Falls Church News-Press 6-6-2024

Special Tinner Hill Music Festival Edition

PAINTING THE RAINBOW

Home2 Suites by Hilton Feted in Grand Opening

A grand but still soft opening of a fourth new hotel in the City of Falls Church last week is the latest inflection point in the coming to pass of major new, income and tax revenue-creating development here. Home2 Suites by Hilton is now up and running in the middle of the massive West End development next to the new Meridian High School.

A ribbon cutting and some salutary remarks were made by representatives of Home2 Suites, the Hoffman and Associates group that is the master developer of the wider 10-acre project, and Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi.

It marks the fourth new hotel in the Little City, joining the Sonesta on Hillwood Avenue, and the Hilton Garden Inn and Meeting House on West Broad.

This one is closest to a Metro station, and as the West Falls Station Boulevard running through the center of the West End project, and on which the new hotel is located, gets completed, will be a short jaunt to the West Falls Church Metro station.

Rapidly, new retailers are opening in the project, while The Oaks condominiums have begun selling residences, and a lot more is on the way.

on Page 3

The City of Falls Church’s forever favorite son in national politics, U.S. Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. was a keynote speaker at the region’s largest political gathering of the season last Sunday, a sold-out Democratic Party event in next door Tysons that was brimming with energy coming on the heels of the conviction on 34 felony counts of the presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Beyer kicked off his remarks to the gathering of over 350 by commenting on last week’s conviction of Trump, saying that May 30 marked “a very sad day for American history, but a glorious day for the Rule of Law.”

Beyer was joined by Rep. Gerry Connolly, civil rights attorney Philip Hirschkop and presumptive Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia in the election next year, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, as key speakers at the assembly, which was billed as Fairfax County’s third annual Blue Fairfax event.

Sen. Tim Kaine sent video remarks.

On the program but unable to attend was Michael Fanone, a Fairfax resident who became a national hero, a recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, for his actions as a member of the Metropolitan police force during the January 6, 2020 assault on the U.S. Capitol. Fanone was unable to attend due to the high volume of threats against him and his family in the wake of the court verdict on Trump Thursday.

As the first speaker on the

program, Beyer said of the Trump verdict, “It has been disappointing to wait so many years for justice for a man who has bragged forever about how many people he has cheated, stolen from, and lied to, a man with no love in his heart, just rage and ego and tearing down other people and ideas, perhaps the world’s most famous narcissist.”

He added about Trump, “If a sociopath is defined as someone with zero empathy for other living

on

Mayor Letty Hardi was present with a group of young volunteers who

City Hall crosswalk. (Courtesy Photo)

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

NEWS BRIEFS

F.C. Partakes in Gun Buyback Day June 8

The City of Falls Church is partnered with Arlington County in a Gun Buyback event Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to noon. Unwanted weapons can be exchanged for gift cards and surrendered guns will be destroyed.

Rifles will be exchanged for $150, handguns and shotguns for $200 and assault-style weapons for $250. It will be a drive-thru event only, no walk ups, held at the Arlington Assembly of God, 4501 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington. All individuals must arrive in a vehicle, firearms must be unloaded and in the trunk of the vehicle. All must be 18 years or older, show valid ID and proof of Falls Church or Arlington residency.

F.C. Officially Appoints Carroll, Young Deputy City Managers

Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields this week announced the official appointment of Jenny Carroll and Andy Young to serve as Deputy City Managers on a permanent basis. Both have been serving as Interim Deputy City Managers since September 2023.

Carroll will work with five City departments focusing on internal operations: the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Information Technology, Human Resources, Housing and Human Services, and Recreation and Parks. Focusing on external operations, Young will work with the Department of Public Works and Community Planning and Economic Development Services (CPEDS).

Before their Interim DCM appointments, Young served as the City’s Environmental Sustainability Coordinator since 2022 and previously worked with the Federal General Services Administration as the Assistant Commissioner, Senior Executive Service (SES), Office of Project Delivery and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as the Deputy Real Property Officer (SES), Finance and Facilities. Carroll had been the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Director since 2017. She joined the City at the library circulation desk in 2007 before promotion to Youth Services Library Assistant and Youth Services

NVTC to OK $30 Million In I-66 Improvements

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission will be asked to approve $30 million in proposed projects to ease traffic congestion in the I-66 corridor, hear analysis of travel trends in Northern Virginia, including rebounding public transit ridership, following the Covid19 pandemic and be briefed on ways to speed up buses along the critical Route 7 corridor at their monthly meeting Thursday.

The Commission will be asked to approve 15 projects totaling more than $30 million and recommended for funding under the I-66 Commuter Choice program. Commuter Choice reinvests toll revenues into projects that demonstrate the ability to move more people through two of Northern Virginia’s most traffic-congested corridors. The recommended projects would support an estimated 2,700 weekday transit trips, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent and save commuters $2.6 million in fuel expenses each year.

New F.C. PTA Officers For ‘24-’25 Announced

The Falls Church City Public Schools’ PTAs elected new officers for the 20242025 school year last year.

With Carroll’s appointment as Deputy City Manager, the City will undertake a recruitment for the permanent Library Director. Marshall Webster has been serving as Interim Library Director since

In addition to the appointments, Shields announced Shari Davidson’s appointment to Interim Human Resources Director, effective June 1, following the news that Steve Mason was leaving the City to pursue an opportunity with the Boulder Crest Foundation. Davidson previously served as the City’s Manager of Benefits. The recruitment for a permanent Human Resources Director is underway.

Elected to the Falls Church Elementary PTA were Kristin Higgins, president; Kelly Harris Hudes, president-elect, Emma Beyer, Amy Schroeder, Kathryn Allan and Jennie Hux, vice presidents, Lindsay Barnette, secretary and Steve Page treasurer.

Elected to the Henderson Middle School PTA were Shannon Litton, president, Laura Downs, president-elect, Mary-Kathleen Hartenstein, vice president, Emily Carmody, secretary and Amy Galetska, treasurer.

Elected to the Meridian High School PTSA were Christine Buckholz, president, Kate Ashbrook, president-elect, Megan Hauber, vice president, Lisa Miller, treasurer and Jaime Iglehart, secretary.

Tarter Named Exec. Director Of GMU Real Estate Group

Former City of Falls Church Mayor, David Tarter has been named executive director of the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship at George Mason University’s Costello College of Business. According to a statement, he will expand the learning opportunities while addressing critical issues affecting the real estate industry to grow the Center’s program in academia and practice.

New Hilton-Brand Hotel Opens in F.C. West End Project

Hoffman and Associates, a nationally recognized developer of mixed-use and residential communities across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, announced the grand opening of the new Hilton offering there last week.

They stated in a press release this week that Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church “brings all the contemporary features of the all-suite extended-stay hotel brand, including 146 suites with customizable guest room designs and full kitchens. The hotel’s amenities include a 24-hour fitness facility, business center, complimentary Wi-Fi and daily complimentary breakfast. With convenience, modern design and curated amenities, the hotel will further contribute to West Falls’ commitment to fostering a vibrant, dynamic environment that brings people together.”

“Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church is such a meaningful addition to the West Falls neighborhood,” said Shawn Seaman, President of Hoffman and Associates at the ribbon cutting last week. “As the largest development in the city’s history, the opening of the hotel marks a signifi-

cant milestone for West Falls, offering visitors a contemporary, servicedriven place to stay and experience all that this vibrant community has to offer.”

In addition to access to the Metro station, the hotel takes advantage of Falls Church as a pedestrianfriendly community with bike paths and access to Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Route 66, which are both pivotal connectors of the DMV region and allow easy visits to Washington, D.C.’s top attractions.

The neighborhood also includes more than 150,000 square feet of open space. A commons in the center of the project provides more than 18,000 square feet of central outdoor green space in the heart of the neighborhood that will feature artful landscaping, ample outdoor seating, two retail concepts, flexible spaces with moveable furniture, a fire pit and pop jet fountains, while also serving as a welcoming space for seasonal community events.

Guests at Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church will also have convenient access to over 123,000 square feet of retail offerings in the West Falls neighborhood with personal care and wellness concepts and

a diverse array of dining concepts.

Recently announced concepts include Honoo Ramen and Bar, Ice Cream Jubilee, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, BurgerFi, SeoulSpice, Perspire Sauna Studios, Casabella Salon and the early education and preschool program Tierra Encantada. The West Falls neighborhood is also home to The Oak condominiums, The Alder apartments, The Wellness Center medical office building and The Reserve at Falls Church by Experience Senior Living.

