April 16 – 22, 2020
Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee
Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. X XX N o. 9
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Outbreaks Reported at 17 Fairfax Long-Term Care Centers At Least 2 F.C. Senior Homes Battling Virus by Jody Fellows
Falls Church News-Press
With more than half of his state’s Covid-19 outbreaks occurring in long-term care facilities, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced last Friday the creation of a task force aimed at fighting the virus where it’s attacking one of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations. As of Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Health reports that 17 of 60 long-term care outbreaks in the state are located in the Fairfax Health District alone and, now, the News-Press has learned at least two City of Falls Church senior homes are battling the coronavirus, with one reporting as many as eight positive cases. Both The Kensington and Sunrise of Falls Church have confirmed to the News-Press their facilities have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The two elderly care homes are located in the Fairfax Health District which contains the City of F.C., City of Fairfax, Fairfax County and its towns. In an email acquired by the News-Press, Amy Feather, executive director of the Kensington’s Falls Church facility, told families last Friday that seven of its resi-
dents have tested positive for the virus, with four in recovery — or 14 days past the onset of symptoms — and three in the hospital. In a separate email on March 25, Feather reported there was “one other team member whose test came back positive” and three other staff members experiencing symptoms were selfisolating. Sunrise of Falls Church did not confirm the number of coronavirus cases at its facility but Tom Kessler, regional vice president of operations, told the News-Press in a statement that immediately upon learning of a case, they contact all residents and families by phone and follow up with a letter of confirmation. Since two Kensington residents were reported testing positive for Covid-19 last month, no further information had been released to the public about other occurrences there, with the last public update coming on March 22. In response to several News-Press inquiries, a Kensington spokesperson said “we are confirming our status directly to our residents and family members.” A concerned family member with a parent at the Falls Church senior care center, who shared Feather’s emails with the NewsPress, said they were becoming frustrated with the lack of information coming from the facility since the first positive tests were reported more than three weeks ago.
DESPITE SOCIAL DISTANCE mandates shutting down many operations in the City, Falls Church’s Founders Row and other projects roll on during the coronavirus crisis. (Photo: J. Michael Whalen)
Development Projects Keep Rolling in F.C. During Crisis by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Even as the current coronavirus pandemic has gripped the City of Falls Church, as it has everywhere, the City government here will be challenged to find a way to proceed ahead as soon as possible with more than just emergency and continuity-ofContinued on Page 5 government issues. That is all
that is currently stipulated under ordinances adopted to accommodate “social distancing” guidelines by the authorization of virtual online gatherings of the City Council for the conduct of formal business. A big part of the business of the City, as it faces the crises to come from extreme revenue shortfalls this year, will be proceeding with deliberations and approv-
als of new development projects. As City Manager Wyatt Shields reported to the City Council last week, deliberations are continuing with the developers of the 10.3-acre West End development project though further formal actions will not be required until after the new George Mason High School is completed, whose construction remains underway and whole timetable for completion still holds at December 2020, and the existing old high school complex is demolished to make way for the West End plan.
Continued on Page 15
Inside This Week Falls Church Cancels Annual Memorial Day Festivities
F.C. Duo’s Fundraiser Off to Fast Start
See News Briefs, page 9
See story, page 4
The City of Falls Church canceled its biggest event of the year, the annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival, citing recent executive orders issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam urging localities to cancel large-scale events through June 10.
After just five days, two City residents’ fundraiser sold more than 700 shirts and raised more than $12,000 to help support local businesses and feed families in need.
Real Estate Agents Brace for An Uncertain Market After a turbulant March, real estate agents in Falls Church and around the Northern Virginia region adapt and brace for an uncertain housing market as the coronavirus continues to upend the industry. See story, page 8
Index
Editorial........................................................ 6 Letters.................................................... 6,19 News Briefs................................................. 9 News & Notes.....................................10–11 Comment........................................7,12–13 Calendar....................................................14 Business News..........................................15 Classified Ads............................................16 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword..................17 Critter Corner.............................................18 Crime Report.............................................18
PAGE 2 | APRIL 16 – 22, 2020
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PAGE 4 | APRIL 16 – 22, 2020
F.C. Duo Starts Shirt Fundraiser to Support Local Business & Feed Families in Need BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Inspired by a friend’s philanthropic effort in Texas, two Falls Church residents have started their own fundraising campaign to help out during the pandemic, raising money by selling Little Citythemed t-shirts. After barely a week in operation, more than 700 shirts have been sold and more than $12,000 has been raised to help support local businesses and feed families in need. Adena Williams was scrolling through Facebook when she saw a post from a high school friend about a campaign she started to support local businesses by selling a t-shirt with “In this together” emblazoned on it. Williams called her up to ask how the Texas-based movement gained steam nationally. Upon learning the details of the campaign’s model, which they loved, Williams and co-organizer Suzanne Hladky decided to make a spin-off of the shirt, tailored to the City of Falls Church’s own sense of community. So they changed the slogan to “We are better together. We are the Little City,” bookending a bright, bold “Falls Church” in the center of a dark grey heather shirt. Their ambitious idea aimed to satisfy three different parts of the City ecosystem. Donors would purchase a shirt for $28, which would help fund
a mass purchase of gift cards at local restaurants. The gift cards would then be distributed to either the City’s Housing and Human Services Department, the Falls Church Education Foundation’s Family Assistance Fund or the nonprofit, Food for Others and would be passed on to the families in need. Neither Williams nor Hladky were sure what to expect from the community response to their fundraiser, with Williams admitting they set modest goals of taking in $50. However, they were quickly reminded about the City’s neighborly spirit once the word got out. “We’ve been so blown away by the generosity of the community,” Williams said. “One of the nice things about Falls Church City is it’s super small and able to make impactful change quickly.” As of Wednesday — just five days in operation — more than 700 adult and youth shirts have been sold and over $12,000 has been raised. Getting the campaign up and running was fairly seamless, according to Williams. Her husband, Brian, is the co-founder of Falls Church-based marketing firm Viget and helped put some professional polish on their initial designs. Later this week once the campaign receives its first check from Bonfire, the website where its t-shirts can be purchased, it will
go and purchase gift cards from restaurants such as Sweet Rice, Clare and Don’s B e a c h Shack, Dogwood Tavern and Plaka Grill, to name just a few. Williams said that those that don’t offer gift cards for sale will instead offer family meal deals, such as a meal for four for $50, so they can still reap some benefits from the effort. Friends in the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Parent-Teacher Association helped connect them with City officials in the Housing and Human Services Department and at FCEF about the goal of the campaign, who quickly jumped at the opportunity to lend a hand. Regan Davis, a part time worker at Food for Others and a friend of Williams and Hladky, welcomed the idea that the campaign would help out the nonprofit since food donations have become scarce due to a struggle to secure groceries. Families turning to Food for Others for assistance have jumped since the pandemic and its corresponding effects on the economy have taken hold. What was one once an average of 100 people
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All profits from the Falls Church “Better Together” shirts are being spent on gi� cards to local Falls Church restaurants which are then donated to area chari�es.
during the Wednesday and Friday distribution dates at Ellison Street in the City and Hollywood Avenue just outside of it has grown to 300 people that are in need of help during the crisis. Being able to buy a shirt and know it’s going toward a good cause has quelled some of the anxiety of the more fortunate members of the community about not being sure how to support their
neighbors. “People really want to help during this time period, and right now, they feel a little bit helpless,” Davis said. That help, he said, could be as simple as buying a t-shirt to support a nonprofit. Falls Church “Better Together” shirts are available in both adult and youth sizes and can be purchased at bonfire.com/fallschurch-better-together-t-shirts-1.
