Falls Church News-Press January 7, 2010

Januar y 7 - 13, 2010

Falls Church, Vi r g i n i a • w w w . fc n p . c o m • Free

Founded 1991 • Vo l . XI X N o . 45

Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads

Inside This Week Bulova: ‘Don’t Shift Burden To Localities’

Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova urged numerous state senators and delegates to avoid making deep cuts in the state budget by passing on expenses to county and city jurisdictions.

See page 4

F.C. Senior Housing Plan Advances

The Falls Church Housing Corporation and its partner, The Community Builders, Inc., will seek a first-reading approval from the City Council Monday for a revamped “City Center South Apartments” senior affordable housing project.

See News Briefs, page 7

Helen Thomas: Obama’s Honeymoon Is Over

The chorus of loud criticism of President Obama is a reminder that every new occupant of the White House has a presidential learning curve.

Fairfax Judge Orders F.C. to Halt Water Fund Transfers Already-Hurting F.C. Budget to Be Savaged

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The Falls Church City Hall was hit with a massive jolt at 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon, as a ruling by a Fairfax Circuit Court judge rolled off the fax machine in the City Manager’s office enjoining the City against using $2.2 million in revenues from its water fund for

the current fiscal year and going forward.

The impact will be crushing for the City, which already faces a $7.5 million revenue shortfall, amounting to over 11 percent of its total budget due to collapsed real estate values and associated factors related to the recession.

The $2.2 million annual “return on investment” (ROE) from the

water fund, reflecting a practice the City has engaged in since 2003, amounts to about seven cents on the real estate tax rate.

“This is big. This is the biggest thing we’ve ever encountered,” a shell-shocked Barbara Gordon, Falls Church’s director of public information, intoned to the NewsPress in a phone call late yesterday.

“We’re trying to figure out our options,” City Manager Wyatt Shields subsequently told the News-Press. “Honestly, we don’t yet know the full implications of this.”

He said the matter would definitely come up for discussion at this Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting, as the Council may have to undertake emergency measures to address the court rulContinued on Page 4

Ne w Ye a r ’ s S m o o c h

See page 12

‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’

Terry Gilliam’s phantasmagorical extravaganza about a traveling magic-maker trying to escape a deal he made for immortality with the devil in exchange for his daughter. See page 22

Index

Editorial..................2 Letters................2, 8 Community News & Notes..............10-11 Comment........12-15 Business News & Notes...................16 Sports.............18-19 Calendar.........20-21 Roger Ebert....22-23

Restaurant Spotlight ............................26 Comics, Sodoku & Crossword...........29 Classified Ads......30 Business & Services Directory..............31 Critter Corner.......32 Business Listing..33 City Focus......34-35

A ROMANTIC GREETING for the New Year and decade accompanied the dropping of the historic Falls Church lighted star in downtown Falls Church last Thursday night, when inclement weather could not prevent a joyful celebration at the stroke of midnight. See more photos on Page 9. (Photo: Gary Mester)

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January 7 - 13, 2010

EDITORIAL

As F.C. Enters A New Decade

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An Independent & Certified Newspaper Of Record Serving Northern Virginia

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Founded in 1991

Vol. XIX, No. 45 January 7 - 13, 2010 • 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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Coming into the new year, and the new decade, the City of Falls Church has some promising developments that could give it a leg up on now more-sorely-than-ever needed economic revitalization.

• The first is the BJ’s Wholesale Warehouse, which is under construction on Wilson Blvd. and expected to be open for a brisk sales career this summer. Being the only BJ’s to serve this affluent region of Northern Virginia, it will be a magnet for shoppers travelling some considerable distances to spend lots of money.

• The second is the much-anticipated Mad Fox Brew Pub that is moving into the next phase of its build-out of the location at 440 W. Broad Street. Washington, D.C.’s storied City Paper cited the decision to open at this location as among the five “most influential local happenings in the beer scene of 2009” for the entire D.C. Metropolitan area. We believe it will serve, like BJ’s, as a magnet to draw not only customers and their dollars from far and wide, but also additional retail businesses who will desire to be near it, all to the betterment of Falls Church’s fiscal bottom line.

• The third is the new, made-over senior affordable-housing project, The Wilden, that will come before the City Council for a preliminary approval this Monday night. It is considerably more modest than its earlier incarnation, with half the units than in the original plan. But this is largely due to an indefinite stall of the $315 million City Center plan, due to the economic decline, that provided a generous proffer to help the project. In the current, moribund multiple-unit residential construction environment, this will project buck that trend, putting construction cranes and workers to the business of helping to fulfill some of the City’s commitment to affordable housing.

Other smaller, but popular, restaurant and service offerings are on the verge of moving into Falls Church, as well. More good news includes the promise of City Hall playing a role in promoting the annual Washington Area Music Awards ceremony at the State Theatre next month, and the fact that the City enters the new decade with a brand new logo and “brand,” a delightful if predictably controversial “The Little City” campaign.

It helps to recall what Falls Church looked like along its commercial corridors less than a decade ago. There was no Broadway, no Byron, no Spectrum, no Read Building, no Flower Building, and on S. Maple, no Pearson Square.

The Broadway, in September 2001 approved as the first of the bunch, was the decade-long abandoned AdCom building. The Byron was an underperforming Red Lobster. The Spectrum was a vacant lot. The Read Building was a car repair shop. The Flower Building was a couple of dilapidated houses. Pearson Square was a duck-pin bowling alley and little more.

Falls Church came a long way in the past decade, and is now well poised to be at the front end of the inevitable overall economic recovery, however slow that might be in coming.

Letters to the Editor

Chavern Gets it Right About Budget Challenges Editor,

You should introduce letterwriter Richard C. LaVelle (FCNP December 31) “F.C. Leaders Seem Destined for Tax Hike”) to David Chavern (“Future of Falls Church at Stake in Upcoming Election”).

Mr. Chavern gets things right, noting that budget choices are hard and that it’s challenging paying for needed/wanted services. On the other hand, Mr. LaVelle advocates

magic math, for the Council to “get their creative juices working, then identify and implement a cost reduction of at least 10%” without raising taxes or cutting services.

It’s easy to suggest vague reductions in inefficiencies and fat; it’s harder to manage an actual budget.

We get the services we pay for. I live in Fairfax County just outside Falls Church. With painful cuts made and expected in public safety,

Platform 1. Keep the news clean and fair.

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6. Give “value received” for every dollar you take in.

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

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The News-Press is delivered to every household and many businesses in the City of Falls Church (22046), and to many homes and businesses (but not all) in the adjacent 22041, 22042, 22043, 22044 and 22205 zip codes. Its total circulation of 30,500 per issue is greater than any other newspaper in the distribution area, including dailies. For complete advertising information, call us or check out our web site.

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www.FCNP.com schools, transportation, libraries, parks, and other essential government services, it’s hard for me to understand citizen unwillingness to pay for services that have made this area a pleasant place to live.

Related to budget cuts is the Editorial comment about many in the City being spoiled by services provided, as contrasted to Fairfax County, “where whole neighborhoods are often left stranded for days by major storms.” Essentially all Fairfax roads are maintained and plowed by VDOT, not the County (and this is why there’s talk of Fairfax becoming a city, to manage its roads). So it’s hardly a County failing when roads aren’t plowed. And VDOT funding/staffing cuts make it hard to plow roads

ONLINE

with phantom workers and imaginary equipment. Again, there’s a disconnect between the reality of reduced government funding and services government can provide.

We get the services we pay for.

Gabriel Goldberg Falls Church

Watch Night: F.C.’s Is Like None Other Editor,

A warm thanks to the NewPress and so many others for your proactive support of our Little More Letters on Page 6

January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 3

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Page 4

F.C. Takes Hit Continued from Page 1

ing.

In his 13-page written ruling issued yesterday, Fairfax Circuit Court Judge R. Terrence Ney ruled the City of Falls Church policy of taking an annual ROE from its water fund is in violation of the Falls Church City Charter and constitutes an “unconstitutional tax” on its water customers, both in Falls Church and Fairfax County.

The Falls Church water system serves over 120,000 customers, the majority of whom are in the Merrifield, Tysons Corner, McLean and Langley regions of the Fairfax County.

“While the City has the utmost respect for Judge Ney, we are very disappointed in the ruling,” Shields said in a written statement issued late yesterday.

“We are reviewing the ruling with legal counsel and examining all options including the filing of an appeal,” he stated. The F.C. City Hall press release added that Shields “noted that the General

January 7 - 13, 2010

Assembly has authorized cities throughout the commonwealth to transfer utility fund proceeds to the general fund, as a reasonable return on investment and compensation for the financial risk born by their tax payers.”

The dispute between Falls Church, with its 11,400 residents, and Fairfax County, with over a million, had its roots in a sudden move by the county’s water system in 2007 to violate a longstanding, if informal, boundary understanding for providing water services between the two entities.

When the county began to solicit new developments for its water business in the traditional Falls Church water marketing territory, the City took legal measures to protect its interests, which failed in court.

Subsequently, just over a year ago, the county filed a countersuit against Falls Church alleging interference with its attempt to selectively provide water service for customers in Falls Church’s traditional service area. Moreover, it went further, adding the charge that the City’s practice of taking an ROE from its water system was unconstitutional. Its suit also

called for $21 million in damages, a matter that the court will not consider until next month.

In the seven-day trial at the Fairfax Circuit Court last September, attorneys for the City of Falls Church charged that the county “is trying to push us out of the water business.”

Additional counts in the case, regarding antitrust claims in the suit pertaining to the county’s alleged mandate that developers receive zoning approvals from the county only if they sign up with Fairfax Water, will be heard beginning Feb. 1.

Judge Ney’s ruling cited the City Charter, noting “the Charter has always made clear that the water rates were to be set so that anticipated receipts equaled anticipated expenses without resulting in a surplus created by the rates, themselves.”

Further, he stated, “A positive difference between expenses and revenues constitutes a tax,” adding that Falls Church “imposes this tax primarily on persons who do not elect representatives or themselves sit on the City’s governing board. Indeed, 92 percent of that transfer was funded by Fairfax

How should Falls Church respond to the ruling in the water case?

• Appeal in court

• Declare bankruptcy

• Slash the budget

• Raise water rates/taxes

• All of the above

• Other

Vote on-line at www.FCNP.com Last Week’s Question: How long do your New Year’s resolutions usually last?

The FCNP On-Line polls are surveys, not scientific polls.

County customers who are not represented on the Falls Church City Council. The Court finds that the profits derived from the rates charged to Fairfax County residents violate the principle of ‘no taxation without representation,’ and thus amount to an unconstitutional tax.”

In his final decree, the judge orders that “the City of Falls Church is enjoined from transferring any moneys from its water fund to its general fund for purposes unrelated to the water system, including the ‘management fee’ transfer, for the City’s fiscal years 2009 and 2010.”

January 7 - 13, 2010

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Bulova Urges State Legislators Not to Shift Burden to Localities

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

Speaking to a sold-out Fairfax County Democratic Committee “Road to Richmond” brunch in Springfield Sunday, Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova urged the numerous state senators and delegates present to avoid making deep cuts in the state budget by passing on expenses to county and city jurisdictions.

Citing Fairfax County’s anticipated $316 million budget shortfall going into the new year, with an added $176 million shortfall confronting the county’s school system, Bulova urged the state legislature, also facing a $4 billion shortfall at the state level, to consider three “principles” as she outlined them: 1. don’t shift the state’s shortfall burden to localities, 2. don’t make long-

term structural changes in the relationship between the state and localities and 3. don’t shift the socalled “Composite Index” to the disadvantage of Fairfax County and other regional jurisdictions.

“I am hopeful that a year from now, we will be able to say that, in the face of the budget difficulties, we took care of people and funded the things that mattered most,” she said.

Falls Church’s two representatives in Richmond, State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple and State Del. Jim Scott, each represented their delegations from the region in remarks to the function.

Whipple said that Gov, Tim Kaine’s proposal to eliminate the so-called car tax benefit to raise $1.9 billion toward closing the state’s gap “is not likely to occur” (due to opposition by the new Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell), meaning that anoth-

SHARON BULOVA Fairfax County Board Chair er $1.9 billion in cuts beyond Kaine’s already-drastic proposals will likely occur.

“We may be looking at a different kind of commonwealth,” she said, noting that in the area

of education, McDonnell favors charter schools and vouchers.

Scott focused on the task of redistricting that will face the legislature in 2011, saying that “for the first time ever in Virginia, redistricting will be done with one party having the majority in one house (the state senate–ed.) and the other in the other house.” He said he’s hopeful that, in that situation, “a reasonably fair partisan redistricting effort” will occur.

Much attention at the event was paid to the upcoming Jan. 12 special election to fill the vacated seat in the 37th Senate district, and an upcoming special election to fill the vacated county school board seat in the Mason District.

In the 37th Senate District, which covers precincts in the Braddock, Springfield and Sully districts of Fairfax County, Democratic Del. Dave W. Marsden is running against Republican former county school board member Steve M. Hunt in the election next Tuesday. The election is to fill the seat vacated by the election as attorney general last November of Kenneth Cuccinelli II. Hunt, described as an “outspo-

ken conservative on social and economic issues,” prevailed over two challengers in a GOP “firehouse primary” vote on Dec. 1.

Democrats are hopeful of gaining the seat, Del. Scott told the News-Press this week, because Marsden represents the strongest candidate the party has put forth to represent that district in many years.

A special school board election in the Mason District will be held to fill the vacancy resulting from the election of Kaye Kory to the state legislature in November.

Democats leaving to Richmond for the first time this month include Scott Surovel, Mark Keam and Kory. All the legislators entering new terms will be officially sworn in on Jan. 13.

At Sunday’s brunch, Fairfax County Democratic Committee Chair Mary Ann Hovis said that while there were setbacks for the party last year, “We vow to work harder than ever.”

“Fairfax County has become ground zero for the other party to regain its foothold in Virginia,” she said, “But we have a vibrant, effective committee standing ready to meet the challenge.”

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January 7 - 13, 2010

been possible if not for the generosity of all who contributed.

Amy Maltese Falls Church Recreation & Parks Department Continued from Page 2

City’s New Year Celebration, Watch Night.

The celebration that began in 1998 with the Tricentennial Eve Party on December 31 and has continued ever since has done so because of so many willing groups, businesses, churches, schools, professionals, Economic Development Office, and City government who donate their time, talents and dollars, with our volunteer citizens to create the quilt that is Watch Night.

I am not aware of any other place that does it like we do. Folks often are quickly corrected when they call it First Night or anything else, because we are not a franchise and do not charge admission and are not required to follow First Night rules and regulations.

Ours has been the same since the beginning, the same model of what makes our City unique – citizen activists, involved businesses, churches, schools, organizations, Council members, and a wonderful City staff all who give back freely to this wonderful community, The City of Falls Church.

It warms my heart each time I see the crowds gather at the Star near midnight – a symbol of the City’s beginning and much more to me – I am glad that I have the opportunity to work with All Stars.” People who contribute so much, so well, and so often...

Thanks to the City and those of you who make it what it is!

Barb Cram F.C. Watch Night Coordinator

Many Thanks For Help With Teen Party Editor, I am writing to thank the many local businesses and individuals who contributed to the successful New Year’s Eve party attended by about 100 middle-schoolers at the Falls Church Community Center!

Youth danced to the music played by “Mr. DJ,” enjoyed running through the Wild One obstacle course, inflatable defender dome and inflatable bouncy boxing, and rang in the New Year together with horns and cheers.

Throughout the night, raffle prizes were awarded and food was served. This event would not have

Time to Better Enforce Snow Removal Laws Editor, Budget shortfalls don’t count versus the habitual do-nothing attitudes toward compliance with the snow removal ordinance here in our mini-metropolis.

Noncompliance and nonenforcement are nothing new.

Resident here since 1963, I’ve yet to see or hear of City officials out zapping businesses and streetfront property-owners with citations for ignoring the snow ordinance.

Just as officialdom’s no shows are chronic, so also are the scofflaw behaviors of too many in the private sector.

Collaring those in charge of the W&OD Trail, to make them clear snow and ice from the segments of sidewalk the Trail’s right-ofway crosses, never happens. The sidewalk segments on each side of and beneath the Trail overpass at West End are never cleared and always become dangerously slick owing ot the large amount of foot traffic through there. Combined, the neglected Trail crossing and contiguous sidewalk frontage the JiffyLube never bothers itself to clear make a long stretch of hazards for pedestrians struggling between the car wash and N. West Street. Just one of countless more examples.

Public records show much touting of the goal of making this a “walkable,” “pedestrian friendly” community. Sounds great, no? Well, comes the day all the infrastructure is in place and performing, we’ll need to see a concomitant performing pledge to maintain it tight, timely snow removal included.

Always a good idea anyhow, rigorous enforcement of the snow

ordinance particularly in times of budgetary stress should be a welcome additional source of revenue intake.

Absent conscientious enforcement of the snow ordinance, one wonders if it’s just a nice bureaucratic adornment. Then I ask myself whether I’m the only one here who thinks snow and ice left uncleared from pedestrian thoroughfares is a serious public safety issue.

Too bad, hapless pedestrians, as municipal snowplows (on overtime pay!) devoutly make motorists’ lives comfortable while heaping extra snow onto sidewalks businesses and property-owners mindlessly leave uncleared.

Too bad, too, that our esteemed Chamber of Commerce doesn’t care, either, about its members’ civic irresponsibility toward clearing the sidewalks intended to facilitate trade across all commercial thresholds.

So, now, let’s see where our opinion-makers come down on budget versus ordinance enforcement shortfalls.

Charles R. Langalis Falls Church

Reaction to ‘Decade From Hell’ Column Editor, On a dreary and bleak winter day when the snow was leaving us at a fast rate, it was a pleasure to have a good laugh thanks to our beloved FNCP editor – and should have been “person of the year.” In what is now an uncountable number of “Deranged Bush Syndrome” editorials, this one has to be in the top ten.

From the 2000 election to the Iraq War, no less. Our editor did not mention that every re-count of the Florida fiasco – including one by the clearly unbiased New York Times (sic), showed that George Bush won a very close race. That the Dems tried to invalidate the votes of the military – while say-

ing count all the votes – well, that goes unreported. For a change, the Dems were unable to steal a close election – as they successfully did in 1960 (Chicago), the governorship of Washington State, or recently, with that high brow new Senator from Minnesota.

As to the Iraq War, I challenge the editor to read the statements from the floor of the Senate by such liberal anti-war luminaries as Senator Kerry in 1998 where he sounds more bellicose than Dick Cheney about the dangers of Saddam and weapons of mass destruction. Yes, there were weapons, according to the libs. But of course it was all Bush’s fault. As to the laughable statement that Obama has accomplished more than any other president in his first year. Accomplished what? I know, the world-wide apology tour. Or, bowing. I know, he has closed Guantanamo. No? Maybe he has realized there are really bad guys there who want to hurt us? Oops, maybe Bush was right?

Thankfully, Congress has not passed cap and tax, or the pork laden health care bill (yet), but he and the liberal Congress have broken the budget unlike any other government in history, allowed unemployment to increase to over 10%. Quite successful, eh?

To our editor, get over it and let’s see if you can look at the Obama Administration with a critical, analytical eye. Surprise your readers.

Dave Phelps Falls Church

Besen’s View Of Holidays Too Extreme Edtor, Wayne Besen obviously had numerous traumatic “Christmas experiences” while he was growing up, because he writes about the “intolerance” of those who celebrate Christmas practically every year.

While I won’t excuse the

bizarre and completely inappropriate behavior of the cowboy boot-wearing, high school-age student who bullied him because of his faith when he was in the sixth grade, I want to suggest that he consider why some in the majority might behave as they do.

Perhaps it has something to do with the determined effort of some to all but outlaw the actual word “Christmas” from our “holiday” vocabulary, even when a very large part of Christmas is secular, and I dare say that a good number of the 97%-or-so of Americans who celebrate Christmas do not care that “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and yet they still celebrate it.

