level staff to prepare for an agency-wide reorganization in August to “resize and tailor the workforce to the mission and revised structure.” It also calls for agency officials to work with the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency to “move out aggressively, while taking a pragmatic and disciplined approach” to the Trump administration’s goals.
Job Fair Set at Jt. Base Myer Will Include 30 Companies
A job fair will be held today, March 6, at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, where over 30 companies will be offering employment opportunities and actively hiring veterans. Veterans bring a wealth of skills and expertise from their military service, making them invaluable assets across various industries. However, navigating the job market can be challenging. That’s where RecruitMilitary steps in to break down barriers for veteran employment at the Job Fair at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall on Thursday, March 6th at Patton Hall Community Club and Conference Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Registration is free and available online to all transitioning military, veterans, military spouses and dependents.
Students Plan Protests Vs. Anti-LGBTQ+ Trump Moves
In response to the policies pushed by the Trump administration, students organized by the Pride Liberation Project have announced
plans to protest at school board meetings across the state during the month of March. “These executive orders are attacking our communities instead of focusing on the real issues in our schools,” said a Virginia Beach junior planning to rally at their school board meeting.
Since taking office, the organizers say, “Trump-Musk Administration has unleashed a barrage of attacks against LGBTQIA+ students. They have attacked discrimination protections in Title IX, targeted transgender athletes, attempted to strip funding for life-saving gender affirming care, and tried to whitewash history.
The Trump-Musk Administration’s obsession with Queer young people is already impacting our lives.”
Sen. Roem Unloads on Trump Transgender Moves
Virginia State Sen. Danica Roem of Manassas issued a statement as Virginia’s only transgender member of its legislature cautioning constituents about the motives of the Trump administration.
“Trump’s campaign and their
allies spent hundreds of millions of dollars turning trans Americans into a cudgel,” she said. “It’s going to be a long, long 46 months and 15 days, but we don’t ever, ever give up. “Just yesterday, a federal district judge in Baltimore blocked the administration’s attack on young trans people – including some adults – from receiving their health care.”
She added, “Please understand me when I say that the President of the United States and his administration want to eradicate transgender existence, I mean the actual definition of the word.”
DEI Programs Remain for 3 Key F.C. Grocers
According to multiple reports, among the major corporate interests in the U.S. who have refused to terminate, while others have, their “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (DEI) programs are Kroger, which owns HarrisTeeter, Giant Foods and Aldi grocery operations.
GAY ACTIVISTS showed up in front of Freddie’s Beach Bar in Crystal City Saturday where “Terra Hoot’s Monthly Reading Hour” for families was happening. They shielded the establishment from anti-LGBTQ+ protesters nearby. (Photo: News-Press)
KEVIN LANDES of Foxes Music in Falls Church on the alto sax played a heartfelt rendering of George Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” as one of the soloist highlights of last Saturday’s concert by the Falls Church Concert Band and friends held in the Meridian High School auditorium, with Meridian’s Mary Jo West wielding the baton. In the band were musicians ranging from high school aged and on. Other soloists were Cody Mellinger on trumpet doing “Over the Rainbow,” soprano Jennifer Hosmer singing “I Dream a Dream” by Schonberg (from Les Mis) and tenor Andreas Moffett performing “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot by Puccini. (Photo: News-Press)
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Serve with the Falls Church VFD
There is a new opportunity for volunteering in The Little City. The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department holds Volunteer Information Sessions on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs Meeting Hall at Fire Station 6, located at 6950 Little Falls Rd; Arlington, VA 22213. Learn about membership perks, training opportunities, and what it takes to become a volunteer EMT or administrative member. Visit fallschurchfire.org/join-us/ to learn more. And congratulate them on their 100th Anniversary! Andworx
Peter Balazy: Huge achievement for Andworx LLC to be named Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner for Data & AI! Continuing to grow and expand our Data & AI services in becoming the preferred Microsoft services and solutions partner across US Gov’t & DOD.