GRAB & GO O
Support these businesses when you see this banner! City restaurants offering "to go" orders: www.fallschurchva.gov/ToGo If your business would like a banner, email edo@fallschurchva.gov
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Virus Hits 2 F.C. Senior Homes Continued from Page 1
The family member said after the initial cases were announced, staff from The Kensington were very communicative and were keeping residents and families informed on a daily basis but as time moved on, the updates became less and less frequent and information dwindled. Now, updates on new positive cases at the senior care home are only being given to the residents and families involved. “I understand the difficulty in not knowing the specifics of how our situation is evolving but I am protecting the privacy of all our residents,” Feather wrote to families in an email on March 26. A statement from The Kensington to the News-Press Monday confirmed the policy. The resident’s family member told the News-Press they understand the privacy concerns but they aren’t interested in knowing the identity of potential positive residents, they just want to know when and where in the facility new cases arise. “Family members need to
know the risk to their loved ones,” the person, who asked to remain anonymous, told the News-Press. In a statement, a spokesperson said “all family members who have relatives at the Kensington are kept up to date and if they have questions [they] can call us.” As of last month, there were 108 residents and 181 staff members at The Kensington, according to the spokesperson. Coronavirus cases in senior living and long-term facilities are at risk of severe outcomes because their populations are often the most vulnerable to the virus due to older age and possible underlying health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the risk of the spread is so great because of the communal living structure of the facilities and the relative ease in transmissibility of the virus. One of the first outbreaks in the United States was at a Washington state nursing facility which is now linked to at least 43 deaths from the coronavirus and this week, the New York Times reported that more than 2,700 nursing home and adult care residents in the New York region
LO CA L have died in the outbreak. Tuesday, the Times reported more than 2,500 long-term care facilities nationwide with coronavirus cases infecting more than 21,000 residents and staff resulting in at least 3,800 deaths. And experts say those totals are likely much higher since most states and localities don’t provide the details of long-term care provider cases or deaths. Citing privacy concerns, the Fairfax County Health Department declined to release any information on the 17 facility outbreaks in its district reported by the Virginia Department of Health. Instead, the health department told the News-Press it has asked facilities to release their own information independently. Last Thursday, the NewsPress received an obituary from a woman who reported the Covid-19linked death of her mother at The Kensington on March 6. However, The Kensington disputes the report, telling the News-Press “out of respect for the privacy for [the resident] and her family we will not discuss any details of her condition, other than to confirm that she was not tested for Covid-19.” In Virginia, the novel virus has infected 148 residents and staff
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and killed 45 at Henrico County’s Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center near Richmond, “one of the largest concentrations of deaths in a long-term care facility in our country,” Northam said Friday. In response, the governor announced the creation of a task force aimed at fighting outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes. “These are our parents and grandparents. We have a special obligation to protect them, in addition to our responsibility to protect public health,” Northam said. More than half, 60 of 108, of the outbreaks in Virginia have been at long-term care facilities, the VDH reports. Dr. Laura Forlano, the department’s deputy commissioner for public health who is leading the new task force, said social distancing is “pretty difficult to achieve in a congregate care living situation or facility.” As of Wednesday morning, 644 cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the state’s long-term care facilities and Forlano says staffing continues to be an issue in outbreaks. On Monday, she reported a new outbreak at a Virginia facility over the weekend. While she wouldn’t identify the location, Forlano said the task force pro-
APRIL 16 – 22, 2020 | PAGE 5
vided extra testing resources and personal protective equipment and was able to mobilize some nursing staff to help supplement the staffing in the facility. “The task force, in general, will continue to work on higher level policy issues and strategies to ensure that we can sustain that kind of response in the future,” she said. Out of five Falls Church area elder care homes, two — Goodwin House in Bailey’s Crossroads and Powhatan Nursing Home — reported to the News-Press they had no confirmed cases of Covid19, in response to inquiries. Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads Executive Director Justin Carwile told the NewsPress that the new task force is a step in the right direction. “We are grateful that the governor and his teams are paying closer attention to the needs of older adults and senior living communities during the Covid19 pandemic,” Carwile said in a statement. News-Press requests for information on the status of a potential coronavirus outbreak at the Falls Church area’s Chesterbrook Residences senior living facility have so far gone unanswered.
PAGE 6 | APRIL 16 – 22, 2020
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E D I TO R I A L
Unlike the Mayans?
The truly historic pandemic crisis that is taking so many lives across the globe right now has required an urgent call for action by every citizen to contribute to life-saving methods for stemming the advance of the pestilence, commanding our attention in every aspect of our lives. Our role in this war against the Covid-19 virus has been simple but all-engaging, involving “social distancing,” a lot of hand washing, masks in public places and staying home. It hardly seems that heroic, but in reality, it has required an enormous amount of attentiveness and patience, especially in commandeering populated households that include inlaws and children who need to be commandeered to their iPads or laptops to focus on an online education in the midst of all the distractions unique to home. So, let’s not underrate what we are up to now, because we are playing an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of the human race on this planet by these things we are doing. As Andrew Cuomo, the governor of the state of New York, has said repeatedly in his daily updates televised on the all-news networks, the good news about this pandemic is that human action determines its extent of spread or containment. This pandemic rates right up there with the greatest in human history, making more plausible the theory, among other things, that the great Mayan civilization in Central America that mysteriously disappeared around 900 AD was rendered extinct by a virus, leaving us with nothing but their greatest gift to the world, the banana. Maybe there was too much political resistance to perpetuating a social distancing policy in that civilization such that some deadly virus similar to Covid-19 would not be stopped, and its breathtaking (literally) speed of infections swiftly crippled the entire population. It is something we suspect, if not met head-on by resolute human intervention, could happen even now. It is not easy to grasp the concept of exponentiality. But this is how Covid-19 spreads, and now we are beginning to learn that even for the majority who survive exposure, the virus can remain latent in a human far longer than initially thought. It means that an infected person, while not exhibiting symptoms and even given a clean bill of health after a bout with an illness caused by the virus, can continue to be contagious in the midst of the population, shedding the virus to countless others in non-social distancing settings. Yes, the eventual production of a vaccine, something the Mayans couldn’t accomplish, could stop this virus in its tracks, at least among privileged populations for now. But consider this: there is still not an effective vaccine against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, not after 40 years since it broke into human society in a major way in 1981. Our bottom line, society’s survival depends on its subordination to the primacy of science and its benefits, not some presidential ego.
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Urging a More Measured Approach to Trail Upgrade Editor, The addition of a second W&OD trail is sorely needed. Even before the Covid-19 shutdowns and resulting increase in trail traffic, the trail was busy. We use this trail with our families for walking, jogging, biking, and commuting both to work and school, and we welcome the enhanced safety of a parallel trail. Our concern is with
the proposed elimination of valuable, usable space, and natural assets, including almost 100 trees (oaks, cedars, maples, Japanese cherry, dogwoods, etc.) and bushes adjacent to the proposed trails. We are a group of families who live next to the trail, on Lincoln Avenue between Great Falls and Oak Streets. Along this stretch, the just-released plans show the
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removal of virtually all existing vegetation, and the construction of a drainage ditch from Oak to Great Falls with 3:1 sloped sides, more akin to an interstate highway design than a residential park. All of this in an area that has no drainage or flooding problems. This massive earth movement will not just remove almost 1,000 cubic yards of soil in this stretch of the project, but also remove fruitbearing cherry and paw paw trees, butterfly bushes, beehives, and community garden plots, along with flat, grassy space that is used for playing catch, pick-up football games, badminton, and recently,
social-distancing sit-down chats with our neighbors. None of this will be possible with the proposed 3:1 slopes, drainage ditch, and 8-ft tall meadow grass. We urge the City and NOVA Parks to take a more measured approach. If drainage must be built through this space (that does not need it), then work to preserve more natural assets, including tree canopy, habitat, and natural shade, rather than taking a one-size-meets-all approach to regrading this land while destroying valuable land, trees, vegetation,
Letters Continued on Page 19
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APRIL 16 – 22, 2020 | PAGE 7
Essential to Remain Present, Collaborative in the Community B� A������� H������
Working with corporate groups to plan large international conferences, incentive trips, small VIP experiences, and everything in between, CSI DMC produced 540 events in the D.C. metro area in 2019. Amid growing concerns over the Covid19 pandemic and the risk of transmission at events, our spring season, typically our busiest time of the year, has been turned on its head. At the time of writing, the local ban on public gatherings extended through the end of April, which in most cases means we are working with our clients to reschedule their meetings and events for the fall. This is a tough and uncertain time in the events industry, but we are not alone in feeling the pressure. As a destination and event management company, we work closely not only with our catering, décor, entertainment, transportation, and A/V partners but with local restaurants, museums, and small businesses — all of whom depend on a stream of tourists and corporate groups for a substantial portion of their revenue. This has been undeniably hard on us all. We are in an unprecedented time. I’ve been in the hospitality and events industry for over 15 years and, throughout that time, have never faced the conditions we are seeing today. Here in the area and across many of our other destinations, restrictions on travel, bans on large gatherings, and guidelines put in place by top health organizations have made it impos-
sible to go about business as usual. With the interests of our community front of mind, we are monitoring the situation and will continue following CDC guidelines. We believe that the best protection we can offer to our industry and our local communities is our active participation in efforts
“While we are not able to gather in a traditional sense, we’re seeing our industry and local communities come together in inspiring ways.” to slow the spread of Covid-19. Our internal practices have shifted to allow our team members to work from home and postpone all travel. Though necessary, it feels incredibly strange to encourage everyone to stay home when our day to day focus is on gathering. As event planners, we are adapting to the changing landscape of the industry, supporting our clients as they transition to virtual meetings and handling each postponement or cancellation with an individualized focus. At CSI, there’s no
such thing as a one size fits all event and no standardized offerings. We’re treating shifting programs with the same level of personalized attention we give to every stage of the normal planning process, seeking the best possible arrangement for our clients, our team, and our vendor partners. We appreciate the difficult decisions that our clients are facing and are committed to serving as their trusted resource. Managing expectations is a challenge. In every scenario, we are seeking the best solution for all parties involved, striving for balance between each set of needs. The uncertainty of this time has shown clearly that the spirit of partnership runs deep in our industry. Together with our partners, we are preparing now for a busy Fall season of regularly scheduled and rescheduled meetings and events. Though there is no replacement for face to face connection, this time is also unprecedented in our ability to stay in contact and adapt to the changing face of events and business as a whole. Looking forward, we’re seeing new innovations for virtual meetings. Our vendor partners and team members are exploring fresh ideas every day, creating and sourcing enhancements for digital gatherings. We’re excited to showcase these offerings, from virtual scavenger hunts, to private streaming workout classes, to customizable online gifting experiences, both now and when meetings return to normalcy. While we wait for the storm to pass, our team is looking for silver linings.