Perhaps Merry Hyatt, the substitute teacher out in California who is sponsoring the ballot initiative that would REQUIRE “all public schools in California to give children the opportunity to sing or listen to religious Christmas carols,” would have not felt the need to do so if schools didn’t act like Christmas music needed to be completely banned, thus giving students the impression that there is something wrong with acknowledging this aspect of American life. Mr. Besen seems to think that ALL references to Christmas are meant to force him and other non-Christians into converting to a faith they are not interested in; in fact, he reiterates this point over and over again. Please.

A very determined group over the years has tried to rid our culture of a word that most of us love, and some of us refuse to quit using, whether it is used in a secular or a sacred fashion. And as long as the secular part of Christmas drives the American economy as it does, Christmas is not going anywhere, no matter what it’s called. Give up fighting the basic word itself so hard – in fact, wish a basic, secular “Merry Christmas!” to Merry Hyatt – and I feel sure the desire to lash out with misdirected ballot initiatives will subside as well.

Peter Byrd Falls Church

January 7 - 13, 2010

Named ‘The Wilden,’ F.C. Senior Housing Plan Advances The Falls Church Housing Corporation and its partner, The Community Builders, Inc., will seek a first-reading approval from the F.C. City Council Monday, Jan. 11, for a revamped “City Center South Apartments” senior affordable housing project which has been re-named “The Wilden.” Scaled back to 66 units and 1,800 square feet of commercial, the plan was outlined to a joint work session of the City Council and Planning Commission this Monday. FCHC Board Chair Dr. Steve Rogers announced that the meeting the unanimous decision of his board to name the project to honor the memory of the late Bob Wilden, a long-time City resident and former federal HUD director who established a $500,000 “challenge grant” to spur the FCHC to raise $1 million for the project, a program successfully completed in 2006.

Lesbian Child Custody Case Touches Falls Church The Sleepy Hollow home of the parents of Janet Jenkins was ordered by a Vermont judge to be the location for the transfer of custody to Jenkins of Isabella, the 7-year-old daughter of Jenkins and her former lesbian partner Lisa Miller last Friday. However, Miller did not appear with the daughter, and is now in contempt of court. Jenkins has appealed to the public for information on the whereabouts and well-being of her daughter.

Man Convicted in F.C. Sexual Assault Case An extensive, year-long investigation by City of Falls Church police led to the conviction in Arlington Circuit Court last month of Dennis Alba Terrazas, 24, to a 10-year consecutive sentence (five for rape and five for sodomy) for the sexual assault of two female victims at a local hotel that occurred in January 2009. F.C. Police also charged an 18- and a 23-year-old woman with concealing a crime.

Woman Found Stabbed to Death in Culmore A 21-year-old woman was found, apparently stabbed to death, in an apartment in the 6000 block Argyle Dr. in the Culmore area of Falls Church at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31. The body of Claudia Nova, 21, of Argyle Dr. was found by Fairfax Police. A male suspect, 29, of the same address, was located in the apartment and transported to the Inova Fairfax Hospital with non-life threatening injuries believed to have been self-inflicted. He has been charged with homicide. Police believe that the incident was domestic in nature and that the stabbing took place following an argument between the suspect and victim.

M.R. Styles Library Going ‘Paperless’ as of Jan. 1 The City of Falls Church’s Mary Riley Styles Public Library announced it is going “paperless” as of Jan. 1 this year to “improve efficiency, save money and assist library visitors,” according to a statement from the City. Patrons will now receive overdue notices and reserve alerts via e-mail, or by phone if no patron e-mail address is provided. Also, on Jan. 20, the library will introduce a new, integrated computer system with a much larger capacity. A disruption in remote access to the online catalog will occur Jan. 18-19 as files are downloaded to the new system. On Friday, Jan. 8, the library’s opening will be delayed until 1 p.m. to allow for staff training on the new system. The library will offer a Fine Amnesty Week Jan. 11-17 when all overdue items returned will not be subject to fines.

News-Press Site Garners 23,289 Views Daily in December The web site for the Falls Church News-Press (www.fcnp.com) garnered an daily average of 23,289 page views for the month of December 2009, according to Analog 6.0 Web Stats, and it included 26,824 “unique visitors” to the site. The data contradicts wildly inaccurate alternative numbers reported on a local blog recently.

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January 7 - 13, 2010

Falls Church Yoga Studios Decry Proposed State Regulation SCHEV Cites ‘Student Protection,’ Del. Bulova to Fight Council in House

by Dean Edwards

Falls Church News-Press

Yoga instructors across Northern Virginia are stretching into some new position, suddenly needing to advocate against new regulations from Richmond that, they say, threaten to downsize their businesses and cut off thousands of dollars of revenue.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), which has since 2004 certified massage parlors and other vocational schools where students learn trade skills, sent notices to Virginia’s 25 yoga studios last month, stating that they need to register a license with the state and potentially pay hundreds of dollars in fees each year.

The recent decision has left Falls Church’s yoga studios with a stark choice: pay Richmond or cut teacher instruction, a move that would siphon substantial income from business, said area studio owners.

“With this, there will no longer be teacher training,” said Cindy

Wargo, the director of Sacred Well Yoga Studio in downtown Falls Church. “We just simply can’t afford the fees.”

“What the state is doing,” said Wargo, “is hurting small business, and it certainly won’t lead to any more tax revenue.”

The initial fee for certification will be $3,000, plus additional annual fees determined by studio profits, said Kirsten Nelson, SCHEV’s Director of Communications.

According to Nelson, SCHEV inadvertently overlooked yoga studios for licensing when the state had charged the council to regulate vocational schools in 2004.

Nelson said SCHEV’s priority was “purely to protect students from losing their money” and “to ensure [yoga studios] meet at least minimal industry standards.”

Certification will also require yoga studios to be bonded, which means that should a studio close, a student might get partial reimbursement of tuition.

Still, Wargo said the state regulation “is a solution seeking a problem.”

“The yoga industry is already self-regulating,” Wargo continued.

“The Yoga Alliance certifies yoga studios nationwide and keeps up records and standards across the board.”

She added, “If Virginia’s looking for regulation, it’s already there.”

Paula Baake, owner of Falls Church’s Dancing Mind Yoga studio, shared Wargo’s concerns, estimating her own potential loss of between $20 – 40,000 in revenue, if the state licensing plan goes through.

“They want to charge thousands more in fees than we charge in tuition,” Baake explained.

Faced with the fees, however, Baake said the effect would be “highly damaging” and may lead to scraping the yoga teacher instruction program altogether.

“We don’t have the capacity to keep up with all of the paperwork and the fees, they are far too high,” Baake said.

She added that the licensing may also regulate yoga studio practices, warning that “for yoga

SACRED WELL YOGA DIRECTOR Cindy Wargo said licensing studios will “hurt Virginia’s yoga businesses.” (Photo: News-Press) studios, it is a highly individualized program, to teach students a pose is one aspect, but it is a much larger focus,” Baake said. “We teach them how to live their lives and heighten awareness.

“To regulate an industry, first you need to understand the industry as it already is.”

SCHEV could not comment in detail on the aspects of the licensing program, as several Northern

Delegate-Elect Kory Heads to Capital, Promises ‘Transparency’ in Richmond

by Dean Edwards

Falls Church News-Press

January 13 is just around the corner, and when Richmond’s House of Delegates swears in its newest members, it will be welcoming a fresh face from Falls Church: 38th District Delegateelect Kaye Kory.

Kory, a Democrat, challenged Democratic Del. Bob Hull in last year’s primary, unseating the 17year incumbent and going on to win the November election against two-time GOP candidate Danny Smith with 60 percent of the votes in the 38th district.

Kory leaves behind a long record of service to Fairfax County, where she has lived for over 30 years, most recently in her role as Mason District school board representative, a position she’s held since a 1999 special election.

She will resign her seat as of Jan. 12, Kory said.

With years of PTA activism behind her at Falls Church area schools, she is “ready to work very

hard to make sure my constituents know what is going on in Richmond,” Kory said in an exclusive interview with the News-Press.

Asked what motivated her campaign, Kory said she believes “all too often the role of state government in local affairs is overlooked,” and that, instead, voters “tend to concentrate on federal- and county-level government.”

Kory said she intends to create “an open environment” in Richmond and at her local office – currently her home – “to allow constituents personal access to what being discussed in Richmond.”

Although a newcomer to Richmond, Kory is no stranger to statelevel politics, having been the legislative liaison several times during her school board tenure.

Kory said, however, she “intends to listen and learn” from senior lawmakers and added she “is looking forward to working with fellow freshman in the House.”

“I hope to reach across the aisle and do some work moving the

education agenda forward in Richmond, as well,” she continued, noting she has recently met her Republican freshman counterparts from Northern Virginia, Barbara Comstock and Jim LeMunyon.

Comstock ousted 34th district Del. Margaret Vanderhye, a Democrat, in November.

Despite facing yet another GOP-controlled House this session, Kory said she “believes there are ways I can can make a difference in Richmond,” stating she would like to serve on the education committee and has already expressed interest in the position to the Speaker of the House, who makes all the committee appointments.

“The state doesn’t play as determinative a role in Fairfax County’s school budget as it does elsewhere, but I will fight for more flexibility on the local level so the school systems can direct necessary budget cuts as they see fit,” Kory said.

Her underlying philosophy as a state delegate, she added, is “to

KAYE KORY be visible in my constituents’ community, to encourage their participation in government and bring as much transparency and accessibility to government as possible.”

Kory said her top priority aside from safeguarding K–12 education is advocating tougher environmental and storm water protection.

In preparation for her first general session, which lasts from Jan. 13 – March 18, Kory said she has received plenty of help from fellow lawmakers and legislative aides.

“Some senior delegates in Richmond told me not to worry,

Virginian yoga instructors, represented by the Institute for Justice,” filed a lawsuit early last month to block the new regulation, citing a violation of the First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

Area State Del. David Bulova, a Democrat, said he intends to introduce legislation during the new session of the General Assembly, which begins Jan. 13, to exempt yoga studios from state regulation. that it takes about 10 years to get the hang of things,” Kory joked.

Virginia’s 53rd district delegate, Jim Scott, has served as her immediate, official mentor, Kory said, noting that she has also received advice from 44th district Del. Kristen Amundson.

“Kris is a particular resource for me,” Kory said, “We worked together on the school board when I first started and Kris represented Mount Vernon district and was serving as the chair at the time.”

Susan Southworth, Kory’s personal legislative assistant, along with help from Diane Waltrip, a senior staff member who has helped Kory in her transition to Richmond, have been key assets, she said.

Kory has also attended several workshops in Richmond for freshman delegates.

Another resource for Kory will be learning the rules of order used in Richmond. “They don’t use Robert’s Rules of Orders,” she said. “Instead, I received a copy of Thomas Jefferson’s rule book, which dates to 1812, I believe.”

After Kory is sworn into office on Jan. 13, she will be attending the inauguration of Virginia’s governor-elect, Republican Bob McDonnell.

January 7 - 13, 2010

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Watch Night Welcomes 2010 in ‘The Little City’

THE WEATHER FORECAST didn’t rain on the parade of the residents in “The Little City,” as crowds celebrated New Year’s Eve regardless in downtown Falls Church for the 12th Annual Watch Night. From musical entertainment to the traditional lowering of F.C.’s lighted star, locals ushered in a new decade. (Photos: Gary Mester)

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January 7 - 13, 2010

Winners of F.C. Student Art Contest Announced

Falls Church Rotary Holds 1st 2010 Meeting

The winners of the 9th Annual Falls Church City Student Art Contest were announced during a reception held last Friday at Art and Frame of Falls Church.

Maya King’s entry “Falls Church Changes in 2010” was picked as the cover art for the 2010 Calendar that will be available online at www.firstfridayoffallschurch.com.

More than 60 students submitted artwork to this year’s contest. The annual event had been cancelled by the City of Falls Church due to budget cuts, but FIRSTfriday of Falls Church decided to sponsor the contest and not disappoint the students.

All 13 winners received prizes that included an artist sketch set and a $200 gift certificate to Art and Frame of Falls Church.

All contest participants received a FIRSTfriday of Falls Church t-shirt. Prizes were donated by SmithGifford and Art and Frame of Falls Church.

The exhibit can be seen at Art and Frame of Falls Church (111 Park Ave., Falls Church) Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. through Jan. 30. For more information, call 703-534-4202.

The Falls Church Rotary Club’s first 2010 club assembly will be on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). Dinner costs $11 and visitors are welcome. For more information, visit fallschurchrotary.org.

‘Recess’ for Big Kids Comes To Arlington Sheraton Playtime isn’t just for children anymore. Host-D.C. and K Street Kate will present “Recess” this Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. at the Sheraton National Hotel (900 S. Orme St., Arlington). For $10, attendees can enjoy board games, dancing and order from a fullystocked bar offering drink specials. A variety of games ranging from Hungry Hungry Hippos to Twister mats will be set up, as DJ Adrian Loving provides musical entertainment.

K Street Kate will also be hosting a children’s book drive at the event. Though not required, guests are asked to either bring a children’s book or to make a $5

donation upon arrival. For more information, visit www.host-dc. com.

MCC Hosts Children’s Snow & Winter Balls On Friday, Jan. 8, the McLean Community Center (MCC) will host a 7th-8th Grader Winter Ball from 7 – 10 p.m. at the Old Firehouse Teen Center (OFTC) (1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). A DJ will supply music and videos, while the game room will be open for ping-pong, pool and other arcade games.

Parents are reminded that child pick-ups will begin at 9:45 p.m.

The cost is $5 for OFTC members and $10 for non-members.

Parents or guardians of non-members must fill out and sign a nonmember waiver.

Also on Jan. 8, a Snow Ball for fifth and sixth graders will be held at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean) from 7 – 9 p.m.

Advance registration costing $20 is required, however. To do so, visit MCC’s online calendar at www.mcleancenter.org. For more information, call 703-7900123.

Privates First Class in the U.S. Army, currently stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., brothers Charlie and John Mann returned home to the City of Falls Church for the Christmas Holiday. Charlie and John both graduated from George Mason High School in June 2009. (Photo: Courtesy Mary Lynn Hickey)

Andrew Acosta Heads the FCA Roundtable The Falls Church Arts (FCA) Artists’ Roundtable on Tuesday, Jan. 12 will feature Andrew Acosta, a guitarist and singer.

Acosta began performing roots and country music around Washington in the 1970s and today, performs both solo and as the leader of the New Old-Time String Band.

Join him for a journey through musical Americana from 7 – 9 p.m. at ArtSpace (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). There are parking garages located at both 410 and 400 South Maple Avenue in Falls Church. This event is free and open to all. For more information, visit www.fallsch-

urcharts.org.

F.C. Kiwanis Little League Needs Players Falls Church Kiwanis Little League is now registering boys and girls ages 5 – 12 for the spring 2010 season.

Registration can be done on-line at www.fckll.org or in-person at the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church) on Sat., Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Those interested can see the Web site for additional information on winter training opportunities for all levels, and about the Kiwanis’ Challengers Program for individuals with special needs.

Sara J. Sugrue (right), a member of George Mason High School’s Class of 2005, recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Tech (V.T.) with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in English.

Sugrue was also in inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Tau Delta National Honor Societies. She will be attending graduate school in the fall. (Photo: Courtesy Bill Sugrue)

January 7 - 13, 2010

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Registration Open for MPA’s Winter Art Classes McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) has opened registration for its wide variety of art classes for children, teens and adults taught by instructors from the Corcoran College of Art & Design. New classes for adults include “I’ve Never Held a Pencil: Drawing for Beginners,” “Drawing Workshop: Pastels” and “Interior Design: In My Home.”

New classes for children include “Cultural Explorations” and “Drawing: Learning from the Masters.”

Classes start the week of Jan. 18 and are held at MPA’s Susan B. DuVal studio inside the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean). For a complete list of classes and to register, visit www.mcleancenter.org.

F.C. Resident Earns Photography Degree Jennifer Kaplan of Falls Church recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Kaplan earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography.

NCAS Presents ‘Charitable Choice’ Talk On Saturday, Jan. 9, the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) will present a free and public talk on Faith-based Initiatives & Charitable Choice.

Toni Van Pelt of the Center for Inquiry Office of Public Policy in Washington, D.C. recommends the adoption and vigorous enforcement of specific minimum safeguards to protect church-state separation and religious liberty.

The event will be held at the National Science Foundation

(4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 110, Arlington) at 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 301-587-3827 or visit www.ncas.org.

Ms. Virginia Senior Pageant Needs Contestants The Ms. Virginia Senior America Pageant is actively searching for candidates to compete in the 2010 pageant on May 20 inside the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria). The pageant showcases women 60 years or older who live in Virginia and are U.S. Citizens.

Last year, Falls Church’s very own Charlotte Allen took the title of Ms. Congeniality. For additional information, call 703978-3663.

Arlington Chorus Heads to NYC to Honor MLK

EMPLOYEES OF THE HILTON in Old Town Alexandria, Kevin Brockway (left) and Stephanie Snapkoski (right), unveil a $10,000 check written out to Volunteers of America. It was part of a $25,000 donation given to three charities, the other two being Volunteer Alexandria and For Goodness Sake, Inc. (Photo: Courtesy Stephanie Snapkoski)

The Arlington-based Metropolitan Chorus is set to perform in New York City come Monday, Jan. 18 at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center for “Concert for Peace – Celebrating the Spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” featuring the works of Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. For more information on the group, visit www.metchorus.org.

F.C. Leaf Collection Period Extended to Jan. 15 The City of Falls Church leaf collection period has been extended to Friday, Jan. 15. Residents who wish to have their loose leaves collected by the City are advised to rake their leaves to the curb, but avoid gutters and sidewalks wherever possible. Crews will continue to pass throughout the City until the Jan. 15 cutoff date. For more information and for updates, call 703-248-5200.

NEARLY 100 MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS counted down to 2010 last Thursday night with party favors and horns at the Falls Church Community Center thanks to an array of local businesses and individuals. (Photo: Courtesy Amy Maltese)

“Think Jazzercise was the workout of the 80s?

Think again.”

–– Cheryl Burke Two-time Champion Dancing with the Stars

Make good on your New Year’s Resolution . . . and have fun doing it!!!

• Childcare every weekday morning for our 9:15 am class • 6-week Belly Dancing session starts on Saturday, January 16th, at 10:30 am

Falls Church Jazzercise 513 W. Broad St., in The Byron (above Cosi) Falls Church, VA 22046 703-622-2152

jazzercise.com • (800)FIT-IS-IT

www.igetfitnow.com

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January 7 - 13, 2010

The Tea Party Teens The United States opens this decade in a sour mood.

First, Americans are anxious about the future. Sixty-one percent of Americans believe their country is in decline, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey. Only 27 percent feel confident that their children’s generation will be better off than they are.

Second, Americans have lost faith in their institutions. During the great moments of social reform, at least 60 percent of Americans trusted government to do the right thing most of the time. Now, only NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE a quarter have that kind of trust.

The country is evenly divided about President Barack Obama, but state governments are in disrepute and confidence in Congress is at withering lows.

As Frank Newport of the Gallup organization noted in his year-end wrap-up, “Americans have less faith in their elected representatives than ever before.”

Third, the new administration has not galvanized a popular majority. In almost every sphere of public opinion, Americans are moving away from the administration, not toward it. The Ipsos/McClatchy organizations have been asking voters which party can do the best job of handling a range of 13 different issues. During the first year of the Obama administration, the Republicans gained ground on all 13.

The public is not only shifting from left to right.

Every single idea associated with the educated class has grown more unpopular over the past year.

The educated class believes in global warming, so public skepticism about global warming is on the rise.

The educated class supports abortion rights, so public opinion is shifting against them. The educated class supports gun control, so opposition to gun control is mounting.

The story is the same in foreign affairs. The educated class is internationalist, so isolationist sentiment is now at an all-time high, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The educated class believes in multilateral action, so the number of Americans who believe we should “go our own way” has risen sharply.