Entrepreneurship 101: Starting A Business in Fairfax County
Tuesday, March 11 - The Entrepreneurship 101 workshop is intended for start-up entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow a business in Fairfax County. The topics that will be covered include doing business in Fairfax County, business registration, business and property taxes, financing programs, licensing and certifications, local, state, and federal business resources, and other general topics related to starting and growing a business. The workshop is free however registration is required. Seating is Limited. Register Now. Registration/ Networking/Check-in will be from 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. The workshop will be from 9:00 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m. https://fairfaxcountyeda.org/event/entrepreneurship-101-starting-a-business-infairfax-county-26/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8aS1403Oo2FMBHs077fyJpikmBehNeanFiMm1Nlggjs7AjCamdAWejqXh_vLftx3euU17a5pGfWEMLQXG0MyOWLC-EbTZWwdr8dmOSLYvFNNscRJA&_hsmi=348466642&utm_ content=348466642&utm_source=hs_email
Franchise Ownership 101
Thursday, March 13, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – The Women’s Business Center hosts a webinar covering the differences between starting a business versus a franchise, what to look for in a franchise, which ones do well and don’t do well in our region, as well as state and local regulations to know before signing an agreement. There will be a special segment on work-from-home (WFH) franchises. Heather E. Rosen, a franchise specialist, is the facilitator. Register here: https://wbcnova. centerdynamics.com/workshop.aspx?ekey=10450012.
Career Connection
Are you hiring? You may post your job and internship opportunities on Career Connection (https://nvcc-csm.symplicity.com/employers/index.php?signin_tab=0&signin_tab=0) to connect with and recruit talented NOVA students and alumni! Ensuring your openings are listed helps us guide qualified candidates your way. After you post your job and/or internship positions on Career Connection you can send us a flyer advertising you positions! We can share your flyer to our students and alumni through various communication channels in addition to your Career Connection job posting. We prefer simple flyers that have a company’s name, logo, list of open positions, and a link or QR code showing where to apply. If you have any brochures, send those too!
Aging: Navigating Tough Conversations
Kensington hosts a session, Navigating Tough Conversations with Your Aging Loved One, on Thursday, March 6, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Discussing aging, care planning, and end-of-life wishes with loved ones can be challenging. This event offers guidance on approaching these conversations with empathy, clarity, and confidence. Experts Jane H. Euler, MS, and Cody Thornton, JD & MUP, will share insights into navigating difficult topics, fostering open dialogue, and making informed decisions. Attendees will gain practical strategies to support their aging family members while honoring their values and preferences.
Last Week for Steel Magnolias
Thursdays – Sundays through Sunday, March 9 – Creative Cauldron has opened in its new theater at Broad & Washington with the production of “Steel Magnolias”! The Broadway hit and blockbuster film by Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias, comes to life with a powerhouse cast of fierce, talented women. Laura Connors Hull directs this production. Tickets are on sale now. https://business.fallschurchchamber.org/events/details/steel-magnolias-02-27-202579059?calendarMonth=2025-02-01
Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.
Our Man In Arlington
Bill Fogarty
“Arlington is probably destined to become the largest city in the State, despite anything we may wish to do about it.”
These words were spoken not in 2025, and not even in 2005. This quote came from the chair of the Arlington County Board in 1942. The Board chair, Edmund Campbell, was setting the stage to change our county form of government to a city council structure.
The debate about governance structure in Arlington continues to this day. Looking back at history, one might say that Campbell was clairvoyant. Arlington does look like a city and act like a city. But should it be governed like a city? That debate is alive and well in 2025. A quick look at history might provide some perspective.
In 1942 the most powerful person in Arlington, Judge Walter McCarthy, formed a “Charter Commission” to explore incorporating as a city. It took three years for the Charter Commission to make its recommendation to incorporate.
Arlington’s representatives in the 1946 Virginia General Assembly drafted legislation to allow for a city incorporation. However, amendments after amendments were quickly proposed by Arlington’s various civic organizations, led by the Arlington County Civic Federation.
The Civic Federation has a long history of making recommendations to the County’s governance structure. In 1930 the Civic Federation supported legislation for the election of board members every four years. In 1938 the Civic Federation changed its mind and proposed staggered terms, which was approved by a voter referendum of 1,539 to 1,487 for approval.
Politics being what it is, the Civic Federation in 1946 lobbied the state legislature to get rid of staggered terms. Various groups asked for other amendments, including an increase in the number of elected officials, from five to seven board members. Another group pushed for the right to have a voter referendum
for an elected school board.