While we are not able to gather in a traditional sense, we’re seeing our industry and local communities come together in inspiring ways. Our team has been fostering animals in need, looking after friends and neighbors, and doubling down on our commitment to be a resource for our communities. We’ve been in constant contact with clients, hoteliers, and vendors, rallying together to support each other however we can. The mindset is very much one of stepping up to help. Internally, we are finding new ways to stay in touch. Several of our destination teams have hosted virtual game nights and happy hours, sharing the recipes for their favorite cocktails and setting aside time to keep the working culture of CSI tight. As a normal practice, those in leadership roles travel frequently. The recommendation to remain home has allowed them to reconnect with their teams and tune in to corporate missions like “CSI in the Community” and, of course, to spend more time with their loved ones. We are wishing everyone in the D.C. metro area and beyond safety and health as we move forward. Now more than ever, it’s essential to be a present and collaborative participant in the community. Though the way we come together has changed, the commitment we feel to facilitating connections has only grown. Amberlee Huggins is president and chief marketing officer of CSI DMC..
Q������� �� ��� W��� When should Virginia begin to ease social distancing restrictions? • In May
• In June
• In July
• At a later date
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PAGE 8 | APRIL 16 – 22, 2020
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Real Estate Agents Adapt, Remain Optimistic During Pandemic
by Brian Indre
find the right home.” Molton said she completely respects the decision of a client being too nervous to follow through on a sale if that situation presents itself. “You can’t sell anyone when there is uncertainty, and there is nothing that I can say to make that better,” Molton said. On the other hand, people usually busy with work and without a lot of time to spend looking for a house, are now stuck at home, Molton said, and there is way more time for it. Those who are still venturing into the housing market are being met by agents who are refitting the process for the crisis, such as Tori McKinney of Rock Star Realty, who jumped into action in early March. “Writing PSAs to clients became like crisis management 101, and every week the practices have changed, so we have to keep rewriting them,” she said. Traditional open houses are not taking place now, with McKinney’s last happening on March 8. Now, if a couple wants to arrange to look at a property, it can be done safely, while the agent stands outdoors or in an opposite room. But virtual tours have become a necessity, McKinney said, so along with her marketing director, they began shooting amateur walk-through video tours of houses. It didn’t take long, she said
laughing, before her team knew it needed a professional photographer to take over. Precautionary measures for entering a client’s property are taken very seriously. Shoe covers which are used during normal times are no longer recycled, so fresh ones are supplied at every showing, along with hand sanitizer and gloves, and it doesn’t matter if the house is occupied or vacant. People are selling and buying right now, with activity only slightly down, but that may not be related to the pandemic since agents just don’t have a lot of inventory, said McKinney. She mentioned that the total of 17 properties in the City of Falls Church as of this week — houses, townhouses and condos — is low for the City this time of year. “There is such a demand for housing in the F.C. area, that it is common to get multiple offers on a property, because there aren’t that many available at a given time,” McKinney said. “But keep in mind, the properties that were sold in March were under contract in February, [before the spread of the virus got bad] and April is looking very different.” A teaser for what April could bring was revealed in the March sales numbers for the City of Falls Church, released by Bright MLS this week.
No. Virginia Housing Market Facing an Uncertain Future
got into the mix, I started seeing changes right away.” The City of Falls Church — a small, but hyper-competitive housing market — saw some pronounced consequences from the pandemic as well. Per Showingtime data, home sales dropped from 14 to nine year over year while pending sales slid from 27 last year to 20 this year. Median sales prices took a dive as well, sinking from $816,200 in 2019 to $633,115 in 2020. Overall dollar volume was nearly halved, plummeting from $12.24 million last year to $6.78 million this year. All the uncertainty hasn’t necessarily cured the inventory woes that the Washington, D.C. metro area’s normally piping hot housing market experiences. Copeland said that he saw buyers walk away from transactions while many sellers either temporarily took their homes off the market or completely did in order to ride out the length of the pandemic. Only one type of seller seemed motivated to move their property right now, according to Copeland — investors of rental properties
Falls Church News-Press
Despite the novel coronavirus leaving many businesses shuttered or barely operating, the housing market has remained, so far, relatively sturdy in the Falls Church area, albeit with some new precautions in place to protect buyers and agents. “Some clients are thinking long term and seeing this as an opportune time because interest rates are low and they want to move forward with their decision,” Louise Molton, principal broker for RE/ Max West End, said. Those who are actively looking tend to be serious buyers and who are employed and have an optimistic attitude that the virus will be under control soon. For others, wanting to sell or buy, there may be too much uncertainty now. Heather Embrey of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Premier said she had experienced potential sellers changing their minds to wait out the pandemic. “Especially if the property is tenant occupied,” she said by email. “Also, since many homes have been removed from the market or will be delayed entering the market, I am finding buyers that need to move soon are looking to rent instead, so they have a year to settle down and
by Matt Delaney
Falls Church News-Press
Like most of the country, the usually strong housing market in the Northern Virginia area practically hit a full stop in mid-March and is now seeing the effect of that slow down bear out in monthly reports on its activity. The yin and yang of March’s numbers give a clearer picture of how severe the situation is regarding the novel coronavirus. An enthusiastic start to March had sales up 14 percent year-overyear with a total of 1,815 homes sold, according to Showingtime data on the Northern Virginia region, and typically sold above their asking price and spent almost a week less on the market. The $1.17 billion in total dollar volume was a 24 percent increase over last March as well. But after Virginia Gov. Ralph
Northam declared a state of emergency on March 12 and President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus four days later, lockbox usage for home viewings during the ensuing work week saw a steady decline in traffic, according to a release from the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors. As a result, pending sales, which represent long-term confidence in the market as they translate to actual sales down the line, were down almost 17 percent by the end of the month compared to March 2019. “I haven’t even come up with a word yet that makes sense of this craziness. There has been a huge change,” Reggie Copeland, treasurer for NVAR, said. “It’s interesting because in January, February and the beginning of March, the talk was having a struggle of inventory...As soon as Covid[-19]
FALLS CHURCH REAL ESTATE agent Tori McKinney points to some of the new rules she’s put in place for home viewings during the pandemic. (Photo: Courtesy Tori McKinney/Rock Star Realty) Homes sales dropped by over 30 percent and total dollar amount from real estate sales declined by nearly half, down from just over $12 million to just under $7 million. And those low numbers were only after roughly two weeks of social distancing put in place. Still, meeting with clients who are interested in carrying out a transaction can be done virtually as well, Embrey said there really isn’t a need for it with Zoom, FaceTime or other services. Closing procedures that require the signing of paperwork to be done in person are being handled by drive-through. For now, the seller
and buyer pull up to the closing office and the title agent comes out while the documents are signed as they sit in the car, said Embrey. Molton, who has asthma, says she has been working strictly from home and conducting all business with staff and clients by phone or online. She explains that she is using this time as more of a supervisory role. Additionally making sure virtual tours and photos of properties are readily available for clients. “I have been occupied with lots of Zoom calls, and I’m amazed by how much can be done from home,” said Molton.
where the tenant lost their job and had to move out. Copeland said in his experience and when speaking with other agents, that template fit a good chunk of their clients. Attempting to draw a comparison to previous housing market downturns proved difficult given the added layer of an infectious disease driving this current freeze. “There’s two big differences,” Chris Finnegan, a spokesman for Bright MLS, said. “The 2008 slow down was more gradual, while this happened more quickly. Another big difference in terms of this one being so immediate: ’08 was solely a financial crisis. This is a public health crisis that has a residual as a financial crisis. It’s a broader thing that probably contributes to the immediacy of the effect.” The circumstances surrounding this crisis make it so much harder to gauge when any sense of normalcy will return, said Copeland. The bubble bursting over a decade ago had its own sense of uncertainty, but as Finnegan said, it was a problem of the economy and easier to track how it progressed out of its rut. Both believe that once the
response to Covid-19 is determined and implemented, the economy will follow close behind. In Copeland’s case, he thinks that Northam giving the thumbs up to resume life as normal will make way for a strong end of June to middle of July. But it demands asking: is buying a home the top priority for people following a global pandemic, especially given the possibility of a second surge taking place? To Finnegan, this time of social distancing and staying home-bound will only increase the urge for prospective buyers. “Being quarantined and everyone being at home, it’s caused us to be much more conscious of our homes,” Finnegan said. “We’re in them basically 24/7. We’re thinking about our homes more, spending more time in them and we’re becoming very aware of what we like and what’d we like more of. Homes, in general, are absolutely at the top of the mind for folks in quarantine right now.” Before it gets better though, plan on it getting worse. Or as Copeland said, “Expect the April numbers to blow us away.”
