Falls Church News-Press 01-16-2025

JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025

Falls Church, Virginia • w w w . fc n p . c o m • Free

Founded 1991 • Vol. XXXIV N o . 49

The City of Falls Church’s Independent, Locally-Owned Newspaper of Record, Serving N. Virginia

Noonan: Schools Need More Than Limit

BIDEN BIDS A FAREWELL IN F.C.

First Time in 7 Years, He Says Schools Need Extra $

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

In the 2025 version of the annual budget process, the City of Falls Church is in a stronger position than almost any other jurisdiction in the wider region thanks to revenues being contributed out of the ongoing explosive commercial growth here.

Yet whether or not the costs of running the independent jurisdiction and its prized International Baccalaureatebased public school system without adding to the tax rate burden of its nearly 15,000 residents remains a question that will be left to the next few months to answer. Of course, that is in the context of a major lowering of the tax rate over the last three years even as a brand new, state of the art high school was built and major infrastructure upgrades have been made.

Predicated on no tax rate increase in the coming year, the F.C. City Council set out a budget overview in December based on 5.9 percent revenue growth, with the recent-years’ deal splitting half the growth to the city operations budget and half to the schools.

In that context, and with the important addition of the role of now-allowed collective bargaining in the school system and an expected 159 new students by the fall, the Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent

Continued on Page 3

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN crossed over into the City of Falls Church briefly Monday night to deliver a minute-long thank you and tribute at the State Theater to White House staffers gathered for a going-away party a week in advance of the inauguration of a new administration. Mr. Biden will always be welcome in Falls Church, as the News-Press editorializes in this edition. (Photo: News-Press)

Meridian H.S. Baseball Will Be Off-Site This Year

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The baseball diamond on the campus of the new Meridian High School in Falls Church will not be ready for the start of the Mustangs’ baseball season.

In an extensive report to the Falls Church School Board Tuesday night, Falls Church Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan went to great painstaking lengths to explain how this has happened, but even more importantly, that he has been on top of the situation personal-

ly to make sure this will not cut short or limit the execution of a full season for the school’s baseball team.

“Nobody is more disappointed than I am” at the development, Noonan insisted.

Late yesterday afternoon, as he promised Tuesday night, a lengthy letter was emailed out to parents and families of the Mustang players announcing the alternative plans that have been developed to ensure the team will play a full season.

In the letter, Noonan laid out the plan for playing the full season, writing, “We are executing on alternative

arrangements for the first half of the season. Through the great work of Coach P.J. Anderson, he has secured the Capital One turf field in McLean for the first six of our home games for the varsity team.

“This is a beautiful field where the A-10 and other college conferences play tournaments,” Noonan added. “It currently is the home field for both Georgetown University and for Marymount University.”

He then went on to say that a 90-foot field at Providence Elementary School in Fairfax has been secured for all practices, and

that for the second half of the baseball season, remaining varsity home games and all junior varsity home games will take place on the brand new turf field at Fairfax High School.

In the letter, Noonan went on to explain what happened. “To be transparent, the field installer sent us documentation indicating that the turf installation would take 8 weeks (not 12 weeks) — knowing that we had a mid-March baseball start, we held out hope to the bitter end that we would get through all the needed

Continued on Page 4

PAGE 2 | JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025

Whole Foods Opening Date in F.C. is Feb. 7 Folks at the new 45,000 square foot flagship Whole Foods at the downtown Falls Church intersection of Broad and Washington streets have put up a banner there announcing that it will at long last be open to the public on Friday, Feb. 7.

Also, it has been announced that the existing much smaller Whole Foods in the Idyllwood Plaza will close after 25 years there on Monday, Feb. 3.

With the new opening, the Falls Church store will offer free tote bags and $100 coupon cards to the first 300 customers, have free coffee and baked goods available to all and make special donations to the Northern Virginia Food Rescue, Food for Others and Share of McLean.

The hours of operation at the new Falls Church location will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

F.C. School Board Chair, Vice Chair Re-Elected Tate Gould as chair and Kathleeen Tysse as vice chair were voted back to another term by a unanimous vote of the F.C. School Board at its meeting this Tuesday.

F.C. School Board’s Prelim OK to Cell Phone Policy In a split vote, the Falls Church School Board gave a first reading OK to a new cell phone policy. “Yes” votes were from Kathleen Tysse, Bethany Henderson, Amie Murphy and Anne Sherwood. “No” votes were from Jerrod Anderson and Lori Silverman. Abstaining was Tate Gould. The policy reads: “Students at Jessie Thackery Preschool, Mount Daniel Elementary School, Oak Street Elementary School, and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School are not permitted to use personal electronic devices on school property during the school day or during school-sponsored activities that take place during the school day, except as permitted by regulation. The school day is defined as beginning with the first bell and ending with the last bell on any day that school is in session.

“Students at Meridian High School are not permitted to use per-

LO CA L

News & Notes sonal electronic devices on school property during instructional time unless specifically requested by a teacher or administrator to do so for educational purposes, except as permitted by regulation. Instructional time includes all classes and assemblies.”

F.C. Council Moves to Take Piece of Bowling Alley Land By a 7-0 vote, the Falls Church City Council initiated “condemnation” proceedings on 3,156 square feet of Bowlero bowling alley land Monday night for purposes of installing a traffic “roundabout” at the intersection of Annandale Road and S. Maple St., a plan that has been in the works since 2007 for purposes of enhancing traffic safety..

The “condemnation” or taking by way of “eminent domain,” will include a compensation of fair market value for the land taken. V Bowl is listed as the current owner of the land.

The Council also OK’d a $2,132,000 contract with Ardent Company LLC for construction of the “roundabout.”

F.C. Council Makes New Committee Appointments This Monday, the F.C. City Council approved the appointment of the following citizens to the following advisory boards and commissions: Jim Coyle and Todd Hermann to the Falls Church 250 Committee, Nancy Brandon to the Arts and Humanities Council, Robert Kravinsky, Daniel Polinsky, Andrea Caumont, Brent Krasner and Tim Stevens to the Planning Commission, Arthur Agin to the Citizens Advisory Commission on Transportation, Peter Kien to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Allen Greenberg to the Historic Architecture Review Board.

Beyer Hails Israeli-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement U.S. Rep. Don Beyer of Falls Church and Northern Virginia issued the following statement today on the announced ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas: “I am glad that this agreement has finally been reached, and that the hostages who have endured horrific

captivity will be coming home. All parties must implement this ceasefire and abide by its terms to prevent any resumption of bloodshed.

“This agreement should have happened long ago, and if it had many more innocent people might still be alive. This war is a terrible tragedy and U.S. policy must be directed at ending it permanently, which will require a viable Palestinian state.”

Co-Patrons Added to Casino Bill in Richmond Richmond – Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell announced a list of co-patrons of his Fairfax County Entertainment District Bill. The chief co-patrons are Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-Fairfax), who served as Chair of the Fairfax County School Board prior to her election to the Senate in 2023, Sen. Lamont Bagby (D-Richmond), chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, and Sen. Todd Pillion (R-Abingdon) who serves as a senior legislator on the Senate Finance Committee.

“My constituents are tired of rising property taxes hitting their pocketbooks while our schools remain chronically underfunded and our teachers are underpaid,” said Sen. Pekarsky. “An entertainment district will generate hundreds of millions of tax revenue dollars that can be used to relieve the pressure being felt by homeowners in Fairfax County, while also generating thousands of jobs.”

Surovell’s bill would amend the legislation led by Sen. Lucas in 2020 to include a casino in Northern Virginia.

Meanwhile, the “No Casino Coalition” has embarked on its second year of lobbying, even as reports have been made suggesting that a major component of the opposition to the Surovell bill is a potential competitor, the MGM Resorts International of Maryland.

At the recent NAACP Northern Virginia event, the “No Casino Coalition” chair acknowledged that the group indirectly got funding from MGM Grand for bus trips to lobby the General Assembly in Richmond last year. But the “No Casino” chair Lynne Mulston was quoted saying, “It’s important that we’re simply regular citizens, not professional lobbyists.”

