Crime Report ...................................... 8 Business News

PAGE 9 | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

Falls Church Business News & Notes

No New Commercial and Industrial Property Tax

The City Council cast their votes unanimously against the proposed Commercial and Industrial (C & I) Tax Monday evening. City Manager Wyatt Shields reported strong opposition to the new tax by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority. Councilwoman Lian made the motion to deny adoption, seconded by Ms. Schantz Hiscott. This tax was intended to provide new revenue toward transportation improvements alone. Both organizations and individual property owners cited bad timing given the challenges that businesses have faced with the pandemic and current economic climate as well as the potential for increased taxes in the future, threatening the City’s business-friendly reputation.

Small Business Grants to Open Monday

The City of Falls Church Economic Development Office will be offering a final round of small business grants with updated eligibility requirements on Monday, May 2nd! The application period will end on May 13th. Eligible businesses and non-profit organizations may apply for a grant of $5,000 from the City of Falls Church American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund to use for Covid-19 related expenses. Businesses and non-profits may now be eligible if they previously received city, state, or federal financial assistance including Economic Development Authority (EDA) micro grants or PPP loans. The $5,000 grant must be used for expenses directly related to the impacts of Covid-19 such as rent or mortgage payments, retaining and/or supporting employees, restoring financial resiliency, increasing technology capacity to enable alternative work forms, and more! To learn more about the grant program and eligibility requirements, visit fallschurchva.gov/grants. To be notified when the application is available, sign up at https://mailchi.mp/fallschurchva/arpa.

Acquisition Next: Artificial Intelligence

George Mason University’s Center for Government Contracting and the Institute for Digital InnovAtion are co-hosting a symposium focused on the challenges and current practices for government acquisition of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. This event will be of interest to professionals seeking to increase their knowledge of AI-related issues in government acquisition, including members of government, business and academia. The symposium is scheduled for May 5, 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at 3351 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington. Register at this link: https://idia. gmu.edu/events/acquisition-next-artificial-intelligence/

Drug Take Back Day on Saturday

The Falls Church Police Department will host a collection of old and unwanted medications as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take Back Day. Accepted materials include tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription or non-prescriptions drugs. Vaping devices and cartridges are accepted, provided lithium batteries are removed. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. The public can safely and anonymously drop off potentially dangerous prescription drugs and/or unwanted or expired over-the-counter medications on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the site near the police entrance outside city hall (300 Park Ave.).

Local Restaurants Participate in Women’s History Walk Sunday

The Falls Church Women’s History Walk is this Sunday, May 1, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. as a selfguided 2-mile loop with docents available at four locations: City Hall, Mr. Brown’s Park, Tinner Hill Historic Park and Big Chimneys Park. The annual event honors those women who saw a need and found a way to make the community better since its founding in 1699, to include pioneers, abolitionists, educators, entrepreneurs, politicians, historians, artists, and activists. Their stories will be shared on signs at Herstory Stations along the walk which will carry a QR code that links to the Falls Church Women’s History Group website. Meet the Honorary Grand Marshals this year, Sally Cole, Cindy Mester, Ruth Rodgers, Edie Smolinski and Derrica Wilson. The following local restaurants are also participating with specials: Borek-G, The Happy Tart, La Tingeria, Paisano’s, Pho 88 and Preservation Biscuit. Disturbingly Delicious is offering a special sauce for purchase at the Farmer’s Market or the shop. The Walk is presented by the Women of Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, Falls Church Elected Women, Falls Church Women’s History Group.

 Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschcurchchamber.org. FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 10 | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

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Mustangs Baseball Dominates on Senior Night, Soccer Snags Win As WELL

by Ryan McCafferty

Falls Church News-Press

Playing in front of a packed audience for Senior Night, the Mustangs’ varsity baseball team sure looked as if they were playing with some extra incentive as they rolled over visiting Manassas Park on Friday night.

Senior pitcher Alexander Gorman-Dorsey was locked in as he made the visitors’ first inning a quick one, and then senior third baseman Thomas Downs opened the scoring as he hit senior outfielder Jack Biggs home.