The hotel is now open and accepting reservations.

Hoffman and Associates is a nationally recognized leader in both residential and mixed-use development across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Since its founding in 1993, it has developed over 75 mixed-use, residential, office and retail projects with a commitment to sustainable and innovative development that puts community first.

Hoffman is an industry leader in creating inclusive communities that bring people together and enhance the ways folks socialize, work and live together, according to a statement from them. The company has large-scale developments throughout

the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Virginia, and North Carolina, with a portfolio totaling $6 billion.

Hoffman is also the managing member of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, a joint venture with Madison Marquette, which developed The Wharf, a $3.6 billion, 3.5 million-square-foot neighborhood along Washington, D.C.’s waterfront. Other large-scale, neighborhood

developments include Seaboard Station, Union West, West Falls and Parcel B at Audi Field.

Its current residential portfolio includes 4600 Fairfax Drive, The Alder, The Oak, The Westerly, 2500 Distribution Street, 3200 W Moore Street, Amaris, The Signal, The Point and The Miles. Hoffman has offices in Washington, D.C. and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Beyer. Connolly, Spanberger Featured Keynote Speakers

beings, we now have the archetype.”

Beyer, Connelly and Spanberger all stressed that the “actual” verdict will come on Nov. 5, on the presidential election day. “Now it is our responsibility to step up and save our endangered democracy,” he said.

He told the assembled crowd, “We do have three secret weapons: one, the best precinct captains, the most important job in politics; two, great data, and we have 156 days to touch every possible voter on the voter files; three, a gold mine of young voters who agree with us, but who need our kick to come vote.

“They agree with Democratic values on almost everything: climate change, gun violence, women’s reproductive freedom, respect for others’ individual choices on orientation and identity, more housing, less student debt and much more… helping the poor, children, the disadvantaged and women with opportunity, education and good schools, unions, tolerance and no

discrimination, peace, the environment, nature, space, science, veterans’ health, Social Security, and health care for all.”

By contrast, he said, “What do we associate with Republican values? Millionaires and billionaires, big corporations, private equity, prior medical authorizations, tax cuts for the rich, tax offshoring and hiding money overseas, intolerance, hatred of the other, based on any difference, oil and gas money poured into politics, and Citizens United.”

Beyer added, “Let’s make that case with everyone we talk to. The larger we make our Democratic family, the more we are able to project our values. We know who our casual young voters are, they are right there on our voter lists. Let’s commit to a 50 percent increase in their turnout in each and every precinct among the 18-29 year olds who voted in 2020.”

Rep. Connolly, following Beyer to the podium, stressed to the Fairfax and Falls Church Democrats that “We’re going to win in November, we have a future and we’re going to win,” even as he identified Trump as “a

clear and present danger.”

Attorney Hirschkop spoke next as a spry and articulate 88 year old founder of the ACLU of Virginia who still practices law and has a long record of fighting for civil rights, including the case of Loving vs. Virginia. The Loving case was over the issue of interracial marriage and when the highest court in Virginia ruled against that freedom, Hirschkop spearheaded its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, where an historic favorable verdict was issued.

Hirschkop told the crowd that laws still on the books reveal the depth of racial hatred in the state, as the definition of an African-American, for example, applies even if the person in question has only a single drop of African-American blood.

Rep. Spanberger then spoke eloquently as a U.S. congressman and former CIA officer about the importance of this year’s elections, and especially the presidential one in November. Spanberger is now strongly favored to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for governor of Virginia for the election in November 2025.

REP. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER (D-VA) posed with News-Press’s Nick Benton at a Democrat fundraiser in Tysons last week. (News-Press Photo)

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12, 2024

Since 1991, an award-winning LGBT-owned general Interest community newspaper.

Vol. XXXIV, No. 17

June 6 - 12, 2024

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Big New Shakeup At The Post

We should all be a little concerned about the latest palace intrigues at The Washington Post The Post is, after all, the one major and credible newspaper we have left in this wider region, and it should give us all the jitters to think that something, anything, could transpire that would diminish it. Even if it is a shadow of its former self as it was during the heyday of Katherine Graham, the paper is an invaluable asset to the region, and to the nation, as one of only a handful of such publications left in the U.S. in these complex and uncertain times. There may be only the New York Times and Wall Street Journal besides The Post that we, the public, can rely on for responsible and courageous journalism, and even they are famously not totally reliable or honest. Everything else is digital, not presented as something we can fold up in a jacket pocket, scribble on or underline for the benefit of our memories, or drop in an envelope to mail to a friend. Instead we can barely keep track of Internet news because it is here today and, blink!, gone a fraction of a second with a single click of a mouse or until after the next dancing painkillers commercial. We will not let this issue go readily because there is simply too much at stake for our lives and our freedoms, whether anybody is paying attention or not.

Sadly, we are now the only general interest newspaper in this entire region that is certified to publish official legal notices as we’re the only one that qualifies by providing “total market coverage” for readers in our coverage area. Even in the heyday of print newspapers, before TV to begin with, “total market coverage” was at best a fraction of a total demographic area, but enough to function as a statistically demonstrable carrier of general public information for an area.

Moreover, for purposes of illustration, our editor has often told the story of how his mother used to clip little articles that included his name, even in tiny type in a long list of attendees at a youth camp, for example, out of their hometown newspaper and save them for dozens of years to slip into a letter to him as a fond memory and token of affection. It was a wonderful tradition. Others, of course, would assemble scrapbooks to preserve notices and articles in a like manner.

We applaud the move by billionaire Jeff Bezos to step in and to buy The Post and to keep it going despite massive losses said to be over $70 million a year. We hope The Post will do whatever it can to stay in this business. It is sorely needed, as Bezos himself acknowledged in contributing to the creation of its new famous front page slogan, “Democracy Dies in Darkness.”

Yes, dear reader, legitimate newspapers don’t just contribute to democracy. They ARE democracy.

Platform

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3. Do not let the news columns reflect editorial content.

4. Publish the news that is public property without fear or favor of friend or foe.

5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.

6. Give ‘value received’ for every dollar you take in.

7. Make the paper show a profit if you can, but above all keep it clean, fearless and fair.

Letters to Editor

GOP Under Trump: No Longer My Party

Editor,

Today’s Donald Trump headed Republican Party bears no resemblance to the progressive Republican Party my family had been associated with for three or more generations. That party celebrated the progressive values, accomplishments and character of the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, and the Supreme Commander, Dwight Eisenhower, both Republican U.S. Presidents. That party advocated for equal rights, environmental protection, rule of law, democracy and international peace. Today the party with that name seems to celebrate only Donald Trump even as he expresses enthusiasm for dictators, admires those who attacked democracy on January 6, fails to adequately support the real freedom fighters of Ukraine, along with a host of regressive international and domestic policies.

I believe that the Republican Party so dominated by Donald Trump is inconsistent with my values and I do not wish to be associated with such a party.

Dave Snyder

Burden of Proof Lies With EDA Accusers

Editor,

I have been a Member of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) since 2019. I have had the honor to serve with these dedicated members from the business sector and the Falls Church community. The work that has been accomplished by the EDA during my time on the Authority has been outstanding, especially during the years of the Covid epidemic, where many of our small businesses were threatened with closure; the EDA spent most of its available funds to help secure our thriving small business community. During this time and since, the EDA, in carrying out its major role, has advised the Planning Commission and the Council on the various development proposals before both bodies. In each of the past

several years, the Economic Development Authority has provided an annual report to the Council detailing all of its work and accomplishments.

It is with great dismay that [last] week two members of City Council have questioned the integrity of the Economic Development Authority members with vague charges of perceived “conflicts of interest” involving local real estate professionals. These Council members, without providing any specific charges, are engaging in “defamation of character” of every member of the EDA. This is wrong on many levels, not the least of which is accusing us of inappropriate actions in our advising the Council on proposed development projects. In my years on the EDA, with advice of staff and Counsel, the members have acted with professionalism and thoroughness in providing advice to the Planning Commission and City Council. On a few occasions, a member has recused his or her self from voting on a specific proposal based on a potential business interest. All members of the EDA take an oath to follow the State ethics requirements, as well as, file annual financial interest reports.