The Surovell bill would give the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors the authority to hold a referendum

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

on whether to allow a casino. It would support the plans announced this week by the Comstock Holding Companies for a major mixed-use development featuring a casino at the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons.

Surovell’s SB-9982 would allow the casino as part of a “coordinated mixed-use project development” on the Silver Line.

Surovell’s bill adds the requirement that casino-anchored development must weigh in at no less than 1.5 million square feet, paving the way toward one of the largest mixeduse projects and economic development initiatives in Northern Virginia.

Sen. Warner Calls on CIA Nominee to Offer Assurances Washington, D.C. – Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner made strong opening remarks yesterday as vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee to open its examination of the Trump administration nominee as head of the CIA, John Ratcliffe.

Excerpts of his remarks include the following: “The Agency that you have been nominated to head is facing an unprecedented number of challenges, which will require great leadership. These challenges range from the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza… competition with China, especially with respect to artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies… the persistent threat posed by international terrorist organizations… and a constant stream of cyber threats, from nation states attacking our critical infrastructure to criminal ransomware actors.

“Add to this that revolutions in technology, especially in artificial intelligence, synthetic bio, and advances in energy require fundamental changes to how we operate.

“And through it all, the very fabric of warfare is changing. National security is no longer determined just by who has the most powerful ships and tanks and planes, but also who is leading the future when it comes to technologies like AI, drones, semiconductors, and synthetic biology.

“The Intelligence Community must continue to adapt to face these challenges. In particular, it must be better organized to collect on the development and use of advanced technologies by our adversaries.

That’s both to understand the threats they might pose to U.S. economic and national security, but also to help civilian agencies identify key chokepoints over which the U.S. can exercise power.

“During such times it is also vital that we are able to recruit and retain the best possible talent for the IC. That starts with ensuring the workforce feels valued and respected. I am very concerned that the president-elect has continued to engage in undeserved attacks upon the professional women and men of our intelligence agencies.

“These comments affect the morale of these dedicated men and women, many of whom risk their lives in anonymity to protect our nation… and who do so without regard to which party is in power or who holds the office of president.

Unsurprisingly, particular public comments from our leaders can have a negative impact on recruitment and retention of talent willing to serve our country.”

For this weeks “Business News & Notes” please visit fcnp.com.

GEARED UP to pitch in on the recovery from this week’s snow event were members of Sheriff Met Cay’s team, including (l. To r.) First Sgt. Chapman, Captain Jones, Sheriff Cay and Sgt. Fuentes. (Photo: Sheriff Cay)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025 | PAGE 3

Superintendent’s School Budget Goes Slightly Above Stated Limit

Continued from Page 1

Dr. Peter Noonan presented his proposed FY 2026 budget to the School Board Tuesday night, and even as it was presented as a strictly “needs based” budget with no frills, it came in at $347,000 over the guidance provided by the City Council.

It marked the final time for Noonan to play the critical role in the City, as he announced his plans to retire this spring after seven years at the helm of the City’s outstanding system.

Noonan’s proposed $4.67 million increase represents, for the first time in seven years, a school system request of the Council that exceeds the projected organic revenue growth guidance of 5.9 percent with a requested increase of 6.3 percent, or $347,780.

This increase reflects two primary drivers: the anticipated enrollment growth of 159 students for the 2025-26 school year and the division’s commitment to ensuring competitive compensation for FCCPS’s outstanding staff.

The budget proposal benefits from increased state funding, including $289,311 in additional state aid and $535,816 in sales tax revenue. The division also strategically set aside $545,377 from last year’s state funding to help

address this year’s growth needs.

“This budget request reflects our highest priorities and needed investments to support students and staff and is responsive to our collective needs now and into the future,” said Dr. Noonan.

The proposal comes as FCCPS continues to be ranked as the No. 1 school district in Virginia and No. 2 in the D.C. area.

Noonan’s recommended budget will now be in the hands of the School Board, who will receive a lot of input, including from citizens, and its own deliberations before formally sending the system’s request on to the City Council in March.

Key components of Noonan’s proposed budget include: Contractual obligations totaling $3.41 million, including a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment and step increases for staff Enrollment growth funding of $1.18 million to maintain class sizes and support services Current obligations of $759,201 for essential operational needs Identified reductions of $683,181 to help offset increases The budget maintains FCCPS’s commitment to competitive staff compensation, with 85.4 percent of the total budget dedicated to employee salaries and benefits. This investment supports the

division’s position as one of Virginia’s top three “Best Places to Teach.”

The proposed budget relies on Falls Church City to provide 80.3 percent of operating revenue, down from 80.9 percent in FY 2025, while state revenue accounts for 16.0 percent of the total budget, up from 15.1 percent in the current year. The remaining 3.7 percent comes from federal and other revenue sources.

Key dates in the School Board’s budget

deliberation process are the following: Budget Work Sessions — January 28 & February 25 Public Hearings — February 11 & March 11 Adoption of the FY2026 School Board Advertised Budget — March 11 City Council Budget Ordinance Adoption including School Transfer May 12 Public Hearing, Budget Work Session, and Adoption of the FY 2026 Budget — May 13

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Meridian High Baseball Field Won’t Be Ready for This Season

Continued from Page 1

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processes to have the field ready — unfortunately, we aren’t going to get there.”

Concerning going forward, as far as getting the field on the Meridian campus ready, he wrote, “As for the Meridian field, last Friday, we learned that the permitting process has been completed, and a ‘signature set’ of plans is being circulated for signature, providing a pathway for us to start the field installation. Additionally, we have been in continuous discussions with the permitting office about a permit for the press box so that we may also install that as soon as possible.”

He continued, “We plan to work with all of our vendors to start the project ASAP in hopes of a completion date by Spring Break. As soon as the field is complete, we will move all baseball activity back to Meridian for the remainder of the regular season, district, and regional playoff play (yes - our expectations are all high!).”

To ensure a smooth process to get students to and from the fields for practices and games, Noonan said arrangements have been made to provide busing (charter and/ or FCCPS buses) that will take the players each day. Additionally, there will be a

waiver that allows students and parents to drive, drop off, and pick up. This will be the same waiver used for the travel waiver.

Noonan concluded in his letter, “We recognize that this is not the outcome that any of us wanted relative to timing. However, at this point, this solution provides the safest play and allows for the possibility of our seniors to play on a home turf field before the end of the season. Let’s not lose the fact that we currently have one of the worst fields in Northern Virginia but in a matter of months we will have the best field and athletic complex in Northern Virginia.”

This isn’t the first time the Mustang baseball field has run into issues. An entire home season was lost a couple dozen years ago when a renovation of the field was completed lacking any protection against foul balls for the I-66 traffic passing not that far away. In a major renovation of the field in 2002, planners overlooked the fact that there was no way to protect cars on I-66 behind the field from being struck by foul balls. A season of home games was lost while efforts to correct the problem proved insufficient, and eventually a 100-foot high screen was installed, held up by six 100foot poles, that was severely damaged by the high winds of a derecho in July 2012.

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JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025 | PAGE 5

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

Vol. XXXIV, No. 49 January 16 - 22, 2025 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •

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Editorial

E D I TO R I A L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Be prepared before the next power outage.

Always Welcome Here, Joe!

The City of Falls Church had the distinct honor of being host to an energetic party of White House staffers assembled at the State Theater this Monday to celebrate the imminent departure from the U.S. presidency of their boss, U.S. President Joe Biden. A distinct honor, indeed.

It was a short visit, but so what. President Biden took to the stage at the State Theatre and spoke for just a minute, thanking the large turnout for their service not so much to him as to the nation, and urging them to continue on the career path of public service.

Well, Joe, you are more than welcome here anytime. The passing of our 37th President, Jimmy Carter, at age 100 last week brought to the world’s attention the kind of values and personal character that is exemplary of any human being, and especially of the President of the United States. It seems clear to us that our 46th President, Joe Biden, embodies many of the same qualities as his friend and colleague Carter, even though for Joe service took the form of half a century in the Washington D.C. political wars, whereas Carter came from a peanut farm, by way of the governorship of Georgia, to Washington.

