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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LOCAL

SEPTEMBER 23 - 29, 2021 | PAGE 9

F.C.’s CBC, LWV Present Affordable Housing Options

by Allison brown And HAl lippmAn

For decades our City has faced a severe shortage of affordable housing – a situation that became even more troubling given the current racial reckoning and lack of diversity in Falls Church. Prompted by this confluence of past history and present developments the League of Women Voters-Falls Church and Citizens for a Better City recently organized and held three public forums.

How We Got Here: In the first forum, panelists explained that over the decades, Falls Church City citizens had organized in support of projects to increase affordable housing. Yet, other citizens opposed these efforts, leading to the failure of numerous proposed projects over the years and exacerbating the shortage. Panelists also emphasized that some investments made over the years are coming to the end of their lives. A key example is The Fields, which is currently the City’s largest standalone affordable apartment building, with 96 units.

Recent Developments: Our City has experienced a number of encouraging developments in the last year – the focus of the second forum. Recent building approvals will add more than 60 affordable apartments in the next three years and affordable apartments in the Founders Row and Broad and Washington projects will be “permanently affordable,” rather than time-limited, per previous practice.

The City obtained a $3.75 million Amazon grant that will be used to preserve existing affordable units in the Reed building and support home ownership opportunities. It also purchased several quadplex properties in Virginia Village, which will preserve their affordability and could facilitate the building of a dedicated affordable housing development on that site in the future. Finally, the City has acted to facilitate affordable housing projects by allocating $100,000 into its Affordable Housing Fund in 2021 and budgeting another $100,00 for next year.

What Lies Ahead: In the third forum the discussion indicated that the City needs to be proactive in its affordable housing efforts, with zoning and planning changes, as well as dedicated funding, being critical.

Zoning and Planning: Panelists pointed out that most land in our City is designated for single family development, which encourages large houses that are out of reach financially for most people. In fact, panelists asserted, local officials initially created these zoning restrictions to preserve racial segregation. Yet, these restrictions remain. They cited the need to enact changes to our land use plans and zoning codes, for example, to allow multi-family homes in areas that are now zoned single family and to ease restrictions on accessory dwelling units.

Additionally, panelists said making affordable housing a priority in the planning process is important, pointing out that the City has recently updated its Comprehensive Plan and Affordable Living policy. Near-term work, they added, must ensure that site plans include policy goals for affordable housing; such as in the case of the forthcoming Eastern Gateway (Seven Corners) project. Also mentioned were changes to the planning process to provide regulatory relief for any standalone affordable housing project, which could result in an increase in the hundreds of units.

Funding: Multiple panelists emphasized the need for a longterm, dedicated funding stream; for example, by allocating some of the $18 million the City has already received from federal and state recovery and relief legislation. Other nearby local jurisdictions, panelists added, have created dedicated affordable housing funding in different ways. Arlington puts money into its affordable housing investment fund every year and Alexandria implemented a meals tax in 2019, which has raised millions of dollars for this purpose.

Strategies for Increasing Diversity: Panelists highlighted several strategies to ensure that housing policy initiatives bring more racial and economic diversity to our City. Providing affordable units targeted on lower income households (40-60% of area median income), should be a key part of any such strategy. Pointing out that our City is the least racially diverse community in the region, panelists emphasized the importance of changing its policy of prioritizing allocation of affordable units to those who live and work here. Preserving existing housing stock, including small single-family homes, panelists added, should also be part of our strategic thinking.

Conclusion: The City of Falls Church is growing and changing and affordable housing opportunities are a key part of promoting this growth and managing change in a sustainable way. At the same time, the legacy of its early history of segregation and long-term failure to respond to affordable housing needs have been leading factors in its being the least racially diverse community in the region. In effect, to continue to meet the challenges of sustaining growth and promoting a more economically and racially diverse community, a significant expansion of affordable housing opportunities in our City is essential.

Allison Brown is President of the LWV-Falls Church, Hal Lippman is President of CBC.

www.FallsChurchChamber.org/events/calendar/

Friday, Sept 24 11:00 am

For current, new and prospective members: Learn more about the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Make the most of your benefits Find out how to add Events/Hot Deals and edit your Member Page Network with other Chamber members

Register by scanning the QR code, or registering through the event page on our website. The Zoom link will be included in event registration confirmation email.

ROWELL COURT BLOCK PARTY

107 Rowell Court Falls Church, VA 22046

The Annual Rowell Court Block Party is back!

The block party hosted by Mark Werblood of Tesler & Werblood is back! Join us for a great evening of friends, fun, networking, refreshments from a variety of restaurants, door prizes, and more. Say hello to our new Executive Director, Elise Neil Bengtson, and wish Sally Cole the best in her next chapter.

The event is free to chamber members, colleagues, and friends of the chamber. Please register by scanning the QR code, or registering through the event page on our website.

LiveLocalFC @FallsChurchCham @FCChamberofCommerce

Partner Sponsors Gold Sponsors Live Local Falls Church!

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Staples—Bailey’s Crossroads

PAGE 10 | SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2021

LOCAL News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes

Arlington National Guard Soldier Receives New Rank

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Ava Sodergren from Arlington, Va., and assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation received a promotion to the rank of sergeant on May 25, 2021.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential. These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

MCC Celebrates LGBTQ+ Ally Week

LGBTQ+ Ally Week is a national celebration of friends and families who support LGBTQ+ people and it culminates in National Coming Out Day.

This year, the McLean Community Center (MCC) will celebrate this week by offering a variety of enjoyable and educational events, including an interfaith panel discussion. All events are free; however, participants are required to preregister. The registration form is linked on the center’s website, www.mcleancenter.org. The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave.

The celebration has been planned by the MCC’s Governing Board and staff members as a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community locally, as well as their larger commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of MCC’s activities.

MCC Governing Board Chair Barbara Zamora-Appel said, “The Board and staff encourage respectful and safe spaces for civil dialogue and invite you to join us in making MCC and greater McLean a welcoming space for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, friends and families.”

