Falls Church News-Press - February 21, 2008 by Falls Church News-Press

WAMMIE WONDER

Index Editorial..................2 Letters............2, 6, 9 Comment........10-13 Community News & Notes..............14-15 Business News & Notes...................18 Sports.............20-22 Crime Report.......27 Press Pass..........29 Roger Ebert....30-33 Calendar.........34-35

Restaurant Spotlight ............................36 Sodoku................39 Comics.................39 Crossword...........39 Classified Ads......42 Business & Services Directory..............43 Weekly Focus 44-45 Critter Corner.......46 Business Listing..47

Meeting deep into the night last week, the Fairfax County School Board rejected Superintendent Jack Dale’s recommendation that stiff fees be required in the coming fiscal year for participation in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and PSAT tests, and in athletics and

other activity programs. But the fate of these policies is far from decided. The School Board dropped the fees, restored some programs and forwarded a request of $1.65 billion to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors. Here’s the problem: with the regional flatlining of residential real estate values, Fairfax County faces a serious tax revenue shortage as it prepares its next fiscal year budget. County

Board of Supervisors members said last November that would require a flatlining of the School Board budget. The schools “should not expect a penny more,” some were reported to say. But with 1,500 new students having entered the system of 167,000 students this year, and another 1,000 new students

Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner visited the offices of the Falls Church News-Press Monday in an effort to clear up some residual misconceptions and confusion about the large-scale Atlantic Realty City Center project which comes before the City Council for final approval on Feb. 28. The project gained a unanimous preliminary OK from the City Council last month. The $317 million project on 8.9 acres includes a hotel, supermarket, parking deck, rental and age-restricted condo residences, an office building, a relocated bowling alley, extensive streetlevel retail, and road and sidewalk improvements. It offers the prospect of a new, pedestrianfriendly main street, millions in voluntary proffers from the developer and no less than an estimated $3.3 million in net annual tax revenues. While the Council remains steadfast in its support, even while negotiating further improvements with the developer, the nominal citizen opposition has been fueled by misconceptions, Gardner said. Tuesday, the Planning Commission recommended against the final approval of the project while not addressing its revenue promise or the City’s pressing revenue needs. A public hearing before the City Council this Monday will be followed by the Council’s final vote next Thursday. All seven Council members will be present for the vote, which will require a super-majority to pass because it involves the transfer

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February 21 - 27, 2008

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Editor, For the last four years, it has been my profound privilege to serve the students, parents, teachers, and residents of the City of Falls Church as a member of the School Board. During this time, I’ve worked hard to build-upon the excellence in our public schools. With my colleagues, the School Board delivered Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School ontime and on-budget, crafted new strategies to retain, recruit, and reward a top notch teacher workforce, worked to ensure an aligned, differentiated, and relevant academic experience

for every student, charted a new six-year strategic vision, and so much more. It has been a busy, productive, and exciting four years, but my work is not done. On the horizon are the challenges of a retiring and mobile teacher workforce, aging facilities, growing student populations, and budget pressures. At the same time, our children face the challenges of a hyper-competitive and changing global economy. Our schools and City need experienced and thoughtful leadership to successfully chart the course ahead. As a member of the School Board and mother, I’m vested in

our public schools and am ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges ahead. For these reasons, I will run for re-election to the Falls Church City School Board. In 2004, I was honored to receive the Citizens for a Better City endorsement for School Board. I will again seek the CBC nomination and encourage all City residents to attend. The CBC convention is Saturday, February 23 at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School at 1:30 p.m. Joan Wodiska, Member Falls Church City School Board

Editor, I understand that there is a

small but vigilant movement to put the City Center proposal up for a public vote via referendum. This seems like a tremendous waste of precious time and resources. The City Center concept has been vetted and approved and there has been ample time and opportunity for the community to review and analyze the current plans. The developer has responded to the input they have received and made significant changes to address community concerns. All of this comes down to two simple questions: • Does the community want higher taxes or a City Center? • Does the community want the intersection of Annandale and Maple to continue to be underutilized and unattractive or does it want a vibrant retail and residential main street? It’s that simple – or at least More Letters on Page 6

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“Did the Planning Commission vote change your view on the City Center?” • No, I’m still in favor of it • No, I’m still against it expected next fall, flatlining was viewed by the schools as simply impossible. Still, Superintendent Dale came forward with a recommended school budget that went half way there, cutting about $50 million from an estimated $100 million in new needs, and that included his proposed fees and program cuts. So, by the end of April, if the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors stick to their word of last fall, the Supervisors’ transfer to the schools will be far more severe than the budget Dale proposed. They will simply vote a lump sum significantly below the $1.65 requested. Then, it will come back to the School Board, which will have to decide, again, how to make the cuts needed to balance its budget. That process will be finalized May 22. Mason District School Board member Kaye Kory was one of only two members last week to vote against the budget request of the Supervisors on grounds

that it still cut too many programs, especially for at-risk students. In an interview with the News-Press yesterday, she said the proposal to slap $85 fees on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and PSAT exams would result in a precipitous drop in participation, causing “serious damage to lower income at-risk students in a disproportionate way.” “It is a reprehensible, classist idea,” she said, noting that when he submitted his recommended budget, Superintendent Dale said openly that it would lower the level of academic achievement in the system. “Test scores will go down,” Kory reported he said. “This cuts into the foundation of everything we’ve worked hard to build, to make highlevel educational opportunities available for students of all economic backgrounds,” she said. She cited Stuart, Falls Church and Annandale High Schools as prime examples of where progress with at-risk students has been greatest. At Stuart, 55% of

students qualify for subsidized free lunch programs. But even as the School Board was unanimous in votes to eliminate the test and activity fees, Kory still voted against the proposed budget because it called for an increase in class sizes and the elimination of some programs important to at-risk students in particular, including summer school. She explained her “no” vote by pointing to what School Board members are sworn to represent according to the state code. “Our job is defined as hiring a Superintendent and crafting budgets that meet the needs of students,” she said. It is not the job of the School Board to cut vital programs on behalf of taxpayers. “I can’t predict what will happen now that our budget is in the hands of the Supervisors,” Kory said. “They all campaigned on making education a priority.” Still, she said, in the nine years she’s been on the School Board, “the Supervisors have never given us what we’ve asked for.”

• Yes, now I’m against it • Yes, now I’m for it

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of City-owned property. Six “yes” votes out of seven will be needed for its passage. Mayor Gardner told the News-Press Monday that two main concerns about the City Center plan may need further clarification. The first concerns the access of the public to provide input on the plan, and the second involves the use of public funds as a part of it. On the public input matter, she said, there have been repeated opportunities at public hearings and other events for citizens to have a say, and many suggestions have been adopted into modifications of the project. “Since early 2007 when the current plan was first made public, citizen input has modified the width of sidewalks, the height of buildings, open space improvements and the application of pro-environmental LEED standards to the buildings,” she said. “There remain some who don’t want any of this,” she conceded. “But there are also many who are really happy with it and the prospect it will finally happen.” On the matter of the City’s investment of $6 million, she stressed it was not just for the parking deck, but the entire project. It is a modest investment in a project of this size, she noted, comparing the City’s $6 million into this $317 million project to Rockville’s use of $100 million in public funds for its $370 million City Center. While some complain there is no “great place” in the City Center plan, specific town square features are planned for a second phase of City Center redevelopment on the north side of Broad Street. Still, in this plan, there is the creation of a vital and pedestrian friendly new main street with a large hotel, a Harris Teeter and lots of dynamic retail facing onto it, she pointed out. Misconceptions about the hotel, planned as a Marriot Renaissance Inn, also exist, she said. “At first I, too, was put off by the idea of an extendedstay hotel at the location, but I went on a tour of three exist-

ing sites, and now appreciate that it is the best type of hotel to be here.” It will be very flexible with abundant conference space to support galas and other local events, and a “white table cloth” restaurant on the ground floor. It will have a swimming pool and the City can negotiate to provide for some public access, she said. Amenities can be added. Falls Church art works can be displayed in the lobbies, the hallways and rooms. Except for the fact that there are small kitchenettes in the rooms, the hotel presents itself as an upscale product that the City can be proud of. “It can even be called the Falls Church Marriott if we want to,” she said. On the important issue of parking in the six level deck adjacent the hotel, she stressed that it will be open to all City residence for whatever reason they come to the area, whether to shop at the Harris Teeter, in a retail store, to bowl or eat at a restaurant. “This will be open, free and available day and night to anyone who wants to park there,” she stressed. “The City will not own it, but that also means it does not have to maintain it.” All of these features are secured in writing, she said. About concerns the project will undermine the “village” concept of Falls Church, she said, “We live in a suburban community. We can’t afford to fund a ‘village.’ The community has asked us to do this, as the 2002 referendum indicated, and what we have is lower than what the Comprehensive Plan allows.” She said that, if approved next week, there will be ample opportunity for citizen input on the design of the buildings at a charette that has been planned prior to the onset of the site plan approval process next month. “We’ve been looking at this kind of thing for eight years, and this is the first concrete plan to come forward that brings 40% commercial use, and $3.3 million annually in net tax revenue,” she said. “We’re getting almost nothing right now on that property.”

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should be. We need to act now, approve this project, and move our City forward. If we don’t act now, we will lose the opportunity to do so for years to come. And in doing so, I fear we will lose many of the independent businesses that have made Falls Church so special. They need the customers as much as residents need their goods and services and as much as we all need protection from increased taxation. Gary LaPorta, Chair F.C. Chamber of Commerce

Editor, This Tuesday night’s Planning Commission meeting was instructive in the workings of our government. We had tuned in to watch the comments and voting on the proposed City Center, but for over an hour, the discussion was about

February 21 - 27, 2008

the “Market Square” at the new Spectrum development. This pseudo public space between the Panera building and the Spectrum will not have the promised fountain (surprise! underground drains!), and now has 55 stark black bollards to guide the traffic flow instead of the previously approved plan. Three long concrete benches are what define this long, shadowed space as a public square. The developer’s best photos show the bleak hardscape -- a glorified driveway and parking area with a swoop made by the pavers’ colors. Their suggested remedy to this is an “education feature,” a glass sculpture to help the public link the name Spectrum to the color spectrum of light. If the devil is in the details, he’s had a heyday with this project. “Market Square” is a clever name for a small island surrounded by driveway and parking. The once anticipated public use of this space seems laughable. The Planning Commission asked for more specifics, gently reprimanded the developer for the gaps from what was approved, and continued the issue to a later meeting. But where was the City staff as the developer backtracked on the approved plan? Most importantly, this does not bode well for the larger process now before the City staff, Planning Commission, and City

Council. As they undertake comprehending and approving the volumes of specifics in the proposed City Center, how many details should be left to the “site plan” stage? We’d suggest they leave very few. Clearly things change and evolve as buildings progress. But they should not continually do so to the disadvantage of the City and its residents. The City staff and the Planning Commission were working hard and putting in long hours Tuesday night, and we thank them, but why rush this City Center? A development to this scale isn’t going to be revisited or razed in our lifetime -- make sure it’s done well. Get the details right. Listen to the residents. A public space is not a parking lot and driveway. We can and must do better on the full spectrum of details in our City Center. Carol Sly & Steve Marshall Falls Church

Editor, Congratulations to the Planning Commission for having the courage and common sense to recommend unani-

mously against approval of the City Center project as proposed! It is a welcome break in the ongoing rush by our municipal officials to build condos and apartments throughout the City. The projects already approved, under construction or planned (Broadway, Byron, Spectrum, Pearson Square and Hekemian) will contain about 600 residential units. The City Center project alone would double that, in the form of twin 10-story towers. Common sense and good planning cry out for a pause at this point, to assess the actual revenue, traffic, parking, pollution, and school system effects of the existing 600 units, before authorizing construction of 600 more. As was boldly and clearly recognized by the Planning Commission, there are far too many design, aesthetic, financial, environmental, legal and socioeconomic flaws, questions and uncertainties associated with the project to warrant approval as presently proposed. Most importantly, it is simply too big, too dense, too tall, and too intrusive on the surrounding neighborhoods and the adjacent Big Chimneys Park. Moreover, it is not a “City Center” project: it has no center or great place and is not walkable. Let us hope

that the members of the City Council can for once put aside their political ambitions and personal agendas and act in the best interests of the citizens of Falls Church by following the Planning Commission’s recommendation and disapproving the “City Center” project as currently proposed. Lou Mauro Falls Church

Push Back Vs. ‘Dirty Deeds’ In Falls Church Editor, As I see it from my front porch. . . the words of Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing,” have never been more applicable than right here, right now in Falls Church. This morning as I reflect on this DIRTY petition to alter the city charter and effectively suck the life out of the new city center project it reminds of my old home town’s brand of politics. Dirty Deed’s in Detroit. Romney and his treacherous cronies strangled Detroit’s economic viability after a perContinued on Page 9

February 21 - 27, 2008

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F.C. Dem Committee Reverses Endorsement Policy Two years after a split vote ended a decades-long non-endorsement policy for municipal elections, the Falls Church City Democratic Committee reversed itself Tuesday night. Under the new leadership of Chair Betty Coll, the committee acted prior to receiving any formal requests for its endorsements for the coming May 6 municipal election in Falls Church. The committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move to introduce major party partisanship into the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s municipal elections created a firestorm of criticism two years ago, especially from the non-partisan Citizens for a Better City. Pro, Con City Center Petitions Circulating Widely Petitions in support of the Atlantic Realty City Center project in Falls Church, and those designed to put an anti-mixed use referendum on the May ballot in the City are both being circulated widely this week. A petition is being circulated online by the Friends of the Falls Church City Center at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ City_Center/. The petition to place a referendum on the ballot in May is available at http://saveourfallschurch.net/home. Its proponents claim that over 600 signatures have been secured to date. The drive is organized by the same citizens who put a referendum with virtually the same language that was on the Falls Church ballot in 2002. That time, citizens rejected the referendum question, and voted in favor of large-scale mixed use development, 63.5-36.5%. F.C. BZA to Rule on Chase Bank Petition Tonight Tonight the Falls Church Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) will consider a zoning variance sought by Chevy Chase Bank, seeking approval for a drive-through, single story bank building with surface parking at the site of the current City Sunoco station at 930 W. Broad St. Tuesday night, the Planning Commission recommended to the BZA against granting the variance.

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CBC Nominating Convention Saturday The Citizens for a Better City (CBC), Falls Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s venerable non-partisan civic association dedicated to the recruitment and support of quality candidates for Falls Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s municipal elections, will hold its biennial nominating convention this Saturday, Feb. 23, at the M. E. Henderson Middle School cafetorium at 1:30 p.m. All City of Falls Church resident are invited to attend to hear the candidates seeking CBC backing for the May 6 City Council and School Board elections. All registered voters in the City are eligible to vote for the nominees. To date, three Council and three School Board candidates have indicated their desire to win CBC backing: for the City Council, Incumbent Mayor Robin Gardner, Incumbent Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry and Lawrence Webb, and for the School Board, Incumbent Joan Wodiska, Incumbent Kieran Sharpe and Kim Maller.

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Responding to action by the Falls Church Planning Commission Tuesday to recommend against the adoption of five ordinances required to implement the large-scale Atlantic Realty City Center project, City Councilman David Snyder contacted the News-Press yesterday to issue the following statement: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Planning Commission raised and considered some very important issues. It did important work. There have been some recent developments concerning the project that have been positive, and we need still more progress. I hope we will come to a successful resolution. We need a successful project because the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial future rides on it.â&#x20AC;? Planning Commissioners Melissa Teates and John Lawrence contacted the News-Press by e-mail yesterday with statements on why they voted â&#x20AC;&#x153;No.â&#x20AC;? Teates wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If this project did not involve public lands or were properly placed in the City, I would probably vote for it.â&#x20AC;? But its scale â&#x20AC;&#x153;is not in sync with this historic region or on a human scale,â&#x20AC;? she wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remain unconvinced that the financials of the project are a true boon to the City.â&#x20AC;? Lawrence wrote that his â&#x20AC;&#x153;greatest concernsâ&#x20AC;? are lack of safeguards, particularly for City land, and his view that the process was â&#x20AC;&#x153;driven by an abandoned building,â&#x20AC;? the bowling alley and its owners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the biggest project in the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history be the one project we do the right way?â&#x20AC;?

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sonal vendetta against visionary Coleman Young. When Coleman responded “you can hit the road, take that *#@# on the other side of eight mile” (yes, Eminem’s songs, “the other side of eight mile” concept was rooted in Detroit politics) Romney’s tactics worked. Now, decades later both souls have departed this earth and detroit (the small d is intentional) is still paying the price of the vendetta . . . all the way to a totally incompetent and morally bankrupt “boy mayor.” Certainly we don’t want to go down that road. . .trust me, it is a slippery slope and the good people of Falls Church had better open our eyes, gird our loins and let the powers that be know we do not support dirty deeds in Falls Church!! This is no time to be lured into taking “sides” --- at best this referendum petition is meant to be DIVISIVE . . .like Detroit’s suburbs against the city and the nation’s current presidential campaign, women against men, black against white. These lines of demarcation are artificial, there is only “US.” WE must think long range. What is good for the entire city, not what benefits one faction of the city. Nikki Henderson Falls Church

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February 21 - 27, 2008

At first it seemed like a few random cases of lassitude among Mary Chapin Carpenter devotees in Berkeley, Cambridge and Chapel Hill. But then psychotherapists began to realize patients across the country were complaining of the same distress. They were experiencing the first hints of what’s bound to be a national phenomenon, Obama Comedown Syndrome. The afflicted had already been through the phases of Obama-mania -- fainting at rallies, weeping over their touch screens while watching Obama videos, spending hours making folk crafts featuring Michelle Obama’s face. These patients had experienced intense surges of hope-amine, the brain chemical that fuels euphoric sensations of historic change and personal salvation. But they found that as the weeks went on, they needed more and purer hope-injections just to preserve the rush. They wound up craving more hope than even the Hope Pope could provide, and they began experiencing brooding moments of suboptimal hopefulness. Anxious posts began to appear on the Yes We Can! Facebook pages. A sense of ennui began to creep through the nation’s Ian McEwan-centered book clubs. Up until now The Chosen One’s speeches had seemed to them less like stretches of words and more like soul sensations that transcended time and space. But those in the grips of Obama Comedown Syndrome began to wonder if His stuff actually made sense. For example, His Hopeness tells rallies that we are the change we have been waiting for, but if we are the change we have been waiting for then why have we been waiting since we’ve been here all along? Patients in the grip of OCS rarely express doubts at first, but in a classic case of transference, many experience slivers of sympathy for Hillary Clinton. They see her campaign morosely traipsing from one depressed industrial area to another -- The Sitting Shiva for America Tour. They see that her entire political strategy consists of waiting for primary states as boring as she is. They feel for her. They feel guilty because the entire commentariat now treats her like Richard Nixon. Are liberal elites rationalizing their own betrayal of her? Is Hillary just another fading First Wife thrown away for the first available Trophy Messiah? As the syndrome progresses, they begin to ask

questions about The Presence himself: Barack Obama vowed to abide by the public finance campaign-spending rules in the general election if his opponent did. But now he’s waffling on his promise. Why does he need to check with his campaign staff members when deciding whether to keep his word? Obama says he is practicing a new kind of politics, but why has his PAC sloshed $698,000 to the campaigns of the superdelegates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics? Is giving Robert Byrd’s campaign $10,000 the kind of change we can believe in? If he values independent thinking, why is his the most predictable liberal vote in the Senate? A People for the American Way computer program would cast the same votes for cheaper. And should we be worried about Obama’s mountainous self-confidence? These doubts lead OCS sufferers down the path to the question that is the Unholy of the Unholies for Obama-maniacs: How exactly would all this unity he talks about come to pass? How is a 47-year-old novice going to unify highly polarized 70-something committee chairs? What will happen if the nation’s 261,000 lobbyists don’t see the light, even after the laying on of hands? Does The Changemaker have the guts to take on the special interests in his own party -- the trial lawyers, the teachers’ unions, the AARP? The Gang of 14 created bipartisan unity on judges, but Obama sat it out. Kennedy and McCain created a bipartisan deal on immigration. Obama opted out of the parts that displeased the unions. Sixty-eight senators supported a bipartisan deal on FISA. Obama voted no. And if he were president now, how would the High Deacon of Unity heal the breach that split the House last week? The victims of OCS struggle against Obamamyopia, or the inability to see beyond Election Day. But here’s the fascinating thing: They still like him. They know that most of his hope-mongering is vaporous. They know that he knows it’s vaporous. But the fact that they can share this dream still means something. After the magic fades and reality sets in, they still know something about his soul, and he knows something about theirs. They figure that any new president is going to face gigantic obstacles. At least this candidate seems likely to want to head in the right direction. Obama’s hype comes from exaggerating his powers and his virtues, not faking them. Those afflicted with OCS are no longer as moved by his perorations. The fever passes. But some invisible connection seems to persist.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush should stop worrying about his legacy. It’s already established. By his deeds you shall know him; preemptive war, torture and wiretapping, for starters. Nothing said in history can wipe out those flaws in his administration. And no revisionist historian down the road can diminish the importance of those acts. He has governed with threats - and by nourishing fear in the American people. The president seems to have a hard time abiding by the law. Referring to his struggles with Congress during his first year in office, Bush joked that “a dictatorship would be heck of a lot easier.” But it is no joke that he has found ways to circumvent the constitutional restraints of his office

with signing statements and secret directives. Bush also has been able to execute his power grab by playing the fear card -- and with hardly a peep from a cowed Congress. This tactic has worked most of the time. Now, fortunately, the administration is encountering some pushback from Capitol Hill, from those who reject the chipping away of our civil liberties and the tarnishing of our reputation in the world among those who once respected our leadership. It was Benjamin Franklin who said, “If we are willing to give up our liberty for security, we are in danger of losing both.” Hopefully, more lawmakers will realize the wisdom of those words. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) gives the president a wide berth to invade the privacy of Americans. True, a warrant is needed for eavesdropping but in a dire emergency, wiretapping can begin and the warrant obtained later, after the eavesdropping.