In order to respond to such innuendo and unspecified allegations, I am asking these Council members to provide their specific issues to the City Attorney for investigation or retract their previous statements in a public forum. Without some immediate Council response, the citizens of Falls Church will be left with uncertainty about not only the EDA but with questions about the integrity of our City governance on development issues.

Of the current seven EDA members, six are local business owners. I, as the lone nonbusiness owner, do have extensive experience in politics and urban management. It is incredible that the integrity of these honorable local business owners and myself are being called into question by two Council members who offer no specific allegations of conflict. We all deserve respect and justice in the face of such destructive speech by these Council members.

Jim Coyle, EDA member

Pride Month: My 2-Phased Coming Out 55 Years Ago

Nicholas F. Benton

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

It’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and the 55th anniversary of the riots at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, that have been promoted as the founding event of the modern movement. I was not there but was not an accidental but quite deliberate gay activist out on the West Coast when that transpired.

For me, the movement was founded by the rise of gay activism amid the general civil rights and anti-war ferment in the late 1960s, led by courageous souls like my friends the late Lilli Vincenz, Frank Kameny and Larry Kramer and my close collaborator, fellow San Francisco area Gay Liberation Front activist Jim Rankin, who co-founded with me The Effeminist newspaper in the San Francisco area in 1971. We in San Francisco were bumping along in our activism and did not learn about the Stonewall riots until months afterward, and years before the famous Harvey Milk arrived on the scene.

My “coming out” in that era involved two phases. The first was to move beyond an internal realization to making the difficult and dangerous decision to dive into the already-well established gay scene in San Francisco beginning in the early spring of 1969, three months before Stonewall. I set my stage for that by, as a graduate seminarian across the bay in Berkeley, responding to a flier tacked to a bulletin board at the Pacific School of Religion and participating as, you might say, a closeted “Doubting Thomas” for three days of well-attended events in the Tenderloin of San Francisco hosted by the Council on Religion and the Homosexual in October 1968. Activists like Larry Littlejohn and the legendary couple of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon led panels. That memorable event culminated with an invitation to a Halloween costume ball that shook me to the core and made me want to come out.

The second phase of my “coming out” was to step up into visible, public activism, which happened probably toward the end of 1969, but I cannot recall if there was any single incident, thought or decision which caused me to do that. My public activism led me to become the first openly-gay speaker at a huge anti-war march and rally in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 1970. Co-founding the Berkeley chapter of the GLF, my colleagues and I opted for a more radical approach to claiming our true identities for ourselves and for the world to see.

Who remembers the old Rendezvous bar on Sutter Street in San Francisco? I moved from where I had been working for three years while in seminary to a tiny efficiency room across from Union Square to be closer to the action. I often went to bed or got in as daylight began to the sound of San Francisco’s legendary cable cars passing right below my third story window, starting with the distinctive sound of the cables themselves being activated for the day, about a half hour before the first car passed below me.

Looking back, it was quite romantic in the generic sense with the large window looking right out onto Powell, just doors down from the intersection with Geary. There was a sink and a small refrigerator in the room, but the shower and toilet were down the hall and shared with others. There were a number of such apartment buildings like that in the area in those days, and I bounced around a number of them over the next few years, feeling I had really come up in the world when I got one with its own shower and toilet.

In those days, Polk Street was the center of the gay world, years before Castro Street.

While I don’t recall what incident might have precipitated my decision to bolt to the front of the line as a public gay activist, it happened in far less than a year after my first timid exploration of the Rendezvous and other gay bars around that area.

I find now that my apparent bravery then is hard to fathom, except that it happened in the context of an imperfect community of like-minded persons and in keeping with those tumultuous times, was highly appropriate.

Virginia finally has a budget! While the budget does not include everything the General Assembly wanted, I think this is a good, forward-looking budget. Some highlights of the budget include 3 percent raises for teachers for the next two years and increased funding for multiple early and K-12 education programs. This investment in education is crucial for the development and future success of our students.

In addition to supporting K-12 education, the budget also increases funding for higher education, ensuring that our colleges and universities have the resources they need to provide quality education and support to their students. Furthermore, state employees will receive a 3 percent raise, recognizing their hard work and dedication to serving the public.

Another significant aspect of the budget is the allocation of $150 million in additional dedicated state funding for Metro. This funding was necessary to prevent catastrophic service cuts, ensuring that our public transportation system remains reliable and efficient for all who depend on it.

While the budget did include many of my priorities, I was disappointed that the language requiring Virginia to stay in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) did not make it into the final budget. I will continue to fight for programs like RGGI in future years because moving backwards on climate is not an option. You can find a searchable full version of the budget at budget.lis.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Housing Commission has also started to look into my bill on ADUs that I introduced this year. If the bill had passed, ADUs would have been allowed by-right across much of the Commonwealth, with localities being allowed to set reasonable guidelines. I believe that ADUs can provide additional units of housing in many already developed neigh -

borhoods without causing much disruption. They can be great options for many young adults and seniors, and could help be a small piece of the puzzle in fixing our housing crisis. I will continue looking into this issue, and I welcome your feedback.

Additionally, mid-May was the final veto deadline for the last bills of the 2024 regular session. Unfortunately, quite a few bills that I supported were vetoed by Governor Youngkin. One such bill was SB237, which would have codified a right to contraception in Virginia. Given the attacks on access to all forms of reproductive healthcare, including contraception, happening around the country, I supported this legislation to show that Virginia will always stand on the side of access to healthcare.

Another bill that was vetoed was SB729. This bill would have created a Green Energy bank in Virginia, which would have brought in hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to address clean energy and the climate crisis. The veto of this bill is a setback for our efforts to combat climate change and transition to a greener economy.

Lastly, SB517 was also vetoed. This bill would have removed tax breaks for neo-Confederate organizations. It is disappointing that this bill did not pass, as it would have been a step towards addressing and rectifying the glorification of a painful and divisive period in our history.

Finally, this time of year brings many graduations. The majority of this year’s class started high school or college during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and faced immense challenges. I want to take a moment to congratulate each member of the class of 2024 for their hard work and achievements. I will be attending many of the graduation ceremonies around the district, and I am excited to be delivering the commencement address at my alma mater, Falls Church High School.

COMMENT

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Penny Gross

“I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic… I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same… I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion…” Serious words, they form the basis of the oath taken by Members of Congress at the beginning of each new term. Not a word salad, not with fingers crossed behind their backs, but a solemn commitment to uphold the rule of law in the United States of America, and in front of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of witnesses. The oath is a rite of passage, from private citizen to public servant. I took a similar oath seven times, after each election to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and always felt the weight of the responsibility of those words as I recited them.

The immediate reactions of elected Republican Members of Congress to the unanimous “guilty” verdict on 34 felony counts in the New York trial of Donald J. Trump were expected politically. They didn’t like the verdicts. Their subsequent attacks on the Constitution and rule of law – calling evidence “hogwash,” jurors “supposedly Americans,” the judge “dishonest,’ the trial a “sham” and a

“kangaroo court” – are assaults on the bedrock of our democracy, and undeniably dangerous to the future of our nation. When lawmakers assail the very laws that they swore to uphold and defend, they also are violating the hallowed oath of office they took upon assuming office.

Democracy under attack is nothing new; attacks are part of our nation’s history. However, attacks on democracy by a major American political party are unprecedented. Democracy is not monolithic; it thrives when there is a variety of approaches and options available to all parts of society. That’s the beauty of democracy. Your idea of democracy may differ from your neighbor, but there is enough space in democracy to accommodate everyone, a “big tent” if you will.

That’s the way it should be, but we don’t live in a perfect world. Sadly, we seem to be defined by red or blue, not by red, white, and blue, and the American flag, and patriotism, seem to have been hijacked by the Republican Party. The American flag flies over all, not just some. Democrats need to remind Democratic, Republican, and independent voters of that basic tenet, again and again and again, not only this November’s

federal election, but in all elections, at the state level, the municipal level, and especially the school board level.