A GOING AWAY CELEBRATION recognizing Matt Delaney’s four years of outstanding service at the mighty Falls Church News-Press was

held last Friday. Front row (seated): Delaney and FCNP Chief Nicholas Benton; Standing (l. to r.), Julio Idrobo, Charlie Clark, Orrin Konheim, Mark Dreisonstok, Ted White, Nick Gatz and Patricia Leslie. Not pictured: Melissa Morse. (Photo: Shaun VanSteyn)

Recycling Extravaganza Returns Oct. 2:

The City of Falls Church’s annual Recycling Extravaganza returns on Saturday, October 2 from 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. at the Recycling Center, located at 217 Gordon Rd.

Residents can drop off materials that are not allowed in their curbside collection carts, including Hazardous Household Waste (HHW), and bring specified items for donation.Residents will be required to show ID or proof of City of Falls Church residency in order to drop off items and materials at this year’s Recycling Extravaganza. Residents will also be asked to stay in their vehicles and allow event staff to remove items and materials.

“Prismatic” Art Show Opens in Falls Church

Thirty-three area artists are in the spotlight at the Falls Church Arts Gallery’s new show “Prismatic.” The colorful art show opened Sept. 19 and will be on display until Oct. 31 at the gallery located at 700-B W. Broad St. in Falls Church.

Curated by noted McLean artist Joan Bixler of Bixler Studios, the show features 40 works in various media – oil, watercolor, acrylic, photography and collage. The art work can be viewed and purchased online at https:// fallschurcharts.org/product-category/prismatic/.

The non-profit art gallery in downtown Falls Church is open Wednesday—Friday 11 a.m. — 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. Visitors are asked to practice social distancing and wear masks.

Solo Show of Works by Barry Barnett Keith

Gallery Underground presents Water, a solo show of largescale acrylics by artist Barry Barnett Keith. Keith is a native of Alexandria, VA and a product of Alexandria City Public Schools.

After graduating from TC Williams High School in 1978, Keith went on to the University of Delaware art school, where he majored in Painting, Drawing and English. Keith developed a drawing style over the years by producing portraits for local patrons, but landscapes are his first and continuing love. Keith’s goal in landscape painting is to translate what he sees and have the painting be indicative of the medium, rather than a photographic picture with brushes. Keith has taught the arts in the Prince Georges County, Maryland, Public School system for the past 15 years. He is presently Lead Art Teacher at Mattaponi Elementary School in Upper Marlboro and Rose Valley Elementary School in Fort Washington, MD.

11th Annual Red Shoe 5k Coming Soon

The Red Shoe 5k is back on Sunday, October 3rd with options for In-person and virtual registration! Local, state and federal guidelines surrounding group gatherings will be monitored.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC eases the hardship of children’s illness on families through programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children. The Red Shoe 5k Run and Walk is an annual event held to raise critical funding for its programs and the families that it serves.

The Red Shoe Run team is excited to announce their first ever hybrid event. This year, run-

PAGE 11 | SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Virtal and In-Person Red Shoe Run Coming Soon

Run Park, but also across the country virtually.

Early Voting Now Open for November 2, 2021 Election. Early in-person voting began on Friday, September 17 for the November 2, 2021 General Election. The ballot includes contests for state office (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and House of Delegates) and local office (Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, City Council, and School Board). The deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration is Tuesday, October 12. Citizens can apply, update, and check their voter registration status on the Virginia Department of Election’s Citizen Portal: vote.elections.virginia.gov.

MPAartfest Returns to McLean Central Park

MPAartfest will return to McLean for its 15th year on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

During MPAartfest, McLean Central Park is transformed into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of juried artists from throughout the midAtlantic region. This free event features contemporary art, live music throughout the day from some of the DC-area’s best musical talents, a Children’s Art Walk, food vendors, and much more. MPAartfest 2021 is made possible with the help of the McLean Community Center, and through partnerships with community and corporate sponsors, Fairfax County Park Authority and The Mather.

Albert Castro Awarded Gold Stars at The Citadel

Albert Castro of Arlington, Virginia is one of the nearly 550 cadets and students recognized for their academic achievements during the spring 2021 semester. Gold stars are awarded to cadets and students at The Citadel who achieved a 3.7 grade point average or higher. Cadets and students who achieve gold star recognition are also placed on The Citadel’s dean’s list.

AHC In Search of Volunteers for Students

AHC of Alexandria is looking for volunteers to help tutor teenagers in both academic and life skills, as well as helping elementary schoolers with math and literacy skills. Volunteers for teens are needed one hour a week from 6 — 8 p.m. and for elementary students from 4 — 6 p.m. A virtual orientation for volunteers will be held Monday, September 27, from 6:30 — 7:30 p.m. For more information about our programs, locations, Covid protocol and more, please visit https:// www.ahcinc.org/get-involved/ volunteers/ or email volunteer@ ahcinc.org.

Oktoberfest Is Coming to Vienna

Oktoberfest will take place in Vienna on October 2 from 11 a.m. — 7 p.m. on Church Street. The event will feature live entertainment on three stages, two beer and wine gardens, free kids activities and games, vendors and more. Volunteers are currently needed for the event.

Those who sign up for a 5 hour shift or more will get a free meal voucher. Nonprofit organizations that bring 10 or more volunteers for at least two shifts will be eligible for a donation from the foundation, or a free booth space. Contact info@viennabusiness.org for more information.

It’s Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week

Today’s kids are tomorrow’s drivers. This Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week (September 19 - 25), Transurban is promoting quick tips and engaging resources, compiled from the Virginia Department of Health and U.S. Department of Transportation, to make sure that all drivers and their little ones are well-equipped for the road ahead.

Check out drivingwillpower. com for more information.

Folklore Society of Greater Washington’s Getaway

For the second year, the Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW) will present The Getaway, its weekend of musical exploration and fellowship, online. Imagine a party with some of the finest singers from the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia and the farthest parts of the globe—that’s the Getaway!