The events of the last year have been difficult for President Biden, including his withdrawal as his Democratic Party’s nominee for re-election and the loss in November of his replacement, Vice President Kamala Harris. These events and the way they were covered by and large in the media and by the President’s adversaries clouded over what we believe history will bring into focus, which is nothing less than one of the most accomplished four year terms in the White House in the nation’s history.

We do not know, of course, what the White House, the nation, and the world are going to look like when Mr. Biden’s successor returns to the U.S. presidency next week. We shudder to think. But two things about what we are facing.

First, the new administration is set up for failure. The incredibly outsized ego of Donald Trump which, combined with all the trappings of advanced age that will surely bedevil him, will set him against his own presumptive allies.

The town ain’t big enough for the egos of both Trump and Musk, and as we begin to see how that plays out in the early days of Trump’s new term, we will see harbingers of internal strife that will lead to many a policy or tactical misstep.

Second, while Trump stumbled through his first four years in the White House and spent most of the last four years since being chased down by law enforcement officials who finally pinned a guilty verdict on him for his many, many crimes, his adversaries and the nation as a whole, much less the entire free world, has learned a lot about how to contain him, and they most surely will.

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CA MPS & SCHO O LS

JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025 | PAGE 7

The Importance of Early Education Through Preschool and Camps

by Falls Church News-Press

The early years of a child’s life are crucial for shaping their future development, with research showing that the first five years are particularly significant. During this period, children’s brains develop rapidly, making it a critical time to set the foundation for lifelong learning, emotional growth, and social skills.

Early education, both through preschool programs and private camps, offers a comprehensive environment where young children can acquire essential skills that influence their future academic and personal success.

Cognitive Development: Building the Foundation for Learning One of the key benefits of early education through preschool is the focus on cognitive development.

Preschool programs are designed to provide young children with foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. Activities like reading books, solving puzzles, and engaging in hands-on learning experiences help children develop cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and critical thinking (Zigler &

Gilliam, 2010).

Preschool settings also introduce children to structured learning environments, allowing them to understand how to follow instructions, stay on task, and engage in group activities. According to research, children who attend high-quality preschool programs are better prepared for academic success in later years (Heckman, 2011). The cognitive stimulation children receive early in life helps improve their ability to learn and succeed in elementary school and beyond.

Private camps offer additional enrichment opportunities that complement early education. Camps often provide themed programs such as science, arts, or sports, giving children the chance to explore new subjects and develop interests outside the traditional classroom. These activities engage children’s minds in fun and creative ways, stimulating curiosity and encouraging independent thinking. For example, a science camp might involve outdoor experiments or nature walks, which allow children to learn about the world around them while developing problem-solving skills.

Socialization: Learning to

Interact and Build Relationships Preschool is a unique environment where children learn essential social skills, such as sharing, communicating, and cooperating with peers. Socialization is not just about making friends; it is also about learning empathy, conflict resolution, and teamwork. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), preschool offers a structured setting for children to engage with others in a safe and supportive environment (NAEYC, 2019). These early social interactions help children build selfconfidence and develop emotional intelligence.

Private camps, too, provide children with rich social experiences.

Camps offer opportunities for children to meet peers from diverse backgrounds and engage in collaborative group activities. Whether it’s a team sport, art project, or group challenge, children learn how to communicate, work as a team, and navigate social dynamics outside of their usual circle. The informal, fun environment of a camp allows children to take risks, step out of their comfort zone, and build resilience through social interactions

(Henderson & Thomson, 2005).

Long-Term Benefits of Early Education The impact of early education through preschool and private camps extends far beyond the early years. Children who experience high-quality early education are more likely to perform better in school, have higher graduation rates, and pursue higher education (Heckman, 2011). Early education sets the stage for future success by building the cognitive, social, and emotional skills children need to thrive academically and personally.

Research also shows that early education helps close achievement gaps. For children from disadvantaged backgrounds, attending preschool or participating in private camps can level the playing field, providing them with opportunities to develop skills that may not be available in their home environments (Barnett, 2011). By giving all children access to quality early education, society can help ensure that every child has the chance to reach their full potential.

In closing, early education through preschool programs and private camps provides children

with the foundational skills necessary for academic success and personal growth. From fostering cognitive development and socialization to promoting emotional regulation, these early experiences are crucial for shaping a child’s future. By investing in early education, parents, educators, and communities lay the groundwork for a brighter future, where children are equipped with the tools to succeed both in school and in life.

References include W.S. Barnett’s Effectiveness of Early Educational Intervention, Science magazine, 2011; J.J. Heckman’s The Economics of Inequality, The Value of Early Childhood Education, American Educator, 2011; K.A. Henderson and L. Thompson, Understanding the Impact of Camp on Youth Development, A Literature Review, Youth Development Institute, 2005; National Association for the Education of Young Children, The Importance of Early Childhood Education, 2019; and E. Zigler and W.S. Gilliam, The Early Childhood Care and Education Crisis, A WakeUp Call, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 2010.

CA MPS & SCHO O LS

PAGE 8 | JANUARY 16 - 22

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

How Arts and Physical Activity Camps Foster Children’s Development

by Falls Church News-Press

In today’s fast-paced and technologydriven world, finding ways to encourage children’s holistic development is more important than ever. Arts and physical activity camps provide a unique and effective way to foster growth across multiple dimensions—from creativity and emotional intelligence to physical fitness and social skills. Many local camps can help children thrive.

Enhancing creativity in kids art is a catalyst for brain development. Engaging in creative activities stimulates neural connections in the brain, particularly in areas associated with problem-solving and critical thinking. According to research by the National Endowment for the Arts, arts education fosters cognitive development and innovative thinking in children.

The arts have a large impact on academic performance studies show that children involved in arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. Creativity in arts encourages flexible thinking, which translates into better performance in subjects like math and science. Building resilience through creativity. Engaging in arts helps children learn to adapt and find new solutions when faced with challenges, cultivating emotional resilience. This is supported by

a Journal of Creativity in Education study which links artistic activities to enhanced emotional regulation skills.

Team-based creativity projects foster collaboration. Participating in group arts activities, such as theater or music ensembles, helps children learn to value others’ input and work collaboratively toward a shared goal. This collaborative creativity mirrors real-world team dynamics. Free play and imaginative activities in unstructured creative play is linked to higher problem-solving skills. According to psychologist Dr. Peter Gray, free play fosters creativity as children invent, experiment, and explore.

Artistic expression also provides a safe outlet for children to explore and communicate their feelings. This helps them develop empathy and emotional awareness, essential skills for navigating relationships and life challenges.

Performing on stage or showcasing artwork helps children build self-esteem.

Overcoming the initial fear of sharing their creations fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Activities like drama and storytelling improve verbal and non-verbal communication. These skills are crucial for effective interaction in both personal and academic settings.

Physical Activity Camps provide a safe

CAMP SHAKESPEARE JUN 23–AUG 16 Ages 6–18

REGISTER TODAY ShakespeareTheatre.org | 202.547.5688

space for children to grow physically as well as mentally.

These physical activity camps, such as sports, gymnastics, and outdoor adventure programs, contribute significantly to children’s physical, mental, and social development. These camps offer structured yet enjoyable environments where children can grow.

Engaging in regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, builds strength, and enhances coordination (Health.gov). These benefits set the stage for a lifetime of healthy habits.

Sports and physical activities teach children the value of hard work, perseverance, and goal-setting. Learning to overcome setbacks builds resilience, a key trait for success in life.

Many physical activities require collaboration, teaching children how to work effectively with others. Teamwork skills are vital for building strong relationships and achieving common goals.

Physical activity releases endorphins, which reduce stress and improve mood.

Being part of a supportive and active community further enhances mental well-being according to the Mayo Clinic In addition, regular exercise can act as a stress reliever, boosting feel-good endorphins and providing a distraction from daily worries. Additionally, strong

community ties among neighbors and residents protect mental health through shared support, resources, and joy.

Combining arts and physical activity camps creates a balanced approach to children’s growth (Lumos Learning). While arts nurture creativity and emotional intelligence, physical activity fosters discipline and teamwork. Together, these programs equip children with a wide range of skills and experiences that prepare them for future challenges.