Civics education is a good place to start. Civics and history curricula have diminished over the years or have been rewritten to reflect the current political atmosphere. Even the story of George Washington, whose historic home, Mount Vernon, is a popular Fairfax County tourist attraction, has faded. In 1898, a Minnesota teacher asked 1440 teenagers which famous person they would most like to be like. The overwhelming answer for a male hero was George Washington (female hero was Helen Keller’s teacher Anne Sullivan Macy). Life magazine did a similar poll in 1950, and the male hero was General Douglas MacArthur (female was Florence Nightingale). In 1998, the magazine asked teenagers again, and the response was basketball great Michael Jordan (female was Jennifer Love Hewitt). No government or military leaders were in the top ten answers; sports and entertainment figures carried the day. Democracy is fragile and needs the support of all to continue the extraordinary experiment begun almost 250 years ago. We should insist that our elected leaders, regardless of political party, live up their oaths of office to support and defend our Constitution. Coincidentally, that’s what thousands of American soldiers did eighty years ago today, on D-Day in Normandy in 1944.

Week of May 27 — June 2, 2024

Public Intoxication/Trespassing, S Washington St, May 27, 12:03 AM, a male, 66, of no fixed address, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Trespassing.

Simple Assault, Hampton Ct, May 27, 3:17 AM, victim reported they were assaulted by a known suspect.

Illegal Trash Dumping, Gordon Rd, between 4 PM on May 23 and 6:30 AM on May 27, an unknown suspect dumped an excessive amount of yard waste into a victim’s business’ recycling dumpster.

Simple Assault, E Annandale Rd, May 27, 4:06 PM, victim reported they were assaulted by a known suspect.

No Valid Operator’s License, Gibson St/S Maple Ave, May 28, 8:30 AM, a male, 54, of Hope Mills, NC, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Reckless Driving, E Broad St, May 28, 8:53 AM, a female, 27, of Olney, MD, was arrested for Reckless Driving.

No Valid Operator’s License, Lawton St, May 28, 1:22 AM, a male, 23, of the City of Fairfax, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Threats/Intimidation, W Broad St, May 28, 1:50 PM, victim reported being threatened by an unknown suspect after asking the suspect to leave the business property. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with star tattoos on his neck,

wearing a gray long sleeve shirt and carrying a black backpack.

Shoplifting, Wilson Blvd, May 28, between 2:04 PM and 2:16 PM, an unknown suspect took merchandise without paying. The suspect is described as an Asian male, thin build, wearing a black hat, white t-shirt, shorts, and loafers.

Shoplifting, Wilson Blvd, May 28, between 5 PM and 5:25 PM, an unknown suspect took merchandise without paying. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 30-40 years of age, wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts.

No Valid Operator’s License, Hillwood Ave, May 30, 3:08 AM, a male, 24, of Woodlawn, MD, was

Continued on Page 22

Senator Saddam Salim’s Richmond Report

‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ Entertains at Workhouse

by Mark Dreisonstok

The Workhouse Arts Center is now presenting “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a nostalgic musical that features new songs in 1920s style with panache. Directed by Frank Shutts, the show is a playwithin-a-play; a lone enthusiast of the American musical theatre, called simply the Man in Chair (played convincingly by Jeffrey Davis), plays a record on his hi-fi of a fictitious 1920’s musical comedy, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” He has never seen the show in person, so we the audience see the musical as he imagines it, brought to life on stage by the other actors in the show. This musical seen through the Man in Chair’s mind’s eye has a humorous plot: Janet, a singer, is planning to marry a young man named Robert. A chaperone is charged with ensuring that Janet and Robert do not meet before the wedding. This chaperone, however, is “drowsy,” which turns out to be a euphemism for intoxicated. What is special about “The

as well as musicals in general. The play also reminds us of how people experienced Broadway shows in earlier times; often they were unable to attend the shows in person, and home videos did not exist. The only way to experience the show would be vicariously through phonograph records, with the remainder of the details of the show imagined. While recorded audio has existed only since the late 1800s, “The Drowsy Chaperone’s” motif of a play-within-a-play is at least as old as Shakespeare.

The show is sung and danced by a cast brimming with enthusiasm. “Cold Feet” is a fun number in which would-be groom Robert (Noah Mutterperl) and best man George (Luke Martin) express their nervousness about the upcoming marriage through tap dance, an ironic combination of cold and hot feet! Both actors perform this dance number admirably. Later Mr. Mutterperl delights by rolling across the stage on skates while blindfolded

also quite amusing, performed by two gangsters (excellently played by Darren Badley and Kevin Donlan) who use food metaphors to describe their dastardly plans.

The character of Aldolfo (wonderfully portrayed by Shakil Azizi) riffs off of the Latin Lover stereotype. He literally sweeps the Drowsy Chaperone (a charismatic Kristina Friedgen) off her feet in their fine song duet “Aldolfo.” She also sings “As We Stumble Along” with great showmanship. “Show Off” is another standout number. It is done in an ironically showy way by Odette Gutierrez del Arroyo as Janet Van de Graaf, who performs cartwheels and sings with an impressive vocal range even as her character claims: “I don’t want to show off no more!”

Trix the Aviatrix is played by Ariel Friendly, who trots out the role of the deus ex machina for a key scene in a highly flamboyant way. Steve Cairns as Feldzieg (a parody of the real life Flo Ziegfeld) and Claire Jeffrey as

Music director Francine Krasowska conducts superbly an excellent group of musicians who channel the sound of a 1920s band. The choreography by Stefan Sittig (and assistant choreographer/fight director Ariel Kraje) is similarly firstrate. Costumes complete the 1920s atmosphere, and the set device of characters emerging

siasm throughout the performance, and this enthusiasm is infectious to the audience. The show is, in short, one of the most entertaining productions of “The Drowsy Chaperone” that this reviewer has seen. This staging of “Chaperone” is being performed at the Workhouse Arts Center at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079 through June

THE CAST OF “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Workhouse Arts Center. (Photo: Mike Stevens)

F.C.’s Snyder Disassociates With GOP

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

Veteran Falls Church City Council member and Northern Virginia Transportation Commission leader David Snyder announced this week that because of the control of Donald Trump over the Republican Party, with which he has been associated his entire adult life, he no longer wishes to be associated with it.

“I believe that the Republican party so dominated by Donald Trump is inconsistent with my values and I do not wish to be associated with such a party,” Snyder wrote this week in a Letter to the Editor published in full elsewhere in this edition. “Today’s Donald Trump-headed Republican Party bears no resemblance to the progressive Republican party my family had been associated with for three or more generations,” he wrote. Snyder has been on the Falls Church City Council since 1994, elected to new four year terms since. He will be facing re-election next year. He has always been identified with the Republican Party, and while winning every local election to the City Council since then, he failed to win when in 2001 he sought election to the State Assembly.

Snyder was appointed to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission in 1994, serving as the F.C. Council’s representative. He served as NVTC’s chair in 2000, 2007 and 2015. For 2023, he is serving as the secretary-treasurer.

He received the D.C. Metro region Council of Government’s Scull Award for regional leadership in 2010. He has not yet announced whether or not he will seek another term on the F.C. City Council next year.

FALLS

THE NUMBERS LADY came in to teach Acton learners math through project-based learning and storytelling late last month. (Photo: Acton Academy Falls Church)

LOCAL REALTOR TORI McKinney hosted her

“Teacher Chill

social last week to thank teachers for an amazing school year. (Photo: Rock Star Realty)

THIS WEEK AROUND F.C.

THURSDAY JUNE 6

Book Signing: J. Michael Whalen

Local photographer J. Michael Whalen signs copies of new children's book, "Mark and His Magical Camera of Awesomeness," released last month. Harvey's (513 W. Broad St., Falls Church), 4:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

VPIS Spring Social

The Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) holds their Spring Social. Falls Church Arts (700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church), 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Founders Groove: Bad Influence

Free music series on the plaza, Thursdays through July 25. This week features blues covers and

originals by Bad Influence. Founders Row (109 Founders Ave., Falls Church), 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

JUNE 7

Bike to School, Get a Cookie

Last "Bike Bus" of the 2023-2024 school year, with Secondary Campus students encouraged to meet up and bike to school. Routes and meet times at tinyurl.com/FCNP0624bw. Students who arrive at school with the bike bus receive a free Crumbl cookie. Various Locations (Falls Church), 7:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.

First Friday LGBTQ+ Social

Celebrate Pride month at this free signature monthly social event bringing together LGBTQ+ folk from all over the DMV and world. The Commentary (801 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA), 7:00 p.m.