Scheduled for the long Columbus Day weekend (Friday, October 8 — Monday, October 11), the Getaway will feature a plethora of song circles, folk song styles, singers, instruction, concerts, storytelling and much, much more. The schedule includes a ballad track, an Irish track, a Scottish track, a storytelling track and children’s programming. There will be instructional sessions on singing, instrumental accompaniment, Slide Guitar Basics, and “What Makes It the Blues.” Concerts will include folk music luminaries.

Presentations will highlight contemporary issues such as the lives of LGBT people in Appalachia, and historical topics such as the Civil War, the multicultural roots of Sea Chanties, the life of singer Emma Dusenbery, and the roots of the Blues. There will also be “how-to” sessions that include doing online research using Library of Congress collections, and getting the most out of Zoom.

Visit http://wff.fsgw2.org/ for more information.

Prepare to Vote with Candidate Forums

The Falls Church League of Women Voters and the Village Preservation and Improvement Society are hosting a virtual candidate forums on separate nights: one for City Council candidates and one for School Board candidates.

The Falls Church School Board Candidate Forum will take place on Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 pm. To attend that forum, please register online.

THE NEW NEWS EDITOR at the Falls Church News-Press taking over for Matt Delaney this week is Amanda Snead, a George Mason University graduate Class of 2021 with a B.A. in Communication. (N���-

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PAGE 12 | SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2021

COMMENT

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Disposable plastic bags were castigated and praised at a public hearing last week as the Board of Supervisors considered a new ordinance to impose a five-cent-per-bag tax in the county. Enabling legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 authorizes localities to adopt such an ordinance; two cents of the tax is retained by the retailers, with that amount dropping to one cent in January 2023. The bag tax would be collected by the state, essentially in the same manner that the retail sales and use tax is collected. The bag tax would not apply to plastic bags used to wrap or package ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, and perishable items, nor to dry cleaning and prescription drug bags. Multiple plastic bags sold in packages (e.g., for garbage, pet waste, etc.) also are exempt.

Nearly 40 speakers were signed up for the hearing, with various approaches to the proposal. A former Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency spoke against the bag tax, while members of environmental organizations spoke in support of it. Some speakers pointed out that no one has to pay the tax. Reusable bags are readily available (most of us probably have a few in our vehicles already), and you don’t need a single use plastic bag for every purchase. Changing a habit or behavior, bringing your own bag, or asking for a paper bag won’t incur the tax. After a couple hours of testimony and discussion, the measure passed by a vote of 9 to 1, Supervisor Herrity (R-Springfield) voting against it. The new Code amendment goes into effect on January 1, 2022, which allows plenty of time for adjusting behaviors now.

Mason District lost an angel last Friday, with the passing of Carmen Fernandez, a founder of Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN) and a longtime resident of the Bailey’s Crossroads area. Carmen created HACAN in 1985, and was the guiding light of the non-profit that focuses on strengthening immigrant families in Northern Virginia through parent education and out-of-school activities that serve and support youth. One of those activities is my favorite, the Morningstar program that, prior to the pandemic, met on Saturday mornings at the Woodrow Wilson Library. Under Carmen’s direction, girls from early elementary to high school age learned skills through activities designed to build self-esteem and have fun at the same time. Across the years, it was heartwarming to watch the girls grow into young women, and help their younger sisters (and sometimes, brothers) get involved in Morningstar.

Physically, Carmen was an elegant, tiny woman, but her reach was huge. She lived a positive life, always believing that a problem could be resolved by working together, and she usually was right. Many times, I tried to convince her to let me nominate her as Mason District’s Lady Fairfax, a designation that honors volunteer service, but she always refused. Carmen never wanted the attention to be on her, but on the families and children she worked so hard to help. Carmen was 88 when she passed peacefully with her immediate family at her bedside. Her extensive community family, including me, mourns with them.

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

C��� �� F���� C����� CRIME REPORT

Week of Sept. 13 – Sept. 19, 2021

Larceny from Vehicle, Wilson Blvd, between Sept 9, 3 PM and Sept 13, 5 PM, unknown suspect(s) removed license plates from a vehicle.

Identity Theft, W Broad St, Sept 14, 9:36 AM, an incident of identity theft was reported.

Larceny from Vehicle, Wilson Blvd, between Sept 11, 9 PM and Sept 12, noon, unknownsuspect(s) removed license plates from a vehicle.

Aggravated Assault/Destruction of Property/DUI, Hillwood Ave, Sept 14, 11:56 PM, a male of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for Aggravated Assault, Destruction of Property and Driving Under the Influence.

Commercial Burglary, Wilson Blvd, Sept 14, 2:30 AM, unknown suspect broke a window and removed items of value. Suspect described as male, 45-50 years old, wearing a gray Under Amour baseball hat, white face mask, a dark or brown t-shirt (with a possible cross logo in the center chest), with a white long undershirt, dark jeans, and a brownish backpack.

Shoplifting, S Washington St, Sept 15, 8:57 PM, unknown suspect took items of value without payment. Suspect described as a male 5’6”-5’10” height, 25-40 YOA and a muscular build. He was last seen wearing a blue baseball hat, gray sleeveless shirt, gray pants, black slides and a blue backpack.

Shoplifting, W Broad St, Sept 18, 8:54 PM, unknown suspect took items of value. Suspect described as a male, approximately 35 years old, black beard, wearing a black shirt and black backpack.

Drunk in Public, E Broad St, Sept 19, 9:32 AM, a male, 29, of Scarborough, ME, was arrested for Drunk in Public

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COMMENT

SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2021 | PAGE 13

The Peril? Trump Is A Russian Asset

“Peril remains.” These are the closing words of the Bob Woodward/Robert Costa co-authored blockbuster out this week, “Peril,” an instant bestseller by one half of the journalistic team that brought down President Nixon half a century ago.

