Falls Church News-Press Sept 18th

In an e-mail to members of the Falls Church City Council last week, City Manager Wyatt Shields reported that the anticipated budget shortfall for the current fiscal year is close to $800,000, double what he expected as recently as two weeks ago.

The decline in revenues from real estate values and sales taxes, even if not as severe as outlying areas in the region, is identified as the cause.

Shields told the Council at a work session Monday that he will provide more solid numbers and a game plan for cutting costs in the next months. Fairfax County is already engaged in a similar process, but with much higher stakes.

According to Fairfax County Supervisors Chair Gerry Connolly, in comments to the News-Press yesterday, a total of $350 million in budget cuts is coming in the county, and “no entity in the county is immune,” including the schools.

In the City of Falls Church,

$800,000 is percent of the annual budget of $76 million, but finding where to make the cuts will not be easy. Shields said that he convened a meeting of all City department heads last Friday to urge them all to find savings.

“I am not calling for mandatory cuts yet,” he told the Council. “I am hoping we can come back and work together, evaluate the level of service provided, and agree on where we can save.”

Democratic Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, in exclusive comments to the NewsPress in Tysons Corner yesterday morning, said that the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, sell off of Merrill Lynch, near failure of AIG and the attendant stock market nosedive has triggered what he called a “reset” of the presidential campaign.

The reaction to the crisis by the presidential candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, echoed in comments they made the last three days, have fundamentally redefined the race, he said. Kaine was appearing at a fundraiser for Democratic Congressional candidate Gerry Connolly.

A staunch supporter of Obama, Kaine said McCain’s comments Monday that “the economy is fundamentally sound” reminded him of the kind of things that President Herbert Hoover said when the Great Depression began to set in.

But Kaine conceded that the presidential race in Virginia remains a “dead heat” at present, a view also shared by a prominent Republican, retiring U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, in comments he made to a joint meeting of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and Merrifield Business Association Tuesday in Falls Church.

Connolly, current chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is seeking the Virginia 11th Congressional District seat being vacated by Davis’ decision to not seek an eighth term as the representative

Continued on Page 4

Continued on Page 5

Page 2

September 18 - 24, 2008



It is a generally overlooked fact, obfuscated perhaps by all the attention being given to the upcoming election and the global, national and regional economic struggles, that the Washington, D.C., region is poised to undergo a massive turnover in population over the next few months. Namely, the principal “industry” of the D.C. Metro region is the federal government, and the November election is guaranteed to produce one of the biggest influxes of new government employees in recent history. No matter who wins, there will be a new White House administration, and there are record numbers of guaranteed new faces filling House and Senate offices. All the new elected officials will bring new staffs, of greater or lesser numbers, and the executive branch will be filled with thousands of new folks using the infamous, three-inch thick “Plum Book” to apply for new government jobs early next year.

For those looking to gain an advantage in this context, the time is now to begin capitalizing on the mammoth coming turnover. All who get out in front marketing their products, including all the things these new people will need, such as housing, banking, health care and related tools, and good schools for the kids, will enjoy the greatest success.

Last week, the City of Falls Church got a wake-up call from its Chamber of Commerce, which went on record challenging City Hall to come up with an action plan, and financing, for a robust marketing effort. Put in the context of the record turnover in personnel coming to the region forthwith, the initiative might be too late to propel an effective response from the City in time. It would be very refreshing, though, if some bureaucratic red tape was stripped away to bring the City into swift action on this one. You lose a lot when you finish sewing up your fishing nets after the greatest tuna stampede of the century has already roared by. It’s not that there isn’t enough time, it’s just that there isn’t enough by the usual bureaucratic standards.

But for individual home builders, realtors, retailers and service providers who wish to act in time, we are happy to remind all that the Falls Church News-Press provides a unique marketing opportunity available nowhere else in the entire Northern Virginia region.

That is our highly-popular “E-Issue,” that is embedded in our web site, which allows viewers to read the News-Press exactly as its actual print edition appears, with page-turning, zoom in and print elements. This new feature is already drawing close to 10,000 “hits” per week, and it means for our advertisers that every display ad in the paper can be viewed exactly as it looks, and is positioned, in the print edition of the News-Press. Already, they can be assured that thousands of prospective new residents of the region are checking it out, hoping to secure the best locations and services in advance of the election. The time is now to either start, or to step up, advertising in the News-Press.

Editor, As a citizen of Falls Church City since 1995, I feel compelled to respond to the numerous letters specific to special education services. I have many years of experience in the field of special education as a teacher, supervisor, program administrator, statewide consultant, teacher trainer, author and adjunct professor in Connecticut as well as in Virginia. Also, my children do not receive special education services. I have nothing to gain or lose by writing this letter.

Providing quality special education services is riddled with challenges. State reim-

bursement to local schools is woefully inadequate: the number of children meeting criteria for services is much higher. This means schools may have to use local funding. Another challenge is that Special Education Directors are deemed most successful when they spend the least money. Top administrators need to take a hard look at how they condone or even encourage the current lack of services.

Over the past decade (during the tenure of the current and previous Special Education Directors) I have received numerous phone calls from frustrated parents seeking advice on

how to secure special education services for their child. Not one of these calls was frivolous. The children had obvious, identifiable delays or disabilities that I knew met criteria for services.

Yet services had been denied.

As someone who has chaired numerous Planning and Placement meetings, I have a strategy that addresses this problem. Ask each parent these three questions about their child’s education: 1) what is going well and how can we expand upon this success? 2) what is not going well and why?

3) how can we help?

No educational planning should occur without this discussion. Sometimes this leads to quick and creative fixes, sometimes not. These questions recognize the importance of the parental role, and parents get to be heard. The director/chair of the meeting can also provide clarity on what the school

can and can not provide. Parent information can be used to design teacher training and provide a much needed resource.

Falls Church City has a small and affluent school system. We should be leaders, not followers.

Rebecca Weissman Falls Church

Editor, Our citizens should be aware of several current issues on local budget, infrastructure funding and security.

Recent news regarding the City’s financial situation should alert us all to the need to lower More Letters on Page 6

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 3

DRAMATIC PRICE REDUCTION

$3.00 OFF

on this exceptionally well maintained rambler on a gorgeous large lot in a top location in the Broadmont area of Falls Church City! Its special features include a fabulous sun-drenched family room addition with walls of windows, a vault ceiling and skylights; an updated eat-in-kitchen, a huge light and bright recreation room, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and an exquisitely landscaped quarter acre plus lot. All of this plus walk to East Falls Church Metro! Now offered at $694,000.

$2.00 OFF

Call Rosemary Today for an Appointment to View This Wonderful Home!

(703) 790-1990 (Office) (703) 905-7206 (Direct)

ALL OUTSIDE ONLY WASHES or SIGNATURE WASH

Coupon Must be Presented at Time of Purchase Expires: September 25th 2008

WE DETAIL

E-Mail: rosemary.jones@longandfoster.com Internet: www.RosemarySells.com

703-237-1011

Long & Foster Real Estate

CHOICE WASH SUPER SONIC WASH

www.sonicsoftcarwash.com Rosemary Hayes Jones

Associate Broker Life Member NVAR Top Producers Falls Church City Resident

1050 W. Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046

Under the Pedestrian Overpass

Page 4

The “good news,” he added, “is that we are jumping in and doing this early, giving us more room to maneuver.”

Another piece of good news, he added, is that the originallycalculated $355,000 shortfall in the budget year ending June 30 turned out to be a $55,000 surplus, instead.

That budget ended “right on target” for the first time ever in the City, he noted.

The Council also discussed difficulties the Hekemian Company’s already-approved Northgate mixed use project may have in gaining site plan approval from the Planning Commission, given a thumbs down by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to a proposed median to allow left turns onto N. Washington St. out of the project.

VDOT considers N. Washington St. (Rt. 29) part of the national highway system, thus requiring its approval of the plan.

The Council reviewed the Sept. 2 report of the City’s

September 18 - 24, 2008

Economic Development Office that included hard data reflecting the on-going struggles of new mixed-used projects to sell or rent their residential units in the current economy.

According to the report, as of Aug. 5, only 17 of the 195 residential condos at The Spectrum, 444 W. Broad St., were sold, and there we no sales during the month of August. A number of the sold condos are “affordable” units under agreement with the City, and prices for units that went for $490,000 last year are going for $418,000 now.

The Byron in the 500 block of West Broad still has seven unsold units, according to the report, and the lease rate for its last ground floor retail space has dropped from $45 per square foot to $35.

The Pearson Square apartments on S. Maple St. are 58 percent leased (133 units) and 53 percent occupied (122 units) and received a front page showcase in the Aug. 24 Washington Post Apartment Living section.

Signed leases or sales reported for new businesses included

those of Pizzeria Orso and a dental office in the Tax Analysts building adjacent Pearson Square on S. Maple St., of Caregivers in the Spectrum, of Flippin’ Pizza and the U.S. Post Office in the 800 W. Broad Street building now under construction, of Massage Envy to occupy the Hallmark store space in the Falls Plaza center, of Uncle George’s Carryout/Dine In Chicken/Ribs and Burgers at 1079 W. Broad St. in the West End Plaza.

The report indicated a 161room extended stay Hampton Inn and third 190,000 square foot office building are now expected to go onto the BB&T Towers property near Seven Corners, just outside the Falls Church city limits. It added that on another boundary of the City, on N. Washington St. in Arlington, property beside the La Cote D’Or restaurant, originally owned by the Hovnanian company was sold to Hanover Development of Houston, which will build 214 one and two-bedroom rental units there, with ground floor retail. Construction is expected to begin soon.

Nick Earman, 49, a member of the George Mason High School Class of 1977, George Mason High School Athletic Hall of Fame and Master Woodworker and Designer, passed away on Friday, September 12th.

Even though his life tragically ended too soon, his accomplishments will long be remembered. His remarkable talent for becoming proficient at everything he tried astounded his four brothers and five sisters, as well as his friends. He was able to use the lessons of growing up in a large family as a foundation of learning, which was reflected by his ability to put a smile on your face, regardless of the situation.

Starting when he was young, it was clear to all who watched him throw a baseball or shoot a basketball, that his talent was exceptional. Throughout his youth and in High School, his skills and leadership ability provided the school, family and friends with many proud moments which included a long list of team and individual awards, including All-Met Honors in basketball, as well as All-State Honors in baseball. During his induction speech to the George Mason Athletic Hall of Fame, he went out of his way to thank coaches, teammates, his parents, siblings and others who helped him along the way. Nick continued his baseball endeavors in college playing for the George Mason University Patriots in the 1978 and 1979 seasons.

In addition to sports, Nick was an extremely gifted musician who, along with family and friends, composed and sang at his sister, Denise's wedding and his brother, Bing's wedding.

Throughout the years, he played in various bands and performed all over Northern Virginia, including at the 50th Anniversary of the Falls Church City Schools/George Mason High School Reunion at Cherry Hill Park.

Nick received the "Stanley Hammer" award in high school and continued to impress people with his extraordinary skills in custom designed cabinetry. After completing his second year of college, he was selected to attend the exclusive Hans Krieks Master Design School in New York City, under the personal tutorial of German Master Designer Hans Krieks.

Nick will be remembered for what joy and love he gave to each of us. His smile will forever be in our hearts. Beloved Son of Wilson F. Earman, Jr. and Margaret Claire Noto Earman. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie. He also leaves a very large and extended family of nine brothers and sisters, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as countless friends and associates who will miss him dearly.

Family and friends will gather in a celebration of Nick's life from 1-3pm on Saturday at Murphy's Funeral Home.

September 18 - 24, 2008

Continued from Page 1

from that district.

At their separate events this week, however, both Connolly and Davis said that the 11th District, which covers eastern Fairfax County including much of so-called “Greater Falls Church,” will be key in determining how Virginia goes in the presidential race in November.

Davis said in his luncheon remarks Tuesday that polling indicates Obama is not doing as well in that district as either Kaine or U.S. Sen. James Webb did in their narrow electoral victories in 2005 and 2006, when their overwhelming margins there were key to their statewide results.

Connolly also said yesterday that Obama “has to do better in the 11th District” than he is right now.

But Kaine, in his comments to the News-Press, said that there is evidence that polls “tend to under-represent minority and newly-registered voters,” which is where a lot of Obama support is expected to come from in

Page 5

November.

A victory for Obama in November would turn Virginia “blue,” i.e. in favor of a Democrat, in a presidential election for the first time since 1964. Both Obama and McCain consider the state a vital “battleground” for victory in November, along with states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan and Colorado.

While Obama opened over 30 campaign offices in Virginia, including three contiguous to Falls Church in the 11th and 8th congressional districts, McCain has opened offices in Arlington, Virginia Beach and Roanoke, and has scheduled a fundraiser that will feature vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin in Tysons Corner on Oct. 13.

Davis, who is a proverbial “lame duck” and will leave office on Jan. 1 to return to the private sector for the first time in 29 years, told the sold-out luncheon audience Tuesday, “It may not look like it in their TV ads, but both presidential candidates are very gifted people.”

“At the end of the day,” he

said, “They are both very, very capable. They come from different generations and backgrounds, with different philosophies of how government works.”

Davis, who spent years as a Fairfax Supervisor representing the Mason District and as chair of the Fairfax Board before his election to Congress in 1994, has not ruled out returning to public service at some future point.

He said the presidential candidates “are going to earn it by themselves in the last mile” in the upcoming debates. “It’s not hard to blow it in debates,” he quipped, noting that he, himself, has said “a lot of stupid things” over the years, but that was before the Internet, and therefore did not get a lot of exposure.

Both he, and Connolly yesterday, noted that Gov. Palin’s Alaska has roughly half the population of Fairfax County.

But Davis said about McCain’s choice of Palin, “He did what he had to do. He needed some spice, just as Obama selected

VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TIM KAINE (left) appeared at a fundraiser for Democratic congressional candidate and Fairfax County Board of Supervisor chair Gerry Connolly (right) in Tysons Corner on Wednesday. (Photo: News-Press) Sen. Joe Biden because he needed someone with foreign policy experience.”

Connolly’s opponent in the run for the 11th District seat, Keith Fimian, attended the Tuesday luncheon when Davis spoke, but did not sit with Davis and made only brief remarks when all attendees were invited to stand and introduce them-

selves.

Kaine, who was on Obama’s short list as a vice presidential choice, said he expects to make a lot more appearances on national television between now and Election Day to speak in support of Obama. He’s already made a number of live appearances on “Meet the Press,” and other Sunday morning news shows.

Page 6

September 18 - 24, 2008

Continued from Page 2

expectations for future funding and look again at expenses. The first item is the fact that there is less than $100,000 in carry over from FY 2008, the last fiscal year, when in prior years the carry-over had been as much as a $ 1 million or more, according to the City Manager. The second item of concern is that current projections indicate that we

will have $800,000 less in FY 2009 than had been anticipated, requiring budget cuts in the current fiscal year. That is the equivalent of more than 2 cents on the tax rate. In addition, real estate values may not have bottomed out, as indicated by data just provided by the Economic Development Authority, including that some condos are now selling for 20% less than originally priced. In combination with general negative financial conditions and the budget shortfalls at the state level, this local data strongly suggests we need to diversify our tax base away from reliance on residential real

estate, as represented by the new “mixed use� development projects which are overwhelmingly residential, and curtail significant new funding.

Meanwhile, basic infrastructure continues to suffer, witness the Virginia legislature’s and the US Government’s failure to adequately fund transportation.

Local governments in Northern Virginia already heavily contribute to funding roads and transit systems and we may be called on to do more.

Finally, on security, the region is better prepared and coordinated. But gaps still remain, one of which hope-

Switch to PNC and get a $150 Gas Card.

fully will be filled by the creation of a regional transportation coordinating entity, called MATOC. The City recently well utilized, in connection with Hurricane Hannah, emergency management equipment acquired through regional programs. However, few citizens have signed up to the City’s text alert system which will deliver to them potentially life saving information in case of natural or man-made disasters, alert. fallschurchva.gov. All citizens should all sign up for this emergency text alert service and can easily do so through the City’s website.

Dave Snyder, Member Falls Church City Council

*

Simply bring this ad to the PNC Falls Church Branch between September 1st & September 30th and open a new PNC Checking Account with qualifying direct deposit to receive your $150 Gas Card.* LIMITeD TIMe oFFer!

150

$

Gas Card

Available only at the

PNC Falls Church Branch 402 West Broad Street

Great Hours

Falls Church

Lobby: C#< /#, Â&#x161; Sat 9-4 Drive-Thru: C#< /#- Â&#x161; IWj /#*

Call: 703-237-3579

*Actual prize $150 ExxonMobilŽ gift card. Open a new PNC Bank Checking Account with qualifying direct deposit by 9/30/08. First direct deposit must be credited to your PNC Bank Checking Account by 11/15/08 in order to receive the $150 ExxonMobilŽ gift card. A qualifying direct deposit is defined as a direct deposit of a paycheck, pension, Social Security or other regular monthly income electronically deposited into a Free, Performance or Performance Select Checking Account. The direct deposit must be made by an employer or an outside agency. Transfers from one account to another or deposits made at a branch ATM do not qualify as direct deposits. Offer available to new PNC Bank Checking Account Customers only and is limited to one per household. Offer available for a limited time only at the PNC Bank Falls Church Branch. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer and may be modified or withdrawn at any time without prior notice and may vary by market. Š2008 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, Member FDIC [9180] ExxonMobilŽ is a registered trademark and is not a participant or sponsor of this promotion.

The Washington Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism

Our 31st Year

Binyamin Biber, Rabbi Teen and Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Events

Cedar Lane, U.U. Church, Bethesda

Rosh hashanah - Tuesday, September 30

www.machar.org 202.686.1881

Kol nidRe - Wednesday, October 8 Yom KippuR - Thursday, October 9

3UNDAY 3CHOOL CLASSES FORMING s + "AR "AT -ITZVAH s 3UNDAY 3CHOOL BEGINS ON 3EPTEMBER

Get a $150 Gas Card when you open a new PNC Checking Account with qualifying direct deposit.*

(at the Read Building)

moving relevant nontheistic

September 18 - 24, 2008

Palin Due at Pricey Tysons Corner Fundraiser Oct. 13 Republican Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin will appear at a pricey fundraiser in support of the McCain-Palin ticket on Monday, Oct. 13, at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, it was announced yesterday. A VIP reception with a photo op will go for $10,000, and a private dinner for $25,000. The general reception will go for $1,500 a person, or $2,500 per couple. In addition, a form included in a mailer to top supporters advertising the event this week urges contributions to the McCain-Palin campaign of up to $135,000 per household, which, it explains, would be split up as follows: $57,000 to the Republican National Committee, $74,000 to Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania state party organizations, and $4,600 the McCain-Palin Compliance Fund.

The Winner: Ireland’s Four Provinces Four celebrity judges proclaimed Ireland’s Four Provinces the “winner” of the annual Taste of Falls Church last Saturday. The Irish-themed restaurant, located at the intersection of Rt. 29 and Rt. 7, with proprietor Colm Dillon on hand, won by offering generous samples of lamb chops, seafood stew and shepherd’s pie. Second place went to the Asian fusion-themed Hoang’s, located in The Broadway in the 500 block of W. Broad, for its surf and turf salad, spring rolls and sushi, and third place went to the Bolivian-themed La Caraquena in the 300 block of W. Broad, for its fajita-like tortillas with rice, bean, beef and pork options and peanut soup. Despite being a vegetarian, Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner, one of the judges, gave top billing to the Ireland’s 4P’s for the quality of its seafood stew. Fortunately for the restaurant, her brand of vegetarianism permits consumption of seafood. According to City officials, a total of 6,287 meal tickets were sold, and attendance at the event, which enjoyed mild weather throughout and was run in conjunction with the City’s annual Falls Festival, was estimated at 6,000 to 8,000. In addition to Mayor Gardner, judges were F.C. City Treasurer Cathy Kaye, Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton and Recreation and Parks Board Chair Rob Meeks.

Region’s Top “Celebrity Runner” at F.C. 5K Run The Falls Church Education Foundation announced this week that it has secured the Washington, D.C. region’s premiere “celebrity runner,” even if best known for his lack of success, to greet and have his picture taken with participants in its third annual five kilometer race, and one kilometer fun run, scheduled Sunday, Sept. 28. “Teddy,” one of four “presidential mascots” of the Washington Nationals baseball team, will be on hand at 8 a.m. for the start of the race at the intersection of Park Avenue and Little Falls St. in front of City Hall. “Teddy,” bearing a resemblance to former U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt, has gained national notoriety for his flawless record running a race with fellow mascots, “George,” “Tom” and “Abe,” between the fourth and fifth innings of Nationals home games. In four years, “Teddy” has yet to win a single race, but he promises to bring his enthusiasm and “gamer” attitude to the Falls Church race. His presence is being sponsored by the Falls Church News-Press. Registration is still open, $25 per person or $50 for a family, through the foundation’s web site, www.fcedf.org, or by calling Donna Englander at 703-538-3381. Proceeds go to the foundation’s ongoing effort to provide supplemental support for programs of the Falls Church City Public Schools.

Page 7

It’s Back To School Time For Your Muscles.

This year, instead of working out with the usual

dumbbells, why not try something different?

At Vantage Fitness, we know that the key to helping you get a better workout is to get you in the right mindset. Because the better your mind is prepared for a workout, the better your body is prepared. Before you even pick up a weight, we’ll teach you ways to develop the right attitude and mentality towards how you exercise. We’ll help train your brain, and stimulate it with creative workout ideas. We’ll give you the knowledge you need to get each muscle working better. You’ll be fitter physically. You’ll be fitter mentally.