A year ago, the Obama supporters were the passionate ones. Now the tea party brigades have all the intensity.

The tea party movement is a large, fractious confederation of Americans who are defined by what they are against. They are against the concentrated power of the educated class. They believe big government, big business, big media and the affluent professionals are merging to form self-serving oligarchy

David Brooks

– with bloated government, unsustainable deficits, high taxes and intrusive regulation.

The tea party movement is mostly famous for its flamboyant fringe. But it is now more popular than either major party. According to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 41 percent of Americans have a positive view of the tea party movement. Only 35 percent of Americans have a positive view of the Democrats and only 28 percent have a positive view of the Republican Party.

The movement is especially popular among independents. The Rasmussen organization asked independent voters whom they would support in a generic election between a Democrat, a Republican and a tea party candidate. The tea party candidate won, with 33 percent of independents. Undecided came in second with 30 percent. The Democrats came in third with 25 percent and the Republicans fourth with 12 percent.

Over the course of this year, the tea party movement will probably be transformed. Right now, it is an amateurish movement with mediocre leadership. But several bright and polished politicians, like Marco Rubio of Florida and Gary Johnson of New Mexico, are unofficially competing to become its de facto leader. If they succeed, their movement is likely to outgrow its crude beginnings and become a major force in American politics. After all, it represents arguments that are deeply rooted in American history.

The Obama administration is premised on the conviction that pragmatic federal leaders with professional expertise should have the power to implement programs to solve the country’s problems. Many Americans do not have faith in that sort of centralized expertise or in the political class generally.

Moreover, the tea party movement has passion.

Think back on the recent decades of American history – the way the hippies defined the 1960s; the feminists, the 1970s; the Christian conservatives, the 1980s. American history is often driven by passionate outsiders who force themselves into the center of American life.

In the near term, the tea party tendency will dominate the Republican Party. It could be the ruin of the party, pulling it in an angry direction that suburban voters will not tolerate. But don’t underestimate the deep reservoirs of public disgust. If there is a doubledip recession, a long period of stagnation, a fiscal crisis, a terrorist attack or some other major scandal or event, the country could demand total change, creating a vacuum that only the tea party movement and its inheritors would be in a position to fill.

Personally, I’m not a fan of this movement. But I can certainly see its potential to shape the coming decade.

Obama’s Honeymoon Is Over WASHINGTON – The chorus of loud criticism of President Obama is a reminder that every new occupant of the White House has a presidential learning curve. There is no such thing as an instant president.

They all have to learn the hard way.

Hearst Newspapers Fans and foes alike seem to be ganging up on the newcomer as he approaches his first anniversary in office.

Hopeful Republican antagonists are wondering whether he can win a second term – premature as that speculation may be.

Some one-time Obama supporters are disillusioned because of the great expectations fostered by

Helen Thomas

Obama’s soaring rhetoric during the long presidential campaign. Democratic “progressives” now feel let down because they had assumed the new president was a “liberal” who believed that the government should initiate New Deal-style programs to get the country back on its feet.

Instead, he has conducted his first year in office as a cautious centrist, guided by a more moderate social philosophy than had been generally assumed.

I keep seeing his legislative experience – both in the Illinois state legislature and the U.S. Senate – coming to the fore in his quickness to compromise and to let deal-making chug along.

It seems that the president is operating on the Continued on Page 32

That 1937 Feeling Here’s what’s coming in economic news: The next employment report could show the economy adding jobs for the first time in two years. The next GDP report is likely to show solid growth in late 2009. There will be lots of bullish commentary – and the calls we’re already hearing for an end to stimulus, for reversing the steps the government and the Federal Reserve took to prop up the economy, will grow even louder.

But if those calls are heeded, we’ll be repeating the great mistake of 1937, when the Fed and the Roosevelt administration decided that the Great Depression was over, that it was time for the economy to throw away its crutches. Spending was cut back, monetary policy was tightened – and the economy promptly plunged NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE back into the depths.

This shouldn’t be happening. Both Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, and Christina Romer, who heads President Barack Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, are scholars of the Great Depression. Romer has warned explicitly against re-enacting the events of 1937. But those who remember the past sometimes repeat it anyway.

As you read the economic news, it will be important to remember, first of all, that blips – occasional good numbers, signifying nothing – are common even when the economy is, in fact, mired in a prolonged slump. In early 2002, for example, initial reports showed the economy growing at a 5.8 percent annual rate. But the unemployment rate kept rising for another year.

And in early 1996, preliminary reports showed the Japanese economy growing at an annual rate of more than 12 percent, leading to triumphant proclamations that “the economy has finally entered a phase of self-propelled recovery.” In fact, Japan was only halfway through its lost decade.

Such blips are often, in part, statistical illusions. But even more important, they’re usually caused by an “inventory bounce.” When the economy slumps, companies typically find themselves with large stocks of unsold goods. To work off their excess inventories, they slash production; once the excess has been disposed of, they raise production again, which shows up as a burst of growth in GDP. Unfortunately, growth caused by an inventory bounce is a one-shot affair unless underlying sources of demand, such as consumer spending and long-term investment, pick up.

Which brings us to the still grim fundamentals of the economic situation.

During the good years of the last decade, such as they were, growth was driven by a housing boom and a consumer spending surge. Neither is coming back. There can’t be a new housing boom while the nation is still strewn with vacant houses and apartments left behind by the previous boom, and consumers – who are $11 trillion poorer than they were before the housing bust – are in no position to return to the buy-now-save-never habits of yore.

What’s left? A boom in business investment would be really helpful right now. But it’s hard to see where such a boom would come from: industry is awash in excess capacity, and commercial rents are plunging in the face of a huge oversupply of office space.

Can exports come to the rescue? For a while, a falling U.S. trade deficit helped cushion the economic slump. But the deficit is widening again, in part because China and other surplus countries are refusing to let their currencies adjust.

So the odds are that any good economic news you hear in the near future will be a blip, not an indication that we’re on our way to sustained recovery. But will policy makers misinterpret the news and repeat the mistakes of 1937? Actually, they already are.

The Obama fiscal stimulus plan is expected to have its peak effect on GDP and jobs around the middle of this year, then start fading out. That’s far too early: Why withdraw support in the face of continuing mass unemployment? Congress should have enacted a second round of stimulus months ago, when it became clear that the slump was going to be deeper and longer than originally expected. But nothing was done – and the illusory good numbers we’re about to see will probably head off any further possibility of action.

Paul Krugman

January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 13

The Dreaded ‘Double Dip’ A commentator on CNBC this week offered his own variant on Time magazine’s declaration that the past 10 years constituted “The Decade from Hell.” He said the years are better classified as “The Decade of Sin” that will lead to “The Decade from Hell” now just beginning.

Despite CNBC’s otherwise relentless crusade to tout signs of a recovery in order to separate people from their money to Wall Street’s benefit, this dose of reality is more likely to characterize the next extended period.

For its part, the New York Times editorialized last weekend about “Avoiding a Japanese Decade,” citing the period from 1992 to 2003 when the Japanese economy, after decades of booming, was Falls church news-press dead in the water, growing on average by less than a single percent over that time frame. The inability of the Japanese government to follow through on sufficient stimulus measures led to the malaise, the editorial noted, and the Obama administration, buffeted by its Republican and banking industry detractors, is at risk of doing the same.

Indeed, there are those who point to an impending, dreaded “double dip” in the stock market, predicted by many for around mid-March, when the inability of the economy, or government stimulus measures, to redress the depth of the housing crisis and nagging unemployment will lead to another financial sector-led dive in market values.

Put plainly, there appears to be a lack of political will to end this crisis, led by banks who continue to hang onto bad assets, overpay themselves and refuse to lend in anything like the volume needed to restart real growth. Meanwhile, they continue to stall the kind of regulatory reforms that would stem their appetite for the kind of risk-taking that put the global economy on a fast track to total implosion in the last decade.

Put on top of these factors the effects of an inevitable Federal Reserve decision to raise interest rates by summer, and another “peak oil”-driven acceleration of oil prices in the direction of the $140 a barrel level that was a major trigger in the ungluing of the global economy just a couple years ago.

As Peter S. Goodman put it in the Times this week, “Those skeptical of a lasting recovery assert that, once businesses have rebuilt inventories and federal largess runs dry, the economy will confront the same assortment of ills plaguing it for two years.” He continued, “Americans [remain] saturated in debt and nervous about job prospects, prompting many to hunker down in a mode of thrift; businesses still spooked by dysfunction in the financial system are reluctant to hire more workers until recovery proves real; and a cataclysmic drop in home prices has diminished spending power in millions of households, with another decline possible as foreclosed properties surge onto the market.”

There are three measures which define the real economy beneath all the hype and statistics: one is the level of disposable income in the nation’s households, and the second is the real cost of refining and delivering the core natural resources that are the underpinning of everything that is produced and consumed in society. A third, less essential but still indispensable, component is the accessibility of a means of exchange by which to match resources to needs, which is to say, money or credit.

On all three of these basic counts, the U.S. economy remains in deep trouble. They constitute stubborn boundary conditions that must be surmounted if anything lasting or durable will occur.

To fix the first measure, massive debt and foreclosure relief and job creation is required. To tackle the second, alternative energy technologies need to be addressed in a serious way. Instead of diddling around with soft technologies like wind and solar, a gargantuan push for nuclear power and major water diversion/hydroelectric projects is required.

To address the third, either the banks need to be forced to loan, or the government may need to come up with some alternative method of exchange, altogether.

Finally, fixing these without also providing for the expansion of human capital, the education and training of an advanced workforce, will suffocate any nascent recovery in the cradle.

Nicholas F. Benton

 Nicholas Benton may be e-mailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

New Year’s Resolutions WASHINGTON – Janet Napolitano and I hadn’t planned to spend New Year’s Eve together.

But there we were on this soggy Thursday, sitting in her office on the outskirts of the city, beside a big, black leather saddle that was a gift from the governor of Sonora, Mexico, when Napolitano was governor of Arizona.

I was working on the last night of the decennium horribile dictu, so I had tried to think of who else might also be burning the midnight oil instead of clinking the midnight bubbly.

The answer was obvious.

The homeland security chief’s terrible week began on NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE Christmas Day when she got a call at her brother’s house in Danville, near San Francisco, telling her about the foiled terrorist attack.

It continued to deteriorate on Sunday when she was pilloried for saying “the system worked” on CNN – even though Robert Gibbs said the same.

After many billions spent, new departments created, the system seemed as permeable as it had prior to 9/11.

Once more, the CIA dropped the ball. And once more, information was not collated, which should mean a bad day at Kinko’s, not at counterterrorism headquarters.

On Tuesday, John McCain and Jon Kyl, the two Republican senators from Arizona who had praised Napolitano at her confirmation hearings, stood together, with Kyl saying he no longer felt “totally safe” with her in command.

“He and I spoke and he explained to me that that’s not what he meant,” Napolitano said. “And he was misconstrued.” She said she, too, was misconstrued, and that in other interviews she did on Sunday, she made it clear that she meant the system worked “after the incident.”

“No excuses, but I was a little focused on what we were doing operationally,” she said. “We were working to deal with the airports and the airliners, so perhaps I was a little distracted.” The important message, she said, was “to immediately tell the American people we were not just cowering somewhere but we were taking this on very, very forcefully.”

Asked about the frustrations of some on the 9/11 Commission, that the description of what went wrong this time was disturbingly similar to what went wrong that time, Napolitano argued that “we are safer now than before 9/11.”

Maureen Dowd

“What this brings home is that we can’t be complacent,” she said. “We have a determined enemy and you can’t put the United States in a big Tupperware container. That’s not our nation. Those are not our values.”

Later she picks up the same theme: “I think we do a disservice if we tell people there are 100 percent guarantees. I think we tell them we’re doing everything we can to reduce risk. I think we tell people that they are also part of the system. I mean, the passengers on this plane were a line of defense, the flight crew were a line of defense. So everybody has a shared responsibility here.

You can’t just say, well, this government department or that government department’s got the whole shebang.”

She said criticism that her department had been on auto-pilot before the sky scare was “misguided.”

Asked if her job is particularly thankless, given that only mistakes are recognized, she smilingly made a “don’t feel sorry for me” gesture, rubbing imaginary tears away from her eyes.

I noted that Dick Cheney had gone squirrelly seeing the avalanche of daily threats coming in, and asked how she kept paranoia at bay.

“There’s a lot of it out there,” she said. “I try to keep focused, really trying to ascertain who needs to be our targets.”

Why is it so hard for those charged with keeping us safe to be as imaginative and innovative as filmmakers like James Cameron? “We do have some great technology, but this is not a movie,” she said.

“The reality is much more complex and nuanced, and you can’t take human judgment out of it.”

She said that “one of the things that may come out of this awful day is perhaps a renewed sense of urgency,” and that it has spurred her department to “accelerate” talks it was already having about collaborating with the Department of Energy – “which has a phenomenal research budget and capacity.”

She laughed when I wondered if she wished she’d lobbied harder for that Supreme Court spot.

Does anything keep her up at night? Her voice got lower and more serious. “This one has,” she said, “because I want to know how this individual got on this plane with this material. I want to know so we can figure out what we should be doing to defeat that.”

As I left, I asked the secretary if she’d had to cancel her New Year’s Eve plans. “Oh, yeah,” she said.

“I guess you’re not going to tell me what they were,” I wondered. “No,” she replied, her brown eyes twinkling. Just another classified matter at the Department of Homeland Security.

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January 7 - 13, 2010

God, Football & Meyer In a dramatic move, University of Florida’s legendary football coach, Urban Meyer, abruptly quit the sport on Christmas Day. His decision came after a hospitalization for chest pains and a realization that he had nearly worked himself to death building a championship team. Meyer’s prodigious work habits included neglecting his family and e-mailing recruits in church.

“I’m a person of faith and I wanted to make sure I had my priorities straight,” said Meyer. “A lot of times, coaches do not have their priorities straight. You put business before God and family, you have a problem.”

Of course, this is wishful thinking. If Meyer had actually prioritized God and family before the pigskin, he’d make a fine deacon and a great nything father... and a mediocre Division II coach. Those who reach the pinnacle in ut traight sports have a rare combination of natural gifts and an obsessive need to win.

By Wayne Besen For example, the two most successful basketball players in my lifetime are Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant - both of whom are pathological competitors. Their need to win likely crosses over into a disorder - but that is what it takes to be a champion.

For all his talk about God, it was the text messages and e-mails from the pews that catapulted the coach into sainthood in Gainesville. The choice was to worship on Sunday or be worshiped by adoring fans each Saturday - and Meyer chose the latter. This is not a criticism, just a reality check on Meyer’s message that he could have reversed his priorities and still had the same successful career. I doubt he could have.

When Meyer announced his retirement, his 18-year-old daughter hugged him and said, “I get my daddy back.” The coach said that he was retiring because God had told him to quit and his daughter’s reaction was confirmation of this divine intervention.

Two days later, following an afternoon on the practice field, Meyer changed his mind and switched his retirement status to a “leave of absence.” He expects to coach next fall.

So, did Meyer misinterpret God, confuse God’s voice with his own desires or is the coach defying His will by returning to the sideline?

In sports, it seems, God is always on the winning side, ready to snatch victory from the presumably heathen team, and deliver the game to the good guys. However, the notion is quite offensive and in some ways ruins the game. Why even watch, after all, if the sport is fixed and a victory is already preordained by God? In any case, I think that athletes and coaches should get back to scoring touchdowns or drawing up plays on chalkboards. The whole “catch a ball for God” routine is getting quite stale. Just once I’d like to see an athlete say, “I dropped the ball because Jesus doesn’t like me.”

Why not? Does He not get the credit for touchdowns, with an increasing number of spoiled, solipsistic athletes pointing towards the heavens after each score?

It is also outrageous to think that God gives a damn about football when children are starving and wars are raging. On my block in New York City, there are about a half-dozen homeless people who are exposed to the harshness of winter. I’d like to think that a just deity would end such injustice before traipsing off each Sunday to the New York Giants game.

For selfish reasons, as a University of Florida alumnus, I am glad Meyer is returning. I like to win and gator chomp and it makes me feel good to marinade in victory. It was exhilarating to crush Cincinnati 51-24 in the Sugar Bowl.

But can we finally keep God off the goal line and have a separation of sports and Scripture? Can the former Gator quarterback, Tim Tebow, an incredible athlete and a seemingly decent person, complete one sentence without mentioning Jesus and turning it into a prayer?

The fact that an athlete is gifted, does not mean he is God’s gift to the universe. Fundamentalist athletes and coaches alike aren’t special and should stop acting like Moses, just because they get to appear on ESPN’s Sports Center.

Although, after watching Tebow pass for a career-high 482 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 51 yards against Cincinnati, I wouldn’t rule out that he could part the Red Sea.

A B

S

 Wayne Besen is a columnist and author of the book, “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth.”

Week of December 29, 2009 - January 4, 2010 Larceny from Vehicle, 100 blk.

W Jefferson St., December 29, 9:52 a.m., unknown person(s) cut and stole the muffler assembly from a vehicle.

Larceny, Shoplifting, CVS, 1150 W Broad St., December 29, 9:06 p.m., unknown person(s) entered the establishment and stole an eighteen pack of Bud Light Beer.

Assault, Simple, 100 blk. S Washington St., December 31, 9:59 p.m., police arrested a female, 22, of Arlington, VA for Assault, Drug/ Narcotic Violation, and DUI. Robbery, Citgo, 1200 W Broad St., January 1, 12:27 a.m., unknown person(s) entered the establishment assaulted the victim and stole money from the registered. The suspect is described as a B/M, 30 to 40 YOA, 5’8” to 6’0” height, clean shaven,

with medium brown complexion. The suspect was last seen wearing a black hat, tan jacket, black pants and black shoes.

Drunkenness, 100 blk. Dulany Pl., January 1, 3:23 a.m., police arrested a male, 22, of Central Lake, MD for DIP. Larceny from Vehicle, 200 blk. E Fairfax St., between December 30, 9:30 p.m. and December 31, 4:15 p.m., unknown person(s) entered an unsecure vehicle and stole a GPS and an ABC Maps book.

Disorderly Conduct, 6700 blk.

Wilson Blvd., January 1, 11:27 p.m., police arrested a male, 29, of Falls Church, VA for Disorderly Conduct.

Larceny, 400 blk. Great Falls St., January 2, 9:56 p.m., unknown person(s) stole a pocket watch from victim..

January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 15

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

The New Year dawned with icebox-like temperatures and gusty winds, leaving some people to wonder about predictions of global warming. Sure didn’t feel like it this week!

The bitterly cold weather, and the promise of more of the same, should remind us to take simple precautions when heading out of the house or office. Wear a hat and gloves. A woman walking her dog over the weekend wore a full-length down coat, but her head and hands were bare in the blustery afternoon. Up to 60 percent of body heat is lost through the head, so a hat is a wise accessory. Likewise, since hypothermia can strike fingers and toes quickly, gloves or mittens are a must. A young man in shirtsleeves in downtown Annandale probably thought he was just going to run a short errand, but going out without a coat was just plain foolish.

Imagine this cold weather, and then imagine your home’s electricity or gas is about to be turned off because you can’t pay the bill. Emergency assistance is available through many non-profit organizations, such as ACCA, the Annandale Christian Community for Action, a coalition of more than two dozen faith communities in the Annandale/Falls Church area.

Non-profits and volunteers depend on the generosity of their donors and supporters, and the past year has been especially hard on charities because of the increased need for services. In 2009, ACCA helped 658 households with more than $300,000 for rent, utility bills, prescriptions, and miscellaneous needs.

The ACCA safety net includes a food pantry, a furniture team, and a transportation ministry, as well as a Meals on Wheels program that delivered more than

18,000 meals to shut-ins.

ACCA needs our help now more than ever.

