Falls Church News-Press 10-12-2023

October 12 - 18, 2023

Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee

Fou n d e d 1991 • V ol. X X XIII No. 35

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

City Officials OLD MCDONALD HAD ONE...

Excited by ‘Stratford Gardens’ Plan Dominion Wine Owner Wants Indoor-Outdoor Renovation

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The new lease holder on the Stratford Motel site at 300 W. Broad spelled out his plans for a new restaurant/beer garden to the Economic Development Committee of the F.C. CIty Council last week, and the plans met with strong statements of support and predictions of great success.

Arash Takrafor, owner of the popular Dominion Wine and Beer up the street, made the presentation to the meeting that included three City Council members, the chair of the Planning Commission and two heavy hitters in the City’s Planning Department. His plans will not require any special exceptions or zoning changes, so they require only Planning Commission site plan approval, and Takrafor appealed for swift action on that to make sure it can be done and within a year.

The new project will be known as Stratford Garden, and Takrafor, whose family also

Continued on Page 3

Fall Real Estate & Home Improvement

Inside This Week: Real Estate & Home Improvement Section: Pages 9-21

LAST SATURDAY the City of Falls Church offered a celebration of its more rural past at Cherry Hill Park with activities associated with an idyllic time when the city was mostly farmland. “Farm Day” charmed hundreds with exhibits and activities recalling those times. ( Photo: Gary Mester)

F.C. Fiscal Year Ended With Giant $5 Million Surplus

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

“We’ve got to keep this winning thing going,” opined Falls Church’s chief planning officer James Snyder last week. He was referring to the economic development that is generating millions of dollars in surpluses overflowing the City’s budget with the bulk of the already or about to be built portions of the City’s commercial areas still to weigh in.

“When we assess where we are now compared to how it was 12 years ago, when I first came here, the results are amazing,” he said, speaking to the monthly meeting of the City Council’s economic development subcommittee gathered at City Hall.

At the end of the fiscal year

this June, the City was endowed with a $5 million surplus, which may not seem a lot for a large jurisdiction, but means a lot to a small one like Falls Church, where $500,000 roughly equals a penny on the tax rate, and therefore $5 million adds up to a potentially not-insignificant 10 cents savings on the tax bills that all those living in the Little City have to pay.

And the revenues from economic development are just continuing to roll in. Among the developments are the massive West End project that is already looming over land that once was was home to the old high school here, Those massive buildings are not fully spoken for yet, but will be. It includes the news that the George Washington University

Hospital has sent a letter of commitment to fill most of one entire building, one facing directly onto Route 7 there, and that Experience Senior Living has picked up the ball for completion and operation of the 14-story senior living building.

The hotel site and parking garage have both been “topped off,” with roofs in place to make the last stages of their construction easier, and adjacent the 10-acre site, Virginia Tech is sending the City a check for $8.4 million for the 440 apartments and 240,000 square foot Hitt headquarters and 40,000 square foot building that will house its innovative National Center for Smart Construction.

That is just that site. The Inova Go Health Urgent Care is moving into the site of the old

Bolero in the 1200 block of W. Broad, and the Eastern House restaurant will go into the site of the former Fatouch at 1109 W. Broad.

Movie theater construction is underway at Founders Row, slated for completion next year, and a first-rate Seoul Korean Prime Rib barbecue and steak house restaurant is being readied for that site, as well.

The Modera senior living building at Founder’s Row is 95 percent leased, down the street the Troika Russian restaurant will be going next to the site of the Cuevas Grill in the Broadway building. A Halal City market and Brick House butcher are also getting set to open.

Continued on Page 4

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NEWS BRIEFS New York Times Reports on GOP Game Plan Memo for Virginia

Falls Church Community Television

Falls Church Cable Access Corporation Will Celebrate Our Studio Re-Opening!

New Studio Open House October 19, 2023

With Guests Mark and Donna Byrne Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. We will be hosting a new studio open house with special guests, Donna and Mark Byrne from Absurd Productions Pictures.

From Public Access Television to Movie Production Success Join us to hear them tell their story from a start in public access to a production company with 13 films (including 10 feature films). For today’s aspiring producers, APP will share their insights and lessons learned in the film industry, on working with regional and national celebrities, as well as conquering the maze of distribution, climbing from DVD sales to Amazon Prime and VOD, and new streaming outlets such as Plex, Cineverse, Reveel, Xumo, Kings of Horror, and FearFlix.

The event is FREE but you must RSVP in Advance by emailing the full names of attendees to INTERINV@aol.com.

(Security Protocols at the campus require a list of names in advance) Special Offer: Members who renew or join during the meeting will receive a $10 discount off their membership.

Sponsored by: FALLS CHURCH CABLE ACCESS CORPORATION (a 501(c)3 nonprofit member organization) Daniel M. Arons Memorial Studio/Meridian High School 121 Mustang Alley*, Falls Church, VA 22043 info@fallschurchcableaccess.org

A hot bowl of pho at Eden Center.

Voted best shopping center in the DMV!

The New York Times yesterday reported on the Republican Party’s strategy in Virginia in this November’s election and beyond. It reported: “In 2021, after Republican victories in Virginia, conservative activists were so proud of their work training poll watchers, recruiting election workers and making other attempts to subtly influence the voting system that they wrote a memo called “The Virginia Model.” The memo detailed ways that other states could follow Virginia’s lead in protecting so-called election integrity.

“Now these activists are turning their attention back to Virginia, which is a month away from tossup elections that will decide control of the state’s closely divided legislature and offer both national parties clear evidence of their electoral strengths and weaknesses heading into 2024.

“Every Tuesday night, Virginia Fair Elections, the group that drafted ‘The Virginia Model,’ holds training for poll watchers aligned with its mission and encourages conservative activists to register to work at the polls. The organization also hosts training for new members of local election boards.

“The trainings are permeated by an undercurrent of mistrust in the electoral system: Poll watchers are encouraged to arrive early and insist on being as close as legally possible to election workers, voters and ballot machines; to make sure to inspect those machines; and to look for any evidence of potential fraud.”

Creative Cauldron Wins New Arts Fairfax Grant Falls Church’s Creative Cauldron performing arts and education organization is the recipient of a FY 2024 Arts Fairfax Project Grant in the amount of $14,435 from Arts Fairfax, which supports local arts organizations providing outstanding arts experiences for the Fairfax community between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

The project support grant will support Creative Cauldron’s “Artes Para Todos Celebraciones!” which will provide young people from Spanish speaking families in Title One Fairfax County schools with opportunities to explore drama, music and the arts in a celebration of heritage and culture. This theme will thread through yearround afterschool, improvisational drama and art workshops at Second Story’s “Safe Youth” sites in Culmore, Annandale and Springfield. An original production developed for the Westlawn Elementary Drama Club will dramatize folk talks from Central

and South America, through music and dance. Professional musicians with Latin American Heritage will provide a musical underscoring, played on traditional instruments. Performances will be held for students and families.

Grants will expand Creative Cauldron’s award winning programming, including our Bold New Works/Bold New Voices initiative featuring original premieres by women, with an emphasis on women of color. It will also support “Artes Para Todos” programs, which provide arts workshops, camps, classes and complimentary performances to young people from Spanish-speaking households who attend Fairfax County Title One Schools.

“We are so grateful for the support of Arts Fairfax. This funding allows us to provide transformational arts programming that is accessible to all ages and incomes. Our work will connect people of different backgrounds and experiences, creating a space for collaboration, social and economic growth,” said Laura Connors Hull, Creative Cauldron Founding Artistic Director.

ArtsFairfax is dedicated to expanding support for and access to arts and culture opportunities for all of Fairfax County.

AARP Fraud Alert Warns Of Online ‘Smishing’ The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has issued a warning, in the context of increases in text messages from unknown persons.

“This is particularly concerning, given how effective smishing is as a scam tactic,” the group warns. “The Federal Trade Commission reported $330 million in losses last year to fraudulent texts. We know this is just a fraction of losses, given vast underreporting by fraud victims. With smishing scams on the rise, here’s what you need to know: “Do not engage with texts from unknown people. Rather than clicking on text links, type the web address you know to be legitimate into your browser. Alternatively, call the alleged sender at a number you know to be legitimate. Also, you can filter out junk texts by updating your phone’s messaging app settings, using call-blocking services through your wireless carrier, or installing call-blocking apps.”