The insider stories of President Trump and the tireless work Nicholas F. Benton of Gen. Mark Milley of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to keep an unstable Trump away from the nuclear button in his last weeks, in the book’s very last part is the most troubling. It FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS describes Trump as a man who will not yield even now, more than half a year after leaving office in the settling dust of the riot he engineered on January 6 that came far closer than most are willing to admit to actually executing a coup against American democracy.

It wasn’t a coup against America alone, but against all the things that democracy is supposed to represent, especially protecting the interests of minorities in our nation.

It was a rightwing coup on behalf of white male supremacy and everything that Trump rode into office trying to represent, exercising extreme prejudice against Muslims to begin with, and inclusive of all the racial and social minorities that his legions of violent protesters hate.

After the January 6 riot, the authors write in the last pages of their book, the question is raised if the riot was a mere “dress rehearsal?,” quoting one of the book’s major figures, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley, remarking to senior staff, “What you might have seen was a precursor to something far worse down the road.”

By this summer, the authors note, Trump was out holding campaign-style rallies across the country, with one in Ohio drawing 10,000.

“We didn’t lose. We didn’t lose. We didn’t lose,” it quotes Trump exclaiming repeatedly. “We won the election twice!” He concluded his speech, “We will not bend. We will not break. We will not yield. We will never give in. We will never give up. We will never back down. We will never, ever surrender. My fellow Americans, our movement is far from over. In fact, our fight has only just begun.”

And that’s where things stand right now.

But what the book omits, for all its 200 firsthand witnesses and interviews, is the amazing fact that Trump is more than a dangerously demented egomaniac, he is a fully committed agent of a hostile foreign power, Russia, just as James Clapper, former director of U.S. National Intelligence, said publicly in 2017.

The importance of this cannot be overstated, and yet avoiding that fact seems to have become the dominant mode of assessing him even in the most negative sense these days. I don’t know why, except that maybe it’s to assuage the ongoing grave concerns of the Chinese about what’s happening to our country.

It also may stem from a deep failure to appreciate for how Russian foreign intelligence has operated here for the last 50 years, a great ignorance about their role in the U.S. fringe political counterculture involving sophisticated techniques of mind control that we see manifested in the stubborn insistence of anti-vax radicals in our midst.

The Russians are using their assets like Trump to tear down America any way they can, including by encouraging the spread of the Covid-19 virus and the wider modes of distrust by citizens in our democratic system and themselves.

Tons of evidence points to this, even the indictments this week of Jesse Benton (no relation) and Douglas Wead, GOP operatives accused of channeling Russian money to the Trump campaign. When convicted of this earlier, they were pardoned by Trump.

But that’s not nearly as important as the history of Russian insinuation into the U.S. political process and their identification of Trump as their primary aspiring presidential asset back in 1988, as I document in my new book, “The January 6, 2021 Capitol Sacking: Putin’s Role.”

In these pandemic times, the pressure on everyday folks to “pitch in” during the emergency reminds many of the Cold War. The 1950s-‘60s air raid and “duck and cover” drills required of schoolchildren left a disturbing imprint on my generation raised near the nation’s capital.

Curators at the Arlington Historical Museum (home to an air raid siren once at Kenmore School) showed me an array of once-commonplace instructions on how average citizens should behave if the Russians dropped a 20-megaton bomb in our suburban vicinity.

A pocket-size evacuation locator warned that “A steady blast for five minutes” from sirens, whistles or horns meant: Evacuate. A rising and falling wail for 3 minutes meant: Take Shelter.

A 1955 Civil Defense Administration pamphlet gave Arlington evacuation routes out Route 7 (one-way only) to Clarke, Loudoun, Frederick, Buckingham and Shenandoah counties. “Don’t forget emergency rations, clothing, supplies,” it said. “Do not use the telephone. Check your AM radio (640 or 1240) for detailed instructions” from the emergency station CONELRAD. A brochure gave grim facts about the radioactive fallout you can’t taste, touch or see.

All this federal and local planning wasn’t enough for the

Our Man in Arlington Arlington Civic By Charlie Clark Federation. In March 1958, its public safety chairman John Heckman implored the county “to step up emphasis on the construction of civil defense shelters,” according to the Northern Virginia Sun. “Mass evacuation has been outmoded by late developments in weapons and carriers.” A 1968 Northern Virginia Regional Planning Commission map located 150 shelter sites, among them: First National Bank of Arlington, Cherrydale Cement Block Co., elementary schools, and more. My schoolmates recalled neighbors’ cinder-block bomb shelters that doubled as pantries packed with water and supplies. Mary Lynn remembers “the dire warning not to look at the sky so you wouldn’t go blind from the nuclear attack. Even in 4th grade, I was torn between fear of what seemed an inevitable attack and my suspicion that all the tactics were ludicrous.” Bob said the 1962 Cuban Missile crisis “freaked out my already fragile psyche. When the special bulletins came on the news, I would run into the bathroom, close the door and cover my ears.” At Nottingham school, “We had to have a gallon jug of water in our lockers,” recalls George Maughan. “Where we were wouldn’t have mattered anyway but made everyone feel better. John recalls a teacher assigned to operate the Geiger counter. “At Tuckahoe Elementary we had drills to get under our little wooden desks,” said Jesse. “One kid was upset because the teacher did not get under hers. Thinking back, I don’t think she could.” While a Claremont Elementary student, Pam remembers “packing a suitcase of books, food and candy that I could grab from my bedroom and take downstairs to our basement in case I was at home when the bombs fell.”

At Catholic St. Agnes, recalls another Bob, “drills were timed to see how fast we could move. The one difference from our public school counterparts is the instruction to clutch our rosary, water thermos and blanket as our nun went to the windows to draw the shades.”

Because Arlington was known as “the crater zone,” recalled Fred Gosnell, “even as a kid, I don’t remember having illusions about survivability.” ***

A demolition permit has been granted the owner of the 130-year-old Fellows-McGrath home at Washington Blvd. near Sycamore St. It’s disappointing to Tom Dickinson and other preservation activists who had filed an application to protect it.

The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board opted Sept. 15 to stick to its recommendation that county staff research the property history.