In the end, the city incorporation proposal died a swift death in 1946. But a thread throughout Arlington’s history indicates that our governance structure is often debated.
As just one example, take a look at the year 1958. In the first few months, one finds out that the County Board chair recommended biennial elections; the Arlington Democratic Executive Committee proposed an increase in the number of board members to seven, and the creation of districts for the members; the Civic Federation nominated nine of its members for an advisory group for the County Board to study possible changes; and the president of the Chamber of Commerce proposed doing away with the County Board entirely and setting up a professional three member commission.
While these issues pop up every so often, here we are in 2025, with no changes since1938, but with the possibility of change again up for debate.
As noted in last week’s column, Delegate Patrick Hope has obtained approval of a bill that allows for a voter referendum on three issues: (i) to allow an expanded board; (ii) to create geographic districts; and (iii) to elect a board chair (in effect, a mayor). The bill as approved is not immediately effective and needs to be approved again next year. Even if the bill is passed next year, as a practical matter the County Board is the gatekeeper, as it would have to vote to allow a voter referendum.
Do any of the three possibilities make sense for Arlington? Is it time to let the voters make the decision, or is it appropriate for the County Board to be gatekeepers?
It has been 83 years since Edmund Campbell acknowledged a need for changes in governance. Perhaps it is time to allow for a voter referendum, much like the 1940s, when an elected school board became a reality due to a voter referendum.
There will be community conversations on these matters in 2025. Keep an eye on who is controlling these conversations.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER E, FOR THE RECOVERY OF COSTS INCURRED TO COMPLY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS CASE NO. PUR-2025-00017
On January 23, 2025, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 e of the Code of Virginia, the directive contained in Ordering Paragraph (7) of the Final Order issued by the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) on September 19, 2024 in Case No. PUR-2024-00013, and the Commission’s Rules Governing Utility Rate Applications and Annual Informational Filings of Investor-Owned Electric Utilities, 20 VAC 5-204-5 et seq., Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the Commission a petition (“Petition”) for an annual update with respect to its rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for the recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations at the Company’s Bremo, Chesterfield, Clover, and Mt. Storm Power Stations. Dominion states that it is filing this annual update to inform the Commission of the status of the environmental project located at the Mt. Storm Power Station, including projected expenditures, and to present costs associated with other environmental projects previously approved by the Commission. The Company also provides the proposed cost allocation, rate design, and accounting treatment for service rendered during the proposed rate year, which commences on November 1, 2025, and extends through October 31, 2026 (“Rate Year”), as related to the proposed Rider E.
Dominion proposes a total revenue requirement of $37,243,743 for the Rate Year. If the revised Rider E for the Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to the Company, implementation of its revised Rider E on November 1, 2025, would decrease the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.72, compared to the current Rider E.
Further details of the Company’s proposal are set forth in the Company’s Petition. Interested persons are encouraged to review the Company’s Petition, testimony and supporting documents.
TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may adopt rates, charges and/or terms and conditions that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents and may apportion revenues among customer classes and/ or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents.
The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on Dominion’s Petition and assigned a Hearing Examiner to conduct all further proceedings in this matter on behalf of the Commission. A hearing for the receipt of testimony from public witnesses on the Company’s Petition shall be convened telephonically by the Hearing Examiner at 10 a.m. on June 25, 2025. On or before June 18, 2025, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission: (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting
Beginning at 10 a.m. on June 25, 2025, the Hearing Examiner will telephone sequentially each person who has signed up to testify as provided above.
On June 25, 2025, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Hearing Examiner will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Petition from the Company, any respondents, and the Staff of the Commission (“Staff”).
To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon
participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and required electronic service on parties to this proceeding.
An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com. Interested persons may also download unofficial copies of the Petition and the public version of other documents filed in this case from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/ case-information/
On or before June 18, 2025, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00017.
On or before April 11, 2025, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company, any other respondents and Staff electronically as described above. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 5 VAC 5-20-10 et seq. (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-202500017. For additional information about participation as a respondent, any person or entity should obtain a copy of the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing.
On or before May 14, 2025, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served electronically on the Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with their filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Rules of Practice, as modified herein, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00017.
Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Rules of Practice.
The public version of the Company’s Petition, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, and the public versions of other documents filed in the case may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/case-information/
ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
VIRGINIA
NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on March 13th, 2025 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following item:
-Variance application V1659-25 by Miguel Nogales (Applicant), on behalf of Gillian and Mike Economou (owners), for a variance to Section 48-263(3)a to allow a side yard setback of 6.5 feet instead of the 8 feet minimum, and to Section 48-263(5) to allow lot coverage of 25.20% instead of the 25% maximum allowed for a screened porch at 1203A Lincoln Avenue, RPC# 51-215-101 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1B, Medium Density Residential District.
- Variance application V1661-25 by 618 Laura Drive, LLC, for a variance to Section 48-238(3) (a) to allow a rear yard setback of 26 feet instead of the 40 feet minimum allowed for a second-story addition at 618 Laura Drive, RPC# 52-605-101 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low Density Residential District.
-Variance application by M Quinn Holdings, LLC and Matthew Quinn (owners) to Section 48-238(3)(a) for a front setback of 26.5 feet instead of the 30 feet minimum along Parker Avenue, and for a front setback of 20.2 feet instead of the 30 feet minimum along Irving Street for a upper story addition, and a variance to Section 48-238(4)(c) for a building height of 14.6 feet instead of the 12 feet maximum for a detached garage at 712 Parker Avenue, RPC# 52-202-001 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-C, Cluster Residential. Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on February 13th, 2025. Agenda and application materials will be available the week prior to the scheduled hearing at: http://www. fallschurchva.gov/BZA
Information on the above application is also available for review upon request to staff at zoning@fallschurchva.gov.
Volunteers who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office (703-248-5014, cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov, or www.fallschurchva.gov/BC) for an application form or more information.
Positions
for
each subsequent month.
NOTICE
Premises License to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or
sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Jacqueline Baker - Nees /Owner. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200
AUCTIONS
Truck and Trailer Auction! March 20th - 10:00AM!Over 30 Tractor Trailers available! Bid Live or Online! See Woltz.com for a complete inventory list and additional information. Auction representative will be onsite for previews on 3/7, 3/8, & 3/15 from Noon – 4PM. Property located at 1550 Lynn Brae Drive, Roanoke, VA 24012. 10% Buyer’s Premium Woltz & Associates, Inc. Real Estate Brokers & Auctioneers Roanoke, VA (VA #321) 800-551-3588.
ATTN. AUCTIONEERS: Promote your upcoming auctions statewide! Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audience. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net
FISH/FARMS
Live Fish for stocking ponds. Many varieties available. Free delivery on orders $500+ to your pond. Call Zetts Fish Farm & Hatchery for information & free catalogue. 304-9959202, Cell 304-820-6986. HOME IMPROVEMENT
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-614-6667
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-947-1479 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-ofthe-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-591-9950
Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer – up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-844-902-4611
The bathroom of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-844-945-1631
SERVICES
DIVORCE-Uncontested, $475+$86 court cost. WILLS-$295.00. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook). 757-490-0126. Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. https://hiltonoliverattorneyva.com.
DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-888-550-3083 www. dental50plus.com/virginia #6258
Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-608-4974
We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-216-5028
Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and
PAGE 18 | MARCH 6 - 12, 2025
THIS WEEK AROUND F.C.
Thursday, March 6
Veterans Job Fair Tomorrow at Joint Base
Myer-Henderson Hall
Patton Hall Community Club & Conference Center from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Over 30 companies will be offering employment opportunities and actively hiring veterans. Veterans bring a wealth of skills and expertise from their military service, making them invaluable assets across various industries. However, navigating the job market can be challenging. That's where RecruitMilitary steps in.