Democrat Sen. Petersen Endorses Only Republican on Fairfax Board Falls Church area’s State Sen. Chap Petersen, who lost his primary race to Saddam Salim in June, has now publicly endorsed the only Republican on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Pat Herrity, for election this November.

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OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 3

City Officials Hail Prospect of New Restaurant at Stratford Site

Continued from Page 1

owns locations in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, was buoyed by comments made about his plans here in the meeting Thursday. Former Councilman and Economic Development Authority member Ross Litkenhous, for one, was ecstatic. Seeing the plans, he said, “This will be a regional destination, and I predict it will be incredibly successful. It is fantastic and perfect for that area of our downtown.”

The plan is to raze the larger building on the and to keep the other, which has the kitchen that was used by a former restaurant there. The open space that will be created as a result of the demolition will be purposed for outdoor dining, parking and also for a range of potential community events, even a skating rink in the winter, Takrafor has stated.

He noted that the location will be key, bringing another quality restaurant into the downtown area of Falls Church to be in addition to Harvey’s, the just-renovated The Falls, formerly Liberty Barbecue at West Broad and N. Virginia, the newly renovated Godfrey’s at the Meeting House, and his own Dominion Wine and Beer restaurant a few blocks further up the street.

Other prominent local restaurants along the nine-block strip include the highly-regarded new Ellie Bird and Nue Elegantly Vietnamese restaurants as well as Chasin Tails Seafood, Role Play Vietnamese, Maneki Niko Japanese, Luzmilla’s Bolivian, Sfizi Cafe, Cuevas Grill, Space Bar, Badd Pizza, Solace Outpost, Hunan Cafe,.

Dogwood Tavern and Ireland’s Four Provinces, Pho 88, Hot ‘N Juicy Crawfish and Lucky Thai, along with a healthy dose of chain establishments, coffee shops creameries and grocers.

The Dominion site will be the location for next week’s F.C Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon that will feature presentations by the four F.C. City Council candidates are now seeking election to three open seats this fall.

Takrafor said will be bringing his chef from his Maryland location to offer a variety of American cuisine options. He added, “So far, we’ve enjoyed doing business in Falls Church and when we were introduced to this Stratford spot, it seemed like a no-brainer for us.”

The site is currently considered by many an eyesore, the only real blemish on the downtown area that is

otherwise a serene nine-block area up West Broad lined by trees and a diverse variety of properties. This new development would enhance and make the attractiveness of the whole area seamless, it was noted.

The Stratford Garden project “is really exciting,” said Council member Debbie Shantz-Hiscott. “We need to know how we can help you along the way.”

F.C. Planning Chief Jim Snyder noted that renovations can often be more complicated than new buildings, and Takrafor added that the City’s “help will be needed to make it through, as delays could make it infeasible from a cost standpoint.” Parking requirements will be a key issue.

Bob Young, chair of the City’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) chimed in that requirements presented by Transportation Demand Management (TDM) guidelines are “a joke” and “only cost time and money.”

Councilman Phil Duncan, who along with Letty Hardi ia co-chair of the Council’s economic committee, noted that there will need to be a “dialogue” with the City on theTDM requirements, and added that there are parking spaces on the lower parking

RENDERING OF NEW proposed Stratford Gardens restaurant. levels of the Harris Teeter across the street from the Stratford site, as well as up the street at the Hilton Garden Inn and at the Spectrum building that are currently “never used.”

Litkenhous added that the Spectrum site will be ideal because “it is the lowest density concept for the site and anyone in the City can walk there in 20 minutes.”

As far as the ambiance for that area of downtown, it was reported that electrical work is already underway to light up the street during the holidays, with lighted trees that will run the length of West Broad from Washington to West Street, kicked off by a ceremonial lighting that will happen on November 27 in the interior plaza area of Founder’s Row.

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PAGE 4 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

$5 Million Budget Surplus L etters to E ditor Evidence of Boom Times

Continued from Page 1

A Mexican restaurant is being primed to open at the former Target location on S. Washington and there are plans moving forward to put a food hall into the Eden Center site. The Insight project that will bring a new Whole Foods to the intersection of Broad and Washington is reportedly now 25 percent complete and will begin to house residents by next May, with the entire project, including the section reserved as the new home for Creative Cauldron, the City’s innovative performing and teaching theater venue, set to open next fall.

The Quinn/Homestretch senior living project on S. Washington is also moving ahead, with a resubmission of plans due Oct. 27 and consideration by the City Council on November 20.

And there’s more.

With all this new development generating revenues to the City

that will ease pressures on residential taxes, the issue for City government is how to step up to the demand for more affordable housing, in keeping with the mandate that is pressing the entire region, and even the nation as a whole.

The City Council, having moved forward on that front with its vote to ease restrictions on development in the City’s narrow “transitional zones” to begin to address the pressing issue, it will be tasked with changes that may raise the hackles of single family homeowners even more in the coming months.

But no one can say the City Council has not been doing its job to look out for the interests of the community as a whole as its pro-development posture is bringing amazing levels of tax revenue that will lead to major tax cuts for homeowners, even if they may have to welcome some more forms of affordable housing in the ranks.

Editor, “Equity is at the center of everything we do.” In Fairfax County, and all of our school districts in northern Virginia, this statement or something like it is repeated in emails, newsletters, speeches, professional development events, and official policies.

Equity is supposedly the main driver for all of our decisions we make in public schools. I think that’s great. But if that’s the case, why then will high schools in Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and other school districts across Virginia shut down for a day to administer tests that notoriously promote inequity?

I’m talking about the PSAT and SAT. High schools across our region will shut down on October 11 so students can take those tests. All learning will stop so, for at least on that day, inequity can be at the center of everything we do.

Keep in mind, the SAT has been determined to promote inequity in education. It favors students from wealthy backgrounds who have been tutored in test-taking skills that will allow them to do well on these types of tests. That’s not me saying that.

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Over 80 percent of colleges in the United States no longer require the SAT because of this (see fairtest.org/ test-optional-list/). That includes the top colleges across America – the Ivies, all of Virginia’s public colleges, and many more.

The PSAT, which is literally a “prep” test for the SAT, is used to decide if a student qualifies for a National Merit Scholarship. While this is a great, keep in mind that less than one percent of students who take the PSAT get a high enough score to qualify them for that scholarship (and less than half of those that qualify actually get a scholarship of $2,500).

In Fairfax County Public Schools, the largest school district in Virginia and the metropolitan DC area, 264 students last year were named National Merit Scholarship “Semifinalists” (meaning they qualified). Of those 264, not surprisingly 165 of them were from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. That means the other 24 traditional high schools shut down instruction for an entire day for 99 students (and again, not all of those 99 students are actually get-

ting a scholarship). What about the other 40,000 high school students in Fairfax? They lose a day of learning.

I think the National Merit Scholarship is a great recognition.

This caused a lot of controversy last year as some high schools in Fairfax County were not reporting who received this honor. We should offer students who have the potential to receive that scholarship the opportunity to take the PSAT. But we know at each high school, particularly those like mine with large low-income and non-English native speaking populations, that is only a handful of students. Why are we shutting down all our high schools just for a small group of students? Can’t those students take the exam separately and everyone else can continue learning?

For those who want to take the SAT, because they did pay for tutoring, or want to go to one of the small number of colleges that still require the SAT, such as military academies and public colleges in Florida (think about that for minute), provide them the option to do that. We can find space in school to administer the exam, or just offer it on a Saturday,

Continued on Page 6

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England’s Gay Prince Eddy: Was Preventing War Possible?

Nicholas F. Benton FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

(Part 6) Apropos of the horrific events in the Middle East this week, the one-line comment that was delivered below audible range in a recent Academy Award nominee for Best Picture bears repeating: “In war, there are no winners, only widows.”

Those were the words whispered into the ear of a man who’d felt that war was the only solution to a crisis in the outstanding film, “Arrival” (2016).

In like manner, the film also took direct aim at the fallacious win-lose sports approach to life and war, which almost led the conflict to a disastrous outcome.

Watch it if you want context.