You’ll be fitter in every way. Give us a call, stop by, or visit us on the web. One way or another, its a start in the right direction. To

get started we’ll even take 50% off our regular Initiation Fee. But hurry. Offer ends 10.19.2008

VANTAGE FITNESS

A Smarter Workout

F.C. Treasurer: City’s Investments Safe & Sound In a statement by City of Falls Church Treasurer Cathy Kaye, requested by the NewsPress this week in light of the deepening global financial instability, she said that due to “conservative and safe fund management, the City’s accounts are safe and secure.” She noted that Virginia law mandates that the City’s investments be kept in very specific and conservative investment vehicles. As a result, she said, 90 percent of the City’s operating investments are placed with the Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP), managed by the Treasurer of Virginia, which invests primarily in obligations to federal treasury bonds.

“Not only was this fund voted the best managed fund in the county,” Kaye noted, “But the return rate is comparable to a private sector investment pool.” The City’s water funds are, she said, “in various accounts managed by BB&T bank and invested in U.S. treasury and agency bonds, in accordance with state code.”

F.C. Council Moves on “Arts District” Initiative The Falls Church City Council, at its work session Monday, resolved to respond to an initiative from three City arts groups, Creative Cauldron, Falls Church Arts and the Tinner Hill Foundation, to designate the City, or part of it, as an “Arts and Cultural District” as permitted by state law. Action to establish a task force to review the idea and make recommendations will come at this Monday’s Council business meeting.

www.vantage-fitness.com 703.241.0565

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 9

Page 10

September 18 - 24, 2008

Philosophical debates arise at the oddest times, and in the heat of this election season, one is now rising in Republican ranks. The narrow question is this: Is Sarah Palin qualified to be vice president? Most conservatives say yes, on the grounds that something that feels so good could not possibly be wrong. But a few commentators, like George Will, Charles Krauthammer, David Frum and Ross Douthat demur, suggesting in different ways that she is unready.

The issue starts with an evaluation of Palin, but does not end there.

This argument also is over what qualities the country needs in a leader and what are the ultimate sources of wisdom. There was a time when conservatives did not argue about this. Conservatism was once a frankly elitist movement. Conservatives stood against radical egalitarianism and the destruction of rigorous standards. They stood up for classical education, hard-earned knowledge, experience and prudence. Wisdom was acquired through immersion in the best that has been thought and said.

But, especially in America, there has always been a separate, populist, strain. For those in this school, book knowledge is suspect but practical knowledge is respected. The city is corrupting and the universities are kindergartens for overeducated fools.

The elitists favor sophistication, but the common-sense folk favor simplicity. The elitists favor deliberation, but the populists favor instinct.

This populist tendency produced the termlimits movement based on the belief that time in government destroys character but contact with grass-roots America gives one grounding in real life. And now it has produced Sarah Palin.

Palin is the ultimate small-town renegade rising from the frontier to do battle with the corrupt establishment. Her followers take pride in the way she has aroused fear, hatred and panic in the minds of the liberal elite. The feminists declare that she’s not a real woman because she doesn’t hew to their rigid categories. People who’ve never been in a Wal-Mart think she is parochial because she has never summered in Tuscany. Look at the condescension and snobbery oozing from elite quarters, her backers say. Look at the endless string of vicious, one-sided attacks in the news media. This is what elites produce. This is why

regular people need to take control.

And there’s a serious argument here. In the current Weekly Standard, Steven Hayward argues that the nation’s founders wanted uncertified citizens to hold the highest offices in the land. They did not believe in a separate class of professional executives. They wanted rough and rooted people like Palin. I would have more sympathy for this view if I hadn’t just lived through the last eight years. For if the Bush administration was anything, it was the anti-establishment attitude put into executive practice. And the problem with this attitude is that, especially in his first term, it made Bush inept at governance. It turns out that governance, the creation and execution of policy, is hard. It requires acquired skills. Most of all, it requires prudence.

What is prudence? It is the ability to grasp the unique pattern of a specific situation. It is the ability to absorb the vast flow of information and still discern the essential current of events — the things that go together and the things that will never go together. It is the ability to engage in complex deliberations and feel which arguments have the most weight.

How is prudence acquired? Through experience.

The prudent leader possesses a repertoire of events, through personal involvement or the study of history, and can apply those models to current circumstances to judge what is important and what is not, who can be persuaded and who can’t, what has worked and what hasn’t. Experienced leaders can certainly blunder if their minds have rigidified (see: Rumsfeld, Donald), but the records of leaders without long experience and prudence is not good. As George Will pointed out, the founders used the word “experience” 91 times in the Federalist Papers. Democracy is not average people selecting average leaders. It is average people with the wisdom to select the best prepared.

Sarah Palin has many virtues. If you wanted someone to destroy a corrupt establishment, she’d be your woman. But the constructive act of governance is another matter. She has not been engaged in national issues, does not have a repertoire of historic patterns and, like President Bush, she seems to compensate for her lack of experience with brashness and excessive decisiveness. The idea that “the people” will take on and destroy “the establishment” is a utopian fantasy that corrupted the left before it corrupted the right.

Surely the response to the current crisis of authority is not to throw away standards of experience and prudence, but to select leaders who have those qualities but not the smug condescension that has so marked the reaction to the Palin nomination in the first place.

WASHINGTON – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has awesome self-confidence. Chosen by fellow Republicans to be Sen. John McCain’s running mate, she told an interviewer: “I’m ready.”

That confidence reflects her naivete about her role that puts her one heartbeat away from the presidency.

In accepting the nomination as veep, she invoked the greatness of President Tr u m a n , based on their small-town origins. But anyone who was around during Truman’s era knows there is a world of difference between Palin and Truman. Take, for example, humility. Truman was vice president for only a short time when on April 12, 1945, he was summoned to the White House and told the stunning news that President Franklin Roosevelt was dead. Truman and FDR were not close and Truman was not deeply familiar with the U.S. military plans for World War II. He also did not know about the atomic bomb.

As the nation’s new leader, Truman wanted a few days to move into the White House. He understood the magnitude of his new job.The morning after being sworn in Truman emerged from his Washington apartment to go to work on his first day as president. He took one look at the three wire service reporters who standing in front of his building.

“Boys,” he said to the familiar faces, “the moon and the stars fell on me. If you ever prayed before, pray for me.” So when Palin says she is “ready,” one thinks of the two U.S. wars underway in Iraq and Afghanistan – and the devastating market crash on Wall Street.

There is no question that Palin has given a big lift to McCain and helped boost his ratings so that he’s now virtually tied with Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee. As a team McCain and Palin are on the same page. Both are pro-guns, and antiabortion. She is literally a rifle-toting mama, against sex education, and has attempted to ban books she considers immoral from her hometown library.

But Palin’s evangelical rigidity on social issues puts her out of step with the modern Continued on Page 42

Will the U.S. financial system collapse today, or maybe over the next few days? I don’t think so – but I’m nowhere near certain. You see, Lehman Brothers, a major investment bank, is apparently about to go under. And nobody knows what will happen next.

To understand the problem, you need to know that the old world of banking, in which institutions housed in big marble buildings accepted deposits and lent the money out to long-term clients, has largely vanished, replaced by what is widely called the “shadow banking system.” Depository banks, the guys in the marble buildings, now play only a minor role in channeling funds from savers to borrowers; most of the business of finance is carried out through complex deals arranged by “nondepository” institutions, institutions like the late lamented Bear, Stearns – and Lehman. The new system was supposed to do a better job of spreading and reducing risk. But in the aftermath of the housing bust and the resulting mortgage crisis, it seems apparent that risk wasn’t so much reduced as hidden: All too many investors had no idea how exposed they were.

And as the unknown unknowns have turned into known unknowns, the system has been experiencing postmodern bank runs. These don’t look like the old-fashioned version: With few exceptions, we’re not talking about mobs of distraught depositors pounding on closed bank doors. Instead, we’re talking about frantic phone calls and mouse clicks, as financial players pull credit lines and try to unwind counterparty risk. But the economic effects – a freezing up of credit, a downward spiral in asset values – are the same as those of the great bank runs of the 1930s.

And here’s the thing: The defenses set up to prevent a return of those bank runs, mainly deposit insurance and access to credit lines with the Federal Reserve, only protect the guys in the marble buildings, who aren’t at the heart of the current crisis. That creates the real possibility that 2008 could be 1931 revisited.

Now, policy makers are aware of the risks -- before he was given responsibility for saving the world, Ben Bernanke was one of our leading experts on the economics of the Great Depression.

So over the past year the Fed and the Treasury have orchestrated a series of ad hoc rescue plans. Special credit lines with unpronounceable acronyms were made available to nondepository institutions. The Fed and the Treasury brokered a deal that protected Bear’s counterparties – those on the other side of its deals – though not its stockholders. And just last week the Treasury seized control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the giant government-sponsored mortgage lenders.

But the consequences of those rescues are making officials nervous. For one thing, they’re taking big risks with taxpayer money. For example, today much of the Fed’s portfolio is tied up in loans backed by dubious collateral. Also, officials are worried that their rescue efforts will encourage even more risky behavior in the future. After all, it’s starting to look as if the rule is heads you win, tails the taxpayers lose.

Which brings us to Lehman, which has suffered large realestate-related losses, and faces a crisis of confidence. Like many financial institutions, Lehman has a huge balance sheet – it owes vast sums, and is owed vast sums in return. Trying to liquidate that balance sheet quickly could lead to panic across the financial system. That’s why government officials and private bankers have spent the weekend huddled at the New York Fed, trying to put together a deal that would save Lehman, or at least let it fail more slowly.

But Henry Paulson, the Treasury secretary, was adamant that he wouldn’t sweeten the deal by putting more public funds on the line. Paulson seems to be betting that the financial system – bolstered, it must be said, by those special credit lines – can handle the shock of a Lehman failure. We’ll find out soon whether he was brave or foolish.

Even leaving aside the obvious need to regulate the shadow banking system – if institutions need to be rescued like banks, they should be regulated like banks – why were we so unprepared for this latest shock? When Bear went under, many people talked about the need for a mechanism for “orderly liquidation” of failing investment banks. Well, that was six months ago. Where’s the mechanism? And so here we are, with Paulson apparently feeling that playing Russian roulette with the U.S. financial system was his best option. Yikes.

September 18 - 24, 2008

It’s becoming unclear which will bring the McCain candidacy down faster or harder: the economy or Sarah Palin.

Many of us predicted long ago that by this fall, the economy would catch up to the GOP, which since the 1970s has become synonymous with an Ayn Rand philosophy of wanton free markets and deregulation, factors that are the sole reason we are now teetering on the brink of an unprecedented global financial panic and meltdown.

But Palin’s utter stonewalling of an official investigation into allegations of abuse of power as Alaska’s governor, and yesterday’s revelations about her use of private e-mail accounts to elude legal public access to government process, are, on top of everything else, adding up to a political train wreck, demolishing campaign claims to clean, honest reform.

We are looking at an utter mess, and there is no way that the blame does not fall solely at the feet of the Republican Party, very much including Sen. McCain over many years.

Perhaps even scarier than the imminent unraveling of the global economy that attended the prospect of an AIG failure were the markets’ sharply negative reaction yesterday to the $85 billion U.S. bailout. Was it just throwing good money after bad?

Last spring, the unprecedented government bailout of Bear Stearns was considered the ultimate move to shore up the wobbly banking system. Most wanted to believe it cured most underlying problems, by assuring investors the government was ready to help. Few had any idea that Bear Stearns was only the tip of the iceberg.

No one knows, or at least is saying, where it will go from here, except that Alan Greenspan stressed twice on a Sunday morning talk show last weekend that “we’re in the midst of a once in a century situation.” A master of subtlety, his phrase was likely a code for “potentially worse than the Great Depression.”

Peter Andersen of the Boston-based Congress Asset Management group said on CNBC Monday, “What we are experiencing is the great unwinding and de-leveraging of America.”

A commentator noted, “When you are knowingly leveraging one dollar to create 30, with no paperwork for any of it, it’s going to catch up to you, and all come tumbling down.” By that measure, 29/30ths of the world’s financial paper may go, “Poof!”

Former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Reich, on CNN yesterday, had it right when he said the root of the current crisis is not the sub-prime mortgage mess.

It is the Ayn Rand philosophy of no regulation in government, which the current administration has allowed to run amok. The same philosophy denuded the Food and Drug Administration, such that tainted foreign products began getting into the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration, such that United Airlines and others suddenly had to pull their fleets out of the air to avoid safety problems, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, such that it failed to response adequately to Katrina and other weather crises, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, which looked the other way as what Reich called “more and more exotic financial instruments” of “derivatives on derivatives” created paper values that had no remote connection to actual value.

The emergence of the sub-prime mortgage crisis pricked the bubble. When it hit, some started to ask what the true basis of the value of their paper was. That was when, Reich said, with apologies for mixed metaphors, it became evident suddenly that “the emperor had no clothes.”

So McCain has a long, long record of support for both philosophical and practical deregulation that allowed the preconditions for the current meltdown to swell. So, he now insists that “the fundamentals of the economy remain sound.” On the other side, Barack Obama charges the crisis is “the final verdict on an economic policy that has failed.”

For those whose life savings have not yet been liquidated, Andersen says it’s best now to “stay on the sidelines,” even while some thuggish advisors continue questioning the manhood of people who “don’t have the stomach” for risk. Meanwhile, the only real argument against hiding cash in your mattress is that chance that your house may catch on fire. But there’s far more value going up in smoke in the global marketplace now than might ever happen at home.

Page 11

WASHINGTON – Carly Fiorina, the woman John McCain sent out to defend Sarah Palin and rip anyone who calls her a tabula rasa on foreign policy and the economy, admitted Tuesday that Palin was not capable of running Hewlett-Packard.

That’s pretty damning coming from Fiorina, who also was not capable of running HewlettPackard.

Carly helpfully added that McCain (not to mention Obama and Biden) couldn’t run a major corporation. He couldn’t get his immigration bill passed either, but now he’s promising to eliminate centuries of greed on Wall Street.

McCain is taking Palin to the opening of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday so she can shake hands with some heads of state. You can’t contract foreign policy experience like a rhinovirus. To paraphrase the sniffly Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls,” a poy-son could develop a Cold War. The latest news from Alaska is that the governor keeps a tanning bed in the Juneau mansion. As The Los Angeles Times pointed out, when Palin declared May 2007 as Skin Cancer Awareness Month in Alaska, the press release explained that skin cancer was caused by “the sun and from tanning beds.”

I sauteed myself in Sarahville last week.

I wandered through the Wal-Mart, which seemed almost as large as Wasilla, a town that is a soulless strip mall without sidewalks set beside a soulful mountain and lake.

Wal-Mart has all the doodads that Sarah must need in her career as a sportsman -- Remingtons and “torture tested” riflescopes, game bags for caribou, machines that imitate rabbits and young deer and coyotes to draw your quarry in so you can shoot it, and machines to squish cows into beef jerky.

I talked to a Wal-Mart mom, Betty Necas, 39, wearing sweatpants and tattoos on her wrists.

She said she’s never voted, and was a teenage mom “like Bristol.” She likes Sarah because she’s “down home” but said Obama “gives me the creeps. Nothing to do with the fact that he’s black.

He just seems snotty, and he looks weaselly.”

Ten Obama supporters in Wasilla braved taunts and drizzle to stand on a corner between McDonald’s and Pizza Hut. They complained that Sarah runs government like a vengeful fiefdom and held up signs. A guy with a bullhorn yelled out of a passing red car: “Go back to the city, you liberal communists!”

At gatherings in The Last Frontier, pastors

pray for reporters, drilling evokes cheers and Todd Palin is hailed as a guy who likes to burn fossil fuels.

I had many “Sarahs,” as her favorite skinny white mocha is now called, at the Mocha Moose.

“I’ve seen her at 4 a.m. with no makeup,” said manager Karena Forster, “and she’s just as beautiful.”

I stopped by Sarah’s old Pentecostal church, the Wasilla Assembly of God, and perused some books: “The Bait of Satan,” “Deliverance from PMS,” and “Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry: Why Women Lose When They Give In.” (Author Lisa Bevere advises: “Run to the arms of your prince and enter your dream.”)

In Anchorage Saturday, I went by a conference conducted by James Dobson’s Focus on the Family and supported by Sarah’s current church, the Wasilla Bible Church, about how to help gays and lesbians “journey out” of samesex attraction.

(As The Times reported recently, in 1995, Palin, then a city councilwoman, told colleagues she had seen “Daddy’s Roommate” on the shelf of the library and did not approve. The Wasilla Assembly of God tried to ban “Pastor, I Am Gay”

by Howard Bess, a liberal Christian preacher in nearby Palmer.)

Anne Heche’s mother, Nancy, talked about her distress when her daughter told her she was involved with Ellen. Jeff Johnston told me he had “a struggle” with homosexuality “for a season,” but is now “happily married with three boys.”

(Books for sale there included “Mommy, Why Are They Holding Hands?” and “You Don’t Have to Be Gay.”) I covered a boisterous women against Palin rally in Anchorage, where women toted placards such as “Fess up about troopergate,” “Keep your vows off my body,” “Barbies for war!” “Sarah, please don’t put me on your enemies list,” and “McCain and Palin = McPain.”

A local conservative radio personality, Eddie Burke, who had lambasted the organizers as “a bunch of socialist, baby-killing maggots,” was on hand with a sign reading “Alaska is not Frisco.”

“We are one Supreme Court justice away from overturning Roe v. Wade,” he excitedly told me.

R.D. Levno, a retired school principal, flew in from Fairbanks. “She’s a child, inexperienced and simplistic,” she said of Sarah. “It’s taking us back to junior high school. She’s one of the popular girls, but one of the mean girls. She is seductive.

Page 12

Until now, I have always thought there was a place for the Log Cabin Republicans within the GLBT movement. There was a need for a group that could advocate from inside the belly of the beast and do the dirty work that few intellectually honest people wanted to do.

The logic behind this organization was that it made more sense to fight for the soul of the Republican Party than run away and support the Democrats – which members of this organization have traditionally disagreed with on fiscal and national security matters.

However, the rationale for this organization has significantly eroded, as the GOP has shown itself to be corrupt, inept and incapable of good governance. It has become the party of cronyism, debt and diabolical deceit, while securing its power by enthusiastically pandering to its anti-gay base.

With the stock market plummeting, the real estate bubble bursting, the deficit exploding and gas prices breaking new records – largely thanks to Republican deregulation of markets and failure to explore alternative energy sources - the myth of Republican economic responsibility has been fatally punctured.

Log Cabin Republicans also justify their party choice on grounds of national security. But, in eight years of mostly Republican rule, America has grown weaker. Our military is stretched thin, we are still bogged down in the bloody money pit of Iraq, Russia is resurgent, and Osama remains free in the same lawless Pakistani border where Al-Qaeda is plotting.

Based on this abominable record, gay Republicans can no longer say that their party’s performance on other matters overrides its unyielding opposition to GLBT equality. Between the sullying of America’s reputation abroad and the divisiveness on social issues at home, there is no reason that securing GLBT rights should not be the primary focus of Log Cabin Republicans.

The final logic for Log Cabin was that it could create “Big Tent” Republicanism by nurturing friendly Republicans who could transform the party. Unfortunately, this election cycle shows that instead of changing the GOP, it is the “supportive” politicians who reinvent themselves to appeal to social conservatives.

Instead of standing on principle, ambitious Log Cabin favorites – such as Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani – made crass conversions and bowed to anti-gay zealots that an earlier incarnation of John McCain called “agents of intolerance.” We even had a sophisticated actor, Fred Thompson, who surely must socialize with gay people in Hollywood, act like he just fell off a turnip truck in overalls.

The truth is, Republican politicians who are pro-gay have no future in the GOP. If they did, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld would have been a rising star. The most famous moderate – Arnold Schwarzenegger – has his presidential ambitions chastened by the U.S. Constitution, thus allowing him a degree of autonomy. However, those who want to be president will pander to the preachers.

The Log Cabin experiment to remake the GOP has faltered and they should consider closing shop. At times, it has been a noble project, particularly under the principled leadership of Patrick Guerriero, who refused to endorse Bush in 2004 after the president pushed for the Federal Marriage Amendment.

It is obvious, however, that this organization has outlived its usefulness and has been soundly defeated by much larger, wealthier and influential anti-gay forces. The party is now rotten to the core and thrives on homophobic bigotry, anti-immigrant sentiment, smallminded populism and foolishly mocking our foreign allies at the expense of our long-term national security (remember freedom fries?).

Exactly where does a gay Republican fit into this intolerant scenario?

Log Cabin’s tragic endorsement of John McCain exhibits an obdurate denial of his anti-gay record and a stubborn unwillingness to admit that their one-time hero is now hopeless. McCain’s VP choice, Sarah Palin, a favorite of the fundamentalist fringe, should have lead to a reevaluation, if not reversal of their endorsement. Like Palin, they didn’t blink, and are shamefully in cahoots with destructive forces that would deny GLBT people the most basic rights.

The only chance for gay Republicans to be legitimate players in the GOP is to have the party suffer a string of crushing losses. The defeats have to be so painful and substantial, that they lead to realignment, where the role of social conservatives is significantly diminished. Clearly, the Log Cabin Republicans can only save their party by helping to defeat it.