The Elephant In The Room

A witty, dark comedy about just your typical Indian metalhead and software-engineer-turned-actor who must navigate life as an immigrant arriving in Trump’s America. When Priyanka makes the bold move to defy her family by quitting her IT job and moving to the US to pursue an acting career, things don’t quite turn out how she imagined. Watch Priyanka’s real life story unfold as she transitions from her deeply embedded roots in India to find context and common ground in America. Gear up for a funny, tumultuous ride through immiscible cultures, unforgettable love, irreparable loss, and the desperation of not belonging anywhere. On stage through June 23. Tickets at keegantheatre.com. Keegan Theatre (1742 Church St. NW, Washington, DC), 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY

JUNE 8

Falls Church

Farmers Market

Shop the award winning market every Saturday, year-round! City Hall Parking Lot (300 Park Ave., Falls Church), 8:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

Summer Food Drive

All donations will be distributed to the food pantry at FACETS, an organization that assists families in Northern Virginia. Please donate new, unexpired, non-perishable food items.You can learn more about FACETS at FacetsCares.Org Haycock Elementary Kiss & Ride Area. 10:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.

Capital Pride Parade

Celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community and its allies at the historic Capital Pride Parade. This beloved tradition honors LGBTQ+ history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in our fight for equality. Be prepared to experience one of the largest Pride Parades to ever take place in the

Nation's Capital. Free to attend. Parade Route (14th St. NW, from T St. to Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC), 3:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Tinner Hill Music Festival

The 30th Annual Tinner Hill Music Festival, hosted by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, the premier charity event that celebrates and honors the local African American legacy. Enjoy a day of culturally rich live music and arts. Tickets at tinyurl.com/FCNP0624th. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church), 11:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Arlington-Falls Church Gun Buyback Event

Residents of Arlington County and the City of Falls Church can turn in unwanted weapons in exchange for a gift card. Must show valid ID with proof of Arlington County or City of Falls Church residency. Arlington Assembly of God (4501 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington, VA), 8:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m

SUNDAY

JUNE 9

Last Chance: Flora and Fauna

Last chance to view the FCA exhibit "Flora and Fauna: Thriving and Threatened," an all-media exhibit of works that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world... or explore the challenges it faces. Free to attend. View/ buy in the FCA gallery or online at fallschurcharts.org. Falls Church Arts (700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church), 11:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.

Capital Pride Festival

Join the LGBTQ+ community on America's Mainstreet for a full day of entertainment on three stages — including main stage headliners Ava Max and Billy Porter — food, drink, and advocacy with over 300 exhibitors. The Festival is the largest annual event in the national capital region. Free to at tend. Festival Grounds (699 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC), 12:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.

Celebrating

Gershwin at 100

Pianist Jeffrey Biegel takes the audience on a musical journey celebrating the Gershwin Centennial and unveiling the regional premiere of Peter Boyer's "Red, White, and Blue" for piano and orchestra. Tickets at cfa.calendar.gmu.edu. GMU Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax, VA), 4:00 p.m.

Book Presentation:

E.B. Henderson II

Join Edwin Henderson II, author of "Grandfather of Black Basketball: The Life and Times of Dr. E.B. Henderson," to learn about the man credited with introducing basketball to African Americans on a wide-scale, organized basis. Free to attend. Busboys and Poets (4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA), 6:00 p.m.

Last Chance: Bubbly Black Girl

Last performance at Cauldron! What's a black girl from sunny Southern California to do? White people are blowing up black girls in Birmingham churches. Black people are shouting "Black is beautiful" while straightening their hair and coveting light skin. Viveca Stanton's answer: Slap on a bubbly smile and be as white as you can be! In a humorous and pointed coming-of-age story spanning the sixties through the nineties, Viveca blithely sails through the confusing worlds of racism, sexism and Broadway showbiz until she's forced to face the devastating effect self-denial has had on her life. Tickets at creativecauldron.org. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY

JUNE 10

City Council Meeting

The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period by signing up to speak at fallschurchva. gov/publiccomment. View the meeting live or on-demand at

PRIYANKA SHETTY is a one-woman show in "The Elephant In The Room," on stage at Keegan Theatre through June 23. (Courtesy Photo)

CALENDAR

EVENTS, LIVE MUSIC, & ARTS

fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. View the meeting live or on-demand at fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings and on FCCTV. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 11:00 p.m.

TUESDAY

JUNE 11

FCCPS BIE

Awards Reception

The FCCPS Business in Education (BIE) Partnership City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 6:30 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

Founders Row Flex & Flow

Free fitness series on the plaza, weekly on Tuesdays through June 25. This installment features a popup by Rumble Boxing. Founders Row (109 Founders Ave., Falls Church), 6:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

Housing Commission Meeting

Housing Commission meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Solar Switch: Solar 101

Explore the possibilities of solar energy for your home or small business at an informal session covering solar technology, economics, financing, and more. Kings Park Library (9000 Burke Lake Rd., Burke, VA), 6:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

FCCPS School Board Meeting

Regular meeting of the Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) school board. The public is invited to attend. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

JUNE 12

SWMPAC Meeting

Solid Waste Management Plan Advisory Committee (SWM-

PAC) meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Oak Room, Falls Church), 11:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

The MRSPL Board of Trustees meets. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Upper Floor Conf. Rm., Falls Church), 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Advisory Board of Rec. and Parks Meeting

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks meets. Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., 2nd Floor Art Room, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

Citizens Transportation Adv. Cmte. Meeting

Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m.

Architectural Advisory Board Meeting

Architectural Advisory Board meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/ Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 10:30 p.m.

Appointments

Committee Meeting

Appointments Committee meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Oak Room, Falls Church), 8:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.

THURSDAY

JUNE 13

Chamber Networking Breakfast

Stop by for an informal gathering to meet fellow Chamber members. No agenda and no cost other than your breakfast. The Original Pancake House (7395 Lee Hwy., Falls Church), 8:00 a.m. — 9:00 a.m.

Affordable Living Policy Workgroup Meeting

Affordable Living Policy Update

Workgroup meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Founders Groove: Four Star Combo Free music series on the plaza, weekly on Thursdays through July 25. This installment features 1950s rockabilly cover band Four Star Combo. Founders Row (109 Founders Ave., Falls Church), 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

Board of Zoning Appeals meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.

Want us to include your event in next week's Calendar? Email your event's title, description, date(s) and time(s) to calendar@fcnp.com no later than 12:00 p.m. every Tuesday! Space is limited; submission does not guarantee inclusion.

DON'T MISS YOUR LAST chance to catch The Little Theatre of Alexandria's production of Mark Twain's "Is He Dead" — the show leaves the stage after June 8. (Courtesy Photo)

Community News & Notes

Patient First F.C. Closed For Renovations Through June 17

Patient First Falls Church is temporarily closed for renovations, which began June 3, and will reopen Monday, June 17.

During this temporary closure, all other Patient First locations will remain open during normal operating hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., every day of the year. All full-time providers at PFFC are working at other locations.

The two open Patient First locations closest to F.C. are in Annandale (7042A Little River Tnpk.) and Fairfax (10100 Fairfax Blvd.).

Falls Church Arts All-Member Show (A-L) Opens June 15

Falls Church Arts celebrates its member artists’ best work during their annual All Member Show, with member works on display in the gallery from June 15 through August 18.

The exhibit will be held in two parts: submissions from members with last names beginning with A-L will be on display from June 15 through July 14, and submissions from artists with last names beginning with M-Z will be on view from July 20 to August 18.

An opening reception will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, for artists in the A-L show. The reception is free and is open to the public.

The show features the work of emerging and established FCA member artists encompassing an extensive range of media types and techniques.

The FCA gallery (700-B West Broad St., Falls Church) is free and open to the public, Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Art may be viewed or purchased in the gallery or online at fallschurcharts.org.

2024 N.Va Senior Olympics To Sport 83 Events on Sept. 14

The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics will take place Saturday, September 14 through Sunday September 29.

Eighty-three events will be held at 26 indoor and outdoor venues throughout the NOVA jurisdictions during the two week event. NVSO Chairman Riley Geary remarked,

“The committee has been hard at work since January planning the 2024 events,” adding that this year they are anticipating turnout to exceed last year’s, which sported well over 900 participating athletes.

Participants must be at least 50 years of age by December 31 and live in one of the sponsoring jurisdictions, including the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. Most events are by gender and five year age groups.

Registration costs $20 and is online-only beginning July 1. The fee covers a multitude of events, with additional fees required for others including ten pin bowling, orienteering, cycling, and 9-hole golf (3-par).