Manassas realtor Masum Kahn, who bought the house after eight months on the market to build modern homes, has not set a demolition schedule. Though he would consider selling “for the right price.”

PAGE 14 | SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2021

LOCAL

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. School Board Candidates Respond ToF.C. Education Association

Introduction by Farrell Kelly, President, Falls Church City Education Association:

The Falls Church City Education Association (FCCEA) is an organization which independently represents members throughout the Falls Church City Public Schools. While FCCEA is not able to, nor would it want to, make any endorsements for specific School Board Candidates, we wanted to take an opportunity this year to give candidates a chance to share their feelings on issues and questions that might be important to both our members and the larger community. To this end, we have put together a short questionnaire which School Board candidates were eager to complete. We will share these responses with our members, and the Falls Church News-Press has agreed to help us share these responses with the community at large. These are responses to three of the questions asked by the Education Association. All five questions and answers can be viewed on fcnp.com.

Q. Describe how your professional and community experiences qualify you to be on the FCC School Board.

Kathleen Tysse

I have a Master of Teaching and am a former teacher. I am passionate about education and literacy and have spent my nine years in Falls Church City supporting our community’s educational and literary institutions. While staying home to raise my four kids who now attend three FCCPS schools, I consistently volunteered as a room parent for each of my four children. I then served as the elementary PTA President-elect and President. In the role of PTA President, I served on the 2019-2020 Calendar Committee and on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council in the summer of 2020. I have served on the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Board of Trustees since 2018, while the Board oversaw the library’s recent renovation and expansion. I also helped create the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation’s Development Committee which fundraises for and celebrates our beloved library. These experiences have helped me build strong relationships across our community and given me a deeper understanding of how our public institutions work and what they need to thrive.

Lori Silverman

My professional career has focused on working with different people from various backgrounds and different viewpoints, helping them come together, collaborate, and working toward a common goal. I’m a good listener and a thoughtful voice. As a (non-practicing) lawyer, I’m trained to ask questions, advocate, and effectively communicate. In my career, I work closely with organized labor and have a deep commitment to workers’ rights and ensuring they have a collective voice (I even spent a summer union organizing while in college!) I’m confident I can bring these skills and passion to the Board in order to benefit our teachers, staff, community, and most importantly, our children.

Tate Gould

I strongly believe my 25+ years of experience in the field of education qualifies me to be on the FCC School Board. I have been a high school math teacher as well as a mentor teacher, teacher educator, and teaching instructor, which has been a critical perspective often missing in many education policy discussions. I was also an educational researcher, focusing my graduate degrees on various topics from teacher empowerment and pedagogy to teacher leadership and school transitions (e.g., middle to high school). I have extensive experience in education policy, from working at the US Department of Education on a variety of federal policy reforms to becoming CEO and founder of an education company that has supported numerous school districts and states across the country. Aside from my well-rounded professional experiences in education, I care deeply about our community and schools and would be excited to serve our community through listening and accountability, as an elected School Board member.

Courtney Mooney

As a two-year team captain for UNC Women’s Basketball, representative on the Student-Athlete Council, and speaker for the Educational Foundation I gained immense leadership experience while also understanding the value of working within a diverse team to achieve success while still in college. I went on to leverage that experience into a top performer in Medical Sales for some of the most prestigious companies in the country. For the past 12 years I have worked within the diagnostic testing industry which requires the daily use of skills such as people management, education, troubleshooting, crisis management, being responsive and service oriented, project management/implementation, workflow optimization, consultative partnership, understanding and educating others on guidelines/policies/procedures, team building, proper prioritization and time management, assessing revenue and growth numbers/projections, and strategic planning all within an incredibly large and diverse team of colleagues and with equally diverse clients who all have different needs/motivations/priorities/questions/ concerns.

I have been a very active coach for many kids in this community within FCC Rec Basketball. Additionally, I offered a free basketball clinic throughout most of last year to provide kids a chance to be active and interact with their peers while in a structured environment.

Lastly, I devoted enormous energy this past year organizing families who were truly struggling with the school building closures in order to have a more systematic and effective way for the concerns and questions to be heard and responded to by our school system and to offer information and potential pathways forward in dealing with Covid and safety. I watched every school board meeting, met with the mayor, city council, the superintendent and school board members, I wrote weekly newsletters, created an advisory board, led bi-weekly advisory and team meetings, spoke to numerous families to understand their needs, reached out to teachers, had open lines of communication with the PTA, former board members… there is not much I haven’t done this past year when it comes to trying to understand what has been going on within our school system, particularly at the board level, and being an effective representative for many families in this community. All of which has led me to feel extremely prepared to tackle being an effective, empathetic, proactive, transparent representative on the school board for all people in this community.

Jerrod Anderson

I have worked in educational technology implementation in Memphis, TN, in economic development in rural Arkansas, and, currently, on a large health survey. All these roles have involved taking input from multiple stakeholder groups (with a variety of concerns) to come to a final decision. While working in the Memphis public schools, in particular, I gained a great appreciation for the necessity of teachers’ ability to provide feedback on the administration’s policies and priorities. In addition to allowing for more effective implementation and targeting of educational technology, creating the space for feedback increased teacher buy-in. This experience lends itself well for productively engaging with members of the school community and allowing the appropriate space for them to provide feedback and express concerns.

Ilya Shapiro

As a constitutional lawyer, I have unique experience understanding how legal policy can make a subtle but significant impact in people’s lives. My professional background, including filing Supreme Court briefs and testifying before congressional and state legislative committees, has made me familiar with a variety of complex questions in education law, which will help Falls Church navigate state and federal regulations. I’m also a member of our state’s advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. I make a living debating and advocating in front of powerful people, so won’t shy away from difficult situations. More locally, I’ve volunteered at Dulin Cooperative Preschool (where my wife is now the president) and have participated in the Run for the Schools every year since we moved here. Finally, one credential has a special place in my heart: my naturalization in 2014 (having immigrated from the USSR and Canada) symbolizes the extraordinary opportunity that our country offers -- and I’m committed to preserving and expanding that promise of opportunity. I was an ESL learner and now speak Spanish in addition to Russian and other languages, so can appreciate the linguistic and cultural challenges many in our community face.