Both parties agree that this is the election of “change.” Log Cabin can take the lead by changing its endorsement of McCain before they further harm the gay and lesbian community. Their suicidal tendency to help a party that despises them is the pink elephant in the room that needs to be discussed.

September 18 - 24, 2008

Drill baby drill has become a common catcall at political events this election season. But according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), opening up the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions to oil and gas exploration “would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030.”

Twenty-two years is a long time to wait for relief at the pump.

Moreover, since oil prices are determined on the international market, “any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant” according to the EIA. In all likelihood, those few pennies in future savings will never be realized since world demand and OPEC have a much greater impact on world oil supplies and prices than any new supply the U.S. could bring into production.

Clearly, approving more leases alone will not solve the United States underlying energy problems. Unless we find ways to use energy more efficiently and develop cleaner alternative sources of energy, opening up our last reserves will gain us nothing except hastening the day we exhaust this limited energy source.

In the House this week, the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 6899) was brought to the floor. It would allow drilling 100 miles offshore in currently restricted areas and gives states the decision wheth-

Virginia’s 8th Congressional District Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives

er to opt-in for drilling between 50 miles and 100 miles off their shores. If enacted, the legislation would open approximately 304.7 million acres of the Outer Continental Shelf to drilling.

I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t thrilled to vote for bill. I did so however, because it was the best deal Democrats could broker and several provisions designed to reduce our dependency on oil were included. Most noteworthy is a provision requiring utility companies to generate at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources of energy by 2020. The measure predates the T. Boone Pickens proposals you may have seen on television but nonetheless is in line with key portions of his proposal.

The bill also provides more

than $18 billion in energy tax credits to businesses and homeowners who purchase energy efficient products. This will help spur commercial ventures to produce more energy from solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal sources. The legislation also strengthens energy efficiency codes for buildings and increases federal support for local transit agencies—major incentives benefitting our region.

It is unclear what direction the Senate and White House will go in the energy debate. The House has now passed a comprehensive energy proposal that they may follow or use as a starting point for negotiations. Time is running out on this session. But the American people are better off with an extended energy debate rather than a rush to open up our nation’s last reserves without extracting concessions from the oil and gas industries that can be used to develop cleaner, renewable sources of energy like wind, solar and geothermal. Sources of energy that won’t threaten to run dry — ever.

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 13

Like many local and state jurisdictions across the nation, Fairfax County is projecting a budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2010, which begins on July 1, 2009. Based on current reduced revenue projections, the deficit for county and school operations is anticipated to be in the $400 million range. The projected deficit must be addressed, and officials are undertaking a process to gain insight from residents and businesses about strategies and potential spending reductions for next year’s budget. The challenge is to find appropriate level of services that are both sustainable and acceptable to the community. Contrary to some recent political ads, Fairfax County is not in a deficit now. State law requires that local budgets be balanced; the county’s FY 2009 budget was, and is, balanced to current revenue streams. It is next year’s budget that presents the greatest challenge in recent memory.

Twenty community dialogue sessions across the county are planned to gather comments from the public throughout the next two months. Each community dialogue will feature presentations by county and school budget staff, followed by facilitated small group discussions. The closest locations for most Mason District residents will be: this Saturday, September 20, from 9:30 a.m. until noon, at the George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale; and Thursday, November 13, at the Woodrow Wilson Library, 6101 Knollwood Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads, from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon, and at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale, that evening, from 7 until 9:30 p.m.

Registration for the dialogue sessions is required. To register, or for information about other dates and sites, visit www.fairfaxcounty. gov/budget, or call 703/324-2391. If you would

Norman Ornstein beat me to it! Last Monday, the intrepid resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute had a column on the op-ed page of the Washington Post entitled Defending ichard “the Insiders: Barton Change in Washington? Not Without Them.”

Ornstein was concerned about the rhetoric of this presidential campaign – and many that have preceded this one – that the winners will ignore Washington “insiders” and purify the government process to bring “change,” however that may be defined.

If that, in fact, is what Obama or McCain plan to do, they are almost certainly doomed to failure.

Many readers of this column probably fall in some way or another in the broad Washington insider category. These are the people who know how the clock ticks, how the machine runs, how to get things done. They include the rich and famous lobbyists, government affairs consultants, high-level officials, former political appointees and elected officials who linger on

R

prefer to submit your comments or suggestions in writing, please complete the Budget Feedback Form online at the above Web address.

One example of the budget challenges faced by worthy programs is the Culmore Support on Suspension (SOS) site that was funded by a now-expired 2-year federal grant. For the period of the grant, the SOS site provided a safe and secure supervised environ-ment for middle and high school students who were suspended from school. A majority of the students who utilized the Culmore SOS site were from the Stuart, Annandale, and Falls Church High School pyramids. Regardless of why they were suspended from school, the program helped students keep abreast of their academic work and stay safe. The Culmore site also worked as an important component of crime prevention, and most of the students came back to complete a successful school year.

A community effort is underway to replace the federal grant funds with private donations so that the program can continue. In fact, the Rotary Club of Bailey’s Crossroads has adopted the Culmore SOS program as a recipient of the proceeds of their annual Mustang drawing.

The restored classic powder blue 1966 Ford Mustang convertible will be awarded at the 29th Annual Mason District Park Festival on Saturday, September 27. Log on to www.bxrotary.org/raffle to purchase your winning ticket. The drawing will be held at approximately 2 p.m.; you need not be present to win. Even if you don’t win the car, the community wins because of your support!

Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov 

in Washington, think-tank intellectuals, and tens of thousands of people who can be roughly defined as the skilled technicians of the governmental process.

They can be found all along the political spectrum, and most of them talk to each other regardless of their politics. They often lunch together at the Palm, or the Caucus Room, or the Capital Grill, or down and dirty at the Tune Inn on Capitol Hill. (If you know where the Tune Inn is – then you are one of us!)

They are the mechanics who know how things run. And most of them (I admit not all) are actually honest and ethical!

For a candidate to say, and mean it, that he/she is going to ignore Washington insiders and bring a totally fresh and new team is to admit that he/she is going to begin failing from the start.

It would be like someone saying that he needed to rebuild his car from the ground up, but refused to hire any mechanics or engineers because “they are part of the problem.”

I have seen that happen many times in my life here in Washington. When Jimmy Carter arrived in town, he and

his staff aggressively stayed away from the insiders, even from those who wholeheartedly agreed with where he was trying to take us. This is one of the reasons that historians rank Carter as one of the more ineffective presidents.

It is the definition of irony that many of these new Carterites are now some of Washington’s consummate insiders.

I remember as a key congressional staffer in a couple of issue areas where my bosses agreed with the president and were trying to get the White House staffers to recognize our support and willingness to help them with the issue. They wouldn’t even have lunch with us – in the House cafeteria, no less! As Ornstein points out, Bill Clinton had the same kind of problem in his first year.

The next president will be facing extremely complex problems in both domestic and foreign policy, which will require carefully built coalitions of skilled people with a wide spectrum of beliefs. This is not a job for amateurs, who may have trouble finding the restrooms on Capitol Hill.

DO YOU NEED A LOAN? IS YOUR CREDIT SCORE LOW? WE CAN HELP YOU 1-866-369-8188 PERSONAL, DEBT 2x2 retail display ad VA PRESSREFINANCE CONSOLIDATION, WE DO IT ALL SO GIVE US A CALL!

J AUCTION HOME

OVER 215 HOMES in VA, MD, & DC Sept. 25th - 27th

Get your next home at the price you set with NO STARTING BIDS. If you’re buying your first home or your 10th this year, today’s housing market and low interest rates make this an ideal time for you to buy!

FOR A FREE AUCTION BROCHURE CALL OPEN HOUSE: Sept 20 & 21.

Call for details.

866-539-9544

LEARN MORE AT VirginiaHouseAuction.com $5000 down in a cashiers check for each property. 5% premium on each sale. All sales subject to seller’s approval.

In Assoc w/ Express Auction Co.VAAF#285

Page 14

September 18 - 24, 2008

Fall Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

AT THE MCCAIN/PALIN RALLY at Van Dyke Park in Fairfax, a young woman registers to vote. (PHOTO: BOB MORRISON, BONNIE BRIAR PRODUCTIONS LLC)

FROM LEFT: Kathryn Fredgren, Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and Nancie Woods cut the ribbon at the opening of The Center Dance Company’s new facility. (PHOTO: NEWS-PRESS)

A reception showcasing Art in the Pages, a first-time public art sculpture initiative taking place throughout Fairfax County and in the City of Fairfax will be held on Saturday, Sept.

20 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Gannett Headquarters (7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean).

Attendees will have an opportunity to bid on statuettes at silent auction, see the unveiling of the large four-foot high book sculpture to travel throughout Fairfax County. Meet local artists, community leaders, Art in the Pages sponsors and representatives of Fairfax County Public Library and Fairfax Library Foundation.

Silent auction proceeds benefit the programs and services of Fairfax County Public Library funded by the Fairfax Library Foundation.

D.C. Benefit for the Levine School of Music The Levine School of Music invites locals to take in the crafts, as it hosts a private evening of art and music at the Washington Craft Show on Friday, Nov. 7 from 7 – 9:30 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C.). The show will offer guests the opportunity to view and purchase a variety of works, from fine jewelry to hand-crafted furniture, from more than 200 of America’s finest artisans – all while enjoying food, wine and music provided

by Levine’s world-class faculty.

Proceeds will support Levine’s scholarship and outreach pro-

grams which provide more than 900 children with free music instruction at a cost to Levine of over $800,000 this past year.

The benefit is sponsored by the Harry and Lea Gudelsky Foundation in memory of Paul Gudelsky.

National Tour of Solar Homes in Falls Church The 18th Annual Tour of Solar Homes and Buildings will take place from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5. The tour will include over 50 homes encompassing an area from Frederick and Baltimore counties in Maryland, the D.C. Metro area, to Northern Virginia.

Visitors will be able to tour the homes and discuss the energy conserving systems with the homeowners. Tickets can be downloaded for free from the website at www.solartour.org.

For more information, call 202502-7347.

New ‘Jill’s House’ Center Holds Opening Ceremony A new center to provide respite, therapeutic programs and related services to children with disabilities broke ground Saturday, Sept. 13, at McLean Bible Church’s Tysons Campus (8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna).

The event begins “Phase One” of the Jill’s House construction effort, which will provide space for short-term respite for up to 30 children, along with areas for therapeutic programming, recreation and other services.

Construction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2010.

Jill’s House, Inc. is a Christian non-profit organization established in 2003 for the purpose of providing non-discriminatory care and support to children with special needs and their families.

McLean AAUW Recycles Books for Scholarships The McLean Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is holding its 39th annual usedbook sale on Sept. 19, 20 and 21 at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean). The will be three rooms of sorted used books: the Treasures Room for books of particular interest and value, the Main room, and the Children’s Room. The proceeds of the sale will go to funding of the AAUW Educational Foundation, the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund and for local scholarships awarded to reentry women students at George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and the School of Professional Studies at Trinity University in Washington, D.C. Arlington Animal Welfare League Gets Four Stars The Animal Welfare League of Arlington received its second consecutive four-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. Only 17 percent of the charities rated have received at least two consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that Animal Welfare League of Arlington consis-

September 18 - 24, 2008

tently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. For more information, call 703-931-9241.

Mental Illness Awareness Week Conference in F.C.

The Ninth Annual Mental Illness Awareness Week Conference will be held Friday, Sept. 26, at the Fairview Park Marriott (3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church) from 9 a.m.

– 3 p.m. The conference theme is, “Mental Illness – Dispelling the Stigma.” Conference activities will include a morning panel discussion and a luncheon featuring speaker Charles Barber, who was educated at Harvard University and Columbia University and worked for 10 years in New York City shelters for homeless persons with mental illness.

The cost of the conference and luncheon is $35 and consumer scholarships are available. Registration information is available by visiting, www. fairfaxcounty.gov. Information is also available by calling 703324-7000, or for those with hearing disabilities, call 703802-3015.

Volunteers Needed for October ESOL Program New volunteer tutors are needed to help area adults learn to speak, understand, read and write English. With many adult students currently on a waiting list to be matched with tutors, the program is eager to train volunteers. English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) tutor training workshops will be held at the James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church) on Oct. 11, 18 and 25 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-237-0866, ext. 111.

Center Dance Company Holds Ribbon Ceremony The Center Dance Company introduced their new dance

Page 15

Blessing of the Animals in Arlington

training facility to the community in a grand opening celebration this Tuesday at 3443 Carlin Springs Road in Falls Church.

Speakers at the event included Penny Gross from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Kathyrn Fredgren, founder of the Center Dance Company and Arlington Center for Dance and Nacie Woods, Artistic Director of the Center Dance Company. For more information, call Jennifer Gradle at 703-533-8488.

Mount Olivet United Methodist Church (1500 N. Glebe Road, Arlington) is hosting a Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. Bring pets, or photos of them, and have them blessed by the Church’s pastors. The church will celebrate the role of animals in our lives as part of God’s beautiful creation. The service will be held outside on the grass between the church and the parking lot at 16th Street. For more information, call 703-527-3934.

Mini Fun Day at Monkey Business Enjoy a day of crafts, face painting, the Children’s Hospital Bear mascot, live entertainment including Mr. Skip, cookies, free play, great raffle items to win from Monkey Business, Argia’s, The Four Provinces, Dr. Hackney’s Parenting Playgroups and more. Get a chance to learn more about the Care for Kids Card. The event will be held on Sept. 24 from 2:30 – 6 p.m. at Monkey Business (442 S. Washington St., Falls Church).

Optional $50 donation to the Children’s National Medical Center will buy donators a Care for Kids Card. Go to careforkidscard@gmail.com to send a required R.S.V.P.

‘Scandalous’ Book Signing in D.C. A lecture and book signing by author Eleanor Herman for her book “Scandalous Diplomatic Relations: Cardinal Mazarin and the Pope’s Mistress” will take place Friday Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at Alliance Française (2142 Wyoming Ave. NW Washington, D.C.). For more information, call 202-2347911, ext. 16.

OLYMPIC HOPEFUL Tom Abbey, left, was the guest of the Falls Church News-Press at a joint luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and Merrifield Business Association Tuesday, where Rep. Tom Davis, right, spoke. Abbey is raising money to fund his Olympic skeleton training in Lake Placid, New York, next month, seeking corporate and individual contributions. Checks to Abbey can be sent to him via Vantage Fitness (where he works) at 402 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046. (Photo: News-Press)

McLean Rotary Program Supports Literacy The Rotary Club of McLean, with the financial support of Provident Bank, has renewed a cooperative partnership to help students from Timber Lane Elementary School learn to read. A check in the amount of $8,000 was presented to Timber Lane Vice Principal Jim Quinn on Sept. 9 at the weekly meeting of the club of McLean.

The program involved volunteer rotarians providing age-appropriate books to more than 150 children in kindergarten and first grade four times during the BOARD MEMBERS and executives of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and Merrifield school year. The children are Business Association gathered around guest speaker Rep. Tom Davis, center following his also able to keep the books per- remarks at a luncheon sponsored by both groups Tuesday at the Italian Café. (Photo: Brenda manently.

Schrier Photography)

unday Open S 1-4pm 00 $624,5

UÊ 7> Ì > Ã ÕÀV

Ì޽à >Ü>À` Ü } i i i Ì>ÀÞ ÃV UÊ Î À { i`À Ã

Drs. Hauptman & Rowhani “Best Dentist” Washingtonian & Checkbook Magazines

U Ó1/Ó >Ì Ã UÊ *À Û>Ìi] - >`Þ >V Þ>À` UÊ iÜ À> Ìi ÌV i UÊ iÜ ,iV , UÊ iÜ 7 ` ÜÃ > ` Ài°

114 W. Greenway Blvd.

, / " -\ À À >` -ÌÀiiÌ\ 7>Ã }Ì -ÌÀiiÌ - ÕÌ É ii } Ü>Þ° , } Ì 7° Àii Ü>Þ Û`°

4/2) -C+)..%9 9OUR 2EALTOR 9 /FFERING 9OU 9 ±2OCK 3TAR 3ERVICE² 2

703.867.8674 Tori@LongandFoster.com ®

www.ToriRocksRealEstate.com

Implants • Cosmetic • TMJ Treatment Family Dentistry No Interest Financing

311 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046

703.241.0666 www.docrondds.com

Page 16

September 18 - 24, 2008

1 CLIENT 1 TRAINER 1 GOAL No Enrollment/Initiation Fees No Monthly Fees EVER

Jos. A. Bank is offering local business leaders and staff members a day of savings on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Shop and receive 50 percent off, plus an additional $50 off all regular price suits, suit separates, sport coats, blazers, outerwear and luggage; 20 percent off, plus $50 off all regular priced dress trousers and 20 percent off, plus $10 off all regular priced dress shirts and sportswear. The Falls Church retail store, which provides on-site tailoring, is located in Loehmans Plaza at 7259 Arlington Blvd. Visit www.josbank.com.

Falls Church’s PNC Bank is sponsoring the City of Falls Church’s Recycling Extravaganza on Sept. 20. Electronics, cell phones, clothing and textiles, bicycles, eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc. will be collected at the property yard on Gordon Road in Falls Church from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Stop by for recycling or for the PNC sponsored raffle. Visit www.pnc.com and www.fallschurchva.gov.

Wheel 2 Work on the W&OD Trail will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sept.

20. The free event will be at the Town of Herndon Square on Elden Street, in front of Old Town Hall. The Herndon Police Department, the Fairfax Department of Transportation, the Herndon Parks and Recreation department and area bike shops will distribute maps, giving commuting cyclists the opportunity to learn their quickest and safest route to work, including presentations on riding safely, proper equipment fitting and routing. Water bottles, helmets and a grand prize bike from The Bike Lane will be given away. Contact Jenny Hofler, jhofler@nvrpa.org, or visit www.nvrpa.org.

START FEE L I N G LIKE YOU AG A I N !

BENEFITS OF THE FITNESS TOGETHER SYSTEM • Private Fully Equipped Training Rooms • Individualized Programs based on your needs • Challenging Progressive Training • Emphasis on Proper Technique

Rob Graveline M. Ed. Exercise Physiologist, Owner Meredith Minix B.S. Exercise Specialist, Owner

• Decreased Risk Of Injury • Increased Motivation

703.289.9909

• Accelerated Results • Accountability

2235 CEDAR LN, STE. 102 VIENNA, VA 22182

• Nutritional Guidance

WWW.F T D U N N LORING.COM falls_church

9/12/08

12:36 PM

Page Pag 1

W E INVITE Y OU T O

AUC TI O N IN NEW Y O RK T HURS I N GE O

BY AP P Doyle Ne Georgeto the appra single ob ASIAN W PA I N T I N PRINTS FURNIT DECOR Please ca at 202 - 3 DoyleDC Chinese Ja Six Dynast Estimate: $ DOYLE N 3256 PR WASHIN DOYLEN

Foxcraft Design Group is hosting a networking mixer for the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 23. Foxcraft is an award-winning design/build firm offering functional, innovative design and quality craftsmanship. The event will include catering by Clare & Don’s Beach Shack and a tour of the old farmhouse at 110 Great Falls St. in Falls Church, which Foxcraft Design Group converted to their office. The event is free for Chamber members and guests. Visit www.foxcraft.com.

The McLean Project for the Arts is hosting the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce members and guests for an Evening at the Gallery on Sept. 24 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the MPA Gallery in the McLean Community Center located at 1234 Ingleside Ave. The event features information about current exhibit and programs, cocktails, appetizers and raffles. Call the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce at 703-356-5424, or e-mail kryan@mcleanchamber.org.

MyNeighborsNetwork.com is celebrating its redesigned website, which serves the D.C. suburban metro area, by offering free one-year subscriptions through the month of September. The website provides local business referrals and community information. To take advantage of this special offer, valued at $65, go to www.myneighborsnetwork.com and click on “Become a Member,” using gift code N111. This offer is for new members only. Call 703-759-2102 or e-mail sharon@myneighborsnetwork.com.

Anthony’s and The Original Pancake House are participating in Restaurants for Recovery benefiting PRS. In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week, eat at Anthony’s in Falls Church on Oct. 8 (all day) and/or at The Original Pancake House on Oct. 9 (from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.), and a portion of the profits will support PRS’ Adult Education Program. PRS provides services to persons with serious mental illness. Restaurants interested in hosting similar fundraisers can contact Tammy De Martino at tdemartino@prsinc.org or at 703-531-6321.

Impulsive, the Falls Church gift shop and gallery owned by Remax Allegiance Realtor Leslie Hutchison, is hosting an art exhibit and sale featuring artist Anne Schwarz, who creates original handmade watercolor greeting/note cards and paper sculptures and collages influenced by local parks and trails. Light fare will be provided at the exhibit from 6 – 8:30 pm, Oct. 3 as part of Falls Church’s FIRSTfriday events. Impulsive is located in The Broadway at 502 W. Broad St. The Falls Church City Economic Development Office, the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center are hosting Falls Church’s second annual Entrepreneur Express from 8:30 a.m. – noon on Nov. 12 at the N. VA Center for anyone interested in starting or growing a small business. The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Go to www.vastartup.org or call 804-371-8131.

Falls Church resident, entrepreneur and baker Kendall Barrett was recently highlighted on washingtonpost.com. To learn more about Barrett and Kendall’s Cakes, her popular and delicious cake baking and design business, view the video footage at www. washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/09/08/GA2008090801953.html.  The Business News & Notes section is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@ fallschurchchamber.org.

September 18 - 24, 2008

Please ride Metro or carpool! Shuttle bus will be provided from East Falls Church station.