“Poverty in early childhood poisons the brain.” That was the opening of an article in Saturday’s Financial Times, summarizing research presented last week at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. As the article explained, neuroscientists have found that “many children growing up in very poor families with low social status experience unhealthy levels of stress hormones, which impair their neural development.” The effect is to impair language development and memory -- and hence the ability to escape poverty -- for the rest of the child’s life. So now we have another, even more compelling reason to be ashamed about America’s record of failing to fight poverty. LBJ declared his “War on Poverty” 44 years ago. Contrary to cynical legend, there actually was a large reduction in poverty over the next few years, especially among children, who saw their poverty rate fall from 23 percent in 1963 to 14 percent in 1969. But progress stalled thereafter: American politics shifted to the right, attention shifted from the suffering of the poor to the alleged abuses of welfare queens driving Cadillacs, and the fight against poverty was largely abandoned. In 2006, 17.4 percent of children in America lived below the poverty line, substantially more than in 1969. And even this measure probably understates the true depth of many children’s misery. Living in or near poverty has always been a form of exile, of being cut off from the larger society. But the distance between the poor and the rest of us is much greater than it was 40 years ago, because most American incomes have risen in real terms while the official poverty line has not. To be poor in America today, even more than in the past, is to be an outcast in your own country. And that, the neuroscientists tell us, is what poisons a child’s brain. America’s failure to make progress in reducing poverty, especially among children, should provoke a lot of soul-searching. Unfortunately, what it often seems to provoke instead is great creativity in making excuses. Some of these excuses take the form of assertions that America’s poor really aren’t all that poor -- a claim that always has me wondering whether those making it watched any TV during Hurricane Katrina, or for that matter have ever looked around them while visiting a major American city. Mainly, however, excuses for poverty involve the assertion that the United States is a land of opportunity, a place where people can start out poor, work hard and become rich. But Horatio Alger stories are rare, and stories of people trapped by their parents’ poverty are all too common. According to one recent estimate, American children born to parents in the bottom fourth of the income distribution have almost a 50 percent chance of staying there -- and almost a two-thirds chance of remaining stuck if they’re black. That’s not surprising. Growing up in poverty puts you at a disadvantage at every step. I’d bracket those new studies on brain development in early childhood with a study from the National Center for Education Statistics, which tracked a group of students who were in eighth grade in 1988. The study found, roughly speaking, that in modern America parental status trumps ability: students who did very well on a standardized test but came from low-status families were slightly less likely to get through college than students who tested poorly but had well-off parents. None of this is inevitable. Poverty rates are much lower in most European countries than in the United States, mainly because of government programs that help the poor and unlucky. And governments that set their minds to it can reduce poverty. In Britain, the Labor government that came into office in 1997 made reducing poverty a priority -- and despite some setbacks, its program of income subsidies and other aid has achieved a great deal. Child poverty, in particular, has been cut in half by the measure that corresponds most closely to the U.S. definition. To their credit -- and to the credit of John Edwards, who goaded them into it -- both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are proposing new initiatives against poverty. But their proposals are modest in scope and far from central to their campaigns. I’m not blaming them for that; if a progressive wins this election, it will be by promising to ease the anxiety of the middle class rather than aiding the poor. And for a variety of reasons, health care, not poverty, should be the first priority of a Democratic administration. But ultimately, let’s hope that the nation turns back to the task it abandoned -- that of ending the poverty that still poisons so many American lives.

February 21 - 27, 2008

I am proud to report that I achieved one of my New Year’s resolutions this week by, for my first time, seeing all five Academy Award “Best Picture” nominees prior to the Oscar ceremonies this weekend. It was hard to make it to a screen still showing “Michael Clayton,” but since it was the last of the five for me, I resolved to go through considerable pains to get it under my belt, so to speak, and I did. Cinema, after all, is the most influential popular cultural medium of our time. It is what temple art, myths and oral histories, poetry, visual art, baroque and classical music, stage drama, opera, and the novel have represented to other ages. It offers the opportunity for a far more artistic and meaningful mode of general cultural communication than any other in our age. It is heartening that none the “Best Picture” nominees this year were produced or marketed as “blockbusters,” subordinating that to their artistic value. Figuring out how the members of the Academy are going to rate the films is almost impossible to do. Their moods have swung so much in recent years, from preferring gritty works like “Crash” and “Silence of the Lambs,” to the chick-flickish “Shakespeare in Love” and “Dances With Wolves,” and last year’s “The Departed,” which had more point-blank bullet shots to foreheads than perhaps any film ever. If their general assessments are anywhere close to mine, then I would venture that their choice for Best Picture will be either “Atonement” or “There Will Be Blood.” The other three nominees, “Juno,” “No Country for Old Men” and “Michael Clayton,” are all also truly outstanding films, with vastly varying subject matters, but are on a tier slightly below the other two, in my view. For those paying attention to the movies, most know the general subject matter of them all: * “Atonement,” based on the novel by Ian McEwan, flows from a lie told by a young girl about her sister and the sister’s beau, played by Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, that forces their separation in England in the years prior to World War II. * “There Will Be Blood,” based on the 1930s novel, “Oil!,” by Upton Sinclair, is about a dirt-poor miner played by Daniel Day Lewis who discovers oil in the Central Valley of California around 1900 and becomes a multi-millionaire independent oil man 30 years later. * “Juno” is about a 16-year-old girl of loving parents, played by Ellen Page, who gets pregnant from a single encounter with a friend. It’s about her decision to have the baby and to give it up for adoption and what flows from all that. * “No Country for Old Men,” based on the novel by the social pessimist Cormac McCarthy, who hangs out in Santa Fe, New Mexico and predicts humanity’s doom. This is not to diminish his talent or the film’s ability to vividly convey his sentiments about the “dismal tide,” as one of his characters calls it, sweeping over the species. Filmed at dusty, real life sites along the U.S.-Mexico border, it is a gripping thriller. * “Michael Clayton” centers on the star power of George Clooney and is a compelling account of a lawyer at huge law firm discovering that his client, an agribusiness giant, has covered up the lethal impact of a pesticide. It is worth noting that three of the films ride disproportionately on the shoulders of their main characters. Lewis is almost a shoein to win “Best Actor” for his role as Daniel Plainview in “There Will Be Blood,” Page is all “Juno” is about, really, and Clooney is seldom absent from a scene in “Michael Clayton.” “Atonement” is the most aesthetically beautiful of the films, inclusive of its cinematography, musical score and settings. The scenes of the British troops trapped at Dunkirk in the early years of World War II are amazingly compelling. But the most fascinating relationship is found not between the lovers in “Atonement” or “Juno,” but in “There Will Be Blood,” in the almost cosmic decades-long conflict between Day’s character and the young pastor played magnificently by Paul Dano. The depiction of that protracted clash, and the overall context by which the film shows Day’s character, besieged by fraud, betrayal and exploitation, devolve into the ultimate cynic makes it, in my view, worthy of “Best Picture” among a field of five most qualified finalists. It gets my vote.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com

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WASHINGTON -- Lenny and Squiggy were nowhere in sight. But Hillary was doing her best to come across as a “Laverne & Shirley” factory girl as she headed away from not-a-chance Wisconsin and on to gotta-have Ohio. She was drinking red wine and talking up the virtues of imported Blue Moon beer with a slice of citrus on her plane and putting up an ad in Ohio about how she works the night shift, too, just like the waitresses, hairdressers, hospital workers and other blue-collar constituents that she’s hoping to attract. And she doesn’t mean that being married to Bill Clinton is what keeps her up all hours. She’s talking about burning the midnight oil in her Senate office. At any minute, she might break out into the “schlemiel, schlemazel” “Laverne & Shirley” theme: “Give us any chance, we’ll take it. Give us any rule, we’ll break it. We’re gonna make our dreams come true. Doin’ it our way.” Doin’ it her way, Hillary huffed to reporters on her plane: “If your whole candidacy is about words, they should be your own words.” I guess that means if your whole candidacy is anti-words, you don’t have to use your own words. The Clintons are known political cat burglars. They pilfered Republican jewels in the ‘90s, and Hillary has purloined as much as she can stuff in her pantsuit from her husband and Barack Obama. She changed to Change. She co-opted “It’s time to turn the page” and “Fired up and ready to go.” She couldn’t wait to shoplift the words “yes” and “can” from Obama’s trademark “Yes, we can!” -- (which he appropriated from Cesar Chavez) -- even though she was cagey enough to put them in separate slogans, “Yes, we will!” and “Americans still have that can-do spirit.” Bill, master thief, got in on the act, too. After Obama said that his election would tell the world that America is back, Bill said that Hillary’s election would tell the world that America is back. Although the only solid voting bloc in Wisconsin that Hillary seemed to get was women over 60 years old, she did seem happy that the press had “finally,” as she put it, scrutinized him. America’s pretty boy is getting muddied up. The Clinton camp has spent days trying to undermine Obama’s chief asset, the elegant language that has sparked a generational boom. “We’re seeing a pattern here,” Hillary enforc-

er Howard Wolfson said, in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. Yeah, we are. She’s losing, and looking for anything to bruise Obama. Obama swiped a couple distinctive riffs about words and aspirations -- his supposed specialty -- from his pal Deval Patrick, the governor of Massachusetts, thereby violating the new cardinal rule not only of politics but of life: Don’t do anything you don’t want to see on the top favorites of YouTube. He had credited Patrick in the past, and Patrick had channeled Obama when he ran for governor in ‘06, so basically they’re like two roommates sharing clothes. Or two politicians sharing a strategist. Obama’s chief strategist, David Axelrod, worked for Patrick in the gubernatorial bid. “You may know that both Deval Patrick and Sen. Obama have the same consultant and adviser,” Hillary told reporters, “who is apparently putting words in both of their mouths.” It wasn’t campaign shredding, as when Joe Biden absorbed Neil Kinnock’s Welsh inflection and life experiences in ‘88. But it was sloppy. If you’re going to be hailed as the messiah and sermonize about offering a “hymn that will heal this nation,” you should come up with your own lyrics. Obama is basing his campaign on his freshness and integrity and honesty, so he shouldn’t cut corners, as he seems to have done with crediting Patrick and explaining the extent of his relationship with his sleazy former fundraiser, Tony Rezko. The attribution problem might be small beer compared with Michelle Obama’s comment in Milwaukee on Monday: “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.” It’s a discordant note for the stylish, brainy 44year-old Princeton and Harvard Law School grad. Cindy McCain showed that Republicans would jump right on a line like that, and twist it into something that sounded extremist and unpatriotic. Michelle made another of these aggrieved pronouncements at a rally in Los Angeles before the California primary: “Things have gotten progressively worse, throughout my lifetime, through Democratic and Republican administrations, it hasn’t gotten better for regular folks.” Given the way the Clintons unfairly turn the tables, we’re only moments away from Hillary asking Obama: “Can’t you control your spouse?”

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Dr. Warren Throckmorton, the shamelessly self-promoting “ex-gay” therapist, has stepped up his holy war against gay people. This week, he organized a pack of fundamentalist quacks to file a formal written complaint with the American Counseling Association. Throckmorton’s crew is upset because they believe the ACA is inhibiting their ability to destroy the mental health of gay and lesbian people in the name of religion. They also believe that they have the special right as fundamentalists to use bizarre techniques and ignore normal therapy guidelines. What is so morally distasteful and ethically disgraceful about Throckmorton is that he is taking this measure without offering a shred of evidence that his shame-based therapy model works. How can he credibly complain to the ACA without offering multiple “success” stories by people other than those who get paid to say they have gone from gay to straight? Indeed, the ACA should launch a full-scale investigation against the good doctor. He works at little Grove City College, a fundamentalist school in a rural Western Pennsylvania town of merely 8,000 people. The truth is, you probably could not find 250 farmers, no less gay people in need of ex-gay therapy in this neck of the woods. To no ones surprise, this brain-twisting blowhard has yet to produce on-record accounts out of his large pool of supposed clients. With such a paltry and embarrassing record, why is Throckmorton attacking the ACA? The reason is simple: Throckmorton and his cohorts act more like ministers than mental health professionals. Instead of ethical counselors who just happen to be Christian, they are politically motivated fundamentalists who can’t separate church and couch. This is the same type of backwards, “intelligent design” promoting crowd that wears lab coats, yet disdains science and stealthily tries to slip their oddball theories into the mainstream. Predictably, the signers of the letter are disingenuously claiming religious discrimination. They don’t seem to realize that their professional rejection stems from the objective reasoning that their theories are illegitimate garbage. Most of these counselors still believe that a distant same-sex parent causes homosexuality. Their “cure” is making platonic friendships with same-sex friends and playing sports. Such nonsense might have seemed credible 35 years ago - when few gay people were out of the closet. In 2008, however, we now know that this simplistic cause and effect is false. Other counselors, such as Throckmorton, believe in what I call “Larry Craig Therapy.” These practitioners actually promote the peculiar notion that one can effectively separate sexual identity from attraction. The idea that one can spend an entire lifetime in such obvious denial is untenable and a recipe for inner-turmoil. Still, Throckmorton cruelly peddles the mental health mirage of the happy celibate gay person living according to his or her values. In ten years of going to ex-gay conferences, the people I have met who are living in this state of love-limbo are hopelessly despondent and constantly on the verge of tears. How is this good for mental health and why should the ACA acquiesce to this damaging pseudoscience? These right wing therapists are central to the problem, not the solution. They do absolutely nothing to make clients heterosexual or reconcile faith and sexuality. All these therapists accomplish is enticing vulnerable clients to pay dearly for the identical shame and repression they previously received for free. Conspicuously absent in the letter to the ACA are examples of how these “therapists” supposedly help their clients. Ex-gay therapists or ministers routinely endorse exorcisms and tell clients that they may have demons in their bodies. They sometimes instruct clients to wear rubber bands on their wrists and snap them whenever they find a person physically attractive. Other times, “touch therapy” is employed, where the counselor caresses a client sitting on his or her lap. Finally, those who wrote the letter arrogantly suggested that they represent Christianity. They are but a few misguided sects of the religion - and ones that give the faith a bad name. These therapists would be infinitely more helpful if they would explain to suffering clients that many theologians disagree with their rigid worldview. Attorneys from the right wing Alliance Defense Fund also sent a letter to the ACA, in an attempt to bully the organization. But, all the high-priced lobbying and lawyering in the world can’t hide the growing army of ex-gay counseling victims. The ACA would do well to listen to these survivors and then throw the right wing letter in the trash - where it can be reunited with the outlandish theories and screwy techniques that constitute so-called “ex-gay” therapy. Wayne Besen is a columnist and author of the book, “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth.” 

February 21 - 27, 2008

Filing your annual tax return with the IRS can be a pain. But this year, the pain will be worth it – even if a person does not have enough income to necessitate filing. That is because if you make under $75,000 as an individual, $150,000 if you file jointly or if you reported no income but received Social Security or Veterans Disability payments, you are eligible for a tax rebate check. The economic stimulus package -- passed by Congress and signed into law last week -- includes a tax rebate of $600 for every American making under $75,000 and $1,200 for couples earning up to $150,000. In addition, it also includes $300 per child. The credit phases out for those taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 ($150,000 for a joint return) or more, generally at a rate of $50 dollars per $1,000 of adjusted gross income above $75,000 ($150,000 for a joint return). This means people making between $75,000 and $87,000 and those filing jointly with an income between $150,000 and $174,000 will receive some rebate. For senior citizens and veterans who didn’t earn any income in 2007, they can also receive a rebate. A $300 check is available as long as the individual received at least $3,000 in Social Security benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, or Veterans Disability benefits last year. For these individuals, how-

ever, it is imperative that they file an income tax return with the IRS. If you have a relative, neighbor or friend you believe falls into this category, I encourage you to make them aware of the need to file a return this year. The IRS will be distributing the tax rebates and must have a tax return for the previous year on file in order to issue a rebate. It is expected that for early filers, the first checks will be reaching mailboxes in mid-May. Another question that comes up frequently is “Will

the tax rebate checks be counted towards your income for next year’s tax filing and will the rebate cut into next year’s refund?” The answer to both is no, according to IRS officials. Leading economists believe our economy is likely to hit a recession -- we may even already be in one. The objective of this stimulus package is to provide a targeted, shortterm boost to the economy, putting money directly in the hands of those most likely to use it in order to avoid or at least soften the impact of a recession. Congress acted with uncommon speed in a bipartisan manner together with the White House to pass this legislation. That is a hopeful sign -- when the economy is in trouble and the path to positive change clear, the legislative process works well.

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February 21 - 27, 2008

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Fairfax County has 23 brand-new firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The eight women and 15 men graduated in formal ceremonies last Friday night at the Fairfax County Government Center, following five-and-a-half months of extensive class-room and field work at the Fire Training Academy on West Ox Road. Theirs was the 124th Recruit Class to complete the rigorous training to prepare them for service in the worldclass Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Fire Chief Ronald L. Mastin administered the Firefighter’s Oath, which includes a promise to maintain the “highest standard of integrity,” to the graduating recruits in front of their applauding families and friends. During the ceremony, graduates are given their new dark leather helmets, which replace the shiny red plastic headgear that marks them as a trainee. Some were reminded by their shift commanders to go home and sleep since they were scheduled to report for duty at 7 the next morning. Three of the graduates will staff Mason District stations. Hopefully, no one reading this column will need the services of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, but if you do, you can be assured of a quick response and appropriate service to protect the lives, property, and environment of all in our community. ***** Great Parks, Great Communities is a new planning process initiated by the Fairfax County Park Authority to gain public comment about

preserving, protecting, and planning parks to serve future generations. Demands for ball fields of any size and configuration to serve all ages and sports, active and passive recreation needs, trail connections, open space, picnic and social areas, horticultural and specimen gardens, water features, and cultural changes are among the challenges faced as we plan for the future. The Park Planning Workshop for Mason District will be held on Wednesday, March 5, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. The kick-off meeting will introduce the planning process and provide baseline information about the existing park system. Park staff will be available to answer questions, and you can share your ideas in person about how we can strengthen our local park system for the future. If you cannot join in person on March 5, consider sharing your thoughts online. Log on to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/plandev/ greatparks.htm, for an overview of the countywide initiative, informative maps and districtspecific information, the upcoming meeting schedule, and how to provide feedback. Our quality of life is enhanced by a healthy environment, and parks play an important part. Please take some time to share your opinions, great ideas, and your enthusiasm!

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IS NOT THE NEW

Many children begin drinking as early as age 12. That’s two years before they’ve tried geometry. Research indicates that children are less likely to drink when their parents are involved in their lives and when they report feeling close to their parents. So next time you complain about how fast they’re growing up, consider that it might be in your power to slow them down. For advice on talking with your children, visit stopalcoholabuse.gov or call 1-800-729-6686

www.smallstep.gov

Downhill from Here Last week, we reached the halfway point of the 2007 General Assembly session as last Tuesday was “Crossover.” That is the day when all bills and resolutions introduced in one chamber must be acted upon by that body. Those pieces of legislation which pass each chamber then cross over to the other chamber. In the House, there were 2,032 bills and joint resolutions introduced, we approved 899 of them, and they were sent to the Senate for consideration. Senators introduced 1,004 bills and joint resolutions, 600 of them were passed, and they are now being considered in the House. In the House, the 44.6-percent success rate of legislation was in line with the historic 45percent average pass rate. After crossover, there is a different workload in both chambers. The number of new bills and resolutions for the Senate to consider is slightly less than before. But, it is downhill for us in the House as we will deliberate on only about one-quarter of the legislation as before. All of this is aimed at a March 8 adjournment. Of course, we have delayed our adjournment in the past due to legislative disputes. Budget Battles Again In the past, the arguments have been between the more conservative House Republicans and their moderate Senate GOP brethren. But, this year, Democrats control the Senate and they have approved a budget that is in line with Democratic Governor Kaine’s views. While it is expected that House GOP members will not like it, Senate Democrats did not foresee opposition from the Republican Senators. All GOP members of the Senate Finance Committee voted against their spending plan and battles are expected on the floor. Such division on the budget is unusual for the genteel Senate, while partisan rancor is the norm in the House. Yet, all was harmonious on the Appropriations Committee as both Republicans and Democrats voted for the House budget. Each chamber passes a separate version of the budget and the final votes on each are

today. Man of the People I attended a memorial service last Friday in Charlottesville for a beloved former House colleague who retired in 2005. Mitch Van Yahres passed away a week before that in the hospital following cancer surgery. In many ways, Mitch reminded me of Will Rogers. Like the great sage of the Plains, he never met a person he did not like. A tree surgeon by profession, Mitch was a hearty fellow with a deep voice, ever present smile, and great sense of humor. A former mayor of Charlottesville, Mitch was 81 when he died. But, he was quite fit and looked much younger than his years. He walked constantly, including walking daily between his hotel and the Capital during his legislative service of more than 20 years. Although born and raised in New York, Mitch was a true Virginia gentleman. He was also an unabashed liberal and proud of it. He was deeply religious. But, instead of wearing his faith on his sleeve, he wore it in his heart. Mitch was dedicated to fighting the good fight for the little guy and righting the wrongs of the world. He promoted site-based management in public schools, remedial education programs, and the restoration of civil rights to former felons. Mitch sponsored legislation on water supply plans, mandated prescription contraceptive coverage, and LEED green building standards. His greatest legislative achievement may have come when he won passage of a resolution apologizing for a great injustice. In 2001, the General Assembly expressed “its profound regret over the Commonwealth’s role in the eugenics movement.” Under this discredited theory of “improving” the human race, about 8,000 Virginians were involuntarily sterilized over a 72 year period. The Gentleman from Charlottesville was one-of-akind and he will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

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February 21 - 27, 2008

532-4026. On Sunday, Feb. 24, Temple Rodef Shalom (2100 Westmoreland St., Falls Church) is hosting Creation Care 101, interactive workshops on energy and the environment, from 2 – 5 p.m. Participants will explore steps that they can take in their own faith communities to move toward a sustainable future. Free and open to all. For more information, e-mail Allison@ gwipl.org or call 202-8858654.