Truly, the unspeakable human carnage from wars of the last 110 or so years, since 1914, still besiege us, despite laudable efforts at advancing diplomacy, the evolution of a humanity on this planet that recognizes the desperate futility of terrible acts of aggression, killing and maiming, including of innocent women and children, in the name of predominantly, straight male supremacist-driven lust for dominion over people and property.

It is the hypothesis underlying this serialized work that had he not been killed by the flu in the 1880s, the popular heir to the British throne, Prince Eddy as he was known, by virtue of being gay and of a mild temperament, could have prevented the onset of that century of carnage that was kicked off by his boorish younger brother King George V with the collaboration of his cousins, Wilhelm and Nicholas, running Germany and Russia, with the sparking of the Great War (World War 1) in 1914.

An article in the journal Nature Communications published in early October 2023 reports an exhaustive study of more than 1,500 animal species ranging from crickets to dolphins and apes which suggest that same sex behaviors among them, as studied by Jose Gomez, a Spanish evolutionary biologist, “all point to evolutionary advantages, such as smoothing over conflicts,”

as Carl Zimmer writing in the New York Times this week suggests.

The behavior, the study suggests, “may contribute to establishing and maintaining positive social relationships.” Dr. Gomez noted that “same sex sexual behavior might be one of the ways that mammals can manage their unstable social worlds, a way for mammals to form bonds and alliances, to reconcile after a fight or to divert aggression into courtship.”

So, as was the operational thesis of this author’s work. “Extraordinary Hearts, Reclaiming Gay Sensibility’s Central Role in the Progress of Civilization” (Lethe Press, 2012), the conclusion of the study is that same-sex behavior is not an anomaly or distortion of “normal” behavior, but an essential component of a progressive evolution.

This week’s report is, therefore, a stunning affirmation of this author’s groundbreaking hypothesis, and further advances the notion that had the gay Prince Eddy lived to become England’s king in 1910, a way may have been found to change the course of the extreme and tragic violence that defined the Great War and much of our century since.

In fact, it wasn’t until the gay English poet Wilfred Owen wrote in such a compelling manner about the horrors of the Great War, as in his epochal, “Anthem for a Doomed Youth,” that the world was forced to affirm, not glorify, the true nature of the war. Owen was killed in combat exactly one week before the November 11, 1918 halt to the hostilities was called.

His poetry, including his “Parable of the Old Man and the Young,” condemned the war for its repudiation of the Old Testament story of Abraham being ordered by an angel to call off the slaying of his son Isaac. Offered “the ram of pride instead of him, the old man would not so, but slew his son, and half the seed of Europe, one by one.”

The gay English composer Benjamin Britten quoted both works by Owen in the libretto of his ”War Requiem,” composed in 1961, to commemorate the reconstruction of the old Cathedral at Coventry, England, destroyed by bombing in World War II. “My subject is war, and the pity of war,” Owen wrote in the trenches of the Great War, “The poetry is in the pity. All a poet can do today is warn.”

(To be continued)

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OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 5

founded as a eral county board candidates Joe Christian Nation. Fisher and Tom Richards. It blasted Our Man in Arlington was But he was no rapid transit, bemoaning the “stag-

By Charlie Clark

I was jarred recently to come across a local right-wing political advocacy group that, I sense, has largely been forgotten.

The Homeowners Federation of Arlington, which fought for smaller local government between 1946 and the early 70s, sought to block school integration, higher-density development and “low-rent housing.”

Its leader was a retired investigator for the Unemployment Compensation Board in Washington, D.C., named Karl O. Spiess (1900-85). From his home at No. 1 N. Fenwick St. in Lyon Park, he published a newsletter (slogan: “Chasing Homeowners to the Wall”). It criticized liberal-leaning policy types and such groups as Arlingtonians for a Better County and the League of Women Voters.

Monthly meetings were held at what then was the Broyhill Auditorium at 4610 Lee Highway (today it’s Long and Foster realty).

Those seeking to join the federation were asked to mail $5 annual dues to Carleton Carter at 3621 S. 14th St., according to papers collected by the Center for Local History.

The group denounced Arlington’s liberal leaders, linking them to the Roosevelt administration “New Dealers” such as civil rights leader Joseph Rauh and communist sympathizer-turned-liberal and perjurer Alger Hiss.

Spiess — quoting Thomas Jefferson and the Bible — blasted foreign aid and criticized the United World Federalists. He testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the United States

fan of the liberal National Council of Churches, or of Unitarians.

In the early 1950s, the publication criticized pro-integration couple Ed and Elizabeth Campbell (she later the founder of WETA) and civil rights activist Carolyn Planck.

Spiess would praise Helen Lane, the American Nazi-sympathizing appointee to the Arlington school board. He applauded Gov. J. Lindsay Almond, who from Richmond led the “massive resistance” to the school integration called for by the Supreme Court in 1954. (In 1956 Richmond cancelled Arlington’s elections for that board once the push for integration gained momentum.)

“Excessive taxation jeopardizes homeowner security,” the homeowners group stressed in announcing its opposition to the “fiscal chaos” of school bond referenda.

“Vote for this $10 million and it will be the last one for schools,” the group warned in September 1963. It lamented the 1957 founding of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, warning against an “interlocking of other groups from outside of Arlington.”

In the early ‘60s it praised conservative future county board member Harold Casto, opposing the “redevelopment craze” that would bring the high-rises of Rosslyn. “Our organization believes an informed citizenry can prevent the usurpation of power by selfish minority groups and self-centered politicians,” it argued in January 1964. By then, the homeowners group was opposing the rise of lib-

gering amount of money spent on surveys and contracts and consulting firms.”

In February 1968, Spiess wrote to U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr. opposing the federal fair housing bill and a minority housing plan. His group cast a skeptical eye on the 1967 proposal to purchase land that became Arlington Public Schools Outdoor Lab in Fauquier County, founded by Arlington biology teacher Phoebe Knipling.

In September 1968, the homeowners group stopped meeting at the Broyhill auditorium. It held a gathering at Nottingham Elementary School. By the early 70s, membership had faded away. Their road for Arlington was the one not taken. *** Here’s an update on combat veteran and Army paratrooper Treavor Wooden, the licensed truck driver who panhandles at the exit from I-66 at the Arlington-Falls Church border.

Wooden’s health struggles— hospitalization for melanoma and a bone marrow transplant— delayed his plan to accept a commercial trucking job. His weight, during a planned 120-day recovery, has dropped from over 200 lbs. to 168, he told me.

But living in veterans housing, he enjoys circling the running track at Thomas Jefferson Middle School using his walker.

And, grateful for an ongoing gofundme campaign launched by neighbors Katherine and Genevieve, he has cheerfully renewed his commercial license.

PAGE 6 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

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E ditorial

E D I TO R I A L

On the Massacre Of Innocents

Following the horrific attack and slaughter of innocents by Hamas against Israeli civilians last weekend, the leaders of the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany and Italy issued the following joint statement: “Today, we — President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States — express our steadfast and united support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism.

“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism. In recent days, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred families in their homes, slaughtered over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapped elderly women, children, and entire families, who are now being held as hostages.

“Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasize that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage.

“All of us recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. But make no mistake: Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed.

“Over the coming days, we will remain united and coordinated, together as allies, and as common friends of Israel, to ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region.”

Well said, and hopefully this horrific development is not going to engender a reaction that is equally terrible. We solemnly hope that Israeli counter offensives, as justified as they may well be, will not indiscriminately target Palestinian civilians in Gaza. No less than the esteemed journalist commentator of the New York Times, Tom Friedman, has noted that Israel’s current leader, Bibby Netanyahu, has a mind set almost identical to that of Donald Trump in the U.S. and that means this current crisis could escalate into more crimes against humanity to an unprecedented degree.

The nations who signed the joint statement quoted above have a massive collective responsibility to work this crisis through to a peaceful resolution.

We are troubled by the ways in which some superpowers, not just Iran but Russia, may be working in the background to incite and inflame this as a proxy crisis. After all, it comes just as the U.S. is being called to meet the demands for the defense of Ukraine, and with it NATO, against the ongoing Russian barbarism there.

By way of Moscow agent Trump, key Republicans are effectively doing Moscow’s bidding in the Congress, blocking the appointments of key military leaders and attempting to cut funding to the historic effort to defend democracy in Ukraine.