Page 17

Page 18

When the Yankees and Orioles play out the final game at Yankee Stadium this Sunday, it will be from a far different script than many had foreseen at the start of the season. In fact, I wonder if anyone in the Yankees organization seriously thought (or was allowed to seriously think) that the final game in the stadium that has seen more World Series than any other would not be played in October.

And yet, barring a comeback that could only be matched by Lazarus, there will be no playoff sendoff for Yankee Stadium.

It seems an undeserving fate for the house that Babe Ruth christened with a home run on its opening day and inaugurated with a World Series in the Fall of 1923.

After all, the Stadium serves as the center of the Steinbrennercoined Yankee Universe, an empire built on World Series pennants. How can the home of legends like Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle and Maris, a home that has so often heard the cacophony of the crowd, go out with little more than a whimper?

Quite simply, the stars that shine at the stadium just don’t shine as brightly as they used to. The team’s plan of placing an All-Star at every position hasn’t brought them a World Series since 2000. So maybe the Stadium’s final days have a lesson left to teach. After all, there’s more in its mortar than monuments to hall of famers.

It’s true that recently Yankee stadium has been synonymous with the Steinbrenner Star System and its cast of highpriced free agents — A-Rod, Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon among them. The field has also featured a class of bluecollared Bombers like Thurman Munson, Bill “Moose” Scowron and Phil Rizzuto, who was once told he was too small to play in the Majors by then-Brooklyn Dodgers Manager Casey Stengel.

Rizzuto then went on to win the 1950 MVP award 15 years later.

These were the personalities that resonated with a New York fan base that didn’t spend its Saturday nights polishing its silver. I don’t know if anyone’s noticed, but 161st and River, the address of Yankee Stadium, isn’t exactly the Upper East Side.

Yes, you’ve seen the celebs like LeBron and Billy Crystal and Rudy Giuliani in the stands, but there is also the famous Freddy Sez. Freddy Sez is actually an 82year-old chap named Freddy Schuman. With a weathered face that has seen more Yankee games in the Stadium than even Mickey Mantle, Schuman circulates through the stands with

September 18 - 24, 2008

a wooden post decorated with an ever-changing — and usually misspelled — inspirational sign and a shamrock-adorned pan he encourages fans to hit with a spoon to “bring the Yanks luck.”

Freddy has been an institution at the stadium since I became a fan of baseball in the mid-1980s. Seldom does he watch the game, he’s more bent on banging his pot and sharing that duty with a host of eager fans, a list that has included former Yankees and George Steinbrenner himself, but more often consists of New York City police officers, doormen, utility workers and a caste of characters that are going to have an awfully hard time affording the increased prices of the new Yankee Stadium.

Next season, seats in the second deck in the infield, seats that now cost $75 per seat per game, are increasing to $350.

Field level seats will rise to $2,500 a pop, meaning that for a season package of four seats, you’ll have to cut a check for $810,000. Bye, bye, blue collar.

Hello, blue blood.

It’s reasonable of course, baseball is a business and some folks out there — some companies rather — will be able to gobble up those tickets en masse.

And the Yanks need to find a way to continue to pump out $20 million per year contracts to their free agents. After all, George’s son, Hank “The Bank” Steinbrenner has already promised big changes for next season.

That means C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez and maybe even Manny Ramirez will be wooed with bookoo Bronx bucks.

Never mind that it was guys like Scott Brosius, Paul O’Neill and Charlie Hayes that brought the team its most recent world titles. And never mind that the price spike is a completely unreasonable way to pay back the similarly unreasonable dedication many middle-class fans have for this team.

So maybe this Yankee Stadium finale isn’t so much of an unfitting ending for a palace draped with more than twice as many American League pennants as any other park. Perhaps instead it is a completely appropriate start to a new era. A new era where talented athletes take solace in their free agent pay days and appear apathetic when they fade from postseason contention, while a similarly blasé crowd of corporate clients follows that fall from the stands.

I wonder what Freddy Sez about that.

The George Mason High School Varsity Football team dropped to 1-2 on Friday night, losing to Stonewall Jackson 1328 at home in a rain-soaked game.

The Mustangs were unable to find any rhythm on offense, slowed by a quick and intelligent Stonewall front seven. The undersized Stonewall linebackers swarmed Mason running backs all night, preventing them from finding any kind of comfort zone. Rather than chipping away at defenses with misdirection and counters, Mason was forced to count on big gains in order to keep their drives alive for much of the night.

“They did a good job forcing us into a lot of long yard situations,” noted Head Coach Tom Horn. “They made us call plays that were appropriate to the down and distance, and we weren’t able to execute a lot of the time.”

Senior running back John Mann accounted for Mason’s two touchdowns on carries of 1 and 31 yards, both coming in the third quarter.

While Mann capped off Mason’s two scoring drives, it was Junior Ben Taylor and Senior Joel Chandler who provided most of the yardage. A 30-yard pass from Taylor to

Chandler early in the third quarter set up Mann’s 31-yard touchdown, and his one-yard plunge followed Taylor’s 55-yard sprint through the heart of the Generals defense with two minutes left in the third. Chandler however, was forced to leave the game late in the quarter with an injury that would not allow him to return. Following Chandler’s departure the offense was only able to generate two more first downs and failed to score again despite finding the end zone twice in the third quarter.

Stonewall did their scoring periodically, finding the end zone in three of the four periods.

“We just got beat,” said Horn.

“Their guys just physically beat the guys we put out there.”

Though undersized, the Generals offensive line was able to open massive holes for their backs with aggressive blocking techniques. Their committed running game showcased a style of play parallel to that of Mason’s, but executed much more efficiently. Stonewall scored all four touchdowns on the ground and were rarely forced into passing situations.

Taylor and Charlie Mann created Mason’s lone turnover on defense. With Stonewall knocking on the door inside the five-yard line, using one hand, Taylor stripped Dawson who had a clear path at the end

zone and Mann fell on the ball, ending the drive. The Mustangs quickly capitalized on the fumble with a flashy 98-yard touchdown drive, one of their few highlights of the evening.

Stonewall kicker Juan Guerrero gave his team an enormous boost in the special teams department, creating some poor field positions for the Mustang offense. Guerrero put one kickoff through the end zone for a touchback, and pinned Mason on their own six-yard line on another. He also connected on all four of his extra points.

Guerrero’s kicks put a lot of pressure on the Mustang offense by placing a long field ahead of them on most drives while the Stonewall offense often faced a short one.

George Mason heads into its bye week 1-2 in non-district games, their lone win coming during week one against J.E.B Stuart High School. Having lost each of their last two games by at least 15 points, several players said they will enjoy the bye week but are also looking forward to Luray to prove they are better than they’ve played the past two games. Horn believes the team has been “physically handled” the past two weeks, and will have to focus on bettering themselves this week in practice before planning for their game in Luray on Sept.

26.

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 19

game against Washington-Lee High School will be at home, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.

The George C. Marshall High School Statesmen suffered a rough loss last Friday, Sept. 12 versus Stone Bridge High School — the same high school recently given the 23rd spot out of the top 100 high school football teams in the United States by the RivalsHigh 100. At halftime, the score sat at 490. Post-game reports credit big scoring to the SB Bulldogs’ passing attack at 5 TD passes in the first half and yet another TD pass to start the second half. A running TD in the fourth closed out the scoring.

Key plays on Marshall’s end came from Arther Kapplow, who racked up 17 rushes for 91 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Markus Foster also carried the ball 17 times, hitting for 66 yards and one touchdown. The Statesmen face off against Langley High School this Friday on Saxon turf.

THE G.C. MARSHALL STATESMEN varsity football players fought a good fight against Stone Bridge High School last Friday, but lost 63-0. (Photo: Karen Newcomb)

Coming off their away-game loss against J.E.B. Stuart, the McLean High School Highlanders took another hit during last Friday’s game against W.T. Woodson High School. The home turf advantage wasn’t enough for McLean, marking their third straight loss for a season record of 0-3. Friday’s

Like McLean, Falls Church High School also suffered their third straight loss of the season during last Friday’s game at home against the South Lakes High School. The Seahawks rushed for 340 yards on that night, led by SLH’s Will Johnson.

Johnson rushed for 255 yards on 19 carries. The Falls Church varsity football team will play at Wakefield High tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.

Rounding out this week’s report of local pigskin upsets is the Raider-Bruin duel, which Stuart lost by more than 40 points. Coming off last week’s win at home against McLean High, the Raiders’s season record now sits at 1-2, with their other loss suffered at George Mason High School, their season opener in August. “In the first half, we showed that we could play with anyone, but like the Mason game, we gave the game away with too many turnovers,” said Head Coach Roy Ferri. Second chances are for tomorrow’s game against the Yorktown Patriots.

— By Natalie Bedell

Madison High Takes Golf Win Versus TJHSST

The girls of Marshall High School’s varsity volleyball team suffered a 3-0 loss in last Thursday’s game against the Cavaliers. Final scores for each match were 9-25, 23-25 and 20-25. The Cavaliers were led by juniors Becky Conway with seven kills, and Claudia Wainer and Megan Poppe, each of whom had three

kills. Rachel Barfield garnered a total of 13 blocks, six of which were stuffed blocks and two of which were assisted stuff blocks. Seniors Jackie Hinton had 20 assists and three aces, while Rachel Reed had four aces and seven digs. Sophomore Jacquie Palaschak had three kills, four aces and 20 digs. The Cavaliers also had several service runs by Jackie Hinton, Rachel Reed, Julia Hoffman, and Jacquie Palaschak.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology lost to district rival James Madison High School of Vienna during a golf match at Pine Crest Golf Course last Monday. At 150-174, low scores from Jefferson were turned in by Ben Choi and Stefan Kowalski. Though this was the fourth straight win for Madison, their lucky streak was broken when they lost 164-139 against Langley High School last Thursday, Sept. 11.

Mustangs Race to Second Place The George Mason High School varsity cross country team participated in a district meet at Rappahannock County High School last Wednesday. Behind first-place winner Clarke County, GMHS boys and girls both placed second overall.

Freshman Natalie Young led the Lady Mustangs and was the race champion finishing with a time of 19:29. Sophomore Mollie Breen was eighth in 20:56.

The next five girls for Mason — Claire Constance, Leah Roth, Michele de Mars, Karen Hamill and Courtney Ready — finished within five seconds of each other.

The boys were led by sophomore Jordan Robarge who placed seventh overall. Other notables were Matt Baker in eighth place, Teddy Rueckert in 12th, Louis Henninger in 16th, Nick Smirniotopolous in 19th, Kassim Rahawi in 21st and Daniel Drawbaugh in 24th.

TJ Cross Country Girls Snag Second Spot

THE TJHSST VARSITY BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY TEAM won first place in the Boys A Division at the Knights Crossing Invitational on Sept. 13 in Salem, Va. From left: Jimmy Wu of Great Falls, Colin Maloney of Fairfax, Alex Witko of Springfield, Timmy Galvin of Burke, Logan Gates of Vienna, Will Manaker of Alexandria and Max Dreo of Vienna. (Photo: Courtesy Victoria Linnell)

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology girls’ cross country season got off to an impressive start last weekend, at their first meet – the Knights Crossing Invitational in Salem, Va. Both Girls Varsity and JV teams earned 2nd place finishes just a few points behind Blacksburg High School in both events. The TJ team was competing against 32 other schools from across Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Page 20

September 18 - 24, 2008

With all the high-flying jumps skaters do on the ice, you would think they’d be totally safe on dry land.

Unfortunately, in mid-July figure skater Tommy Steenberg from Annandale broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot while walking through his program off the ice.

“I had on ballet shoes, so from now on I’m going to wear sneakers because I’ll have a bit more support,” said Steenberg, 19. “It was during a footwork sequence and I just came down funny on a leap and rolled my foot.”

He spent three weeks in an air cast to keep the foot stable.

It not only curtailed his training at Fairfax Ice Arena, it kept him from coaching. To keep up his stamina and endurance, Steenburg did a lot of swimming and strength training.

“My time on the ice has been limited,” Steenberg said.

$10 OFF LQN?D=OA

your of $50 or more! (with this ad)

Got a problem?

Tell us about it. letters@fcnp.com

FIGURE SKATER Tommy Steenberg recently recovered from breaking the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. (Photo: Courtesy Tommy Steenberg)

“When I got back on the ice a month ago, it was three days a week for 30 minutes each. I had to take it gradually, because my foot would swell up after I skated.

Thankfully, his new programs for the 2008-09 season were completed before the

injury. When Steenberg got the all clear that he was completely healed, he switched into high gear in order to compete at the Middle Atlantic Figure Skating Championships in New York last weekend. He finished second in the senior men’s division, and seemed to make a positive impression on the judges. Steenberg’s hoping to get an international assignment to represent the U.S. at the Karl Schaefer Memorial Trophy in Vienna, Austria in October.

He was glad to get his new programs before judges and audiences in New York. All things considered, Steenberg was relatively happy with his short program and a bit disappointed with his free skate, in which he faded toward the end.

“The cardiovascular and endurance of doing a long program for the men is kind of equivalent to running the 1,500 meters,” said coach Christian Conte. “Time off the ice really does set a skater back quite a bit. He’s done a great job and his attitude has been great about coming back, but doing it in practice and then doing it under press are a little different.”

Former Italian ice dancer, Pasquale Camerlengo, who coaches in Detroit, choreographed Steenberg’s new short program. The free skate, set to music from the ballet Don Quixote, was a joint effort between Conte, Steenberg and Russian ballet master Vladimir Djouloukhadze, who is based in Washington, D.C. “He’s done a lot of the detailing in the long program.

I feel it’s been coming along really well,” said Steenberg.

“He didn’t lay out the program, because he’s never done a skating program before, but he was able to contribute quite a bit off ice and on ice.”

Given the short preparation time, Conte said he was pleased with Steenberg’s performances in New York. “I feel he’ll be strong for his international,” Conte said. “The most important thing is his injury is completely healed.”

Conte is also pleased with Steenberg’s artistic progression. “He’s done a lot of off ice dance work in the last two to three years. He really seems to gravitate towards a more classical line and he really likes that style of dance,” Conte noted.

“I laid out the long program with Tommy and Vladimir is filling it in. It’s a really nice team effort.”

Page 22

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 24

September 18 - 24, 2008

Welcome To Falls Church, Va. People in 5 Zip Codes (Greater Falls Church & North Arlington)

Annual Discretionary Spending

3 Competing Major Retail Centers (Source: School of Public Policy, George Mason U.)

(Tysons Corner, Baileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossroads, Ballston Corridor)

Newspaper

(The avidly-read Falls Church News-Press)

With 25,000 targeted deliveries weekly, and a fiercely-loyal readership, the Falls Church News-Press will get it done for you!

For Advertising Rates: 703-532-3267 www.fcnp.com

September 18 - 24, 2008

Hollywood hopefuls of all ages can now prep for the spotlight with the help of actressturned-acting coach Cheryl Felicia Rhoads. Leaving 21 years of Los Angeles’ bright lights behind, Rhoads found herself working around Falls Church about two years ago in order to be closer to family.

“It was hard to be away from my family and it was sort of like, this is a great ride, but I want to try something else. I want to be in a different place,” said Rhoads.

Rhoads’ late father’s family was originally from Virginia, which is perhaps where her fond memories of the Old Dominion state were born, visiting Williamsburg as a kid and once doing an impromptu vocal solo for a crowd of strangers in Washington, D.C. when she, like so many youngsters, found a quick escape route from the watchful eye of her parents.

Even a four-year-old Rhoads knew she was destined to be a performer.

Looking up to the greats like Susan Hayward growing up, Rhoads remembers being a little girl and liking the idea of a woman with a big talent who’s struck by tragedy but only becomes better for it, like Hayward’s character in With a Song in My Heart.

“Her character used her experience to help others and I think that defines my life nowadays — to benefit others to make life bigger than just yourself,” said Rhoads.

And that’s just what Rhoads hopes to do in her acting classes, currently being offered at The Oakwood apartments in Falls Church — pay back some of the help she’s received from her

Page 25

mentors to her own students.

With experience spanning all the way from acting to casting, and even script writing as the only woman writer on NBC’s Motown Revue with Smokey Robinson, Rhoads has shared the stage with Ben Affleck, the cast of Saved by the Bell and Rodney Carrington. Rhoads is best known for her lead role as Mother Goose on The Mother Goose Video Treasury. With so many show biz stories to tell, she often reaches for a stored tale to calm her nerve racked students.

A childhood memory of forgetting her lyrics onstage became the catalyst that spurred the idea for Beverly Sills Cop, a comedy skit Rhoads performed with Arsenio Hall where a coughing opera singer improvises with soul singing. Rhoads now always tells her students not to be afraid to make mistakes.

“I don’t want them to worry about being perfect because they never will be. One of my acting teachers once told me ‘Tonight, you’ll be 500 times better than you were five years ago and five years from tonight, you’ll be 500 times better than you are right now, so relax and just be where you are,’ I tell my students all the time,” said Rhoads.

Her students perform standard monologues until they eventually write and act out their own, thus Rhoads is always emphasizing that they should write the show they want to be in instead of waiting by the phone for casting directors to call.

Rhoads’ mother, who was a child of the Depression, would often encouragingly ask her what else she could do.

“Show business can be such a tough industry. So, when act-

ing wasn’t happening for me, I became an agent, did casting or I was a producer,” said Rhoads.

She credits her array of hats worn with teaching her how to be sympathetic and empathetic to the other ends of the business.

Because of this, she reminds her students that they are there to be of service to the directors, the producers, the writers and whoever else has a higher-up betting on the actor’s performance to be a good one.

While she’s well aware actors and actresses get a reputation for being narcissistic, she’s believes that’s partly because they’re focused too much on themselves and not what they’re delivering. “It’s got to be less about [them] and more about the story [they] are telling,” said Rhoads. She compared an actor to a mug merely holding the sought after latte inside — all while sipping her own cup of Joe, of course.

It’s relatable examples like these that allow Rhoads to be less of an intimidating veteran hailing from the Hollywood Hills, and more of a woman who immediately comes across as an old friend. Rhoads noted that her parents are responsible for her charming ability to tell stories through acting and educate through teaching.

Her father sang her songs as a child while her mother, the factdriven reporter, had a knack for always talking to people on their level without talking down to them.

“It was such a great combination for me growing up and now I get to do both,” Rhoads said about being able to do, or act, the whole time she’s been teaching, challenging the rule of “those who can’t do, teach.”

Rhoads said that since she has settled in Falls Church,

ACTRESS CHERYL FELICIA RHOADS, center, taught aspiring actors and actresses of all ages at The Oakwood in L.A., as seen here, but has since moved her services to Falls Church, Va. Rhoads is best known for her lead role in “The Mother Goose Video Treasury” and her time spent doing comedy at Second City in Chicago, Ill. (PHOTO: COURTESY CHERYL FELICIA RHOADS) she’s found quite a talent hub in the area, claiming that, unlike a metropolis, smaller towns are “where life is being lived.” She went so far as to call a current student of hers in Falls Church easily one of the best actresses she’s ever worked with.

Rhoads believes the entertainment industry itself, paired with such outlets as YouTube, has become a whole new platform, no longer limited to L.A. and New York City.

“It’s a changing animal, from silent movies to the talkies, and now with the advent of the Internet and film festivals, there are not the same gatekeepers as it was when I was a kid,” said Rhoads.

She hopes to open doors

for her students, just as acting mentors opened them for her. After guest starring on The Tracy Ullman Show, Rhoads’ acting coach at the time, Daws Butler, was so impressed that he wanted to call casting directors on her behalf. Grateful for such rare kindness in an often-harsh business, Rhoads asked how she could ever repay him.

“He told me, ‘Help somebody else, that’s how you repay me,’ and I’ve taken that very much to heart. That’s where I’m at now,” said Rhoads.

For more on how Rhoads can help actors get their foot in the door, read about the acting classes she is offering for a whole spectrum of age groups at cherylroads.typepad.com.

Over 10,000 locations worldwide.

(000) 000-0000

(000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address (000)Local 000-0000 Address Local000-0000 Address (000)

Visit Us Online

Local000-0000 Address (000) Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local LocalAddress Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address

Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address

(000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local LocalAddress Address (000) 000-0000

Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address LocalAddress Address Local (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address

Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 703-536-0140 (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address

Local Address

LocalAddress Address Local 240 West Broad Street (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Falls Church, VA 22046 LocalAddress Address Local (000) 000-0000

Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address

www.fcnp.com News•Photos•Online Polls•Sports and More

(000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local LocalAddress Address LocalAddress Address Local Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address

Local Address Local Address Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local LocalAddress Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address Local Address Local Address

(000) 000-0000 Local Address Local Address (000) 000-0000 Local Address Local LocalAddress Address Local Address

curves.com

Curves’ 30-minute total body workout combines strength training and cardio for real results. All with the total support of our trainers to help, teach or just inspire. Over four million women can’t be wrong. *Offer based on first visit enrollment, minimum 12 mo. c.d. program. New members only. Not valid with any other offer.

Valid only at participating locations. ©2008 Curves International

Page 26

September 18 - 24, 2008

f

Page 28

September 18 - 24, 2008

in person, all of the images in the show can be seen at www. edwardjreed.com. Similarly, the images in the Aftermath show can be seen on the Target Gallery web site.

For more information, call 703-683-1780 or visit www. theartleague.org.

“Presence,” Edward J. Reed’s portrait paintings, at The Art League Gallery, also in the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Runs through Oct. 6. Gallery hours are: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 6 p.m. Open late Thursday evenings until 9 p.m.