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NEWS BRIEFS Falls Church Cancels Annual Memorial Day Parade & Festival The City of Falls Church announced Wednesday the cancellation of its biggest event of the year, the annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival, set to take place next month, citing recent executive orders issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam urging localities to cancel large-scale events through June 10. “It is unfortunate that we need to cancel the Memorial Day Parade, the City’s biggest, most popular event,” said Mayor David Tarter in statement. “The safety of our community is our number one priority right now. Honoring our military service members who died for their country has always been the heart of our Memorial Day observances, and we will find ways as a community to honor our fallen in new ways this year.” The City’s Memorial Day festival regularly brings up to 10,000 people to the Little City in an event featuring a ceremony honoring veterans, a lineup of civic groups, food vendors, local crafters and merchants, pony rides, bounce houses and, of course, a parade.
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City, Schools Leaders Vow No Layoffs Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields and City Schools’ Superintendent Peter Noonan in online meetings with the City Council and School Board, respectively, this week, both announced that despite the Covid-19 pandemic response causing drastic revisions in budget plans for the remainder of this fiscal year and the new one commencing July 1, they plan no layoffs. Monday, Shields projected a budget shortfall of between $2.35 and $5.15 million compared to the current fiscal year budget. Noonan told the School Board Tuesday that a comparable decline in the City’s projected transfer to the Schools can also be expected. Based on a range of best and worst-case shortfall projections, the School Board will meet online Tuesday to craft a revised budget request to the Council, which will then meet on April 27 to begin a revised budget process, itself. The first reading of that revised budget, within the parameters of potential options, is scheduled to occur at that time, followed by a public hearing and work session on May 11, and a second hearing and final adoption on May 26. Shields suggested that a new budget document might be a slim six-page memo, given that so much is up in the air. He said that maintaining a hiring freeze and delaying capital projects would account for a lot of reduced spending without violating the City’s unassigned fund balance policy to preserve its bond rating. “We need to keep our powder dry by not using reserves if at all possible,” Shields said.
F.C. Council Extends Tax Deadlines Meeting online Monday under “social distancing” constraints of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, the Falls Church City Council voted to extend the June 5 deadline for one of the City’s two real estate tax collections to July 6 as a gesture to help the City’s small business community, although it will apply to residential real estate taxpayers, as well, and also moved to make it legal for local businesses to use temporary signage, conduct outside services and use parking spaces to conduct pick-up services. The Council passed an emergency ordinance that extends certain tax payment deadlines. It extended, from May 1 to June 1, the payment due date for Meals and Transient Occupancy Taxes, and the application due date for tax relief for seniors and people with disability was extended to June 15 from April 15. Finally, extending to July 6 from June 5 is the payment due date for the second installment of 2020 Real Estate Property Taxes. The Council authorized temporary zoning changes to allow certain temporary signage without a permit. Businesses can use temporary signs and banners that promote a drive-up, carryout-style of food and beverage without a permit, provided that no vision or safety obstructions are created. It voted to allow certain business to be conducted outside. Businesses can take and deliver food and beverage orders from the immediate vicinity of the business entrance or within its parking lot. It voted to allow temporary conversion of parking spaces for certain uses. Businesses can convert their assigned parking spaces to use for ease of carry-out. In the future, should the orders from the governor’s office allow, parking spaces could potentially be used for tents and outdoor seating.
Social distancing is the most effective tool we have for slowing the spread of the coronavirus. And that means staying home, if you can. Work from home. Play at home. Stay at home. If you must go out, keep your social distance—six feet, or two arm-lengths apart. Young. Elderly. In between. It’s going to take every one of us. If home really is where the heart is, listen to yours and do the life-saving thing.
Visit coronavirus.gov for the latest tips and information from the CDC.
Northam Extends Order Closing Certain Businesses to May 8 At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced he is extending by two weeks his executive order issued last month closing most nonessential businesses and banning gatherings of more than 10 people. The order, originally to expire on April 23, will now last until May 8 and closes all recreation, entertainment and personal care businesses, like barbershops and salons, and limits restaurants to takeout and delivery service only. Virginia’s stay-at-home order remains in effect until June 10.
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Community News & Notes City of F.C. Intros Virtual Community Center
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The Falls Church Community Center may be closed but the Recreation and Parks Department has launched a virtual version of the building with a new biweekly newsletter. With online opportunities for fitness, recreation, creativity, and learning “that will help you keep your body moving, your brain buzzing, and create some memories at home,” the City’s virtual community center has sections of activities broken out for kids, teens and young adults and grownups.
Tysons McLean Orchestra Scraps Rest of Season The Tysons McLean Orchestra has announced its decision to cancel the remainder of its 49th season through June 30, 2020 for the health and well-being of its patrons, artists, volunteers, staff and the community at large, This includes all rehearsals and concerts for the McLean Youth Orchestra. Whether someone is new to the TMO and MYO communities, or a long-standing patron, TMO is
grateful for the support and enthusiasm its patrons have shown the orchestra. TMO said in a news release that it enjoys its usual performance schedule and how much it inspires young musicians to carry on the tradition of bringing live orchestral music to Northern Virginia. Although the season has been cut short, it ensures it will be back with bigger and better music to celebrate its 50th season. Season ticket holders or people who purchased tickets to any of the TMO’s upcoming performances are asked to consider donating the cost of their tickets to the orchestra. It will go a long
A CUSTOMER LOOKS AT groceries Kulwinder Singh, the owner and operator of Sarab Inc Check Cashed has started buying and offering, and in some cases, delivering to those who need them throughout the region. Singh has driven as far as Maryland to help out people who’ve reached out, and he continues to offer this unconditional service as a way of showing support to his neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Courtesy Kulwinder Singh)
way toward helping TMO mitigate expenses that it cannot recover and allows the orchestra to continue providing music to the community through the performing arts. If that is not possible, TMO will credit customers with a ticket for next season. Anyone preferring to credit their ticket for next season should contact the orchestra at info@tysonsmcleanorchestra. org. If TMO doesn’t hear from a customer, it will automatically send them a tax-deductible donation receipt.
1st Stage Theatre Cancels Final Stretch of 2020 Season 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Rd., Tysons) will remain closed in compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines until it is safe to welcome audiences back to the theatre. Programming changes have been necessitated by this prolonged closure. 1st Stage will next produce “A New Brain” by William Finn and James Lapine, directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer. Dates will be announced when
BOUNCING INTO ACTION was the City of Falls Church’s Bunny Hop event last Saturday, an adapted version of its annual Easter egg hunt that usually takes place during the holiday weekend. Instead of hundreds of kids gathering in a park, Mr. and Mrs. Bunny rode around Little City neighborhoods in style and waved to residents, while adhering to acceptable social distancing measures, of course. (Photo: Courtesy City of Falls Church Recreation and Park Department)
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possible. The Waverly Gallery, originally scheduled for spring 2020, will now be part of the 2020-2021 season. In response to the current crisis, the theatre has made the unfortunate decision to cancel this year’s Logan Festival of Solo Performance, scheduled for July 16-26. The Logan Festival will return in the summer of 2021. Artistic director, Alex Levy said, “We are very grateful to the Logan family for their continued friendship. They have pledged to continue their support for the festival and 1st Stage, and we are so appreciative.” The 2020-2021 season begins in September with “Mlima’s Tale,” by Lynn Nottage, directed by José Carrasquillo. Pulitzer Prize Winner and Macarthur Genius Grant Winner Nottage gives us the story of Mlima, an elderly “big tusker” elephant from a protected reserve in Kenya. The productions has been praised in The New York Times for its “theatrical inventiveness and discipline.” The 2020-2021 season is generously sponsored in part by Sandy Laeser, in honor of her husband, Dick Laeser. Subscriptions and flex passes are available for savings of up to 40 percent off regular price tickets. Tickets, subscriptions and flex passes can be purchased online at www.1ststage.org or by calling the box office at 703-854-1856.