Creative Cauldron presents Steel Magnolias
February 13, 2025 – March 9, 2025
Creative Cauldron
127 E Broad St, Falls Church, VA
Welcome to Truvy's Beauty Salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, a hot spot where six brassy southern women come to laugh, gossip, and share the most intimate details of their lives and loves. This smash hit play became a smash hit movie that audiences loved. Creative Cauldron has assembled a talented and diverse sisterhood to tell this heartfelt and hilarious story. Steel Magnolias is a lasting testament to the power of sisterhood that continues to charm and beguile audiences everywhere. Performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets $20.00 – $45.00 at www.creativecauldron.org/magnolias
Light & Dark: Contrast – Falls Church Arts Exhibit Showcases Local Photographers
March 1, 2025 – April 6, 2025 Falls Church Arts Gallery
700-B W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
The creativity of forty-four local photographers will be presented at tthe exhibit Light & Dark: Contrast. The exhibit continues the organization’s long-standing support of arts in the community. The sixty-piece exhibit will open on Saturday, March 1, with a meet-the-artists reception from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the gallery. The event is free and open to the public. The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced at the reception. Visitors are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award at the gallery before March 21. The color and black and white images will be on display from March 1 to April 6, 2025. Admission to the gallery is free. The gallery is open Tuesdays–Fridays from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Needlework Show
March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025
Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House
9000 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA
This is the largest and longest-running needlework show in the United States. This year's show will recognize the 50th anniversary of Nelly's Needlers, a volunteer organization whose mission is to further appreciation of the needle arts and support the preservation of Woodlawn. Tickets: $20.00 at https://franklloydwright.org/site/pope-leighey-house
A Room in the Castle: Presented by Folger Theatre
March 4, 2025 – April 6, 2025 Folger Theatre
201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC How does a woman survive the court of Denmark? How does anyone? A Room in
the Castle finds Ophelia, her handmaid, and Queen Gertrude on the other end of a wild prince’s antics and realizing just how dangerous life in this castle has become. A universal thriller that explores how we help one another through harrowing times, what mothering a potential madman means, and what responsibilities generations have to each other, A Room in the Castle rebrands the stories of the women of Shakespeare’s Hamlet into a hilarious and heart-rending drama with music and defiant hope for the future. Tickets $20.00 – $84.00 at www.folger.edu
On Stage: In The Heights March 6, 2025 – May 4, 2025 Signature Theatre 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA Lights up on Washington Heights, NYC where the streets are full of music, and everybody’s got a dream. With the neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, and a life-changing winning lottery ticket somewhere in their midst, the vibrant inhabitants share hope, loss and love as they plan their futures while cherishing their home. Latin rhythms and hip-hop lyrics infuse “96,000,” “Paciencia y Fe,” “Carnaval del Barrio” and the title song as this breathtaking celebration of community and culture energetically bursts off the stage with Signature’s trademark immersive style. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org.
The Old Money Project Exhibition March 6, 2025 – March 23, 2025 The DC Arts Center (DCAC) 2438 18th St NW, Washington, DC
Unlike traditionally trained curators, these curators, who work in government by day, bring a distinct DC perspective to their work, blending creativity and civic insight to highlight narratives that resonate within the community. Their deep connection to the community and dedication to amplifying unique voices in contemporary art have made their work stand out. Reception: Friday, March 7, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages provided. Free.
2025 Youth Art Show
March 6, 2025 – March 16, 2025
McLean Project for the Arts 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA
Featured work by FCPS Langley and McLean Pyramid students from elementary grades through high school. More information at www.mpaart.org.
Riverdance 30 – The New Generation March 6, 2025 – March 16, 2025
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC
Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its Grammy Award winning fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions. Now the show is embarking on a special anniversary tour, bringing its magic to audiences worldwide. Tickets $39.00 – $199.00 at www.kennedy-center.org.
Tysons Library Quarterly Book & Media Sale
March 6, 2025, – March 9, 2025
Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library
7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
Large selection of books and media for all ages and interests. Proceeds benefit the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library and related activities. Donations of books and media appreciated! Volunteers welcome and needed! tysonslibraryfriends@gmail.com 703-338-3307 for additional information.
Falls Church Fiber Artists
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Drop in for this informal weekly group to knit and crochet. Share what you're creating. Get advice from other knitters and crocheters. Or just chat while you work on your own project! All are welcome.
Winter Storytime
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Join our children’s librarians for songs, stories, and rhymes! For ages 18 months to 4 years with a caregiver, younger siblings are welcome. If you or your child are feeling sick or having any respiratory symptoms, please stay home! Masks are welcome but not required. Playtime with our Early Literacy toys will be available after story time. The room will remain open until 12pm. Please pick ONLY ONE story time per week to attend. See children's desk for ticket upon arrival. We give out tickets starting at 10 a.m.