Priyanka Shetty’s ‘The Elephant in the Room’ Opens at Keegan

Priyanka Shetty’s acclaimed onewoman play “The Elephant in The Room” made its DC Premiere on June 1 at Keegan Theatre, where it will run through 23. Shetty returns to Keegan after workshopping “Elephant” as part of the 2020 Boiler Room Series, Keegan’s developmental initiative aimed at supporting works by exciting new voices.

“‘The Elephant in The Room’ holds a special place in my heart,” explained Shetty. “It emerged during one of the darkest periods of my life as an international student in America. What began as a means of personal expression quickly evolved into a profound journey of self-discovery. This deeply personal narrative has transformed into a universal piece exploring the challenges of reconciling our identities and nurturing our inner selves amidst the constant chaos of the world. Through this play, I hope to inspire audiences to embrace their inner wisdom, confront the elephants in their lives without fear, and boldly acknowledge them.”

“The Elephant in The Room” is a witty, dark comedy about just your typical Indian metalhead and software-engineer-turned-actor who must navigate life as an immigrant arriving in Trump’s America. When Shetty makes the bold move to defy her family by quitting her IT job and moving to the US to pursue an acting career, things don’t quite turn out how she imagined. Watch

Shetty’s real life story unfold as she transitions from her deeply embedded roots in India to find context and common ground in America. Gear up for a funny, tumultuous ride through immiscible cultures, unforgettable love, irreparable loss, and the desperation of not belonging anywhere.

“The Elephant in The Room” runs June 1-23, 2024 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Special events scheduled throughout the run include a child care included matinee on June 9, a welcome reception for Shetty on June 10, a young professionals happy hour on June 14, and a “Meet the Artists” talkback following a matinee show on June 23.

F.C. DAR Presents Awards to Two Pillars of the Community On May 18, the Falls Church Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) presented awards to Marybeth Connelly and Nikki Henderson. F.C. mayor Letty Hardi greeted both before the ceremony, with vice mayor Debbie Hiscott, Sally Ekfelt from the F.C. Women’s History Group, E.B. Henderson II, and Michael Connelly also in attendance.

Photos of the award being presented to Henderson and Connelly were published in last week’s issue and in this week’s online installment. Nikki Henderson received the NSDAR Excellence in Historic Preservation Medal for her efforts to preserve the early civil rights history of Falls Church and vicinity as executive director and board member for the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation as well to honor the contributions of the women of our community and the vicinity with the creation of the F.C. Women’s History Walk, which has grown each year as an annual event. Nikki acknowledged those women who have made and continue to make History: “I would like to see all of us recognize all of us. In our own way, we make history every single day. ‘Her history’ is important!”

Marybeth Connelly received the NSDAR Community Service Award for her volunteer work supporting several Boards and Commissions representing the arts, history, and

REGISTRATION FOR the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics opens July 1, with the games to be held September 14-29, 2024. (Courtesy Photo)

SEVERAL COMMUNITY leaders attended the NAIOP Bus Tour luncheon held late last month. ( News-Press Photo)

STATE DEL. RIP SULLIVAN presented a House of Delegates commendation to the English Empowerment Center last week. (Courtesy Photo)

people of Falls Church, including the F.C. Education Foundation providing scholarships to high school seniors and assistance to those in need through the Family Assistance Fund. As one of the four founders of the F.C. Women’s History Group, Connelly continues to acknowledge the contributions of women and encourage women of F.C. to get involved and make a difference: “Through volunteer service we make connections and strengthen bonds. We build relationships that are important in our communities and become the basis for enduring friendships.”

F.C. League of Women Voters Awards Life Membership

The F.C. League of Women Voters awarded a “Life Membership” to Ellen Salsbury in recognition of her many years of service to the League. Salsbury is a prominent citizen of F.C., known not only for her service to the League but also through service on the School Board, Housing Commission and Chamber of Commerce.

A photo of Salsbury receiving the award is online at fcnp.com.

ArtsFairfax Launches

Fairfax, F.C. Regional Artist Survey

Last week ArtsFairfax launched a survey tool to assess the opportunities and resources local artists need to thrive. The Fairfax Regional Artist Survey is the first study of its kind and is designed to identify the needs and obstacles for artists across all art forms living and working in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.

“The Fairfax Regional Artist Survey is an important first step in better serving the independent artists who make Fairfax a vibrant place to live. We collaborated with artists to develop the survey and address how a more inclusive range of art makers can share their work within the communities they call home,” said Stuart Holt, ArtsFairfax President & CEO.

To develop the survey, ArtsFairfax worked with research specialists AMS Analytics and received invaluable insight and recommendations from the ArtsFairfax Artist Advisory Group — artists selected for both the variety of their professional experiences and art forms and where they’ve lived and worked within the study region.

The Fairfax Regional Artist Survey is for artists who practice and present visual and performing arts, cultural traditions, design, or media, among other disciplines. Survey data will directly inform future ArtsFairfax services, programs, and advocacy efforts for individual artists, and therefore is intended for artists in

the jurisdictions ArtsFairfax serves, which include Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.

After submitting responses to the Fairfax Regional Artist Survey, participating artists will have the opportunity to promote and publicize their work in a new Artist Directory, created by ArtsFairfax, and immediately connect with fellow artists and professional networks through an online community, also hosted by the nonprofit.

The anonymous, three-minute survey is hosted by Qualtrics and available through December 31 at ArtsFairfax.org/ArtistSurvey.

MRSPL Launches Summer Reading Program For All Ages

The Mary Riley Styles Public Library (MRSPL) invites the community to sign up for their Summer Reading Program 2024, whether to prevent the summer slide or challenge yourself to sink into some good books this summer! Programs are available for all ages.

The first day to sign up and start logging books was Monday, June 3. The last day to sign up is August 9.

Prizes are available starting August 12, and the last day to log books is August 30. Raffle prizes, including a Kindle Paperwhite, will be pulled on September 3. Earn awesome prizes the more you read!

Visit MRSPL (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church) to sign up.

Fairfax Library Fdn. to Host Kid‘s Summer Reading Festival

Fairfax Library Foundation’s Children’s Summer Reading Festival will begin in June with two free events scheduled at area libraries: Saturday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. at Woodrow Wilson Library (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church) and Sunday, August 18, 12:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. at Chantilly Regional Library (4000 Springfield Rd., Chantilly, VA). These activities mark the Foundation’s second year hosting the free community events to encourage summer reading among preschool- and school-age children to prevent learning loss over summer break.

The festival will feature a wide variety of fun activities for children of all ages, including facepainting, bounce houses, balloon and caricature artists, games and crafts, live entertainment, food trucks, and a photobooth. 2023’s inaugural event saw more than 2,500 Fairfax County children and families in attendance — with last year’s total number of FCPL Summer Reading Program participants shattering all previous records as a result.

LOCAL

Del. Sullivan, Others Commend English Empowerment Center

Virginia Delegatee Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan (D-Arlington/ Fairfax) delivered a House of Delegates commendation to Roopal Saran, executive director of the English Empowerment Center, at an event held in the Center’s offices and classrooms at James Lee Community Center on May 30.

The commendation, House Resolution 628, was approved unanimously by all delegates in the house with a companion measure, Senate Bill 608, introduced by State Senator Saddam Salim (D-Falls Church), which was also approved. Delegates Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church) and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-Alexandria) cosponsored the legislation and commendation.

Sullivan described the impact of the work in teaching literacy and his own professional journey in supporting immigrants, both as a lawyer and activist. “I have always known you by your earlier name, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia,” said Sullivan, noting the historical name for 60 years before a recent rebranding. “You have seen a 25 percent increase in course registrations and the English Empowerment Center has now trained over 2,000 adult learners (this year) who come from 95 different countries. EEC continues to be heralded as a leader in distance learning both locally and nationally.”

Saran thanked Delegate Sullivan for the commendation at the event last Thursday, with dozens of students and staff members in attendance.

“EEC grew from a corps of trained volunteers who provided one-to-one tutoring for predominantly nativeborn residents to creating larger-scale classroom programs as the number of foreign-born residents rose dramatically,” said Saran. “Today EEC serves those at the lowest skill levels providing the crucial first steps of language and literacy learning, while also providing this population with workplace soft skills and industry recognized credentialing.

EEC is proud to have served over 62,000 students in its 62 years,” adding that last year 520 trained volunteers gave over 25,000 hours of service to the center’s over 1,900 students.