Parents and educators seeking to provide enriching opportunities for their children should consider integrating arts and physical activity camps into their schedules. These camps not only create lasting memories but also lay the groundwork for a lifetime of learning, growth, and success.

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THIS WEEK AROUND F.C. Thursday, Jan. 16 Passport Music Festival January 10 – February 1, 2025 Creative Cauldron 410 S Maple Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA Creative Cauldron’s popular “Passport Music Festival” concert series is back again for the 14th year. The festival features music from some of the most talented and diverse musicians in the DMV and beyond!

The Series is curated by Wammy Awardwinning artists Ken Avis and Lynn Veronneau. Launching on January 10 and running through February 1, 2025, the series highlights folk, Latin, jazz, soul, blues, and world music, with many fusion bands that blend musical styles. Tier One Seats $30, Tier 2 Seats $25, Table for 2 $90 (includes two glasses of wine), ​Table for 4 $180 (includes one bottle of wine) ​Live Stream $15 Obtain tickets at creativecauldron.org Arts and Humanities Council of FC Meeting 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Falls Church City Hall 300 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Dogwood Room A & B Falls Church Fiber Artists 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Drop in for this informal weekly group to knit and crochet. Share what you're creating. Get advice from other knitters and crocheters. Or just chat while you work on your own project! All are welcome.

Walk-In Tech Clinic 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Thomas Jefferson Library 7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042 A library volunteer will be available every Thursday from 10:00-11:00 AM to help with your tech issues. Please bring your device if possible. Adults.

Open Playtime 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Oakton Library 10304 Lynnhaven Pl, Oakton, VA 22124 Want a safe and warm place to meet up with friends and play? Look no further! Oakton Library is hosting an open play time for ages 0-5 with caregivers.

We have a variety of toys, Duplos, and Playdoh for your little ones to play with.

Research shows that unstructured, selfdirected PLAY is essential for little ones’ healthy development, so come and check out Oakton Library on Thursday mornings!

Paris 1874 Drop-In Discussion 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

National Gallery of Art - East Building 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20565 Impressionism is incredible – let's meet up to discuss! After you visit Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment, drop by the Cascade Café to talk about the exhibition with fellow art lovers. Each table will have a different prompt to spark conversation on your thoughts on the exhibition, why you’re drawn to impressionism, the ways our lives connect to the lives of the artists, and more.

Have a burning question about impressionism? We have you covered at the “Ask Us” table, facilitated by members of our staff.

Human Services Advisory Council of FC 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Falls Church City Hall 300 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Dogwood Rooms A & B Puzzle Exchange 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

One More Page Books 2200 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213 Have you already finished the puzzles you just received and want some new challenges? Bring in the puzzles you no longer want and exchange them with others for the puzzles they no longer want. You get some new (to you) puzzles and the chance to talk with other puzzlers. If you happen to wander over to our puzzle nook and see something new, you'd like to purchase, we won't dissuade you.

Solace Outpost Trivia Night 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Solace Outpost 444 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046 Join us for live trivia every Tuesday and Thursday presented by Pour House Trivia! Come drink, eat and win! First place teams: $30 gift card. Second place teams: $20 gift card.

Friday, Jan. 17 Grey Skies Blue: Live Performance John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566 Dance and theater merge in SHAPESHIFT’s Grey Skies Blue. Join a group of friends as they uncover personal truths through dynamic movement in an inspiring show that resonates with audiences of all ages. Multiple performance times from 1/17/25 - 1/19/25.

Buy tickets on www.kennedy-center.org

Bouncin' Babies Storytime 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

George Mason Regional Library 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 Bond with your baby while you enjoy short stories, songs and lapsit activities in this interactive story time. For children birth - 18 months with adult. Registration is required. Register with Fairfax County Public Libraries at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library

Gérard Valcin, RaRaband 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Virtual Gérard Valcin's RaRaband is the inspiration for this interactive conversation. Join us for a one-hour virtual session and share your observations, interpretations, questions, and ideas about this work of art. These conversations will encourage you to engage deeply with art, with others, and with the world around you as you hone skills in visual literacy and perspective-taking. The program is free, open to the public, and is designed for everyone interested in talking about art.

No art or art history background is required.

Ages 18 and over. Register at www.nga.gov

Winter Storytime 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 For ages 18 months to 4 years with a caregiver, younger siblings are welcome. Join our children’s librarians for songs, stories, and rhymes! To register email: juv@fallschurchva.gov

Wetland at Dusk Walk 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Huntley Meadows Park 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22306 Join Park naturalists for a relaxing stroll through the park's forest and wetland paths.

Look and listen to wildlife settling down or waking up during the transition of day to night.

Register with Fairfax County Park Author-

ity www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks. Price: $10.00 Meridian High Boys Basketball vs Skyline Hawks 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Meridian High School 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043 JV team plays at 6:30 p.m., Varsity plays at 7:45 p.m.

Campfire Fridays 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Hidden Pond Nature Center 8511 Greeley Blvd, West Springfield, VA 22152 Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Price: $10.00 Register with Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks Cecily - "Soul Music for a Better World" Live Performance 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Creative Cauldron 410 S Maple Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 DC's soul songstress conjures dreams of a better world through her original compositions and a repertoire of classics by Donny Hathaway, Phyllis Hyman, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Minnie Ripperton & Stevie Wonder.

Buy tickets at www.creativecaudron.org

Saturday, Jan. 18 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March for Unity and Freedom 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tinner Hill Road Tinner Hill Rd, Falls Church, VA Join us on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Tinner Hill Civil Rights Monument as we come together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This in-person event will feature a march for unity and freedom followed by a program honoring Dr. King's contributions to the civil rights movement. Don't miss this opportunity to show your support for equality and justice for all. For more information: www.tinnerhill.org

"Get Stronger" using the kettlebell swing, deadlift, squat and press. There's no experience necessary and the class is scalable to suit individual ability levels. Contact Information functionalfitnessva@gmail.com Animal Adaptations 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Lake Accotink Park 7500 Accotink Park Rd, Springfield, VA 22150 4-Adult) Many animals have unusual physical and behavioral adaptations that enable them to get a meal or to keep from being a meal. Compare and contrast the adaptations of deer, owls, squirrels and turtles in this variation on a popular school field trip. Registration required for children and adults. The program is outdoors. Price: $8.00 Register with Fairfax County Park Authority www. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks Astronomy Festival 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Turner Park Farm Observatory 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA 22066 Enjoy activities including guided star gazing, looking through the telescope, and listening to ancient stories about the constellations around the campfire. Participate in other activities and games throughout the evening. Hot chocolate included with price of registration. Canceled if it is raining or snowing. Price: $10.00 Register with Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ parks Collage Dance Collective presents “RISE” 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

McLean Community Center 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101 “RISE”, is inspired by the words of civil rights leader and pioneer, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” which was delivered at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn. on April 3, 1968. As we commemorate more than 56 years since Dr. King’s passing, this thought-provoking ballet is both a reflection of what we have overcome and envision where we go from here. Students enrolled in MCC’s dance program, led by Art in Motion, will also perform in “RISE” alongside the professional touring company. $25/$20 students and seniors/$15 MCC district residents. Buy tickets at www.mcleancenter.org

Adapted Park Explorers 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park 5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 (6-11 years) See the best that our park has to offer with topics that fit your interests. Explore different features of the park with hands-on science and nature activities tailored to young people with disabilities. Topics vary by date. Parents must be accessible during the program but are not required to register. Price: $8.00 Register with Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

Project Locrea: Live Performance 7:30pm – 7:45pm Creative Cauldron 410 S Maple Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Stunning arrangements and musicianship from Passport to the World favorites. Led by Yana Nikol (Bulgaria), the band features musicians from Ethiopia, Argentina, China, Brazil and the US, performing a boundary-less, magical fusion of music from around the world. Buy tickets at www.creativecauldron.org

Animal Tea Party 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Frying Pan Farm Park 2709 West Ox Rd, Herndon, VA 20171 (4-7 yrs.) Join us for a cozy tea party on the farm.