Changing and challenging economic conditions is a two-edged sword: more people needing assistance, and fewer people with the means to donate. A special Challenge Grant opportunity from the Washington Forrest Foundation expires on January 31, so funds raised by ACCA between now and the end of this month will be matched. Contributions may be sent to ACCA, Inc., 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003. Note “Challenge Grant” on the memo line of your check, which should be made payable to ACCA. Every little bit helps; no amount is too small to help those in need.

ACCA was named “One of the Best” small nonprofits in the Washington Metro Area by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. One of the attributes that makes ACCA unique among non-profits is its all-volunteer administrative structure. Other than the ACCA Child Care Center, which has paid staff, ACCA’s work is done by dedicated volunteers. There is no office rent, no salaried staff or benefits, and little or no “overhead.” The ACCA volunteer who coordinates assistance for a family might well be operating out of a spare bedroom, using his or her own phone, computer, and Internet access to help. ACCA’s mission is simple – to serve those in need and provide assistance. Today is a good day to write that check!

Our Man in Arlington

as a professor in some Alabama college. He inherits his grandfather’s castle, and decides he must go to Transylvania to check things out.

Once in Transylvania, he becomes fascinated with his grandfather’s legend. All the equipment that his grandfather used to create the monster is still there. Dr. Frankenstein and his mad servant Igor dig up the monster’s body and bring it back to life. The villagers are terrified, however, and go on a mad chase to kill the monster who is, well, acting like a monster, largely because he is scared to death. Dr. Frankenstein calms him down into a lovable monster, and the village accepts him as one of them.

You haven’t ever seen anything like the resuscitated monster in white tie and tails joining in the all male kick line to the tune of “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” See it now! You only have four more days.

Then we went with family to a matinee performance of Arena’s new production of “The Fantasticks” at the restored Lincoln Theater on U Street. Another smash hit, the audience leapt to its feet at its end. Here again, the story is a very simple one, narrated by the character Le Gallo (Jerry Orbach in the original in 1960). His opening song, the classic “Try to Remember,” tells us to look back and remember the poignancy of our youth.

In the first act, a boy and a girl who live next door to one another separated by a wall fall in love and ultimately become engaged. The love story is punctuated by the plot of their fathers, who pretend to be enemies because they believe their children would never get together if they thought their fathers were friends.

Things turn black in the second act as they develop doubts and the boy embarks on a dangerous trip. They get together at the end, though, and all is well.

It is wonderfully done. Go see it now! It, too, ends on January 10.

Richard Barton

As you have probably noticed, there has been somewhat of a hiatus in this column due largely to the press of the holidays and a couple of short out-of-town trips.

The great activity, of course, was the preparation for and participation in a number of family activities centering on Christmas and New Year. Having families consisting of five siblings, their spouses, and eight grandchildren, all of whom live in or near Arlington, constitutes a lot of food and party preparation and last-minute gift buying. And we took some time out for a three-day visit to Williamsburg to catch the end of the beautiful holiday season there.

One of the high points of the season was going to two excellent musicals at the Kennedy Center and the Arena Theater’s Lincoln Theater Stage. They were both superb and vastly entertaining. We recommend both of them to you – they are still running.

The first was “Young Frankenstein” at the Kennedy Center in the District. The Washington Post’s theater critic, Peter Marks, panned the play – saying something like it’s being ham-handed and inconsequential.

Well, maybe so, but the audience loved it, leaping to its feet and cheering as soon as the curtain calls started. Of course, the whole point of Mel Brook’s play is that is ham-handed – and delightfully so. Sometimes, I think theater critics take it all much too seriously!

Most of us know the story. Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson – also Dr. Frankenstein (he insists on pronouncing it Frankensteen, though) – has spent a lifetime living down the legacy of his mad grandfather

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

Delegate Jim Scott’s

Richmond Report New faces in Richmond Next Wednesday, January 13, will feature the swearing in of 20 new delegates. Through retirements and electoral defeats, a surprising number of seats will change hands in Northern Virginia.

With the defeat of Chuck Caputo, Paul Nichols, David Poisson, Margi Vanderhye, and Bob Hull (in the primary), plus the election of Luke Torian to replace Jeff Frederick, Pat Hope to replace Al Eisenberg, and Mark Keam to replace Steve Shannon, Northern Virginia will have eight new members of the House of Delegates, not including Alexandria’s Charnielle Herring who replaced Brian Moran last January.

Hull, Eisenberg, Shannon and Frederick were replaced

by Democrats: Kaye Kory, Hope, Keam and Torian.

Caputo, Poisson, Vanderhye and Nichols were replaced by Republicans Jim Lemunyan, Rich Anderson, Tag Greason, Barbara Comstock. Mark Keam is the first Korean American to serve in the General Assembly, and Luke Torian is the first African-American from Prince William County to serve in the General Assembly.

The job ahead No recent Virginia Governor has faced a more daunting set of challenges than Governorelect McDonnell, as he wrestles with a multi-billion dollar shortfall. Mark Warner came close because of the bankrupt policies of Jim Gilmore, who created severe financial challenges by using several unwise budgetary schemes to avoid tax increases. His administration

came perilously close to causing Virginia to lose its coveted AAA Bond rating. We will see if Governor McDonnell can close multi-billion dollar budget shortfalls without causing the Commonwealth to lose its reputation as the best managed state, the best state for doing business and the best state for a child to grow up in.

The Governor-elect calls on Wonder Woman It is encouraging that the Governor-elect has asked several Democrats to serve in positions on his transition teams to develop ideas and proposals for the new administration to consider. I have been invited to serve on the team working on proposals for financing the Commonwealth’s priorities. My seatmate on the House floor, Delegate Vivian Watts, has been asked to serve on the public safety transition team.

Before her current term in the House Delegate Watts served as Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety. It is difficult to imagine one person holding those two offices today, but under Governor Baliles, Vivian did exactly that. Governorelect McDonnell should be congratulated for using Vivian’s exceptional talents.

No one has a better grasp on the formulas, institutional barriers and historical successes and failures in those two areas than Vivian. If the Governorelect will listen carefully to her, the Commonwealth will be the winner.  Delegate Scott represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be emailed at deljscott@aol.com

Page 16

January 7 - 13, 2010

News Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC has announced that Sheri R. Abrams has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Ms. Abrams founded her own law firm in 1995 and is a leading attorney in the field of Social Security Disability law. She has represented clients in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland in their Social Security Disability appeals.

Ms. Abrams will also be handling all types of cases related to Elder Law and Estate, Disability and Special Needs Planning. For in formation about NM&P, visit www.nmpattorneys.com.

Our Patients Make Us Smile Call Today to Make An Appointment

New Smiles Always Welcome 200 Little Falls Street, Suite 506 Falls Church, VA

703.532.3300

www.DoughertyDDS.com

Dr. Ralph Perrino, chairman of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, has published “The Changing Face of Higher Education” in the January 2010 issue of Family Magazine. With higher education experiencing an enormous technological, economic, sociological, and demographic transformation, the traditional model associated with the pursuit of a college degree as we know it may be waning. “The Changing Face of Higher Education” examines the way in which future generations will “go to college.” Visit www.washingtonfamily.com to review the article.

“The Leader’s Guide to Managing Workplace Stress” is now available from The Profiles Research Institute (Profiles International). According to the Foundation for Integrated Research in Mental Health, three out of five doctor visits are for stress related problems. The briefing is designed to help executives understand, recognize and effectively deal with stress personal and employee stress in the workplace. It reviews the causes and effects of excessive stressors and provides tools and techniques to help assess and manage stress within workgroups. To download a copy of The Leader’s Guide to Managing Workplace Stress, visit www.profilesinternational.com.

The City of Falls Church Housing and Human Services Division is offering free tax preparation for taxpayers who live or work in the City and less than $49,000 last year. The assistance is provided by appointment only Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. from Jan. 25 – April 13. Call 703-248- 5005 for eligibility and documentation requirements, a copy of the necessary coupon and/or an appointment.

Events Argia’s is the sole Falls Church restaurant participating in the 16th Annual Washington, D.C. Winter Restaurant Week from Jan. 11 – 17. As part of the regionwide event, Argia’s will be serving a three-course, fixed-price meal during lunch for $20.10, and three-course fixed-price meal during dinner for $35.10. Argia’s is located at 124 N. Washington St. For more information or to make reservations, call 703-5341033.

Curves Falls Church is offering free weight management classes to teach its proven method for losing weight and raising metabolism. More studied than any other program, Curves’ classes are based on the ground-breaking new research findings of the Exercise & Sport Nutrition Laboratory at Texas A&M University. Classes will include a series of DVDs featuring Nadia Rodman, Curves’ Registered Dietitian, and are facilitated by weight management coaches from Curves Falls Church. Curves Falls Church will be offering class beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Room 229 at Columbia Baptist Church located at 103 W. Columbia St. in Falls Church. The event is free but space is limited, so please call 703-536-0140 to register.

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 86th Annual Arlington Business Gala on Saturday, Jan. 30. “Arlington’s Best Night Out” will begin with a VIP reception from 6 - 6:30 p.m. followed by a silent auction and cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 8 p.m. and dancing and live music by the Odyssey band until midnight. Sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $475. Tickets are $175. For more information, visit www.arlingtonchamber.org.  The Business News & Notes section is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be e-mailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

January 7 - 13, 2009

Page 17

THE PEAK OIL CRISIS

2010 – An Annus Horribilis For Queen Elizabeth, 1992, the year Windsor Palace caught on fire and several of her kids separated, was a an annus horribilis. For the rest of us, the coming year may well turn out to be horrible too.

While our leaders and the media continue to tell us that we have turned an economic corner and that all will be well soon, the underlying data, for those willing to look, tell a far different story.

Just as climate scientists debate the existence of a “tipping point,” beyond which rising global temperatures are uncontrollable, there may exist an economic tipping point beyond which control of the US and global economies is beyond the powers of government.

Although another economy-crushing oil price spike in the next 12 months is a possibility, it is the sovereign debt crisis and all that it entails that seems to be a more imminent threat as we enter 2010. Oil prices, however, are back over $80 a barrel, and although few are predicting a price surge in the near future, China, India and several other Asian economies are growing rapidly. There is a good market for the oil that is being produced somewhere and OPEC production has been climbing of late, eating into the cartel’s spare capacity to produce more oil.

Of immediate concern, however, is the situation surrounding national debts, particularly that of the U.S., which happens to issue the world’s reserve currency. For the last nine months, Washington has been engaging in a variety of unprecedented fiscal activities which will hopefully prevent the U.S. economy from sinking into further economic difficulties. The government has bought up nearly a trillion dollars worth of bad assets from the banks in order to free up capital and keep them solvent.

To support the policy of keeping federal interest rates close to zero, the U.S. Federal Reserve also has been buying up billions dollars worth of new treasury securities. Thanks to the $1 trillion-plus deficit the U.S. is now running, Treasury securities are being issued in quantities that have never been

seen before and as government revenues continue to plunge. they are likely to be issued in ever greater quantities.

Amidst the chaos of rising unemployment, spiraling foreclosures, collapsing real estate prices, amazingly enough, the U.S. equity markets have been rising steadily. Some astute observers are beginning to question just what it going on. How can tens of billions of U.S. Treasury securities be auctioned off at such low interest rates each week while many traditional foreign buyers, like China, are backing away from purchasing

‘‘ S

is simple – the Federal Reserve creates a trillion or so dollars and sends lots of it to the big investment banks, called primary dealers, in return for stacks of nearly worthless mortgages the banks collected during the recent housing boom.

In return for letting them unload nearly a trillion dollars of worthless securities on the taxpayer, the banks oblige the government by using many of those billions to buy Treasury securities from the government at close to zero interest and to buy enough stocks to keep the market steadily rising.

Everybody is happy. The Great Depression has been halted in its tracks, the stock market is soaring, signaling to the unwary that all is well, and Wall Street’s multi-million dollar salaries and bonuses are preserved for yet another year.

The question of the year is how long this federal effort can continue. The controlling factor will be interest rates and the length of time the government can keep interest rates close to zero as it issues trillions in new and refinanced securities.

A few interest points higher and housing becomes unaffordable given the strictures on lending.

A few more and the U.S. debt becomes unaffordable.

However, this is not our only problem. Some people who follow and understand the intricacies of the U.S. money supply say that it is in contraction. Whenever this has happened in the past, the economic situation has gotten worse – sometimes much worse. Then, we have the Chinese who seem likely to use their massive foreign reserves to import more oil and spark another price strike. If this is not enough, there are always the Iranians who have managed to get themselves so wrapped up in theocracy, they might just set off another Middle East war threatening much of the world’s oil supply.

If any of these developments should occur in the next 12 months, we are going to see not only an annus horribilis, but many anni horribiles (“dreadful years”) too.

ome who follow & un-

derstand the intricacies

”

of the U.S. money supply say that it is in contraction. more U.S. debt as fast as they can without crashing the value of their holdings? How can sensible investors be buying so much stock that prices continue to rise steadily at a time when real unemployment likely is above 20 percent and the prospects for earnings growth by U.S. companies is as bad as it has been in the last 80 years?

The answer, of course, is that they probably can’t, and this is why suspicions about just what is going on are starting to be raised. Close examination of available data suggests to some that traditional buyers of U.S. stocks, such as retail investors, hedge and mutual funds, and foreigners simply aren’t there on a scale needed to support nine months of some of the fastest growth the equity markets have ever seen.

There are suspicions about the Treasury’s auctions too, which are consistently oversubscribed with buyers clamoring to buy massive quantities of debt. Obviously, there is only one place that all these billions can be coming from and that is the U.S. Federal Reserve which has the capability of creating unlimited amounts of money simply by typing on a computer – you don’t even have to bother to print money anymore.

The theory of what is going on

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

Page 18

January 7 - 13, 2010

Lady Highlanders Use Depth, Solid Plays to Beat Statesmen

by Robert Fulton

Falls Church News-Press

The McLean High School girls basketball team had an early test in 2010 as the squad faced off against Marshall on Monday. The Highlanders rallied from an early deficit to win 51-35, improving their record to 6-3.

“I thought Marshall would be one of the teams we’d be going head-to-head with come the end of the year, standings wise,” said McLean head coach Mike O’Brien. The loss drops the Statesmen to 6-4.

The Highlanders fell behind by five points in the first quarter before getting in gear.

“We just missed our shots,” said O’Brien. “The kids came out at half-time with a lead and they extended that lead, and that’s what we stressed at halftime, to not let them creep back in it. It shows my kids are sort of learning and growing up a bit.”

The win was an important one for McLean against a strong rival,

and who will hold local supremacy is anyone’s guess.

“I think our district can be that way all year long,” said O’Brien.

“It can be very one-game-to-thenext, and you got to be ready to play every night.”

At the half-way mark of the season, O’Brien is happy where the team is, but believes the squad could be even better.

“I thought we let one or two games slip away from us, where we had a chance and it could have gone either way down the stretch,” he said.. “But that’s what the early games are for, and hopefully the experience will pay off later in the year for us.”

The coach is happiest with the depth of his well-balanced squad.

“I’m learning out my rotation,” O’Brien said.

“I have a pretty deep group this year,” he added. “As I’ve expressed to my girls, if someone is having an off night, we have the depth to be able to fill in. We can make up for someone having an off night here and there.

“We have a good mix of an inside-outside game. We run the floor pretty well.

“For years I’ve been very defensive oriented,” the coach continued. “We’re trying to do a little bit of a transition to where we’re running a little up-tempo on the break, but I do still preference everything off of us playing good man-to-man D.” Marshall has had a number of contributors on the court, and one of the team leaders has been senior Melissa Wilson.

“I feel like it’s a good start,” said Wilson. “I think we’ll be a strong team this year just by how we’re starting out. Our defense has always been really strong because that’s what coach O’Brien stresses, but we also have a lot of underclassmen who’ve stepped up that have good shots.”

If Wilson is McLean’s post-position yin, then Junior guard Andie Romness is her team’s perimeter yang.

“I think just our focus fore the game in the locker room, I don’t

Area High School Sports Roundup

Marshall Boys Take 2nd Straight Win; Stuart Basketball Edges Out Edison FALLS CHURCH H.S. Jaguars Lose 5th Straight Game, Down 49-36 Vs. Hayfield The Falls Church High School boys basketball team lost its fifth straight when the squad fell to Hayfield 49-36 on the road on Jan. 5. Nizar Alamin scored 17 points for the Jaguars in the loss, which drops them to 3-7. Falls Church is at Edison on Friday.

Falls Church Girls Hoops Fall 64-18 to Hayfield The Lady Jaguars basketball team fell to Hayfield 64-18 earlier this week. The team welcomes Edison at 7:45 p.m. Friday.

Jaguar Swimmers Head to 21st Annual Kecoughtan Invite The

Jaguar

swim

team

returns to the pool Friday against Yorktown, and participates in the 21st Annual Kecoughtan Invitational at Midtown Aquatic on Saturday.

Marshall plays Langley today, and Madison on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

GEORGE C. MARSHALL H.S.

The Statesmen wrestling team faced off against South Lakes on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 6., and welcomes Langley on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

The gymnastic team had a meet on Wednesday, and is next at McLean on Monday, Jan. 11.

After a long lay off, the Marshall swim team returns to the pool Friday against South Lakes.

Marshall Boys Win 2nd Straight Game, Go 3-0 in Liberty District The Marshall High School boys basketball team won its second straight game on the road with a 62-52 victory over South Lakes earlier this week.

Will Simonton scored 15 points to go with 12 rebounds and four assists, and Daniel McClain added 15 points and 12 rebounds as well.

The win improves the Statesmen to 5-5 overall and 3-0 in the Liberty District. Earlier in the week, the team defeated McLean 57-42.

Statesmen Winter Teams Back in Action, Swimmers Return Friday

George Mason H.S. Mason Boys Hoops Suffer Double Setback The George Mason boys varsity basketball team fell 73-55 to

THE LADY HIGHLANDERS varsity basketball team hones their skills at a recent practice. (Photo: Robert Fulton/News-Press) think it was really there.,” Romness said of the game against Marshall. “Then once we started playing, we realized we . . . had to pick it up.”

And picking it up is what the Highlanders have done so far this

season.

“We have so much potential to do really well this year,” said Romness. I think (our record) is where we should be, if not better.”

McLean is home against South Lakes on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Potomac Falls High last Saturday.

Senior Jordan Cheney scored 17 points and snagged 12 rebounds.

The boys narrowly lost, 65-63, to AAA school South County in the third-place game of the Chantilly Holiday Tournament.

Freshman Aaron Young scored 19 points, setting a personal career record, with four clutch three-pointers. Sophomore Jeremy Stewart set a personal record with 17 points.

The boys team opened their Bull Run schedule when they took on Manassas Park Wesnesday night, with results too late for press time. The boys host The Avalon School at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

improve its record to 4-5. Antonio Harris scored 19 points in the victory. The team returns to action at Washington-Lee on Friday.

Following Losses Last Week, Lady ‘Stangs Take on Briar Woods The George Mason girls varsity basketball team took on Briar Woods High Wesnesday night with results too late for press.

J.E.B. STUART H.S. Stuart Boys Defeat Edison, 46-36, Harris Adds 19 Points to Board The Stuart High School boys basketball team defeated Edison 46-36 at home earlier this week to

Lady Raiders Look to Friday To Score Win After Loss to Edison The Stuart girls basketball team fell to Edison 83-33. Bianca Cesaratto scored 15 points. The Raiders welcome Washington-Lee on Friday at 7:45 p.m.

MCLEAN H.S. McLean Boys Basketball Fall 57-42 to Marshall Statesmen The McLean High School boys basketball team fell to Marshall 57-42. Gordon Rogo scored 10 points, and the team now sits at 4-5. The team is at South Lakes on Jan. 12.

Highlanders Prepare to Take on 2010 Meets After a long time out of the pool, the McLean swim team takes on Fairfax on Friday, and the wrestling squad is at Madison on Saturday after a long layoff.

The gymnastics team has a home meet Monday, starting at 6:30 p.m.