David Ortiz

I am running for a seat on the Falls Church City School Board to build on my family’s personal experience of excellence with the Falls Church City Public Schools. I have over 20 years of experience executing the core functions of the School Board: strategic planning; budgeting; setting policy; and performance oversight. I have worked with communities to develop a shared vision for the future and put it into practice. These community experiences include: leading the Leadership Development Initiative as we worked with an underserved community in Pittsburgh to bring it the attention it deserved; sitting on the board of Creative Cauldron, helping it to meet its mission of “providing affordable, enriching, and diverse experiences in the performing and visual arts”; and helping my children launch carebasket. org to deliver care baskets to children in hospitals. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the School Board and the community to help all students achieve their dreams, develop a vision for the future of our schools, and perform effective oversight of the administration of our schools.

Q. As a School Board member, you are tasked with hiring a superintendent. In addition, however, you oversee an organization of over 450 employees. What ideas do you have to increase transparency and communication between the Board and staff at the schools? Kathleen Tysse

I would like to see more options for clear communication between the Board and staff at the schools and believe this could be achieved in a variety of ways. I support the newly-announced community office hours held by the School Board Chair and Vice-Chair; perhaps additional office hours for staff would be helpful. I am open to exploring a liaison or advisory role for a staff member during school board meetings, similar to the student representative role. I think informal town hall style meetings with members of the school board and smaller groups of teachers and staff could be productive. Above all, I believe creating a climate of trust and safe, open dialogue is imperative to a healthy school culture and a leading contributor to employee satisfaction and retention.

Lori Silverman

I strongly believe in open communication and giving an authentic voice to our teachers and staff. I would work to ensure teachers and staff have an authentic voice up the chain of command, and feel comfortable presenting issues and concerns. I want to ensure that teachers and staff could bring up their issues and concerns in a way that feels safe, and that they feel truly heard. If this isn’t happening, for whatever reason, I would want teachers and staff to feel comfortable coming to me as a last resort. I understand and respect the chain of command, but at the same time, if teachers and staff for whatever reason don’t feel as if they are being truly heard, I would be available to them. As stated above, I applaud Dr. Noonan, Chair Litton and Vice Chair Downs for holding office hours. I will do that from Day 1, my virtual door via email will always be open, and if my scheduled office hours don’t work for some people, I would find a mutually convenient time to talk or meet. Teachers and staff will always receive a timely response from me. Finally, I would want access to the schools to be able to see our fantastic teachers and staff in action!

Tate Gould

The following three focus areas can help increase the communication between the Board and staff at schools. First, we should improve the use of longitudinal satisfaction surveys to gauge the staffing climate. There are a number of low cost/free school and staff satisfaction surveys that are valid and reliable that FCCPS can bor-

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row from other districts. I would advocate for both the implementation of an annual or semi-annual staff survey, as well as the sharing of these results with the community in a way that promotes discussion and continuous improvement. Second, I would focus on promoting a positive and productive collective bargaining agreement with our teachers and staff. I am supportive of our teachers and staff entering into a collective bargaining agreement if they vote to move forward. I have significant experience with understanding successful bargaining agreements with various localities and states, and at the heart of this success is the partnership formed with the School Board and the local representatives to develop an agreement that is successful for our teachers and staff, and continues our community’s focus on ensuring a positive student experience for every child. Third, we should revisit our existing FCCPS advisory committees to ensure alignment and engagement from the Board, the community, and teachers and staff. We should do an inventory of each committee to understand their effectiveness, engagement of the members, and optimize alignment. I would also advocate for the School Board to provide a general sense of direction for the committees where it makes sense, to ensure they are purposeful and effective, similar to the approach the SB adopted during the 2020-2021 school year, through “charges.”

Courtney Mooney

I want the environment in our schools to be one where teachers and staff feel empowered to voice their questions, concerns, and needs. I also believe the board, while respecting chain of command, needs to consider providing forums to have those discussions directly with staff when appropriate. I am not interested in a yes men mentality, wasting people’s time with ineffective activities/ trainings/committees, or pulling people in too many different (potentially unnecessary) directions that take them away from devoting time to be excellent in their daily responsibilities. I would like to have an open door to staff when they feel they need it. I would also like for us to openly evaluate current trainings/committees/meetings/daily tasks and get honest feedback from teachers as to what they feel is helpful and adds value to their day and professional growth vs. what does not. Teachers need the time to lesson plan, manage their day-to-day, and focus on being excellent in the classroom. As a board we should be asking if they are getting that vs. being spread too thin. Is their time being properly prioritized in a way that best serves them and our students? How are we assessing and communicating with our staff at the administrative level and is it effective? Do administrators feel they have the things they need to be good managers and stewards of their schools? I want to foster an environment of constructive debate and discussions without fear. Periodic blind assessments for staff to anonymously provide honest feedback on various topics could be a good starting place. Proactive communications to staff when the board is weighing and discussing topics that have direct impact to staff so they can tune in should also be happening if it isn’t already. Additionally, the board needs to be sure it is providing strong management and professional development opportunities for the Superintendent. The Superintendent is responsible for day-today management, operations, budgeting, and execution of our boards adopted policies and guidance. That position reports to and is overseen by the board. The board should provide strong oversight of the Superintendent role and help that person develop both managerially as well as being diligent in ensuring they have the tools they need to be successful, beyond simply asking.

Jerrod Anderson

Currently, the only way for members of the school community to provide feedback to the school board is either via email or through public comment, and both methods can only convey a small part of what the community wants to say (and possibly in a biased direction, as well). Increasing both systematic and informal methods for teachers to communicate with the board would allow for communication to be more akin to a conversation rather than sporadic one-way statements). I think we should institute an annual staff survey (developed with the help of school staff) so that the board has a broad source of information, from a staff perspective, about what is going well in the schools and what can be improved. Additionally, after talking to some teachers, I learned that board members used to regularly meet with school staff at each school. This type of communication (which is possible due to our small size) would allow board members to gain an appreciation for teachers’ joys and concerns that cannot be expressed well in a survey. Obviously, gathering data is only one step in increasing transparency and the quality of communication, but it is an essential step.