Want to get involved with a good cause, but don’t know how to do it? Crossman United Methodist Church (384 N. Washington St., Falls Church) is hosting a Chili Festival on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 5 – 8 p.m. to support a Mississippi Gulf Coast rebuilding project. In addition to the free chili, there will be a Dessert Cook-Off contest, live music, and a silent auction fundraiser. For more information, call 703-

The George Mason High School Athletic Boosters have begun their 15th annual mulch sale, with orders accepted through Mar. 31. Three cubic ft. bags of shredded hardwood mulch are $5 per bag; with an order of 25 or more bags, the price drops to $4.50 a bag. Delivery is free within Falls Church on the delivery date of Saturday, Apr. 5. Pay by check to GMABA, mail to Linda Hamill (1002 Poplar Dr., Falls Church) with your address, phone and e-mail. For more information, email hamfam@cox.net.

www.MarkEllmore08.com Life-long Alexandria resident Mark Ellmore

seeks to be your 8th District Representative in Congress: • • •

Life-long community involvement and commitment with civic, environment, sports, the arts and charity endeavors 30-Year career in the Northern Virginia banking industry from teller to executive Author and motivational speaker

Go to www.MarkEllmore08.com for information about Mark. He can represent your best interests in the US Congress—and you can help…

Paid for by Mark Ellmore for Congress

This weekend, from Friday, Feb. 22 – Saturday, Feb. 23, more than 150 local youngsters from churches across Northern Virginia will be participating in the annual World Vision 30 Hour Famine, hosted this year by Friendship United Methodist (3527 Gallows Rd., Falls Church). Students ask for sponsor donations as they fast for 30 hours in an effort to experience real hunger, all the while participating in activities to help them understand life in a developing country. The students are planning to make sandwiches for So Others Might Eat in Washington, D.C., volunteering at Rising Hope

Mission Church in Alexandria and assisting with the Happy Hats project at Holy Trinity Lutheran. For anyone interested in participating or sponsoring a participant, contact Jim Harrington at 703-4099350. More info is available at www.30hourfamine.com.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will participate in Spay Day USA on Wednesday, Feb. 27 and Friday, Feb. 29 by spaying and neutering up to 50 local cats and dogs for $25 each. Any low-income pet owner registering in advance receives a spay or neuter surgery for his or her pet at a reduced price, plus reduced fees on

Dr. Madeline Hidalgo Dental Health Q&A Dear Dr. Madeline,

Q: What is tooth decay and how can I prevent it? A: Tooth enamel is hard but yet porous. Plaque on the surface of your

teeth can produce acids that seeps into the pores (rods) of the enamel and breaks down its internal structure. This process, called demineralization, Dr. Madeline Hidalgo, can create a weak spot on the surface of the tooth that may become a cavity Cosmetic & if left untreated. Decay often begins on biting surfaces, between the teeth, Family Dentistry on exposed roots and around existing fillings. Untreated decay spreads into An expert in all the tooth and can destroy the tooth structure, to the extent of infecting the pulp Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel phases of modern and speeding up the remineralization process. The new enamel crystals that dentistry, including form are harder, larger and more resistant to acid. the perfect smiles.

Send your questions to: Dr. Madeline Hidalgo 6521 Arlington Boulevard #112 Falls Church, VA 22042 • 703-237-9025 drhidalgo@mysmileydentist.com • www.mysmileydentist.com

February 21 - 27, 2008

distemper and rabies vaccinations and a free microchip. The surgeries will take place at the National Capital Spay and Neuter Center (1001 L St. SE, Washington, D.C.) and are subsidized by the League. For more information, visit www. awla.org/spay-day-usa.shtml or call 703-931-9241. To register your pet, email spayday@ awla.org.

The Master Singers of Virginia, led by artistic director Erik Reid Jones, presents a program of choral works by Anton Bruckner and Francis Poulenc on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. The program will take place at Saint Luke Catholic Church (7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean). Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For more information, visit www.msva. org or call 703-655-7809.

Volunteer Fairfax is calling for individuals, nonprofits and businesses to nominate volunteers who have provided outstanding service to the Fairfax community in 2007 for a Fairfax County Volunteer Service Award. The award program, established in 1993, honors individuals, groups and organizations that have provided volunteer services through a broad range of activities and programs. This year’s Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards breakfast ceremony will be held on Thursday, Apr. 24 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner (7920 Jones Branch Dr., McLean), and the deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 22. For more information, visit www.volunteerfairfx.org or contact Erin Caplin at Volunteer Fairfax at 703-246-3470.

Volunteer managers, particu-

Page 15

larly those new to their position, have an opportunity to learn from Volunteer Fairfax and their Spring Symposium offered on Thursday, Feb. 21 at their headquarters (10530 Page Ave., Fairfax). The Symposium offers three sessions from Volunteer Fairfax’s Nonprofit Training Series, including a session on rewarding volunteers, an open dialogue on the baby boomer population and their volunteer involvement and a session teaching participants how to work with volunteers, especially the difficult ones. The Spring Symposium begins at 9 a.m., where each session lasts two hours, with a 30-minute break in between each session. The fee for each session is $35 for premium members, $45 for basic members or $90 for all three sessions. For more information, visit www. volunteerfairfax.org or contact Emily Gibbs at egibbs@volunteerfairax.org.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m., there will be a monthly peer support group for survivors of clergy abuse, and others affected by the abuse, in the conference room of the Tysons-Pimmit Hills Regional Library (7684 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). The group meets on the last Wednesday of each month and is sponsored by the Voice of the Faithful-Northern Virginia affiliate. The meeting is free and confidential, with no registration required. For more information, contact Ellen Radday at 703-539-6128.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, Keegan Theatre will premiere Brendan Behan’s “The Hostage” as part of its 10th Anniversary season. The play, described as a “truly comic approach to both life and art,” will run until Saturday, Mar. 29 at the Church Street Theater (1742 Church St. NW, Washington, D.C.), with per-

formances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general admission, with senior, student and group rate discounts available. For more information, visit www.keegantheatre.com.

Scott Lemen (Falls Church/ George Mason) has earned a spot on the 2008 Lynchburg College Men’s Lacrosse Team, which has been ranked third nationally by the “Face-Off Yearbook” pre-season poll for Division III teams. The team is coached by 12-year coach Steve Koudelka. Lemen is a sophomore defender who appeared in eight games last season, majoring in history and minoring in coaching. The Hornets open their season this Saturday, Feb. 23, traveling to top-ranked Salisbury University, with the opening face-off scheduled at noon.

The McLean Mustangs, a U13 Girls Travel soccer team, will be holding tryouts for the spring season and are looking for players. Any girl born before Aug. 1, 1995 is eligible for the team. The team plays in Division 1 of ODSL. Interested players should contact Tom Matecki at tmatecki@verizon.net.

Fulcrum Holdings, LLC., an investment-advisory firm located in Reston, announced Friday, Feb. 15 that Gary D. Nolen was hired as Senior Vice-President for Branch Office Development. He will head the firm’s recruitment campaign, while also focusing on training Financial Advisors on expanding their business and firming up their client relationships. Mr. Nolen taught financial planning and investments at the University of Notre Dame’s

Center for Continuing Education, and has over 25 years of experience in the financial management and training fields. For more information, visit www.fulcrumsecurities.com.

The Kennedy Center recently announced that local Falls Church resident Zalfa Hamedaldean, a 2004 graduate of George Mason University currently pursuing a Masters in Tourism Administration at George Washington University, has been selected for their winter internship program. From January through May, Hamedaldean will serve as the Special Effects Intern in the Development Department. The Development Department is responsible for coordinating and planning over 2,000 events each year. Hamedaldean is interested in event planning as a career path, and hopes to develop her own event management company in due time.

Page 16

February 21 - 27, 2008

We’ll show you the money. There’s $150 waiting for you at the new PNC Bank Falls Church Branch.

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Page 17

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Earlier this week oil closed above $100 a barrel for the first time. To make matters worse, wholesale gasoline and heating oil jumped 11 cents a gallon in a single day to their all-time highs. A lot of bad news triggered the increase of nearly $14 a barrel in the last two weeks. A 70,000 barrel a day refinery in Texas blew up and may take months to repair; floods, snowstorms, and power outages have the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coal markets breaking records; and to top it off OPEC is threatening to cut oil production, either officially or unofficially, because OECD stockpiles crept up a bit in January. When you can get $100 for every barrel exported you might as well save some for the grandchildren, because you sure donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need the money. Then there is the economic news. Last week, a Harvard economist opined to an energy conference in Texas that when we are through tallying up the credit crunch losses from real estate loans, car loans, credit card loans, and business loans all going bad at the same time, the total will be over $1 trillion. Now this is just an abstract figure until you learn that the total capitalization of all the banks in America is about $1 trillion. It gets still worse. We recently learned about an arcane new financial product called the credit default swap. These are sort of marketable private insurance policies that you buy to cover financial assets that you suspect might go bad. This is all very nice until we learn that these â&#x20AC;&#x153;insurance policesâ&#x20AC;? have been sold and resold so that the insured has no idea who is supposed to pay off his claim and whether or not the current insurer has any money. The scary part is that these things are now said to have a total value of $45 trillion. If these credit default swaps start going bad and somebody is liable for even a tiny fraction of their supposed value, there is not enough money in China or all the sovereign wealth funds in the world, or the U.S. Treasury to bail this out. All this is by way of saying that $100+ oil may turn out to be the least of our problems. Now many traders are saying that $100 oil is just a short-lived speculative binge. The fundamentals donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t justify it and oil

will soon be back to its â&#x20AC;&#x153;proper priceâ&#x20AC;? of $85 a barrel. Note how the â&#x20AC;&#x153;proper priceâ&#x20AC;? keeps moving up. Few talk of $40, $50, or $60 oil anymore. Even OPEC says that if oil goes below $85 a barrel, production will be cut until prices go up again. It just shows how easy it is to get used to being richer and richer. For those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t follow such things, world oil production has been essentially flat for the last four years. Asian consumption keeps surging as Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP grows by 10 or 11 percent each year. Domestic consumption in most oil export-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

who eat will bring them to their senses so that mandates and prices subsidies for corn-based ethanol will be eliminated. When you connect the dots outlined above, it says there is a very big change coming, a paradigm shift far greater than any of us have known in our lifetimes. At this point it is reasonable to ask that if so many bad things are about to happen, where are our leaders and aspirants, the President, the Cabinet, the Congress, the presidential, senatorial and congressional candidates? The evening news, the talking heads, the syndicated columnists, the major papers? Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anyone connecting the dots? The answer is human nature. Nobody holding office or running for one wants to be associated with such devastating news. If you need an example remember poor old Jimmy Carter who was 30 years ahead of his time in warning us all -- and was blown out of office as a consequence. Dire warnings do not win elections. All the incumbents will ever do is cross their fingers and hope that things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come unglued before their time in office is up. For the current U.S. administration, it is going to be close. Those in power justify themselves by saying they do not want to cause panics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; widespread hording, market selloffs, whatever. Let the panic, which will surely come, happen on somebody elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watch. It is too much to deal with. The downside of this collective denial is the loss of time to effect change. So far the only decisive action in the U.S. was to turn our corn into SUV fuel. Much more needs to be done. It is looking more and more as if we are going to go over a cliff, while buying nearly unaffordable food and waiting in lines at the gas pumps before meaningful action is taken.

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ing states, primarily Russia and Middle East is also growing rapidly. U.S. and European consumption is growing slowly, so the difference between flat production and increasing demand is being made up by reduced consumption in the poorer nations of Africa, Latin America, and numerous small island states which are heard from occasionally. World stockpiles are also shrinking at a measured pace. As a world, we are burning more oil than we are producing. Although there are endless debates about how fast oil production from current field is declining, everyone agrees that many million barrels per day from new oil production projects should start coming on stream in the next few years. These prospects leave many forecasting that all will be well for the immediate future. Some are skeptical, however. If you have noticed the all-time high prices of agricultural commodities lately, you will realize that mandating the conversion of a significant portion of our corn crop into motor fuel is one of the worst laws the U.S. Congress has ever passed. However, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry, for within a year or so, all those voters

ď ľ Tom Whipple is a retired government analyst and has been following the peak oil issue for several years.

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February 21 - 27, 2008

Business leaders and their customers who want to support the local business community may want to consider weighing in on the current debate over Atlantic Realty Companies’ development plans for the south side of the City Center area. The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has enthusiastically endorsed this project because of its significant benefits to the City’s revenue and the increase it will generate in daytime, evening, and weekend customers for the area’s local businesses. Information, including the project’s fiscal impact and a listing of Frequently Asked Questions on this project is available on the City’s website at www.fallschurchva.gov. Information on a Friends of City Center petition is available at blueweeds.typepad. com/. The actual petition can be accessed at www.ipetitions.com/petition/City_Center. The Second Reading for the project and public hearing will take place at the City Council meeting on Monday, February 25 in Council Chambers at City Hall. ∗∗∗ Stacy’s Coffee Parlor is hosting the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s February Networking Mixer from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26. Members of the Chamber and friends of the business community are invited to attend the event and enjoy delicious temptations from Stacy’s new menu. Attendees are also invited to a Sea Shanty Sing-A-Long immediately after the Mixer. Stacy’s Coffee Parlor, where something is always brewing, is located at 709 W. Broad Street. Parking is available in front and behind the building and across the street. More info is available at www. Stacyscoffee.com! ∗∗∗ Vintage This & That is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, February 23 at 11 a.m. Vintage This & That, offering “distinct furnishings and accessories of yesteryear”, is located in the West End Plaza at 1075 W. Broad Street in Falls Church. For more information call 703-533-8012 or visit vintagethisandthat.com. ∗∗∗ Entrée Vous has opened at 2200 N. Westmoreland St. next to the Bear Rock Cafe. Owned and operated by Chris Eldridge, Entrée Vous, “the make and take kitchen”, provides guests the opportunity to go online or call to choose their entrees which include fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and recipes created by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef. Entrée Vous does all the prep work – slicing, dicing, chopping, peeling, blending sauces and marinades from scratch. Guests show up, put the ingredients together and take the dinners home to their freezers. Another popular option is to order meals and have Entrée Vous assemble them for convenient pickup. Guests are encouraged to get groups of friends together to make the process even more enjoyable. In less than two hours, guests can prepare nearly a month’s worth of supper entrees for about $4 per serving and no kitchen cleanup. For more information call 703-532-1515 or order online at www.entreevous.com and choose the Arlington location. ∗∗∗ General Dynamics has chosen S. Daniel Johnson to be the next head of its Information Technology unit effective April 1. Johnson, will succeed Michael E. Chandler, who is retiring, to become president of its General Dynamics Information Technology business unit. Johnson has been the executive vice president of operations for Fairfax-based General Dynamics Information Technology since 2006, and is responsible for day-to-day operations of the 16,000-person organization. Previously he was chief operating officer of Anteon Corp, which General Dynamics acquired in June 2006 and combined with an existing unit to create the current company,” General Dynamics said. ∗∗∗ One hundred two companies that worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org) in 2007 will add 9,102 jobs to the local economy. Most of the firms announcing new jobs are with information technology or professional services companies, two sectors that drive the Fairfax County economy. Companies announcing the largest job growth during the year include: Perot Systems with 537 jobs, Volkswagen of America with 401 jobs, Apogen Technologies with 266 jobs, American Systems with 215 jobs and USIS with 206 jobs. A list of announcements for 2007 is at www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org/07announce.htm. ∗∗∗ Road Runner Sports is now hiring for their new Falls Church retail store. Applications are being accepted for Store Manager, Store Supervisor and Retail Fit Specialist positions. Road Runner Sports the largest source for running shoes, apparel, accessories and information with top quality products, competitive prices, and superb customer care. Road Runner Sports offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), reimbursement accounts, tuition reimbursement, and much more. The Falls Church store will be opening soon in the former Offenbacher location in the Falls Plaza Shopping Center at 1120 West Broad Street. For more information visit www.roadrunnersports.com. ∗∗∗ State tax changes that affect Virginia businesses in 2008 include a new withholding requirement for pass-through entities and changes to exemptions to the retail sales and use tax. Effective January 2008, the due date for monthly withholding filers moved to the 25th of the following month, instead of the 20th. There is no impact on quarterly filers, including those who file form VA-16. Additional new legislation also requires pass-through entities to withhold Virginia income tax on behalf of their nonresident owners effective beginning January 1, 2008. For details on the Virginia tax changes visit tax.virginia.gov.  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

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 19 An Exclusive Invitation to Brighton Gardens of Arlington

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EVENT DETAILS

Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caregiver Workshop Series Co-sponsored by the Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association of the National Capital Area

Tuesday, February 26th 6:30pm-8:00pm RSVP to Gary Hughes at 703-294-6875 or Arlingtonbg.dcr@sunriseseniorliving.com Sunrise Senior Living is committed to furthering the knowledge of senior living topics through events and seminars designed to help and inform seniors and their caregivers.

3821 Wilson Blvd., Arlington

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I’ll level with you. The most pressing question on my mind is whether or not Washington Nationals’ GM has secured a flux capacitor-laden DeLorean destined for the year 2002. That way, the GM’s recent acquisitions of Brett Boone and Odalis Perez would look a whole lot more exciting. However, excitement is one thing the Nats’ spring training complex will not lack this season. And as the camp progresses, I’ll be keeping my eyes on these intriguing issues ... though, I will also keep them peeled for the Libyans. Who’s on First? The return of Nick Johnson is one of the major storylines of the spring in the Nationals’ camp. Unfortunately, even if Johnson regains every bit of the form that propelled him to a .290 average with 23 home runs and 46 doubles in 2006, it’s unlikely he can displace the incumbent Dmitri Young. You can’t blame the Nats for the impending either/or situation. Five months ago, it looked like Johnson may never play again, meanwhile Young was in the middle of a renaissance that saw him bat .320 and emerge as a leader in the Nationals’ clubhouse. Assuming that Johnson makes a complete comeback, and the early signs have been very positive, he almost certainly will be the one getting dealt. Not only is Johnson younger (29, Young is 34) thus bringing higher value in a trade, but the Nationals need Young in the fold. Twice during the offseason Jim Bowden brought in players with spotty track records — Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes — and pointed to Young as mentor and also as a model to which the youngsters can aspire. With so much riding on Young’s presence, the Nationals’ aren’t about to ship him out, nor are they going to hold Young in reserve after such a monster campaign in 2008. Not to mention, as The Post’s Barry Svrluga pointed out, the Nationals have already planned Dmitri Young Bobblehead night. Nothing says job security like a seven-inch plastic figurine with a wobbly noggin. A Next-Generation Rotation Last year the Nats threw spaghetti on the wall and ended up with a starting rotation that reminded some of that scene in “Major League” where the team executive states bluntly: “I’ve never heard of half of these guys and the ones I do know

February 21 - 27, 2008

are way past their prime.” As the season progressed, however, those hyperbolic, if humorous, statements were dispelled as Washington discovered some diamonds in the rough. This season the Nationals are hoping that some of those diamonds — like Shawn Hill (3.42 ERA in 16 starts), Jason Bergmann (better than 2-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio in 115plus innings) and Matt Chico (a rotation-best seven wins) — can polish themselves up even more as they compete for a spot in the rotation. Challenging them will be Tyler Clippard, Collin Balester, John Lannan, Garrett Mock and Ross Detwiler. The pool is far more talented and far deeper, if less experienced, than last year’s collection. Here Comes Trouble? The Nationals’ off-season acquistions of Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes and Paul LoDuca definitely shook things up. Not only is the trio talented, but they’ve also been the subject of some lessthan-flattering stories of late. Reports repeatedly mentioned Milledge’s attitude problems and lax work ethic in New York. Dukes has been dogged by legal issues stemming from a series of threating calls to his estranged wife, NiShea Gilbert, last May. Meanwhile, LoDuca was one of the few active players mentioned in the Mitchell Report, which included copies of signed checks from LoDuca allegedly used to pay for Human Growth Hormone. The new blood could supply some needed fire to the Nats, but it’s hard to ignore the rapid influx of off-field issues. How the team handles it will be a storyline throughout the year. Digging the New Digs? I might be getting ahead of myself with this one, but I think if you look real hard, you can see the right field scoreboard of Nationals Park from the spring training camp in Viera, Fla. At least the shuttles taking off from Cape Canaveral can. RFK was cavernous, plaguing power hitters with its expansive outfield, but keeping opposing hitters in the park as well at times. How will the new dimensions the lineup? The pitchers? The President’s Race? Those are the hard-hitting questions I am looking forward to having answered in the days ahead. 

For much of Tuesday night’s Bull Run District semifinal game against Manassas Park, Mason junior Joel Chandler struggled. He struggled with possession, struggled finding his man on defense, struggled boxing out. But when his team needed him most, after giving away a nine-point fourth quarter lead and limping into overtime, Chandler returned to his usual superior standard and corralled an elusive win for the Mustangs. With the clock ticking down below 10 seconds and the score tied at 57, Chandler drove the lane from the top of the key, drawing a foul and converting a layup off of the left side of the backboard. Nine seconds later, after Chandler drained the free throw and an errant threepoint attempt by Manassas Park’s Felix Clement, the Mason bench poured onto the floor to celebrate a victory that seemed destined to slip from their grasp. “We totally lost defensive focus,” Mason Head Coach Chris Capannola said after the game. “We didn’t box anyone out and we didn’t find their shooters at the end of the game.