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6. Give ‘value received’ for every dollar you take in.

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

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

L etters to E ditor Continued from Page 4

which is when the SAT is usually administered. But don’t shut down the entire school for a day for the benefit of a very small number of students.

The reason we do keep shutting down school for these exams is inertia from the past. Our school district leaders, as well as parents, are from my generation, where the SAT was a big deal in college admissions. Back then, it was required and taken seriously. In order to promote equity, over a decade ago, school districts did the right thing to offer the SAT and PSAT free to all students. But that was the past. The current state of college admissions has led to over 80 percent of colleges no longer requiring the SAT because of the exam’s inequities. We need to realize that our students do NOT need the SAT to go to UVA, William and Mary, Virginia Tech, JMU, George Mason, and many other top colleges, and thus, we should update our school policies to reflect that.

Another reason may be the corporate power of the College Board, the company that owns the PSAT and SAT. If school districts keep administering these tests, the illusion that these tests actually matter continues, and most of all, they keep making money (keep in mind, having schools administer the test on a school day provides the College Board free labor as teachers and administrators are at school; that’s not the case on a Saturday). I am sure if this is published, there will be a response from the College Board claiming these tests are good for students. Yeah, and at one point according to federal school lunch programs, ketchup was a vegetable.

Some may say, what’s the big deal?

It’s just one day. The big deal is when you’re teaching students, particularly from at-risk backgrounds, every day, every minute of instruction matters.

Disruptions like this take away from the very important routine of learning. Teenagers need routine. This day off comes just over a month from when school started, when teachers have worked hard to set up a routine of learning with students.

Suddenly that routine is thrown off and it can have a major impact. Ask any teacher and they’ll say the whole week of school is thrown off due to this disruption, and right at a critical time in the beginning of the school year. When we see reading and math scores going down, as well as rising attendance problems, maximizing instruction time so students get

into the routine of learning should be a priority, not tests that promote inequity.

It is my hope that this year will be last year we shut down schools for the PSAT and SAT. We can and should find alternative ways to provide the opportunity to those students who want to take these tests. But for the vast majority of students, a normal day of school where they continue the routine of learning is what is best and would truly mean we are putting equity at the center of everything we do.

Eric Wolf Welch

W. Broad Street Reopened at Lee Street After Accident Editor,

It was a crash. The crash was “cleared and W. Broad St./ Rt. 7 is open in both directions.” The term “accident” to describe a motor vehicle crash has long been promoted and popularized by the automobile industry to help minimize, in the eyes of the public, the dangers of automobiles traveling at high speeds though our cities. There were two cars and a small truck involved in that motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Broad and Lee Streets on Oct 2nd. I didn’t see the collision, but I saw the aftermath. The truck was straddling the sidewalk, the two damaged cars were on Broad St. on opposite sides of the intersection, and one street light pole was lying horizontally over nearly a block of the Broad St. sidewalk. I hope Falls Church City and the Falls Church News Press will use the term “crash” or “collision” to more accurately describe the violent meeting of motor vehicles with each other or with public infrastructure.

I sincerely hope no one was severely injured. I also hope the city submits an insurance claim to the offending drivers’ insurance companies, because I am pretty sure the street lamp wasn’t violating any traffic laws.

Joyce Migdall Falls Church

CO MME NT

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A Penny for Your Thoughts

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 7

The Bath or Shower You’ve Always Wanted

IN AS LITTLE AS A DAY

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

For nearly 40 years, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has designated a Lord and a Lady Fairfax from each of the nine magisterial districts; the chairman also selects at-large honorees. The “Lord and Ladies,” as the ceremony is known, began as part of the events leading up to the Celebrate Fairfax fair, held in June for many years on the grounds of the Fairfax County Government Center. Although the fair has been discontinued, honoring community volunteers has not. For 2023, I selected Lassine Doumbia Fakoli as Mason District’s Lord Fairfax, and Alis Wang as Lady Fairfax. They were honored at a ceremony last week in the Board Auditorium.

Lassine Doumbia Fakoli is one of many residents whose feet are planted firmly in two places – their adopted home of Fairfax County, and their ancestral home on another continent. For Lassine, the focus is giving back to both with volunteer support over the years. Born and raised in Mali in North Africa, Lassine came to the United States in 1981, working as a financial specialist in the Department of Agriculture.

In Fairfax County, Lassine is the primary volunteer and host for the free summertime Cultural Heritage Concerts at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale. Starting in 2007, when

the concerts were held in a nearby shopping center parking lot, Lassine set up equipment, provided water for the performers and even erected a closed tent as a dressing room for costume changes. His friendly and positive approach to performers and audience alike makes every concert a delightful experience.

Lassine’s sense of community spirit can be traced to his youth in Mali. Remembering his 16-mile bicycle ride to the nearest school, Lassine started a project to build a school in his home village. The first school had three mud-brick classrooms; now it has six classrooms built of concrete, serving about 125 boys and girls, aged 5 to 12. His next project was to build a community health center to memorialize his parents; next on the list is a water tower and well to serve those facilities.

Today, Lassine also serves as chief of the village of Koungojah, following in the footsteps of his father and uncles. Lassine Doumbia’s volunteer activities substantiate that, whether in Africa or Fairfax County, it truly does “take a village,” and makes him a worthy Lord Fairfax for Mason District in 2023.

From the time she moved to Lake Barcroft in the last decade, Alis Wang stepped up to serve her new community and its interests. Alis represents Mason District on the Fairfax

County Human Services Council, joined the Baileys Crossroads/Seven Corners Revitalization Committee, and served on the Site Specific Plan Amendment Task Force that reviewed nominations for land use changes in Mason District. Alis is a member of the Mason District Land Use Committee, served on the Lake Barcroft Association Board as secretary and membership chair, and also took on the tough task on the county’s Redistricting Advisory Committee following the 2020 Census.

Alis has significant international credentials in her professional life, enjoys skiing, and trains for halfmarathons but always is willing to take on new challenges, including becoming a Certified Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member. She questions, analyzes, and makes the extra effort to understand all sides of an issue so she can both listen and present her best advice. Alis Wang’s willingness to volunteer in service to her community in so many ways makes her an excellent selection as 2023’s Lady Fairfax for Mason District.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h

C RIME RE PORT Week of September 25 - October 1, 2023

Assault on Law Enforcement, Wilson Blvd, Sept 28, 11:50 PM, a male, 28, of Arlington, VA, was arrested for Assault on Law Enforcement.

Trespassing, Wilson Blvd, Sept 25, 12:00 PM, a male, 52, of no fixed address, was arrested for trespassing.

Simple Assault, W Broad St, Sept 29, 12:39 PM, victim reported being assaulted by an unknown delivery driver.

The suspect is described as a female.

Shoplifting, W Broad St, Sept 25, 4:37 PM, an unknown suspect took items of value without paying. The suspect is described as a male wearing a red sweater and gray sweatpants.

Simple Assault, W Broad St, Sept 26, 11:32 PM, a male, 51, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for simple assault.

Public Intoxication, Hillwood Ave, Sept 28, 9:21 PM, a male, 43, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for public intoxication.

Trespassing/Obstruction of Justice, Wilson Blvd, Sept 28, 11:01 PM, a male, 28, of Arlington, VA, was arrested for trespassing and obstruction of justice.

Public Intoxication, Hillwood Ave, Sept 30, 11:36 PM, a female, 25, of Alexandria, VA, was arrested for public intoxication.

Public Intoxication, Hillwood Ave, Oct 1 9:05 PM, a male, 51, of no fixed address, was arrested for public intoxication.

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HO ME A ND R EA L E STAT E

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FCNP.COM | FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

HO ME & R EA L E STATE

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 9

Fall Real Estate & Home Improvement 2023

Pages 9-21

PAGE 10 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

HO ME & R EA L E STATE

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

DC-Metro Modern Home Tour Sees 350 Participants in Fifth Year

by Brian Reach

Falls Church News-Press

On Saturday, October 7, Modern Architecture + Design Society (MA+DS) returned to the DMV for their fifth in-person DC-Metro Modern Home Tour, where 350 participants visited eight select homes across the region for an exclusive tour. Homes on the tour are typically occupied by their owners, so this glimpse inside was truly special.