Meridian was able to score four runs before Manassas Park recorded a single out, and took that same 4-0 advantage into the next frame. Gorman-Dorsey did his job once again and the Mustangs tallied up five more runs to break the game open, and the rest was merely a formality.

The lead expanded to 13-0 in the fourth and would remain as such as no fifth inning was required for the home team. Gorman-Dorsey was relieved by sophomore Grant Greiner for the final three outs.

Across the field, the boys soccer team also faced Manassas Park, and also came away with the victory. Their game was much tighter, however, as neither team scored in the first half and it remained knotted at 0-0 until the visitors scored with 28:18 remaining in the second half.

Senior Matthew Hellert was able to answer almost immediately at 27:52 to even things up again, and then the Mustangs took the lead on a penalty shot with 17:10 to go.

Junior goaltender Inigo Diz did the rest of the work, as the 2-1 score would hold until the clock hit zeroes.

Both teams will travel to Brentsville for their next games, which are set to occur next Tuesday evening.

Falls Church Little League: Featured ‘Game of the Week’

by Erika Toman

Griffin W. came back from a multi-week injury to lead the Gray Grandpas (Coach Wishrad, sponsor TischlerBise, Inc.) to victory Saturday, April 23. He was the team’s starting pitcher and brushed off any concerns of a lingering injury by only allowing three hits and two runs over three innings while striking out five batters. Asher S. also had a strong performance across three innings by giving up only one hit and one run while striking out three.

The Gray Grandpas team was led by triples from Griffin W. and Gavin H. as well as singles by Luke U., Henry U. and Lucas M. Gavin also chalked up three stolen bases.

For the Grizzlies (Coach Abel, sponsor Inkling Communications), Christopher T. continued his strong performance this season with two hits, a run and an RBI. On the mound, he struck out two in one inning pitched.

Isaac F. was a shining star for the Grizzlies by getting on base during each at bat as well as making a great play while manning second base. Bryce A. led things off on the mound for the Grizzlies and the pitcher gave up three runs on no hits over two innings, striking out three.

While they ultimately came up short, the Grizzlies also had hits by Henry A., Reid E., Cole B. and Noah W.

All of the FCKLL baseball teams will be in action this week.

PICTURED HERE: Griffin W. AND Isaac F. (Photo: Erika Toman &

Whitney Owen)

Falls Church School News & Notes

FCCPS Congratulates 2022 Award Winners

FCCPS is pleased to announce the winners of the employee awards. All four winners were selected after review and voting by a panel of judges. The winners were surprised with a giant check from the Falls Church Education Foundation.

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year — Jennifer Jayson, Math Teacher Meridian High School.

Professional Specialist of the Year — Jennifer Fessenden, PreK-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Systemwide.

Support Staff Employee of the Year — Operations — Sindy Morel, Assistant Director of Food Services.

Support Staff Employee of the Year — Academic — Alane O’Neill, Technology Aide, Oak Street Elementary School.

All nominees and the awards winners will be recognized at the FCCPS Celebration of Excellence on May 12, 2022, at 4:15 p.m. at Meridian High School.

Mustang Soccer Honors Coach Spinello

The Mustang boys varsity soccer team has unveiled new banners made by players to honor the career of Varsity Coach Frank Spinello, who will be retiring at the end of the season after 22 years and 11 state championship titles to date. The green banner depicts the year of each state championship won under his leadership.

ANGC Fundraising Auction May 1

Preparation for the annual All Night Grad Celebration is in full swing! Save the date for our big fundraising event at Clare and Don’s on Sunday, May 1, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Come for dinner and bid on some fantastic silent auction items! Bidding opens at 3:00 and will end at 5:30. All proceeds from this event will be shared between ANGC and the Meridian PTSA. If you have items to donate, please email meridianhsangc@gmail.com.

Order Your MHS Yearbook Now

The MHS yearbook captures the heart of everyday life at Meridian High School and will give you something to look back on for years to come. Yearbooks are $88 and can be purchased via the link in Tuesday’s edition of the Morning Announcements. Yearbook copies are disappearing quickly, so make sure to place your order as soon as possible. The last day to order online is May 1st, 2022. If available, the remaining copies will be sold at the distribution site for $100.