The center will host an annual recognition night for its recent graduates on June 27, 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. at the center. Course registrations are presently underway for next semester. For more information, please visit englishempowermentcenter.org, or complete an information request form at tinyurl.com/FCNP0624ec.

FASTEST LABS OF F.C. owner Alnoor Jamal cut the ribbon on the new business with Mayor Letty Hardi last week. (Courtesy Photo)

MCLEAN H.S. class of 1984 and former Rep. Liz Cheney delivered the commencement to graduating seniors on Tuesday. (Photo: Patricia Leslie)

FOR LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH, mayor Letty Hardi and city manager Wyatt Shields raised a Pride flag this week at City Hall. (Photo: Brian Reach)

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

A public hearing and possible City Council action is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. (TR24-10) RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO UPDATE CHAPTER 2, “PEOPLE, HOUSING, AND JOBS: DEMOGRAPHICS CHAPTER OF THE CITY’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@ fallschurchva.gov. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-2485014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Planning Commission

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

On June 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., the City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during their regularly scheduled meeting, in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church Virginia 22046, on the following: (TR24-10) RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO UPDATE CHAPTER 2, “PEOPLE, HOUSING, AND JOBS: DEMOGRAPHICS CHAPTER OF THE CITY’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Meeting agenda and materials will be available on the following page prior to the public meeting: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/PC.

Information on the project can also be found at on the project webpage: www.fallschurchva. gov/DemographicsChapter. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5040 (TTY 711).

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

The following was given first reading at the May 28, 2024 City Council meeting. A public hearing, second reading, and possible City Council action is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TO24-10) ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2062 AND 2070 REGARDING THE BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 FOR THE GENERAL FUND, SCHOOL OPERATING FUND, CABLE ACCESS FUND, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND, AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS

This action would appropriate funds from the sale of City property; General Fund unassigned fund balance; grants and other revenues received during the fiscal year; transfer of funds between departments; and the School fund balance, in order to increase expenditures in the FY24 General Fund budget ($26,287,710); School Operating Fund ($2,456,241); Affordable Housing Fund ($200,000); Cable Access Fund ($60,000); and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Fund ($3,211,345).

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallsch-

urchva.gov. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on June 13, 2024 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following items:

a. Variance application V1649-24 by Jason and Yeseung Ackerman, applicants and owners, of Section 48-263(3)(a) to allow a side yard setback of 8.8 feet and a side yard setback of 9.3 feet instead of 10 feet minimum to construct a second story addition for the property at 112 West Marshall Street, RPC#52-404-012 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1B, Medium Density Residential district.

Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on June 13, 2024. Agenda and application materials will be available the week prior to the scheduled hearing at: http://www. fallschurchva.gov/BZA

Information on the above application is also available for review upon request to staff at zoning@fallschurchva.gov.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

A public hearing and possible City Council action is scheduled for Monday, June 24, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TR24-05) RESOLUTION TO AMEND CHAPTER 3 OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADD: “THE TINNER HILL HISTORIC & CULTURAL DISTRICT”

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

Volunteers who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office (703-248-5014, cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov, or www.fallschurchva.gov/BC) for an application form or more information.

T h e LGB T Q + R e ach

by Brian Reach Falls Church News-Press

Casa Ruby Founder to Plead Guilty

Casa Ruby founder Ruby Corado will plead guilty to diverting $150,000 in federal pandemic relief from the nonprofit to her own accounts before fleeing to El Salvador in 2022, The Washington Post reported earlier this week.

Capital Pride is This Weekend

With the big Capital Pride Parade and Festival coming this weekend, I’ve been doing what thousands of others are doing in preparation: fretting over my outfit. This will be my first pride festival since the pandemic, and I imagine I’m not the only one managing a bit of pre-crowd anxiety in advance of the massive celebration.

Capital Pride is D.C.’s largest annual event. Though estimates vary between police and organizers, total participation between the Parade and Festival is roughly 500,000 — with the population of D.C. under 700,000, this means the city will be near double-capacity this weekend.

It’s been just under nine years since the U.S. Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land in the United States. Since then some individuals, both within and outside the LGBTQ+ community and from all sides of the political spectrum, have begun to question whether Pride is still necessary.

Notably, in 2017 a new organization was launched — No Justice, No Pride (NJNP) — a coalition of counter-demonstrating LGBTQ+ activists united in opposition to Capital Pride. The organizers called the organization “corporatized” and “white washed,” and provided a list of demands. This included barring “corporate entities that inflict harm on historically marginalized LGBTQ2S people” from participating in Capital Pride festivities, barring police contingents from marching, reducing or eliminating armed security. They announced a plan to block the routes of the parade in protest if their demands were not met.

Though I’m sure there was plenty of disruption behind the scenes, the response from Capital Pride ought to be in textbooks. The antagonism of Capital Pride from NJNP leaders, primarily for allowing some of the region’s largest employers to participate as sponsors, got so intense that NJNP seemed to find Capital Pride guilty by association for any negative behavior by participating corporate sponsors. This included Lockheed Martin’s development of military aircraft, Wells Fargo providing business accounts for private prisons, and police brutality against Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Trans individuals.

Capital Pride took extreme measures to accommodate NJNP — including preparing in advance for the parade to pause, preparing security to allow NJNP demonstrators to protest without interference, and re-routing the procession through alternate routes. Instead of the highest-paying sponsors, many of whom dedicate hundreds of thousands of dollars toward the event, a diverse group led by Trans people of color began the parade. Security — though necessary for such a large event — was toned down, and visibility of law enforcement was reduced.

Unmoved, NJNP continued to attack Capital Pride as dismissive of their concerns. “For years, Capital Pride has ignored concerns of queer, trans and two-spirit communities in DC regarding its collusion with entities that harm LGBTQ2S people,” claimed a flyer distributed widely around the festivities in 2017. The flyer continued to claim that Capital Pride was insistent on “continuing business as usual, ignoring the most marginalized members of our community…. [and refusing] to make systematic changes” to return “the power of Pride back to the people whose voice and experience are most crucial to the fight for our rights today.”

When the parade began, NJNP protesters blocked the route as planned. When it rerouted, they blocked it again — and again — and again.

I was in charge of a NOVA Pride contingent in the 2017 Capital Pride Parade — just over 100 people marching with us behind a volunteer vehicle loaded up with several hundred mini water bottles, throwing beads, and literature to hand out to attendees. As a nonprofit, we were used to being late in the parade, but this year we were the second-to-last contingent. Instead of a few hours, the parade took nearly six before we moved an inch. It was nearly 100 degrees outside, without a cloud in the sky. While we waited to begin, the parade was disrupted even further — this time not by protesters, but by ambulances, rushing to assist individuals who were fainting from heat exhaustion during the wait. When we finished our march, it was well after dark — and we had finished every single water bottle.

Yes, We Still Need Pride

Whether Pride is still necessary is still pretty obvious in 2024. Even here in progressive Falls Church, Drag performances are still being met with protests. Last year in Virginia, the single seat advantage Democrats held in the state Senate is the only thing that narrowly prevented the 12 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced by Republicans in the legislature from passing — and this year a slightly expanded, but still razor-thin advantage in the legislature prevented 11 GOP-led bills targeting LGBTQ+ individuals from passing. Just ten years ago, gay marriage was illegal in Virginia and nationwide.

So far 515 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in legislatures across 40 states in 2024, five more than the 510 introduced across 47 states last year. And Pride month just started; we’re not even halfway through the year.

Pride Will Always Be Necessary

The LGBTQ+ Community is uniquely diverse. Those with LGBTQ+ identities are born across all ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic demographics — independent of heredity (though studies have shown that, for example, with every male child a woman gives birth to, the likelihood of them being LGBTQ+ increases). We are a natural minority.

The Bottom Line

Because we exist across demographics, the LGBTQ+ community is by far society’s most intersectional. This is often our superpower, but we must resist the temptation to antagonize others with utmost discipline, especially those volunteering their time for good.

Falls Church Business News & Notes

Toy Nest Hosts 2nd Annual Community Appreciation Day

The Toy Nest and Babycito are co-hosting their second nnual Community Appreciation Day in front of the Falls Church Farmers’ Market at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8. Celebrity kids’ comedy magician The Great Zucchini will be the highlight, and families are invited to enter to win a $50 Toy Nest Gift Card, free Babycito concierge service, and a private 2-hour playdate at The Toy Nest for 10 kids! The event is free and makes a great pre-show to the Tinner Hill Music Festival kicking off at 11:00 a.m.