MA+DS began their tours in 2010 in Austin, TX, and is holding their 125th tour this weekend in San Diego. Their DC event is sponsored by listModern, a modern homes branch of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty that convinced MA+DC to come to the region.

“Sometime in early 2017, Steven Mangas at listModern reached out to me,” says Ken Shallcross, Vice President of MA+DS, “He had heard about our tours and asked how we could make that happen in Washington, D.C.” Shallcross explained that MA+DS has been hosting these events for so long, all they really need to come to a region is “a vibrant

A CHERRY HILL home on the MA+DS tour. (Photo: Brian Reach) modern architecture/design community, including architects and homeowners who are willing to share their creations and spaces with others.”

The rest is taken care of by his team, which has a system down to execute a well-run event.

The News-Press visited the five Virginia homes on the tour, all unique in their own rights, and joined Shalcross, Mangas, other partners, and ticket holders at an im-

pressive finale house for a reception just across the Chain Bridge in the District.

The first home we visited was an Alair Homes rebuild in the Penrose neighborhood of Arlington, which had been fully renovated within the same footprint, but with a second and third floor added to accommodate the owners’ growing family. The result was a four story modern home that, thanks in part to interiors decorated

A MID CENTURY modern delight in McLean. (Photo: Brian Reach) and furnished by BraePark Design, still felt practical and livable.

Next on the tour was an updated home by Paola One Design in Lyon Village in Arlington, where an addition expanded a modest 2-bedroom brick home into a three-story home with plenty of space for an active family of four, featuring dramatic open floor plans and an enviable loft and rooftop terrace.

A second project by Alair homes

followed, where architect Luther Weber and Iona Todorova Designs awaited to share the details of their creation: a second story addition to a 1948 colonial, situated on a (very) steep street in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Arlington, which provided a primary suite with an abundance of windows — resulting in an enviable bathtub view of the backyard garden. A retractable wall and indi-

Continued on Page 12

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

HO ME A ND R EA L E STAT E

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 11

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PAGE 12 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

HO ME & R EA L E STATE

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Five Virginia Properties Featured in DC-Metro Modern Home Tour Continued from Page 10

-rect light illuminating the vaulted ceiling contributed to a spacious and open feel.

Our fourth stop was a behemoth model home in McLean by Green Building Group, which did not allow interior photography but boasted over 11,000 square feet, an elevator, and a gourmet kitchen with custom black cabinets and perfectly executed matching panels seamlessly blending appliances in with the ambiance.

The final home on the Virginia portion of the tour, a mid-century modern revival in McLean by Sagatov Design + Build, deceived visitors with its deceptively understated street view. Once inside, visitors quickly lost use of their jaws, which invariably (and often audibly) dropped as the space — an entertainer’s dream — expanded before their eyes.

The soaring great room — featuring a unique glass-enclosed staircase in the center leading to the basement — serves as the heart of the home, complete with a dining area, a kitchen (sporting side-by-side refrigerators and a natural-edge wood island) with a second eating nook, a living area with tasteful quartz backsplashes and a dramatic wood accent wall. A spiral staircase incorporated

into the adjacent screen-enclosed sunroom leads down into a screened kitchen and grill, which opens to an incredible lanai by the pool and fire pit. Inside, the basement continues to wow with a home theater, exercise room, and games area.

The reception was held at a 7,800 square foot modern home by German architect Roland Broll, desirably situated along Potomac Ave just past the Key Bridge, in the Palisades neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Floor-to-ceiling windows add to the soaring open feel of home (and resulting in a truly impressive primary bathroom), which was presented

by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty and listModern and is currently available for sale, and a heated black

bottom ionized pool compliments a zen garden in the backyard. The show-stealer for the home, though, is a custom Italian staircase that seems to float in the air as it leads on a journey to each of the home’s four stories.

Highlights of the home’s basement include a game room, media room, 2,000 bottle wine cellar, and safe room.

Owners, architects, or interior designers interested in showing off their creations in a future tour should contact MA+DS via their website, mads.media. Readers that missed this year’s tour can look forward to the event’s likely return in early October 2024.

View more pictures at fcnp.com.

GREEN Building Group’s McLean model. (Photo: Brian Reach)

STAIRS FLOAT up in the D.C. finale home. (Photo: Brian Reach)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

HO ME A ND R EA L E STAT E

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 13

HO ME & R EA L E STATE

PAGE 14 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Fall Is a Great Season For Home Improvement & Maintenance Fall is an excellent time for home improvements. Not only does it precede the harsh winter months when many exterior projects become more challenging, but it’s also a great time to prepare your home for the holiday season and ensure it’s cozy and efficient for the colder weather.

Here are some fall home improvement ideas and tips: 1.

Gutter Cleaning and Repair: Leaves falling can clog gutters and downspouts, which could lead to water damage. Ensure that they’re cleared out and in good repair to handle the fall rains and winter snow.

2.

Weatherproofing: • Seal gaps and cracks: Use weather stripping or caulk to seal around windows and doors to prevent drafts.

• Door sweeps: Install door sweeps to prevent drafts under exterior doors.

3.

Roof Inspection and Repair: Check for loose or missing shingles that might leak during winter storms or from melting snow.

4.

Heating System Check:

Have your heating system inspected by a professional to ensure it’s in working order.

Replace filters and consider a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one.

5.

Fireplace and Chimney: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, get the chimney cleaned and inspected to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide intrusion.

6.

Check Detectors: Ensure that all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Replace batteries as necessary.

7.

Insulate Pipes: Prevent pipes from freezing in the colder months by insulating any pipes that are exposed.

8.

Winterize Outdoor Faucets: Drain garden hoses, and turn off the water to outdoor faucets. Install insulated covers on outdoor faucets to prevent them from freezing.

9.

Lawn and Garden: • Aerate and seed the lawn to ensure a lush yard in the spring.

• Plant fall bulbs for

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• Clean and store summer garden tools.

10. Paint: Fall’s cooler temperatures make it a good time for exterior painting. It’s not too hot for the paint to dry too quickly, and not too cold that it won’t adhere properly.

11. Safety First: Check the treads on your steps and walkways. Non-slip strips can provide extra traction as things get wet and icy.

12. Attic Insulation: Ensure your attic is adequately insulated to prevent ice dams on the roof and keep your home warmer in winter.

13. Declutter and Organize: Use this time to declutter spaces, especially if you’re expecting holiday guests. Organize storage spaces and donate unused items.

14. Upgrade Lighting: As days get shorter, you might find areas of your home that are too dim. Consider adding or updating lighting in these areas.

15. Plant Trees: Fall is a good time to plant trees. They’ll have a jump start on establish-

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ing roots before the summer heat hits.

16. Check and repair walkways: Ensure that all walkways are in good shape without major cracks or uneven areas that could be trip hazards or become icy patches in winter.

17. Window Check: Consider upgrading to double-pane windows if you haven’t already.

They’re more efficient and can

save on heating bills.

Incorporating these tasks into your fall home improvement regimen will help ensure that your home remains in good condition throughout the winter months, and is ready for the festivities and challenges of the season. Remember to prioritize tasks based on your home’s needs and the climate in your area.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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HO ME A ND R EA L E STAT E

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 15

PAGE 16 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

HO ME & R EA L E STATE A Falls Church News-Press Advertorial

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

M e e t Yo u r H o m e E x p e r t s Zimmermann Homes

Mark Donnelly, N-Hance of Fairfax

We pride ourselves on building custom homes that are unrivaled in performance, beauty and durability. All Zimmermann Homes come standard with upgraded products and building techniques that result in an attractive, energy-efficient and low-maintenance home. Clients can custom design a home with Zimmermann’s talented architect or choose from dozens of established plans. You shop and pick your finishes with a stylish interior designer and the install is overseen by a seasoned project manager. Related documents are accessible via a shared construction-management system and the team’s Realtor can assist with lot acquisition or selling your home. The end result is a one-stop shop that often exceeds expectations.

Mark Donnelly, owner of N-Hance of Fairfax, NW, a local franchisee of the #1 Cabinet Refinishing Company in the US.We offer our clients affordable options to update their homes. Whether you are looking to renew aging cabinets, want to brighten your kitchen with a lighter color, or follow the latest color trends, we can help bring a whole new look to your kitchen. Furthermore, if your cabinet boxes are solid, but your doors are dated, we can also do a re-dooring to a more modern style (like Shaker), without the mess, expense or duration of a traditional remodel.My team and I look forward to hearing from you and seeing how we can help to create the kitchen of your dreams.