Reed, a current Art League painting instructor, shows nine of his large-scale portraits in the Art League gallery space.

Originally a Harvard Law graduate who was a practicing litigator, Reed was forced to retire due to debilitating permanent nerve damage in his wrists and hands.

After his wife informed him that he was not going to be a professional couch potato, he signed up for a painting class at the Art League. His painting skills having lain dormant since college, Reed was unsure if he still retained the physical capacity to paint.

Fortunately, he did, and now some six years later he is an accomplished and award-winning portrait painter.

Many portrait painters work from photos these days, and frankly, the finished products tend to show it. They lack the life and presence of the subject, reducing them to a two-dimensional pastiche of the person they intend to portray.

Reed, however, paints subjects not only in the flesh, but actively engaged in relaxed conversation. The result is an amazingly life-like visage that seems

to live somewhere between the two and three-dimensional world. He’s not quite up to Rembrant standards, but he’s getting close to it. The finest examples here are a pair of canvases titled “Pippi Takes a Ride” and “Present Stranger.”

“Pippi” is a Harley-riding woman who’s at once strong, capable, confident, and we dare say not lacking in Tom-boyish allure. While we know the welding goggles around her neck are probably just for riding, we wouldn’t think twice if she picked up an acetylene torch and lit it.

As good as “Pippi” is, “Present Stranger” seems that much better still. Here we find an elderly man regally resting on a park bench under the glow of an overhead street light. Reed masterfully renders the diaphanous skin quality of advancing age. The low viewpoint and his outstretched arms resting on a cane speak to his feeling of power and presence.

Here, however, it’s a power that has gone the way of his youth, leaving only its memory and general aura. Now a portly enfeebled elderly man, alone in the world with no place to go, and nothing to do.

His thousand yard stare off into the distance seems to look on the current state of the world with disdain, while simultaneously waiting and watching for his transportation from this mortal coil. The looming mass of ink black night sky above him gives us the feeling his wait will not be a long one.

If you can’t see the work

Homeless Art Project, at MOCA DC Gallery (1054 31 St. NW, Washington, D.C.).

Runs through Sept. 27. “Third Friday” Reception from 6 – 9 p.m. this Friday evening, Sept.

19.

Mostly art on loan from the National Coalition for the Homeless. Featuring 22 oil portraits of homeless men and women by Tammy deGruchy, and 11 large-scale Linocut prints by Pat Apt. The Linocut prints are excellent, and at 40 by 60 inches, they are rarely seen at this scale.

Done on brown craft paper matted with corrugated cardboard, they exude the cardboard box lifestyle of those just barely managing to survive.

For more information, call 202-342-6230.

“Aftermath – Disasters Happen, Artists React,” at the Target Gallery in the Torpedo Factory (105 N. Union St, Alexandria). Runs through Oct. 12. Gallery hours are: Wednesday – Sunday, noon – 6 p.m., and late on Thursdays until 9 p.m.

“Aftermath” is an open ended view of the artist’s take on disasters, be they “acts of God” or acts of man.

For more information, call 703-838-4565 ext. 4, or visit www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/target_current.htm.  The Northern Virginia Art Beat is compiled by Kevin Mellema. See www.fcnp.com for photos and more. To e-mail submissions, send them to kevinmellema@gmail.com.

MEET AUTHOR T.A. BARRON Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 p.m.

T.A. Barron, the author of many award-winning fantasy novels, will talk about his latest book, Merlin’s Dragon, which is the first installment in a new trilogy. Mr. Barron also is author of the acclaimed Lost Years of Merlin series (5 volumes), the Great Tree of Avalon trilogy, the Adventures of Kate Trilogy (Heartlight, The Ancient One, and The Merlin Effect), Tree Girl, and several picture books. Grades 4-8.

MEET AUTHOR GARY SCHMIDT Thursday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Join us as Newbery-award-winning author Gary Schmidt discusses his three books Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (a Newbery Honor and Printz Honor winner and Virginia Readers’ Choice for 2007), The Wednesday Wars (a Newbery Honor winner) and his newest,Trouble. Grades 5-8.

Book signings will follow.

Please call to register.

Aladdin’s Lamp Children’s Books, Arlington, (703) 241-8281.

2499 N. Harrison St, Suitee 10 Lee-Harrison Shopping Center Lower Level Entrance (Next to H&R Block)

703-241-8281

aladlamp@speakeasy.o y rg Mon.-Sat. 10am - 8pm Sun. 11am - 5pm

$5 OFF

any purchase over $30 w/ this coupon Expires 10/31/08 Not V Valid with any other offer f

TOOLS RENTAL

(703) 531 4700 1103 W. BROAD ST. FALLS CHURCH VA

10% DISCOUNT

FOR ALL YOUR RENTAL NEEDS 2 BLOCKS FROM DON BYER VOLVO RT. 7 Limited 1 Coupon Per Customer

www.eztoolsrental.com

September 18 - 24, 2008

Fairfax Public Schools Hires New Staffer Susan Quinn, a 14-year veteran of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), was named the new assistant superintendent for financial services and chief financial officer Tuesday, Sept. 9. Quinn assumed her new duties on Sept. 8. She replaced Deirdra McLaughlin, who retired from the school system.

Quinn, who is a certified public accountant, most recently served as FCPS acting assistant superintendent for financial services.

A graduate of Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Quinn is a member of the Association of School Business Officials, the Government Finance Officers Association and the Virginia Government Finance Officers Association.

Spring Hill Composts Cafeteria Wastes Students are working to reduce trash by composting their cafeteria waste at Spring Hill Elementary School in Fairfax.

Instead of throwing away all their leftover food, the students now sort their lunch leftovers. Each class fills a small container at the lunch table as the students clean up after lunch. Two students from each class then take the scraps to the compost bin outdoors.

Once the compost has decomposed and is finished, the compost will be used as free fertilizer in the gardens and habitats in the Spring Hill outdoor classrooms.

Spring Hill’s science teacher, Alison Bauer, has been helping the students with their project and has received a great deal of guidance and support from Carol Hunt, a kindergarten teacher at Westlawn Elementary School. Westlawn students have been composting their cafeteria waste for the past two years.

Graham Road Elementary Wins Blue Ribbon Award Graham Road Elementary School has been named a 2008 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Graham Road is one of 10 Virginia schools honored as either academically superior or having demonstrated dramatic gains in student achievement, specifically focusing on the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act. All of the public Blue Ribbon Schools earned awards earlier

Page 29

this year through the Virginia Index of Performance, at which time Graham Road also received the Virginia Board of Education’s VIP Excellence Award. The U.S. Department of Education will honor Virginia’s Blue Ribbon Schools during an awards ceremony in October. Principal Molly Bensinger-Lacy and one teacher will be invited to the ceremony to receive a plaque and a flag signifying their school’s Blue Ribbon status.

Bishop O’Connell Crew Holds Car Wash The Bishop O’Connell High School Crew Team will hold a car wash fund raiser for new oars on Saturday, Sept.

20, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Two Sisters Coffee Co. (255 W. Broad St., Falls Church).

Fairfax County Students Earn Semifinalist Title One hundred and ninety-four Fairfax County Public Schools students have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2009. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, which also serves as the Governor’s Regional School for Northern Virginia, is home to 143 of the semifinalists.

The semifinalists are eligible to compete for 8,200 National Merit Scholarship awards worth $35 million that will be awarded in 2009. For more information and names of the semifinalists, visit www.fcps.com.

J.E.B. Stuart High School Teacher Abroad Social Studies teacher Rebecca Watt, has been selected for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, and is traveling to Ghana. Eric Dzakuma, a teacher from Ghana, will be teaching students at J.E.B. Stuart High School for the 2008-09 School year.

Watt will be keeping a web log of her experience throughout the year. For more information and links to Watt’s blog, visit www.fcps.edu/StuartHS. Congressional Schools of VA to Hold Parent Meeting The Congressional Schools of Virginia Parent Organization is holding a parent meeting today in the Lower Middle Library at 5:30 – 7 p.m. Childcare and refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 703533-9711.

Nun Fun Run to Be Held at St. James Catholic School After a large turn out for the Nun Fun Run held at the St. James Centennial in 2006, the

THE MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM performed at the halftime show of the game vs. the Stone Bridge Bulldogs Friday, Sept. 12; Marshall lost 63-0. (Photo: Dan Rosenstein) run is back. The Nun Fun Run will be held in lot B, at 7:30 a.m. the actual race starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. To take part in the run, one must buy a $12 t-shirt which serves as the runner’s means of entry.

The run is approximately a mile long and proceeds go to benefit Camilla Hall, a retirement home for the order of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which teach at St. James and Bishop O’Connell.

Refreshments are provided after the run. For more information, call St. James High School at 703-533-1182.

Fashion Show Features Marshall Students Macy’s in Tyson’s Corner Mall will be putting on a fashion show Saturday Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m., featuring George C. Marshall High School marketing students from Zivney’s class. Students will be modeling homecoming fashions and casual “Girls-Night-Out” designs.

All are invited to come out and support Marshall High School and “Shop for a Cause,” which supports local non-profit organizations. For more information, call 703-714-5400.

F.C. Schools Celebrate New School Year Hundreds of Falls Church City Public School (FCCPS) employees celebrated a new school year together during a recent staff convocation and recognition program at George Mason High School. The annual first-day gathering gives new and veteran staff members a chance to meet and reconnect after summer vacation and to rededicate themselves to their calling.

Veteran educators were recognized for their years of service, and staff members were treated to video updates on the massive work undertaken by the FCCPS custodial staff in preparing school buildings for a new year, an update on construction of the new building that will house the Central Office, and a feature recognizing the contributions of the city’s public safety personnel.

ELISE TUB BY MTI

Visit our showroom at: 6607 Wilson Boulevard Falls Church, VA., M-F 8am-4pm

Appointments Recommended To Schedule Call

www.noland.com

(703) 241-5000

Page 30

September 18 - 24, 2008

TM

Neil LaBute’s “Lakeview Terrace” is a film about a black cop who makes life hell for an interracial couple that moves in next door. It will inspire strong reactions among its viewers, including outrage. It is intended to. LaBute often creates painful situations that challenge a character’s sense of decency.

This time he does it within the structure of a thriller, but the questions are there all the same.

For example, the neighbor, Abel Turner, is a bitter racist.

He has his reasons, but don’t we all. It is one mark of a sociopath to try to cure his wounds by harming others. The decent person does not visit his obsessions and prejudices upon his neighbor, but is enjoined to love

Abel Turner Samuel L. Jackson Chris Mattson .... Patrick Wilson Lisa Mattson Kerry Washington Javier Villareal .. Jay Hernandez Screen Gems presents a film directed by Neil LaBute. Produced

by James Lassiter and Will Smith.

Written by David Loughery and Howard Korder. Photographed

him as he does himself. Since Turner (Samuel L. Jackson) may hate himself, of course that is a problem.

But take a step back. What if all the races were switched?

If the neighbor were white, the husband next door black, his wife white? Same script. It would be the story of a sociopathic white racist. It might be interesting, but it would have

“THE FINEST UP-CLOSE CIRCUS ”IN AmERICA!”

–V VArieTY VA rieTY TY

View the trailer and exclusive content at www.igor-movie.com

Starts Friday Only in Theaters

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT COUPONS ACCEPTED

CHECK THEATER DIRECTORIES OR CALL FOR SOUND INFORMATION AND SHOWTIMES

MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes - Text IGOR with your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549)

Wash. Sub“Press “ 2x7 ‘‘Lakeview Thur 9/18 Terrace’ grips you and never lets go.”

- Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV Allied DC BG

★ ★ ★ ★!

Prices sTArT AT

$18

ck!

is Ba s u c r i Your c

SEPT 25 – OCT 13 DULLES TOWN CENTER inTersecTion of rouTes 7 & 28

SCREEN GEMS PRESENTS AN OVERBROOK ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION "LAKEVIEW TERRACE" PATRI C K WI L SON KERRY WASHI N GTON AND JAY HERNANDEZ PRODUCERCO- ORIN WOINSKY MUSICBY MYCHAEL DANNA JEFF DANNA EXECUTIVE PRODUCED STORY PRODUCERS JOE PICHIRALLO JOHN CAMERON DAVID LOUGHERY JEFF GRAUP

BY JAMES LASSITER WILL SMITH BY DAVID LOUGHERY SCREENPLAY DIRECTED

BY DAVID LOUGHERY AND HOWARD KORDER BY NEIL LABUTE

STARTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT

buy online at or call

bigapplecircus.org

(888) 541-3750

for groups of 15 or more call 877-407-8497 for customer service and call 800-922-3772 children under 3 free on the lap of a paid adult. in association with

by Rogier Stoffers. Edited by Joel Plotch. Music by Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna.

Running time: 110 minutes.

Classified: PG-13 (for intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language and some drug references).

trouble getting made. The casting of Jackson as the neighbor creates a presumption of innocence that some will hold onto longer than the story justifies.

Don’t think for a moment that LaBute doesn’t know audience members will be thinking about that switch of identities. He wants us to. All of his films feature nasty people who challenge nasty thoughts or fears within ourselves. Is this movie racist for making the villain black, or would it be equally racist by making the villain white? Well?

What’s your answer?

Jackson, a Los Angeles police veteran, lives on Lakeview Terrace, a crescent of comfortable suburbia in the hills of the city. The lots are pie-shaped, so the houses are placed close together, but the lots open out into big back yards. Into the house next door, newcomers arrive: Chris Mattson (Patrick Wilson) and his wife, Lisa (Kerry Washington). They seem fairly recently married, happy.

Turner starts slow, dropping some subtly hostile remarks, and then escalates his war on this couple. I will not describe his words and actions, except to say he pushes buttons that make the Mattsons first outraged, then fearful, then angry -- at him and each other.

Take another step back.

Mattson’s father-in-law, a successful attorney, is ... cool and civil toward his daughter’s white husband. Mattson’s own parents, his wife observes, “are always making a point of telling me how much they love me.”

Why make that a special point?

Because they do, or because they don’t? What do you think?

Lisa’s father asks Chris pointblank: “Are you planning to have children with my daughter?” Is he eager to become a grandfather? Doesn’t sound like it.

Well, are they having kids?

Lisa wants to get pregnant right now. Chris says, “We have an agreement to wait awhile.”

Why wait awhile? Because that makes sense while they’re getting their feet on the ground? Or because he’s ambivalent about his wife? You decide. Even if

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 31

S HOST TOWN (Comedy, PG-13, 102 minutes). Ricky Gervais is so funny in “Ghost Town” because he doesn’t want to appear funny. “Ghost Town” is a lightweight rom-com elevated by its performances. It is a reminder that the funniest people are often not comedians, but actors playing straight in funny roles. Rating: Three stars.

be handled with quiet empathy, and hammers us with it. It tells the story of a 13-year-old Lebanese-American girl (Summer Bishil) who is raped by the man next door (Aaron Eckhart) and otherwise makes a troubled discovery of her sexuality. Written and directed by Alan Ball (who wrote “American Beauty”), who thrashes about in a plot too transgressive for his skills. Awkward, cringe-inducing and painful. Rating: Two stars.

H

T

G

OUNDDOG (Drama, R, 93 minROUBLE THE WATER utes). Dakota Fanning takes an (Documentary, not rated, 93 R OLAND (MACAULAY CULKIN) (LEFT), MARY (JENA MALONE), impressive step forward in her AND CASSANDRA minutes). docARTISTS had' COMEDY an (EVA AMURRIThis ) IN UNITED AVED!" © 2004 - UNITED ARTISTS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED career, but that’s about the only good "Seyewitness to Hurricane Katrina thing about “Hounddog.” The reigning in the city’s Ninth Ward, DURING child star, now 14, handles a painful role the storm. Her name was Kimberly with great assurance, even in a rape Roberts. She was 24. A week earlier, scene. But her character is surrounded she had purchased a video camera by a swamp of worn-out backwoods from a street hustler for $20 a week.

Southern cliches that can’t be rescued She filmed the experiences of her even by the other accomplished actors family before, during and after the in the cast. With David Morse, Piper storm. Her footage is surrounded by Laurie, Robin Wright Penn and Afemo professionally filmed material that Omilami. Rating: Two stars. explains what happened, but the eyewitness footage has a desperate urgency that surpasses any other OWELHEAD (Drama, R, 128 minutes). “Towelhead” pres- news and doc footage I have seen.

Rating: Four stars. ents material that cries out to

T SAMUEL L. JACKSON AS ABEL TURNER in “Lakeview Terrace.” (PHOTO: © 2008 SCREEN GEMS) waiting does “make sense,” are his feelings worthy of their marriage? Even while making a superb thriller, LaBute makes the film more than that. It deals with one of his themes, the difficult transition from prolonged adolescence to manhood, a journey Chris takes in the film. It is not easy. Many of the steps are contrary to his nature.

LaBute ingeniously poses moral choices in all of his films.

In his first great picture, “In the Company of Men,” about a cruel office worker who plays a trick on a deaf woman, does the villain gain more pleasure by hurting her, or forcing his passive male co-worker to act against his own better nature?

Both? Why does the co-worker go along? Timidity? Buried aggression? Homoerotic feelings for his buddy? See? On top of all these questions, LaBute constructs a tightly wound story that also involves crude male bonding at an LAPD bachelor party, sexual humiliation, attempted rape (not

by Chris or Turner), a cat-andmouse game with cell phones, and a violent conclusion during which we must decide if Chris is right about Turner, or wrong, or just discovering how to push HIS buttons. I’m surprised by the PG-13 rating.

It’s a challenging journey LaBute takes us on. Some will find it exciting. Some will find it an opportunity for an examination of conscience. Some will leave feeling vaguely uneasy.

Some won’t like it and will be absolutely sure why they don’t, but their reasons will not agree.

Some will hate elements that others can’t even see. Some will only see a thriller. I find movies like this alive and provoking, and I’m exhilarated to have my thinking challenged at every step of the way.

The effect is only intensified by the performances, especially

by Jackson, who for such a nice man can certainly play vicious.

Kerry Washington’s character, in my mind, takes the moral high ground, although it’s a little muddy. Her beauty and vulnerability are called for. Patrick Wilson plays a well-meaning man who is challenged to his core and never thought that would happen. I think I know who is good and bad or strong and weak in this film. But here’s the brilliance of it: I don’t know if they do.

(Lake View Terrace is the name of the street where Rodney King was arrested and beaten.

This film mentions King and uses the street name, but not the location.)

A HILARIOUS COMEDY FROM AN ALL-STAR CAST!”

“

–Ben Lyons,

SO MUCH FUN! DELIGHTFUL!”

“

–David Ansen,

FOR AN EXCLUSIVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES VISIT WITH THE STARS AND FILMMAKERS OF

SEEITTODAY

MARYLAND AMC COLUMBIA 14 Mall of Columbia 410/423-0520 AMC LOEWS RIO CINEMAS 18 Gaithersburg, MD 800/FANDANGO #740 AMC LOEWS WHITE FLINT 5 Bethesda, MD 800/FANDANGO #741 REGAL CINEMAS MAJESTIC STADIUM 20 900 Ellsworth Dr 301/681-2266 REGAL CINEMAS ROYALE STADIUM 14 6505 American Blvd 301/864-6980

INDEPENDENT REGAL CINEMAS KENTLANDS STADIUM 10 BOWIE STADIUM 14 Great Seneca Hwy & 15200 Major Lansdale Blvd Kentlands Blvd 800/FANDANGO #454 301/519-6868 REGAL CINEMAS INDEPENDENT GERMANTOWN STADIUM 14 OLNEY 9 CINEMAS Germantown Town Center Rt 108 & Spartan Rd 800/FANDANGO #455 301/774-0018 REGAL CINEMAS LANDMARK THEATRES ROCKVILLE CENTER 13 BETHESDA ROW CINEMA Rockville, MD 7235 Woodmont Ave 800/FANDANGO #248 301/652-7273 VIRGINIA MUVICO EGYPTIAN 24 AMC HOFFMAN CENTER 22 At Arundel Mills Eisenhower Ave & 443/755-8992 Telegraph Rd 703/998-4AMC P&G MONTGOMERY AMC POTOMAC MILLS 18 MALL CINEMAS I-95S - Exit 156 Woodbridge 7101 Democracy Blvd 703/998-4262 301/767-9555 AMC P&G TYSONS CORNER 16 OLD GREENBELT THEATRE 129 Centerway @ Roosevelt Routes 7 & 123 McLean, VA Cntr 301/474-9744 703/998-4262

MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes – Text BURN with your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549) A COMEDY CLASSIC FROM THE COEN BROTHERS

THE BIG LEBOWSKI

10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ON DVD NOW

AMC LOEWS SHIRLINGTON 7 2772 S Randolph 800/FANDANGO #801 REGAL CINEMAS FOX STADIUM 16 22875 Crawford Plaza 703/957-1035 REGAL CINEMAS KINGSTOWNE STADIUM 16 Across from WalMart 703/822-4956 INDEPENDENT CINEMA ARTS THEATRE Corner of Main St & Pickett Rd 703/978-6991 NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS CENTREVILLE MULTIPLEX CINEMA Centreville, VA 703/502-4060 NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS FAIRFAX CORNER 14: CINEMA DE LUX 11900 Palace Way 703/502-4060

Be the first to see the trailer premiere on the big screen

NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS LEE HIGHWAY MULTIPLEX Merrifield, VA 703/502-4060 NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS RESTON TOWN CTR. MULTIPLEX Reston, VA 703/502-4060 PHOENIX THEATRES WORLDGATE 9 Herndon, VA 703/318-9290 REGAL CINEMAS BALLSTON COMMON 12 Ballston Common Mall 800/FANDANGO #377 REGAL CINEMAS COUNTRYSIDE STADIUM 20 Sterling, VA 800/FANDANGO #394 REGAL CINEMAS MANASSAS STADIUM 14 Exit 47B off Interstate 66 800/FANDANGO #490 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT COUPONS ACCEPTED CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES OR CALL FOR SOUND INFORMATION AND SHOWTIMES

MILK

The New Film From The Director Of “Good Will Hunting” Starring

Sean Penn

Area Codes: (202), (301), (304), (410), (443), (540), (703), (877)

Washington Suburban Press • Thu 9/18 • 2x7’’ Name:

JobID#: 366329 0918_Bar_WashSP.pdf #98

*366329*

L

EATHERHEADS (Comedy, PG-13, 114 m., 2008). George Clooney stars in and directs this slapstick, screwball romantic comedy about the birth of “professional” football in the Midwest in 1925. John Krasinski is the warhero star of the Duluth Bulldogs, and Renee Zellweger is the wily Chicago reporter who’s out to write an expose that will cook the Boy Wonder’s goose. The script is less than effervescent, but as a director and an actor, Clooney’s got it all: smarts, wit, timing, a winning face, a good eye -- hell, he’s probably even got great legs. Rated: Three stars.