ArtsFairfax Provides Resources for Creatives ArtsFairfax has compiled a list of local and national resources for artists to access to help them navigate the current public health crisis. Local resources include: • The DeVos Institute of Arts Management is offering pro-bono
consultations to any US based arts organization on its website devosinstitute.umd.edu. • Capture Video, located in Fairfax, put together a YouTube series about how to make work from home video calls and conferences appear more professional, which is viewable at youtube. com/user/capturev. • Going virtual introduces new challenges. Virginia Commission for the Arts put together a list of resources to help ensure virtual events are accessible for people with disabilities, which can be found at arts.virginia.gov under the “Resources” tab. • The City of Fairfax Theatre is hosting virtual play readings throughout the month of April. Those interested can either sign up to read or listen (fairfaxcitytheatre.org/virtual-play-readings. html) in on a performance when they stream the reading on their Facebook page. • The Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia wants to help the community stay connected through virtual programming including films, concerts, and fitness classes. Those interested can click through their extensive list on their website (thej.org/about/ pozez-jcc-virtual-programming). • The Virginia Chamber Orchestra invites the public to enjoy Music of the Presidents videos (vco.events/community/ videos), a valuable tool for both educators and students. • Workhouse Arts Center brings works of art into peoples’ homes through virtual exhibits (workhousearts.org/exhibitions). “Attendees” will see high quality photos of the art as well as be able to hear from the artists themselves through recorded studio talks. National resources include: • CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund) — Although
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RESIDENTS AT Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads boogie down at the elder care home’s Tuesday afternoon “balcony concert.” Area Motown group The Tribe played for the community by the facility’s Knoll Garden where nearly 80 residents watched nearby (but not too nearby) and from balconies, open windows and Goodwin House’s in-house news channel (P����: J. M������ W�����) CERF+’s own relief fund is being focused towards artists who have contracted the virus, their Covid19 page (cerfplus.org/cerfplusresponds-to-covid-19) offers valuable information about additional emergency funds, resource lists/ webinars and information about the CARES Act. • Bloomerang — bloomerang, donor management software, has compiled a large list of articles discussing fundraising and connecting virtually at its website, bloomerang.co. • TechSoup — TechSoup continues to connect nonprofits with leading technology brands like Microsoft for lower administrative
fees during this time. Those interested can visit their resources page (page.techsoup.org/covid-19-resources) to browse through helpful tools to transition companies online.
Online F.C. Library Activities Announced The Mary Riley Styles Public Library and the City of Falls Church’s Recreation and Parks Department have created a slate of educational online activities and programs appropriate for all ages and interests. The library has developed a “one-stop shop” for all things digital and virtual on their Library at Home web-
page, www.fallschurchva.gov/ LibraryAtHome. A number of book clubs, discussion groups, and writers’ groups are meeting free via Zoom each month. Attendees must pre-register to receive the private link to the event. Next Tuesday’s Morning Book Group will discuss Michelle Obama’s “Becoming,” and the Kamopy Film Discussion Group will dissect “A Man Called Ove” on Thursday, April 23. The library’s digital collection includes eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, magazines, comics and graphic novels, music and online learning for career development, investment skills and learning a language.
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A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
Today marks five weeks since Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a pandemic emergency in the Commonwealth. Thirty-five days of teleworking, social distancing, and the myriad other creative ways Virginians are using to navigate the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. As the newness has worn off — it no longer feels like an unplanned vacation — the realities of dealing with longer-term emergencies are beginning to take hold. Distance learning has begun in Fairfax County public schools, as students and teachers do classwork via laptop and Web interfaces. A trip to the grocery store now has to be well planned, as some stores, to observe social distancing, are limiting the number of shoppers admitted at any one time. No more stopping in for a quick item or two. Social distancing efforts in Virginia appear to be reducing the spread of Covid-19. Modeling by the University of Virginia noted that the situation is changing rapidly, and warned that lifting social distancing advice too soon could lead to another wave of infection. The good news is that hospitals in Virginia are prepared and have sufficient resources for the next couple of months. In the INOVA health system, virtual visits to health care providers soared to nearly 1000 per day in early April, proving that technology can be effective and efficient, negating the need for many face-to-face visits during the pandemic. Don’t forget the all-important face mask. The governor has not made wearing face masks mandatory — like most personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks are in short supply — but they are crucial to reducing the spread of Covid-19. Yes, a face mask may cause your glasses to fog up momentarily, but the mask can protect you, and others, from becoming a Covid-19 statistic. Face masks are simple to make, and some can be put together without sewing. A man’s large handkerchief can be used, or a bandana, by folding and securing with rubber bands or hair ties. Might not be the most stylish facial covering, but it will do the trick. You can Google simple instructions. I made a face mask from a cotton handkerchief my mother brought back from New Zealand decades ago. Just the right size and weight, and with a little stitching and elastic, I have a two-sided mask: a little
map of New Zealand or tropical flowers, depending on my mood. I made a lavender one with leftover sheet scraps from a long-ago decorating project. With large wedding gatherings curtailed, some local bridal shops are making face masks instead. Those must be some gorgeous masks- silk, satin, lace — mostly in white, of course! The important thing is not the color or the style; it’s the usage. Put one on whenever you leave your house or apartment. Tuesday, the entire Board of Supervisors, for the first time ever, met by electronic means. Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and I participated in board and committee meetings remotely a few times in March, so our learning curve was a little less steep. This time, all Board members, the county executive and county attorney, and necessary staff were in separate locations across the county, conducting essential county business on screen and by voice. The meeting was aired live on Channel 16, with provisions for public testimony via phone or video. Robert’s Rules of Order never imagined electronic meetings, but the system worked. At regular Board meetings the chairman hands the gavel to me as vice chairman when necessary. Using a “virtual” gavel is a bit challenging. The responsibility is the same, but the physicality is different, especially when Board members, remotely, seek recognition to speak. The raised eyebrow or finger point used at the dais is not as readily discernible on a screen of faces in little boxes. When emergencies occur, local government preparedness is an important measure for maintaining continuity of basic public services. Fortunately, Fairfax County’s investments in information technology made it possible for the Board to address the Covid-19 emergency’s effect on the county, and address essential needs to maintain continuity of government. The emergency legislation that allows virtual meetings, authorized by the Virginia General Assembly, must be re-adopted after 60 days. Hopefully, by early summer, re-adoption will not be necessary. One can only wish. Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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Delegate Marcus Simon’s
Richmond Report The legislative process in Virginia is almost exactly like what you remember from the Schoolhouse Rock video with the singing scroll of paper known as Bill. You remember him, right? He’s just a lonely old bill, and he’s sitting there on Capitol Hill? He was born as an idea from a constituent who called his congressman, who sat down at a typewriter, and typed him up, then he went to committee, then he’s signed and goes to the other House, then he waits to be signed, but explains that he’s worried about being vetoed? Yeah, that’s the one. In Virginia it works almost the same way, except since the legislature only meets part-time, 60 days in this year’s “long session,” we can’t just start over if the governor vetoes a bill. We have to wait until next year to start the process over. So if the governor likes most, but not all, of a bill or wants it to do more, he can make recommendations for amendments, which the General Assembly can vote up or down. If we accept the recommendations, the bill becomes law. If we don’t the governor can still veto it, or he can sign it as we originally sent it to him. We are now in the week between the governor’s deadline to sign, veto or recommend amendments to bills (April 11) and the reconvene session where we decide what to do about them (April 22). When we do go back, the General Assembly will have just over 100 bills with recommendations (but only one veto) to act on. Like many things these days, this will be an unprecedented reconvene session. We won’t meet indoors in the House chamber, because it would be impossible to adhere to social distancing and sanitation practices. Instead, the Senate will convene at the Science Museum of Virginia and the House will gather outdoors on the Capitol grounds. The setting won’t be the only thing this session will be remembered for. It’s unprecedented in more substantive ways as well, as this is likely the first time since Reconstruction, we’ve had what you can call a progressive or liberal majority in both legislative chambers with a like-minded governor. I’m proud to report that 14 of my bills passed this session, nearly doubling my production from my first six years in one session.