But, we survived, and at this time of the year that’s what you have to do.” Trailing by nine at the start of the fourth quarter, the Cougars rallied behind a series of second-chance points and the deft long-range shooting of Donald Farmer. Manassas regularly out-worked Mason for rebounds and loose balls, and a pair of put backs drew the Cougars within four with 3:37 remaining. Mason would extend that lead back to seven at the 1:42 mark after a stepback jumper by junior Josh Brew and a layup by sophomore Jordan Cheney off of a pretty dish from senior guard Alex Prewitt. Still, the Cougars refused to yield. With under a minute remaining Farmer rained in a three-pointer from well beyond the arc and, after a miss by Brew from the foul line on the front end of a one-and-one, he splashed another three-pointer from the right side just four seconds later to pull his team within one. After the teams each traded a foul shot apiece, two made free throws by senior Jake Johnson made it a threepoint game with 24 seconds left. But after a Mason time out, Farmer was somehow left

unchecked and predictably made the Mustangs pay by nailing the game-tying shot and ultimately sending the contest to overtime. Mason scored the first four points in the extra session, but Desmond McDonald drew the Cougars even with a layup with 30 seconds left, going up and under Chandler, who was playing with four fouls. That set the stage for Chandler’s gamewinning shot. While it may not have been Chandler’s strongest all around game this season, it certainly was for Mason’s Prewitt. With Mason trailing 8-0 at the start of the game, the senior sixth man sparked his team when he entered the game at the four minute mark of the first quarter. He scored Mason’s first four points of the game, driving into the lane and attacking the defense when his teammates had appeared tentative from the tip-off. While he would only add two more points on the night, he repeatedly hustled for loose balls, forcing two tie-ups. Twice he stole the ball and started fast breaks with his outlet passes and set up points for Cheney in the low post when the Mustangs struggled Continued on Page 22

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 21

Winter Sports Briefs

McLean Boys Hoops

J.E.B. Stuart Boys Hoops

p.m. at Mt. Vernon.

On Friday night, the McLean Highlanders finished up their regular season with a heartrending 52-50 loss in overtime, but they wouldn’t have to wait long for revenge. In the first round of the Liberty District playoffs, the No. 5 Highlanders ousted No. 4 South Lakes, 5553. At halftime, McLean led by three points, 24-21, and after the half, both teams began scoring more freely, led by Peter Kanellias and his game-high 20 points for the Highlanders. With less than 10 seconds to go, the score was locked at 53 and McLean had possession. Sean Fitzgerald, who had scored only four points by that point in the game, drove the lane and made a layup to win the game for the Highlanders, 55-53. Ammoury added 16 for the Highlanders. McLean will have to stay strong on Thursday, as they once more travel back to South Lakes for the Liberty Conference semifinals against top-seeded W.T. Woodson, a team with only one conference loss all season. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

The J.E.B. Stuart Raiders continued their successful crusade through the National Conference on Thursday night, traveling to Washington-Lee to finish up their regular season. The Raiders came out firing in the second half en route to 40 second-half points, and triumphed over WashingtonLee, 66-54. Sophomore guard Antonio Harris lit up the Generals with a game-high 25 points; the Raiders had four double-digit scorers altogether. The win set up a first-round meeting against Wakefield in the first round of the National District Tournament. The Raiders cruised in that game, 70-47, with four players again breaking the double-digit barrier in scoring. Mahamed Ibrahim scored 16 to lead the Raiders, while Harris and William Ford scored 15 apiece. The win sets up a grudge match in the National District semifinals against Mt. Vernon. The Majors have claimed both games against the Raiders this year, but the first win took them two overtimes and they scraped out the second victory by only four points. Tip off is set for 6

Marshall Girls Hoops The Marshall Lady Statesmen, looking for a final win before heading into the Liberty Conference tournament on Tuesday, traveled to conference rival Langley on Friday night. The Langley girls had no interest in Marshall’s upset bid and steadily handled the Lady Statesmen, winning 64-48. Sophomore Carlie Zirkle led the Lady Statesmen with 13 points and senior Ali Johnson chipped in 10 of her own. In a season of ups and downs for Marshall, the Lady Statesmen ended on the latter note, falling to No. 12 James Madison, 48-38, in the first round of the Liberty District Tournament. Sophomore Theresa Hackett led Marshall with a team-high 11 points, Johnson chipped in nine and Zirkle added eight. McLean Girls The McLean Lady Highlanders finished up their regular season on a two-game win streak thanks to a 40-37 victory over South Lakes at home on Friday night. Despite having

not one girl score in double-digits, McLean found itself paced by junior guard Caity Flint and senior forward Michelle Zimmerman, who both scored eight points. McLean entered halftime with a 25-22 lead, and despite nearly even shooting statistics for both teams, the Lady Highlanders eked out the victory. Ironically enough, the McLean girls faced a very familiar opponent in their opening round game of the Liberty Conference tournament: the girls of South Lakes. The result in their tournament game was no different than their regular season game, as McLean won 45-40 on their home court. The Lady Highlanders dished the ball around beautifully as eight different girls scored points in the game, led by sophomore Melissa Wilson who had a team-high 10 points. Senior guard/forward Jessica Stillman added nine and freshman guard Andie Romness chipped in seven points of her own. McLean faced top-seeded Madison on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. Results were not available at press time.

George Mason’s David Ray and Barratt Kennett captured individual championships at the Bull Run District wrestling tournament this past weekend. Ray, wrestling at 140 lbs., pinned Strasburg’s Darren Neff in the third period for the title and Kennett pulled out a 1-0 squeaker against Strasburg’s Jonathan Wilson at 171 lbs. Both will enter the Group A, Region B tournament next weekend as No. 1 seeds. Joining Ray and Kennett at the regional tournament will be Steve Parks, Jake Schwind, Tim Hillegass and Manny Veiga-Diaz. Parks (189 lbs.) and Schwind (152 lbs.) took second place, Hillegass (145 lbs.) came in third and Veiga-Diaz (215 lbs.) finished fourth. Ray began his finals match by scoring a quick takedown for a 2-0 lead. Shortly after gaining the takedown, Ray turned Neff to his back. Ray was unable to score the pin, but was awarded a three-point near fall and had a 5-0 lead as the first period ended. In the second period, Neff began in the down position and was able to eventually escape, but not before Ray again turned him to his back for a two-point near fall. Once on their feet, Ray quickly took down Neff and rode him for the remainder of the period

J.E.B. Stuart Girls The girls of J.E.B. Stuart could not stop their seasonending skid this week, losing their last regular season game at home to Washington-Lee on Thursday night, 48-43. Despite the best efforts of senior guard Jayme Harris, who scored 15 of her own points for the Lady Raiders, they fell too far behind in the first half, facing a 25-14 deficit at halftime, and could not come back. The Lady Raiders didn’t have to wait long to attempt to avenge their loss to WashingtonLee, as they began the National Conference tournament against their Thursday night foes on Tuesday. The game once again came down to the wire, however Stuart fell just short, losing 5048. Despite hot shooting from Harris, who had 17 of her own for the Lady Raiders, the damage done by McCue was too much to overcome for J.E.B. Stuart. The game came down to the wire, surprisingly, considering Washington-Lee entered halftime with a 31-21 lead, but still, Stuart’s season ended a bit earlier than they had hoped.

for a 9-1 lead as the period ended. Ray took him down again to start the third, and after a few seconds to position himself, reversed Neff straight to his back and was awarded the fall 37 seconds into the period. Kennett’s match at 171 lbs. was the nail biter of the evening, as he and Strasburg’s Jonathan Wilson battled through a scoreless first period in which each wrestler fended off take-down attempts by the other. Kennett began the second period on top and was able to ride Wilson for the entire period. The third period began tied at 0-0 with Kennett on bottom. For over a minute it looked as if Wilson would be able to ride Kennett and force overtime, but with just under 30 seconds remaining in regulation, Kennett wriggled free and was able to hold off Wilson’s attempts for the 1-0 Victory. The Region B Tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Buffalo Gap High School, which is about 10 miles southwest of Staunton, Va. Those who place in the top four at the Region B Tournament will qualify for the state tournament, which will be held in Salem, Va. on March 7 and 8.

Page 22

Faced with the task of rounding out their regular season and opening the Bull Run Tournament against the bottom two teams in the district in order to secure a Region B berth, the George Mason varsity girls basketball team took care of business, efficiently dispatching Rappahannock County, 53-25, and Manassas Park, 52-42, to set up a showdown with rival Clarke County on Wednesday. In the first round of the district tournament on Tuesday, a swarming Mason defense hounded visiting Rappahannock all night long, as the Mustangs held the Panthers to single-digit point totals in each quarter. Mason came out to a slow start in the first period, as it ended with the Mustangs on top 9-6. However, potent freethrow shooting, coupled with a variety of special defenses put the host team ahead by 19

their low-post scoring threat with entry passes. “This is what we’ve been waiting for all season from Alex,” Capannola said. “He’s had three good games in a row and this was his best. He’s one of the biggest reasons we’ve been so good down the stretch. I’m thrilled.” As is Capanolla’s team, who looked all-but certain to repeat last year’s fate of a semifinal home loss to Manassas Park. Last season, the Cougars’ Daniel Bigelow (seven points Tuesday), dropped a floater through the hoop to break an overtime tie and send the Mustangs packing. “It felt like the same exact thing,” Capannola said, comparing the two semi-final games. “We didn’t talk about it, but I think the guys were

February 21 - 27, 2008

points at the start of the second half. Coach Bill Broderick’s team shot 71-percent from the free throw line, their best showing of the entire season. In addition, the squad racked up 19 steals and 34 rebounds as a team. Senior Meredith Hamme led all scorers with 11 points, including two bombs from beyond the arc, and made three out of her four free-throws. Sophomore Chantal Thomas, coming off the bench, tacked on 10 points, six of which came MASON’S CHANTAL THOMAS (center) puts a shot up over a Rappahannock defender. from the charity stripe, as well (Photo: Bob Morrison, Bonnie Briar Productions, LLC) as six steals. Junior post player Kim and five points, respectively. to go with eight and four steals Mason has virtually assured Kenny nearly recorded a douTaking on Manassas Park respectively. Walton added six themselves a spot in the ble-double, tallying eight points last Thursday on Valentine’s points and five steals, while Region B Division Two tourand eight rebounds. Mason’s Day, Mason was anything but Thomas had three assists and nament, beginning next week. leading scorer, sophomore loving to the host Cougars, as three steals. The Mustangs In order to avoid traveling Nicole Mitchell, was held to the Mustangs rounded out their had 27 steals and 12 assists to one of the top seeds in four points, but nonetheless regular season with a 52-42 vic- as a team. the entire area, however, the made her presence known, tory. Mason led the entire way, Junior Abby Stroup and Mustangs would have to upset snatching eight rebounds. building up a nine-point cush- Scott tacked on five points defending state champion Seniors Olivia Scott, Bailey ion by the end of the first period apiece, while Stroup controlled Clarke County on Wednesday Walton, Annie Zweighaft that they never relinquished. the paint off the bench with five night in Berryville. Results of rounded out the top scorers for Hamme and Kenny led all rebounds. Wednesday’s game were not the Mustangs with five, eight, scorers with 11 points apiece With the two victories, available at press time.

thinking about it. To our credit, our guys didn’t let up.” Chandler finished the game with 18 points, eight of those scored in overtime. Johnson added nine for the Mustangs, including a 5-for-6 performance from the foul line. Conversely, the Cougars struggled from the charity stripe, converting just two of 11 foul shots in the third quarter and allowing the Mustangs to maintain enough of a lead to ultimately escape with a victory. The win advances Mason to the Bull Run District championship on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., against Clarke County. That contest will cap what has been a wild end to the district season for Mason, who defeated the same Manassas Park team, 51-43, on a neutral court at Strasburg on Friday in a mini-playoff to secure the

district’s No. 2 seed. Cheney, who spent most of Tuesday’s game in foul trouble, was a force in the Saturday matchup. He finished with 14 points, but it was his 11 rebounds and five blocked shots that paced a solid defensive effort that saw the Mustangs hold their opponent to just 18 second half points. The defensive intensity swung the tide in Mason’s favor, as the Mustangs rallied from an eightpoint halftime deficit to win. Chandler also finished with a double-double in the game with 14 points and an equal number of rebounds. Mason has now won four in a row after losing at Clarke County 84-48 on Feb. 5. On Feb. 14, the Mustangs closed out the regular season with a 62-54 home win over Strasburg. Chandler and Brew led the team with 13 and 11 points respectively.

February 21 - 27, 2008

CLIENTS

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DOLEV

GH ART IN OUR S NOT ENOU CHO

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February 21 - 27, 2008

set against a rural farmland. A man walks up to the road sign Through Feb. 24 at Target wearing a giant vintage blinking Gallery in the Torpedo Factory arrow on his back. Going against Art Center (105 North Union St., the directional flow dictated by Alexandria). Gallery hours: Noon the road sign, he stops. - 5 p.m., Wednesday through Looking around to figure out Sunday. 703-838-4565x4, or see the sign, and see what anybody www.torpedofactory.org. else in the vicinity may be doing, Visual artists traditionally deal or watching, he finally decides to with static imagery, therefore continue traveling in his original kinetic art shows are a fairly rare direction. A few moments later breed. The easy and cheap access he returns, this time going with to video gear has changed things the directional flow dictated by a bit along the way, and will no the road sign. Going solo against doubt continue to do so, however the traditional flow of things is a even in that realm kinetic artists tough thing to do no matter how tend to be a tinkers lot. sure we are of ourselves. Art pieces of this sort are Try as we may, we are often experimental and when pack animals that find comfort combined with electronics or in community — even when mechanisms, the equation often no one else is around. Owen equals “learning experience.” Mundy’s (Tallahassee,Fla.) That of course is a polite way of piece titled “Keyword saying “subject to breakdowns, Intervention” was awarded and similar flawed outcomes.” best of show. Here we see a As a result you have to give radiant circle of words (popular this genre a little slack when the keyword on-line search terms) experiment runs amok. Similarly projected onto the floor of the speaking, the normal crisp fit gallery. The individual words and finished gallery standards fade in and out fairly quickly. often get overlooked in an expe- It all seems to be a commentary dient effort to simply get the art on the ephemeral nature of mass to work. media and what pop culture The Kinetic Image show focuses on. currently up at Target Gallery A clear standout here is certainly has its share of the Bradley Litwin’s (Philadelphia, above, but it’s not all that way. Pa.) mechanized piece titled The 16 pieces shown range from “The Sway of Public Opinion.” a selection of short videos, to Six disembodied cyclists pedal the esoteric interactive sensor six unicycles around an undulat1 ABcircular85track six Dolev driven work. Kevin 12/10/01 Curry’s ing times every 19:50 (Carbondale, Ill.) short film minute. Beautifully crafted out titled “><” is a simple, yet wry of dissimilar metals, and workand insightful, commentary on ing in perfect harmony, the piece human nature. Ironically using has a strangely hypnotic effect. a static camera throughout, we Mesmerizing would be the best see a roadside directional arrow way to describe it.

Running on a three minute timer, Litwin semi-jokes that he did so to keep people from just standing there gawking at it. It’s a magical piece that frankly is worth the trip to see all by itself. No amateur at this kinetic art thing, Litwin has 10 videos of his work playing on YouTube. You can get a sense of “The Sway of Public Opinion” from the online video clip (www.youtube.com/ user/BLitwin), but as always the art work is much, much better in person.

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Joka is the featured artist through March 15 at Art Whino (717 N. Saint Asaph St., Alexandria). The opening reception/party is this Friday night, Feb. 22, from 6 p.m. - midnight. Normal gallery hours are Saturday and Sundays, noon - 5 p.m. For more information, call 703-462-4135, or see www.artwhino.com. As the name implies, Joka can be a fairly humorous guy at times. Thematic devices vary, but generally revolve around sex, raw meat, flies and a general sense of surrealism. To be sure it’s not for everyone, and can at times be a tad too much for even the well-traveled art hound. Taking pointillism to an extreme, Joka paints these high quality images with toothpicks — and only toothpicks. Also check out the photo transfers on collage works by

Michelle Caplan. Very nice. Artist Opportunities ‘MODERN + DESIGN + FUNCTION’ Call for Entries Application deadline: Thursday, March 13. A rare local opportunity for budding furniture designers. The two D.C. Design Within Reach (DWR) stores are hosting this competition and show. Selected pieces must be ready to exhibit before the show opens in mid April. You can send them concepts, but you’d better be ready to fabricate it in less than a month. Complete details and submission forms can be found at www.dwr. com/studios/adamsmorgan. Note: The top 50 Champagne Chair contest entries are making their local stop on their nationwide tour at the Adams Morgan DWR store this Monday, Feb. 25. Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. ... with chocolate tasting from Biagio Chocolates no less. ‘Art and Addiction’ Call for Entries Postmark deadline is March 1. Art dealing with addiction and recovery is sought for book publication by the Innovators Combating Substance Abuse Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. For more information, call 443-287-3915, or see www.innovatorsawards.org.

FC Arts Spring Show Falls Church Arts is seeking artists to participate in their big annual spring show opening at Don Beyer Volvo in Falls Church City March 28. Deadline for submissions is March 15. For complete details see www.FallsChurchArts.org. Can You Handle The Truth? Zemfira Stage will hold auditions for “A Few Good Men” by Aaron Sorkin Wednesday & Thursday, March 5 & 6 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. Auditions and performances will take place at the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria (201 South Washington Street, Alexandria). Rehearsals will take place primarily in Reston. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. While not required, a two minute monologue is encouraged. Actors are paid a stipend covering rehearsals and performances at the end of the run. Performance dates are May 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31. For more information, contact the director, Zina Bleck, at zbleck@aol.com or 703-6156626.  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 mulsane@aol.com.

February 21 - 27, 2008

Eighteen Fairfax County public schools have been awarded environmental grants through the Johnie Forte, Jr., Memorial Litter-Recycling Grant program. Grants will fund environmental projects, including litter prevention, control and recycling at schools. Each of the 18 schools will receive a grant of up to $500. Selected schools will present their projects at Fairfax County’s annual Earth Day-Arbor Day celebration on April 19 at Northern Virginia Community College. Winners of the grants include: Armstrong Elementary, Bren Mar Park Elementary, Camelot Elementary, Deer Park Elementary, Floris Elementary, Haycock Elementary, Irving Middle, Kings Glen Elementary, Kings Park Elementary, Lake Anne Elementary, Lemon Road Elementary, Newington Forest Elementary, Oakton Elementary, Rose Hill Elementary, Wakefield Forest Elementary, West Springfield Elementary, Westgate Elementary and Wolf Trap Elementary. The Johnie Forte, Jr., Memorial Litter-Recycling Grant program is a joint program administered annually by the Clean Fairfax Council and the Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste Collection and Recycling and is open to all Fairfax County public schools. Contributors to the 2007 Johnie Forte Grant Program Fund included the Clean Fairfax Council, the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program, Fairfax County Wastewater Management and Vantria Federal Credit Union. NSPA Pacemaker Finalists Announced Yearbooks from five Fairfax County high schools have been named finalists for the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Pacemaker Awards. The titles of the yearbooks named finalists include ‘Odyssey’ of Chantilly High, ‘The Shield’ of Lee High, ‘Paragon’ of Oakton High, ‘Sentry’ of Robinson Secondary and ‘The Guardian’ of Westfield High. Pacemaker Award winners will be announced at Journalism Education Association-NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in April.

Page 25

The Oakcrest School Board of Directors and Parent Education Committee invite all parents and friends to a discussion presented by Dr. Meg Meeker, author of ‘Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters’ at Oakcrest School, an independent school for girls grades 6-12 (850 Balls Hill Road, McLean), on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Meeker, teen health expert, will show parents how to rebuild their bond with their daughter. The discussion will demonstrate how having a strong father is the best predictor of academic achievement, successful marriage, a satisfying emotional life and the best protection against eating disorders, failure in school, STDs, unwed pregnancy and drug or alcohol abuse. Meeker has practiced pediatric medicine in northern Michigan for the past 20 years and has appeared on a number of television programs, including the Today Show and The O’Reilly Factor. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, email parenteducation@oakcrest.org or call the Oakcrest admissions office at 703-790-5450.

A senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Sappho Gilbert has been named a finalist in the 2008 Intel Science Talent Search. Gilbert’s research project evaluated the expression of survivin, a protein that inhibits cell death in cancer cells, as a biomarker for prognosis and drug treatment of children and young adults suffering from Ewing’s sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT). Alternative treatments for ESFT may result from the student’s study. Gilbert was named one of the 50 finalists after being chosen among 300 semifinalists in the 2008 search. Notably, she is the only finalist from Virginia. Gilbert will attend the Intel Science Institute to compete for college scholarships and will receive a notebook computer.