Spring Chorus Concert and Community Sing

THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS basketball team recognized Meridian High School senior Ashly Penate-Soria for her essay in the inaugural Edwin B. Henderson essay contest for Black History Month. She had the opportunity to meet the team and got a signed jersey. (Photo: FCCPS)

Meridian’s spring choir concert is Thursday, May 12th, at 7 p.m., and the community is invited to sing with the choir! This year, the Community Sing will be the last song before intermission. The song is “Sanctuary” by Jason Robert Brown. This song was written in March of 2020, and as we continue to move forward, we want to look at that time with gratitude for those that provided sanctuary in our isolation.

Both Meridian choirs are learning this piece, and there will be solo sections. There will be three rehearsals for community members: Falls Church City faculty and staff, Falls Church City residents, family members of current Meridian choir members, Meridian choir alumni, etc. Please share this information with all you think might be interested.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022 | PAGE 11

Robotics Team Builds Strong Legacy of Community Outreach

by Alex Russell

Falls Church News-Press

In the world of extracurricular, team-based activities, largely contingent on organized athletics or outdoor activity, robotics presents a unique opportunity for kids to pool their knowledge and skills into creating and operating their very own robot.

The Little City’s own FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1418, “Vae Victis,” has exemplified this dynamic since its founding in 2004 by John Ballou — he is now retired from FCCPS but nonetheless hopes to return as a volunteer. Cricket Moore, with years of experience in civic involvement, joined on as Ballou’s aide-de-camp and fellow team coach in 2005.

Thinking back to the pair’s years leading the team, Moore says that “[John] did the building and planning [and] I did the clerical stuff,” such as the handling of finances and travel itineraries — as competitions often took place outside of the Northern VA area.

From the very beginning, Team 1418 was not on any usual path because, according to Moore, “the original team was made up of the stage crew.” International Baccalaureate (IB) kids and “computer studies kids” would soon fill out the ranks. The team’s artistic “genes” would be made apparent time and again, especially when it came to designing competitionthemed t-shirts.

Mentor Don Brobst, who started with the team in 2009, talked about the subjects and methodology inherent in robotics, outlining that they “teach hard skills, like programming, pneumatics (relating to the branch of engineering that utilizes pressurized gas to control physical systems),” but that there is also a simultaneous focus on “soft skills, like project management.”

The long-standing robotics team is only a portion of a larger robotics community, whose competitions and other events are organized and run by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), a non-profit youth organization founded by Dean Kamen with the goal of supporting and inspiring students whose passions lie in engineering and technology.

In the team’s immediate geographic context, they are part of the larger Maryland, D.C., and Virginia district, but FIRST events and programs extend to all fifty states — this year’s World Championship took place in Texas — and incorporates teams from all over the world.

Brobst stated that throughout the team’s long history, “there have been kids who only wanted to do the safety design, or do the t-shirt design,” making the robotics endeavor into a larger “project” extending beyond science and technology, further underscoring that the group is an “inclusive team with a lot of different skills.” He added that “there’s something for everybody; they don’t all need to be engineers.”

Moore echoed this sentiment when she spoke about the volunteering aspect of making Team 1418 run smoothly. “We need all kinds of volunteers, not just people who know how to build a robot out of nuts and bolts.”

In the early days, volunteering duties would see Moore and “two inarticulate kids named Andrew” standing in the driveway to the weekly farmer’s market, getting donations that way.

“By the end of the three weeks, the boys could look adults in the eye and engage in complete conversations.” Fundraising soon took the form of bake sales and raffles at back-to-school nights. Moore also mentioned the support of Janice Nette, whose sons were once members of the team. Netter was an “on-site mentor, collecting checks from kids and donors, coming to every activity.” At one point, she hand-quilted two bed-sized, robotics-themed quilts — with the high school’s signature colors of red, white, and black — which were then raffled off for about a thousand dollars apiece. Later on, the team would organize several pumpkin patch fundraising events until Covid-19 put a pause on social gatherings.