Playtime with Early Literacy Center
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA We will have our Early Literacy center available for free play for an hour after story time. Drop in, no registration or tickets required.
New Yorker Discussion Group
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Enjoy reading The New Yorker but wish you had someone to chat about it with? Drop into the monthly New Yorker Discussion Group to share your thoughts on what you’ve read in a variety of articles. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 2–3.
Navigating Tough Conversations with Aging Loved Ones
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Kensington Falls Church
700 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
Discussing aging, care planning, and end-of-life wishes with loved ones can be challenging. This event offers guidance on approaching these conversations with empathy, clarity, and confidence.
Experts Jane H. Euler, MS, and Cody Thornton, JD & MUP, will share insights on navigating difficult topics, fostering open dialogue, and making informed decisions. Attendees will gain practical strategies to support their aging family members while honoring their values and preferences. No fee to attend and open to all.
Solace Outpost Trivia Night
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Solace Outpost
444 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA
Join us for live trivia every Tuesday and Thursday presented by Pour House Trivia! Come drink, eat and win! First place teams get a $30 gift card. Second place teams get a $20 gift card.
Friday, March 7
The Dumb Waiter presented by DC Arts Center
March 7, 2025 – March 23, 2025
The DC Arts Center (DCAC) 2438 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
B. Stanley, former Executive Director of The DC Arts Center, steps back into the spotlight for a special limited engagement
of Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter, presented by Theatre Du Jour. The production, running March 7–23, reunites Stanley with longtime collaborator Jerry Herbilla. Set in a stark, windowless basement, The Dumb Waiter follows Gus and Ben—two hitmen awaiting their next orders—who find their routine disrupted by a series of bizarre messages demanding increasingly absurd plates of food. As tension mounts, their banter shifts from the mundane to the menacing, forcing them to confront their fears, obedience, and the unseen forces that control their fate. Tickets $30.00 and $25.00 at https://www.theatredujour.org/current-om
Friday Night Trip: Washington Capitals Hockey Game 4:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. McLean Community Center 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA
Join us as we cheer on the Washington Capitals for a “W!” As if the game wasn’t exciting enough, each participant will get a free Caps hat. Admission and dinner are included in the fee. Bring additional money for souvenirs and snacks as desired. A signed waiver is required. Due to construction at the Old Firehouse, this trip will depart from and return to MCC. Tickets are $70/$60 MCC district residents at www.mcleancenter.org.
Saturday, March 8
Volunteer Service Day 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Potomac Overlook Regional Park 2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington, VA
Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Free and appropriate for ages 9 and up. In the event of inclement weather, event may be cancelled (participants will be notified if so). Participants must preregister! Register at www.novaparks.com.
Scouting America: Personal Fitness Merit Badge 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Winkler Botanical Preserve 5400 Roanoke Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311
Through discussion, physical exercise, and real-world experiences, scouts will better understand why physical health is so important and what can be done to ensure a healthy future. This merit badge has a 12-week record requirement and may not be completed on the day of class. Arrangements are easily made to sign off additional requirements. Pre-Requisites: Before class, scouts must have a physical and dental examination using the scout medical examination form (Health Form part C). 6. a. Run or walk a mile as fast as you can. Record the time. 6.b.: Keep track of what you eat and drink for three days. 9: Find out about three career opportunities in personal fitness, pick one and find out the education, training and experience required for this profession. Register at www.novaparks.com.
Learn more about the Junior League of Northern Virginia 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Virtual
Learn about becoming a member of the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV), a dynamic group of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Register for virtual link at https://vms.ajli.org/?nd=vms_ public_form&form_id=1004559
Sing Books with Emily 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Sing Books with Emily is a singing story time with picture books based on songs for children of all ages. Join Emily to sing songs from a wide range of musical styles accompanied by bespoke sing along tracks and Emily's fun Symphony of Silly Instruments including ukulele, glockenspiel, and kazoo. It's a musical adventure sure to delight everyone. Best for ages 4 – 7 years old. Space is limited; first come, first served. For Federal Workers: Rising to Meet the Challenge 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wakefield High School 1325 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA
Congressman Don Beyer, with the City of Falls Church, City of Alexandria, Arlington County, and Fairfax County, invites constituents to attend a pop-up resource fair to access vital services, including unemployment assistance, mental health support, housing information, food aid, and information on federal workers rights.