The PTA is sponsoring a Spring Book Fair at Mount Daniel Elementary just in time for Spring Break. The fair will take place from Feb. 25-29. This years’ selection includes

titles for pre K, easy, young and middle readers, science and non-fiction buffs, Spanish language, special interest books for the parents, discounted books and many titles that will appeal to upper elementary students. On Monday, Feb. 25 and Tuesday, Feb. 26, Mount Daniel students will have an opportunity to look at all the books and list their favorites on a “wish list” that will be sent home. Parents can order books by returning the completed order form with payment to school through their child’s backpack or they can visit the Mount Daniel Library during sale times to peruse and purchase books. Buying days are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, Feb. 28, and 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29. Evening buying times will also be open from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, Feb. 28. Day and evening volunteers for the Book Fair are also needed for set-up, assisting children with wish lists, story time readers and cashiers. For more information, contact Mary Beth MacKinnon at 703-533-1615 or email her at miller-mackinnon@starpower.net. McLean Rowers Take Home Trophy The McLean Crew Club recently won the team trophy for earning the highest point total of 217 at the recent MidAtlantic Erg Sprints competition held in Alexandria this

year. The club relies upon several fundraising events to raise money for coaches, equipment and regatta fees. This is the 6th Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints trophy captured by McLean in its 11th year of competitive rowing. Nearly 60 McLean rowers participated in the event. The competition tests the physical and mental toughness of hundreds of rowers and coxswains on rowing machines called ergometers or “ergs.” McLean rowers earned nine gold medals, eight silver medals and seven bronze medals. The points that won them the trophy were awarded to the top eight finishers in each event. The top individual performers earning medals for Mclean were Steven Silverstein, Dominic Condello, Katherine Geithman, Victoria Geithman, Marla Brendley, Emily Smith, Joseph Smith, McKenzie Harper, Evan Martin, Caroline Hecht, Chris Salpeas, Michael Dong, Colleen Devlin, Ian Clark,

Danielle Fisher, Kelly Hall, Sam Lockhart, Elizabeth Gholimasgarha and Aaron Lesher. Helping out with team points by finishing in the top eight of their event were, Pierce Wright, Michael Kitson, Nicole Russell, Cammie Meade, Michael Freeman and Cassie Mastrostefano. The Crew Club team will be giving up their spring break vacation time in order to train in South Carolina for the upcoming season, starting Saturday, March 29 at Occoquan Reservoir with the Polar Bear Regatta. As a club sport, the McLean Crew Club does not receive direct funding from either McLean High School or Fairfax County school systems. The club relies upon several fundraising events to raise money for coaches, equipment and regatta fees. The Crew will be holding an annual mulch sale beginning now with final orders by March 3 and driveway delivery on March 8-9.

Page 26

February 21 - 27, 2008

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

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For Week of Feb. 12 - 18, 2008 Larceny, Giant Foods, 1230 W Broad St., February 11, (time unavailable), unknown person(s) stole victim’s wallet containing $75.00 cash and (8) credit cards from purse Drunkenness, 400 blk. Hillwood Ave., February 12, 2:23 p.m., police arrested a male, 64, of Alexandria, VA for DIP. Graffiti/Damage to Property, 6600 blk. Wilson Blvd., February 13, 2:26 a.m., unknown person wrote graffiti on the rear door of the establishment. Larceny, Shoplifting, Kennedy’s Natural Foods, 1053 W Broad St., February 13, 12:50 p.m., unknown person(s) stole five bottles of fish oil vitamin supplements. Graffiti/Damage to Property, 200 blk. Grove Ave., February 14, 8:00 a.m., unknown person(s) wrote graffiti on a park sign and playground equipment. Larceny from Building, Sunoco, 934 W Broad St., between February 13, 6:30 p.m. and February 14, 8:00 a.m., unknown person(s) entered the establishment and stole a QSC 800 watt amplifier, Line 6 Spider 3 2x12 150 watt amplifier, Line 6 Flex tone 2 amplifier, Yamaha 16 channel mixer, Speaker cabinet containing 4x10 woofers, Speaker cabinet containing 2x10 woofers, Drum throne, Hi-hat stand, Shure microphones, (2) bags of XLR and guitar cables, cymbal stand, and a Milwaukee circular saw. Larceny, Shoplifting, CVS, 1150 W Broad St., February 14, 11:10 p.m., police arrested a female, 37, of Falls Church, VA Petit Larceny. Drug/Narcotic Violation, E Broad St/Berry St., February 15, 3:25 p.m., police arrested a female, 48, of Falls Church, VA for DUID (Drive Under Influence of Drugs), Possession of Marijuana and driving while Suspended. Driving under the Influence, 900 blk. W Broad St., February 15, 8:38 p.m., police arrested a male, 35, of Falls Church, VA for DUI.

Larceny from Building, 600 blk. Laura Dr., February 16, 9:40 a.m., unknown person(s) broke the driver’s side window of a vehicle and stole an IPOD. Drunkenness, 200 blk. N Washington St., February 17, 1:07 a.m., police arrested a male, 25, of Arlington, VA for DIP. Simple Assault, Song Hau Restaurant, 6763-6A Wilson Blvd., February 17, between 12:30 a.m. and 1:19 a.m., unknown person(s) physically assaulted victim. The victim was not injured. Drunkenness, Eden Center, 6757 Wilson Blvd., February 17, 2:21 a.m., police arrested a male, 40, of Silver Spring, MD for DIP. Drunkenness, Eden Center, 6757 Wilson Blvd., February 17, 2:22 a.m., police arrested a female, 35, of Silver Spring, MD for DIP. Drunkenness, Eden Center, 6781 Wilson Blvd., February 16, 6:23 p.m., police arrested a male, 62, of Arlington, VA for DIP. Larceny from Vehicle, 100 blk. Poplar Dr., February 17, 8:35 p.m., unknown person(s) entered a vehicle and stole a CD case/ 20 CDs, a Tom Tom GPS system, and a Pentax digital camera. Driving under the Influence, 200 blk. Park Ave., February 18, 12:43 a.m., police arrested a male, 40, of Arlington, VA for DUI. Graffiti/Damage to Property, 6600 blk. Wilson Blvd., February 18, 2:20 a.m., unknown person(s) spray-painted graffiti on the exterior wall of the establishment. Drunkenness, 6700 blk. Wilson Blvd., February 18, 2:52 a.m., police arrested a male, 19, of Springfield, VA for DIP. Simple Assault, Kaiser, 201 N Washington St., February 18, 2:17 p.m., police arrested a female, 40, of Herndon, VA for physically assaulting three employees for refusing to give her narcotics.

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February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 29

21 22 23

You could attribute the recent success of John Vesely, better known by his performance name of Secondhand Serenade, to his raw and honest compositions, his impassioned vocals or his teen idol-worthy looks. Any and all of those complimentary reasons are accurate and all are deserved. To do so, however, would discount much of the hard work Vesely invested in his career from the outset and one of the two main reasons he now sits on the verge of stardom. The truth is, Vesely’s success has come as much from his diligence with a mouse and keyboard as it has from his musical talents. As Vesely began his career as a solo act, he logged hundreds of hours on MySpace, trawling for fans on the pages of successful bands with a similar sound. Rather than blindly attempting to add every “friend” he could, he instead sent requests only to the 50 most recent posters in each band’s comment section. “The reason I targeted the top 50 most

recent posters was because they were active,” Vesely says, who didn’t want his music to fall on the deaf ears of a “bot” — a program that simulates human activity on MySpace. “If these people cared enough to post on the page, then they were probably more likely to visit my page and buy an album or buy merchandise.” The strategy paid immediate dividends. Vesely put his debut album, Awake, up on his page and set up a PayPal account to sell it online. Of course, getting people to sample your album is one thing, you still have to have the talent to sell them on it. So, now insert those aforementioned compliments about the straight-from-the-diary lyrics, emotive voice and the face you’d find on a poster in the bedroom of a teenage girl. The result of that combination of strategy and songwriting was life changing. After a few months, Secondhand Serenade became the No. 1 unsigned artist on MySpace and became the only unsigned artist at the time to crack the Top 100 Alternative Album charts on iTunes. He continued to exploit the Internet resources available to him by releas-

25 26 The FCNP crew sank their teeth into these choice cuts this week:  

Mike Hume— 16 Days by Whiskeytown

Nicholas Benton— Good Morning Starshine by Oliver  Jody Fellows— Crazy on You by Heart

ing several demos to Yahoo! Launch. There he claimed the No. 1 spot on their adult alternative station, topping bands like Nickelback and Evanescence. After going the independent route with Awake, Vesley signed on with Glassnote Records and took yet another giant step forward. With sophomore album A Twist In My Story just hitting stores on Feb. 19, he has already appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and the lead single, “Fall For You,” debuted on MTV’s “TRL.” “I’m on a ride,” Vesely says. “I don’t know where I am half of the time. I wanted to make this record for me, because I wanted to have a professionally made album before I die. Now, everyday is a new surprise.” When Vesley first took the name Secondhand Serenade — a reference to the fact that he sings his “firsthand” serenades to his wife of five years before recording them — he did so to differentiate himself from the traditional image of the singer-songwriter. “All of my life I had been writing rock songs and if I ever got together with a band I thought it would sound more appropriate than just my name,” Vesely says. “You can do more with that persona [Secondhand Serenade] and I wanted to keep my options open.” The foresight paid off, as Twist further delves into the darker parts of love, aided by producers Danny Lohner and Butch Walker. The album features a range of tracks that span far beyond standard singersongwriter territory, with synths, strings and self-harmonies ensnaring listeners — starting with Vesely’s wife. Of course, she doesn’t always love the result. “It’s not so much that she doesn’t like the song, it’s that sometimes she doesn’t like the content,” Vesely admits. “I really lay it out to people, so they know what’s going on in my life ... and her life. Sometimes she says ‘Why can’t you just write a nice f---ing song about me?’ “I’ve got a realistic standpoint to [writing] and a lot of times, life is pain. A lot of people try to sugarcoat it for some reason, but I don’t mind that.” Vesely’s fans owe his wife a great debt of gratitude, seeing as how it was she who inspired him to first swap his bass for an acoustic guitar. “I wanted to show off for her, and I couldn’t really show off on the bass,” Vesely admits. Now, thanks to MySpace and some hard work, Vesely is showing off to quite a few more people.  Secondhand Serenade plays Jammin’ Java

Feb. 25. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. For more on Secondhand Serenade, visit www.myspace.com/secondhandserenade.

Page 30

February 21 - 27, 2008

 “whimsy (n.): Playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor.”

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Michel Gondry’s “Be Kind Rewind” is whimsy with a capital W. No, it’s WHIMSY in all caps. Make that all-caps italic boldface. Oh, never mind. I’m getting too whimsical. Maybe Gondry does, too. You’ll have to decide for yourself. This is a movie that takes place in no possible world, which may be a shame, if not for the movie, then for possible worlds. The place: Passaic, N.J. On a street corner stands a shop so shabby that only an art director could have designed it. This is “Be Kind Rewind,” a store that rents a skimpy selection of VHS tapes. Not a DVD in sight. It’s owned by Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover), who has convinced himself the store was the birthplace of Fats Waller (identified only as “some old-

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Jerry........................... Jack Black Mike................................Mos Def Mr. Fletcher........... Danny Glover Miss Falewicz.............Mia Farrow Alma....................... Melonie Diaz

Running time: 101 minutes.

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time jazz musician” on one Web site, which has plainly never heard of him). Behind in his rent, Mr. Fletcher faces eviction, and the store will be pulled down, no doubt to make way for Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts. Mr. Fletcher’s faithful, longsuffering clerk is Mike (Mos Def), who is entrusted with the store while the owner goes undercover, hoping to scope out the success of the big competitor down the street, West Coast Video. Maybe it’s because they rent DVDs? To be in the video rental business and not have heard of DVDs does not speak well for Mr. Fletcher’s knowl-

edge of the market, but then we suspect that when we see his store. I was once in a dirtfloored “store and bar” in a poor rural district of Ireland that had a stock of one (1) bottle of Guinness. Same idea. One of the store’s most loyal visitors and nuisances is Jerry (Jack Black), who works nearby in a garage. Paranoid about a power plant next door, he breaks in to sabotage it and is zapped with so much electricity he looks like a lightning strike during one of Victor Frankenstein’s experiments. This does not turn him into a cinder, only magnetizes him, after which he visits the store and inadvertently erases all the tapes. Crisis. What to do before Mr. Fletcher comes back? The tapes can’t be replaced, because Mike and Jerry don’t have the money and besides, how easy is it to get VHS tapes except on eBay? I take that back. Amazon lists six VHS tapes of “Ghostbusters,” one of the erased movies, for one (1) cent each. At that rate, you could build up a decent VHS library for a dollar. Anyway, the lads have a masterstroke: They will RE-ENACT the movies and rent them to unsuspecting customers like Miss Falewicz (Mia Farrow), who won’t know the difference anyway. Co-starring as their female leads in these movies is the fetching Alma (Melonie Diaz), who has the sexiest smile since Rosario Dawson. The re-enactments are not very skillful, to put it mildly, but they have the advantage, as Mike argues, of not taking up all your time because they’re as short as 20 minutes. They explain that they import their versions from Sweden, which is why they call them “sweded.” You can see the works of Mike and Jerry on the Web, by the way, which might

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February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 31

T of anti-social behavior that causes “one out of every two people” to impulsively murder the other one out of every two. “The Signal” explores the common ground between visceral horror and sketch comedy, and finds plenty of it. Rating: Three stars. (Jim Emerson)

HARLIE BARTLETT (Comedy, r, 97 minutes). Anton Yelchin is appealingly goofy in this teen comedy about a kid’s yearning for popularity won by illegally selling prescription drugs to his fellow students. Like many of John Hughes’ high school movies it presents a fantasy ANTAGE POINT (Thriller, about kids from different social circles PG-13, 90 minutes). An edgy, -- nerds, jocks, punks, cheerleaders, action-packed reprising of an drama clubbers -- coming together to fight adult authoritarianism. Co-star- attempted presidential assassination that not only gives us glimpses ring Hope Davis, Kat Dennings and into (M an innocent bystander’s recolRobert Downey Jr., dominating every ROLAND ACAULAY CULKIN) (LEFT), MARY (JENA MALONE), CASSANDRA but (EVA Areveals MURRI) IN Uthe NITED viewpoints ARTISTS' COMEDY scene he’s in as the drunken school ANDlections, "Sof AVED!" © 2004 - UNITED ARTISTS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED the participants -- on both sides principal. Rating: Two and a half stars. of the attack. Starring Dennis Quaid, (Jim Emerson) Matthew Fox, William Hurt, Forest Whitaker and Sigourney Weaver. HE SIGNAL (Horror, R, 101 Rating: Two and a half stars (Bill minutes). A horror-comedy in Zwecker) three parts, about an outbreak

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be about two-thirds as good as seeing the whole movie. One of the perhaps inevitable consequences of re-enacting movies is that the exercise brings out all the latent manic excess within Jack Black, who when he is trying that hard reminds me of a dog I know named Mick Q. Broderick, who gets so excited when you come over you have to go to the dry cleaners after every visit. Whether their scheme works, whether the store is saved, whether Hollywood considers their work homage or piracy,

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I will leave for you to discover. But you haven’t read this far unless you hope to learn whether I would recommend the movie. Not especially. I felt positive and genial while watching it, but I didn’t break out in paroxysms of laughter. It’s the kind of amusing film you can wait to see on DVD. I wonder if it will come out on VHS?

HE DARJEELING LIMITED (Comedy, R, 91 m., 2007). Three brothers have a reunion in India and take a strange and eccentric train journey in search of themselves, enlightenment, their mother, and certain obscure overthe-counter remedies guaranteed to cure sobriety. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman star in a laid-back human comedy that meanders so persuasively, it gets us meandering right along. With Amara Karan as a seductive train stewardess and Wally Wolodarsky as Wilson’s employee, who issues laminated daily schedules from his office in the baggage car. Directed by Wes Anderson (“Rushmore,” “The Royal Tenenbaums”). Rating: Three and a half stars.

0 DAYS OF NIGHT (Horror, R, 113 m., 2007). Barrow, Alaska, said to be the northernmost town in America, undergoes 30 days without sun every winter, which makes it an ideal holiday haven for vampires. The townsfolk, led by Josh Hartnett and Melissa George, do battle against ravenous vampire hordes led by Danny Huston, in a film that is well-directed and -acted, but raises the question, is there a shortage of vampire films? Rating: Two and a half stars.

EOWULF (Fantasy, PG-13, 114 m., 2007). A titanic epic battle between the monster Grendel and the hero Beowulf, shown by director Robert Zemeckis with rip-roaring gusto by using the same technology as his “Polar Express,” so that animated characters look almost real. With the voices (and sometimes the appearances) of Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson and Crispin Glover (who however doesn’t look anything like Grendel). Lots of nudity and yet a PG-13 rating because, you see, Jolie (ITAL) isn’t really there, (UNITAL) although she’s there enough that she says she won’t be taking her own kids. Absurd violent action in the Monty Python spirit. Rating: Three stars.

EATH AT A FUNERAL (Comedy, R, 90 m., 2007). British comedy involving unplanned entrances and exits, misbehavior of corpses and just plain wacky eccentricity. Directed by Frank Oz, it finds its laughs in the peculiar human trait of being most tempted to laugh when we’re absolutely not supposed to. With Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes, Ewen Bremner, Jane Asher, Rupert Graves and, last but not least, Peter Dinklage. Rating: Three stars.

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OYA’S GHOSTS (Drama, R, 114 m., 2007). Set in the time of the Spanish Inquisition, Milos Forman’s film interweaves stories of the Spanish artist, an innocent young girl, a priest, a merchant and the royal court. Extraordinarily beautiful, as much a series of striking images as a linear story. Starring Stellan Skarsgard, Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Jose Luis Gomez and Randy Quaid. Filled with blood, sex and fears. Rating: Three stars.

ILK (Romantic drama, R, 110 m., 2007). A languid, too languid, story of romantic regrets, mostly ours, because romance is

Continued on Page 32

Page 32

Continued from Page 31 expected to carry the film without explaining it. It is told as a mournful flashback, circa 1860, narrated by a man (Michael Pitt) who has been in love with two women, one French (Kiera Knightley), one in far-off Japan (Sei Ashina), where he goes to buy silkworms. Languid, slow, underwhelming. Rating: Two stars.

ICHAEL CLAYTON (Drama, R, 119 m., 2007) George Clooney plays a slick, efficient but weary fixer for a big law firm, Sydney Pollack is the head of the firm, Tom Wilkinson is the partner who has just stripped naked during a deposition hearing in Milwaukee, and Tilda Swinton represents the corporate client who is horrified to find such a man leading their defense. A nearperfect example of the legal/business thriller, with the usual undercurrents of guilt and shame. Written and directed by Tony Gilroy, who wrote all the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bourneâ&#x20AC;? pictures, but here he prefers a more classical visual and storytelling style that is relentless. Rating: Four stars.

February 21 - 27, 2008

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News-Press On the Web: www.FCNP.com

February 21 - 27, 2008

In theory, if I correctly predicted every single Oscar race, nobody could outguess me, and by default, I would win the prize. Alas, that has never, ever happened, and it’s unlikely again this year, because as usual I will allow my heart to outsmart my brain in one or two races, which is my annual downfall. In any event, for what they’re worth, here are my Academy Award predictions in a year rich with wonderful films. Picture Prediction: My heart cries out “Juno! Juno! Juno!,” but my brain dashes a pail of cold water and sternly corrects me: “No Country for Old Men.” To be sure, “There Will Be Blood” cleaned up a lot of the year-end critics’ prizes, but is a little too dark and odd for the academy. “Atonement” and “Michael Clayton” are excellent, but don’t have the buzz. Dark horse: “Juno,” because the Academy may go for an upbeat audience pleaser. Besides, according to me, it really is the best film of the year. Actor Prediction: Here I cannot see the odds for predicting anyone but Daniel Day-Lewis, period, for “There Will Be Blood.” It’s a powerful performance, almost in disguise, with that greasy, oily voice, and it’s a way to honor an ambitious, respected film. My vote might go to Tommy Lee Jones, who was so fine in “In the Valley of Elah,” but I’m pleased enough he at least got a nomination; pleased, too, by Viggo Mortensen, George Clooney and Johnny Depp, in a strong field. But don’t bet against DayLewis. In this race, I don’t think there is a dark horse. Actress Prediction: Ellen Page for “Juno.” OK, here’s where my heart takes over. My brain says Julie Christie will win, both for her career achievement and for the quality of her work. But my heart says Ellen Page made me want to hug Juno in a performance that was much more difficult than it might have appeared. To deliver Diablo Cody’s high-voltage dialogue with such breezy authority and to make the character lovable and three-dimensional was a genuine achievement. Dark horse: Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose.” Supporting Actor Prediction: Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men,” don’t you think? His weirdo killer with the unpronounceable name and the compressed-air cow stunner made an indelible impression. And it wasn’t just for the heartless violence, but for the droll timing of scenes like his exchange with the gas station

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owner. The other four nominees seem sort of overshadowed, wonderful as they were. Dark horse: Philip Seymour Hoffman for “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Supporting Actress Prediction: Ruby Dee for “American Gangster.” I think the race is between Cate Blanchett, playing Bob Dylan in “I’m Not There,” and the beloved veteran Ruby Dee, the mom of the “American Gangster.” The supporting actress has a way of throwing a curveball some years. Does that mean Dee will win? Or maybe Amy Ryan? Dark horse: Amy Ryan in “Gone Baby Gone.” Editing Prediction: Christopher Rouse for “The Bourne Ultimatum.” Well, it sure had the most edits, didn’t it? Even though the microscopic average shot length gave some viewers the heaves. Dark horse: Roderick Jaynes for “No Country for Old Men.” The award will be accepted on his behalf by the Coen brothers (in-joke).

Director Prediction: Joel and Ethan Coen for “No County for Old Men,” and a lot of other great films. The other nominees are all in one sense or another not Hollywood insiders. Well, neither are the Coens, for that matter, but they’re better-known. Plus, the Coens won the Directors Guild Award last month, and that winner automatically becomes the Oscar front-runner. Dark horse: Paul Thomas Anderson, “There Will Be Blood.” Original Screenplay Prediction: Diablo Cody for “Juno.” She looks like a sure thing. The film benefits so mightily from its screenplay, which is so unconventional in its dialogue that we hardly notice how sure it is in its construction. Here again, I don’t N see a dark horse. SU

N -4p PE 1 O 2/2 1

Adapted Screenplay Prediction: The Coens, for “No Country for Old Men,” with their laconic, subtly funny, economical yet quirky dialogue, with a big assist from Cormac McCarthy’s original novel. Dark horse: Paul Thomas Anderson, “There Will Be Blood.”