Sales@ZimmermannHomes.com • zimmermannhomes.com

Kelly Milspaugh Thompson, Stylish Patina Kelly Millspaugh Thompson is a Falls Church City native and small business owner.

Kelly opened Stylish Patina, Home + Gift Boutique in Falls Church in 2013. A few years ago she expanded her service offering to include Real Estate. She now melds her love of Real Estate and Interior Design into a one of a kind full service offering for her clients. This has proven to be a unique and highly sought after combination of skills.

Her extensive experience in home decor, interior design and home renovation provides a broad area of expertise that she can bring to her clients both on the buying and selling side of the equation. If you are looking for a Realtor with a designer’s eye contact Kelly for your no obligation consult!

realestate@stylishpatina.com • 703.303.3700

Reico Kitchen & Bath Your dream, our ideas and expertise. Reico Kitchen & Bath takes your dated, tired kitchens and bathrooms and transforms them into spaces you love and want to spend time in.

Established in 1952, Reico Kitchen & Bath is your one-stop for kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling. We offer cabinets, countertops, appliances, sinks, fixtures and everything you need to create your new kitchen or bathroom. It is our goal to have every customer recommend us at our Falls Church, VA showroom or at any of our 23 showrooms throughout the Mid and South Atlantic.

703.748.0700 • reico.com

Perch Houses At Perch Houses we believe that living in an affordable home and experiencing shared community will lead to improved quality of life and healthier living.

Until today, living in a beautiful house for less than a 1-bedroom apartment in Falls Church, VA was impossible. Now, Perch Houses has made that a reality by creating a unique co-living service for 55+ women in spacious suburban homes.

Perch is a new type of co-living property management platform focused on 55+ women seeking affordable living, community and easier access to wellness services. We lease properties and, in turn, re-lease each bedroom to individual women. There are never more than 3-4 people in a house. You can get matched with our personality quiz or organize a Perch house with your friends. Check it out at www. perchhouses.com

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703.345.3100 • NHance.com/FairfaxNW

Karin Morrison & Rick Watkins Karin is a veteran Realtor® with nearly three decades of dedicated experience in Northern Virginia area – with a specialty in Falls Church. She worked alongside her mom and mentor Merelyn Kaye, who left her a remarkable business legacy when she passed in February 2023.

Karin and her husband Rick are continuing that legacy to help their clients find their perfect home.

As to how Karin & Rick guide their clients to that elusive Perfect Home, it’s all about listening closely to their clients and their needs.

They then use their market acumen, agent connections (remember that 30 years of working in the NoVA market!) and marketing expertise to make the right connections come together.

If you work with Karin & Rick, you can expect a carefully, cleverly, and caringlymanaged process that leads you to a home to cherish for years to come. Let them put their expertise to work for you!

Karin - 703.626,3257 • Rick 703.203.2671 info@yourperfecthomefinders.com

Alison Miller, Keller Williams Alison Miller has been in the DC and Virginia residential real estate market as a fulltime professional since 2008 as a buyer, rehabber, seller, commercial property owner, and Keller Williams Falls Church agent helping others buy and sell. Prior to going into real estate full-time I earned an MBA degree with dual concentration in information technology and real estate finance. I worked for 25 years in the information technology industry as a Senior Manager and Director for organizations including Marriott International and Fannie Mae. Put my 360-degree real estate experience and technology skills to work for you!

703.298.9495 • alisonmiller@kw.com

Pam Micciche Realtor® at HBC Group - KW Pam Micciche is a top performing member of the HBC Group at KW. A resident of Falls Church City for almost 20 years, Pam is a native Washingtonian who grew up in McLean and has especially strong ties to Arlington, Great Falls and Vienna. Through her involvement with PTAs, youth sports, and school fundraisers Pam has made volunteerism a hallmark of living in and giving back to her community.

703.371.9343 • Pam@HBCGroupKW.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

HO ME & R EA L E STATE A Falls Church News-Press Advertorial

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 17

M e e t Yo u r H o m e E x p e r t s Tori McKinney - ROCK STAR Realty Group, KW Metro Center

JD Callander and Ed Blanchard

My ROCK STAR Realty Group and I are here to help guide you with your next move - whether buying, selling, investing or renting. We have helped over 50 sellers & buyers in 2023 already … despite extremely low inventory.

How can we help you with your next move? Give ROCK STAR Realty Group a ring at (703) 867-8674, and we’ll get started on your real estate journey. We are here for you every step of the way.

JD Callander and Ed Blanchard with Weichert Realtors both call Falls Church City home and bring over 28 years of combined real estate experience and passion to their work. They are well-known and respected agents and demonstrate success through integrity in all that they do. They understand the market, are attentive to details and truly care about their client’s needs. They also love giving back to their beloved community through sponsoring the FCC Memorial Day Fun Run, HTG Games benefiting Falls Church City ES/PTA, Little League baseball plus many smaller events. They are honored and feel a strong sense of responsibility in assisting homeowners through important life transitions.

703.867.8674 • RockStarRealtyGroup.com

FOXCRAFT Design Group FOXCRAFT Design Group is in their 34th year as an award-winning design/ build firm and general contractor. FOXCRAFT is among the most creative, experienced design/build firms in the region, specializing in meeting clients’ budget expectations and overcoming ever changing national and county codes, regulations and guidelines.

Chandler Fox, the owner at FOXCRAFT, is also a licensed real estate agent, so his expertise in both building and real estate provides the best of both worlds for the client. Fox analyzes the property for current and future marketability and helps his clients make an intelligent decision about whether or not a renovation is the best investment for their property’s future value. “We build relationships with every client, based on their individual needs and wants, and advise them honestly, as to the best path for their family’s future.

703.536.1888 • foxcraft.com

Floor Coverings International Falls Church resident Owen Sullivan recently became a franchise owner with Floor Coverings International, the brand that consistently ranks No. 1 in the mobile flooring category, providing free in-home consultations stocked with flooring samples from the top manufacturers in the industry. After spending two decades as a Senior Executive with a Global IT Services company, Owen fulfilled his dream of owning his own business with FCI. FCI of Tysons Corner serves customers throughout Falls Church, North Arlington, Mclean and Vienna. FCI sells, installs and restores all types of flooring, and provides services such as Hardwood resurfacing. For more information visit https://nwdca.floorcoveringsinternational.com or call 703-214-9175.

Office: 703.214.9175 • Mobile: 703.863.3744 nwdca.floorcoveringsinternational.com

Bethany Ellis, Long and Foster Bethany Ellis owns and operates a highly successful real estate business in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. She is an experienced Realtor® whose goal is to exceed your expectations. Her knowledge of the local market, attention to every detail, excellent negotiating ability, and effective communication ensures that your real estate transaction will go smoothly from start to finish. Bethany has direct access to lenders, home inspectors, new home developers, settlement groups, and local service providers (painters, plumbers, carpet suppliers, handymen, electricians, plumbers, and more).

If you’re looking to find a new home, build your dream home, get market statistics for your home or neighborhood, sell your existing home, make improvements to your current home, buy or sell an investment property or need answers to any real estate questions, make Bethany Ellis your real estate resource.

703.307.7003 • buyandsellwithbethany.com

703.821.1025 • newnovahome.com

Albert Bitici, The Bitici Group, Keller Williams Metro Center Rising interest rates and record low inventory continue to impact market conditions with some properties receiving multiple offers and selling in matter of days, while others sit on the market despite multiple price reductions. Your choice of realtor can cost, or earn you thousands. Don’t leave money on the table.

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Julie Andre, Senior Mortgage Loan Officer Julie Andre is an area native and highly experienced Senior Mortgage Officer with UNFCU, lending in all 50 States. She provides valuable solutions and education for all home loan types and sizes. Julie provides individualized attention to borrowers from pre-approval through closing.

First-time buyers, move-up buyers, downsizers, self-employed, investors, second homes, cash buyers seeking delayed financing, foreign nationals and more. In addition to weekdays, Julie is available evenings and weekends.