Ilya Shapiro

The superintendent speaks for staff at school board meetings, but that doesn’t mean the board always hears every side of every issue or that the interests of administrators and staff always align. I’d like the superintendent to be less of a communications filter/bottleneck for staff concerns, while respecting his role as chief executive of the school system. Every single member of FCCPS faculty and staff should feel free to approach board members directly; I’m thrilled that the chair and vice chair of the current board have adopted my “office hours” idea. I will personally guarantee that all such communications are treated as confidential (unless it’s reporting a crime or other mandatory-disclosure trigger). Public employees should never be penalized for trying to keep elected officials fully informed.

David Ortiz

I believe in direct and frequent communication among the School Board, teachers, and staff. To parents, teachers are the most visible and present aspect of our schools. They are also the ones with the most insight into the needs of our students and a source of innovation. It is hard for me to imagine making educational decisions without their direct input. In addition to formal mechanisms for communications, there is also significant value in informal interactions. If elected to the School Board, to increase transparency and communication, I would seek to ensure that School Board members regularly visit the schools without FCCPS administrators. During these visits, School Board members would receive direct feedback regarding how the policies it approves are put into practice. In my professional experience, corporate and agency leaders often meet directly with staff, allowing staff to communicate their success, challenges, and needs. Additionally, as key stakeholders, I would seek to have teacher input into items that the School Board is considering.

Q. What are your top three school board budget priorities?

Kathleen Tysse

I understand there have been significant gains in employee compensation over the past several years, but I would like to see FCCPS consistently lead the region in this department at every level of the salary schedule. In addition, I strongly support the piloted program to open school enrollment to our employees’ families and would like to see that program eventually expanded to eliminate any tuition – and without lotteries or caps. I also strongly support our small class sizes, but have concerns about the caseloads of our specialists and support staff. I would like to ensure that our specialists and support staff across the system, such as social workers, guidance counselors, Special Education teachers, Enrichment teachers, ESOL teachers, etc. have smaller caseloads in order for them to most effectively serve their students.

Lori Silverman

Ensuring that teachers are adequately compensated for summer school so we can be properly staffed and offer summer school to any family who wishes to enroll in summer school. During Covid, this is especially important, but this should be offered every year.

I know this falls under Capitol Improvement Plan, but updating Oak Street Elementary to a level that meets the needs of students, teachers, and staff is a priority.

We need to ensure that our diversity, equity and inclusion policy puts money in the classroom to implement the curriculum. I would want the teachers to help and be heavily involved in the process, given their expertise, to determine what exactly that looks like to them. But now that we passed the policy, we need the curriculum in the classrooms and the money to implement the programs.

Tate Gould

Increase efforts to mitigate the academic delays/losses experienced with students from Covid, particularly for those students at learning risk: We must ensure all learners who were academically impacted by the virtual learning experience are provided resources and adequate support to get caught up to their potential. Evidence-based strategies, such as those outlined by the Institute of Education Sciences, advocate for the use of onsite school-based tutors, specialized remediation curriculum, and increased in-class supports. These low-cost/high impact methods provide support for all students who are struggling to catch up.

Continue our focus on adequately compensating and incentivizing our FCCPS teachers and staff. Along with continuing our city’s strides on ensuring competitive pay for our teachers and staff, we have the ability to provide support for voluntary teacher incentive programs that help encourage teachers who pursue leadership opportunities in their field, such as National Board Certification or other distinctions that go beyond the basic certification of licensing. Our FCCPS teaching core are talented, experienced, and continual learners and as such, should be afforded the opportunity to be recognized and rewarded for going above and beyond.

Maintaining fiscal accountability and responsibility: As school board members, we must ensure we are fiscally responsible with the budget decisions and financial planning. I fully understand the role required to ensure working with other school board members, the superintendent, as well as other city leaders to balance needs and wants in a community with finite resources and the purchase of the new school.

Courtney Mooney

Learning loss/ Mental Health budgeting, Math/ Science support and ensuring that portion of our curriculum is where it needs to be, Professional and technical training exposure/ opportunities for students. College is not for everyone nor should that be the only expectation.

From a general budgeting perspective, I think it is imperative the board has a strong understanding of whether or not we are maximizing our tax dollars and spending money in places and for programs and people that are effective and make sense. This past year the school budget accounted for 41 percent of our overall city budget. As board members we must be accountable and responsible stewards of our community members’ money and spend it wisely.

Jerrod Anderson

Priority 1: ensure that staff compensation (both pay and benefits) remains competitive with surrounding districts. School staff are our number 1 educational resource, and compensation makes up 85 percent of the schools budget, Priority 2: as capital improvement projects arise (for example, Oak Street Elementary is scheduled for capital improvements in 2026), we should ensure that improvements or additions address the needs of the school community at those locations and that these projects are also used to increase the sustainability of our physical plant, Priority 3: explore the feasibility of expanding on the current pilot project for non-resident employee student tuition waivers.

Ilya Shapiro

Greater transparency regarding the use of federal and state Covid-relief funds, particularly in light of recent drops in standardized test scores. We must be using that money as long-term investments in improving educational opportunities, rather for short-term operational spending, 2. Work with the city council to ensure that educational needs are properly respected given that FCCPS represents nearly half of the city budget. Council members can give valuable advice, and have final authority over the budget, but sometimes pushback might be needed if there are attempts to influence what are properly school board decisions. At the same time, the school board shouldn’t simply rubber stamp and advocate before the city council for the budget that the superintendent proposes. The board is an independent body with a fiduciary responsibility to our community and a responsibility to oversee the central FCCPS office, 3. Make sure that the secondary campus is properly insulated from the development and future operation of the commercial property on the old high school site. I wholeheartedly welcome that development -- we need to broaden our tax base and keep more consumer dollars in Falls Church -- but it shouldn’t disrupt students and staff.