Animated Feature Prediction: “Ratatouille,” handsdown. Period. Case closed. Despite the charm and originality of “Persepolis.” Documentary Prediction: The powerful, irrefutable “No End in Sight,” which does some real reporting and obtains useful interviews with insiders who discuss what went wrong with the Iraq invasion. Dark horse: “War/Dance,” kids in an African war zone, being kids. Cinematography Prediction: Roger Deakins for his elegant, measured vision and wide-open spaces in “No Country for Old Men,” commencing with the hypnotic opening shots. Dark horse: Seamus McGarvey, for “Atonement” and its astonishing tracking shot (no special effects) in the Dunkirk scene.

Original Song Prediction: “Falling Slowly” from “Once,” not just for the song but for the manner of its presentation. The three nominees from “Enchanted” will cancel one another out. Dark horse: “Raise It Up,” from “August Rush.”  Contest details and prizes are online at rogerebert.com.

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February 21 - 27, 2008

Send community event submissions to the News-Press by e-mail at calendar@fcnp.com; fax 703-532-3396; or by regular mail to 450 West Broad Street #321, Falls Church, VA 22046. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for each week’s edition.

Community Events THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Story Hour. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. Mon. – Thurs. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5077 (TTY 711). Mr. Skip. Kids’ music. Stacy’s Coffee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 10:30 a.m. 703-5386266. Garden Sprouts: Miss Spider’s Tea. Enjoy some tea with Miss Spider and all her friends. Green Spring Gardens (4603 Green Spring Rd. Alexandria, Va.). $5. 9:30 a.m. 703-642-5173. Nature’s Crafts. Children, ages three to five create crafts, enjoy activities, sing songs and play in the park. Riverbend Park Nature Center (8814 Jeffery Rd. Great Falls, Va.). $7. 2 p.m. For more information, call 703-759-9018.

FCHS Heritage Show. 90 students representing over 40 countries perform in talent show. Falls Church High School (7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church). $3. 7 p.m. www.fcps.edu/fallschurchhs. BookwormsOwl Moon. Bookreading for children ages five to eight years old followed by a walk along the forest trail. Hidden Pond Nature Center (8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield). $4. 7:30 p.m. 703-451-9588. Scavenger Hunt. Naturalists tells a story while you can enjoy free play time an exploration, visit exhibit animals and enjoy hot chocolate. Riverbend Park Nature Center (8814 Jeffery Rd. Great Falls, Va.). $6 per adult and $2 per child. 10 :30 a.m. 703-759-9018.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Farmers’ Market in Falls Church. Falls Church City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – noon.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Ponderings-Twilight Hike. Join on a hike into the wooded at Pohick Stream Valley. Hidden Pond Nature Center (8511 Greeley Blvd., Springﬁeld). $4. 4 p.m. 703451-9588.

Time for Rhyme. Rhyming stories for children ages two to six. Aladdin’s Lamp Children’s Bookstore (2499 N Harrison St., Arlington). 11 a.m. 703-241-8281. Garden Sprouts: Miss Spider’s Tea. Enjoy some tea with Miss Spider

and all her friends. Green Spring Gardens (4603 Green Spring Rd. Alexandria, Va.). $5. 10:30 a.m. 703-642-5173. The Nature Nook with a Book: Early Signs of Spring. Free presentation about the early signs of spring. Richard Byrd Library (7250 Commerce St., Springﬁeld, Va.). 10:30 a.m. 703451-8055. Wild Winter. Ramble along the banks of the Potomac in search of winter wildlife; suitable for children ages four and older. Riverbend Park Nature Center (8814 Jeﬀery Rd. Great Falls, Va.). Free. 10 a.m. 703-759-9018.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Raise the Rafters- Musical Camera Safari. Children ages six and older and invited to explore barnyard sounds with interactive games, presented by the string trip Strings-N-Things. Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon, Va.). Free. 2 p.m. 703-437-9101.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Stories and Rhymes. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). For

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. This renowned dance troupe, known for its unique approach to modern dance, returns for its annual performace in the Opera House. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F St. NW, D.C.). $30-$85. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-4674600. Coyaba Dance Theater. Traditional and contemporary West African dance. Dance Place (3225 8th St. NW, D.C.). $22. 8 p.m. For more information, call 202-2691600. Ella. Tina Fabrique stars as the First Lady of Song, Ella

Fitzgerald, as she gathers a group of musicians to help her prepare for a concert and reminisce about her life. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F St. NW, D.C.). 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-4883300.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Shear Madness. The audience plays along as detecive in this record breaking comedy, now approaching its 20th anniversary at the Kennedy Center. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2700 F St. NW, D.C.). $40. 6 AND 9 P.M. For more information, call 202-4674600.

Mr. Skip. Kids’ music. Stacy’s Coﬀee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 10:30 a.m. 703-5386266.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Stories and Rhymes. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). For ages 18-36 months. Free. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5030.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Twilight Tales. A walk-in story hour for children ages 3-6. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 7 p.m. 703-248-5030.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Mr. Skip. Kids’ music. Stacy’s Coﬀee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 10:30 a.m. 703-5386266. Story Hour. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. Mon. – Thurs. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5077.

Theater Fine Arts SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

2-5 year olds. Free. 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-2485030.

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The Machine Your Molotov Kisses. Venezuelan playwright Gustavo Ott recieved Spain’s Ricardo Lopez Aranda International Playwriting Awars for this play. Gala Hispanic Theatre at Tivoli Square (333 14th St. NW, D.C.). $30-$34. 3 p.m. For more information, call 202234-7174.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27

New York City Ballet. The dance company performs two programs under the direction of Peter Martins. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 92700 F St. NW, D.C.). $29-$99. 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-467-4600.

State Theatre, Falls Church, Saturday, Feb. 23 Doors open 7 p.m.

t just may be that whenever “The Machine” is in the area, the group will be my recommendation for the week. They’re just that good, to the trueblue Pink Floyd fan, that is. This premiere New York-based Floyd “cover” band has managed to get to the State Theatre about twice a year, which is very good given that it regularly tours all over North America and has also traveled around Central America, Europe and the Middle East. Founders Joe Pascarell (guitar, vocals) and Todd Cohen (drums) began “The Machine” 20 years ago, and its reputation has been steadily growing since. Ryan Bell (bass, vocals) has been around a long time, and Scott Chasolen (keys, vocals) is a recent add. The group often performs an entire album from the original Pink Floyd’s 16-album repertoire. Get there early.

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 35

live_music&nightlife THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 L�� J��. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 703-573-1616. L�� I� Y�� W��, O�, S�� . Rock. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld). $10 in advance/$12 day of show. 5 p.m. 703-569-5940. P�� A��, C�� T��, S�� S�� S�� 56. Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $10. 6:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. G�� U��’� A�� C�� R�� C��. Varied music. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $12 for Georgetown seniors/$15 general public. Doors open: 8 p.m. Showtime: 9 p.m. For more information, call 703237-0300. G�� C�� T�� 2008. Alternative metal. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld, Va.). $17 in advance/$20 day of show. 6:30 p.m. 703-5695940. J�� W��’� P�� P��. Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $17 in advance/$20 at door. 9:30 p.m. 702-255-1566. P�� M��. Acoustic. Jammin’

Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $10 in advance/$12 at door. 7 p.m. 702-255-1566.

NW, D.C.). 8 p.m. 202-234-0072.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 S��, R�� F��. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld). $10 in advance/$12 day of show. 5 p.m. 703-5695940.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 K�� N��. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m.- 1:30 a.m. 703-573-1616. R�� F��. Featuring Abacabb, We Were Gentlemen, This Time It’s War and more. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld, Va.). $12 in advance/$14 day of show. 1 p.m. 703-569-5940. F�� S��- I. Featuring members of Thievery Corporation. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $10. 10 p.m. 702-255-1566. T�� M��. Classic Rock. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $15 in advance/$18 day of show. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 9 p.m. For more information, call 703-237-0300.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 O�� J�� S��. With Sam Prather. Twins Jazz (1244 U St.

get on the list. Bar Nun (1326 U St. NW, D.C.). $5. 9 p.m. 202-6676680.

T�� G��, I� H�� W� S��, 7 D�� W�� and more. Rock. Jaxx Nightclub (6355 Rolling Rd., West Springﬁeld, Va.). $10 in advance/$12 day of show. 4 p.m. 703-569-5940.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

V�� O�� C�� B�� S��. Featuring Bliss FM, The District Ambulance and From the Depths. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $10. 2 p.m. 702-255-1566.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27

R��. New Orleans Rock. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $22. Doors open: 6 p.m. Showtime: 8 p.m. 703-237-0300. D�� E��, P�� D��, J�� T�� T�� V��. Rock. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $10. 7 p.m. 702-255-1566.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 O�� M��. Hosted by David Cotton. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E Vienna). Free. 7 p.m. S�� S��. Also feauturing Making April, Automatic Loveletter and White Tie Aﬀair. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $13 in advance/$15 at door. 702-255-1566. O��-M�� P��. Arrive early to

G�� M�� K��. The Reef (2446 18th St. NW, D.C.). Free. 9:30 p.m.

O�� M�� N��. Sign up at the door, anyone is welcome. Stacy’s Coﬀee Parlor (709 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 6:30 – 9 p.m. 703538-6266. K�� . Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. 703573-1616.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 L�� J��. Sign of the Whale (7279 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 703-573-1616. T�� G��, ��V�� K��. A Capella. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave E Vienna). $10. 8:30 p.m. 702-255-1566. G�� T�� F�� E�� B��. Reggae. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $25 in advance/$27 day of show. Doors open: 7 p.m. Showtime: 8:30 p.m. 703-237-0300.

P�� A��...

ou may have your favorites. Got a little crush on “Juno”? Did you get all weepy at “Atonement”? Perhaps you can’t get enough of George’s dreamy eyes. Or maybe you just don’t give a rip. Well, whether you like it or not, this weekend Hollywood is holding their biggest bash of the year and stars will be patting each other on the back all night long. You don’t have to care about them, but at least it’s a reason to party on Sunday and the D.C. Film Society’s Oscar party “And the Winner Is...” at Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Draft House is happy to host. Local critics Joe Barber and Bill Henry will be hosting as the 80th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on the big screen. In addition there will be food and drink, trivia, Oscar prediction contests and a silent auction featuring movie, comedy and theatre tickets, gift certificates, movie memorabilia and more. Unfortunately, no swag bags. What: DC Film Society Oscar Party “And the Winner Is...” When: Sunday, February 24, doors open at 6:30 p.m Cost: $20 Where: Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Draft House, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Va For tickets & more info, visit www.dcfilmsociety.org

Saturday, March 29 — Gunston Hall Kite Festival. Plenty of room for kite flying just off the Potomac. Gunston Hall Plantation (10709 Gunston Rd., Mason Neck). $8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 ages 6-18, free children under 6. 703-550-9220. Saturday, March 29 — Nationl Cherry Blossom Festival. Activities for the whole family to kick off hte cherry blossom season. Nationl Building Museum (401 F St. NW, D.C.). Free. 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. 202547-1500.

C�� S�� 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.

Email: calendar@fcnp.com Fax: 703-532-3396; Attn: FCNP Calendar Mail: 450 West Broad Street, #321, Falls Church, VA 22046

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February 21 - 27, 2008

Anthony’s Restaurant 309 W. Broad St., Falls Church • 703-5320100 •Type of Food: Greek, American & Italian Cuisine • Features: Breakfast (Sat & Sun Only) • Hours: Mon-Thurs -10 am - 11 pm, Fri - 10 am -12 am, Sat - 8 am - 12 am, Sun - 8 am - 10 pm

Argia’s Restaurant 124 N. Washington St., Falls Church • 703-5341033 • www.argias.com • Type of Food: Italian • Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants, Zagat Rated, Full Bar, No Reservations • Hours: Lunch: Mon - Sat 11:30 am - 5 pm; Dinner: Mon - Thur 5 - 9:30 pm, Fri & Sat 5 - 10:30 pm, Sun 5 - 9 pm.

Celebrity delly 7263-A Arlington Blvd. (Loehmann’s Plaza), Falls Church • 703-573-9002 • Type of Food: Delicatessen • Features: Catering, Sandwiches, Submarines, Soups & Salads • Hours: Mon-Fri - 9 am - 9 pm, Sat - 8 am - 9 pm, Sun - 8 am - 4 pm

Chicken Corner 2816 Graham Rd., Falls Church (Next to Magruder's) • 703-573-0112 • Type of Food: Peruvian Pollo • Features: Rotisserie Chicken, subs, salads, fresh fish • Hours: Mon-Thu - 10:30 a.m. - 9 pm - 9 pm, Fri-Sat - 10 am - 930 pm.

Frozen Dairy Bar & Boardwalk Pizza 6641 Arlington Blvd. (Sleepy Hollow Shopping Center), Falls Church • 703-534-4200 • Type of Food: Ice Cream and Pizza Parlor • Features: Catering, Homemade Frozen Custard, Pizza Subs. • Hours: Sun-Thur - 11 am - 10 pm, Fri & Sat - 11 am - Midnight

Harvest Moon Restaurant and Lounge 7260 Arlington Blvd. (Graham Center across from Loehmann’s Plaza), Falls Church • 703573-6000 • www.harvestmoon.com • Type of Food: Chinese • Features: Lunch / dinner buffets, banquet facilities up to 700 people • Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.

Hoang’s Grill and Sushi Bar 502 W. Broad St., Falls Church • 703-536-7777 • Type of Food: Pan-Asian • Features: Single and Mingle Thursday Nights. • Hours: MonThurs 11 am - 10 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am - 10:30 pm, Sun - 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

Ireland’s Four Provinces 105 W. Broad St., Falls Church • www.4psfallschurch.com • 703-534-8999 • Type of Food: Irish • Features: Full Bar, Live Entertainment, Sunday Brunch • Hours: Daily - 11 am – 2 am

Koi Koi 450 W. Broad St., Ste. 117, Falls Church • 703-237-0101 • Type of Food: Japanese • Features: Sushi, Sashimi, Grill BBQ, Party Platters • Hours: Mon.–Fri. - 11 am – 10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun.: Noon - 10 p.m.

La Côte D’Or Café 6876 Lee Highway, Falls Church • www.lacotedorcafe.com • 703-538-3033 • Type of Food: French Cuisine • Features: Full Bar • Hours: Mon.–Fri - 11:30 am – 3 p.m, 5–10 pm; Sat.: 11:30 am – 3 pm; 5:30 –10 pm; Sun - 11 am – 3 pm, 5:30–9 pm

Ledo Pizza Restaurant & Pub 7510 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church • 703-8475336 • Type of Food: Pizza & Pasta, American/ Family • Features: Full Bar, Wine Menu, 5 TV’s-Sports • Hours: Mon-Thur - 11 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat - 11 am-11 pm; Sun - 12-10 pm

The Original Pancake House 370 West Broad Street, Falls Church • 703891-0148 • www.originalpancakehouse.com • Type of Food: American/Family • Features: Breakfast, Weekday Specials - Breakfast & Lunch • Hours: 7 am - 3 pm Daily

Red Hot & Blue 169 Hillwood Ave., (Hillwood Square), Falls Church • 703-538-6466 • Type of Food: Memphis Style Bar-b-que • Features: Full Service Catering and Delivery • Hours: Sun. - Thu. 11 am - 9 pm, Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Robeks 1063 W. Broad St., (West End Plaza), Falls Church • 703-538-4111 • www.robeks.com • Type of Food: Smoothies, Juices, Wraps & Salads • Features: Catering • Hours: Mon. - Fri. 6 am - 9 pm, Sat. & Sun. 8 am - 9 pm.

Sign of the Whale 7279 Arlington Blvd. (Loehmann’s Plaza), Falls Church • 703-573-1616 • Type of Food: American • Features: Seafood Night and Steak Night • Hours: 11:30 am - 2 am, 7 days a week

Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant 6304 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church • 703-2373888; 2153 Chain Bridge Rd., Vienna • 703319-3888 • www.crystalsunflower.com • Type of Food: 99% vegan • Features: Japanese, Chinese, Continental • Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm; Sun 12 pm - 10 pm.

Sweet Rice Thai Restaurant 1113 W. Broad St. (next to Don Beyer Volvo), Falls Church • 703-241-8582 • Type of Food: Thai Cuisine • Features: Free delivery ($15 min., limited area) • Hours: Mon. - Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 am - 11 p.m.; Sat. Noon - 11 p.m.; Sun. Noon - 10 p.m.

Yorktown Bistro 5171 Lee Hwy, Arlington • www.yorktownbistro.com • 703-532-6060 • Type of Food: American/Wine Bar • Features: Romantic Bar and Lounge • Hours: Mon-Thurs - 11 am - 11 pm; Fri-Sat - 11 am - 12 am; Sun 11 am - 10 pm.

By Nate Taylor Chipotle is okay I guess. They are spacious and well air conditioned. The bathrooms are usually clean, the music is awful but at least you can ignore it, the prices aren't completely outrageous. The burritos are pretty big, and you can customize them to your liking. They have orange soda about 80% of the time. The Mexicali Blues, a far more authentic south-of-the-border eatery located in Arlington, is awesome. There are two main reasons why Chipotle can only be considered okay while Mexicali gets much higher marks. Reason number one: Mexicali serves alcohol. Reason number two: Aside from bathroom cleanliness, everything else. The atmosphere of Mexicali is similar to many places in Arlington, the atmosphere of an informal, unique, slightly trendy eatery for people to dine during the day, and to return to later so they can get their drink on. It's small, and gets pretty packed around dinner hours, enough so that having to wait a bit for a seat wouldn't be inconceivable, although I didn't have to. There's a bar at one end with a television showing CNN, the rest is dedicated to small tables and cast iron chairs. The atmosphere is fun and informal, but is also LOUD. At 7 p.m. on a Tuesday, the sound waves ricocheting around the packed room were enough that I had to speak just shy of yelling to make myself heard across the table. Of course, this is to be expected at an eatery where a shot of tequila is listed as an appetizer. That's not to say that it's full of red-faced businessmen and puking college students. It didn't strike me as the type of scene at all — at least not at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday. Everyone was behaving themselves, but virtually everyones drink was brightly colored as well. But enough of this scene stuff, the food is what matters and at Mexicali, the food is good. The fare consists of the Mexican standards we all know and love, along with some variations such as a selection of Salvadorian food. I got the Ultimate Burro ($8.95) — the “Ultimate” moniker is not hyperbole — which is everything you could want or expect. It comes with guacamole — really good guacamole — grilled steak/chicken, sour cream, salsa, jack cheese, rice and beans. It is roughly 23% larger than anything I've seen at Chipotle, which is enough to qualify as ultimate in my mind. Everything, especially the guacamole, was outstanding and it's a good thing you can take what you don't eat home with you, or else I would have left two-thirds for some lucky raccoon to feast on. The burritos also come in shrimp and vegetarian varieties. The Carnitas ($11.95), grilled pork rubbed with spices, were excellent as well. Unlike so many of their skewer-grilled brethren, they weren't too dry and not at all stringy. It came with the ubiquitous rice and beans and some really excellent tortillas. Mexicali doesn't break much new ground with its menu, but they do what they do very well. All the sauces and dips are homemade, the meat is well prepared and the drinks are very well mixed. Don't settle for okay, don't settle for anything less than ultimate or awesome, and make it your next stop when eating in Arlington. Mexicali Blues 2933 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 703-812-9352 Hours: Sun. - Thurs.: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Late Night Menu: 11 p.m. - 4 a.m.

February 21 - 27, 2008

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February 21 - 27, 2008

The Art of Artisan Vodka Mike Sherwood admits to creating “kind of a tease” with his artisan vodkas. His two expressions of Sub Rosa Vodka -- one saffron, the other tarragon -- are head and shoulders above most assembly line infused vodkas, many of which use extracts and chemicals for their flavorings. But the fact that he makes them only one 50-case lot at a time in rented quarters is both their blessing and their curse. The blessing: “These infusions are made from fresh herbs and spices, hence the true flavors and natural colors. I don’t use extracts or a flavor house to obtain the delicate flavors in my tarragon. Each of eight spices are infused separately for the saffron, then blended.” The curse: Because manufacturing is severely limited, the two vodkas are available only on the West Coast or through vendors located there. Last month, California By William M. Dowd joined Oregon, Sherwood’s home HEARST NEWSPAPERS state, and Washington as his market. Luckily for consumers, he’s in talks with a Washington, D.C., distributor to break into the East Coast. Sherwood’s day job is at the small Sineann winery in Newberg, Ore. He makes his vodkas at House Spirits Distillery -- which allows outsider to use its equipment on a rental basis -- in nearby Portland, working with partner Linda Lausmann. Sub Rosa isn’t just a lark for Sherwood. His much-traveled background includes time as a logger, fisherman, software developer, wine and food writer, and craft beer expert after growing up in a family that had a beer and wine distributorship. He was the founding executive director of the Oregon Brewers Guild in the 1990s and is co-founder and vice president of the newly-formed Oregon Distillers Guild. “Small-batch distilling is quite popular here in Oregon,” Sherwood told me. “There are 17 distilleries right now, and plans are in the works to create several more.” It was as manager of the well-known Oregon brewer Rogue Ale’s rum distillery in 2004 that Sherwood became interested in this facet of the adult beverage world. He and distiller Kieran Sienkiewicz teamed up there to create spiced rums, wasabi vodka, spruce gin and absinthe. The idea of picking tarragon and saffron for his first two products is “clearly part of the movement towards culinaryinspired cocktails,” Sherwood said. “I have no doubt that adventurous bartenders will come up with inventive uses for these new flavors. At 90 proof, they were made to mix.” Each bottle of Sub Rosa -- the Latin phrase for secret or confidential -- is identified by batch number and the year produced. The suggested retail price is $29.95 for a 750ml bottle. Your local spirits purveyor should be able to order it from Sub Rosa in Dundee, Ore. 97115. “The tarragon style is made with fresh-grown tarragon leaves and a hint of mint. The pale green color is natural, the flavor is refreshing,” Sherman explained. “The saffroninfused vodka is as complex as a gin with eight spices. These distillates use fresh ingredients, and darned expensive ones, too. Saffron is the most expensive spice on the planet. No essential oils were used for flavoring. What you taste is fresh herbs and spices suspended in alcohol.” Here are a couple cocktail recipes Sherwood has supplied, featuring his two vodkas: Meadow Lark 1/4 to 1/2 oz. St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur • 2 oz. Sub Rosa Tarragon Vodka • 2 oz. soda water • Splash of fresh lemon juice Combine all ingredients over ice in an Old Fashioned cocktail tumbler and serve.