The governor signed the Virginia Values Act, making Virginia the first southern state to provide sweeping anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people — a bill I was proud to help craft as it came through one of the three subcommittees I chair. Governor Northam also signed new laws to strike discriminatory language from Virginia’s Acts of Assembly, deleting 98 instances of overtly discriminatory language still on the commonwealth’s books. This includes laws that banned interracial marriage, blocked school integration and prohibited black and white Virginians from living in the same neighborhoods. While many of these Acts of Assembly have been overturned by court decisions or subsequent legislation, they remained enshrined in law. The governor also signed a criminal justice reform agenda that includes measures raising the felony larceny threshold; permanently eliminating driver’s license suspensions for unpaid fines, fees, and court costs; raising the age of juvenile transfer to adult court; and reforming parole, while decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana and sealing the records of prior convictions. He also signed bills to make voting easier, to encourage the use of clean energy, and to enact common sense gun safety reforms. Any of these would be screaming headlines in any other year, but this year they barely made it into my column for lack of column inches! Among the recommendations we will have to consider are amendments delaying the implementation of incremental increases to the minimum wage on a path toward $15 an hour, allowing local government employees to collectively bargain, and encouraging the use of project labor agreements and prevailing wage clauses in local government contracts. Although these progressive items may be put off a few months, they will become law, something unthinkable given the political landscape in Virginia a year ago at this time. The 2020 General Assembly session will go down in history, regardless of what we do, or where or how we do it at our reconvene session, and I couldn’t be more honored to be a part of it. Thank you for your trust and confidence during these trying times.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Virginia’s ‘Good Friday Signing Spree’
So much terrible news has been flooding our consciousness in the last month related to the Covid-19 virus pandemic, the terrible, swelling death toll, the difficulties getting basic protections for the health care workers, first responders and public dealing with it, and the worst possible responses from a sociopathic, genuinely insane president whose responses throughout have been totally out of sync with reality. At least there was a momentary bi-partisan response to pour tons of money into the economy in an effort to stave off the worst consequences of sudden displacement and mass unemployment, but even that is souring as stark raving mad Republicans in Congress are now throwing up their usual barriers to collaboration to meet the greatest crisis FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS facing the nation since World War II. Lost in this wretched mess has been one of the more significant gains in political manifestations of progressive values bubbling up from the ongoing great national grassroots insurgency spoiling to roust out Trump and the GOP Senate majority in a huge way this fall. The bills signed into law by Virginia’s Governor Ralph Northam, in what’s been described as a “Good Friday signing spree” last week, mark eye-popping, immense gains in social justice and human rights. Given Virginia’s painful Confederate and Jim Crow racist history right up to its ban on interracial marriage in the late 1960s, and recent obscene assaults on women’s health, the gains represented by these new laws, all set to go into effect on July 1, are stunning and epochal. Whereas its hard to say one set of these new laws is more important than another, it is Northam’s signing of the Virginia Values Act, a sweeping and comprehensive offensive to undo all forms of discrimination against LGBTQ persons that I’ll highlight first. Yes, LGBTQ folks have been the last class of persons to be denied full equality under the U.S. Constitution, something that the U.S. Supreme Court corrected just a few years back. But still, going state to state, discrimination has continued to exist, including some downright hideous stuff and since the ascendancy of Trump, accompanied by a rise in hate crimes and suicides by mostly young victims, as well. We tend to overlook how tough it is for so many LGBTQ persons who face stiff opposition to their very lives from parents and inlaws, from self-doubting selves and their peers, from treatment on an interpersonal level from their church, synagogue, temple leaders and many coaches, teachers and nasty social commentators they encounter on radio, TV and the Internet. So, for the Commonwealth of Virginia, on behalf of all eight million of its people, to affirm equality and strike down the discriminatory laws that have loomed for so long to sanction discriminatory behaviors, it is a big deal indeed. Hail to the years of work by the elected LGBTQ heroes who have fought so hard for this legislation in Virginia, Senator Adam Ebbin, Delegates Mark Sickles, Mark Levine, Dawn Adams and Danica Roem, and their allies, and those who founded and fought since the early 1990s for an LGBTQ caucus in the state democratic party, now led by Margaret Sacra. This legislation is monumental. But there was much more progress made in new laws signed by Northam. In voting rights, there were laws expanding access to voting, making election day a holiday, removing the requirement to show a photo ID prior to voting and expanding to 45 days early voting without requiring a stated reason for choosing to vote that way. There was important gun control legislation increasing background checks, limiting handgun purchases and establishing a “red flag” law, done in the faces of 20,000 pro-gun activists who attempted to intimidate the legislature with a mass rally on the state capital grounds in January. A century-old holiday honoring confederate generals Lee and Jackson was cancelled and simple possession of marijuana was decriminalized in favor of a $25 civil penalty. Records and past convictions were ordered sealed. A 24-hour waiting period, mandatory ultrasounds and other restrictions on abortions were swept away through a combination of bills known together as the Reproductive Health Protection Act. So, Virginia is now in the forefront of American progressivism.
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APRIL 16 – 22, 2020 | PAGE 13
Nicholas F. Benton
Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark
In the absence of Major League Baseball, we’re left to re-runs and memories. “Wanted: Senators Batboy.” That poster at James Madison Elementary School in the early ‘60s spawned envy among my peers, the idea you could quit school and be tutored while mingling daily with heroes like Eddie Brinkman and Chuck Hinton. Bill Jett got to live that dream, both for the original Senators starting in 1958, and for the expansion team that arrived in ’62. The 1961 graduate of Washington-Lee (now Liberty) High began ushering at Senators games in the old Griffith Stadium, he told me. He was recruited by fellow W-L grad Ralph Schleeper. From his view from the left-field foul line, “there wasn’t much of crowd” toward the end of that downtown venue’s life, “so they let us go home early,” said Jett, who played baseball, basketball and track at Thomas Jefferson Junior High and W-L. But he did see “a lot of great players, and I saw Harmon Killebrew hit a deep home run” off of Herb Score of the Cleveland Indians in May 1959. He was particularly friendly with outfielder Bob Allison, whose fan club Jett joined. One time Allison struck out three times, and the star was so angry in the dugout he wrenched a water faucet out from the wall. Jett continued on staff during
college after the Senators moved to the new D.C. Stadium (renamed RFK in 1968), also pinch-hitting as a batboy. He already “knew all the ushers, and the captains knew me.” Being older and already trained, he didn’t need tutoring, and was available for day and night games—due to flexibility from bosses at his new job at the FBI. A few times he served as batboy for the visiting team, recalling sitting in the dugout near Detroit Tigers batting star Al Kaline (who died this month). But more often his job included running the lineup card from the Senators manager Gil Hodges to the press box to Washington Post sportswriter Bob Addie. He got to know slugger Frank “Hondo” Howard and later Senators manager Ted Williams. Both were “real nice,” Jett says. He even had a Secret Service clearance that allowed him to be one of the few ushers with access to the president’s box, which hosted VIPs (he remembers Ike’s grandson David Eisenhower, for one). Jett got to know the photographers, who gave him signed photos, which he still has, and he picked up gossip on players’ futures from team physician George Resta. Senators second-baseman John Schaive gave the teenage Jett his game hat and shirt when the player left the old Senators. Now retired in Gainesville, Virginia, after a career in com-
mercial and mortgage banking, Jett, 78, mingles his love of the game with memories of his youth in Arlington, where he also ran maintenance operations at Greenbrier field for the county recreation department. The most memorable Senators game Jett witnessed, he said, was the June 12,1967, historic milestone that went into a record 22 innings (six hours, 38 minutes). Finally, at 2:30 a.m. Nats catcher Paul Casanova hit a single to win the game against the White Sox. Jett reports: “I got about three hours of sleep that night before I had to get to my day job.” *** Joyful citizen action erupted in my East Falls Church neighborhood last weekend. A familiar figure named Jack Poutasse was given a special happening to celebrate his 21st birthday. Since birth, Jack has lived with a disability from tuberous sclerosis. For two decades, neighbors between North Quintana and Rockingham sts. have witnessed Jack being taken on daily walks by caretaker Lilian. So his parents John Poutasse and Mara Flynn were thrilled when residents of all ages from more than 40 houses, by one count, put out home-made yard signs, car posters and sidewalk chalk messages to wish Jack a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. The new adult was visibly excited, signing, “You’ve made me joyous.” He and his dad took multiple laps to enjoy the sights.
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PAGE 14 | APRIL 16 – 22, 2020
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting the globe and policies enacted to avoid social gatherings, the News-Press will publish a list of virtual events weekly in lieu of its regular listings. If you have a virtual event you’d like to see listed, please email calendar@fcnp.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Monday weekly.
CITYEVENTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Falls Church Farmers Market To Go. The Falls Church Farmers Market has converted to a preorder, to-go event. All orders must be placed in advance of Saturday’s market which will be open from 8 a.m. – noon for pre-order pickup only in front of City Hall (300 Park Ave.). A list of participating
vendors and information on preordering can be found at www. fallschurchva.gov/547/FarmersMarket-To-Go.
VIRTUALEVENTS THURSDAY, APRIL 16 Library Storytime Live. Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, join Mary Riley Styles Library staff at 10:30 a.m. for a live storytime on the Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/mrspl.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Tomato Love. Interested viewers can “attend” this event hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia to learn everything they need to know to grow exceptional tomatoes: understand the many varieties, select those that suit their needs, prepare their garden,
plant and nurture their plants and harvest tasty tomatoes of their own this summer. Online class offered by Extension Master Gardeners. Free. Register at mgnv. org to receive the link to participate. Class time is 10:30 a.m. – noon.
MONDAY, APRIL 20 Safely Enjoy the Outdoors Despite Mosquitoes and Ticks. As warmer weather is welcomed to the area, it’s time to prepare for the return of mosquitoes and ticks. Interested viewers will learn how to identify and control mosquitoes and ticks in a safe and effective manner – without the use of chemicals that kill beneficial insects. Participants will be able to submit questions via chat or by email. Online class offered by Arlington Regional Master Naturalists. Free. To participate, visit tinyurl.com/vm4t8kc. Class time is from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
DAILY Yellowstone Park Virtual Tour. Interested browsers can see the Norris Geyser Springs, Mud Volcano, Mammoth Hot Springs and more in this virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park. This park features everything from canyons to alpine rivers, lush forests and, of course, the famous geyser Old Faithful, which erupts about 20 times a day. The virtual tours will also give viewers information about what else to look for and do when the park eventually does re-open. To “visit” the Yellowstone National Park, go to nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm. Virtual Tour of The Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum. The Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, roomby-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum
from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at the Smithsonian’s satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display. To start the tour, visit naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtualtour.
Lunch Doodles with children’s author Mo Willems. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Participants should grab some paper and pencils, pens or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. Daily at 1 p.m. Visit kennedy-center.org/ education/mo-willems to watch. Museo Galileo. Students, families and teachers alike can all take a virtual trip to Museo Galileo and learn about one of the world’s most famous astronomers, physicists and engineers and all aspects of his life. Galileo is known as the “father of the scientific method” that is used so often in school science classrooms. To check out the museum, visit catalogue.museogalileo.it.