January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 19

Despite Weather, Mustang Wrestlers Battle at the Bridge, Place 3 Medals

by John Pitas

Special to the News-Press

With recent bad weather wrecking havoc for their schedule, George Mason High School’s varsity wrestling Head Coach Bryan Harris was grateful that cold temperatures were all he and his Mustang squad had to deal with last Tuesday and Wednesday, at the Battle at the Bridge wrestling tournament hosted by Woodbridge High School.

While many of his starters away for the holidays or hobbled with injuries, Harris considered himself lucky to have nine of his 14 Varsity regulars on the bus with him.

“Last year we could muster only three guys, so I have no complaints,” said Harris.

This year, Mason had no champions but did have three wrestlers earn medals. Senior Manuel Veiga-Diaz led the way with a fourthplace finish at 189-pounds. At 112, Danny Seidita finished in seventh place and Teddy Rueckert claimed seventh at 152. All three finished the tournament with 4-2 records.

The results were not the same as last year, when Mason’s David Ray won the championship of the 152-pound weight class, but was the only Mustang to earn a medal.

“There were 24 guys in each weight class in this tournament, so finishing as high up as our guys did is an accomplishment,” said Harris.

MASON’S MANUEL VEIGA-DIAZ (top) led the Mustangs with a fourth-place finish last weekend. (Photo: Courtesy John Pitas) “But the best part was all of our guys got to experience a big tournament atmosphere,” he explained.

“We have had only dual meets to this point and our post-season consists of tournaments, so it is important to get a feel for how they operate and get a sense of what to expect in the post season. Even the wrestlers who did not place will

benefit from the experience.”

The Mustangs are off until this Saturday, Jan. 9, when they will host Lee, Fauquier, Kettle Run and Mount Vernon High Schools in a dual meet round robin in the George Mason Pit. Wrestling matches will start at 10 a.m., with additional rounds at 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

MUSTANGS DANNY SEIDITA (left) at 112 pounds and Teddy Rueckert (right) at 152 came in seventh place in their weight classes during the Battle at the Bridge tournament. (Photo: Courtesy John Pitas)

Zorn Down, Plenty More to Do Well, Jim Zorn’s long national- the top 10 in yards allowed per capital nightmare is over. In a game. You have a corps of young, move that surprised no one, the if unspectacular, wide receivers.

Redskins finally did the merciful You’re set at tight end. You could thing by pulling the plug on the use some depth at running back, but not even Barry Sanders could embattled coach last week.

I feel sorry for Zorn, not run behind this line. Start there.

You may have noticed I didn’t because he didn’t deserve to be fired, but because he was essen- mention the team’s need at quartially stripped of both meaning- terback. That’s because I thought ful responsibilities and all dignity everyone’s favorite punching bag, before the ‘Skins finally let him Jason Campbell, could use more go. Heck, they were even inter- attention than a line or two.

I’ll say this about viewing members of his staff to take Picking Splinters Jason Campbell.

He’d make a hell of over his job after By a weatherman. I say the season. It was so Mike Hume that because he’s humiliating, a friend spent more time on of mine seriously his back looking up wondered if Zorn shouldn’t start his own “Fire Jim at the sky than anyone on the Zorn” site just to end his suffer- planet last year.

Since arriving in Washington, ing. Now he can move on, and so Campbell’s situation has been a can the Washington Redskins.

Tuesday night the ‘Skins poor one for a developing quarsigned former Broncos boss Mike terback. With what seemed like a Shanahan to be the next savior. new offensive coordinator every It’s an epic contract (are there any season, he’s had more offenses other kind in Washington?) but the thrown at him than some defense Redskins got the Broncos to pick attorneys see in their careers. In up half of Shanahan’s $7M annual addition to learning them all, salary the first two years. Now he had to deal with a dearth of they can get down to the business wide receiver targets, as speedy of making this train wreck of a Santana Moss was often covered and the ‘Skins had to keep their team better.

TE in to help block.

Oh, where to start?

I talked to a few guys from Actually, even my mother knows where to begin this remod- Scouts Inc. earlier this season eling project. Why? Because about the situation and both firmanyone that’s read this column ly believed that Campbell was a regularly knows that I’ve picked good QB in a bad spot. I agree. enough splinters regarding the But he still needs to go.

Campbell needs to put the poiWashington offensive line to build a house. Or at least a lean-to. The sonous environment behind him latter would still be sturdier than and move on with his career. The Redskins need a QB they can the Redskins’ front five.

Four years ago, the Redskins’ believe in. But they don’t need front line allowed just 19 sacks. that QB next year. There are no Each year since, that total has risen attractive QB options on the free by about 10 sacks, up to 29 in agent market (Kyle Orton like2007, 38 in 2008 and now 46 this ly tops the list) and the draft’s season. If there is any clearer sign top QB prospect heading into that the team’s offensive line has the season, Sam Bradford, just become undone by age and lack of had major shoulder surgery. That offseason attention, I don’t know leaves Jimmy Clausen who has what it could be. Particularly con- won … uh … about as much as sidering the team has been running the Redskins the last three years.

Next year is not going to be a West Coast offense under Zorn, a system based on short, quick a playoff year in Washington.

Nor should it be expected to be. passes and ball control.

I wrote recently that the ‘Skins Shanahan’s hiring should signal should spend their first pick on the start of a thorough rebuilding a lineman and I stand by that. process that can lead to sustainGet the most promising guy you able success. And sustainable succan. Then draft two more later. cess starts in the trenches.

You don’t have to address much  Mike Hume may be e-mailed at on defense. That unit finished in mhume@fcnp.com.

Page 20

January 7 - 13, 2010

Community Events Thursday, January 7 Rotary Club Meeting. Visitors are welcome to the 2010 Falls Church Rotary Club assembly. Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). Dinner is $11.

6:30 p.m.

Author Conversation. Media strategist and award-winning journalist David E. Henderson will lead a discussion about modern traditional and online media environments. Arlington Central Library (1015 N Quincy St., Arlington). Free. 7 – 8:30 p.m.

F.C. Book Discussion. The monthly Thursday evening book discussion group takes on Erik Larson’s “The Devil in the White City,” winner of the 2004 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime. Mary Riley Styles Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church).

Free. 7:30 p.m. 703-248-5031.

Leaf Collection. The City of Falls Church will collect citizens’ leaves left by the curb side at homes north of Broad Street on Thursdays and Fridays. Through Friday, Jan. 15 in Falls Church City. For more information, call the Operations Division at 703-248-5281 (TTY 711).

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.

Friday, January 8

Falls Church City Farmers Market.

Regional farmers and artisans display their products at one of Northern Virginia’s busiest farmers markets, here in downtown Falls Church. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Free. 9 a.m. – noon.

Winter Ball. Area 7th & 8th graders are invited to dress up and attend McLean Community Center’s annual teen Winter Ball, with dancing, music, games and more activities throughout the night.

Old Firehouse Teen Center (1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

No tickets or preregistration required. 7 – 10 p.m. 703-448-8336.

Wikiphobia. Comedy improv troupe Chicago City Limits takes to the stage at Wolf Trap to explore modern society’s obsession with technology. The Barns at Wolf Trap (1635 Trap Rd., Vienna). $22. 8 p.m.

Second performance at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9. 703-938-2404.

Take-5 For Recess. A night of board games and more (like Twister) for adults, with drink specials and dancing, too. Sheraton National Hotel (900 S Orme St., Arlington). $10. Atendees asked to bring donation of book or cash for K Street Kate’s Childrens book drive. 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 202-498-9621. www. host-dc.com.

Sunday, January 10

Saturday, January 9 Arlington County Farmers & Flea Market. Visitors can find fresh produce and flowers, antiques, collectibles and more at this year-round market. Court House (between 14th St. & N. Courthouse). Free. 8 a.m. – noon.

703-528-6748 or 703-228-6400.

&

Georgetown Flea Market. This all-year market provides fresh produce, hand-crafted items, jewelry, antiques and more.

Georgetown (1819 35th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). Free. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 202-775-3532.

Piano Performance. McLean Community Center’s “Concerts at the Alden” series features pianist Christopher Schmitt. Alden Theatre (1234 Ingleside Dr., McLean). Free.

3 – 5 p.m. 703-790-0123.

Monday, January 11 Fight Night. Fighters from across the U.S. compete in a brutal, mixed martial arts top level competition.

George Mason University Patriot Center (4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax). $45 – 203. 6:15 p.m. 202-397-7328 or 703-993-3000.

Tuesday, January 12 Artist Roundtable. Traditional/ roots/originals guitarist and singer Andrew Acosta leads a discussion on musical Americana. ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church). Free. 7 – 9 p.m. www. fallschurcharts.org.

Wednesday, January 13 Film Viewing. The screening presents Czech filmmaker Jiri Menzel’s comedy, “I Served the King of England,” about a WW2 everyman trying to make sense of his world.

Shirlington Branch Library (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). Free.

6:30 p.m.

Theater Fine Arts Thursday, January 7

‘Show Boat.’ Signature Theatre’s director Eric Schaeffer presents its version of the classic musical set on the Mississippi, featuring songs such as “Make Believe,” “Bill,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ ‘Dat Man” and “Ol’ Man River.” Runs through next weekend till Jan. 17. Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). Starting at $30. 8 p.m. 703-820-9771. www.sig-online.com.

Friday, January 8

‘The Fantasticks.’ Director Amanda Dehnert and Arena Stage reimagine the story of an abandoned amusement park setting for a budding romance between Matt and Luisa, with a musical score by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. “The Fantasticks” has run Off-

Broadway for 42 years, setting the record. Runs through Jan. 10. Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $27 – 77. 8 p.m. 202-4883300. www.arenastage.org.

Tuesday, January 12

‘I Am My Own Wife.’ Signature Theatre presents a Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize- winning drama about the story of a German transvestite who battles for survival during the Nazi regime.

Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). $42 – 52; discounts for students & senior citizens available. 7:30 p.m. 703-8209771. www.sig-online.com.

Wednesday, January 13

‘Stick Fly.’ Things go awry on Martha’s Vineyard

in this family comedy when an African American man, Kent LeVay, brings his white girlfriend home to meet the family at their summer home. The Chicago Tribune called “Stick Fly,” “an impressively ambitious play.” Arena Stage in Crystal City (1800 S Bell St., Arlington).

Tickets range from $50 – 55. 2 & 7:30 p.m. 202488.3300. www.arenastage.org.

‘Will Success Spoil Rocker Hunter.’ American Century Theater presents a modern adaption of Faust, the classic German tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil. In this current reinvention, the setting is 1950s Hollywood. Preview performances are today and tomorrow, Jan. 14, and are “pay what you can.” No reservations accepted. Gunston Arts Center (2700 S. Lang St., Arlington). 8 p.m. 703-998-4555. www. americancentury.org.

January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 21

live_music&nightlife THURSDAY, January 7 City and Colour. With Lissie. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10 – 20. 7 p.m. 202-265-0930.

Curtis Blues. Bangkok Blues (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $5. 7:30 p.m. 703-534-0095.

An Evening with Asylum Street Spankers. Their “Salvation and Sin” Tour. Seated. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $17. 8 p.m.

703-255-1566.

The Capstan Shafts. With The Cheniers, The Octagon. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $8.

8:30 p.m. 202-667-4490.

friday, January 8 Capital Focus Jazz Band. Bangkok Blues (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $7, includes later show. 7 p.m. 703-534-0095.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder.

Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m.

Also performs on Saturday, same time & price. 703-549-7500.

An Evening with SGGL. Seated show.

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

Honor By August. With Melodime, Locksley, The B-Film Extras. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10 – 15. 8 p.m. 202-265-0930.

Second Saturdays. Backstage party featuring Seas, Cat Jack. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $8. 8 p.m. 202-667-4490.

Frontiers. Journey tribute band. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $12. 8:30 p.m.

703-237-0300.

Rome in a Day. With Citizen, Punch Drunk Poets. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $12.

9 p.m. 703-522-8340.

The Upper Crust. With Death By Sexy, Fishnet Stalkers. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $12.

9 p.m. 202-667-4490.

Anthony “Swampdog” Clark. Bangkok Blues (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $7, includes earlier show.

10 p.m. 703-534-0095.

The Walkaways. With Taylor Carson, Wes Tucker and the Skillets. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $12. 9 p.m. 703-5228340.

The D.R.A.M.A. Kings. With Dreaming of Eden, Redshift. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 10 p.m.

703-255-1566.

Boomerang. Bangkok Blues (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $7, includes earlier show. 10 p.m. 703-534-0095.

SATURDAY, January 9 An Evening with John Jorgenson Quintet. Seated show. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Big Tow. Bangkok Blues (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church). $7, includes later show. 7 p.m. 703-534-0095.

RJD2. With Happy Chichester. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10 – 20. 8 p.m. 202-265-0930.

SUNDAY, January 10 Thatswhatshesaid. With Counting Out Loud, Matthew Pablo, A+ Dropouts. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $13. 2 p.m. 703-2551566.

Blues Jam. With Hot Rods and Old Gas and Hot Roddess Lisa Lim. Bangkok Blues (926 W. Broad St., Falls Church). Free. 6 p.m. 703-534-0095.

Iota Poetry Series. A night of open readings and readings by featured artists. Hosted by poet Miles David Moore. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). Free. 6 – 8 p.m. 703-522-8340.

This Day Waits. With Sub-radio Standard, Streetlight Silhouettes, Bybrooke, Box Robots. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $13. 6 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Joe Rogan. Popular stand-up comedian and TV actor. Seated show. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10 – 25. 7 p.m. 202-265-0930.

Monday, January 11 Jucifer. With Salome. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10.

9 p.m. 202-667-4490.

Tuesday, January 12 Julian Casablancas. 9:30 Club (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10 – 20.

7 p.m. 202-265-0930.

Mid-Atlantic Band Battle II. Various bands from the East Coast compete.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). Through Thursday, Jan. 14. $10 each day, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

703-255-1566.

War. Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria). $45. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

Justin Trawick. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $10.

8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340.

Planning Ahead...

D

on’t worry if you’ve already slipped up on your “responsible eating” resolution– everyone in the D.C. area knows that can’t start until the end of Winter Restaurant Week! Not that I’m condoning irresponsible eating (thought, at times, I have), but it’s hard to resist the opportunity to wine and dine, multiple times, at the area’s best restaurants at a fraction of the regular cost. Once again, starting Monday, close to 180 restaurants in D.C., Maryland and Virginia will be offering up amazing, three-course meals for only $20.10 for lunch and $35.10 for dinner. The list of restaurants to choose from may seem daunting, so to help you out, here’s some can’t-miss spots: Falls Church’s 2941 & Argia’s, Jeff Buben’s Bistro Bis & Vidalia, the bar at Bourbon Steak DC, ridiculous steak at Capital Grille in Tysons & D.C., Nage in the Dupont Courtyard Marriott, the brand new RIS, Old Town’s Vermilion, the exceptional Willow in Arlington and my personal favorite, Grille at the Morrison House.

So get to wining and dining– resolutions are only a week away.

What: Washington, D.C. Winter Restaurant Week When: Monday, January 11 - Sunday, January 13, 2010 Where: 180 D.C., Maryland & Virginia Restaurants

See washington.org/restaurantwk for a list of participating restaurants

Saturday, Jan. 16 – Model Railroad Exhibition. The Northern Virginia Model Railroaders will display a large-scale model of the Western North Carolina Railroad at their open house held in the historic Washington & Old Dominion Depot in Vienna along the bike trail.

W&OD Depot (231 Dominion Rd., Vienna). Free (donations accepted). 1 – 5 p.m. 703-9385157 or www.nvmr.org.

Saturday, Jan. 30 – Holiday Card & Calendar Recycling Workshop. Volunteers down at the Cherry Hill Farmhouse will demonstrate to visitors how to turn those cards and calendars into gift boxes. Visitors can bring material or use material on-site. Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). Free. 10 a.m. – noon. Call 703-248-5171 for reservations.

Calendar Submissions 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: 703-342-0347; Attn: FCNP Calendar Mail: 450 West Broad Street, #321, Falls Church, VA 22046

Page 22

January 7 - 13, 2010

Roger Ebert’s Movie Review

‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’

PETER TRAVERS

by Roger Ebert

MICHAEL CERA

PORTIA DOUBLEDAY

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The traditional motto at Second City is Something Wonderful Right Away, and maybe Terry Gilliam has the words displayed on his mirror when he shaves every morning. He has never faltered. “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” could be seen as a sideshow version of his own life, with him playing the role of the pitchman who lures you into his fantasies. That they may seem extravagant and overheated, all smoke and mirrors, is, after all, in the nature of a pitchman’s fantasies.

The story in Gilliam’s fevered new film is all over the map as usual, but this time there’s a rea-

Tony ..................... Heath Ledger Imaginarium Tony 1 .Johnny Depp Imaginarium Tony 2 . ... Jude Law Imaginarium Tony 3 .Colin Farrell Dr. Parnassus .Christopher Plummer

Anton . .............. Andrew Garfield Percy ...................... Verne Troyer Valentina ...................... Lily Cole Mr. Nick ..................... Tom Waits

son for it. His wild inventions in character, costumes and CGI effects are accounted for by a plot that requires revolving worlds.

Elements of this plot were made necessary by the tragic death of Heath Ledger halfway into the shooting, but the plot itself, I think, was in place from the first.

Sony Pictures Classics presents a film directed by Terry Gilliam.

Screenplay by Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown.

Running time: 122 minutes.

MPAA rating: PG-13 (for violent images, some sensuality, language and smoking).

T: 21 in

It involves a bizarre, threadbare traveling show that unfolds out of a rickety old wagon in run-down pockets of London occupied mostly by drunks and grotesques. The show consists of the (very, very) old Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) perching ominously on a stool while his barker, Anton (Andrew Garfield), his daughter, Valentina (Lily Cole), and his angry dwarf, Percy (Verne Troyer), try to perform for an unruly handful of lager louts.

Percy and Anton save the life of a man hanging from a bridge. Why only they can perform this task is wisely not explained. The man on the rope is Tony (Heath Ledger).

I know. He joins the show, is appalled by its archaic form and suggests updates. The reason it’s creaky is that Dr. Parnassus is many centuries old, having made a pact with Satan (Tom Waits, as usual) to live forever on condition that Satan can possess his daughter when she turns 16. You have to admit, Dr. Parnassus didn’t rush into reproduction. Of course, he wants out of the deal. Satan freThink the Real Estate Market Has Gone to the Dogs?

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Page 23

Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch and grandma Carol Burnett, and her best friend (but not boyfriend) is Zach Gilford. Evokes the movies of a more innocent time. Rating: Three stars.

M

Mini Movie Reviews Opening in Theaters

L

eap Year (Romance, PG, 97 minutes). Amy Adams and Matthew Goode have all the charm necessary to float a romantic comedy that follows an ancient plot trajectory with sweetness. Amy flies to Ireland for Leap Day, where she hopes to propose marriage to her fiance of four long years (Adam Scott), but her journey must overcome many hazards, and she’s thrown together on the road with a handsome but surly young pub owner (Matthew Goode), and what do you expect happens then? Adams and Goode invest a familiar story with fresh appeal. Rating: Three stars.

Heath Ledger stars as Tony in Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” (Photo: © Sony Pictures

Classics)

quently runs into credit payment risks.

Tony, it develops, can enter/ evoke/control/create strange worlds on the other side of a looking glass on the shabby stage. In these worlds anything goes, which is always to Gilliam’s liking. GCI allows the director and his designers to run riot, which they do at a gallop, and some wondrous visions materialize.

I believe Ledger was intended to be the guide through all of these.

But Gilliam apparently completed filming all the outer-world London scenes, Ledger returned to New York for R&R, and the rest is sad history. Gilliam replaced him by casting Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell as the Tonys of Imaginariums 1 through 3 and offering no other explanation, as indeed with Imaginariums he isn’t required to do. Depp looks the most like Ledger, but it’s a melancholy fact that Farrell steals the role.