Dowd on Drinks

South Goa Breeze 2 oz. Sub Rosa Tarragon Vodka • 2 oz. ginger ale • Splash of Cointreau • Orange slice Add the vodka and Cointreau to a shaker full of ice. Shake well. Pour into a highball glass and add ginger ale to taste. (Recipe ratio usually is 1-to-1.) Garnish with orange slice.  William M. Dowd covers the world of adult beverages on BillDowd.com.

Daniel Negreanu on Poker

Limit vs. No Limit Texas Hold’em Until the start of the current poker boom that dates back to 2003, you couldn’t find a No Limit Texas Hold’em cash game if you tried. Limit Hold’em ruled. But that all changed once No Limit tournaments started to air on television. Back before the boom started, poker professionals played Limit games to pay the bills. And Hold’em wasn’t the only game they played. Stud, Omaha, Stud Hi-Lo, and Omaha Hi-Lo were also played – all of them Limit games. Like these pro players, you can become a better overall player by investing the time and effort to learn both disciplines of the game. Playing Limit Hold’em will certainly improve your No Limit game. There are subtleties to the Limit game that will enhance your technique at the No Limit tables. Mastering these uniquely aggressive Limit tactics will enable you to steal more pots when you sit down to play No Limit Hold’em. So, if you’re trying to make a living playing Hold’em, which is the better game to play, Limit or No Limit? Here are some factors to consider. Go Fishing Inexperienced players generally flock toward the No Limit tables because it’s clearly the most popular form of the game. Having said that, where the fish go, so go the sharks! As a result, you’ll often find that Limit games are even softer because the pros are concentrating on the No Limit games, baiting their hooks and reeling in their catch. Playing the Percentages Your winning percentage by session will likely be higher in No Limit games than in Limit games. Winning 65% of your sessions in Limit Hold’em is excellent. In No Limit, however, it’s not uncommon to log winning sessions 80% of the time. That’s due to the natural differences between the two games. Less control can be exerted in Limit games because it’s more difficult to force players out of pots with structured betting. In No Limit, though, hands can be protected from being outdrawn by making large bets that force opponents to fold weak draws. Bankroll Protection Despite the fact that you’ll likely win a higher percentage of sessions in No Limit Hold’em, choosing to play Limit Hold’em is a safer decision to protect your bankroll. You won’t win as often, but you also won’t risk losing everything you have on

any single hand. Your results in Limit Hold’em will be more consistent over time, and that’s especially important if you plan to grind it out at the tables for 40 hours every week. No Limit Hold’em is simply a much more volatile game. Level of Aggression Contrary to popular belief, Limit Hold’em is the more aggressive form of the game. It’s characterized by constant raising and re-raising before the flop. On the other hand, No Limit Hold’em is played more carefully since any hand could cost you your entire stack. If, for example, you flop top pair in Limit Hold’em, it’s usually correct to raise and re-raise on the flop. No Limit Hold’em should be played more cautiously. You need to be concerned about over pairs and flopped

sets. Pace of Play Limit Hold’em is the game for you if you bore easily and crave fast action. Conversely, in No Limit, the game will often slow to a halt when someone is faced with a big decision. That’s uncommon in Limit games because all-in bets are rare. Whatever game suits you best, learn to play both Limit and No Limit Texas Hold’em. Your overall game will definitely improve.  Visit www.fullcontactpoker. com/news to submit your questions and comments to poker champion Daniel Negreanu. © 2008 Card Shark Media. All rights reserved.

Thai Restaurant and Bar Live Music

926 W. Broad St, Falls Church, VA, 22046 703-534-0095

Dinner: Tues-Sun: 5:00-10:00PM Fri & Sat 5:00-11:00PM Bar: Sun-Thurs 5:00-11:00PM Fri & Sat 5:00-1:30AM Live Music: Tues-Thu: 7:30-11:00PM Fri & Sat: 8:30-1:00AM, Sun: 7:00-10:30PM

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 39

crossword / By David Levinson Wilk

Level: 1 3

2 4

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

2/24/08

1. Knight at the movies 5. Eton kiss 9. Weird Al’s first Top 40 hit 14. Cheese tray selection 15. Present for the teacher? 16. Battery terminal 17. Chicken 18. Pitcher Hershiser 19. Leaves port 20. 53-Across examples 23. Tall tale 24. Big-eyed 25. 53-Across examples 33. That, in Tijuana 34. Author Jorge ____ Borges 35. “Mickey” singer Basil 36. Crow’s call 37. Show piece? 41. Monopoly quartet: Abbr. 42. “Anastasia” actor Tamiroff 44. Suffix with psych- or neur45. “Yes, captain!” 46. 53-Across examples 51. “Six Feet Under” role 52. Year abroad 53. Title of a popular children’s game, with each word a hint to the answers in 20-, 25- and 46-Across 59. Cold War epithet 60. Buzzed 61. “I did it!” 63. Group of eight 64. Yours, in Tours 65. Adam and Eve, at a diner 66. Hotelier Helmsley 67. Dorothy’s dog 68. Word after dog or salad

Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

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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

ACROSS

40. “Low-budget,” in brand names 43. Writer known as “The Sage of Baltimore” 47. Actress Fanning 48. “____ be my pleasure” 49. Pointillism pioneer Georges 50. Blew 53. Casino pair 54. “Do ____ others ...” 55. Foe of Caesar 56. Windsor, e.g. 57. It’s a long story 58. Avant-garde 59. Vote seeker 62. Obstinate one

34. Author Jorge ____ Borges

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved 35. "Mickey"Last singer Basil 36. NCrow's B Ccall

A L A M I T E P C O H I F R E S O A R X V I Y E N T I S H O A M E N D A R I D R Y A S T E N

P I T C H E R S M O U N D S

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

O O P

I L E

F I S H H A T C H E R I E S

O N E E A R

L U I G I B O C C T H O E N R I N I

D I K E S

S T O L

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nick knack

Page 40

2008 Wammie Award Winners A Capella Group – Tone Rangers A Capella Recording – We Think You Love Us by Tone Rangers Big Band/Swing Vocalist – Peaches O’Dell Big Band/Swing Group – The United States Army Blues Jazz Ensemble Big Band/ Swing Recording – Blues at Thirty Five by The United States Army Blues Jazz Ensemble Bluegrass Vocalist – Dede Wyland

February 21 - 27, 2008

The Wammies Rock & Roll Out Red Carpet

Bluegrass Duo/Group – Randy Waller & the Country Gentlemen Bluegrass Instrumentalist – Ira Gitlin Bluegrass Recording – Scenecronized by The Seldom Scene Blues Female Vocalist – Melanie Mason Blues Male Vocalist – Tommy Lepson Blues Duo/Group – Deanna Bogart Group Blues Instrumentalist – Robert Lighthouse Blues Recording – The Great Pretender by Seth Kibel Cabaret/Musical Theater Artist – The Captial Steps Children’s Music Artist – DinoRock Children’s Music Recording – Dark Side of the Moon Choral Group – Capital Hill Chorale Classical Instrumentalist – Phil Mathieu Classical Vocal Female Soloist – Denyce Graves Classical Vocal Male Soloist – Jason Steams Classical Chamber Ensemble – Great Noise Ensemble Classical Orchestral Ensemble – Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Capitol Classical Conductor – Sylvia Alimena Classical Recording – Holiday Impressions by Phil Mathieu Country Vocalist – J P McDermott Country Duo/Group – Chick Hall’s Heroes & Friends Country Instrumentalist – Chick Hall Jr. Country Recording – Road Kill Stew by Honky Tonk Folk-Contemporary Vocalist – Lisa Moscatiello Folk-Contemporary Duo/Group – Cletus Kennelly & Lori Kelley Folk-Contemporary Instrumentalist – John Jennings Folk-Contemporary Recording – Luke Brindley by Luke Brindley Folk-Traditional Vocalist – Grace Griffith Folk-Traditional Duo/Group – Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer Fynesound Folk-Traditional Instrumentalist – Cathy Fink Folk-Traditional Recording – Banjo Talkin’ by Cathy Fink Go Go Talker – Lil Benny Go Go Duo/Group – Rare Essence Go Go Instrumentalist – Ju Ju House Gospel/International Vocalist – Richard Smallwood Gospel/International Quartet/Group – Richard Smallwood & Vision, and also Seven Sons of Soul Gospel/International Mass Choir – The Maryland Mass Choir Gospel/International Recording – Radio Lane by The Braeded Chord Jazz Vocalist – Esther Williams Jazz Duo/Group – Rick Whitehead Trio Jazz Instrumentalist – Seth Kibel Jazz Recording – How Does It Feel by Benjie Porecki Latin Vocalist – Cecilia Esquivel

THE D.C.-AREA’S TOP MUSIC TALENT strutted into Falls Church last Sunday evening for the 22nd Annual Wammie Awards held at the State Theatre. Live performances and, of course, some spiffy-looking hardware marked the fun and funky evening. (News-Press Photos: Nate Taylor)

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 41

2008 Winners Continued ... Latin Duo/Group – Mambo Combo Latin Instrumentalist – Alfredo Mojica Latin Recording – Live in Concert by Mystic Warriors Rap/Hip Hop Rapper – Storm the Unpredictable Rap/Hip Hop Duo/Group – TIE: Dirty Water and Zimbabwe Legit Reggae Duo/Group – Jah Works Rock Male Vocalist – Jon Carroll Rock Female Vocalist – Diana Quinn Rock Instrumentalist – Jon Carroll Rock Recording – Love Returns by Jon Carroll Hard Rock Duo/Group – Wicked Jezabel Modern Rock Duo/Group – Fools & Horses Pop Rock Duo/Group – Shane Hines & the Trance Roots Rock Female Vocalist – TIE: Mary Ann Redmond and Patty Reese Roots Rock Male Vocalist – Billy Coulter Roots Rock Duo/Group – The Junkyard Saints Roots Rock Male Instrumentalist – Dave Chappell Roots Rock Male Recording – Live at the Barns, Vol. 11 by The Grandsons Electronica Group – Thievery Corporation Electronica DJ – Bob Mould & Richard Morel Electronica Artist/Producer (Studio) – Thievery Corporation Electronica Recording – Beneath the Watchful Eyes by Arthur Urban Contemporary Vocalist – Eric Scott Urban Contemporary Duo/Group – Julia & Company Urban Contemporary Instrumentalist – Benjie Porecki Urban Contemporary Recording – How Does It Feel by Benjie Porecki World Music Vocalist – Issac Ho’opi’i World Music Duo/Group – Chopteeth World Music Instrumentalist – Seth Kibel World Music Recording – From Mali to America by Cheick Hamala Musician of the Year – Jon Carroll Song of the Year – Paint That Dollar Red by Jon Carroll Video of the Year – Changes by Army of Me Artist of the Year – TIE: Chuck Brown and The Grandsons New Artist (solo/duo/group) – Margot MacDonald Album of the Year – TIE: Love Returns by Jon Carroll and We’re About the Business by Chuck Brown Wama/Saw Songwriter of the Year – Jon Carroll Debut Recording – Sweet Bye & Bye/Lisa Ann Wright Record Design – Road Kill Stew/Honky Tonk Manger of the Year – Maggie Coulter Washington Area Record Company – Azalea City Recordings Producer of the Year – Marco Delmar Live Sound Engineer – Jim Barnett Stuido Engineer – Bill Wolf Recording Studio – Bias Recording Artist Website – TIE: CarolGaylor.com - Carol Gaylor and foolsandhorses.net - Ben Youngs Executive of the Year – David Eisner/Pres/Institute of Musical Traditions Most Supportive of Washington Music – Ron Goad

Page 42

February 21 - 27, 2008

For Sale 1993 SATURN COUPE

93 Saturn Coupe, 117,000 miles, Ex condition, sunroof, AM/FM CD 5-spd., only $1300 obo. 703-2375460

BIRDS FOR SALE

Lady Gouldian Finches Natures stained glass windows, mated pair - $150, young hens - $75, call 703-534-3807

DELI - TYSON CORNER

Excellent lease and business. 703-241-0979

DIGITAL TRANSFERS

Record and tapes to CD. Home videos to DVD. WWW.SAVEITONCD.COM 703-263-9212

DISTRESS SALE

Bank Foreclosures. Free list of foreclosures properties. Recieve a free computerized printout. Free recorded message. 1-800-760-8178 - ID # 3001. Long & Foster

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

The Falls Church Community Service Council (FCS) is establishing a new part time position to assist the volunteers of FCS programs, starting immediately. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by March 1st. Helping others, working with people and electronic media capabilities are important job criteria. For background and application materials, please call Ms. McCarthy on 703-6973489

RN/LPN/’S

Sleepy Hollow Pediatrics, a division of Capital Area Pediatrics, has openings for Full and Part-Time LPN\’s and RN\’s. Must have a current VA license and enjoy working with children. Also available is a Full Time RN Clinical Coordinator position, pediatric and management experienced preferred. Fax resume to Rodney/Suzanne at 703-383-9574 or email to humanresources@capitalareapediatrics.com

For Rent 2 ROOMS FOR RENT

HOUSE FOR SALE

3205 Cofer Road Falls Church, VA. $479.000. Wonderful 3 Bedrooms plus DETACHED GARAGE, 2 Full BAs and 1 Half BA, Lg Family Room Addition, Granite Countertops and 42” Cabinets in Kitchen, Roof replaced in 2004. Furnace replaced in 2007. Great Commuter Location. Schools: Sleepy Hollow, Glassgow, Stuart. High Speed Internet Ready. Motivated Sellers. Owners are Licensed Real Estate Agents. Contact: Ryad Daoussi, 703-863-9875 IKON Realty, Inc.

In Fall Church City. 920 Park Ave - $400mth. 571-268-6906 or 703-241-5679

Personal trainer will work with you 1-on-1 at your home or in my studio. Certified; insured; 9 yrs experience. Much study in the area of exercise for older adults. Call Mike 703-356-4006

GREAT CLEANING SERVICE

great references, excellent job. Call Maria 703.277.1098/703.626.0665

Falls Church room, metro. $450 Dory - 703-7983448 -

SENIOR ROOM RENTAL

Non-smoker, $350 monthly - Annandale. 703-7501646

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES ABC LICENSE

Teri Meher Inc. trading as Falls Church Convenience 1200 W. Broad Street Fall Church Church VA 22046 - Fairfax County is applying to the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a beer & wine license off premises to sell or manufacture alchololic beverages. Hiarjinder Singh, Owner

CHILD CARE

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

HELP WANTED

Office Work, full time or part time, 10am to 3pm or 6pm, in Falls Church. 703-964-6457

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HELP WANTED

Notice is hearby given that the contents of the following rental storage spaces located at Fort Knox Self Storage will be offered for sale.

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

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HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE Low rates. Good references. Call Dolores

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Available 7 days a week. Week, biweekly, monthly or one time. Good references in Falls Church City. 10 years experience. For further information call me at 703-848-8322. Senior discount, Ask: Susy.

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Services

Unit # 137 Roger Pol Unit # 141 Roger Pol Unit # 205 Mark Jackson Unit # 234 Tina Graham Unit # 306 Mark Jackson Unit # 316 Vincent Lewis Unit # 601 Norman Hazur Unit # 701 R.J Greaux Unit # 706 Michael Richardson Unit # 824 Logan Gamble Unit # 939 Sherry Campbell Sale will be held at 2933 Telestar Ct. Falls Church, VA. (703) 698-0022. Thursday February 28, 2008. 1:00 pm. Terms: Cash only

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PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED BOND FINANCING BY THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Falls Church, Virginia (the "City") will hold a public hearing in accordance with Section 15.2-2606 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, on the issuance of a general obligation public improvement bond of the City in the estimated maximum amount of $2,000,000 to finance the cost, in whole or in part, of the acquisition of land for public right of way. The public hearing will be held on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Official Time, or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TR8-10) A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Falls Church, Virginia Authorizing The Issuance And Sale Of Its General Obligation Public Improvement Bond In The Amount Of $2,000,000. Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Falls Church, Virginia (the "City") will hold a public hearing in accordance with Section 15.2-2606 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, on the issuance of general obligation public improvement financing of the City in the estimated maximum amount of $450,000 to finance the cost, in whole or in part, of the acquisition and equipping of police vehicles. The public hearing will be held on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Official Time, or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TR8-11) A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Falls Church, Virginia Authorizing The Issuance And Sale Of Its General Obligation Public Improvement Bond In The Amount Of $450,000

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The ordinance referenced below was given first reading on February 11, 2008; and second reading and public hearing will be held on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Official Time, or as soon thereafter as may be heard. (TO8-05) Ordinance To Amend The Budget Of Expenditures And Revenues, and Capital Improvement Plan. Appropriating Funds For The Fiscal Year 2007-2008 from Additional Bond Revenues.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS (CITY CENTER) CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The legislation referenced below were given first reading on January 14, 2008; and second reading and public hearing will be held on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Official Time, or as soon thereafter as may be heard. This legislation relates to Atlantic Realty's City Center Project. City Boards and Commissions are in the process of reviewing the legislation and making comments to City Council. The Planning Commission will hold one or two public hearings before making recommendations to the City Council prior to second reading. Please check public notices in this newspaper and the city website www.fallschurchva.gov for more information. Letters to City Council may be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. To allow the public/viewing audience to hear Council comments before a vote is taken, the meeting on February 25th will be continued -- after the public hearings are closed -- until Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. when the Council will make remarks and take roll call votes. (1) (TO8-02) An Ordinance To Authorize Condemnation Of Two Parcels Of Land For Road Construction And To Appropriate The Necessary Funds For The Land Acquisition (2) (TO8-03) An Ordinance to Amend the Official Zoning District Map of the City of Falls Church, Virginia, by rezoning approximately 0.69 acres of land from R-M, Multifamily Residential District, to B-2, Central Business District, for properties located at 202, 204, 206, and 208 Gibson Street (Real Property Code Numbers 52-209-002, 52-309-003, 52-309-004 and 52-309-005) to Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. (3) (TR8-02) A Resolution to Grant Special Exceptions for Residential Mixed Use, Residential Mixed Use Height Bonus and Commercial Height Bonus for approximately 8.77 acres of land located at the intersection on W. Annandale Road and South Maple Avenue (Real Property Code Numbers 52-309121, 52-309-120, 52-305-014, 52-305-025, 52-305-023, portion of 52-309-112, portion of 52-309-113, 52-209-002, 52-309-003, 52-309-004 and 52-309-005) to Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. (4) (TO8-04) Ordinance Approving the City Center Economic Development Agreement to be entered into by the City of Falls Church, City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority, and Atlantic Realty Companies, Inc. (5) (TR8-03) Resolution to Amend the City of Falls Church Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4, "Land Use and Economic Development," To Revise City Center Text. 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 (703-248-5014) 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

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 43

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OTHER SERVICES

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703-508-3976 or 703-323-9251

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Call 301-317-7965 (Mention ad for discount)

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Business & Service Directory 1 x 1” Ad 3 mo. = $220 • 6 mo. = $420 • 1 yr. = $770 1 x 1.5” Ad 3 mo. = $330 • 6 mo. = $630 • 1 yr. = $1155 1 x 2” Ad 3 mo. = $440 • 6 mo. = $840 • 1 yr. = $1540

1 x 2” ad 1 x 1.5” ad 1 x 1”

Page 44

Mayor Robin S. Gardner . . . . . . . . . . Vice Mayor M. R. Lindy Hockenberry . . . . City Council David C. Chavern . . . . . . . . . . Harold Lippman. . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Maller . . . . . . . . . . . . . David F. Snyder. . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel X. Sze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City Manager Wyatt Shields. . . . . . . . . . . . . Home Page <www.fallschurchva.gov>

February 21 - 27, 2008

The Week

703-534-8644 703-241-0934 703-538-2398 703-237-9089 703-731-8433 703-241-0419 703-538-5986 703-248-5004*

* Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

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

City Center South. A Letter From the Mayor. Plans for the City’s downtown area have been explored for 40 years and have evolved into more specific mixed-use plans over the past seven. For years, the community has asked for a vibrant downtown—one we can walk to, gather around, and prosper from. Right now, our City Center South area has a series of parking lots, a bowling alley, and unkempt land. This is not a destination area for many of us, and it does not generate the long-term sustainable revenue we need to survive as an independent city without taxing residents out of their homes. Citizens spoke in 2002 by defeating (by 63 percent) a voter referendum calling for only commercial development in the City’s downtown.

accommodate conferences, events, a full-service restaurant, and stimulate retail on both sides of Maple. Although the proposed hotel is not what was originally asked for, it IS what studies by hotel consultants feel would be most successful in the City AND the hotel chain the developers are working with is willing to accommodate special requests from the City. Move the grocery store away from the main corner of the development and put retail on the ground floor of every building? Done. This brilliant plan came out of the City Center Design Team in early 2007. This was a major plus for the City and our desire for vitality on the streets.