2024 Women Who Mean Business

The Washington Business Journal has announced the 21st annual Women Who Mean Business program. Nominations are open for influential women from all industries and professions who have made a difference in their communities. Nominations will be judged on three criteria: professional accomplishments, community leadership, and awards or milestones. Nominations are due by midnight, June 14. Questions may be directed to celyons@bizjournals.com. Vew the announcement at bizjournals.com/washington/nomination/88089/2024/2024-women-who-mean-business#/

The 2024 Fortune 1000

Fortune Magazine has released the list of the 2024 Fortune 1000 leaders. Among them are 39 companies headquartered in Virginia, 24 of which are on the Fortune 500 list. Falls Church-based Northrop Grumman was ranked at 109.

Local Restaurant Review

Northern Virginia Magazine published a review of Chay Restaurant this week. Food critic Alice Levitt remarked that the “vegan spin takes the already feather-light fare into the stratosphere,” and that Chay is a very healthy restaurant The large menu includes clay pot fish and spicy bun bo Hue soup. Chay is located in Falls Church on Columbia Pike.

 Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.

FCNP Seeking Summer Interns!

FCNP is now accepting applications for students and young adults seeking experience in web design journalism, graphic design, or digital marketing! For more information, send an introductory email to ngatz@fcnp.com along with portfolio links and expected dates of availability.

F.C. Crime

Continued from Page 8

arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Reckless Driving, E Broad St, May 30, 8:58 AM, a male, 20, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Reckless Driving. Public Intoxication, S Washington St, May 30, 10:26 AM, a male, 63, of no fixed address, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

Animal Cruelty, W Broad St, May 30, 12:05 PM, a report of animal cruelty was taken.

Sexual Assault/Public Intoxication, Wilson Blvd, May 30, 1:37 PM, officers responded to a reported intoxicated subject grabbing a victim’s buttocks. A male, 33, of Arlington, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

Trespassing, Hillwood Ave, May 31, 2:54 PM, a male, 61, of no fixed address, was arrested for Trespassing.

No Valid Operator’s License, E Broad St, May 31, 6:15 PM, a female, 31, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

No Valid Operator’s License, S Washington St, May 31, 11:13 PM, a male, 38, of Fairfax County, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Simple Assault, W Broad St, June 1, 12:36 PM, victim reported they were assaulted by a known suspect.

Shoplifting, Wilson Blvd, June 1, 8:40 PM, an unknown suspect took merchandise without paying. The suspect is described as white male, possibly Hispanic, approximately 25-30 years of age, approximately 5’8” in height, weighing about 150-160 pounds, with a goatee/small beard and long black hair, wearing a white short-sleeve t-shirt, dark colored pants, dark colored shoes, and a dark colored hat. Robbery, S Washington St, June 1, 9:14 PM, victim reported an unknown suspect entered the business and demanded money from the register while threatening violence; the suspect, described as an adult black male wearing a mask, black hooded sweatshirt, and gloves, fled after obtaining the money.

Other Jurisdiction Warrant Service, Wilson Blvd, June 2, 2:33 PM, a male, 34, of Fairfax County, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for another jurisdiction.

Larceny from Building/Credit Card Fraud, W Broad St, June 2, between 10:25 AM and 11 AM, an unknown suspect took the victim’s credit card after it was accidentally left behind on the counter. The unknown suspect then made multiple fraudulent charges using the victim’s credit card.

(Photo:

FCKLL Wraps Up Season with Spectacular Closing Day

by Erika Toman

The dust has settled on the 76th Little League season in Falls Church, and what a season it has been! As the sun set on June 1, championship games for levels A through Majors, we bid farewell to another cohort of talented 12-year-old players while celebrating the achievements of teams, coaches, and individuals who have made this season truly memorable. This year, the FCKLL family boasted an impressive 40 teams, comprising a total of 452 players who showcased their skills, sportsmanship, and passion for the game on fields across our community. Behind the scenes, hundreds of dedicated volunteers poured their time and effort into making each game day a success, while enthusiastic fans cheered on from the bleachers.

At the heart of our Closing Day festivities were the championship games, where the culmination of months of hard work and dedication was on full display. Congratulations to our deserving tournament champions: Level A: Hot Vaders, led by coach Nick Herrick, sponsored by Falls City Threads; Level AA: The Vipers, coached by Anthony Shetter and sponsored by Load Side Electric; Level AAA: The Marshmallows, coached by Rob Fay and spon -

sored by Anthony Wilder Design/Build; Majors: We Show Speed, coached by David Izawa and sponsored by Beyer Volvo.

Amidst the excitement of the championship games, we took a moment to honor individuals who exemplify the values of our league. The Richard Marsh Award, named in memory of a beloved member of our community, recognizes a level AA player who not only excels on the field but also embodies sportsmanship and integrity.

This year, Brendan Kirchgraber was a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

The Bill Rose Sportsmanship Award celebrates players who demonstrate love for the game, along with qualities such as attitude, effort, leadership, and dedication. Congratulations to Harry Keel (AAA) and JP Newton (Majors) for their outstanding contributions to their teams and the league as a whole.

Additionally, the Brandon Milhorn Award recognized James Owen for his hard work, leadership, and hustle, reflecting the spirit and dedication that defines our league.

Our coaching community also received well-deserved recognition, with awards for Double-Goal Coaches of the Year and Managers of the Year at each level. These coaches not only teach the game of baseball

but also impart invaluable life lessons and earn the admiration of their peers and play

ers alike. The coaches awarded were Amanda Springmann (Challengers), Ryan Monaghan and Casie Disantis (Tee Rookies), Michael Schulman and Jeff Williamson (Tee Sluggers), Nick Herrick and Joel Buckman (A), Lauren Hoeck and Anthony Shetter (AA),

Mike Sawyer and Chris Talbert (AAA), and Anthony Verdi and Adam Alderson (Majors).

As we bid farewell to the regular season, many of our families will celebrate together at a MLB game at Nats Park this Sunday, thanks to the generosity of our partners at the Washington Nationals. Next, our attention turns to the upcoming All-Star season. Teams are

already hard at work preparing for tournament play, and we invite all fans to join us in supporting our All-Star players as they represent the Falls Church community. For game times and more information, visit fckll.org, and be sure to mark your calendars to cheer on our All-Star teams as they aim for victory. Registration for the Fall Season opens in early July!

Girls Lacrosse Last MHS Team Standing In State Semis

by Ryan McCafferty

Summer is right on the horizon and the school year is winding to a close, meaning that it will soon be a wrap on spring sports season at Meridian High School. It was another strong campaign for the Mustangs, and one of their teams – girls’ lacrosse – still has unfinished business to take care of. By beating Dominion 18-11 last Friday in the opening round of the State Tournament, they will advance for a third matchup of the year against Western Albemarle this Wednesday for a chance to make the State Finals. They’ve fallen in both previous games against that opponent (their only two losses), but perhaps the third time could be the charm. Elsewhere, it’s a wrap for the Mustangs, but several of Meridian’s other programs still

had seasons highly worthy of praise. Boys’ lacrosse got to the State level as well but fell to Loudoun County 11-5 in the quarterfinals, concluding their campaign with a final record of 14-5. Boys’ tennis experienced a wonderful season capped off by winning its Regional Championship, but it came to an end with a 5-3 home loss to Lafayette in States last Friday.

Baseball concluded its season just short of a trip to the State Tournament, falling 8-1 at Brentsville on the road last Wednesday to finish with a 14-10 overall record, while their softball counterparts fell 3-0 to Fauquier in the opening regional round to finish at 7-13. Both soccer teams also saw their campaigns end during Regionals, with the boys losing 2-1 to Manassas Park on

May 22nd while the girls lost to Fauquier on the same night by the same score. The girls fin -

ished with a record of 10-6-1 on the season while the boys went 9-9 in a rebuilding year after

losing many of the key contributors from last year’s State Championship-winning squad.

TWO LOCAL TEAMS, the Clouds (pictured) and We Show Speed, won their round 1 games in the Little League Playoffs last week, with round 2 games scheduled this week (Photo: Whitney Owen)

MUSTANGS GIRLS LACROSSE Crush Dominion in State Quarterfinals. (Photo: Bill Gale)

Beyer Volvo Cars of Falls Church