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HO ME & R EA L E STATE

PAGE 18 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

D.C. Development Center Helps Local Latino-Americans With Housing

by Kylee Toland

Falls Church News-Press

For over 30 years, a D.C. nonprofit organization has been offering ways to help Latino-Americans and their families with homeownership and economic advancement.

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), a communitybased organization run by bankers, business professionals and civil rights activists, has been supporting Latino and other underserved communities by providing financial tools and skills to create a “better future” for themselves and their families. These skills and tools focus on housing, small business and direct community investments.

LEDC’s program manager and certified housing counselor Karen Serfis said the organization provides small business coaching, small business loans, homebuyer education classes and housing counseling services in both Spanish and English.

“LEDC is happy to help any prospective first time home buyers navigate the process of buying a home,” Serfis said. “We do not charge for our services…if anybody is experiencing difficulties paying their mortgage, we are here to help

homeowners apply for assistance.”

Started on July 3, 1991 after “day of violent clashes between the Latino community” and the nation’s capital triggered by the shooting of a Latino man in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, LEDC’s founders applied for and received “seed funding” from the capital’s Office of Business and Economic Development. From there, Serfis said the organization was developed to help low-income Latino-Americans build assets.

“For 32 years, LEDC has delivered culturally and linguistically competent, comprehensive community and economic development services,” Serfis said. “Our mission is to drive the economic and social advancement of low- to moderateincome Latinos and other underserved communities in D.C., MD, VA and PR by equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve financial independence and become leaders in their communities.”

Housing services include homeownership counseling and affordable housing preservation/tenant organizing, which are stated on LEDC’s website in being “critical to helping our clients acquire and preserve their most critical asset, their

housing.”

The homeownership counseling program focuses on helping low to moderate income residents build their financial capability skills, establish or repair their credit, purchase their first home or save their home from foreclosure.

The affordable housing preservation/tenant organizing program focuses on ensuring DC tenants are aware of their rights as tenants and have the necessary leadership skills to organize and preserve their housing as “affordable,” improve their housing conditions, appropriately negotiate the purchase of their buildings and have influence over housing policy decisions in the District.

In the Little City, Serfis said the organization has provided services to two households in the last 12 months. Both households were purchased through the City of Falls Church’s Homeownership Program — a fairly-new program offering affordable houses at sale prices below market rate to homeowners earning between 50 percent — 120 percent area median income (AMI).

“This program is still in its infancy but I believe that the City is trying to find ways to help low- and moderate-income and minority households

LEDC PROVIDES FINANICAL tools and skills to create a “better future” to Latino-Americans. (Photo: Jaime Segui-Asad) purchase affordable property,” Serfis said. “It is not an easy task…We have a huge shortage of affordable housing and interest rates have also made it very challenging for prospective buyers to afford a home.”

After a client purchases a house, Serfis said LEDC does provide post-purchase counseling for

households after they have bought said property. Budgeting, addressing possible financial issues or help with refinancing — if the rate drops — is also offered.

For more information about the Latino Economic Development Center, visit their website at ledcmetro. org/.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

HO ME A ND R EA L E STAT E

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 19

Home Sales Vs. 1 Year Ago

Home Prices Vs. 1 Year Ago

Change in # of Homes Sold: 3Q ‘22 vs 3Q ‘23

Change in Average Home Price: 3Q ‘22 vs 3Q ‘23

Change in Falls Church City (22046)

Change in Falls Church City (22046)

4.41%

5.20%

Change in Bailey’s X-roads (22041)

Change in Bailey’s X-roads (22041)

-13.04%

2.77%

Change in Sleepy Hollow (22042)

Change in Sleepy Hollow (22042)

-32.18%

6.07%

Change in Pimmit Hills (22043)

Change in Pimmit Hills (22043)

0.00%

24.16%

Change in Lake Barcroft (22044)

Change in Lake Barcroft (22044)

-9.43%

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Buyers were able to buy the lot of their dreams for their new home - 16,000+ square feet! $1,200,000. Represented buyers.

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PAGE 20 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

HO ME & R EA L E STATE

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Real Estate

Top 5 F.C. Home Sales JULY 1 – SEPTEMBER 31, 2023 Sales

1. 6602 Gordon Ave. Falls Church, VA 22046 2. 2239 Beacon Ln. Falls Church, VA 22043 3. 6562 Brooks Pl. Falls Church, VA 22044 4. 506 N West St. Falls Church, VA 22046 5. 6241 Edgewater Dr. Falls Church, VA 22041

#2 $2,251,197

#1 $2,400,000

#3 $2,125,000

#4 $2,050,000

#5 $2,030,000

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

HO ME A ND R EA L E STAT E

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 21

F.C. City Closes on 2 Homes in Its Affordability Push Tuesday, Oct. 10 -- The City of Falls Church announced today a significant milestone in its commitment to affordable housing with the closing of the first two homes through the City of Falls Church Affordable Homeownership Program (CFCAHP).

This is a groundbreaking initiative that addresses the growing housing affordability crisis in Northern Virginia by providing eligible residents with affordable pathways to homeownership. The program can reduce the purchase price of a home by up to $150,000 and can provide access to other homebuyer benefits, including reducing interest rates, down payment assistance, and environmental sustainability-oriented home upgrades that result in monthly savings.

“I never thought this could happen for me. It was always my dream to own a house,” said one of the new homeowners.

“My family lived in Falls Church for over a decade,” said the other new homeowner.

“With the help of this program I

can finally call myself a homeowner.”

So far, CFCAHP has purchased three homes from private owners. The program is managed

by NHPF, a publicly supported non-profit real estate corporation that partners with local real estate professionals, financial institutions, and housing organizations. NHPF oversaw energyefficiency upgrades for these two homes, including new appliances, HVAC systems, lighting, and building envelope improvements. A third home with two bedrooms is still available for purchase, with more homes to come.

“This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a transformative initiative aimed at increasing affordable homeownership opportunities in the City,” said City Housing Development Specialist Brenden Woodley.

“It’s a remarkable program that borrows many of the features from other programs in Northern Virginia that ultimately creates something unique and special.”

“These first two closings are just the beginning of our efforts

to make homeownership attainable for more of our residents,” said Dana Jones, Director of Human Services for the City. “This program is part of the City’s broader strategy to address housing affordability challenges, emphasizing the importance of long-term stability and community growth.”

“This is an important initiative to create opportunities for not just housing, but also jobs, schools, and other important resources in a high-opportunity neighborhood. We’re glad to participate in a program that helps address prior exclusionary housing policies,” said Pamela Lee, Director of Development at NHPF. To participate in the program, buyers must meet certain eligibility requirements, be prequalified for a loan as a first-time homebuyer, and take Homebuyer Education Classes with Virginia Housing. People who are interested in participating in CFCAHP should visit www.fallschurchahp.org.

City of Falls Church property owners interested in selling

homes to the City for this program can contact NHP Foundation at inquiries@fallsch-

urchahp.org. The City offers all-cash payments at competitive prices for qualified homes.

(703) 345-3100 • FairfaxNW@nhancelocal.com

PAGE 22 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

Fa l l s C h u r c h School News & Notes Justice HS to Host Free Community Service Fair

Mustangs Field Hockey Celebrates Six Seniors

On Saturday, October 14 from 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. at the Justice High School Parking lot, Justice High School will be holding a free community service fair for recycling.

Three stations will be set up to drop off and collect electronics, paper/sensitive documents and bicycles. Drivers will remain in their vehicles and follow the route to each station as directed by student and adult volunteers. Donations for the Athletics and Activities programs will be gladly accepted on site.

On Tuesday, October 3, Meridian Field Hockey celebrated their six outstanding seniors with a 6-0 win over district rivals Liberty High School. After seniors and their families took the field to be recognized, the game started with Delaney Flanagan scoring the first goal, assisted by Lila Deering. The players warmed up and pulled ahead quickly in the second quarter, with senior Cassie DuBois scoring, followed by Lucy Hladky and Cailyn Murphy. The seniors continued to make their mark in the third quarter, with goals scored by Cassie DuBois and Caroline Carmody. Seniors Briana Corry and Amelie Goesch earned another shutout victory, keeping the Eagles at bay with one save recorded. Meridian remains undefeated with an 11-0 record and will play away at Brentsville on Thursday.