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Fa l l s C h u r c h
APRIL 16 – 22, 2020 | PAGE 15
Business News & Notes Grab & Go Banners Free for City Restaurants, Retailers Falls Church City’s Economic Development Office is making “Grab & Go” banners available free of charge to City restaurants and retailers that are open for business. The banners are 8’x3’ and include “The Little City” logo. Quantities are limited. Email edo@fallschurchva.gov for more information or to secure one.
3 Months Free Paycheck Services Offered Paychex is now offering three months of free services to help small businesses in the Falls Church community during this period. Additionally, Jamal Brooks, Paychex’ local representative, is offering free assistance to businesses interested in applying for CARES Act loan and grant programs. For more information, contact Brooks at 301-653-2799 or Jbrooks4@paychex.com.
News-Press Asks F.C. Small Biz for Pandemic Stories The Falls Church News-Press is inviting small business leaders to submit commentaries on experience during the coronavirus pandemic. Commentaries should include the history of the business, how the virus has affected its operation and the adaptations, struggles, and challenges faced during this unprecedented crisis. Submissions of up to 500 words and photos can be sent to fcnp@fcnp.com. Arlington Magazine is also sharing pandemic stories by hosting a short essay series featuring community members, including businesses in Falls Church, as well as Arlington. To participate, submit a 300 word essay and photo to editorial@arlingtonmagazine.com.
Virginia Restaurant Can Now Serve Cocktails To Go Restaurants in Virginia that already have ABC licenses to serve mixed drinks are now allowed to sell cocktails to-go. Gov. Ralph Northam directed the ABC to allow for this and to defer ABC licenses and permits up for renewal through June. This is the second recent loosening of Virginia ABC laws in an effort to support the restaurant industry as dining rooms have been forced to close due to Covid-19. Restaurants were previously granted the ability to deliver or sell alcohol curbside without having a special permit to do so. For more information, visit www.abc.virginia.gov. Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.
DumpsterMag_4_625x4_875.indd 1
WORK CONTINUES with no delay on the Mary Riley Styles renovation project. (Photo: J. Michael Whalen)
Development Continued from Page 1
But ready to go through a formal approval process as soon as possible is the 2.3-acre Broad and Washington project of the Insight Group, who resubmitted their plan, a revised one, this week, and is eager to move ahead. In remarks to the News-Press last week, Maury Stern of the Insight Group said that despite the current crisis, “We have significant interest from equity partners to see this project move forward and feel that we can hit the ground running as soon as we receive approvals from the City.” The latest plan calls for 339 residential units, down from 350, and a 50,000 square foot Whole Foods Market anchoring the intersection considered to be heart of downtown Falls Church and 5,000 square feet dedicated to the non-profit Creative Cauldron theatre troupe that, along with the State Theatre live music venue a half block away, has achieved a seminal role in the City’s cultural life. Controversy arose over the plan submitted last fall that the project utilized the City-owned parking lot at the rear of that corner space that has served as free parking for two lively restaurants there, the Clare and Don’s Beach Shack and Thompson Italian, both closed during the current crisis. The new plans, according to Stern, call for an increase in parking spaces by 85 spaces, 39 for residents and 46 for shared public parking. It also calls, he said, “For reducing the 5/6/11 10:32 AM
time that the City lot is unavailable to adjacent businesses to between six to eight months by resequencing our construction and taking on more construction costs to ensure the time is minimized.” He said, “We will also expedite the delivery of the new public parking prior to the rest of the building so that it is available to the public as soon as possible.” He added, “During construction, and while the City lot is unavailable, we plan to offer a combination of valet parking and additional lots in the area for public parking, while also helping to promote existing public spaces at Kaiser and George Mason Square.” To ease concerns of residents on the back end of the project, he added, design for the building “has also been set back to a consistent 40 feet along the neighbors property at 107 Lawton Street to create a larger park and greater distance between the building and the neighbors.” The attraction that can be the most important to the City as it recovers from the current crisis is the projection that the project will yield a net $2.3 million in annual revenue to the City, or almost $50 million over 20 years, promising by its central location in downtown Falls Church to be regional draw to its Whole Foods from both Arlington and Fairfax County. Meanwhile, nine blocks up W. Broad at the intersection of N. West Street, construction on the ambitious 4.3 acre Founders Row project has not stopped during the current social distancing mandate, even as Joe Muffler of the Mill Creek developers told the News-Press that practicing the six-foot spacing between persons in the project’s construction
has been in practice at the site. The site remains on track to open in the summer of 2021 to include a 6-8 screen dine-in movie theater, a 72-unit senior living facility, 60,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space, 5,000 square feet of office space and 322 market-rate apartments. As mentioned at last week’s Council meeting the current crisis could actually facilitate the construction there, as other construction in the area is delayed or cancelled and cost of materials may go down. Again, it is the projected revenue yield from the project, once completed and underway, that will provide a sorely-needed estimated $1.7 to $2 million annually to the City’s tax coffers. Meanwhile, according to Falls Church Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan, construction of the new George Mason High School also continues apace for scheduled completion by December, although there was concern for availability of some materials that, it was announced Monday, has been resolved. The work on the just-begun renovation and expansion of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library has also continued without delay or diminishment, Shields reported to the Council, and remains on schedule. Work on improving the intersection at W. Broad (Rt. 7) and Haycock Road continues, as well, as does the work on the bike bridge over Lee Highway (N. Washington) at the other end of town. Meanwhile, repaving of Hillwood Avenue has been completed and the makeover of the intersection of Gundry and Annandale Road, both City Department of Public Works projects, is also done.
PAGE 16 | APRIL 16 - 22, 2020
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Crossword
ACROSS
By David Levinson Wilk 1
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© 2020 David Levinson Wilk
Across
1. Brews, as tea 7. “Naughty!” 10. Without alteration 14. Breaks off a relationship 15. Tony winner Hagen 16. Hindu scripture 17. Performer who is heard but not seen 19. “Downton Abbey” title 20. Sicilian volcano 21. Count who composed “One O’Clock Jump” 22. Hank Aaron’s 2,297 23. Brings in 25. Oppositely 27. “Learn about the UV Index” org. 29. Marathon segment 30. Singer with the 1949 #1 hit “You’re Breaking My Heart” 36. Campaign sign word 39. Org. that puts its seal on toothpaste tubes 40. “____ see it my way” (Beatles lyric) 42. Opening setting of “Madagascar” 43. Some members of Parliament 46. “Flowers in the Attic” author 49. Substandard 51. Animal that sounds like you? 52. Delivery methods 57. “Survivor” sites 61. Cry at a surprise birthday party 62. Lays an egg 64. Henry VIII’s sixth wife Catherine
STRANGE BREW
1. Brews, as tea
65. Possible score after deuce 66. Malady represented by this grid’s groups of circled letters 68. Off! ingredient 69. Scruffy couple? 70. Price-fixing syndicate 71. Actors Neill and Waterston 72. Seattle-to-Reno dir. 73. Cheap and inauthentic
DOWN
1. Cut off 2. U.S. govt. security 3. Suburb of Minneapolis 4. Got away 5. Epitome of easiness 6. Wild guess 7. Tribe under attack in “Hotel Rwanda” 8. Poker-faced 9. NBA first name that’s Arabic for “noble” or “exalted” 10. Diplomat W. ___ Harriman who represented the U.S. at Vietnam peace talks 11. Cocktail with vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice 12. Elba of “The Wire” 13. Tortilla chip dip 18. Cleveland hoopster 24. “Me day” destination 26. Compete (for) 28. Qty. 30. Tom’s “Top Gun” co-star 31. Words with a certain ring 32. Latin motto for a go-getter 33. One of the Wright brothers, for short 34. Big Apple inits.
JOHN DEERING
Sudoku
APRIL 16 – 22, 2020 | PAGE 17 35. Texter’s “When are you coming?” 37. Animal that grazes 38. How-____ (instructional books) 41. Tip jar bill 44. Museum guides 45. Barfly 47. Sobriety checkpoint initials 48. Breathe 50. Rummages (through) 52. They might get punched in an election 53. Groovier part of a 45? 54. Five 55-Down kings 55. Early settlers of Iceland 56. Eavesdrop, say 58. Starbucks serving 59. Great Lakes natives 60. “r u 4 real?” 63. ‘60’s civil rights org. 67. “This is SO frustrating!”