(Jim Emerson) UN FATBOY RUN (Comedy, PG-13, 100 m., 2008). David Schwimmer, best known for the TV sitcom “Friends,” makes his feature film directorial debut with this formulaic, unfunny and forgettable romantic comedy starring Simon Pegg (“Hot Fuzz,” “Shaun of the Dead”) as a guy who dumped his pregnant wife at the altar and decides five years later than she’s the one for him after all. Hank Azaria plays a nice guy who -- surprise!

-- turns out to be not so nice, and Thandie Newton at least looks pretty in her throwaway role as the object of Pegg’s affections. Rating: One and a half stars. (Teresa Budasi)

–Larry King

WASHINGTON, DC AMC LOEWS GEORGETOWN 14 K St btwn Wisconsin & 31 St NW 800/FANDANGO #821 REGAL CINEMAS GALLERY PLACE STADIUM 14 707 7th St NW 202/393-2121

D

ECEPTION (Thriller, R, 108 m., 2008). “Deception” -which, deceptively, has been tracked under such aliases as “The List,” “The Tourist,” “Manipulation” (in France) and “Untitled Hugh Jackman Project” -- trades in the title commodity, and you don’t believe a second of it. Meek, bespectacled auditor Jonathan McQuarry (as in McVictim, played by Ewan McGregor) meets suave, predatory lawyer Wyatt Bose (Jackman) in a conference room late one night.

The former finds himself on “The List,” the envy of Eliot Spitzers everywhere, which involves hot Wall Street babes calling him for anonymous sex at ritzy hotels. Oh, but it’s never that simple, is it?

Rating: One star. (Jim Emerson)

R

A COMEDIC MASTERPIECE!” “

TUNE IN TO

EX AND THE CITY (Comedy, R, 145 m., 2008). The continuing stories of the four consumerist Gal Pals from the HBO series, who scarcely have a witty line among them and march with curious banality through awkward situations involving “turista,” broken hearts, masturbating dogs, designer labels, lust, runaway cell phones and misunderstandings. Probably just the movie fans of the HBO series are hoping for. With Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Chris Noth as the stolid and distant Mr. Big. A newcomer, Jennifer Hudson as Parker’s assistant, is the warmest and most human character in the movie. Rating: Two stars.

S

PEED RACER (Action, PG, 129 m., 2008). The cheaply produced 1960s Japanese anime TV series has been reproduced as a $100 million Wachowski brothers feature that, at two hours and nine minutes, is about two hours too long, give or take. The motion picture, which stops by theaters briefly on its way to DVD and video console, captures (almost) all the chintziness, inexpressiveness

Continued on Page 32

Page 32

September 18 - 24, 2008

M

Continued from Page 31 and incoherence of the TV show.

That is an achievement, no doubt.

Yet some of us would rather just re-rent “Tron” (1982), which was not only a more immersive, dimensional and original take on the Commodore 64 video-graphic sensibility, but funnier and more exciting. With images of Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox and Christina Ricci. Rating: One and a half stars. (Jim Emerson)

ADE OF HONOR (Romantic comedy, PG-13, 101 m., 2008). Despite the charm of Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan, this formulaic, stale comedy is really nothing more than a rehash of “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” This time, Dempsey tackles the Julia Roberts role as the best friend who suddenly realizes he’s losing his true soul mate to another.

Rating: Two stars. (Bill Zwecker)

Y

O U N G @ H E A R T (Documentary, PG, 107 m., 2008). Stephen Walker’s documentary about a chorus of performers in their 80s and 90s, shows that

no one has more reason to stick it to the man than people who are most defiantly not going gently into that good night. This is not your grandfather’s choir. Instead of singing songs from their youth like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” or “Sentimental Journey,” these folks tap their orthopedic shoes, tug along an oxygen tank and slam into the music of their greatgrandchildren’s generation. They’ve gone straight from 78s to iPods, literally without skipping a beat. Their rock is stirring, deeply moving, finally transcendent. Rating: Three and a half stars. (Nell Minow)

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“WHAT A PLEASURE THIS MOVIE IS!

THE ACTRESSES ARE ALL AT THE TOP OF THEIR FORM.” Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

“GORGEOUSLY

ENTERTAINING.

(c) 2008 The Ebert Co.

HILARIOUS FLAT-OUT FUN ...SEE IT!”

Soundtrack Available On

MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes - Text Message WOMEN and your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549)

NOW PLAYING AT THEATRES EVERYWHERE! Check Local Listings for Showtimes

N O W T H AT ’ S W H AT W E C A L L

A SPECIAL.

Wash Sub Press 2x5.25 Thu 9/18 Allied DC AC

24-MONTH CD

4.25%

APY *

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were special CD rates just for you?

Rates that are better than those offered by other banks. And give you a chance to get in on a great deal at a great time. Well, there are such rates. And you’ll find them at Provident. The next best thing to having your own bank.

1-888-TOP-BANK PROVBAN K.COM Member FDIC

* The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 9/4/08 and is subject to change. The minimum to open and obtain the stated APY is $500 for the 24 month CD. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Member FDIC.

STARTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATRES AND SHOWTIMES.

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS – NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED

Text GHOST to 33287 for showtimes and mobile content. Standard messaging rates apply.

Washington Sub. Press Wed 9/17 2x8 AlliedDc RL

Page 34

September 18 - 24, 2008

SIZZLING, SUMPTUOUS PORTIONS characterize the dining experience at Otani, a Japanese hibachi style restaurant. (Photo: News-Press) Sweet, tangy, delicious and inexpensive are four adjectives that come to mind when I think of the Japanese steak house Otani. Located in Fairfax, just off of Braddock and Ox Roads in the University Mall shopping center, this pleasant and peaceful enclave is relatively well priced and has sumptuous food ranging from calamari to chocolate chip cookie ice cream.

The interior of Otani is spacious and decorated with an understated Asian theme: large, demure paintings of landscapes hang on the walls, and even though each of the tables seats about ten, they all have enough room between them to feel open and relaxed.

Asian-inspired floral arrangements and a combination of red, gray and black walls and carpet, along with muted yellow lighting and modern light fixtures, give the restaurant an ambiance of edgy flair and refinement. The restaurant is less busy during the day, but arriving at 4 p.m. through till six, my party and I noticed that the tables filled up rapidly in the evening.

The service from a team of wait staff is amazing, and a drink never goes unfilled or a request forgotten. All of the servers are polite and attentive, and the chefs that cook for each party are fun, engaging the audience with their cooking tricks and style. They prepare the main courses on the huge flattop stoves that span each tabletop.

We first ordered drinks, and a sushi appetizer – I ordered the California roll, which was extremely tasty, made with crab and avocado, and a friend of mine ordered sea urchin. We then proceeded to pick from calamari, chicken, shrimp, steak, scallops, salmon, filet mignon or vegetables for the dinner course.

The meal began with light chicken noodle soup that was followed by a small salad of greens with ginger dressing. The chef flipped cooking hardware, eggs and shrimp into the air for guests’ entertainment as the main courses were prepared.

Fire from the cooking food simmers above guests’ heads as the chef cooked meat and vegetables on the stove. The dinner courses come with carrots, mushrooms, onions and zucchini, with a choice of steamed or fried rice. The fried rice is superb, and the vegetables are cooked well and lightly sweetened. Guests are also given thick and red “special sauce” to dress their meat or vegetables; it's slightly fruity in taste with the consistency of applesauce.

I chose the calamari for my dinner course, and my friends chose the vegetables, chicken and shrimp. The calamari was bland but cooked to just the right firmness and paired excellently with the vegetables. The chicken dish was by far the best out of the dinner courses, and along with the shrimp, it had more kick and spice than the calamari.

At just over $15 for a full meal, including soup, salad, main course and dessert, and about $7 for sushi (prices range from about $6 – $15 per roll), the large portions and expertly cooked cuisine were worth the price.

The surprise at the end came in the chocolate chip ice cream. Served after all of the plates were carried away, this small portion of dessert was a fitting end to a flavorful, enjoyable meal. Two thumbs up for Otani for outstanding service, entertaining cooking, subtly elegant décor and great food at a great price.

Otani Japanese Steak and Seafood 10645 Braddock Rd. Fairfax, Va. 22032 Monday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 – 9:30 p.m.

Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 – 10:30 p.m.

Saturday 4 – 10:30 p.m., Sunday noon – 9 p.m.

703-278-8875

September 18 - 24, 2008

&$ ) Ê

Page 35

6876 Lee Highway Arlington, Virginia 22213 Tel: (703) 538-3033 Fax: (703) 573-0409 www.lacotedorcafe.com

BISTRO

des Célestins

$20 Prix Fixe Dinner

Two Beautiful Buildable Lots!

BRING YOUR BUILDING PLANS and PUT YOUR IMAGINATION TO WORK!

Monday - Friday 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Private Dinning Room Available 10 people to 80 people Good for Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Rehershal Dinners

Haymarket *4.93 Acres w/ large pond. Horse country but near shopping and Evergreen golf club. Handsome hardwood trees, scenic views and a gravel road on the property. $293,000

Herndon Established neighborhood 13,707 SF * All utilities on site * Open Building site w/wooded areas on 3 sides w/specimen trees. Close to park, schools, & downtown Herndon. $239,000 Sarah & Pierre Bouscaren 703-284-9359 or 9324 cell: 703-307-1331 www.Bouscaren.com

Page 36

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The average person doesn’t live long enough to sample the total range of output of a long-time whiskey distillery. That’s what made a recent tasting of Old Forester bourbons held here so special.

The occasion was put together by Chris Morris, master distiller who is behind today’s expressions of Old Forester (as well as Woodford Reserve) from the Brown-Forman company, in honor of the 162nd birthday of its founder, George Garvin Brown.

More than 100 bourbon connoisseurs gathered in the Victorian elegance of the Filson Historical Society headquarters to sample a selection of six Old Forester whiskies in a timeline tasting that ranged from 1916 to 2008.

Such a lineup would be difficult enough to arrange for any brand, given the scarcity of old whiskies, but it was accomplished with the assistance of Michael R. Veach, Filson’s Special Collections Assistant and a member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame since 2006 who said he has found rare whiskies through auctions and private sales.

Old Forester was founded in 1870 by Brown. It survived Prohibition when his son, Owsley Brown, obtained one of only 10 federal licenses to continue selling whiskey -- for medicinal purposes. Thus, Brown-Forman is the only existing U.S. company in the spirits and wine business that has spanned pre-, during and post-Prohibition periods.

Since 1902, Old Forester -- which began as a blend of other people’s whiskies -- has been distilled by Brown-Forman at three successive facilities. The yeast strain used today was isolated in 1929 when Brown and his cohorts needed to restart fermentation after other strains died out during Prohibition.

Here’s a brief look at the timeline tasting: • 1916 Old Forester: This bourbon was distilled in 1916, the year before George Garvin Brown died, but languished in wood barrels for 22 years, forgotten during Prohibition. After so long in the wood, it is a unique bourbon: 100 proof, a very dark color with a smell of molasses and lots of oak. Heavy in tannins, with notes of prune and bittersweet chocolate but none of the signature caramel and vanilla for which bourbon is known. Surprisingly, it was quite palatable.

• 1933 Old Forester President’s Choice: This single barrel expression was the first post-Prohibition bourbon from Brown-Forman. It carried a golden color and spicy notes with the expected caramel and vanilla notes. Rich and oaky, in the classic dry bourbon style.

• 1992 Old Forester: This is the Old Forester that dipped to 86 proof and came from the present distillery in Shively, Ky. A milder, softer flavor profile and light amber color differentiate it from the long-time run of Old Forester bourbon. Brown spices, wood, caramel and tobacco notes are prevalent and this expression tastes more of rye than its predecessors.

• Today’s Old Forester 86 Proof: Even more amber in color than earlier versions. Soft and sweet yet with a pleasant bite of spice carried along with the traditional vanilla, caramel and oak notes.

• Old Forester Signature: This is the 100 proof modern expression that Chris Morris calls “a salute to the original.” It is a blend of mingled seasons and goes back to the dark orangey color and less sweetness, leaning instead toward more spice, wood and fruit. It’s a cool, calm bourbon with no burn.

• Old Forester Repeal Bourbon: This one-time, limited-release expression created to mark the anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal, is a classic bourbon with its vanilla, caramel and brown sugar notes and orange-amber coloring, but it is much more complex than that. A definite note of chocolate and berries gives it a chocolate-covered cherry characteristic.

Orange notes that are suggested by the coloring begin to come through as the whiskey opens up, and the well-oaked liquid carries hints of spice and mint. This is, overall, a warm, crisp, satisfying bourbon. It won’t hit the market until November, however.  William M. Dowd covers the adult beverage industry online at BillDowd.com.

September 18 - 24, 2008

Making the Switch To Cash Games There’s plenty of discussion on internet poker forums about the differences between tournament and cash game players.

The general consensus is that cash game players are superior.

And while I do believe there is some truth to that sentiment, it is important to recognize that the skills required for each format are vastly different.

The most obvious difference between a cash game and a tournament is that in tournament play, once your chips are gone, so are you. In a cash game, you can always dig into your pocket for more money.

As a result, tournament players think in terms of survival and play their hands to avoid losing all of their chips. Cash game players think differently.

They’re concerned about getting full value for hands when they’re ahead and minimizing losses when they’re behind.

Another difference between big buy-in tournaments and highstakes cash games is the caliber of players that compete in each.

Even in the $10,000 WSOP main event, you’re sure to find a high percentage of low-skilled amateur players. That’s just not the case in high-stakes cash games where the tables are littered with professional sharks.

No one would argue that it’s much easier to beat a bunch of amateurs than it is trying to outwit elite professionals. Sure, you might take a few bad beats against amateur players who don’t know what they’re doing. But at the same time, it will be much easier to get all of their chips in situations where pros would simply fold.

You see, beating amateurs in tournaments is all about taking their money by playing fundamentally sound poker. That approach isn’t good enough when playing pros in cash games.

And that’s where Phil Hellmuth comes in. Even though Phil has won 11 WSOP bracelets -- all of them in hold’em events -- he simply doesn’t get a lot of respect from cash game grinders.

Phil has mastered two of the most important concepts of tournament play: survival is king and bluffing should rarely be used. He also knows that weak players will eventually make big mistakes, and when that happens, he’ll clean up.

Or else he’ll take a bad beat and throw one of his patented temper tantrums!

If Hellmuth tried that same patient, non-bluffing style of play against top cash game players, he’d see his chip stack slowly dwindle away. He’d never be able to trap his opponents; they’d

see right through his strategy. Phil would be continuously hammered into submission before and after the flop.

You see, Phil Hellmuth’s successful approach to tournament poker just doesn’t translate into the world of high-stakes cash game poker.

Tournament play demands patience to survive and win.

Winning at cash games demands a whole other level of thought and deception. You need to reach into your bag of tricks and run the occasional big bluff to be a consistent cash game winner.

Don’t get me wrong, not all cash game players properly adapt to tournament play and tournament opposition either. They attempt bluffs that might work in cash games but fail miserably in tourna-

ment play.

They don’t realize that many amateur players aren’t skilled enough to recognize when they should just fold their hands.

I am most challenged by playing cash games against the world’s top players. These games force me to think several moves in advance, like in a game of chess.

And though I also find tournaments fun to play, they just don’t provide the constant brain buzz that cash game players crave.

© 2008 Card Shark Media. All rights reserved.

Planning ning for All Ages & All Needs Need :hiViZ EaVcc^c\ hiViZ E iViZ cc <jVgY^Vch]^eh <jVgY^Vch]^e <jVgY^Vch]^ HeZX^Va CZZYh EaVcc^c\ EgdWViZ L^aah & Igjhih IgjhiZZ dg 6\Zci HZgk^XZh NEEDHAM MITNICK & POLLACK

PLC

400 S. MAPLE AVENUE, SUITE 210, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22046 703-536-7778

WWW.NMPATTORNEYS.COM

INFO@ NMPATTORNEYS.COM

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 37

Level: 1 3

2 4

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

9/21/08

© 2008 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

ACROSS 1. *Spring forecast 5. *Midnight visit to the fridge 9. *Uttered 13. The Police, e.g.

14. Kind of address with @ in it 16. Italian wine town 17. *Lose traction 18. Bespectacled “ScoobyDoo” character 19. *Don’t bother with 20. Meager 22. “____ for Innocent” (Sue Grafton novel) 24. Doofus 27. Squares and rectangles 30. Beer may be on this 33. It’s what’s being suggested by the starred clues in this puzzle 36. Scoot 37. “I don’t see it” 38. Dept. of Labor div.

39. “____ hardly wait!”

40. Flabbergast 42. 1922 film version of “Dracula” 47. It’s what’s being suggested by the starred clues in this puzzle 49. Atlanta-to-Miami dir.

50. Opie Taylor’s caretaker 51. Fourth-yr. collegians 52. Solution: Abbr.

53. Mezzanine section?

55. *Salon sound 58. “Of ____ Sing” 61. *Go postal 65. Sandy slope 66. Long (for) 67. Taboo thing 68. *Tie-up 69. *Kiss, in “Harry Potter” 70. *Winter forecast

Down 1. ACLU concerns 2. Biblical boat 3. Crowd in old Rome?

4. Quiet bids 5. Fixed a draft 6. Autobiographical subtitle 7. Suffix with president 8. Lower, in a way 9. Get smart with 10. Query

THE QUIGMANS Buddy Hickerson

1

2

3

4

5

13

14

17

18 20

24

25

26

6

8

9 15

21

22

11

12

30

31

32

63

64

16

28

23

29

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

42

41

47

43

44

45

46

48 50

49

51

52 55

10

19

27

33

7

56

53

57

58

65

59

60

66

61

62

67 69

68

54

70

© 2008 David Levinson Wilk

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk

crossword / By David Levinson Wilk

Across

11. “What was ____ was

35. Base before home 41. New Jersey’s ____ 5. to the fridge 12.*Midnight Salsa orvisit guacamole University 15.*Uttered “Rawhide” singer 42. Photographer Goldin 9.

Frankie 43. Hall-of-Famer Mel 13. The Police, e.g.

21. Wood: Prefix 44. Frigid 14. Kind of address with @ in it 23. Roberta Flack hit “The 45. Emancipation 16.

Italian town First Timewine Ever ____ Your 46. Very wide, at Foot Locker Face” 48. Out of practice 17. *Lose traction 24.Bespectacled Confronts boldly 52. Take down ____ 18.

"Scooby-Doo" character 25. Quiets 54. Figs. with two hyphens 19. *Don't bother with 26. Didn’t go out 55. Radical ‘60s org.

20.

28.Meager Serengeti grazer 56. Creature of habit?

22. for Innocent" novel) 29."____ Newman’s ____ (Sue Grafton57.

“Not ____ million years!”

30.Doofus Ric Ocasek’s rock band 59. Guys and Ken dolls 24.

31.Squares Aquarium device 60. Suffix with Ecuador 27. and rectangles 32. Union agreements?

62. Sarkozy’s veto 30. Beer may be on this 34. Anti-racism grp. since 63. Year, in Spain 33.

It's what's being suggested by the64. starred clues in this puzzle 1909 “Wham!”

1. *Spring forecast saying?”

36. Scoot

Last Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

37. "I don't see it"

S H T E T L

H A H A H A

O V E R I N

M A J O R I N

D I L A T O R Y

I N A C T I V E

T S E L L Y

K E I N N N S W A Y G A I R E B A L M F D O I I C L K A S S E R G E O U N C S E T

N O W S U B I E K I N G E O N D A S B R E S A H E A D O R M O R N I N E E O O P X E R O A Y S R G E W B L E V E O N A E

T H E C O N G O

C O M E O N I N

I T S A B E T

E X E U N T

R E A S O N

A S T H M A

nick knack

© 2008 N. F. Benton

Page 38

September 18 - 24, 2008

Yard Sales

GIT RID OF IT For Removal of Junk,

HUGH YARD SALE Sept. 20, 8am-2pm

Trash, Yard Debris, Appliances, Furniture & Estate clean-ups. Call 703-533-0094. We will beat most competitors prices!

MOVING SALE Sept 20 + 21 8am - 4pm.