My problem with Terry Gilliam’s pictures is that they lack a discernible storyline. I don’t require A-B-C, Act 1-2-3, but I do rather appreciate having some notion of a film’s own rules. Gilliam indeed practices Something Wonderful Right

Away, and you get the notion that if a bright idea pops into his head, he feels free to write it into his screenplay under the Cole Porter Rule (Anything Goes). Knowing my history with Gilliam, whom I always want to like more than I do, I attended the Cannes screening of “Dr. Parnassus” in order to be baffled, which I was, and then the Chicago press screening, where I had an idea what was coming and tried to reopen my mind. Gilliam is, you understand, a nice man, and has never committed the sin of failing to amaze.

Now what I see are a group of experienced actors gamely trying to keep their heads while all about are losing theirs. Can it be easy to play one-third of a guide to one-third of an arbitrary world? You just have to plunge in.

Ledger himself, who makes Tony relatively grounded in the “real” world, must have been prepared to do the same, and would have lent the story more continuity.

Still, this movie is an Imaginarium indeed. The best approach is to sit there and let it happen to you: See it in the moment and not with long-term memory, which seems to be what Dr. Parnassus does. It keeps his mind off Satan’s plans for his daughter.

T

he Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (Drama, PG-13, 102 minutes). Never produced, long-forgotten Tennessee Williams screenplay from the 1950s, now filmed with Bryce Dallas Howard as a Southern heiress who tasted the freedom of Paris and now pretends to re-enter stultifying Memphis high society. Not a very good screenplay or film, but rich in Tennessee’s obsessions, and at its center a great performance by Ellen Burstyn, as old Miss Addie, who escaped to Hong Kong and opium but has been dragged back to an upstairs bedroom to die. Downstairs, the band plays on. Rating: Three stars.

B

irdwatchers (Drama, not rated, 102 minutes). A group of Brazilian Indians, displaced from their ancestral lands, returns to live there over the objections of farmers and the federal government. A ground-level drama from the Indians’ POV, with strong work

by Indians playing themselves. The message is obvious, but the locations and performances are haunting. Rating: Three stars.

D

aybreakers (Horror, R, 98 minutes). Ten years in the future, a global epidemic has infected most of the population with vampirism. Humans, the blood supply, near extinction. Ethan Hawke plays an ethical vampire who works to develop a blood substitute and builds a bond with human survi-

vors, who are opposed by the fanatic Vampire Army. An intriguing future where most people live by night; but the story holds few surprises and the ending is routine violence. Lots of bloody vampire explosions, though.

Rating: Two and a half stars.

OON (Sci-fi thriller, R, 97 m., 2009). Sam Rockwell plays a man serving the end of a three-year tour of duty on a lonely mining outpost on the far side of the moon. What kind of a man would volunteer for such duty? What kind of a corporation would ask him to? We find out. Superior hard science fiction. Rating: Three and a half stars.

C

Y

LOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (Animated comedy, PG, 90 m., 2009).

A 3-D animated comedy about a kid who invents a machine that will turn water into food. It goes wild, floods his island with food, and attacks it with a spaghetti and meatballs tornado. Haven’t seen that before.

Rating: Two and a half stars.

New on Video & DVD

ARANORMAL ACTIVITY (Horror Thriller, R, 96 m., 2009). An ingenious little horror film, so well made it’s truly scary, that arrives claiming it’s the real thing. Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston, a San Diego couple, have been bothered by indications of paranormal activity in an upstairs bedroom. Micah’s bright idea is to film in the house, leaving the video camera running as a silent sentinel while they sleep. Like any man with a new toy, he becomes obsessed with this notion – the whole point, for him, isn’t Katie’s fear but his film. After one big scare, she asks him incredulously, “Did you actually go back to pick up your camera?” Flawlessly acted, eerie and realistic. Rating: Three and a half stars.

outh in Revolt (Comedy, R, 90 minutes). Michael Cera is laid back to a point approaching the horizontal in a comedy about a 16-year-old who lusts in hapless dreams and whose divorced parents are both shacked up. When his character, Nick Twisp, meets the lovely Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday) during family vacations to the Restless Axles trailer camp, it’s love, but it’s not simple. Cera’s selfeffacing style works nicely with his urgent desires. Rating: Three stars.

D

EPARTURES (Drama, PG-13, 130 m., 2009). A jobless classical musician takes a job in “encoffinment,” the Japanese ritual preparation of the dead. The film is lovely, moving and wise, and the actors embody their roles – the young man, his fond wife, his wise boss and the boss’s encouraging, quietly sad assistant. Directed by Yojiro Takita. Winner of the 2009 Oscar for best foreign film. Rating: Four stars.

F

AME (Musical drama, PG, 107 m., 2009). A pale retread of the 1980 classic, lacking the power and emotion of the original. A group of hopeful kids enrolls in the New York City School of the Performing Arts and struggle through four years to find themselves. Their back stories are shallow, many seem too old and confident, the plot doesn’t engage them, and although individual performers like Naturi Naughton sparkle as a classical pianist who wants to sing hip-hop, the film is too superficial to make them convincing. Rating: Two stars.

P

OST GRAD (Comedy, PG-13, 89 m., 2009). A screwball comedy and also, I have to say, a feel-good movie that made me smile a lot. It’s about the Malby family, who are just plain nice, and stick together, and have goofy things happens to them. Alexis Bledel glows in the lead, as a recent grad who’s job-hunting. Her family is played by

P

J

ENNIFER’S BODY (Horror, R, 102 m., 2009). In her fist starring role, Megan Fox plays the most popular girl in school, who is transformed into a fiend who eats the flesh of teenage boys. Amanda Seyfried plays her lifelong friend and the only one who realizes she’s become a demon. Not an assemblyline teen horror thriller; has a gleeful relish. Diablo Cody’s first screenplay after “Juno.” Directed by Karyn Kusama (“Girlfight”). Rating: Three stars.

D

ISTRICT 9 (Science fiction, R, 111 m., 2009). An alien spaceship hovers over Johannesburg, its occupants stranded and starving. They’re placed in a fenced-in district, where the locals fear and resent them. Looking like a cross between lobsters and grasshoppers, they’re sort of loathsome, but one human and one alien work together, in a mockumentary with apartheid parallels. Rating: Three stars. (c) 2009 The Ebert Co.

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January 7 - 13, 2010

for a drop-in session; Thursday, 1 – 4 p.m., Jan. 7 – April 1, $90 for all or $9 for each drop-in; Saturday, 4 – 7:30 p.m., Jan. 9 – April 4, $100 for all or $10 per drop-in.

Public Opportunity F.C. Art on Display Falls Church Arts (FCA) call for submissions to its annual allmember show. While this group runs all-member shows through out the year, traditionally this one has been the largest and most well attended of them all.

Past shows opened in the Volvo dealership, then moved the next day, or even that night, to whatever make-do space was available that year. The openings were large, but the follow-up shows had high attrition rates. Moving art around isn’t a lot of fun: it’s often bulky, fragile and, in the end, time-consuming.

Doing it twice was understandably more than many were up for.

The dizzying chaos is over, and the FCA now has a home. This year’s show will open at Art Space (410 South Maple Ave., Falls Church), and will remain in place for the entire run.

This year’s show titled “Phases” adds a thematic wrinkle, requesting art works dealing with phases – lunar, personal or otherwise.

This non-juried show will accept two works per artist. There is no submission fee past the obvious membership requirements.

Historically speaking, the membership fee acts as an entry fee for all FCA shows throughout the year.

Deadline for entry forms is Monday, Feb. 1. The show will run from Feb. 19 – March 21.

For complete details and a downloadable entry forms, see www.

FallsChurchArts.org.

Hone Those Skills Open Drawing Studio Tuesday evenings, Thursday and Saturday afternoons, at McLean Project for the Arts in the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean). For more details, call 703-790-1953 or visit www.mpaart.org. Register online at www.mcleancenter.org.

It’s time for open studio sign up at MPA, with three individual series. Signing up for the whole semester nets three free sessions over all, or you can pick and choose individual sessions.

The schedules are as follows: Tuesday, 7 – 9:30 p.m., Jan. 5 through March 30, $90 for all or $8

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a national environmental organization, is issuing an open call for original artwork to hang in the public spaces of its Washington, D.C. offices for approximately one year.

The theme of this juried show, “Thoreau’s Legacy: Humans and Our Habitat,” is based on a book of essays dealing with the personal impacts of global warming published this year by Penguin Classics (for more information, go to www.ucsusa.org/americanstories).

The jurors are Washington Post art critic Michael O’Sullivan; artist and curator Ellyn Weiss; and artist, graphic designer, illustrator and UCS Communications Director Elliott Negin.

Deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 15. Artists may submit up to three works for consideration on CD, or via e-mail (no slides, please). There is no submission fee, nor a commission fee for sales. Artists must enclose a data sheet with their contact information, along with art work details (size, media, title, etc.) and a short artist statement as to how the work relates to the theme.

Send Entries to: Douglas Pedersen, Union of Concerned Scientists, 1825 K St. NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 200061232 (on a CD) or via email todpedersen@ucsusa.org. For more information, call Pedersen at 202331-5650.

UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.ucsusa.org.

Open Studio Space Arlington Arts Center (AAC) is accepting applications for an open slot in one of their shared studio spaces at the center (3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington).

Deadline has been extended until Jan. 15, with the final selection announced a week later. The studio space will become available the first part of February.

If you’re looking for studio space, this one is hard to beat. The artists in residence have exclusive gallery exhibition space on the third floor level, on a rotating basis. With opening events at AAC highly attended, it’s great

exposure. There are some strings attached beyond the simple rental fee, though nothing particularly onerous by any means. For further details, see www.arlingtonartscenter.org/studios/apply, or call 703248-6800 for questions.

Poetry in Motion Moving Words 11th Annual Poetry Competition; Open Call

for D.C. area poets. The deadline for up to three submissions per poet is Friday, Jan. 22. There is no entry fee.

Six finalists will receive $100 each, and see their literary work placed on posters inside D.C. Metro buses that run throughout the Arlington/Falls Church/ Fairfax area.

This year’s competition requests thematic works deal-

ing with the notion of “Getting There.”

For more information, call 703-228-1854 or visit http:// arlingtonarts.org/cultural-affairs/ moving-words.aspx.  The Northern Virginia Art Beat is compiled by Kevin Mellema.

See www.fcnp.com for photos and more. To e-mail submissions, send them to kevinmellema@gmail.com.

January 7 - 13, 2010

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Jan

7 ay

sd Thur

City and Colour 9:30 Club 7 p.m.

815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-265-0930 • 930.com

The Capstan Shafts Black Cat 8:30 p.m.

1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

202-667-4490 • blackcatdc.com

8

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Frida

Frontiers Journey Tribute State Theatre 8:30 p.m.

220 N. Washington St., Falls Church 703-237-0300 • thestatetheatre.com

9 ay

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by Mike Hume

Falls Church News-Press

There’s something invigorating about variety. The diversity engages our minds in ways that keep them agile, always ready to welcome and interact with something new.

There’s also something comforting about routine. Knowing exactly what’s coming, we embrace the familiar and can dispatch our focus from the details and concentrate more fully on the task at hand.

In this way, Mike Mattison, the vocalist for both The Derek Trucks Band and the co-founder of blues group Scrapomatic, leads a very balanced professional life. Since 2002, Mattison has sung for the renowned blues jam band, an outfit that has garnered a bit more acclaim due to Trucks’ guitar virtuoso status and work with the Allman Brothers. However, Mattison’s involvement with Scrapomatic dates back to the mid-90s, when he began performing in the roots/jazz/blues duo with guitarist/vocalist and fellow Minnesota native Paul Olsen. “[In] The Derek Trucks Band, I feel like I’m just a piece of the puzzle, just trying to fit in to the ensemble. It’s really more of an improvisational ensemble. Singing isn’t really the focus of what’s going on there,” Mattison says.

“Scrapomatic is my material and, while occasionally we’ll have a band, Paul and I will often have to do all the work ourselves. I’m lucky to have both experiences. It’s kind of a musician’s dream to be able to play both sides of the coin.”

Since joining forces, Mattison and Olsen haven’t lacked for acclaim either. In 1997, the duo was nominated for Best R&B Group and Mattison for Best Male Vocalist in the

SCRAPOMATIC (Photo: Tamera Morgan) Minnesota Music Awards. Since relocating to New York, the duo has performed throughout the city’s many venues, even taking the stage at Carnegie Hall.

Scrapomatic performs what Mattison dubs “a modern take on back-porch music,” a revamped spin on an old idiom, since, as Mattison says, “when Mississippi John Hurt was playing, there weren’t malls.”

“Part of the modern take is playing electric instruments, but it’s also about subject matter and our sense of storytelling. I think it’s rooted in the blues tradition, but it’s also trying to tell stories about people we know, things we have experienced. We’re trying to tell stories about modern life.”

On their latest album, Sidewalk Caesars, tunes alternate from the singer-songwriter-ish “Good Luck With Your Impossible Dream,” to the full-on delta blues stylings of “I Want the Truth,” and the frantic rock of “I Just Wanna

Scrapomatic Mansion at Strathmore 9 p.m.

The FCNP crew gnawed on these melodies these week:

10701 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 301-581-5100 • strathmore.org

 

Nicholas Benton- Tiny Dancer by Elton John

Jody Fellows- I`m Yours/Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Straight No Chaser  

Natalie Bedell- Painters by Jewel Dean Edwards- Digital Sea by Thrice

Hang Around With You,” a forceful tune you’d unlikely expect from a “back-porch” duo.

“A lot of my favorite concert blues artists became electrified. When we started Scrapomatic, it was just Paul and myself, so we needed to make as much noise as possible with just two people. That was kind of a challenge, to take a blues duo, but make it sound like five or six different people,” says Mattison.

On the songwriting front, he plainly states that Scrapomatic is lucky to have a musiccollege-trained guitarist like Olsen, but their shared heritage growing up in Minnesota helps the process run smoothly. “We share kind of a dark, mid-western humor,” Mattison says.

“There’s a shared trust about our songwriting.

If he can’t finish something off, he’ll dump it in my lap and vice versa.”

While Mattison’s work in The Derek Trucks Band helps keep him energized, his relationship with Olsen has been anything but mundane. While the duo’s familiarity with each other allows them to tailor their work to their strengths, Mattison says that there are few days that go by without Olsen surprising him with some previously unknown skill, talent or taste.

“He’s an interesting cat. He holds his cards close to his vest, but he’s had a wide range of experiences. Some of the lyrics and melodies he comes up with, my jaw is just kind of on the ground.”

Fans in the D.C. area will get an opportunity to share in that jaw-dropping experience when Scrapomatic plays the Mansion at Strathmore in Bethesda, Md. on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.

W .B 8 ro 00 395 ad January A 7 - 13, 2010 St Pho Sate r my Navy Dr. .

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Restaurant Spotlight

Social

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True to its theme, Social invites diners to stay awhile, relax and make dining more than a meal — it’s a conversation. And whether it’s chit chat www.edencenter.com 7 or food, there’s plenty to share over drinks at this Also weekdays: Free Wi-Fi Try a Bahn Mi sandwich on a fresh baguette! at selected locations and a new Senior Menu! aptly-named hot spot.

Only $2.50 to $3.00 per sandwich, MANY OF WASHINGTON'S 7700 Wisconsin Ave. 12224 Rockville Pike BEST RESTAURANTS New to the D.C. restaurant1201 scene since last at the following Eden Center locations: S. Joyce St. Bethesda, MD Rockville, MD WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE AND summer, Social plays on the concept of “micro301-986-0285 301-468-0886 WASHINGTON POST REVIEWED dining.” Menu items ranging from Baby Lamb Lollipops to Vegetable Crudités can be ordered in three sizes: intimate, social or gala. While an intimate portion is comparable to an appeAuthentic Afghan Cuisine Call for Reservations tizer, gala-sized plates are said to feed up to nine people. Yes, there’s even entrées, or “self124 N. Lunch: 11 am-2:00 pm indulgence” menu items, for the anti-Social.

Washington St. Dinner : 5 pm-10 pm Falls Church, VA Even with a packed house this New Eve, Social’sonstaff still managed 105 W. Broad St. Falls Church, VA 22046 Try aYear’s Bahn Mi sandwich a fresh baguette!to stay on top of everyone, By the intersections • Sunday 5-10 • seat diners quickly and return often enough to$2.50 take to additional orders.

Customers are left with their menus Only $3.00 per sandwich, of Rt. 7 & 29 and encouraged to order more while they stick around. And though not an everyday occasion, the Columbia Free Parking in Rear at the following Eden Center locations: Phone: (703) 536-4566 Heights newbie celebrated its first NYE last Thursday with a sans-cover-charge countdown trifecta of sorts (703) 534-1033 924 W. Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046 — free Brazilian beer at 10 p.m., free Puerto Rican rum punch at 11 p.m. and, of course, free champagne at midnight as it celebrated the arrival of 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, San Juan and the District.

However, the horns and party hats didn’t detract from the food or, better yet, the flavor.

The standout dish had to be the “Big Easy” BBQ Shrimp ($7/13/18). While two diners will definitely want three to four intimate-sized picks, the flavor here is heavy enough to fulfill an appetite more than an average tapas-style plate would. The sautéed wild gulf shrimp, deglazed with cognac and simmered Restaurant & Lounge in a zesty cream reduction, are served with slices of crusty ciabatta bread that come in handy when diners want to soak up the leftover sauce. Coming in at a close second was a tie between the Sonoran Mahi Call for Reservations Mahi Tacos ($9/15/20) and Vietnamese Pulled Pork Sliders ($8/14/19) — both of which are served in 1/2 OFF ENTREE portions of three at the intimate level. www.theharvestmoonrestaurant.com Buy One Entree, Get A 2nd Of Equal Or Lesser Value 1/2 OFF. Stuffed in a soft corn tortilla is grilled tropical white fish seasoned with citrus, chili and herbs, 105 W. Broad St. Falls Church, VA 22046 (Graham Center across from Loehmann’s Plaza) One coupon per party. Not valid with any other offer.

7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042 paired with jalapeño cabbage, topped with a roasted jalapeño-mango salsa and finished with a smoked Valid with Valpak. coupon only. tomato aioli. Talk about flavor. And not in that overdone, “calm down” sort of way. All of these accents surprisingly complemented each other in a hands-down, gimme-more sense. Equally pleasing were the BISTRO miniature pork sandwiches, with meat braised in lemongrass and caramel and packed with hao long des Célestins dragon slaw into small rolls.

A return trip is inevitable for the trying of the dessert alone. From Blueberry Pot Pie ($8) to — wait for it — Warm Cookies & Milk ($8), Social strikes a childlike cord in anyone’s sweet-tooth.

CA F È Above the cuisine kudos, the best thing about Social is the eradication of the all-too-familiar rush in Tel: (703) 538-3033 an area where rushing around is, well, all too familiar. Instead of a waiter presenting an unannounced Fax: (703) 573-0409 check face down with a polite grin to signal “get moving,” Social’s staff returns to see what else you’d 6876 Lee Highway like to try off its menu. Seating suited for groups provides couches over chairs around tables in the cenArlington, Virginia 22213 ter, while dining for couples is strategically placed with a street view overlooking 14th street from the www.lacotedorcafe.com upstairs dining room. Below on the first floor, a fully-stocked bar draws the nightlife into its lounge-like set-up. And if the staff upstairs wasn’t friendly enough, a bartender downstairs actually apologized for being “busy” before quickly handing over champagne one minute shy of midnight.

Let’s just say what Social fails to lack in its welcoming environment, it more than compensates for in its class.

370 West Broad St. Falls Church,VA 703-891-0148

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— Natalie Bedell

Tysons Station Shopping Center 7510 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, Va

703-847-5336 Hours

Mon-Thurs: 11 am-10 pm Fri-Sat: 11 am - 11 pm Sun: Noon - 10 pm

Hours: Open Daily 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Dining Guide Find out how to appear here for only $50 a week!

Ask about discounts for combining display & online advertising.

Call Nick G. at 703-532-3267 for more info.