Throughout the team’s fundraising endeavors, there came a point when Moore realized that “we needed to get the school system involved.”

“The superintendent let [us] have a school bus for the 50th anniversary [alumni reunion] tour of various George Mason High School classes,” allowing Moore and some of the robotics kids, along with a few empty bottled water jugs to hold donations, to explain the function and benefits of participating in robotics to the alumni — and raise money that way. According to Moore, once the money had been counted, Ballou noted that things had gone “better than a bake sale.”

Moore remains grateful for the school system’s support, saying that FCCPS “has been very good to us.” Thanks in part to the funds set aside by the school system “for scientific endeavors…we’ve become a powerhouse of the district.”

Team 1418 has also benefited from “mentors from the industry,” with professionals from companies like BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Leidos spending time with the team, or giving the team grants. Ballou shared that the creators of the coding language Python were also big supporters of the team, long before Python became a widelyused programming tool.

Talking about FIRST’s core ideal of “gracious professionalism,” Moore remembered how the team “won the gracious professionalism award [in competition] several times,” personifying and emphasizing the importance of helping “the person who’s competing against you if they need help.”

Even though the season ended last month, Steve Knight, the current FIRST robotics coach, underscored the importance of continuing outreach in the community.

Part of the outreach work incorporates hosting workshops at Team 1418’s homebase, Meridian High School. Brobst explained that “not all the [district] teams have the same level of mentors, so we started a workshop [with] about ten different training sessions,” back in 2009. Turnout was good, as “about a hundred people” attended that first workshop.

“Over the years, the amount of people and teams who attended went up.” The last in-person workshop was in 2019; due to health considerations, the team would proceed to host virtual ones, with the number of topics pared down. “Hopefully, if all goes well, we’ll have an in-person one [this year].”

Because FRC 1418 is a studentled team, returning members help out by mentoring new additions to the group — and that was “one of our biggest challenges this year…only two” students were able to return to the team; “[almost] everyone else was new,” says Knight. Ballou concurred, saying that “because of Covid, this year’s team is a rookie team.” He hopes that people can “appreciate how hard it is to come into [this].”

Team 1418, Knight adds, is “meeting every week now,” and official “recruitment begins in May.” When the next school year begins, the team will continue “talking about outreach” opportunities, as well as fundraising plans.

Alexa Zurcher, who was the drive team coach last season, has been working with team captain Bobby Miller “to create a presentation… for the school board,” which is set to occur in City Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 10. “[This] will help us…give the staff more information on our team altogether.” Financing will also be discussed.

Around the same time, Zurcher says that the team will “start trying to recruit middle schoolers,” as FIRST robotics competitions only allow “high schoolers, and so gaining as many newcomers as possible for next year will greatly help the team.” She plans on going to “the 8th grade science classrooms at Mary Ellen Henderson in a couple of weeks.”

Speaking more on new additions to the group, Zurcher explained how there is a “pre-season where we…teach some of the newcomers how to program and use different motors. This way, when the build season starts, they will be caught up on how they can help build the robot. This pre-season will…start in a month or so, so we will begin to teach some of the 8th graders then.”

Now is especially a time for reflection. Brobst touched on how “if the robots have to climb, we have…a lot of suggestions from the kids on how to better get the robot to climb…feedback from the kids [regarding] wanting more responsibility” is also received, which in turn demands “more time needed to practice” with, and fine-tune, the robot.

The first Saturday in January is when FIRST unveils the competition theme for that season.

Pictured here is the latest iteration of Meridian High School’s robotics team, with team captain Bobby Miller and drive team coach Alexa Zurcher. (Photo: Alexa Zurcher,)

“Every year there is a new game,” says Moore, with “three or four tasks.” For example, a team’s robot may need to show its capacity for “throwing something into increasingly higher receptacles,” or “pushing an exercise ball” off a surface. “Climbing steps and hanging from bars at several heights” is among the more difficult tasks and is worth extra points during competition.

For the first fifteen seconds of an event, “the robot is autonomous,” relying on its coded instruction. For the remainder of the match, “the kids take over from behind the glass,” telling the robot what to do with game controllers.