Owls!
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Winkler Botanical Preserve
5400 Roanoke Ave, Alexandria, VA Who likes owls? Which owls live at Winkler and what are they like? Want to learn about owls from the inside, out? Spend some time at the preserve discovering the owls that live here, experience owl feathers and bones and take apart your own owl pellet. This program is appropriate for families with children ages 7 and over. Anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by a registered adult. Participants are required to read and accept the Assumption of Risk and Indemnification Agreement during the registration process. All participants must preregister at www.novaparks.com.
So You Want to Write a Memoir 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
This session is for anyone interested in or thinking about writing a memoir. Janet Bickel will discuss what she has learned from her recent publishing experience (We're Put Here to Love: A Memoir with Poems https://janetbickel.com/) and create a forum for participants to raise their questions and to discuss their observations from memoir-reading and their writing goals. Register at www.mrspl.org.
Sunday, March 9
Sunday Morning Walking Club
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Karma Yoga: Classes, Community & Retreats
246-A W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046 Free to join, meet at Karma Yoga studio to walk and talk and make new friends or connect with old ones along the W&OD. You can grab a coffee after or jump into yoga class.
The Peking Acrobats
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
George Mason University
Center for the Arts/Concert Hall, 4373 Mason Pond Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
For more than 30 years, The Peking Acrobats have revitalized Chinese acrobatics, fus-
THIS WEEK AROUND F.C.
ing ancient athletic discipline with modern special effects to create a kaleidoscopic marvel for all ages. These world-class gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists, and tumblers provide a gravity-defying spectacle with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. Accompanied by live musicians who skillfully play traditional Chinese instruments, The Peking Acrobats execute daring maneuvers and display their technical prowess at trick cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. Performances at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The 1 p.m. performance will be audio described. Tickets: $55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12. Tickets at https://cfa.gmu.edu/
Author Talk: Michael Nayak
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Come listen to an author talk by local author, scientist and explorer Michael Nayak and hear about his debut science fiction novel, Symbiote. This program is cosponsored with Bards Alley Bookshop. Register at www.mrspl.org.
Winter Traditional Celtic Concerts
4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Old Brogue Irish Pub
760 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066
Top quality music, in two sittings, 4:30 and 6:30, from the British Isles, Brittany (France), the Celtic areas of Northern Spain, and the Americas. Tickets for $21.00 must be purchased in advance at https://oldbrogue.com/winter-celtic-concert-2025
Monday, March 10
Parkinson's Foundation Communication Club
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Virtual The Parkinson’s Communication’s Club is held every Monday and led by Susan I. Wranik, Board Certified Speech-Language Pathologist. The Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. The club is not therapy, but rather, it is an exercise group designed to improve volume. The approach helps people speak loudly and clearly in order to make themselves heard. Most importantly, this club is designed in a group setting – one for all and all for one – a team effort to be loud. If people can’t hear you, they assume you don’t know. Make your voice heard! Exercise and Socialization is the best medicine for living successfully with Parkinson’s Disease. Exercise your voice as well as your body. This group is appropriate for anyone desiring to improve volume or verbal expression. To register email kpeters@kensingtonsl.com.
Foundation Volunteer Open House
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
The Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation is looking for adult volunteers! If you're 18 years old or older and interested in helping us raise money for the library, join us on Monday, March 10, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. for our Foundation Volunteer Open House to learn how you can get involved! We'd love some help tabling at the library and at the Farmers Market, running future used book sales, reaching out to corporate sponsors, emailing donors, and maybe even sprucing up our social media accounts! Are you a great photographer? Great at talking to strangers? Just care a lot about funding your local library? You'd be perfect! Questions?: Email Aimee Morgan (Foundation Board Chairperson) at mrsplfoundation@gmail.com
English Conversation Class
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Join us for a Free English Conversation class for adults to practice your language
skills with other learners, and improve your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. No registration required. Walk-ins are welcome. The mission of the English Empowerment Center is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English so they can access employment and educational opportunities and more fully and equitably participate in the community.