Bring your favorite stuffed animal, help us decorate the party and read a story. We will enjoy drinks and cookies in a special environmentally friendly tea set and meet one of our animals. Sign up for sessions starting at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Price: $10.00 Register with Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

American Sign Language Class 10:30am – 11:30am Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Interested in learning American Sign Language? Come learn from members of the Meridian High School American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS). This four-session series of classes is intended for beginners. ASLHS aims to enhance the learning experience for ASL learners by engaging in service-learning projects that benefit the ASL community. Email: psullivan@fallschurchva.gov

Monthly Free Kettlebell Intro Class 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Functional Fitness VA 2840 Graham Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042 Come learn the basics for free! Join us for our monthly, free introduction to kettlebell fundamentals. We'll teach you how to "Move Better" and

Sunday, Jan. 19

Mr. Weather Bear 1:00pm – 2:00pm Riverbend Park Visitor's Center 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA 22066 2-5 years) With the help of Mr. Bear, learn about the weather with a felt-board story,

bubble play, an ice cube race and songs.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Price: $10.00 Register with Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks John Holiday, Countertenor Live Performance 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Barns at Wolf Trap 1635 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 Wolf Trap Opera alumnus John Holiday (’14) has established himself as “one of the finest countertenors of his generation” (Los Angeles Times). Holiday enjoys an international career singing with opera companies such as the Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper (Munich), and Lyric Opera of Chicago, among others. Now, he returns to The Barns to sing works

by Price, Bonds, Robert L. Morris, Gershwin, and more. Buy tickets at www.wolftrap.org Shenandoah Run 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Creative Cauldron 410 S Maple Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Shenandoah Run is a nine-member folk ensemble from the Washington, DC area.

Formed in 2011, the band performs traditional and contemporary folk music in a manner that delights a diverse mix of music lovers of all ages.​Showcasing the spirited sounds of Americana, along with the occasional country or bluegrass tune, and delivers a rousing mix of music and styles. The members' vocal and instrumental savvy, coupled with a strong desire to keep folk music alive and fresh, are key to the group's success. Buy tickets at www.creativecauldron.org DC Great Guitars: Live Performance 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Creative Cauldron 410 S Maple Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Three of DC’s jazz guitar greats, Jan Knutson, Steve Abshire & Steve Herberman are back again for a night of jazz guitar! Acclaimed musicians, when they perform together, this trio’s sparks really start to fly, as they tackle swing, jazz and blues like you've never heard before.

Buy tickets at www.creativecauldron.org

Monday, Jan. 20 Parkinson's Foundation Communications Club 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Virtual The Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. The club is not therapy, but rather, it is an exercise group designed to improve volume. The approach helps people speak loudly and clearly to make themselves heard. Contact Information: Kayla Peters at kpeters@kensingtonsl.com Planet Adventure Night 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The Turner Park Farm Observatory 925 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066 6-Adult: This program is a tour of the planets and moons of our Solar System which are viewable in the current night sky. The classroom discussion is followed by an observatory session of planets and the stars beyond in telescopes, weather permitting.

No knowledge of astronomy is needed, just an interest in learning about the universe.

The course is held in rain or clear skies in the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner Farm Park. Children must be accompanied by an adult also registered in the program. Price: $8.00 Register with Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

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THIS WEEK AROUND F.C. Tuesday, Jan. 21

reach out to us anytime to schedule a convenient no-cost coaching session at goelectricdmv.org.

Quinn's Jewelry Verbal Appraisal Day 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Quinn's Auction Galleries 360 S Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046 Sign up for a "Verbal Appraisal" slot if you would like a free verbal evaluation of your pieces from our jewelry specialist, Stephen Silvia, before possibly consigning. There will be staff on hand to assist you if you choose to consign on the spot! For these appointments, please allow one 30-minute time slot for every 15 pieces of jewelry you want to review. (Ex. for 28 pieces, sign up for two consecutive time slots.) If the time slots shown don’t work for you, please email us at info@quinnsauction. com to schedule an alternate appointment.

Poetry Circle 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 If you write or just love reading poetry, you are invited to join this monthly, in-person poetry circle! Facilitated by group members, we each bring in our own work or the work of other poets to share with the group. The emphasis is on reflection and response rather than critique or “workshopping.” Please contact Rachel Clark, the volunteer coordinator, to register: vzexw6az@verizon.net

Chamber of Commerce Networking Luncheon 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Italian Cafe 7161 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22046 Join us at Italian Cafe with a kick start to living a healthy year! Local experts in different fields have pulled together their best information and tips. The presenters are: Kathy Paczak, Wellness Coach with Healthy Lives Journey; Kevin Moran, Personal Trainer with Alloy Personal Training; Dr. Sheila Ziglari, Physical Therapist with Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers; Aaron Abreu, Leadership and Executive Coach with Cognitus Leadership and Executive Coaching. Register www.fallschurchchamber.org Armchair Travel: Tahiti & French Polynesia 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 We will be meeting in the Upper-Level Conference Room of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library to continue our "travels." Join us the third Tuesday, January through December, at 1:30 p.m. to discover new places from the comfort of your chair. Escape the winter chills and experience the rich sea life, crystal blue waters, and vibrant cultures of Tahiti and French Polynesia. To register email: bmeadows@fallschurchva.gov Gretchen W. Rogers' Five O'Clock 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Virtual Join us as we sketch inspired by Gretchen W. Rogers' Five O'Clock. The National Gallery of Art teaching artists lead free, 30-minute sketches inspired by works of art from the National Gallery’s collection. Add new drawings to your sketchbook or just doodle along with us as we explore a different prompt each session. All you need is a pencil and paper. We encourage you to bring colored pencils, crayons, markers, or paints as well, but these are optional. Sketchbook Club is recommended for families with children of all ages. Free but registration is required. Register at www.nga.gov.

The Falls Church Climate Action Network and Go Electric DMV. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 A recently formed community based group of coaches offering free electrification coaching, will be hosting a “Meet Your Local Coaches” event. We invite the community to come out, meet your neighborhood coaches, and learn about the many benefits of home electrification.

Plan for a smooth electrification journey. The key to a successful transition to electric appliances is having a plan in place before failures occur. We're here to help! Join us on the 21st, or

Spanish Conversation Group 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Adults looking to practice their Spanish speaking skills are welcome to join us for a conversation group led by Jaqui Ferrara, a certified Spanish instructor with Arlington Public Schools. Join us and meet up with other foreign language speakers to practice and improve your skills. These meetings are a casual, conversational format. To register email: lchavez@fallschurchva.gov Learn More about the Junior League of Northern Virginia 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Virtual The Junior League of Northern Virginia is a dynamic group of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Want to learn more about becoming a member? Join one of our upcoming virtual information sessions! Visit www.jlnv.org/membership/how-to-join The Del McCoury Band: Live Performance 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The Barns At Wolf Trap 1635 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182, USA From traditional bluegrass that charmed honkytonks and the Grand Ole Opry, to the present-day buzz of viral videos, Del McCoury has maintained a legacy like few others. The Del McCoury Band, which includes McCoury’s sons Ronnie and Rob, delights and welcomes a growing musical community while advancing bluegrass music and heritage. Multiple performances from 1/21/25 to 1/26/25. Buy tickets at www.wolftrap.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 22 Sleepy Hollow Preschool Open House 9:30 a,m. – 10:15 a.m.

Sleepy Hollow Preschool 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 Guided tours with current parents (9:3010:15am) will be followed by a leadership presentation/ Q&A (10:15-10:45 a.m.). No RSVP necessary and children are welcome to attend. Applications will be accepted for the upcoming school year. Email info@sleepyhollowpreschool.org with any questions and find more info at sleepyhollowpreschool. org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pup Days at Meadowlark 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182 Enjoy Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with your favorite canine on our special Pup Days at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on select Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to

4 p.m. Dogs are $6 each. Human admission is $8 for ages 18-54, $4 for ages 55 and older and ages 6-17. Children age 5 and younger are free. Garden members and their dogs are free. One dog per adult. Guests of garden member's dogs are $6. Register with novaparks@nvrpa.org Body Dynamics Class: Dance Fitness 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Body Dynamics Inc 410 S Maple Ave #100, Falls Church, VA 22046 A 55-minute dance class for all levels. No previous experience necessary. Dynamic warm-up, mobility and stability challenges, aerobic challenges, all through the lens of a lively dance class. Emphasis will be placed on use of proper body mechanics to facilitate increased body awareness.