January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 27

Harvest Moon Restaurant & Lounge

“The Harvest Moon Restaurant ... a bright... light on the dining n landscape off Northern Virginia.”

- Joan Horwitt - Washing n ton Post Banquet Facilities (up to 700 people) W WHGGLQJV Ć Bus usiness L Luncheons or DiQQHUV Ć OrAny Occasion o Extensive Menu Free Delivery within 3 mile radius, $10 minimum

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Lunch Dinner Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Fri 5pm-9pm Adults - $7.95 Adults - $8.95 Kids (2-10) - $3.95 Kids (2-10) - $4.50 Sat. & Sun. 11:30-9pm Adults - $8.95 Kids - $4.50

George Mason Poets Vie to Qualify for State Contest

703-573-6000

The English Department at George Mason High School is sponsoring the second annual Poetry Out Loud competition at 1:20 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 8. The contest invites 12 students from grades 9 – 12 to recite two poems each. The winner will represent Mason in Richmond for the state competition. Friday’s competition will take place in the Mason auditorium (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church).

www.theha w rvestmoonrestaurant.com (Graham Center across from Loehmann¶s Plaza) 7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, V VA 22042

Meekins Preschool Invites Parents to Open House

Featuring Mi, the other popular Vietnamese soup

Mi, n. The delicious Chinese influenced egg noodle soup, often served with meatballs, steak, chicken, or seafood. Available at Hai Ky Mi Gia (6757 Wilson, Store 24), Hu Tiu Mi Cho Lan (6793D Wilson), and many other fine restaurants at Eden Center.

www.edencenter.com

MANY OF WASHINGTON'S BEST RESTAURANTS WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE AND WASHINGTON POST REVIEWED

Parents are invited to the F.B. Meekins Cooperative Preschool Open House. The open house a chance to tour the school, meet teachers and fellow parents and pick up applications for Fall 2010. Meekins welcomes children between 2 – 5 years old, with immediate openings for 3 – 5 year olds.

The open house is from 10 a.m. – noon, this Saturday, Jan. 9 at the school (900 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). For more details, visit www.fbmeekins.org or call 703-938-3588.

Parents Invited to Explore Meadow View Possibilities

Is participating in Washington, DC Restaurant Week January 11th-17 th. $20.10 for a three-course fixed-price lunch. $35.10 for a three-course fixed-price dinner.

Call now for reservations.

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George Mason IB Program Hosts Information Meeting

he readers of Bethe esda Magazine 2008

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Trinity School at Meadow View, one of two Virginia high schools to win the national 2009 Blue Ribbon for academic excellence, invites the public to an information night to learn more about Meadow View’s focus on the sciences, humanities and fine arts for students between grades 7 – 12. The event is at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the high school (2849 Meadow View Rd., Falls Church). For more details, visit www. trinitymv.org or call 703-629-9932.

122244 Rockvile Pike Roockville, MD 3001-468-0886

370 West Broad St. Falls Church, VA V 703-891-0148

Free Pa Fr P rk r ing n Availa l ble l

Parents of students between grades 8 – 10 are invited to attend an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program information night at George Mason High School. The event, at 7 p.m. next Thursday, Jan. 14 in the school cafe (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church), will inform parents about the IB program. The agenda includes talks by Mason IB Coordinator Asheesh Misra and the Director of Counseling Amy Kurjanowicz, as well as from current IB students, graduates and parents.

McLean’s Yearbook, Clan, Earns High Accolades Clan, the yearbook of McLean High School, was named a Crown Finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association

late last month, becoming one of 33 yearbooks nationwide honored with the distinction. The Crown is the highest honor awarded by the association. The Clan staff will learn on March 19 whether they have been awarded a Gold or Silver Crown.

FCPS Board Member Will Appear at Local PTA Event The Kilmer Middle School Parent– Teacher Association (PTA) has arranged for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board member Patty Reed to attend a joint Kilmer–Freedom Hill sponsored budget forum. The forum invites teachers, staff members and parents from the Kilmer and Freedom Hill area, as well members of the pyramid schools (like Marshall High), to attend. The budget forum will take place at 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Kilmer Middle School (8100 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna).

Stuart Singers Hold Annual ‘Broadway’ Fundraiser J.E.B. Stuart High School (3301 Peace Valley Lane, Falls Church) is hosting the 6th annual “Broadway Desserts,” showcasing various Broadway tunes with two shows this Saturday, Jan. 9. The first event begins at 2 p.m. with desserts, followed by a 3 p.m. show, and the later event begins at 6 p.m. with desserts followed by a 7 p.m. show will follow. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. For more information, call Stuart High at 703-824-3900.

Mustangs Scholastic Bowl Team Remains Undefeated The undefeated George Mason High School Scholastic Bowl Team won three games last month during the team’s single home meet this season. The Mustangs racked up on average 325 points per game, beating Manassas Park (370-60), Strasburg (355-80) and Rappahannock County (300105). The Mason Scholastic Bowl team has two more regular season games next Monday, Jan. 11, at Manassas Park High, before travelling to Rappahannock to vie for the district title.

FCCPS Opens Day Care Registration Online Day care registration for the upcoming Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) Professional Development Days of Friday, Jan. 29 and Monday, Feb. 1 is now open online until Jan. 22. All FCCPS students in the city between grades K – 7 are eligible.

To download the registration packet and more information, visit: http://bit.ly/wkbhe.

Page 28

January 7 - 13, 2010

There’s An App For That DENVER – Have you had too much to drink?

There’s an app for that.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has created a free iPhone program that lets users calculate their blood alcohol level.

By entering basic information – your weight, sex, number of hours you’ve been drinking and the type and amount of alcoholic beverages you’ve consumed – you’ll get an idea whether you’ve overdone it.

In addition to getting an estimated blood-alcohol concentration, users see messages such as, “No hangover expected,” and “You’re buzzed.”

If they are considered over the legal blood-alcohol level for driving under the influence – 0.08 percent – the app displays an apt warning: “Don’t even think about it.”

By Andy Vuong “People just need to be aware The Denver Post of how alcohol affects them,” said Heather Halpape, a spokeswoman for the transportation department’s safety programs. “This is just a tool to give them a little idea of where they are.”

Users can also click on a “Taxi” icon for the phone number of the closest Yellow Cab office. Called “R-U-Buzzed?” the app uses the iPhone’s GPS to determine the person’s location before offering the telephone number.

It’s the first time a state transportation department has created such an app, agency officials say.

But it’s not intended as a substitute for common sense.

Difficulty entering the information might mean you’re a good candidate to walk home.

The agency stresses the program should be used only as a guide as it doesn’t consider other critical factors, such as an individual user’s metabolism or whether they’ve had anything to eat with their drinks.

Developed by Denver-based ID345, the app is part of CDOT’s “Plan Ahead” campaign to cut down on drunk driving during the holidays.

And it’s proving popular, already downloaded 3,000 times since it was posted in Apple’s app store in mid-November. It ranks among the Top 50 health and fitness programs, according to ID345.

Emily Tompkins, Colorado executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said she doesn’t advocate for the tool because too many other factors can affect a person’s impairment level.

“I think there’s a lot of room for error and people just really have to understand it’s an estimate and the point is to plan before you’ve been drinking,” Tompkins said.

She lauded the campaign’s overall message, which encourages people to decide how they’ll get home before they start drinking.

The campaign targeted the holidays because of the surge in office and house parties.

Simply Spirits

Deal Me In with Daniel Negreanu Here’s another excerpt from my new book, Deal Me In, written by my friend and perennial fan-favorite poker professional, Daniel Negreanu. I hope you enjoy it: I can remember going to the mall in Toronto with my brother and parents and just staring at people. I guess all kids do that, but there was more to it for me than just staring at things that were new to me. I was, at just five years old, trying to figure people out. I was a people watcher then and I’m a people watcher to this day.

I still do that sort of thing when I go to the mall. I can’t help myself, I’ve always been intrigued by people and want to know what makes them tick. It just so happens that doing that kind of thing is excellent training for the poker table.

My affinity for people, num-

bers, and competition eventually brought me into poker. I’d never played the game as a kid; my first taste of poker was through my buddies at the pool hall. One night after a snooker tournament, I got invited to a house game. They were playing all kinds of crazy wild card games like Kings and Little Ones, Follow the Queen, In Between and 7/27.

It didn’t take long before I lost my $10 and ended up chilling on the couch, just hanging out. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.

There was one guy in the game, an Asian kid named John Seto, who seemed to win almost every night. I’d watch him and he’d just sit there the whole night and maybe play four or five hands and that’s it.

I thought, how can you win if you don’t play?

Well, I learned my first valuable lesson from Seto: Don’t play if you don’t have the best of it. Be patient and wait for good hands.

When I turned twenty-one, there was only one place I wanted to be: Las Vegas. I’d planned on going there in 1996 to become the youngest ever WSOP champion. My first problem was that I didn’t have the $10,000 buy-in so I played in a super-satellite.

The satellite gave away eleven seats to the Main Event, and with 13 players left, I was looking good. A player went all-in, then I went all-in with pocket aces, and then another player called with A-K. A-A against J-J and A-K! I was on my way to the Big Dance!

Nope, the first card I saw was a jack. I was devastated. Playing in the WSOP just wasn’t going to happen for me. Huck Seed won it that year and I couldn’t even bear to watch. I wanted to be in the event, not a spectator.

By late-2003, I had it all figured out. I realized not only that I should have more money but that I needed to get my priorities in order and stop being a screw-up.

The timing was pretty good.

In 2004 I tore up the tournament scene, putting together a year that will be tough to duplicate.

At the WSOP, I won my third bracelet and Player of the Year honors. Immediately after, I won the $10,000 buy-in event at the Sands against one of the toughest fields I’d ever faced. Later in the year, I won the $10,000 WPT event at the Borgata, and then did it again in December, winning the $15,000 WPT event at the Bellagio.

I’d like to be remembered as a guy who put the best interests of the game before my own and as a guy who obviously had a lot of fun at the poker table.  The rest of Daniel Negreanu’s story, plus many others, are in Deal Me In, the new book by Phil Hellmuth, available at www. pokerbrat.com. © 2009 Card Shark Media. All rights reserved.

January 7 - 13, 2010

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© 2010 David Levinson Wilk

Across

1. ____ Mahal

ACROSS 1. ____ Mahal 4. Mideast’s ____ Heights 9. Take ____ (snooze) 13. Ripen 14. Nobelist Sakharov 16. ____ Linda, Calif.

17. Regret 18. Suffix with hypo- or taxi19. Singer Redding 20. Event for a marshal 22. Philosophy class 24. Part of LGBT 25. Spelling USA Today uses for the longtime leader of 37-Across 27. Dangerous 30. Singer James and Jones 31. Scheme of Bernie Madoff 32. Animal that eats while floating on its back 33. Freight weight 36. 1976 loser to Bjorn at Wimbledon 37. Country whose leader has been in power for a long spell (and with many spellings to his name) 38. Celebrity child nicknamed “TomKitten” 39. Turner of history 40. Anklebone 41. Where Al-Jazeera is based 42. “Blue II” and “Red Sun,” e.g.

43. Snoop Dogg contemporary 44. Spelling the New York Daily News uses for the longtime leader of 37-Across 46. Bizarre

THE QUIGMANS

47.

48.

52.

53.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

“If you can’t beat ... ___” Snoop Dogg contemporary Paul Simon’s “____ Rock” Chevy introduced in 1958 Wade’s court opponent Keep a Web journal “Supposing ...”

Pie ____ mode Identical Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, e.g.

Deep bleu sea

name in 1999 33. Ballet attire 34. Kind of testimony 35. It may be barbed 37. University of Wyoming city 38. Famed New York City restaurateur 40. Cheer competitor 41. Spelling the New York Times uses for the longtime leader of 37-Across 42. Run 43. “King of Ragtime” 44. Melbourne marsupial DOWN 45. Sign in the stands 1. Infield protector 47. Triangular sails 2. Contents of una fontana 49. Wee drink 3. Catcall 50. Ration (out) 4. Spelling the Washington Post uses 51. Anniversary unit for the longtime leader of 37-Across 54. DIII x II 5. Cyclops feature 55. ____ capita 6. King or emir: Abbr.

56. Actress Ortiz of “Ugly Betty” 7. Hand holder?

Last Thursday’s Solution 8. “In the,” in Italy G O T H I C E Z R A A B C 9. Hilo hellos R A T E G L O A T H E N A 10. “____ I can help it!”

A O L T H E S T R A N G E R 11. Firenze friends E V E I Z O D S O C 12. It may be forward O L D F A S H I O N E D S T Y S O N 15. Lemonade + ____ = Arnold Palmer M O R E A U M A N T E L S H E L F T V A 21. Staring intently E E N R I C E T E 23. “There’s gold in them ____ hills!”

S Y R A N D M A N Y M O R E 25. 2003 Sean Paul hit single F A C E I A A A U G H 26. Firm bodies?: Abbr.

T H E T H O R N B I R D S 27. Went ____ smoke R A I D G E L E R A 28. Vincent Lopez hit of 1922 S E A W E E D W R A P U T E 29. Tizzy S C I O K R A R E V E R E 32. Words dropped from Olay’s brand S H O D E F Y S P A D E S

BUDDY HICKERSON

4. Mideast's ____ Heights 9. Take ____ (snooze) 13. Ripen 14. Nobelist Sakharov 16. ____ Linda, Calif.

Level: 1

2

3 4

17. Regret 18. Suffix with hypo- or taxi19. Singer Redding 20. Event for a marshal 22. Philosophy class 24. Part of LGBT 25. Spelling USA Today uses for the longtime leader of 37-Across 27. Dangerous 30. Singer James and Jones 31. Scheme of Bernie Madoff 32. Animal that eats while floating on its back NICK KNACK

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

1/10/10

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

© 2010 N.F. Benton

© 2010 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 35

School Board to Hear Budget Scenarios

The conversation begins during the school board work session on January 12th when Superintendent Lois Berlin presents various options and recommendations to the school board. The work session is open to the public.

The work session is just the beginning of a long process that includes additional budget work sessions and public hearings before the school board adopts a final plan and sends it to the Falls Church City manager for inclusion in his proposed budget presentation to the city council.

FCC-TV Spotlight: F@cetas Tune in to Falls Church City Television (FCC-TV) to watch F@cetas. This week marks the 400th episode of this topical Spanish-language news program. Updated weekly, F@cetas covers current events, music, politics, and many other interesting subjects. You can watch F@cetas on FCC-TV at the following times: • Mondays at 10:00 a.m.

• Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

• Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

• Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

You can now see FCC-TV programming live at www.fcctv.net anywhere in the world! FCC-TV also airs on television in the greater Falls Church area on Cox Channel 12, Verizon Channel 35 and RCN Channel 2.

BIE Partner of the Week Kim Maller

Long & Foster Realtors School involvement: Donated Starbucks Coffee gift cards as door prizes for staff winter parties.

Why Kim is a BIE partner: “As a 14-year Falls Church resident, I’ve been impressed with the business community’s support of our schools. There is a close correlation between the strength of our schools and the strength of our real estate values. As both a parent and a realtor, I appreciate the opportunity to support the teachers who bring such energy and dedication to our schools.”

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

FCCPS Budget Calendar Jan. 12th 6:30 p.m. Superintendent’s Presentation of Budget Recommendations (City Hall) Jan. 23rd 8:30 a.m. Budget Work Session #1 (CO) Jan. 26th 8:00 p.m. Public Hearing #1 (City Hall) Feb. 6th 8:00 a.m. Budget Work Session #2 (CO) Feb. 9th 8:00 p.m. Public Hearing #2 (City Hall) Feb. 16th 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing #3 (CO) 7:30 p.m. Budget Work Session #3 (CO) Feb. 23rd 6:30 p.m. Budget Work Session #4 (City Hall) 8:00 p.m. School Board Votes on Budget (City Hall)

Work sessions are not televised but are open to the public. All but the fourth work session will be held in the FCCPS Central Office conference room, 800 W. Broad Street, Suite 203, Falls Church, VA. Public hearings will be held in the Chambers at City Hall and will be televised live on Falls Church City Television (Cox Ch. 12, Verizon Ch. 35 and RCN Ch. 2). For more information, visit www.fccps.org/board.

FCCPS Job Openings The Falls Church City Public Schools Transportation Department is seeking: • individuals to transport special needs students by car, and • school bus aide Apply online for these and other FCCPS job openings at www.fccps.org/hr. Call (703) 248-5537 for more information.

Calendar for January 7-14, 2010 January 7 1:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8

1:20 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

9

10:00 a.m. Mason Hosts Dual Tournament (GM) 4:00 p.m. Mason @ Colonial Beach (G Basketball)

11

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

12

6:30 p.m. School Board Work Session – Budget Presentation (City Hall) 7:30 p.m. Freedom High @ Mason (B Basketball) 8:00 p.m. School Board Regular Meeting

13

7:15 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

14

7:00 p.m. IB Information Night (GM) 7:30 p.m. Madison Co. @ Mason (GM)

Foundation Footnotes Volunteers needed to help with annual auction The Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF) is seeking volunteers who can provide support for the foundation’s annual online, silent and live auction initiatives. These initiatives will culminate at the 6th Annual Dinner on Friday, April 23, 2010.

Help is needed in the following areas: planning, organizing, and/or soliciting goods and services for the annual auction. Last year, the auction generated more than $21,000 in proceeds to support the Falls Church City Public Schools Wilden After-School Program, Challenge Day and foundation operations.

The FCEF is a registered 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. For more information, visit www.fcedf.org or call (703) 538-3381.

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

IB Forum IB Awards 7th Grade Band Concert (MEH) Manassas Park @ Mason (G Basketball) Poetry Out Loud Family Movie Night (MEH) The Avalon School @ Mason (B Basketball) Mason @ Loudoun County (Swimming)

Schools

Each year at this time, the Falls Church City School Board receives a proposed budget from the superintendent and then develops its final budget from that plan. This year, because of the state of the economy, the school board will consider various scenarios that take into account options ranging from a flat budget that includes no employee pay raise or cost of living adjustment to a total budget reduction of nearly seven percent.

Mason @ Manassas Park (Scholastic Bowl) EIP/HEP Tutoring 5th Grade Band Concert/PTA Meeting (MEH) Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee (TJ)

P.W.I. (Parent Walk-In) (GM) Daycare Subcommittee (TJ) PTA (MEH) Briar Woods @ Mason (G Basketball)

For more calendar information, visit www.fccps.org/calendar.

(MD) Mt. Daniel School (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High (CO) Central Office www.fccps.org - The official site for Falls Church City Public Schools news

Page 34

January 7 - 13, 2010

for the week of January 7-13, 2010

City Library Begins New Year “Paperless”, With Fine Amnesty Week, and New Computer System The Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., begins the New Year with changes to improve efficiency, save money, and assist library visitors.

• The library has gone paperless effective Jan. 1, and will no longer send overdue or reserve notices via U.S. mail. Overdue notices and reserve alerts will be sent via e-mail addresses that patrons have provided to the library. For reserve notices, if patrons have not provided the library with an e-mail address, they will be called. All e-mail addresses are confidential and not given out to third parties.

• The library will implement a new integrated library computer system beginning Jan. 20. Some disruption

of service may occur while data is loaded from the old system to the new one Jan. 18 and 19 and will affect remote access to the online catalog and patron accounts.

• In preparation for the new computer system, the library will offer a Fine Amnesty Week Jan. 11 - 17. All items that are overdue and returned during that time will have their fines forgiven. Fines for previously overdue items and fees for lost or damaged items will not be removed from patron records.

• The library will open at 1 p. m. on Friday, Jan. 8, instead of in the morning. The library will be closed in the morning for staff training on the new library system.

• The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday and closed on Tuesday, Jan. 19, while final data migration occurs for the new library system.

For more information, visit www.falls-church.lib.va.us or call 703-248-5030 (TTY 711).