David Ortiz

My top three budget priorities are: (1) competitive compensation and professional development for teachers; (2) sufficient resources to support the mental health and emotional growth needs of our students; and (3) resources to promote equity among all students.

PAGE 16 | SEPTEMBER 23 — 29, 2021

CALENDAR

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR

LOCALEVENTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Baby Storytime. Parents and their babies are welcome to join TysonsPimmit Library for songs, rhymes, stories and activities. Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration, customers will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the Children's Information desk for tickets. This class is best for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Woodrow Wilson Storytime. Parents can bring their children to Woodrow Wilson Library to read stories, move their feet and have fun. Attendees will also be learning Spanish words as they fit with the theme of each program. For the month of September, all storytimes will be for ages birth to 4 years old. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m. Sunset Cinema: Cars. Those interested can join the City's Recreation and Parks Department for Sunset Cinema in Cherry Hill Park. This week’s movie will be Cars. A hotshot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. Visit www.fallschurchva.gov/ SunsetCinema for more details. (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). 7:45 — 10 p.m.

Falls Church Farmers Market. The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. – noon. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov/547/Farmers-MarketTo-Go. Saturday Morning Stories. Parents and children are welcome to join in person Saturday Morning Stories event with Ms. Nancy at Woodrow Wilson Library. Guests will hear 3 to 4 stories and select a free book from the Friend's group donated collection. All ages are welcomed. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church) 10:15 — 10:45 a.m.

Family Storytime. Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are welcome to participate in music, movement and song in this program that promotes bonding and highlights the natural rhythms in language at TysonsPimmit Library. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Paws to Read with Lucy. Read aloud to Lucy, a trained therapy dog at Thomas Jefferson Library. Kids can bring their own book from home or choose a book from the library to share with Lucy. Walk-ins welcome. Ages 6-12. (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) 2 — 3 p.m. Storytime Fun for Preschoolers. Parents and their children can visit Tysons-Pimmit Library for storytime. Space limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration, customers will be allowed in on a first come, first served basis. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 10:30 — 11 a.m.

Gold Leaf Picture Frame Making. Interested teens and adults can visit Tysons-Pimmit Library to try gold leafing crafts. You will add a distressed gold look to picture frames to take home and keep! Registration required. Ages 16+. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 6:30 — 8:30 p.m.

City Council Meeting. The City Council meets in-person in City Hall’s Council Chambers. In-person capacity may be limited due to Covid-19 safety protocol, and all attendees must wear a mask and stay socially distant at all times. The meeting can be viewed live online (fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings) or on FCCTV (Cox channel 11, RCN channel 2, Verizon channel 35). Public comment can be made in-person or via Microsoft Teams on any topic; sign-up by noon on the day of the meeting, fallschurchva.gov/ PublicComment. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) 7:30 — 11 p.m.

Pajama Storytime. Children ages 0-7 and their caregivers can join TysonsPimmit Library for storytime. Come in your pajamas and bring your teddy bear. (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) 7 — 7:30 p.m.

Quixote Nuevo. This inspired adaptation—set to the spirited sounds of Tejano music—reimagines Cervantes’ beloved knight Don Quixote as a brilliant, bilingual professor whose fantasies take center stage in a Texas border town. Along with his trusty sidekick, this modern-day Quixote journeys

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

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CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2021 | PAGE 17

through the desert, tilting at patrol drones instead of windmills as he searches for longlost love. With humor and pageantry, Quixote Nuevo breathes new life into one of literature’s most vibrant characters to ask the classic question: When times are tough, how do we keep dreaming? Quixote Nuevo is sponsored by Doug and Lorraine Bibby. Quixote Nuevo runs approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. Patrons must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination upon entry and wear masks while attending performances at our theatre, with limited exceptions. https:// www.roundhousetheatre.org/ On-Stage/Explore/QuixoteNuevo. In person Wednesday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Oct.3. Streaming on Demand beginning Thursday, September 23. $60+.

LIVEMUSIC

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

International Soundclash.

The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 7 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Transviolet. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15+. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

The High Kings. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.

Sol Roots Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

The Avett Brothers. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $50+. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Cravin’ Dogs. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-8589186.

Who’s Bad. The State Theatre (220

N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 7 p.m. 703-237-0300. Brook Yoder. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 7 p.m. 703-5348999

The High Kings. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.

The Avett Brothers. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $50+. 8 p.m. 703-255-1900.

Nirvana + Red Hot Chili Peppers

Tributes. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Acoustic Soul Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703241-9504.

Kreek Water Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Karl Stoll. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m. 703-237-8333.

Smokin’ Lounge. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-858-9186.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Steve & Jess Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703241-9504.

Witness Protection Live and In

Concert. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church).6 p.m. 703-8589186.

Sonar Rock. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 7 p.m. 703-2370300.

Willem Dicke. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 7 p.m. 703-5348999

Skinny Wallace Band Live and In

Concert. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

AMERICAN FOLK ROCK band The Avett Brothers will bring their musical talents to Vienna this week on Thursday the 23rd, Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th at Wolf Trap.

(Photo: Twin Spire Photography)

The Avett Brothers. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). $50+. 8:30 p.m. 703-255-1900.

Be Our Guest: Disney DJ Night.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 9 p.m. 703-255-1566.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

The Claire Show. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church) 4 p.m. 703-5348999

Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-8589186.

A Bowie Celebration With

Bowie Alumni. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $35-195 6 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Wicked Jezabel with Shirleta Settles, Carly Harvy & Allison Broadbent. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Danger Bird. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Five for Fighting. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $39.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Tom Saputo & Friends. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Open Mic. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Robert Cray Band. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $49.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

GVB Reunion. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Tyler Waters. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Eli Lev. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 7:30 p.m. 703255-1566.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Calendar Submissions

Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 105 N. Virginia Ave., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.