Each class will devote time to learning a dance combination which challenges the dancer to develop their own style of movement! Contact Information: Gwynn Hegyi at ghegyi@bodydynamicsinc.com

joy a group discussion of books of mystery and suspense by famous and lesser-known authors from the Golden Age of Mysteries.

Meetings will be held every other month, usually on the 4th Wednesday of that month.

We have been holding Hybrid meetings; you can join in-person or via zoom. To register email: ealbrecht@fallschurchva.gov Sangha, Mantra & Philosophy 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Karma Yoga: Classes, Community & Retreats 246-A W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046 Sangha night is free to join, bring your own food or snacks to share. We start with a mantra and close with a philosophy reading and discussion. Each week there will be a different topic.

Sangha means "community" is community led, meaning you can volunteer to choose the topic and lead sangha. Free to join. Please bring food or drink to share (vegetarian, no alcohol) Please park behind the studio and walk up the

stairs. If you enter from West Broad Street, please ring the doorbell or come around back.

Inside My Head: The Musical 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center 8270 Alumni Dr, College Park, MD 20742 This one-man show by Broadway pianist Zak Sandler (Mean Girls, Wicked) begins with Zak’s first manic and depressive episodes during his junior year at Yale University. On stage, the pre-recorded voices of Zak’s mania and depression sing to him like they’re inside his head. This groundbreaking, onenight-only production will take each of us on a personal journey to examine the deepest, most vulnerable parts of ourselves— the ones we may not want others to see— and reveal how we can move from shame and denial to self-love and acceptance. To register go to https://namimd.org/inside-myhead-the-musical Ticket Pricing: $20-$100

Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Most of us are always on the go in some capacity, tasking ourselves to keep things running smoothly or remedying situations that aren’t going as we hoped. The practice of mindfulness meditation gives us the skills to step out of our habitual mode of doing, and allows us to have mindful recognition of what is present here and now.

In our group setting we investigate the practical application of bringing mindfulness into our daily lives. Open to beginners and experienced meditators. To register email: psullivan@fallschurchva.gov Honorary Saigon Blvd Signs 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Eden Center Parking Lot 6757 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044 In partnership with Viet Place Collective, the City of Falls Church will officially unveil 3 bilingual “Saigon Boulevard” street signs for the 2-block stretch of Wilson Boulevard within the City (BJ’s to Eden Center). This honorary naming recognizes the social, economic, and cultural impact of the Vietnamese community in Falls Church, Seven Corners, and the greater region. For more information about the event, contact Quynh Nguyen (571-723-4870 • hello@avietplace.org Falls Church Writers Group 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Age Group: High School (Grades 9 - 12), Adults (Ages 18+) A group for local aspiring writers. Share your work, give and receive feedback. All kinds of writing considered.

Bring something that you're working on. Usually meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm. Attend in person or online. To register email: psullivan@fallschurchva.gov Golden Era Mystery Book Club 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 We will be discussing the book Scales of Justice by Ngaio Marsh. Written in 1955 it is a classic English Village whodunit. In the village of Swevenings there are secrets and eccentric characters abounding. When a dead body is discovered at the banks of the river Chyne by Nurse Kettle, there is no doubt it's murder. Roderick Alleyn from Scotland Yard investigates. Come in, get cozy and en-

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

C L AS S I F I E DS

LEGAL NOTICE

ABC NOTICE

SERVICES

Cleaning Services

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

Kajiken Annandale LLC, trading as Little Kajiken Ramen, 6550 K Little River TurnPike, Alexandria, VA 22312, is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Beer and Wine On and Off Premises, Mixed Beverages Restaurant. Kam Wong Authorized Signatory, Kajiken Annandale LLC. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200

DIVORCE-Uncontested, $475+$86 court cost. WILLS-$295.00. No court appearance.

Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook).

757-490-0126. Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. https://hiltonoliverattorneyva.com.

House Cleaning Service

AUCTIONS

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-608-4974

The following public hearing was set at the September 23, 2024 City Council meeting.

Public hearings and possible City Council action are scheduled for Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TR24-30) RESOLUTION TO AMEND CHAPTER 7 OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADD: “BICYCLE MASTER PLAN” The Bicycle Master Plan has a vision for bicycle facilities that provide connections to and between the City’s commercial areas and neighborhoods, transit facilities, schools, regional bicycle facilities, and designated bicycle routes in neighboring jurisdictions for comfortable and safe travel by people of all ages and abilities. The amended Bicycle Master Plan: Connecting Communities, is a guiding document for implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and notes the numerous benefits of enabling bicycling as a safe and accessible form of transportation.

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www.fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings.

The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD PUBLIC HEARING The City of Falls Church Historic Architectural Review Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM in City Hall’s Dogwood Room (first floor), 300 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22043 to consider the following: PROPOSED ALTERATION OF 108 E JEFFERSON ST: Extension of the roof above the front stoop to provide cover.

Information or copies of the proposed alteration can be viewed at the Community Planning and Economic Development Services (CPEDS) counter at City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You may contact the Planning Division at plan@fallschurchva.gov with any questions or concerns.

This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)

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Why I Am Not a Christian Nationalist, Part 3 Nicholas F. Benton FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

As we confront the installation of Trump back into the White House next week, thoughtful and caring Americans are having to load up on whatever means will be required to save the union and democracy through the next four years.

Taking into account all that has gone into the decades leading up to our present state of affairs, a lot of psychological and political factors can be identified. Fear, treachery, sociopathy, misogyny, ignorance, indifference, disinformation, brainwashing, sloth and just plain wrongheadedness have all been at play countering reasonableness, compassion, empathy, common sense and all the natural means by which human beings make sane and informed decisions in their self interest. Enough of the former, the bad stuff, has prevailed over the latter, the good stuff, over time to reach this point.

One of the most significant factors has been an amalgam of the bad stuff that arose since the 1970s that has been labelled “Christian nationalism.”

My own theological education, the requisites for a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) degree from the accredited post-graduate Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif. in 1969, has helped me to discern the rise of this movement, which involved the weaponization of old fashioned religious fundamentalism as a dangerous political phalanx.

From my point of view, this current is, by historic Christian standards, a serious heresy that was allowed to fester and grow because mainstream institutions failed to call it out and do battle against it. A modern day “live and let live” attitude within communities of faith deserves blame for this, for although secular social forces have readily taken issue with it, the world that embraces religious thought and language has had the duty to prevail against false teachings, against heresy, and it has not.

Taking on heresies aggressively was how the fathers of Christianity shaped and built the institutions that carried western humanity through

centuries following the fall of Rome, the Dark Ages, to the point where invention of moveable type and the printing press put right teaching into the hands of the wider populace and made possible the Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment and scientifically-based Constitutional democracy.

Had a multitude of heresies not been taken head on in the first centuries of the early church, being countered with what had to be hammered out as the basis of a true universal faith, all the subsequent steps in the development of western man toward Constitutional democracy would not have been possible.

So did the likes of Clement, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, John of Chrysodom, Jerome and Augustine do fierce moral and intellectual battle with Arianism, Gnosticism, Docetism, Donatism, Ebionites and Apollinariums and more over the course of centuries.

At the risk of oversimplification, the core issue at stake was a faith based on the real life and teachings of the real Jesus of Nazareth, such as found in the Sermon on the Mount and parables, as a model and ground for the ordering of humanity, on the one hand, versus false claims to authority by individual charlatans claiming special revelations and rituals grounded in superficial ephemera.

The adoption of the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, for example, involved a major dispute over the inclusion of what was termed “the filioque,” being the phrase “and the Son,” in the creed. Without that phrase, the door would have been opened to any false preacher to claim direct access to God by way of the Holy Spirit, alone, as many heretics, indeed, did.

But by adding “and the Son,” that is, reference to the concrete, historical figure of Jesus, to the equation, the access to God the Father comes by way not just of any preacher’s “revelations,” but by way of the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth.