GREAT CLEANING SERVICE Residential and Commercial, affordable rates, great references, excel-

at Woodley Pool, 7421 Camp Alger Avenue, FC 22042. Goodies galore - don’t miss!

7203 Matthew Mills Rd, McLean, Va

MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE -

Falls Church, Sat. 9/20 9am-2pm, 7296 Highland Estates Pl, Household Items, Toys, Baby/Kids Clothes

For Sale FIREWOOD Seasoned Oak. Free Delivery. (703)623-0101

$199/Cord.

RED 1999 HYUNDAI TIBERON FX

Sporty 2-door coupe, automatic, good condition.

Sun roof, new tire, cd & tape players, dual airbags. $3600. Call (703) 474-2285.

Help Wanted DRIVERS: Exp’d & Inexp’d - Local CDL-A Career Training Swift Transportation Trains and Employs!

Dedicated, Regional & OTR Fleets.

800-397-2423

HELP WANTED Sheet Metal Mechanic or experienced helper. Dixie Sheet Metal. 703-533 -1111.

ITALIAN CAFE HIRING Servers, Bartenders & Hostess.

241-1829.

RESIDENT COORDINATOR -

F/T or P/T Call Bob 703-

RELATIONS

It’s a “people first” job for a community-based housing non-profit!

Resident Relations Coordinator for Winter Hill Apartments, an income eligible, independent living residential community in the City of Falls Church serving senior and disabled residents. Duties include planning and hosting activities to support the community needs of our residents, serving as a resource to connect residents with community and government service agencies as needed, paperwork to document their eligibility, and other related duties. Position is 20 flexible hours per week with salary based on experience. Please send cover letter and resume to:MLHickey@fallschurchhousing.org

SECURITY OFFICERS

Alexandria/Fairfax area must work night and weekends full-time experienced preferred.

(703) 765-0407. DCJS Lic. 11-1027.

For Rent FURNISHED ROOM in private home for

professional female or intern, non-smoker. $700/ month. Short term ( up to 6 months). Wireless/ utilities included. Close to West FC metro, UVA/VA Tech & I-66. Street parking on quiet cul-de-sac.

Falls Church/Tyson’s.

(703) 893-2376

PRIME SUBLET OFFICE SPACE in Falls Church available for small business (1,837 RSF) Contact Syed @ 703-207-0933 ext 112 or sali@jdgcommunications.com

Services CHILD CARE

Experienced childcare provider provides quality care for your infant in F.C. home. (703) 241-0605.

COMPUTER REPAIR SERVICES Davis Computers Home/Business Computer Repairs Laptop/Desktop Sales and Installation Consultations and Rates/Data Recovery WebDesign and Networking Great On-Site Service Guaranteed! Tony K. Davis 202-640-9011

FAMILY SEEKS DRIVER Experienced

care giver to pick up children from school in Dc, Drive to activities and home to Falls Church in Family Car. Must be legal, Have good driving record and license. Great PT Job; Call Mary 703-216-4068

GET

NOTICED!

in the News-Press

News-Press Classifieds

We are pleged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opporlent job call Maria 703.277.1098/703.626.0665 tunity throughout the HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE Commonwealth. We encourage Available 7 days a week. Week, biweekly, monthly and support advertising and or one time. Good references in Falls Church City. marketing programs in which 10 years experience. For further information call there are no barriers to obtainme at 703-901-0596. Senior discount, Ask: Susy. ing housing because of race, HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES. color, religion, national origin, Low rates. Good references. Call Dolores sex, elderliness, familial status 571/232-1091. or handicap.

JEWELRY REPAIRS Broken clasp?

All real estate advertised herein String stretched out? Call Hazel (703-901-3738) is subject to Virginia’s fair for a costume jewelry repair estimate. Visit www. housing law which makes it ofallthebeads.com illegal to advertise “any preferMORALES LANDSCAPE & LAWN ence, limitation, or discriminaCARE LLC Fall Clean up, Leaf removal, Brick tion because of race, color, relipatios, Aeration, Seeding, Mulch & More. gion, national origin, sex, David (o) 703-502-3990 or (c) 571-221-4330 elderliness, familial status or TAKE AN HOUR FOR YOURSELF handicap or intention to make TO RELAX The Student Clinic at the National any such preference, limitation, Massage Therapy Institute, at 803 West Broad or discrimination.”

Street in Falls Church is open to the public. One This newspaper will not knowhour sessions of Swedish massage are available ingly accept advertising for real at $35.00 per session ($25.00 Senior Citizens).

The clinic operates Monday - Saturday. To1sched- 22:03 estate1/15/02 that violates fair CLNTS WV the B/W 127093 ule an appointment, or for more information call housing law. Our readers are 1-703-237-3905. herby informed that all dwellings advertised in this THE ALL AROUND ARTISAN Handyman/ Home Repairs/ Remodeling newspaper are available on an Meticulous work/ reasonable rates. equal opportunity basis. For Greg Wright 703-217-7253 more information or to file a housing complaint call the Public Notice Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ing impaired call (804) 367CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, 9753.

Email: VIRGINIA fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov.

The ordinance(s) referenced below was Web site: given first reading on September 8, 2008; www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

$20 for up to 20 words 50¢ each additional word Add a box - $10

Deadline: 2 p.m. Tuesdays

(two days before publication)

Fill out our Classified Ad form online at www.fcnp.com Phone: 703-532-3267 • Fax: 703-342-0352 E-Mail: classads@fcnp.com Mail: 450 W. Broad St. #321, Falls Church, VA 22046

Please include payment (check or money order) with your ad or call us to arrange payment by credit card.

For public & legal notices, please email legalads@fcnp.com

The Falls Church News-Press accepts no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements. Advertising which has minor discrepancies such as misspelling or small type transposition, but which do not affect the ability of the reader to respond to the ad will be considered substantially correct and full payment is required. The Falls Church News-Press is not responsible if the original copy is not typewritten or legible and clear. The Falls Church News-Press is not responsible for copy changes made by telephone.

DOLEV

Deadlines Every Tuesday 2 p.m.

*127093*

Get Noticed!

in the

News-Press!

CLASSADS@FCNP.COM

and second reading and public hearing will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Official Time, or as soon thereafter as may be heard.

(TO8-12) Ordinance To Amend The Budget Of Expenditures And Revenues, and Capital Improvement Plan. Appropriating Funds For The Fiscal Year 2008-2009 By Carrying Forward Funding From The Fiscal Year 2007-2008 And Additional Revenues. (John Tuohy, CFO) All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Copies of legislation may be obtained from the City Clerk’s office (703248-5014) or at cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.

This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Special services or assistance to persons with disabilities may be requested in advance. To speak at a public hearing, fill out a speaker slip and give it to the Clerk at the left front table. Speakers will be called forward by the Mayor at the appropriate time.

KATHLEEN CLARKEN BUSCHOW CITY CLERK PUBLIC NOTICE The Falls Church General Election will be held on Nov 4, 2008. On the ballot will be Electors for President/Vice-President, Member U.S. Senate, and Member, U.S. House of Representatives for the 8th District.

As is required by §24.2-416 of the Code of Virginia, registration books will close on October 6, 2008. Registration applications will be accepted as meeting the deadline if they are either received by the Voter Registration Office or postmarked by October 6, 2008.

Deborah Taylor, General Registrar City Of Falls Church 300 Park Ave. Falls Church, VA 22046 703-238-5085 Fax – 703-248-5204

classads@fcnp.com

WHAT A CHILD LEARNS ABOUT VIOLENCE A CHILD LEARNS FOR LIFE. Teach carefully. We can show you how.

Call 877-ACT-WISE for a free brochure or visit www.actagainstviolence.org.

Attention:

NOTE TO PUB: DO NOT PRINT INFO BELOW, FOR I.D. ONLY. NO ALTERING OF AD COUNCIL PSAS. Act Against Violence - Magazine & Newspaper (2 1/1 6 x 2) B&W APARD2-N-05130-D “What a Child Learns” Line Work

Film at Horan Imaging 212-689-8585 Reference #: 127093

new Classified Ad Rates Classified Ad: $20 for up to 20 words (First two words of each ad are bold and all caps)

Each additional word: 50¢ per word Bold a Word: $1 per word Add a Box Around Ad: $10 Call 703-532-3267 and ask for Danielle for more info

NOTE TO PUB: DO NOT PRINT INFO BELOW, FOR I.D. ONLY. NO ALTERING AD COUNCIL PSA Earth Share - Newspaper 4 1/4 x 7 B&W EFARXN-N-09902-C : “Girl in Tree” 72 screen

September 18 - 24, 2008

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Page 39

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

COMPUTER REPAIR HENRY HASSAN, MSFM, EA

TAX ACCOUNTANT – IRS ENROLLED AGENT

YASMEEN HASSAN JONES PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT

SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING PAYROLL SERVICES INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS TAX PREPARATION BUSINESS CONSULTING 703-241-7771 www.hassansacctg.com

703-496-7807

www.fastteks.com

703.578.3556 www.FallsChurchListingMap.com

See all of the Falls Church listings as soon as they hit the market!

RE/MAX Allegiance 5100 Leesburg Pike, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22302 mobile. 703-868-5999 office. 703-824-4800 ShaunMurphy@remax.net

DOORS GUTTERS

WINDOWS

REPAIRS

703-560-7663

Specializing in custom firplaces, patios, walkways, walls, driveways.

Small and large repairs.

Free estimates Licensed and insured.

All work guaranteed.

703-496-7491

www.motternmasonry.com

CGA IMMIGRATION ASSOCIATES Skyline Plaza Falls Church

ROOFING SIDING & TRIM

MOTTERN MASONRY DESIGN

•Injury cases & Death cases •Medical/Legal malpractice •Breach of contract •Commerical/Insurance • Car accidents Free Consultation 703-448-0073 Hablamos Español 703-798-3448

James Roofing & Home Improvements

Benton & Potter, P.C. www.bentonpotter.com

Roof Replacements Rubber Roofs • Flat Roofs Leak Specialists • Roof Coatings Chimney • Repair Facia&Soffit Decks Built&Repaired • Coatings Wood Repair • Drywall Repair Gutters • Siding • Ext.&Int. Painting 24 hr. Emergency Service

Licensed Free Estimates 703-593-3383

Government contract law, all areas of business and corporate law.

In Falls Church 703-992-9255, in D.C. 202-416-1660

Gutters Cleaned

Powerwashing Screening and repairs Estimates by phone Licensed and insured Tom. 703/855-3031

WILLIAMS PLUMBING Licensed and Insured...

Free Estimates

GET

NOTICED! in the News-Press

THE NEWS-PRESS BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 703-532-3267 TO ADVERTISE TODAY!

LAWN & GARDEN Seven Brothers Landscaping Service

Spring Cleanup, mulching, mowing, edging, trimming.

Residential & Commercial Tree Service & Snow Removal

(571) 330-3705

ShinerRoofing.com/FallsChurch

Walsh & Assoc.

PC Attorneys

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VA License #2705 023803

• Affordable Rates • Certified Technicians

6404-N SEVEN CORNERS PLACE FALLS CHURCH VA 22044

Family and Employment Based Immigration Petitions

HOME IMPROVEMENT Since 1981

For Plumbing & Electrical Work call: 571/263-6405 571/274-6831 (cell)

REMODELING & ADDITION, CERAMIC, TILE, FINISHED CARPENTRY, CROWN MOLDING, CHAIRS, DECK RAILS, STAIR, WINDOWS, DOORS, CONCRETE, SIDEWALKS, DRIVEWAYS, BRICK INSTALLED & REPAIRED

Phone # Cell Number

703-848-8322 703-901-2431

Business & Service703-532-3267 Directory

Driveways • Steps Sidewalks • Patios Small Jobs Welcome

703-241-4990

Serving Falls Church & Northern V.A.

Licensed and Insured. Free Estimates.

With Personal Service

•Yard Cleanup •Mulching • Edging • Trimming • Pruning • Planting & Removal • Lawn Care • Power Washing • Deck • Siding • Painting • Hardscapes • Other handyman services

VICTOR BLAISE DEVELOPMENTS

Free Estimates

703-508-3976 or 703-323-9251

Weaver Enterprises

Repairs – Remodels – Handy Services

OTHER SERVICES

Call for our summer specials Offering Military & Senior Discounts

703-408-7542 www.victorblaise.com

Grand Opening!

Ballet • Jazz • Tap • All Ages

We’ll help you find the perfect paint color!

109 Park Avenue, Falls Church

(703)532-2221 FCSchoolofBallet.com

ArlingtonColorConsultants.com

Make a Joyful Splash!

703-241-8548

with

Eileen Levy CLEANING SERVICES Mike’s Carpet Cleaning 5 Rooms deep cleaned only $98 •Stretching•Mold Remediation •Oriental Rugs•Upholstery•Pet Problems • 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage We Clean the White House!

Call Mike 703-978-2270

Liberty Chem Dry

Held at 111 Park Avenue Falls Church on Tuesday Evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Cost: $90 On-going monthly enrollment Enroll on-line at www.creativecauldron.org Or call 571-239-5288

FOOD & DINING

Superior Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Residential and Commerical

Ledo Pizza Caterers

703-533-0239

Tysons Station • 7510 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA

Drier. Cleaner. Healthier.™

(703) 847-5336

Direct Cleaning Services 12 Years Experience • Weekly • Bi Weekly • Monthly • Home • Apartments Great References Licensed & Insured

Create unique art masterpieces using acrylics, water-based oils, pencils and an innovative variety of tools and brushes.

703-858-4589 703-909-9950

Pizza • Pasta • Wings • Subs • Salads • Desserts

www.FCNP.COM

Put Your Business & Service Directory Ad ONLINE!

Just

$125 for 3 months $200 for 6 months $325 for 1 year w/ 3 mo. , 6 mo. or 1 year print ad

TO ADVERTISE!

www.fcnp.com

Business & Service Directory 1 x 1” Ad 3 mo. = $220 • 6 mo. = $400 • 1 yr. = $725 1 x 1.5” Ad 3 mo. = $330 • 6 mo. = $600 • 1 yr. = $1100 1 x 2” Ad 3 mo. = $440 • 6 mo. = $800 • 1 yr. = $1450

1 x 2” 1 x 1.5” 1 x 1”

Page 40

Mayor Robin S. Gardner . . . . . . . . . .

Vice Mayor Harold Lippman. . . . . . . . . . .

City Council Nader Baroukh. . . . . . . . . . . .

Daniel Maller . . . . . . . . . . . . .

David F. Snyder. . . . . . . . . . . .

Daniel X. Sze . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lawrence Webb . . . . . . . . . . .

City Manager Wyatt Shields. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Home Page <www.fallschurchva.gov>

September 18 - 24, 2008

* Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

city calendar

SEPTEMBER 18

19 20

22

23

24

25 26

27

The Week

703-534-8644 703-237-9089 703-992-9433 703-731-8433 703-241-0419 703-538-5986 703-532-1043 703-248-5004*

Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

Human Services Advisory Council, 7 p.m.

Board of Zoning Appeals, 7:30 p.m.

Environmental Services Council, 7:30 p.m.

Sunset Cinema, 8 p.m.

Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-Noon Commissioner of the Revenue & Treasurer’s Offices Open, 9 a.m.-Noon City Meals Tax Due

(Commissioner of the Revenue) Yard Waste, Bundled Brush,

& Special Collections Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

City Council, 7:30 p.m.

Volunteer Fire DepartmentTraining, 7:30 p.m.

First Day of Autumn Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court in Session Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

General District Court in Session Story Hour, 7 p.m.

Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

Historic Architectural Review Board, 7:30 p.m.

Armchair Travel Group, 10:30 a.m.

Sunset Cinema, 8 p.m.

Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-Noon Commissioner of the Revenue & Treasurer’s Offices Open, 9 a.m.-Noon

Sunset Cinema in the Park Sept. 19 Enchanted (PG, 2007) Sept. 26 Horton Hears a Who (G, 2008) Moviegoers are invited to bring blankets, bug spray, and picnics and watch these great movies under the stars at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave.).

Popcorn, drinks and candy will be available for purchase.

The screenings begin at 8 p.m. and are free to the public. In the event of inclement weather, the screenings will be cancelled.

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 703-248-5077 (TTY 711).

Register for the City’s Online Newsletter at www.fallschurchva.gov

Register to Receive Emergency Alerts

provided as a public service by the city of falls church

Questions or Comments? City of Falls Church, Harry E.Wells Building, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church,VA 22046 703-248-5003 (TTY 711) The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5003 (TTY 711).

FOR THE WEEK of

Growing Green

Classes and Events

Recycling Extravaganza This Saturday

Special Events

Bring unwanted items to the City of Falls Church Semi-Annual Recycling Extravaganza this Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This is an opportunity for the community to bring electronics (including computers, printers, scanners, TVs and more), cell phones, clothing and textiles, bicycles, printer cartridges, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and medical supplies for recycling, reuse, or donation. For a complete list of acceptable items, visit www.fallschurchva.gov.

PNC Bank is sponsoring a paper shredding event in conjunction with the Recycling Extravaganza.

Residents can shred up to three file boxes of personal documents, at no charge!

The Extravaganza is held at the Falls Church Property Yard, across from the Recycling Center, located at 217 Gordon Road.The event is cosponsored by the City of Falls Church Department of Environmental Services and the Falls Church Environmental Services Council.

For more information, please call the Environmental Programs Specialist at 703-248-5176 (TTY 711).

Calling Young Artists – Enter Your Masterpiece in the 8th Annual Student Art Contest Would you like to see your artwork in Falls Church City’s 2009 Calendar?

Then enter the Falls Church City Student Art Contest today! This year’s theme is Growing Up Green in Falls Church City.

• Submissions containing recycled food or beverage containers must be clean and dry.

Judges will select 13 entries to feature in the 2009 City Calendar. The Mayor will present awards to students whose work is selected at a City Council meeting this fall. A special reception will be held at the January 2 FIRSTfriday event at Art & Frame of Falls Church, where all entries will be on display throughout January.

• Must include the following information on the back of the entry: name, age, grade, school attending, parent/guardian, address, and phone number.

Submission Requirements: • Illustrate the theme: Growing Up Green in Falls Church City. Is it by recycling, taking GEORGE or other forms of mass transit, or planting a tree? Growing Green ideas are available at www.fallschurchva.gov.

• Must be original to the 8th Annual Student Art Contest. Do not resubmit artwork from previous contests.

• Must not be edible (e.g. Cheerios, macaroni noodles, etc.).

• Must not require storage at a certain temperature or in a special setup.

Deadline for entries is Friday, Oct. 3, 2008.

Students must either attend a City of Falls Church school or reside in the City. No more than three entries allowed per person.

Mail or deliver entries to: Office of Communications Falls Church City Hall 300 Park Avenue, 303 East Falls Church, VA 22046 For more information, call 703-248-5003 (TTY 711) or e-mail publicinfo@fallschurchva.gov.

Donate Blood at Community Blood Drive–Friday, Oct. 10 The City of Falls Church is hosting a community blood drive on Friday, Oct. 10. The Inova Bloodmobile will be parked outside the Community Center (223 Little Falls St.) for residents and City staff to donate blood from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The blood shortage is so critical right now that there is less than a one-day supply of most blood types. Please donate to help patients in our community! Most healthy people can be blood donors, but you must meet the following requirements: Age

17 years minimum (no maximum limit) Health Good general health – no symptoms of illness,including colds,for three days prior to donating Weight 110 pounds minimum Time

56 days after a whole blood donation, 14 days after a platelet donation Identification Photo ID (such as driver’s license) Please call the City’s Human Resources Office at 703-248-5127 (TTY 711) to schedule a time for your blood donation.Each donor should allow 30 to 45 minutes for the regular blood donation process.It is important to eat something, especially foods rich in iron, and drink plenty of fluids 4-6 hours before donating.

Farm Day Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave. Enjoy old-fashioned activities for the entire family, including hayrides, pony rides, a petting farm, scarecrow making,pumpkin painting,beekeeping, blacksmithing, live music and more! Free tours of the 1845 Cherry Hill Farmhouse and Barn are also available.Admission is free, however nominal fees apply to some activities. Call 703-248-5171 (TTY 711) for more information.

Classes Paid registration required. All classes meet at the Community Center (223 Little Falls St.) unless otherwise indicated.Call 703-248-5077 (TTY 711) for fees and more information.

Early Childhood Parenting Workshop (Ages 18 & up) Saturday Sept. 20, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

KidSpanish, Level A (Ages 6-10) Saturdays through Nov. 15, 10:45-11:30 a.m.

Gentle Yoga (Ages 18 & up) Thursdays through Nov. 20, 9:30-10:25 a.m.

Preschool Cheer & Tumble (Ages 3-5) Tuesdays through Dec. 2, 4-4:45 p.m.

Oil/Acrylic Painting (Ages 18 & up) MOOD & STYLE Fridays through Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sr. Wellness Training 50 & up Sr. Wellness Training Mondays and Wednesdays through Dec. 10, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Mondays Only Through Dec. 8, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Wednesdays Only Through Dec. 10, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Hip-Hop 2/3 (Ages 8-11) Thursdays through Dec. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Preteen Hip Hop (Ages 9-11) Thursdays through Dec. 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Tiny Dancers (Ages 3-4) Fridays through Dec. 12, 11-11:45 a.m.

Afternoon Preschool Program (Birthdates Oct. 1, 2003- Sept. 30, 2005) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Dec. 19, 1-4 p.m.