Chapter One: Book Club 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
Did you know the library is always getting new books? Awesome, right? But it can be pretty hard to choose from so many new books. Don't worry, we have your back. Join us for an hour of sampling new chapter books and beginner chapter books! A librarian will read aloud the first chapter of a few new chapter books to help you decide if you want to check it out! The number of books we try out will depend on the length of the chapter and the amount of discussion. Grown-ups! Did you know reading aloud to children even after they have started reading on their own has benefits? Models fluency, adds emotional context through voice inflection and shows kids that adults read for fun, too! The books read during Chapter One: Book Club are chapter books and beginner chapter books. The publisher recommended reading levels for these books range between grades 3-7. However, all families with children in grades K-8 are welcome to join. Register at www.mrspl.org.
Tuesday, March 11
Tuesday Morning Book Group 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA
A general book discussion held roughly every 6 weeks from September through June, usually on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Focuses on a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles selected in advance (over the summer) by the group. For this meeting we will be discussing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Register at www.mrspl.org
Quinn's Auction Galleries March Shelf Lot Books Auction 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Virtual
In person open preview beginning March, 4th and ending March 10th, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST. If you would like to make an appointment or have questions please contact diana@Quinnsauction.com. Preview at 360 S. Washington St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Great Books Discussion Series
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
A "Great Books" discussion concentrating on literary classics (both traditional and modern) usually meeting at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. The group will discuss: “The Two Shores,” from The Orange Tree, by Carlos Fuentes (1991). In the Great Books volume, Clashes of Culture. (Moderator to distribute text via e-mail.) All are welcome.
311 Day Tribute by Unity 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Jammin Java
227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
Unity has been performing every 311 Day at Jammin' Java for the past 12 years and each year is an absolute blast. Tickets: $15.00 and $25.00 at www.unionstagepresents.com
Virtual Social Media Panel for Teens and Parents
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Virtual A Free Virtual Parent Café, will feature a
Social Media Panel for Teens and Parents.
This panel of young adults will share their experiences navigating social media as teenagers. Panelists will discuss lessons learned about social media, the positive and negative impacts on their well-being, and what they thought their parents did well, or did not do well in monitoring their social media access. All FCCPS families and teens are welcome to attend this interactive online panel discussion. To register email buildingstrongerfamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Wednesday, March 12
Body Dynamics Class: Dance Fitness
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Body Dynamics Inc
410 S Maple Ave #106, Falls Church, VA
A 55-minute dance class for all levels. No previous experience necessary. Dynamic warm-up, mobility and stability challenges, aerobic challenges, all through the lens of a lively dance class. Emphasis will be placed on use of proper body mechanics to facilitate increased body awareness. Each class will devote time to learning a dance combination which challenges the dancer to develop their own style of movement! Contact ghegyi@bodydynamicsinc.com
Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Most of us are always on the go in some capacity, tasking ourselves to keep things running smoothly or remedying situations that aren’t going as we hoped. The practice of mindfulness meditation gives us the skills to step out of our habitual mode of doing and allows us to have mindful recognition of what is present here and now. In our group setting we investigate the practical application of bringing mindfulness into our daily lives. Open to beginners and experienced meditators. Register at www.mrspl.org.
LEGO Club
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Calling all Master Builders to come and create at the library! This drop-in program is open to students in Grades K-5. No registration is required. Preschoolers are welcome when supervised at all times by an adult. Photos of library programs are often taken to share with the community via social media. If you do not want your child or yourself to appear in MRSPL photos, please let the library staff present know. If you require any special accommodations to participate in this program, please email juv@fallschurchva.gov at least 48 hours prior to the event time.
Improv Workshop: Unexpectedly Funny
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Join us for Unexpectedly Funny, an exhilarating improv workshop suitable for all ages! Discover the joy of spontaneous creativity as we explore the fundamentals of improvisation in a fun and supportive environment. Through engaging games, exercises, and group activities, participants will sharpen their quick-thinking skills, enhance their communication abilities, and build confidence in their ability to think on their feet. Whether you're a seasoned performer or brand new to improv, this workshop offers something for everyone. Come unleash your imagination, embrace