It is from this critical clarification of the teaching of the early church that the doctrine of the Trinity was derived.

Today, the charlatans from those early days take the form of preachers who claim their preaching and selected phrases out of a book constitute truth instead of the teachings of the historical Jesus, and based on that, bend their institutions and followers to worship false gods of specific political leaders.

CO MME NT A Penny for Your Thoughts

JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025 | PAGE 13

By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor

Wrest Greenland from Denmark?

Make Canada the 51st state?

Abrogate the Panama Canal Treaty?

Rattling sabers? Or another rise of the 1950s “Ugly American?” One never knows with Donald Trump.

Is he serious, or simply in search of more headlines? It seems the more the media covers such flights of fancy, the more Trump interprets that coverage as validation of his focus.

Just because “everyone” is talking about his comments doesn’t mean they approve of them. Trump likes to launch these shiny objects and then watch the contortions as folks try to follow his latest elusive, often amorphous, ideas.

Following last week’s apocalyptic destruction of urban communities in the Los Angeles wildfires, the new Trump Administration should focus on assisting American neighborhoods with recovery and resilience rather than casting its net to usurp other nations’ land and water. The massive wildfires rival 2018’s Camp Fire that killed 85 people, destroyed more than 30,000 structures, and obliterated Paradise and other small mountain towns. Placing blame wastes precious time and energy when the focus must be on aiding those who lost homes and livelihoods, cleaning up the damage, identifying resources, and rebuilding – lives, structures, community. President Biden’s declaration of funding for firefighters, damage clean up and related costs is helpful, but the long-haul recovery will need much more, from federal, state, and local resources.

As I watched the television cover-

age of the wildfires, and the questions posed to local elected officials, I was reminded of losses sustained here during Hurricane Isabel, the derecho, Tropical Storm Lee, and the floods of July 2019 and 2020. Fire was not an issue, but large swaths of Fairfax County were affected by torrential rains and sustained winds.

In one storm, water systems lost power and back-up procedures failed at the same time, leading to more than a million residents without water. Telecommunications were affected when Verizon’s back-up batteries also failed in a storm, paralyzing 911 calls. Police had to rely on old-fashioned whistle plans that harkened to pre-World War II times to communicate. Property and economic losses from those storms were in the millions, not billions, but many questions centered on why and how emergency plans might have failed.

The honest truth is that, despite repeated disaster drills and exercises, no emergency plan could have predicted that five (or more) massive wildfires would erupt in rapid succession, exacerbated by hurricane force winds with no rain.

Most local government decisions are a matter of balancing needs with available resources (taxpayer dollars). Engineers might be able to design redundant emergency systems and back-ups, but the costs would be enormous, and multiple staff would be needed to maintain the system even if it was not activated, waiting for that unspecified time that the system might be needed.

Critics wondered if upstream res-

ervoirs might have been available; fire authorities said that water supplies were plentiful but the pressure needed to make the water flow to the hydrants was the problem.

Too many straws in the glass is an apt metaphor for what happened. Trump’s call to open up the water main (that doesn’t exist) in Northern California demonstrates an ignorance of hydrology. The natural system of rivers, creeks, and reservoirs in any state provides drinking water to communities, irrigation to agriculture, and moisture to support forests, recreation, and the environment as a whole.

Reservoirs can’t be turned on like a faucet. It can take hours or days for a water release from a reservoir to reach its goal. Case in point: the water co-ops partnered decades ago to build a system of reservoirs on the Potomac, the chief source of drinking water for the region. Little Seneca in Maryland and Jennings Randolph in West Virginia can be drawn down to alleviate drought, but it takes several hours for water from Little Seneca to reach the lowflow gauge at Little Falls, and more than a week for water from Jennings Randolph to reach the same point.

The causes and outcomes of the Los Angeles County wildfires will be debated for many years, and the answers may never be acceptable or agreed upon. What happened is tragic and horrific, with enormous loss of life and property. What is not lost, however, is the community spirit. As fires continue to burn, World Central Kitchen is providing hot meals, volunteers are helping to house lost pets, and donated clothing and supplies are pouring in to assist those who lost everything.

The human spirit is resilient; just how resilient will be tested in the coming days, weeks, and months, in California and across America.

C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h C R I M E R E PO RT Week of January 6 — 12 , 2024 File False Report of Crime, Park Ave, Jan 6, 3:15 p.m., a male, 33, of Annadale, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for File False Report of Crime.

Larceny from Building, S Maple Ave, between 12:22 p.m. on Dec 21, 2024 and 4:00 p.m. on Dec 27, 2024, an unknown suspect stole a package from a mailroom. (Delayed report) Carry Concealed Firearm, S Washington St, Jan 7, 7:42 p.m., police responded to a suspicious circumstances call for service. During the call, a firearm was

found concealed in the suspect’s bag.

Due to the suspect being transported to a medical facility, a warrant for Carry Concealed Firearm was obtained.

Failure to Appear, S Washington St, Jan 8, 5:24 p.m., a male, 67, of no fixed address, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear.

Public Intoxication, E Annandale Rd, Jan 10, 1:11 a.m., a male, 41, of Manassas Park, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Assault and Batter Law Enforcement Officer, Disorderly Conduct, and Urinating in Public.

Failure to Appear, Park Ave, Jan 10, 6:05

p.m., a male, 45, of no fixed address, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear.

Shoplifting, Hillwood Ave, Jan 10, 10:46 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise without paying. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’7” to 5’8” in height, roughly 180 pounds, wearing a black puffy jacket and grey sweatpants.

Fraud – Credit Card, W Broad St, Jan 10, 5:20 p.m., victim reported a fraudulent charge was made using their credit card.

Continued on Page 14

PAGE 14 |JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025

LO CA L

Meridian Girls Ride Hot Start In 50-37 Win Over Potomac

by Ryan McCafferty

Meridian High School’s girls’ basketball team had its first home game in nearly a month on Tuesday night, hosting the Potomac Falls Panthers. Thanks to winter break and snow postponements, they hadn’t gotten much practice in recent weeks but did beat District rival Brentsville on the road last Friday, and looked to carry over the momentum.

It was a hot start for Chris Carrico’s squad, with Nora Stufft getting the Mustangs on the board and then Ellie Friesen splashing in a three. Meridian scored the first

seven points and raced out to a 16-1 lead, but any thoughts of this being a Mustang blowout would have to be put on hold. This is a formidable Potomac Falls group, entering the game with a record of 10-1, and they slowly began clawing their way into Meridian’s advantage.

The Panthers earned their first field goal of the game for the first quarter’s final two points, and then after being down 27-13 at halftime, they climbed back within 29-21 midway through the third period.

The Mustangs answered with a 6-1 run to end the quarter, which would extend to an 8-1 run, but

then they gave up the next six as Potomac Falls stayed within striking range. However, after cutting it to 44-37 on a three-pointer late in the fourth, Meridian found itself in control for good as Friesen converted on an and-one to all but ice the game. After tacking on a few late free throws, the Mustangs won by a final score of 50-37, improving their record to 7-3 on the year while staying unbeaten at home.

Friesen led the way with 16 (including three triples) while Stufft and Charlotte Lieu each added 12. The Mustangs will now head to Skyline for a major road test on Friday night.

Meridian Boys Beat Millbrook 75-57 With Big Fourth Quarter

by Ryan McCafferty

Meridian High School’s boys’ basketball team was back in action on Monday night for the second of what’s set to be four home games in eight days, but after walloping Brentsville by 80 (yes, 80) last Friday, this one figured to be much closer. The boys played host to the Pioneers from Millbrook, looking to stay perfect and improve to 9-0.

Things got off to a bit of a sloppy start as the visitors scored the game’s first six points, but the Mustangs quickly regrouped.

Jarrett Jardine got Meridian on the board with a layup and then Isaac Rosenberger scored in transition off of a turnover, and a Will Davis three then gave the home team the lead. Meridian’s run would extend to 12-0 before Millbrook stopped the bleeding, and from

that point on it remained a slim Mustang margin throughout the quarter. Meridian led 24-19 after a frame but the Pioneers fought back to tie things up at 29 midway through the second, which was much lower scoring and a bit heated, with some physical play and a few whistles that had fans from both sides feeling rather animated. The Mustangs ended the half on a 9-3 run, going into the break ahead 38-32.