Weeks of planning, organization, coding, and building culminate in a random selection of various teams squaring off in timed events, “three teams against three teams.” But Moore comes back to the idea of gracious professionalism as something that hovers over everything in robotics. “[It’s about] building a robot to make a team, instead of [having] a team make a robot…it’s a character-building program.”

Robotics Team 1418 will be present at this year’s Memorial Day celebration on Monday, May 30, beginning at F.C. City Hall and Community Center Grounds (300 Park Avenue) from 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. To learn more about Falls Church robotics Team 1418, visit 1418.team. They can also be found on Instagram @1418roboticsmhs and on Twitter @Robotics1418.

PAGE 12 | APRIL 28 - MAY 4, 2022

Creative Ideas to Celebrate Mother’s Day

by Amanda Snead

Falls Church News-Press

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and if you’re still looking for something to do to treat the mom in your life, here are just a few ideas.

1. Spend time outdoors in the Little City.

Falls Church has plenty of beautiful parks that are perfect for picnics or if you’re looking for something involving more fitness, take your bikes out on the W&OD trail. Fill your picnic basket with local goodies like sandwiches from Lazy Mike’s and desserts from Bakeshop. The weather seems to finally be warming up and now is the perfect time to get outside!

2. Explore museums

Looking to get out of the City for a bit? Hop on the Metro and visit one of the many museums that the Smithsonian has to offer. If you have an art lover in your life, stop by the Hirshorn for their newly opened Yayoi Kusama exhibit “One With Eternity.” Passes will be distributed on the Hirshhorn’s plaza every open day beginning at 9:30 a.m. until all the day’s passes have been claimed. Each person over the age of 12 may claim up to two passes, based on availability. Children ages 12 and under do not need a Timed Pass if they are accompanied by an adult passholder. Each adult passholder may bring up to two children inside the exhibition and each Infinity Mirror Room.

3. Attend a concert

Head back to the 80’s with a concert by the Legwarmers at State Theater on Saturday, May 7. Dress up in your best 80’s attire and dance to your favorite songs. Note that this show is 21+ and all tickets are general admission. Not into 80’s music? There’s live music in and around the City for any and every type of genre. Check out our calendar in print and online weekly to see what bands and musicians are performing locally.

4. Visit a winery or brewery

Grab a bottle of local wine and enjoy the views at one of many local wineries in the Northern Virginia wine area. The Winery at Bull Run will have a special Mother’s Day menu from the Paella & Tapas Place from 12 — 8 p.m. and live music from 1 — 5 p.m. Rocklands Farm Winery will have three food vendors for Mother’s Day as well as live music and are open from 12 — 6 p.m. Looking for a tour? Vino Virginia Wine Tours “offers an off-the-beaten path experience, illuminating the historical, cultural, and natural uniqueness of the Commonwealth while touring select wineries. Led by State Certified Tour Ambassadors, guests are introduced to the richness Virginia offers but is often missed or overlooked.”

5. Attend an event

Fever has tons of events happening in DC every week from candlelit concerts to immersive experiences and more. They are currently hosting the Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience, Van Gogh: the Immersive Experience, Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience and much more. Regardless of her interests, there’s definitely something she’ll want to go to.

6. Go for a hike

There are plenty of hiking opportunities in Virginia whether you want to stay in the City or visit the mountains. Pimmit Run Trail is nearby and open year-round. The trail is 7.5 miles, dog friendly and good for biking or walking. If you’re looking to go out of town, check out the trails at Shenandoah National Park. If you’re looking for a waterfall hike, check out Doyles River Falls.

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LEGWARMERS AT STATE THEATER on Saturday, May 7th. (Courtesy Photo).

MOTHER'SDAYSPECIAL

Limitedrelease CarrotTurmericHot Saucetocelebrate* theFallsChurch Women'sHistory WalkthisSunday.

Availableatthe Farmer'sMarketthis Saturday,specialstore hoursSunday11-2.

*Allprofitsfromthesaleofthis saucewillbedonatedtotheFalls ChurchWomen'sHistoryGroup.

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