The Atlantic Realty Companies (ARC) proposal that stands before us today will bring a host of community benefits worth more than $16 million and, once the project is complete, $2.7 million in annual net revenue.

There has been a lot of community discussion, through the Planning Commission and public hearings, about why this project isn’t the Street-Works project. The Street-Works conceptual plan was completed in 2002 and it called for a significant public investment of approximately $35 million (in 2002 dollars). The City cannot afford that amount of public investment. In order to bring much of what Street-Works has talked about to the north side, we need an influx of dollars. City Center South allows us that opportunity.

Most importantly, it will create a more cohesive, vibrant, and walkable downtown, which is vital to achieving the City Center vision. And, there will be parking in the form of 2,100 spaces in three garages, and about 57 on-street spaces.

Since December 2006, we have held public meetings to hear your thoughts on the project and have worked with our design team to City Center South will be built in two phases over five years. address them. We have moved the City Center South also realizes the following concepts presented in the Street-Works plan: Harris Teeter, lowered the height of buildings, expanded parking, and secured millions • Consolidates control of a significant amount of land in community benefits. We have done all of this with fewer public funds than any other • Supports the community life of Falls Church City similar development in the region. Your voices have been heard.

• Attracts a critical mass of private development

Wider sidewalks? Done. Not only are the sidewalks on the main corridors 14’ or larger to accommodate easy walking and cafes, but the sidewalks on the secondary streets have also been widened.

• Focuses development on the south side of Broad Street

Lower building heights? Done. The majority of the buildings in the original plan were 115’, the tallest our special exception ordinance would allow. Through negotiations, these heights were lowered. The residential building in Phase 2 is now, at its highest point, 95’ AND steps down significantly as it goes to Big Chimneys Park.

• Creates an address in the market to attract offices

More parking? Done. Citizens have asked for parking and, through this plan, we will have additional parking in ALL of the buildings in the plan. This parking will accommodate everyone that shops in City Center South AND will provide significant parking to venues outside City Center South during evenings and weekends when it is most needed. Keep public investment to a minimum? Done. Surrounding jurisdictions have spent up to $100 million of public funds on projects that are approximately this size. Falls Church City is contributing approximately $9 million. The anticipated revenue from this project makes this investment well worth it, in addition to the host of community benefits the developer is giving us – including road and utility infrastructure, affordable housing, open space improvements, and so much more. Environmentally friendly designs? Done. All of the buildings in the project except for one will have green roofs. The developer will also participate in the Neighborhood LEED program, which will bring additional environmentally friendly features to the project. Green space improvements? Done. Not only will there be funds to do a complete study of improvements to Big Chimneys Park, but the City will also gain a small park with a water feature and green space due to the straightening of Maple Avenue. Big Chimneys will no longer back up to a commercial property that has recently been considered an eyesore—the park will instead be surrounded by attractive buildings on all sides. Bring a hotel to City Center South? Done. Initially, the planned hotel would have been very small due to space constraints—not what the citizens were looking for. The City convinced the developer to invest in additional land and build a hotel that would

• Connects the development to surrounding parcels and infrastructure to maximize future development and knit into the future development of the City • Targets retail to provide for the City and surrounding residents • Capitalizes on our strengths with housing, location, and history We are addressing all of those recommendations of the Street-Works plan. In addition, we are creating a great public gathering place with the Triangle Park and improvements to Big Chimneys Park. Many of the concepts called for in the Street-Works conceptual plan are being implemented in City Center South with the anticipation of developing City Center North. What we are not doing is anchoring it with public facilities because that’s where the $35 million comes in. But, this is an affordable and good alternative for the City. If Council approves the City Center South proposal on second reading (scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 28), we can move the process along to the next stage. The past two months have been filled with intensive public workshops, and those will continue. If Council approves the proposal, the next step in the process will the be the architectural look and feel of the buildings. As it stands now, the proposal speaks to the building placement, height, and use. The design is up to us, and I urge you all to remain engaged in the process and share your feedback. Warm regards,

Mayor Robin S. Gardner

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 45

ly Focus

Chairman: Craig Cheney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Chairman: Ronald Peppe II . . . . . . . . . . School Board Rosaura Aguerrebere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Kearney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kieran Sharpe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Wodiska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superintendent: Dr. Lois Berlin . . . . . . . . . . .

government and the falls church city public schools

FEBRUARY 21-27, 2008

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

703-237-6931 703-534-4951 703-536-8638 703-536-7564 703-532-0321 703-536-3130 703-533-1248 703-248-5601*

* Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility

Timeline

city calendar

1965 “A Plan for the Central Business District” lays groundwork for existing zoning, land use, and transportation circulation patterns. 1971 “Proposed Development Plan-Crossroads Area” recommends changes to traffic and land use patterns by elevating a large plaza and dense development above Broad Street with cars traveling through at-grade streets. 1988 “Central Business Special Strategy Area Report, Phase I” proposes urban changes to bring buildings closer to the street and closer together. 1999 State Theatre completes renovations and brings increased nighttime pedestrian traffic and demand for restaurants and activities. 2001 City contracts Street-Works Inc. to develop a strategic plan for City Center through an in-depth study and public review process. 2002 Street-Works plan for mixed-use City Center development receives popular public support and the Urban Land Institute’s Smart Growth Alliance award. 2002 City Council appoints City Center Task Force to conduct independent fact-based analysis of final Street-Works report and make recommendations to Council on how to proceed. 2002 City Center Task Force seeks Master Developer to initiate the project, as recommended by the Street-Works report. 2004 City staff negotiates with Master Developer, but does not reach agreement on development program. City Council, upon recommendation of the City Center Task Force, terminates the Master Developer negotiations based on market interest, and begins to look to the private market for proposals. 2005 Council adopts City Center guiding principles and updates to the Comprehensive Plan, broadly based on Street-Works concepts. 2006 Negotiations begin with Centex Homes and Federal Realty for the north side of Broad Street, but after months of unsuccessful land assembly the development of City Center North is postponed indefinitely. Negotiations also begin with Atlantic Realty Companies (ARC) on the south side of Broad Street, where land assembly proves more feasible. 2006 (December) ARC submits application for City Center South mixed-use project. 2007 Design Team formed to review submission; major changes recommended. Numerous work sessions held by Planning Commission and City Council. Public review of ARC proposal (including public meetings, developer open houses, and community Deliberation Days). ARC submits revisions based on extensive comments. 2008 Public review of ARC proposal and first reading by Council on January 14.

FEBRuary 21 Original Pancake House Library Appreciation Day Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. “Love Letters and Liniment,” Cherry Hill Farmhouse, Noon Board of Zoning Appeals, 7:30 p.m. Environmental Services Council, 7:30 p.m. Street Sweeping South of Broad Street 22 Armchair Travel Group, 10:30 a.m. Street Sweeping South of Broad Street 23 Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon 25 Yard Waste, Bundled Brush, & Special Collections Holiday Tree Collection Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. City Council, 7:30 p.m. Volunteer Fire Department Training, 7:30 p.m. 26 Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court in Session Story Hour, 10:30 a.m. School Board, 7:30 p.m. 27 General District Court in Session Story Hour, 7 p.m. 28 Story Hour, 10:30 a.m.

Questions on City Center South? We’ve Got Some Responses. Visit www.fallschurchva.gov/CityCenter to access a list of questions and answers. Q: What is the commercial vs. residential breakdown of the proposed ARC project? A: Roughly 39 percent commercial and 61 percent residential. Q: Will our schools and other City services be overwhelmed by an influx of new residents? A: City Center South is projected to generate approximately 75 new public school students. This estimate is based on ratios of students generated by similar residential dwellings and Falls Church City Public School (FCCPS) studies. Newer mixeduse development projects have produced lower ratios of students than expected.

centers of this nature can produce 18hour-a-day activity, commerce, and a sense of excitement not achievable in suburban shopping centers or office parks.

3rd Annual Black History Celebration & Celebrity Basketball Game, 7 p.m.

Q: Will new development in City Center South bring in stores and restaurants that will displace or kill our existing businesses? A: Minimal displacement of existing business will occur in this first phase of City Center South development. Every effort will be made to incorporate existing businesses that wish to relocate into the new development.

The City’s fiscal impact model accounts for all school operating costs associated with new students and subtracts that number and other municipal service costs from the net revenue number associated with new development. The developer has also offered to pay more than $3 million to mitigate school capital costs.

Customer interest, activity, and excitement created by new retailers and other businesses in the redevelopment area should bring great opportunities for existing businesses that complement the new mix and position themselves to take advantage of the new commercial environment. The purchasing power of new residents and office workers just walking distance from established stores and restaurants should also benefit existing business retention and new recruitment.

Q: Is the City trying to put too much development into too small an area?

Q: Is the Post Office getting pushed out of its space and the City?

A: Among other positive outcomes, density increases the tax base. Compatible mixes of uses generate economic vibrancy and sustainability. Residents who can walk to work, shop, or relax at a nearby restaurant or park will enjoy the convenience of not having to drive to those destinations. Town

A: The Post Office leases its facilities and the land it uses for customer, employee, and fleet parking. They have chosen to relocate this function to the 800 block of West Broad Street, where a new office building will be constructed. Distribution function location pending.

Historic Architectural Review Board, 7:30 p.m. 29 400 Years of Black Basketball History, 5-6 p.m. Art and Frame of Falls Church (111 Park Ave.)

SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES SubjEcT To chAngE

FEBRuary 21

6 p.m. 4th Grade Art Show (TJ)

22–23 Model UN (GM)

city center South Public hearings

Monday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 300 Park Ave. Thursday, Feb. 28*, 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers*, 300 Park Ave.

6:30 p.m. School Board Work Session (City Hall) 7:30 p.m. School Board Meeting (City Hall) 7:30 p.m. PTA (MEH) 27

5:30 p.m. Mt. Daniel Book Fair (MD)

7 p.m. Aladdin Jr. Musical (MEH) 7:30 p.m. Family Life Education Adv. Comm. (GM)

*Council Vote

city center South geography The City Center South proposal is within a 8.77acre area bounded to the north by West Broad Street (200 block), to the south by Gibson Street, to the west by Big Chimneys Park, and to the east by South Washington Street. This is a portion of the 22-acre City Center area identified in the Comprehensive Plan, which is centered on Maple Avenue, north and south of West Broad Street.

More Information Is Available at www.fallschurchva.gov.

5:30 p.m. Mt. Daniel Book Fair (MD)

7th Grade Band Festival @ Sandberg MS 7 p.m. Aladdin Jr. Musical (MEH)

MARCH 1

7 p.m. Aladdin Jr. Musical (MEH)

6:30 p.m. Special Ed. Adv. Comm. (TJ)

4–5

5, 8 & 11th Grade SOL Writing Test (MEH/GM)

5 p.m. Mason @ Stuart (Baseball) 7:00 p.m. School Board Work Session (MEH) 7:30 p.m. Langley @ Mason (G Soccer) (MD) Mt. Daniel Elementary (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High

Page 46

February 21 - 27, 2008

BACK IN THE DAY dog. lazy ick qu The fox sly p e d j u m the over dog. lazy is the w No for all time cows od go me to to coaid of the pastheir Now ture.

15 s Yearo Ag

time is the all for cows good me to to coaid of the pastheir Now ture. time is the all for cows good me to to coaid of the their.

15 & 10 YEARS AGO Falls Church News-Press Vol II, No. 49 • February 25, 1993

Proposed School Budget Clashes With City Council Plans to Spend ‘Windfall’ “The Falls Church School Board by a 6-1 vote approved its $13.5 million budget Feb 17th, including in it a significantly reduced figure for debt service based on a different plan for use of the City’s $5 million budget ‘windfall’ that the one the City Council approved in December. “The ‘winfall’ is additional money availble to the City in the...”

Helen Thomas Continued from Page 10

What’s the problem with persuading a judge before starting the wiretap? “It’s cumbersome,” says the administration. Warrants for eavesdropping have rarely been denied by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court created under the FISA law that was enacted in 1978. Meantime, the president has threatened to veto a legislative ban on waterboarding and other coercive interrogation techniques that are tantamount to torture. In waterboarding, a prisoner is strapped to a board with his face covered with a cloth and water poured over his face and nostrils. The goal is to induce a sense of drowning. At two consecutive news conferences late last year, the president said flatly: “We do not torture.” So why does he want to veto legislation to ban it? U.S. legal commitments and international law bar torture of prisoners as “cruel, inhumane and degrading.” Bush has rejected a congressional demand that the rules in the Army Field Manual about the treatment of prisoners should apply to the CIA and to government security contractors. The manual does not allow waterboarding. In a strange defense of Bush’s viewpoint, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said

Read all of the New York Times columnists on the Web at www.FCNP.com

IN THE

NEWS-P PREESS

It is now the time for all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * Throw * * Pour it up. it up

Falls Church News-Press Vol VII, No. 50 • February 26, 1998

CRITTER CORNER 10 Year s Ago

It is now the time for all good to go cows to aid of the p a s their ture . * * * * * Throw Pour it it up. up

FCCO ‘Encourages’ 4 Independants Opposing CBC Slate for City Council “The four announced candidates for the Falls Church City Council in the upcoming May 5th election who did not win (and three of whom did not seek) the backing of the Citizens for a Better City (CBC) orginzation last week were ‘encouraged’ to run by the CBC’s rival, the Falls Church Citizens Organization (FCCO), the FCCO annual meeting Sunday. “In a carefully-worded...”

the Army Field Manual is “public for all to see, and we know that al-Qaeda trains to resist interrogation techniques such as those. So the president will veto the bill.” Thirty retired admirals and generals have sent a letter to key Democrats stating their view that intelligence agents must adhere to the Army manual on treatment of prisoners. They said it was vital for the protection of U.S. troops if captured by an enemy. Last Friday, Steven Bradbury -- acting head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel -- told Congress that the department has not decided whether waterboarding is unlawful. But he said changes in the law since three terrorism suspects were waterboarded have eliminated the technique from

the list of allowable practices. Bradbury is notorious for signing two legal memos in 2005 authorizing the CIA to use head slapping, freezing temperatures and waterboarding when questioning terrorism suspects. Because of those memos Senate Democrats have blocked his nomination by Bush to formally head the legal counsel’s office. As his months in office dwindle down, Bush has often said his low standing in public opinion polls do not worry him because he is certain he will be vindicated in the future. He should stop worrying about his legacy. Instead, the president should use his fading time in office to do some soul searching on whether he could have done better in the most powerful job in the world. © 2008 Hearst Newspapers

THIS LOVELY PORTRAIT is of lovely Falls Church canine Jazzmin, who lives with the Falcon family, who we can only assume are a family of superheroes. Therefore, it is only fair to assume that Jazzmin has some kinds of superpowers as well. After studying this photo, we here at Critter Corner have concluded that Jazzmin can run on walls, emit a 300 db+ growl and has an absolutely incredible sense of smell. These are powers that would afford Jazzmin opportunities for great wealth and power, but she instead chooses to live the humble (relatively) life, dedicated to piety, charity and frisbee. Jazzmin’s last feat was defeating the nefarious Dr. Awesomevil, which made Jazzmin the first dog to win Man of the Year. If you would like to see your pet here, e-mail us at crittercorner@fcnp.com or send a picture and short description to Falls Church News-Press c/o Critter Corner, 450 W. Broad St., Suite 321, Falls Church, VA 22046.

1249 W. Broad Street Falls Church, Va. 22046 (703) 532-6121

Have you noticed........

MY PET!

how unpredictable the weather is in this area? Who would have thought on January 8th the temperature would be 71 degrees? That is why we recommend all of our patients be on heartworm preventive and a flea/tick protection program all year long.

February 21 - 27, 2008

Page 47

The

Business Listing n

Diener & Associates, CPA.. . . . . . . . . 241-8807 Demeo PLLC, CPA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 931-0815 Mark Sullivan, CPA. . . . . . . . . . . 571-214-4511 Hahn & Associates, PC, CPAs. . . . . . 533-3777 n

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Falls Church Antique Company . . . . . 241-7074 Antique Annex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-9642 n

Maid Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823-1922 Carpets, Ducts, Windows. . . . . . . . . . 823-1922

ACCOUNTING

ASSISTED LIVING

Falls Church Clockworks . . . . . . . . . . 536-6731 n

AUTOMOTIVE

BANKING

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

Universal Beauty Supply & Salon . . . 534-7926

BEAUTY

CARPET CLEANING CATERING

B.D.G. Design Catering . . . . . . . . . . . 237-2964 n

CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Raymond Solano, drsolano.com . 536-4366 n

CLEANING SERVICES

Pressure Washing/Deck, Siding. . . . . 980-0225

FURNITURE

Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-0140 Sacred Well Yoga and Healing . . . . . 989-8316 Authentic Pilates (Arlington). . . . . . . . 527-9626 Personal Fitness Training. . . . . . . . . . 309-8500

HEALTH & FITNESS

HOBBIES & COLLECTIBLES

Miniatures from the Attic . . . . . . . . . . . 237-0066

POLITICAL PARTIES

Falls Church Democratic Committee 534-8644 n

REAL ESTATE

Merelyn Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .790-9090x218 www.helpfulmortgage.us . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 www.RoadstoHome.com, Chris Rhodes405-6800 Casey O’Neal - ReMax . . . . . . . . . . . 824-4196 Rosemary Hayes Jones. . . . . . . . . . .790-1990 H&R Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 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 JEWELRY

LAWN & GARDEN

TAILOR

Tailor Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-8886 n

MASONRY

THERAPY

Neurofeedback Center of VA . . . . . . . 536-2690 n

TRAVEL

All Travel & Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970-4091

MASSAGE

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

Bratt Decor Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448-6833 Antique & Contemporary Restoration 241-8255

PLUMBING

Williams Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . 571-274-6831 n

Mottern Masonry Design . . . . . . 571-212-1711 Jeff L. Cadle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698-1390 n

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Theracare Wellness Center . . . . . . . . 560-4300

9th Green Lawn Service - Full Svc. . . 538-5869 Weaver Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323-9351 Seven Brothers Landscaping. . . . . . . 241-4990 Lawn Care Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691-2351

FLORISTS FRAMING

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

Art and Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-4202

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

EYEWEAR

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Nationwide/Bob Pierce Agency . . . . . 241-7847 State Farm Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5105

EQUIPMENT RENTAL/SALE

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

SS Business Brokerage . . . . . . . 703-830-9526 Jon Rizalvo, PAYCHEX . . . . 698-6910 x27045

DENTISTS

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

BOOK BINDING

BUSINESS SERVICES

COUNSELING

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

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

CONSTRUCTION

Drs. William Dougherty, Julie D. Tran 532-3300 Drs. Mark A. Miller, Melanie R. Love . 241-2911 Dr. Mike McCombs, Orthodontist . . . . 820-1011 Dr. Nimisha V. Patel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-1993

Amsoil Dealer 526099 . . . . . . . . 580-748-0055 VA Auto Repair (Wittstatts). . . . . . . . . 533-3000 Beyer Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5000

NED Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7457 Hudson Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 568-5310 Joseph Home Improvement. . . . . . . . 507-5005 FC Heating & Air Service . . . . . . . . . . 534-0630 M.D. Painting & Decorating Co.. . . . . 966-2954 DAST Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 898-8318 Shiner Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560-7663 J & S Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448-1171 The Vinyl Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793-3111

COMPUTER SERVICES

Carol S. Miller, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-4980 George Coyne, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 328-4112 Career/Life/Retirement Coach . . . . . . 241-2620 Josette Millman, APRN . . . . . . . . . . . 855-0396

ATTORNEYS

Mark F. Werblood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9300 John A. Boneta & Associates . . . . . . 536-6166 Janine S. Benton, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . .312-0410

Alba Construction, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-0733 n

HOME CARE

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

Fast Teks On-Site Computer Srvcs . . 496-7807

Sunrise of Falls Church . . . . . . . . . . . 534-2700 n

CLOCK REPAIR

TUTORS

Your Computer Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204-2821 Huntington Learning Center. . . . . . . . 379-8810 n

MEDICAL

OTHER SERVICES

Phillip J. Walsh & Associates, P.C. . . 448-0073 Miss Theresa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-317-7955 Identity Theft Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635-3791 Soo Young Lim Sewing Lessons . . . . 300-1188

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

MUSIC

Academy of Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938-8054 Columbia Institute - Fine Arts. . . . . . . 534-2508 Foxes Music Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7393 n

PET SERVICES

Falls Church Animal Hospital . . . . . . . .532-6121

Out of Area? Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be!

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Critter Corner c/o Falls Church News-Press 450 W. Broad Street #321

Just $80 for a year

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Page 48

February 21 - 27, 2008

Falls Church City Just Sold With Multiple Offers! Two More To Be Built Soon! Call Merelyn for Details! Walk to WFC Metro from this quality built beauty! Hardi-plank siding, inviting front porch, gracious open floor plan offering 6 bedrooms, playroom, 4.5 baths, hardwood floors, gas fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases, gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, table space, and adjoining family room with French doors to deck. Gorgeous mouldings, pillars, daylight lower level Rec Room. With 2 contracts to choose from, we had a happy seller and a thrilled buyer! Options in the to-be-built homes include finished daylight lower level w/ rec room, 6th bedroom, and 4th Bath. Priced at $997,000.See floor plans at www.kayes.com

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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Merelynâ&#x20AC;? For Your Real Estate Needs

1320 Old Chain Bridge Road McLean, Virginia 22101