Millbrook made a couple different runs in the third quarter, but Meridian answered each time. The Mustangs extended their advantage to 48-42 after it was 40-39, and then to 54-48 after it was 48-46, and after going into the fourth quarter up by four, they scored the period’s first eight points to take their first doubledigit lead of the night thanks to

a few tough John Alverson buckets. Millbrook got back within single digits on a three but Davis immediately answered with one of his own, and from that point forward, it was never in doubt. The Mustangs pulled away to a final tally of 75-57, marking the closest they’ve been challenged ever since beating Spotswood 64-49 on December 7th.

“It was good for us to be tested,” said head coach Jim Smith postgame. Smith noted that his team played “too individually” in the first half, but then once they began moving the ball around more and particularly got Alverson more involved, they were able to pull away.

The Mustangs will have a marquee matchupFriday, when they host fellow Northwestern District heavyweight Skyline.

Public Intoxication, N Washington St, Jan 10, 11:48 p.m., a female, 45, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

Fraud – Credit Card, Park Ave, Jan 11, 11:23 a.m. victim reported funds were

withdrawn from their account due to a fraudulent check. Simple Assault, S Washington St, Jan 5, 9:19 a.m., victim reported they were assaulted by a coworker following a disagreement.

Simple Assault, Chanel Ter, Jan 5, 5:56 p.m., victim reported they were assaulted by their girlfriend during a disagreement.

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JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025 | PAGE 15

Skaters Head to the Heartland With NoVa Names Prominent

by Lois Elfman

The 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships get underway on Monday, January 20th, in Wichita, Kansas, and the competition will be fierce. With the next Olympic Winter Games only a little more than a year away, skaters are looking to position themselves for success. Several skaters with ties to Northern Virginia will be in the mix, with training mates Ilia Malinin and Sarah Everhardt playing key roles in their respective events.

For this article, we are going to look at the four events in the senior division—men, women, pairs and ice dance. To help us with insight into the strengths and weaknesses of various competitors, we’ve enlisted a twotime Olympian who is now a coach, Meagan Duhamel. After early success as a singles skater, Duhamel switched to pairs, winning a record seven Canadian pairs titles with former partner Eric Radford. They also won two World titles and three Olympic medals.

Obviously, the event that will shine the brightest spotlight on Northern Virginia is the senior men’s event, which includes twotime U.S. Champion Ilia Malinin, who grew up in Vienna and trains in Reston. At the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships, Malinin skated a historic free skate that included six quadruple jumps and established a new world record score. Last fall, he won four international competitions, including the ISU Grand Prix Final.

“His skating really draws you in,” said Duhamel. “You can sense the performance for the audience and the energy he’s giving off. The quads seemingly come out of nowhere. There are a lot of transitions directly into the elements. To me, he has the big wow factor. I love the enhanced commitment to performance that he’s brought to his skating this year.”

The U.S. has three men’s spots for the 2025 World Championships, and the competition is pretty open for second and third place.

Two-time Olympian Jason Brown finished the 2023-24 season with a fifth place finish at Worlds, but his competitive results this season have been disappointing, failing to make the podium at either of his Grand Prix events.

“Anybody who’s watched skating this year has seen Jason’s struggle,” said Duhamel. “He can get away without the quads, but he needs the triple Axel and he needs those other triples clean and maximized. Hopefully, the technical work has been done and he’ll forever be a crowd favorite.”

While familiar names like Camden Pulkinen, Maxim Naumov and Andrew Torgashev will be in the mix, many eyes will be on rising talent Jacob Sanchez. He dominated the Junior Grand Prix last fall, winning three competitions, including the Final. This will be his senior national debut and Duhamel is ready to see him dazzle.

“I love him,” she said. “It will be fun to see who steps up for that number two spot at Nationals because I see it wide open.”

The frontrunner for senior women is reign-

ing champion Amber Glenn. She won four competitions last fall, including the ISU Grand Prix Final.

“She’s developed a consistency, at least in the short program, that we haven’t seen from her before,” said Duhamel. “She’s making the triple Axel look so easy. She’s really engaged in her performances, and— especially with Worlds in Boston this season—she’s been building her momentum and it’s been really exciting. For sure she’s going to be the girl to beat, but this is the first time she’ll ever have to defend a title, and that’s a different ballgame. We’ll see how she manages that.”

There are several women competing for podium spots. One of the contenders should be the 2023 U.S. Champion and reigning World silver medalist Isabeau Levito. But after a third-place finish at Skate America, she withdrew from her other Grand Prix and has been under the radar since then.

Other senior women to consider are twotime champion Bradie Tennell, Josephine Lee, Starr Andrews, Lindsay Thorngren, two-time champion Alysa Liu, back in competition after a two-year hiatus, and Malinin’s training mate Sarah Everhardt, who is also coached in Reston by Malinin’s parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov.

“It’s going to come down to the jump rotations for so many of them, getting those jumps called cleanly rotated,” said Duhamel. “If I were to pick a World team for the U.S., I’d put Sarah on it. She’s consistent and reliable, and I think under pressure at Nationals she will keep a strong head and deliver. She doesn’t have the wow factor, the difficult choreography, transitions and performance capability, but she’s consistent and she usually rotates her jumps.”

In pairs, the defending champions Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea have shown considerable improvement, winning medals at their two Grand Prix events and earning a spot in the Final. Duhamel’s husband, Bruno Marcotte, has been part of their coaching team, and she’s seen their hard work firsthand.

“This year, they’ve kind of separated themselves from the pack by landing throws, developing more consistency, and they maximize their opportunities,” said Duhamel.

There are only two spots on the World team for pairs, and several teams will try to earn it. Among those are Emily Chan and Spencer Howe, who have struggled since their fifth-place finish at the 2023 World Championships. Another strong team is Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov.

Ice dance has been the most consistent discipline for the United States for the past 20 years, earning at least one spot on the World Championships medal podium 16 times since 2005. Madison Chock and Evan Bates come to these U.S. Championships the two-time and defending World Champions and five-time and defending U.S. Champions.

The likely silver medalists will be Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who have really stepped up their game the past two years. In the fall, they won medals at four international competitions and showed increased confidence each time they take the ice.

As the U.S. has three berths, there will be a ferocious battle for the bronze medal and third spot on the World team. At least three teams—Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville, Caroline Green and Michael Parsons and Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik—have a shot at the bronze.

Although the new team of Vanessa Pham and Anton Spiridonov are not in that position as yet, they are hoping to make an impression that puts them on the path toward medal contention. Spiridonov spent several years of his youth living in Northern Virginia and returned to the area for training as an adult. Although he and Pham now train in Montreal, he still feels a connection to the area. His parents, who now live in Florida, were coaches in NoVa and his mother trained him in ice dance at the start of his competitive days.

“I’ve always had my own personality; I don’t find it difficult to find my own path and direction in my style of skating,” said Spiridonov. “I find it easy to be myself on the ice…especially in this new training environment. [Coaches] Marie-France

Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon see the best in you and they allow that to come out.”

Spiridonov draws inspiration from Chock and Bates, who train with the same coaches, and feels motivated to cultivate a style with Pham and put out strong performances. He’s looking forward to showing how they’ve gelled as a team over the last seven months.

DEFENDING US CHAMPION Ilia Malinin. (Photo: Melanie Heaney/U.S. Figure Skating )

PAGE 16 | JANUARY 16 - 22

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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2025 Camry LE

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9:00am-8:00pm Monday-Friday, 11:00am-6:00pm Sunday www.Billpagetoyota.com 2923 Annandale Rd, Falls Church VA 22042

For more special prices, please visit billpagetoyota.com! *All pricing includes discounts and incentives available to customers. All pricing excludes taxes, tags, title and dealer processing charge of $895.00. Vehicle availability to subject to prior sale.

Please contact dealer to verify price, options, and other vehicle details. Special APR on select models only and is subject to credit approval. See dealer for details.