Last Thursday’s Solution S A M E D A Y
O N A R O P E
T O Y B O A T
C D S O O H T H I E S A L N O D O L S
U S B E M G I R T I T H O O S K P E A D T O E N
S A B L E D O O B I E
L O B E R O A B Y K B T R U B A E R I N E R N G S O D L E S I E S S S B G U R H Y M B U M P I T S Y
D R O N E S O N
R E H A B
E M A I L E D
W S A P R A U E N D O S
G R O B B R E V U E O Y E G A S R E T E P A Y S I T E M C E D E
By The Mepham Group
Level 1 2 3 4
7. "Naughty!" 10. Without alteration 14. Breaks off a relationship 15. Tony winner Hagen 16. Hindu scripture 17. Performer who is heard but not seen 19. "Downton Abbey" title 20. Sicilian volcano
1
21. Count who composed "One O'Clock Jump" 22. Hank Aaron's 2,297 23. Brings in 25. Oppositely
Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
27. "Learn about the UV Index" org. 29. Marathon segment NICK KNACK
© 2020 N.F. Benton
1
4/19/20
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
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PAGE 18 | APRIL 16 – 22, 2020
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F.C. Council Closes In on Final Budget Decisions, Votes Monday
FCCO Joins Call For Full Funding of City School Support for full funding for the Falls Church schools in the FY96 budget came from another unexpected source Monday night, when the Falls Church Citizens Organization stepped before the City Council with a coordinated sequence of speakers, augmented by an array of overhead-projected charts and graphs, to propose draconian personnel cuts in the City staff as a way of permitting the full School Board budget request and a real estate tax rate up only one cent from this year at $1.04.
The Falls Church City Council is preparing to make some major decisions about the FY2011 Falls Church budget tonight in its final work session before Monday’s vote to adopt a budget replete with major program cuts and a hefty real estate tax rate increase The biggest issue on the table is whether or not the Council can find a way to lower the tax rate increase below the 20 cent hike recommended by City Manager Wyatt Shields...
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CRIME REPORT Week of April 6 – 12, 2020 Larceny From Building, 300 blk N Oak St, between April 5 and April 6, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from a shed. Trespassing, 100 blk W Broad St, April 6 8:51 PM, a male, 54, no fixed address, was arrested for trespassing after being forbidden. Drunk in Public, 1100 blk W Broad St, April 10 12:43 PM, following a call for service, a male, 49, no fixed address, was arrested for drunk in public. Drug/Narcotic Violation, 300 blk W Broad St, April 10 8:20 PM, a male, of Alexandria, VA, was issued a summons for possession of marijuana. Larceny From Vehicle, 400 blk Poplar Dr, April 12 between 4 AM and 9 AM, unknown suspect(s) took items of value from an unattended vehicle. Auto Theft, 400 blk S Maple Ave, between April 10 and April 12, unknown suspect(s) damaged and took an unattended motorcycle. Larceny From Building, 400 blk S Maple Ave, Between April 11 and April 12, unknown suspect(s) damaged and took two (2) unattended bicycles. Disorderly Conduct, 800 blk W Broad St, following a call for service, a male, 32, of Falls Church City, VA, was arrested for disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, and drunk in public.
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TWO BABY SQUIRRELS befriended a five-year-old in the Little City and follow her around the yard, sometimes climbing up her boots and always allowing her to pick them up. The squirrel master says “Their names are Mommom, Pompom (pictured here) and Halo. Halo is a bit more scaredy-cat than the other two.” Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
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Kensington Resident Ruth Dalia ‘Cuchy’ Attanasio Dies Ruth Dalia Attanasio, affectionately known as “Cuchy” to many, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2020, at The Kensington Assisted Living and Memory Care Residence in Falls Church, Virginia. She was 83 years old. Her death from Alzheimer’s disease was complicated by Covid19. Born New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1936, in Ensenada, Guanica, Puerto Rico to Altagracia Ruiz and Juan Negroni, Ruth grew up in Puerto Rico, Hell’s Kitchen and Brooklyn. Ruth eventually married Joseph V. Attanasio
(“Peppino”), (b.1920, d.1985) and settled in the Inwood neighborhood of northern Manhattan. Ruth worked as a switchboard operator at AT&T until motherhood and then enjoyed a long career behind the counter of Isham Park Pharmacy and then Rite Aid Pharmacy, both on Broadway in Inwood. Ruth brought compassion and humor to the hundreds of people she called “my customers”, informing them about their medicines and checking on their quality of life. Ruth was a huge fan of Hollywood glamour like Rita
Hayworth and Doris Day. She passed on her love of Shirley Temple movies to her daughters and grandchildren. It was a special event for Ruth to take her grandchildren to their first movie, or another great love: the Broadway musical. Ruth had a beautiful voice and sang many songs from her childhood to her children and grandchildren, as well. Ruth was a TV aficionado with her favorites being Ellen DeGeneres, ABC soap operas, and the Property Brothers (whom she insisted she met one time). All things Puerto Rico and rooting for the New York Mets was a constant
pastime. Over the years, Ruth was the caregiver for many young children with an instant attraction to any baby she could hold and play with. Additionally, Ruth was a bedside companion to many ailing family members and elderly acquaintances. She was a great advocate for fairness in housing or education and translated for many Hispanic families when needed. Ruth loved her dog, Dutchess, and communed with every dog she met thereafter. Ruth was also devoted to her mother, Altita, who passed away in 2006. Ruth also survived her three immediate sisters, Aura
APRIL 16 – 22, 2020 | PAGE 19
Emma Alfieri, Maria Teresa Feliciano Frye and Nydia Esther Williams, who passed away before her.
F.C. Resident Tom Duggan Dies at Age 71 F.C.’s Louise Cappelletti Ingala Dies Thomas (Tom) Duggan, 71, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away in his home surrounded by his family on April 8, 2020 after battling a very aggressive cancer. Tom has been retired since 2012 after working many years at Exxon/Mobil, SAIC, U.S. Army Materiel Command, and operating his own Computer Renaissance store. Tom also served in the Army where he was in the 101st Airborne Division and awarded a Purple Heart while serving in the Vietnam War. Tom is a native of Buffalo, New York and attended Canisius College and graduated from The University of Buffalo. He loved everything “Buffalo”... especially the Bills. He leaves behind his wife of
48 years, Diane, and the best children anyone could ask for – Jeff (Adrianna) Duggan, Tara (Dave Spaulding), Peter (Jolene) Duggan. He also leaves his favorite grandchildren, TJ, Travis and Delainey Duggan as well as his little guy,
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TO LETTERS THE EDITOR Continued from Page 6
and recreational use of this part of the park. Please review the project materials at fallschurchva. gov/2041/WOD-Dual-Trails and provide comments to the Planning Commission by Monday, April 20. Matt Ries & Neighbors from the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue, Falls Church
Simple Acts Of Kindness Persist in F.C. Editor, My wife and I were taking our daily walk near the W&OD bike
trail when we noticed that one of the construction workers from the nearby Founders Row project had stopped after his workday to help a young girl who was having trouble with her bike. He still wore his construction mask and the girl and her fellow biker maintained a safe six feet of distance as he put the girl’s sprocket chain back in place. No words were spoken. He simply waved to the girls when the bike was fixed and they waved back in appreciation. I smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, which he returned. Witnessing this simple act of kindness lifted my spirits during these extraordinarily trying times. Ford Newman Falls Church
Harrison Spaulding. Tom’s parents, James Edward and Thelma Witnauer Duggan preceded him in death. He also leaves six loving siblings, Mary Beth (John Butwid), Jim (Michelle) Duggan, Kathy Riney, Barbara (Kevin Steinhilber), Dan (Cheryl) Duggan, Nora (Tim Macauley) and in-laws including John (Ellen) Turongian, Joann (Ralph Drescher), Carol (Al Willnow) with many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom will be buried at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Due to the current chaos in the world, the family will have a private ceremony with a celebration of his life to be announced at a later date. Rest In Peace Tom, we love you.
[ LETTERS ] The News-Press wants to hear from you! Send us a letter or commentary and let us know what you think. The deadline for Letters to the Editor and Guest Commentaries is 5 p.m. Monday each week of publication. Letters to the Editor should be 350 words or less. Guest Commentaries should be limited to 800 words.
Email letters@fcnp.com Mail Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls Street #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
Louise Cappelletti Ingala, 103, died peacefully on Saturday, April 4, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Bev and Mike Laub, where she had been lovingly cared for over the past eight years. She is a native of Waterbury, Connecticut, and moved to Falls Church following the death of her husband. She quickly settled into the life of the City, befriending neighbors and joining the Italian Conversation Group at the Falls Church Senior Center. She is survived by three children: Beverly Laub of Falls Church, Fred Cappelletti of Long Island, New York and Ronald Cappelletti of Montgomery Village, Maryland. Grandmother to Peter Laub, of Falls Church and Brian Laub of Arlington, she also leaves four other grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, a brother and sister of Connecticut and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to her loving caregivers Atsede and Helen; and Abby, Rahel, Margaret, Mykaela,
Helen and Sierra of Home Instead Senior Care of Falls Church; and to Goodwin House Hospice. Memories may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial. com/obituaries/falls-church-va/ louise-ingala-9110822. Interment and a memorial service will be held in Connecticut at a later date. Donations may be made to St. James Catholic Church, Falls Church (www.stjamescatholic. org); Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington (www.ccda.net); and the Italian Cultural Society of Washington, D.C., (www.italianculturalsociety.org).
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In this time of fear and anxiousness, furloughs and firings, closed business and great uncertainty about the health of our bodies and our economy, we all want to contribute in some way to alleviate the suffering of others. Here is a list of City approved charities who desperately need your help.
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