City of Falls Church Farmers Market Every Saturday from 8 a.m. - Noon

Taste of Falls Church 2008 Congratulations to Ireland’s Four Provinces on its first place finish at the Taste of Falls Church. Presenting the award are judges Mayor Robin Gardner (far left), Treasurer Cathy Kaye (second from right), and Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton (far right).

Thanks to the 14 other participating restaurants for their delicious efforts!

Watch vs. Warning— Know the Difference!

Warning A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.

Watch A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.

Advisory An advisory is issued when special weather conditions are less serious than a warning. They are for events that may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Falls Church Alert Don’t get caught off guard when warnings are issued. Get real-time updates and instructions on what

to do and where to go during an emergency by registering for Falls Church Alert. You will receive alerts from the City via portable electronic devices and e-mail, only in the event of an emergency. Sign up for this free service at alert.fallschurchva. gov. You can also visit alert.fallschurchva.gov to update your profile, and add or delete devices from the emergency distribution list.

Falls Church Recreation & Parks Division 223 Little Falls Street Falls Church, VA 22046 703-248-5077* Phone Numbers Open Gym/Weather Hotline 703-248-5125* Special Events Hotline 703-248-5178* Fax 703-536-5125 Senior Center 703-248-5020*/21* Community Center Hours Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. - Midnight Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Midnight Sunday Noon - 6 p.m.

Open Gym Hours Open Gym hours are updated on a bi-weekly basis and are also posted on the Open Gym Hotline, 703-248-5125*. All hours are subject to change. * Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

September 18 - 24, 2008

Page 41

ly Focus

Chairman: Ronald Peppe II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vice Chairman: Susan Kearney . . . . . . . . . . .

School Board Rosaura Aguerrebere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kathryn Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Charlotte Hyland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kieran Sharpe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Joan Wodiska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Superintendent: Dr . Lois Berlin . . . . . . . . . . .

government and the falls church city public schools

september 18-24, 2008

For more news about the Falls Church City Public Schools visit: www.fccps.org

“We are proud to have Jack and Will represent GMHS as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists,” Interim Principal Mary McDowell said. “Both young men are exceptional students and this is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and dedication to their studies.”

To advance to the finalist level of the National Merit Scholarship competition, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship.

Cashin and Cunningham will find out in February whether they will advance to the finalist level. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Scholarship winners will be notified in one of four announce-

FCC-TV Spotlight: Claro!

Tune in to Falls Church Community Television (FCC-TV) to watch Claro! English for Parents . This series is produced for native Spanish-speaking parents and families with children in the school system . Claro informs families about the culture and policies of the public schools while learning basic English . Claro airs on FCC-TV at the following times: • Wednesdays at 5:30 p .m .

• Thursdays at 12:30 p .m . and 8:30 p .m .

FCC-TV airs on Cox Channel 12, Verizon Channel 35 and RCN Channel 2 . For more information about FCC-TV, or complete schedule of community programs on FCC-TV, visit www.fcctv.net or call 703-248-5538 .

BIE Partner of the Week Adam Roth Jason’s Deli School Involvement: Donated lunch for six new teachers and their mentors; donated gifts for new teacher welcome bags; provided special seed packs for teachers; sponsors school “Spirit Nights” during which a percentage of the store’s sales go back to the schools; gave large bags to Thomas Jefferson library for book levelling; will donate 400 bottles of water to the FCEF Run for the Schools .

Why Adam is a BIE partner: “Jason’s Deli is very excited to be in Falls Church . We have a strong commitment to becoming as involved as possible in all areas of the community . We have a special Community Partners Program that provides discounts for schools, churches, community organizations and non-profits . I want to personally give my thanks to the entire community of Falls Church for welcoming us into the community .”

For more information about sharing your expertise through the BIE Partnership, visit www.fccps.org or contact Marybeth Connelly at connellym@fccps .org .

Foundation Footnotes Fall newsletter in mailboxes now If you want to know what’s new at the Falls Church Education Foundation, be sure to check out the back to school edition of Foundation Footings. If you haven’t received a copy of the newsletter in your mailbox, please visit the Foundation website at www.fcedf.org and click on News.

The Foundation is registered as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. For information about the Falls Church Education Foundation, visit www.fcedf.org or contact Donna Englander at denglander@fcedf.org.

School content published in The Weekly Focus is written and edited by the Falls Church City Public Schools. For more information, contact the Falls Church City Public Schools Communications Office. Phone: (703) 248-5699 Fax: (703) 248-5613.

ments beginning in April and concluding in July.

Scholarships awarded through the program are underwritten by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s own funds as well as approximately 500 business organizations and higher education institutions.

SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES ARE SubjEcT To chAngE

Jack Cashen (l) and Will Cunningham, George Mason High School National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Primary Years Program Comes Alive Thomas Jefferson Elementary School students are finding fun ways to connect the attributes of the IB Learner Profile to favorite characters in literature.

The students were entertained during an assembly last week by teachers and their principal, who dressed up as storybook characters and used props to enable students to recognize the attributes.

703-536-8638 703-536-7564 703-237-6993 703-536-3130 703-533-1248 703-248-5601*

* Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

Mason Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Two George Mason High School students have earned national recognition as semifinalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship competition. Jack Cashin and Will Cunningham received letters notifying them that they are among 16,000 students nationwide who are eligible to compete for 8,200 academic scholarships.

The honor was announced to the GMHS student body last Thursday morning.

703-534-4951 703-532-0321

TJ Principal Vincent Baxter uses a prop to illustrate the open-minded attribute of Stellaluna, by Jannell Cannon, a story about a baby bat who gets lost and falls into a bird’s nest. The character is open-minded.

For example, to demonstrate the inquirer attribute, teacher Lisa Allen profiled the little bird in the book Are You My Mother, by P.D. Eastman.

The goal of the IB Learner Profile is to encourage students to adopt the attributes in their learning.

It’s all part of the International

IB Learner Profile Attributes: • Inquirers • Thinkers • Principled • Caring • Balanced

• Knowledgeable • Communicators • Open-minded • Risk-takers • Reflective

Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, which the school is starting to implement this year.

A grand gift

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School is singing songs of joy following a recent gift to the school. Ron and Vicki Kananen, a retired Falls Church couple, recently downsized from their home in Great Falls and offered the school division their 6 ½ foot Baldwin grand piano.

Vickie, sister of FCCPS school board vicechairman Susan Kearney said the instrument wouldn’t fit in their new home, so they Mary Ellen Henderson music teacher, Connie Jenkins, with the new Baldwin decided to donate it to the schools.

“The Kananen’s love children but have none grand piano recently donated to the school. of their own,” Kearney said. “They are thrilled that our students will now have an opportunity to play this fabulous instrument.”

Back-to-School Night Schedules Mount Daniel School 9/25 7:00 p .m . Back-to-School Night Thomas Jefferson Elementary 9/30 7:00 p .m . Performing Arts Back-to-School Night 10/2 7:00 p .m . Back-to-School Night Mary Ellen Henderson Middle 9/18 6:30 p .m . Back-to-School Night George Mason High 9/18 7:00 p .m . Senior Parent Night 10/2 7:30 p .m . Sophomore/Junior Parent Night

Testing now–10/10 PALS (Grades 1-3) now–10/31 DRA Testing (Grades 1-2) Q/SRI Testing (Grades 3-5) 9/22–9/26 Stanford 10 Practice (Grades 4 & 6) September 18 4:00 p.m. Washington Lee @ Mason (Golf) 6:30 p.m. Back-to-School Night (MEH) 7:00 p.m. Senior Parent Night (GM) 19 7:30 p.m. Mason @ Park View High (Volleyball) 20 10:00 a.m. Mason @ Altoona (Cross Country) 10:00 a.m. Gr8 Car Wash (GM) 22 7:00 p.m. Outdoor Classroom Meeting (TJ) 7:15 p.m. Briar Woods @ Mason (Volleyball) 23 4:00 p.m. Manassas Park @ Mason (Golf) 7:00 p.m. School Board Work Session (City Hall) 7:00 p.m. PTSA Give-Back Seminar (GM) 7:15 p.m. Mason @ Manassas Park (Volleyball) 8:30 p.m. School Board Regular Meeting (City Hall) 24 9:00 a.m. Elementary PTA Assembly (MD) 5:00 p.m. Mason @ Madison Co. (Cross Country) 25 All Day Underclass Portraits (GM) 7:00 p.m. Back to School Night (MD) 7:15 p.m. Rapp Co. @ Mason (Volleyball) (MD) Mount Daniel School (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High Check the FCCPS Web site for more calendar information. www.fccps.org

FccPS Seeking health, Family Life committee Members Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity? School board advisory committees are a great way for volunteers to make a difference in our community by providing input on a variety of issues. Two committees in particular are in great need of members.

• FamilyLifeEducationAdvisory committee – this committee advises the school board on family life education programs within the school division.

• Student health Advisory board – this committee assists in developing health policies and helps evaluate school health education and health services programs within the Falls Church City Public Schools.

To learn more about becoming involved in these or other advisory committees, visit www.fccps.org/volunteer or contact school board deputy clerk Marty Gadell via email at gadellm@fccps.org or by phone at (703) 248-5601.

Page 42

laz y The dog. c k q u i fox sly p e d jum e r o v lazy the g . d o is Now time the all for o d g o to cows

15 s Yearo Ag

to come aid the ir of there. pa stu is Now e the timall for o d g o to cows to come aid the ir of there. pa stu

September 18 - 24, 2008

Falls Church News-Press Vol lll, No. 27 • September 23, 1993

‘Defense Contractor Firm Plans Exodus from City With 190 Employees’ “A major defense contractor firm is pulling its operations, including 190 employees, out of its downtown Falls Church location this November in a move that will have a striking impact on the economy of the city. It will mark the second time this year that a business with over 100 employees has left the city.

Science Applications International...”

Continued from Page 10

woman. She is said to be more reactionary than McCain – if that’s possible.

Is it any wonder that the activist feminist organizations have come out in support of Obama?

The new Republican ticket seems like the current White House tenant. Neither McCain nor Palin appear to have any significant doubts about President Bush’s disastrous policies. Palin’s gubernatorial tenure in Alaska is personified by massive firings when she took office. She does not tolerate dissent, and shuns the press.

It seems clear to me that we would have another imperial presidency if McCain and Palin win the hearts and minds of the American people in the November balloting. Bob Woodward of the Washington Post has been privy to the workings of the Bush White House and has written four books to prove it.

In his latest book, “The War Within,” Woodward depicts Bush as a “man of few doubts” who is “still following his gut, convinced that the path he has chosen is right.” Bush, who has switched from using the word “win” in speaking of Iraq to “succeed,” has the

SUZANNE FAUBER BUCK & ASSOCIATES, INC.

It is no the timw e for g o all o cows d to go to the aid of the ir pa stu re. *** **

Falls Church News-Press Vol VIII, No. 28 • September 24, 1998

10 Year s Ago

Thro w it up.

Pour it up It now is the time for all go od cows to go to the aid

‘Chamber of Commerce Opposed - ‘Assisted Living’ at Ad/Com Site Will Yield Little in Tax Revenue, City Planners Told’ “Plans by the Falls Church City Council to pass an ordinance that will permit development of an “assisted living” facility on the Ad/Com site in the 500 block of West Broad Street came under fire from the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce this week, and in remarks by members of the Falls...”

gung ho McCain-Palin team behind him. The question is “why?” Woodward also wrote that Bush was intolerant of confrontations and in-depth debate. He said Bush maintained an “odd detachment” in the management of the war in Iraq . . .” and too often failed

to lead.”

Bush has never explained why he invaded Iraq – a country that had no doomsday weapons and did us no harm. It’s doubtful that McCain or Palin could explain Bush’s mindless mission in the Middle East if they gained the White House.

Complete Professional Nail & Waxing Under New Management Specials September 2008

20% Off

Services of $30.00+

6725 Curran Street # 100, McLean, Va. 22101 • 703-883-1880 Behind Boston Market & Three Doors Down Sushi Miyagi Offer good until further notice. Two per Customer.

May not be combined with any other special offers. No cash or Credit Value

IS IT TIME for a belly rub or what? Maybe I am dreaming, but I think I hear my mom calling “Reagan...” but I am just too sleepy to get up right now. I never understand why they call me when I am resting, eventually they will learn. My humans are still in training. It is a process to teach them correctly. After calling me to no avail, they will look for me all over the house, in closets and under beds. Then they will wander into the living room and spot me lounging on my cozy bed with my catnipspiked toy supporting my back like a little furry pillow. Look how cute I am! They won’t be able to resist my little crossed paws and soft white belly. In no time, I’ll be getting scratches.

It works every time, guaranteed. My “how-to” manual is available to the feline community, all sales are final, in exchange for grade A quality cat-nip. I like the California kind the best.

If you would like to see your pet here, e-mail us at crittercorner@ fcnp.com or send a picture and a short description to Falls Church News-Press c/o Critter Corner, 450 W. Broad St., Suite 321, Falls Church, VA 22046.

Merrifield Garden Center Fall is a Perfect Time to Plant!

MUMS s PANSIES ORNAMENTAL CABBAGE & KALE ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

Hours: Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri (By Appt.)

LET’S PLAY MUSIC Quali¿HG Instruction • Weekly Schedule

BEGINNING THROUGH ADVANCED

HOLLAND BULBS

Special Buy!

DWARF

Discover our incredible array for a colorful spring!

ROCK • JAZZ • CLASSICAL • GUITAR BASS • DRUMS • PIANO & MORE

BURNING BUSH While

21.00

$

BEAUTIFUL LAWNS

703-237-0099

they last

3 gal cont. – Reg. $34.99 Good 9/18 – 9/24/08

707 West Broad Street, Falls Church

MERRIFIELD’S FREE GARDENING & LANDSCAPING SEMINARS Saturday, September 20

TALL OAKS CONSTRUCTION, LLC

Suzanne Knows Real Estate.

Cleo Knows Dog Bones.

It’s Just That Simple.

Office (703) 528-2288 Cell (703) 395-8741 suzanne@buckrealtors.com www.suzannefauber.com

FALL LAWN CARE

CREATIVE LANDSCAPING

10 am – Fair Oaks Location

10 am – Merrifield Location

Stop by our stores or visit MerrifieldGardenCenter.com for the full schedule!

-For those Who Know the Difference

Licensed and Insured Class A Contractor 703-865-7774 Cell 571-345-6061

• Residential • Commerical

MERRIFIELD LOCATION

FAIR OAKS LOCATION

703-560-6222

• Historic Renovations

NEW

• Fine Work of all Types

GAINESVILLE LOCATION

703-968-9600 s

703-368-1919

www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com

Over 30 years Trade Experience 8.indd d 1

September 18 - 24, 2008

n

Page 43

ACCOUNTING

n

Diener & Associates, CPA.. . . . . . . . . 241-8807 Eric C. Johnson, CPA, PC . . . . . . . . . 538-2394 Hassans Account & Tax Services . . . 241-7771 Mark Sullivan, CPA. . . . . . . . . . . 571-214-4511 Walsh & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448-0073 Hahn & Associates, PC, CPAs. . . . . . 533-3777 n

n

n

ATTORNEYS

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co.. . . 519-1634 BB&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-3505 Acacia Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506-8100 n

BOOK BINDING

BCR Binders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9181 n

n

n

n

n

COUNSELING DENTISTS

EQUIPMENT RENTAL/SALE

CATERING

n

n

Point of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-6500

n

Art and Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-4202 Antique & Contemporary Restoration 241-8255 n

GIFTS

n

n

INTERIOR DESIGN JEWELRY

n

LAWN & GARDEN

n

Mottern Masonry Design . . . . . . 571-212-1711

REAL ESTATE

Merelyn Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .790-9090x218 www.helpfulmortgage.us . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 Casey O’Neal - ReMax . . . . . . . . . . . 824-4196 Rosemary Hayes Jones. . . . . . . . . . .790-1990 Leslie Hutchison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .675-2188 www.Mortgage1040.com . . . . . . . . . . 448-3508 The Young Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356-8800 Shaun Murphy, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . 868-5999 www.TheJeffersonatBallston.com . . . 741-7562 Susan Fauber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-8741

INSURANCE

MASONRY

PET SERVICES

Dog Trainer - Nicole Kibler. . . . . . . . . 593-6340 n

IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Caliber Mower Service & Repair . . . . 691-2995 Weaver Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323-9251 Lawn Care Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691-2351

MUSIC

Academy of Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938-8054 World Children’s Choir . . . . . . . . . . . . 883-0920 Columbia Institute - Fine Arts. . . . . . . 534-2508 Foxes Music Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7393

www.ofallthebeads.com . . . . . . . . . . . 901-3738

FRAMING

FURNITURE

n

design2follow llc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-1610

n

MEDICAL

Dr Gordon Theisz, Family Medicine. . 533-7555 The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy. . . . 536-4042

Bob Snyder - Life/Health/Disability . . 449-0117 State Farm Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5105 n

FLORISTS

n

CGA Immigration Associates, LLC. . . 578-3556 n

VA Outdoor Power Equipment . . . . . . 207-2000 Ace Tool & Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 532-5600

EYEWEAR

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Victor Blaise Development . . . . . . . . . 408-7542 Arlington Color Consultants . . . . . . . . 241-8548 Courthouse Kitchens & Baths . . . . . . 352-3011 Andy Group Construction. . . . . . . . . . 503-0350 James Roofing & Home Improvement 593-3383 Joseph Home Improvement. . . . . . . . 507-5005 FC Heating & Air Service . . . . . . . . . . 534-0630 Shiner Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560-7663 J & S Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448-1171 The Vinyl Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793-3111

CONSTRUCTION

Galleria Florist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-0770 Falls Church Florist, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 533-1333

CARPET CLEANING

Bubba’s Bar-B-Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560-8570

n

COMPUTER SERVICES

Drs. William Dougherty, Julie D. Tran 532-3300 Drs. Mark A. Miller, Melanie R. Love . 241-2911 Dr. Nimisha V. Patel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-1993

n

Mike’s Carpet Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 978-2270 n

n

HOME CARE

MASSAGE

Massage & Hair Removal . . . . . . .571-282-4522 Healthy by Intention, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 534-1321 Sheraton Premiere Women’s Massage 403-9328

Human Touch Home Health. . . . . . . . 531-0540

Carol S. Miller, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-4980 Josette Millman, APRN . . . . . . . . . . . 855-0396

BUSINESS SERVICES

Jon Rizalvo, PAYCHEX . . . . 698-6910 x27045

n

n

HEALTH & FITNESS

Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-0140 Sacred Well Yoga and Healing . . . . . 989-8316

Alba Construction, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-0733

AUTOMOTIVE BANKING

n

GUTTERS & SIDING

Thomas Most - Gutters Cleaned . . . . 855-3031

Systems Management Technology . 891-1491 x14 Fast Teks On-Site Computer Srvcs . . 496-7807

n

Beyer Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5000 Swedish Motor Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-0988 n

n

n

Bose Law Firm: Former Police. . . . . . 926-3900 Mark F. Werblood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9300 Janine S. Benton, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . .992-9255

CLEANING SERVICES

Direct Cleaning Services . . . . . . . . . . 858-4589 Pressure Washing/Deck, Siding. . . . . 980-0225 Liberty Chem Dry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-0239 Maid Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823-1922 Carpets, Ducts, Windows. . . . . . . . . . 823-1922

ASSISTED LIVING

Sunrise of Falls Church . . . . . . . . . . . 534-2700 n

n

ARTS

Falls Church School of Ballet. . . . . . . 532-2221 n

n

Dr. Solano, solanospine.com . . . . . . 536-4366

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Falls Church Antique Company . . . . . 241-7074 Antique Annex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-9642

CHIROPRACTOR

TAILOR

Tailor Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-8886

TRAVEL

All Travel & Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970-4091 n

TUTORS

Your Computer Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-2821 TCY Learning Solutions, LLC. . . . . . . 371-9067

Stifel & Capra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407-0770

All numbers have a ‘703’ prefix unless otherwise indicated.

Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be!

Visit Us Online

Snap a pic of your critter and email it to: CRITTERCORNER@FCNP.COM OR mail it to Critter Corner c/o Falls Church News-Press 450 W. Broad Street #321 Falls Church, Va 22046

www.fcnp.com News•Photos•Online Polls•Sports and More

Page 44

September 18 - 24, 2008

Just Reduced - Open by Appointment

O p en Sunday 1-4

Falls Church City. Super 3 BR + den 2.5 Bath stone & brick rambler with “contemporary flair” in sought-after VA Forest. Large Living room-Dining room combination, with impressive stone FP, opens to wonderful great room with wall of glass overlooking park -like back yard & large deck. HW floors, day light Rec Room, open airy floor plan. Walk to award-winning elementary school. $Million+ homes across St. Now $619,950. Call Merelyn to see.

Falls Church City. Charming 3 level Colonial. Walk to Award Winning Elem School & bus to Metro! Five BRs, 3 full Bas, (incl master suite) plus powder room, updated Kit with French flair, spacious LR, separate DR with pressed tin ceiling. French doors from LR lead to 1st Floor Fam Room with FP & door to back yard with stone patio. HW floors, full basement. $599,000 7 Corners: W on Broad, L on Oak, L on Seaton R on Cameron

Merelyn Kaye Selling Falls Church Since 1970

Life Member, NVAR TopProducer Member 20+ Million Dollar Sales Club Top 1/2% of all Agents Nationwide

Home 241-2577 Office 790-9090 X418 Mobile 362-1112

Just Google “Merelyn” For Your Real Estate Needs

1320 Old Chain Bridge Road McLean, Virginia 22101