Winter Weather Reminders

Leaf Collection Extended to Jan. 15

City-wide, vacuum leaf collection has been The Blizzard of ‘09 was a storm of historic proportions, creating challenges for residents, businesses and City operations. To be prepared extended through Friday, Jan. 15, weather permitting. for more winter weather, even normal snowfalls, note the following Residents are advised to rake their leaves to the curb, but avoid gutters and sidewalks wherever possible. information: • The Department of Environmental Services Operations Division is responsible for snow removal on City streets. Snow emergency routes receive first priority for salting, sanding, and plowing to make way for police, fire and emergency vehicles. Upon completion of clearing these routes, City crews will clear all other streets, but it may take longer with deep snows. Snow emergency routes are marked with special signs and the list of snow emergency routes is posted on the City web site www.fallschurchva.com .

• Clearing snow from driveways and entrances is the responsibility of the resident or business.

Plow operators focus on clearing streets. They do not have control over the snow coming off the edge of the blade, and their plows cannot be adjusted for the sharp turns required to clear driveways.

city

• Businesses and multi-family tenants, owners, and managers are reminded to clear a passable sidewalk, particularly in areas where pedestrians need access to METRO and transit. Since the snow has to go somewhere, put it just at the curb, in the areas often occupied by street trees or a grass strip, but DO NOT cover fire hydrants. Also safely shovel a path through the snow mounded on the street edge for bus stops and mail carriers.

After Jan.15, residents should place any remaining leaves in brown bags for normal Monday brown bag/ yard debris collection.

All other collection materials should be kept at least five feet away from leaf piles. Do not mix brush or other items with leaves. These items may injure City crews, damage equipment, damage private property, and cause delays.

For more information, call the Operations Division at 703-248-5281 (TTY 711).

Bundled brush and yard waste bag collection will continue throughout the leaf collection season. As usual, bundles and bags must be properly prepared for collection. Special collections will also continue uninterrupted. The City waives brush collection requirements only when a federal or state disaster is declared.

The leaves that are collected will be processed into high-quality leaf mulch and will be available for selfloading at the Recycling Center in February.

• Clearing sidewalks, sometimes more than once, is a burden for Recycling Holiday Trees some residents and businesses. The City Recreation Department The City collects Christmas trees for brush recycling at no maintains a “Teen Work List” which includes high school students charge on Mondays in January and February (except Jan. 18). interested in snow shoveling jobs. Call 703-248-5077 for details.

Place the tree loose at the curb after removing plastic bags and For up-to-date information about City government operations dur- all decorations, including tinsel. Condo, townhouse, and apartment residents receiving private trash and recycling service ing inclement weather, visit www.fallschurchva.gov. may take their trees to the brush collection area at the Fairfax County Citizens’ Disposal and Recycling Facility. www.fallschurchva.gov - The official site for City of Falls Church news

10

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U o 9 i e s , c t C o N n p . r c s , t d e c oi ss JA losed Markeaste, Bual Colleee Coll ing Claty Resi il, 7:30e and Dssion ommil Distri ess Boadvisory rtation il App , 7:30 p c tee i c nil e g C ra r i o C rs’ W r c n S n c A p p C T c y e rd y it n ou in A pe ns ne ou ve ar in ns r/S ibr arm Ya nd S olida inte or no ity C 2 Ju ourt ous 3 Ge able itize n Tra ity C omm H 1 a f H C C C C 8 L 9 F 11 1 o C C W e nB

on ati

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).

January 7 - 13, 2010

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Page 33

ACCOUNTING

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

CATERING

n

GIFTS

n

CLEANING SERVICES

n

HEALTH & FITNESS

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

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

Sam’s Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580-7511 Pressure Washing/Deck, Siding . . . . 980-0225 A-Cleaning Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892-8648 Affordable Carpet Resoration . . . . . . 978-2270 Maid Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823-1922 Carpets, Ducts, Windows . . . . . . . . . 823-1922

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COMPUTER SERVICES

Mark F. Werblood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9300 Janine S. Benton, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . . .992-9255

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COUNSELING

Beyer Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5000 Integrity Tire & Auto Repair . . . . . . . . 639-0700

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DENTISTS

ATTORNEYS

AUTOMOTIVE BANKING

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. . . 519-1634 BB&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-3505 TD Bank/www.TDBank.com . . . . . . . 237-2051 Acacia Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506-8100

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EQUIPMENT RENTAL/SALE

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

BOOK BINDING

EYEWEAR

BUSINESS SERVICES

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FLORISTS

CHIROPRACTOR

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FRAMES

Jon Rizalvo, PAYCHEX . . . . . 698-6910 x27045 Dr. Solano, solanospine.com . . . . . . 536-4366

Art & Frame of Falls Church . . . . . . . 534-4202

Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-0140 Sacred Well Yoga and Healing . . . . . 989-8316

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MUSIC

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OPHTHALMOLOGY

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PHARMACY

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PLUMBING

n

REAL ESTATE

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TAILOR

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

Human Touch Home Health . . . . . . . 531-0540 Joseph Home Improvement . . . . . . . 507-5005 Ram Home Improvement . . . . . . . . . 641-5892 Doug’s Handyman Services . . . . . . . 556-4276 Ambassador Home Improvements . 499-7095 FC Heating & Air Service . . . . . . . . . 534-0630 N.G. Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312-0032 Millennium, USA Painting . . . . . . . . . 409-8563 The Vinyl Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 793-3111

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INSURANCE

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LAWN & GARDEN

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MASONRY

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MASSAGE

Point of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-6500 Falls Church Florist, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 533-1333

MEDICAL

HOME CARE

Carol S. Miller, LCSW . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-4980 Josette Millman, APRN . . . . . . . . . . . 855-0396 Dr. William Dougherty . . . . . . . . . . . . 532-3300 Dr. Nimisha V. Patel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-1733

Stifel & Capra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407-0770

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Fast-teks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496-7807

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

Sheraton Premiere Women’s Massage403-9328

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State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5105 Morales Landscaping and Lawncare 502-3990 Sweet Garden Lawn Care . . . . . . . . . 627-7723 Gabriel Lawn Service . . . . . . . . . . . . 691-2351 Seven Brothers Landscaping . . . . . . 241-4990 Masonry Specialist LLC . . . . . . . . . . 443-2308 Jeff L. Cadle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698-1390 www.healthybyintention.com. . . . . . . 534-1321

Dr Gordon Theisz, Family Medicine . 533-7555 The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy . . . 536-4042 Academy of Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938-8054 World Childrens Choir . . . . . . . . . . . 883-0920 Columbia Institute - Fine Arts . . . . . . 534-2508 Foxes Music Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7393 John Karickhoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536-2400 Broad Street Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . .533-9013 The Wiz LLC Plumbing Services 703-268-4228 Merelyn Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .790-9090x218 www.helpfulmortgage.us . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 Casey O’Neal - ReMax . . . . . . . . . . . 824-4196 Rosemary Hayes Jones . . . . . . . . . . .790-1990 Kim Maller, kimworksforyou.com. . . . .606-2762 Leslie Hutchison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .675-2188 The Young Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356-8800 Shaun Murphy, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . 868-5999 www.TheJeffersonatBallston.com . . . 741-7562 Susan Fauber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395-8741 Tailor Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-8886

All numbers have a ‘703’ prefix unless otherwise indicated.

To see your business here, call us at

Visit

703-532-3267, fax 703-342-0352 or E-Mail us at ADS@FCNP.com

Make Your Pet a Star!

Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be!

Januar y

Snap a pic of your critter and email it to:

, HURCH FALLS C IA VIRGIN • COM FCNP. WWW. • FREE

2008 17 - 23,

D

FOUNDE 1991 • VII VOL. X NO. 46

WEEK INSIDE THIS

$ FOR UPPORTS NVTA S IN F.C. GARAGE PARKING Virginia

The Northern Authority met School Transportation Mason High all the at George and approvedFalls last week by projects submitted One of the Phase Church for massive transportation region’s plan.

SEE PAGE

City OK for New cil Preliminary ted by Coun Center Gran HER

4

STICKING

TOGET

Vote Unanimous Plan Moves F.C. Reality Closer to

KATERS FIGURE S AUL NO. VA. ST. P at the LOOK TOWARD men’s event

Falls Churcha The ambitious project received thumbs-up City Center unanimous The senior Figure Skating Monday. critical, City Council 2008 Eastern looked like and resolufrom the ChampionshipsD.C.-area get 7-0 votes All six ordinances passed by only a Washington, skaters from tions were standing-room with together and before a in Council chambers Fairfax, Alexandria the medals. audience sweeping project Annandale at City Hall. million 19 feet of SEE PAGE The $317 of million square adding a to 8.7 acres : comHOMAS new development downtown HELEN T PLAY Falls Church’swill now undergo GENDER RACE & mercial area, review by various ROLES gender of 40 days POLITICAL and and commissions not, race City boardsof public hearings, choice Like it or the roles in the and a set back to will play The of a Democratic standard before coming approval. for final vote on the presidential Council can’t be hopes to 25. bearer. It Council even though

by Feb. gone avoided, final version which has leading candidates The project, of modifications hatchet. the party’s of series to bury the through a have decided original parameters the City 10 since the between SEE PAGE a partnership its Economic Church, and the & LATIFAH of Falls Authority was LANE, HOLMES MONEY’ Development a AD Realty Company, (right) addresson Atlantic out last fall.

GO FOR ‘M the new comedy Alex Ovechkin stars took time hammered building heights & Louise” “Mad Money,” (left) and even The Caps’ While by “Thelma follows Mike Green on its residential directed Arlington. of the game of hockey, $124 Khouri, CAPITALS’Middle School in came downbuildings, hotel plans 13-year, writer Callie Reserve employees signed a the intricacies and office recently commentary students to accommodate THE WASHINGTON at Williamsburg three Federal beat the Ovechkin the local player. For ) structure, students attempt to go were expanded to teach of the kids. crowd of 180-room to an NHL PHOTO: NATE TAYLOR and their afternoon could possibly with some ever given a first-class hall and banquet -PRESS Wednesday in a scrimmage system. What the largest page 18. (NEWS with meeting a six-level parking Capitals, on the and wrong? participating with Splinters” 26 facilities, thrown in. The numSEE PAGE million contractdeal, see “Picking rental units deck was on the historic 412, and ber of residential down to condominiwas scaled captured more age-restricted were added. the team twice ums, up to 134, six years cover both of last added to championship, the up and once Retail was Maple bringing the state almost unheard as runner of S. the team’s square feet, finishing has sides total to 53,000 place. streak fifth success. a little history straight in retail In winning of 17,000.

Here’s added to While the up from very proud Jamie Scharff: from coach years, the Mason made the coach not-so-secret These modifications INDEX Harris Teeter a high six won Spotlight kids, Scharff’s one — have the plans a major a six-story the last team has Restaurant smarter than and every his is a simple Are you High academic Editorial.................26 ............................32 supermarket 5 six strategy and practice. a George the district championship Sodoku ...............35 school student? on Page Letters...............2, in the past smart kids gather twice a week not, if it’s ........5 Continued Probably School academic year. Four times team has won Comics................35 Crime Report Students ..........35 of — 21 Comment.......10-13& CrosswordAds.....38 Mason High is the home So years, Mason’s on Page News championshipother Classified Continued Community regional athletes. the bowler. GMHS & Services academic record is the finished second the Notes .............14-15& Business .............39 in champion News Directory 1 Business season their though the they years. Three times Focus 40-4 far this 20-0, Notes ..................16 Weekly of two Corner......42 an impressive just a fraction Sports ............18-20 Critter are ...26-28 Business Listing .43 20 wins Roger Ebert

Mason’s

.........29 Press Pass Calendar........30-31

s

stic Succes

‘Silent’ Schola

CRITTERCORNER@FCNP.COM OR mail it to Critter Corner c/o Falls Church News-Press

VISIT US ONLINE

www.fcnp.com

450 W. Broad Street #321

Critter

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Corner

News•Photos•Online Polls•Sports E-Issuu • Twitter • and More

Page 32

January 7 - 13, 2010

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

15 s Yearo g A

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

10 & 15 Years Ago Falls Church News-Press Vol lV, No. 43 • January 12, 1995

in the

News-Press

Falls Church News-Press Vol IX, No. 44 • January 13, 2000

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

10 Year s Ago

Thro w it up.

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

‘N. Va. Local Elected Officials Gather Here to Publicly Oppose Allen’s Tax Cut Plan’

‘Council Wants State Code Change to Permit Local Control in Affordable Housing Policy’

“Elected officials of local governments representing jurisdictions throughout Northern Virginia assembled at the Community Center in Falls Church at noon Tuesday to decry the consequences of the tax reform package Virginia Gov. George Allen is seeking to push through the current legislative session that opened in Richmond yesterday. All who spoke painted a similar picture of the dire consequences...”

“In an unprecedented development, the Falls Church City Council approved a measure Monday to seek a change in state law aimed at giving local jurisdictions full control over affordable housing policy.

The vote will be forwarded to the Virginia State Legislature, whose session has just begun, through local representatives Del. Bob Hull and Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple...”

Helen Thomas Continued from Page 12

theory that something is better than nothing, a questionable concept when you look at the forthcoming compromise health reform bill. The emerging legislation will force some 30 million people to buy insurance or be penalized, creating a bonanza for the fat cat insurance companies that shelled out millions to encourage Congress to drop any governmentprovided health plan.

Proponents of a governmentrun health insurance plan – the “public option” – that would compete with the bloated private insurers never had a chance.

Obama told the Washington Post in an interview: “I didn’t campaign on the public option.”

As a result, there was no place at the White House table to argue for the need for a governmentsponsored health plan. The disillusioned now complain that Obama is “just another politician.”

In foreign policy, Obama made

it clear in his presidential campaign that he considered Afghanistan a big problem in the struggle against global terrorism.

But his questionable decision to dispatch 30,000 more troops to what is known as the “graveyard of empires” has widely evoked comparisons with the Vietnam quagmire.

On the home front, former President George W. Bush left his successor the painful legacy of the Great Recession, a calamity that strangely inspired Obama and Bush to rush to the rescue of some of the major Wall Street firms.

The big banks have shown their gratitude by brushing off loan applicants, while Wall Street – which was hugely responsible for the economic bust – is trying to block any new government regulations aimed at controlling the way they do business.

Obama has been faulted for making too many compromises and failing to take a firm stand against his Republican opponents in Congress. He mistakenly thought that Congress would want

to do the right thing to tackle the nation’s needs in a bipartisan way.

Think again.

Instead, the president soon discovered that it took political bribes and shameful concessions to win the support of greedy senators who were playing hard to get for their votes on the health bill.

The national security critics – led by the insatiable former Vice President Dick Cheney – seem to forget that the 9-11 catastrophe and the torture and detention horrors happened on the Bush administration watch.

Like all presidents, Obama is finding the honeymoon is over.

Benson, a 1 1/2-year-old black and white domestic short hair with green eyes (above), went missing on Saturday, Jan. 2 from 149 S. Spring Street in Falls Church. Anyone who has seen him is urged to call his owner at 703-626-5166 with any information.

ENROLL NOW FOR THE WINTER SESSION First class FREE for New Students Sacred Well Yoga Studio LLC 450 West Broad St. Suite 320 Falls Church City

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January 7 - 13, 2010

Page 31

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Business & Service Directory

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

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Page 30

January 7 - 13, 2010

News-Press Classifieds Help Wanted

Public Notice

FCCPS - TRANSPORTATION: We

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

are currently accepting applications for the following positions: Driver - transport special needs students. The position is 24 hours per week. A recent copy of your driving record is required along with the application. Starting salary is $15.11 per hour. Bus Aide - seeking an individual to work as a bus aide 1 hour per day, at 12:30 pm. Salary is $12.14 per hour. For more information please contact the Transportation Department at (703) 2485537 or visit our website, www.fccps.org

For Rent FCC - 5/6 MO Broadmont furnished home

avail Feb 1st! 4 BR, 3 BA, sun room,formal LR & DR, bkfst rm, remod kit! LL rec rm 4th BR, big fenced yard. WALK TO METRO! Incl dishes, linens, utilities, etc. $3,500/mo.

Stacy 703-395-4868

OFFICE FOR SUBLEASE, Lee Highway & Glebe Road, available for professional. Privacy plus use of conference area.

One year lease; then month to month. Call Pete Corbino or Ray Shea: 703-522-1661.

Services ANGELIC CLEANING SERVICES 20 Years Experience; Residential/ Move

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CHILD CARE Experienced childcare

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Second readings, public hearings, and Council action will be given to the following at the Regular City Council Meeting of Monday, January 11, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., Official Time, or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in Council Chambers.

(TO9-15) Ordinance To Move Council Election Date to November 2011 (1st reading 12-14-09) (TO9-16) Ordinance To Move Council Election Date to November 2013 (1st reading 12-14-09) (TR10-02) Resolution to Adopt the Fiscal Year 2011-2015 City of Falls Church Consolidated Plan for Housing & Community Development Needs (public hearing and action) Public hearings held in the Council Chambers are at 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Copies of legislation may be obtained from the City Clerk’s office (703248-5014) or at cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Special services or assistance to persons with disabilities may be requested in advance. To speak at a public hearing, fill out a speaker slip and give it to the Clerk at the left front table. Speakers will be called forward by the Mayor at the appropriate time.

KATHLEEN CLARKEN BUSCHOW CITY CLERK

DOG SITTING in my home. Reasonable rates. Excellent references Call 703-577-1734 GREAT RATES FOR in your home guitar lessons with experienced guitar teacher holding a B.M. degree. Teaches all ages: beginner to advanced instruction in Jazz, Blues, Rock, & Classical music. Contact 571-480-2968.

We are pleged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE Availmarketing programs in which able 7 days a week. Week, biweekly, there are no barriers to obtainmonthly or one time. Good references in ing housing because of race, Falls Church City. 10 years experience. For color, religion, national origin, further information call me at 703-901-0596. sex, elderliness, familial status Senior discount, Ask: Susy. or handicap.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes CLNTS 1 it 127093 illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are herby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 3679753.

Email: fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov.

Web site: www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

The News-Press Classifieds

Remember, New Classified Deadlines: Every Tuesday, 2 p.m.!

VOLUNTEERS WHO LIVE in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below.

Contact the City Clerk, Kathleen Buschow (703-248-5014, or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov) or go to www.fallschurchva.gov for an application form or more information.

Requests for reappointments must also be made through the City Clerk. Applications are being accepted until the end of the month. Vacancies that have been advertised for more than one month may be filled during each subsequent month before month’s end.

Architectural Advisory Board (alternate) Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation Environmental Services Council Board of Equalization Girls’ Home Advisory Board Historic Architectural Review Board Historical Commission Housing Commission Human Services Advisory Council Local Board of Building Code Appeals Private School & Day Care Facility Board Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Senior Citizens Commission Tree Commission Board of Zoning Appeals (alternate) Regional Boards/Commissions: Fairfax Area Commission on Aging Long Term Care Coordinating Council Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission Workforce Investment Board Ad Hoc Committees or Task Forces East Falls Church Planning and Transportation Study Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee The City of Falls Church seeks candidates for the business representative vacancy on the new GEORGE Task Force. Purpose: Assess transit needs, research and consider transit options and cost effectiveness, and make recommendations to the City Council.

The GEORGE Task Force will be expected to offer its initial findings to the City Council beginning in January 2010.

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

Deadline: 2 p.m. Tuesdays

(two days before publication)

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

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

For public & legal notices, please e-mail legalads@fcnp.com

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

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With the help of people like you, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS and helps them stay connected to the great big moving world.

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

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January 7 - 13, 2010

Just Listed in Falls Church City - Open Sun 1-4

Charming, sun-filled 3 BR, 2 Full Bath Cape Cod on large lot backing to bike trail. Living Rm, with FP, and Separate Dining Rm have gleaming HW floors. Addition has large updated kitchen with granite countertops, breakfast bar, lots of oak cabinets and newer appliances. Adjoining family Rm has atrium doors leading to spacious deck overlooking large, treed yard Dir: 7Corners W on Broad St., R on West St., R on Lincoln to 921.

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