Bike, Walk, Roll to School Day a Success Wednesday morning, the weather was perfect for the many students who chose to bike, walk, or roll to school. Dozens of students participated in the two “Bike Bus” routes and met up with others to ride together.

The Meridian Bike Club hosted a welcoming committee/tune-up station at the MHS entrance for the riders arriving on bicycles.

They tuned the bikes up with the equipment provided by an FCEF Supergrant. Thanks to the Health & Wellness Advisory Committee, Bike Falls Church, Falls Church Police Department, and parents/ community members who helped ensure our students had a fun and safe ride to and from school.

Anatomy & Physiology Partners Wanted Meridian High School students in the Human Anatomy & Physiology class are given the opportunity to shadow a profession related to the human body for 5+ hours and make a visual diary of their experience. Please sign up at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F AIpQLSc6WQ3ANXD6nSAaet9 6QzRYWS8HSc2LMz8zhufQ2T

SCHO O L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

0cnLKdiQ/viewform if any medical, dental, fitness, or wellness practice would be interested in hosting a student. Contact Teacher Kish Rafique at rafiquek@fccps. org with questions.

Support MHS TV by Buying Merch Please help MHS TV fulfill its goal of selling at least 40 shirts.

They are raising funds to support their programming and equipment. Buy a grey hoodie and black T-shirt at customink.com/g/fwe000cs-xz8f. The deadline to order is Saturday, October 14.

MHS Band Students Ready to Work Have any leaves that need raking? Kids that need babysitting?

Garden that needs tending? A neighborhood concert you’d like musicians to play? Then consider hiring a Meridian High School musician to get the job done.

As part of the MUSIC Days fundraiser, from October 21 through December 3 Meridian High School musicians will be out in the community working to earn money for their once-in-a-lifetime trip to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City in April. All proceeds from these jobs goes directly to help pay for their spring trip to the Big Apple where they will play on stage at Carnegie and in

DOZENS OF STUDENTS participated in two “bike bus” routes during Bike, Walk, Roll to School Day, meeting up at designated locations to ride together. (Photo: FCCPS)

DR. DAVID JECK (RIGHT) began his first day as Interim Head of Secondary schools yesterday. Teachers and staff extended a warm welcome to him this week. (Photo: Chrissy Henderson) a band exchange program with an arts high school in Brooklyn, NY. Let the capable, hardworking NYC-bound musicians help with odd jobs this fall.

For more information or to place a job request, visit: forms. gle/JqoAvJXJzwHDF8Ww5 or email musicdaysgmhs@gmail. com.

ees into the Virginia School Board Association Media Honor Roll. A decision regarding the allocation of a portion of last year’s budget surplus for Meridian Baseball field improvements was postponed. The Board will revisit the matter in a Work Session in two weeks, allowing time for additional input from the community and potential vendors.

Youth Night a Hit at Mustangs Football

School Board Chairs to Hold ‘Office Hours’

Friday night was Youth Night at the Meridian Mustangs Football game. The weather was perfect for the community-building event.

The crowd was thrilled to hear the Mt. Daniel 2nd graders sing the National Anthem with the high school and middle school choirs. The youth participants of the recent Cheer Clinic cheered alongside the high school cheer team.

The football team lost a challenging game, but the team is ready to take on Manassas Park at home on Friday. Don’t miss this Friday night’s homecoming game.

FCCPS School Board Chair Laura Downs and Vice-Chair Tate Gould will hold “office hours” at Lazy Mike’s (7049 Leesburg Pike) on Monday, October 16, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members may drop by (no registration required) to ask questions and offer feedback in a casual environment. As this will not be a private setting, community members who prefer to have a private exchange with the School Board can locate members’ email addresses online at fccps.org/ page/school-board.

Board Receives Annual School Action Reports

The FCEPTA Book Fair Coming Soon

On Tuesday night, the Falls Church School Board held its monthly meeting. School leaders presented the annual School Action Reports, while a Spotlight on Team FCCPS video delved into the recent achievements of the 5-year Strategic Plan. The Board also designated October as Bullying Prevention, FilipinoAmerican Heritage, and ItalianAmerican Heritage Month. Public feedback was welcomed, and the session celebrated the latest induct-

The FCEPTA Book Fair is from October 16 until October 20 at Oak Street Elementary School.

Proceeds of book sales benefit all three elementary libraries. They have many options for kids of all ages, including middle schoolers.

Shopping times for in-person family shopping: is from October 17 to October 19 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.; student inschool shopping is October 18 to October 19 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and October 20 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

SPO RTS

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 23

Meridian Field Hockey Now 12-0, Football Looks to Bounce Back

by Ryan McCafferty

The fall sports season is now entering its home stretch at Meridian High School, with the golf team concluding its campaign this week and several others following close behind. Football came home from three consecutive road games, looking to upset Kettle Run, but it was not to be as the shorthanded squad was decimated by a score of 61-6 without starting QB Cruz Ruoff and TE Luke Russell. The now 2-4 Mustangs will have a chance to bounce back this Friday as they host Manassas Park.

On the plus side, field hockey continues to roll on, as the girls are now 12-0 with dominant victories this past week against Liberty on Tuesday and at Brentsville on Thursday, winning 6-0 in both.

They’ll be on the road for the rest of their regular season, facing Fauquier and Jackson-Reed this week, but they’ll be back at home for what looks to be a lengthy playoff run later this month.

Volleyball’s losing streak extended to five as they fell 3-2 at Warren County on Tuesday, but then they got back in the win column by sweeping Liberty in three sets on

Thursday. That puts the girls at 5-11 for the year, and they’ll host Brentsville this Thursday to look to start a new string of wins in what’s been a streaky season.

Cross Country participated in a couple meetings this past week, traveling to Fauquier County to face off against James Wood and Skyline in addition to the hosts. Both teams finished second to Fauquier, Molly Moore leading the girls as she finished second overall, while Joseph Ziayee led six Mustang boys in the overall top 15. Then the crew headed to Gettysburg over the weekend to compete against a host of Pennsylvania squads, with the boys finishing ninth and the girls 16th. Joseph Ziayee and Tucker Albaugh were respectively 29th and 30th overall while Katherine Steyn led the way for the girls in 80th. Both teams will conclude their regular season this coming Saturday at the Third Battle Invitational.

Finally, cheer competed at Liberty-Bealeton on Wednesday and at Deep Run on Saturday this past week, and will have another busy week as they’re set to take part in their next competition at Skyline.

Results from those meetings were not known at time of publication.

MHS FIELD HOCKEY continues to roll on, as the girls are now 12-0 with dominant victories last week against Liberty and Brentsville, winning 6-0 in both. (Photo: Carol Sly)

PAGE 24 | OCTOBER 12- 18, 2023

LO CA L

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes

LGBTQ+ Falls Church and NOVA Pride combined forces for their second monthly “No Agenda Happy Hour” at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack last Sunday. The next No Agenda Happy Hour will take place November 12. Pictured (left to right): Evita Peroxide, NOVA Pride board member and Brian Reach, Executive Director of LGBTQ+ Falls Church and President/Executive Director of NOVA Pride, who ran the event. (Photo: Brian Reach)

F.C. Jazzercise Holds Annual Friends and Family Week Until October 15, Falls Church Jazzercise is holding their annual Friends and Family week. Sign up for a free class pass at bit.ly/ FCNP1023jz to enjoy a week of complimentary classes. Jazzercise classes are 30-60 minutes long, and start as early as 5:30 a.m. or as late as 7:00 p.m.. Low-impact classes, as well as classes with childcare, are available as indicated on the

schedule. Jazzercise (513 W. Broad St., Suite 230, Falls Church), 703237-9000.

Little Theatre of Alexandria Announces New Season Observing the anniversary of its 90th year, The Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) will take on a wide range of topics and issues in its productions and staged readings during the ’24-’25 season, including rock ‘n roll in the 1950s; women striving

for recognition of their work; gothic horror and transformation; the road to redemption; the adventures of a big, green guy and a helpful donkey; courtship and scandal by William Shakespeare; a British farce; and an iconic tale of American independence.

The lineup of productions in the ’24-’25 season includes: “Memphis”: July 20-August 10, 2024 (Musical); “The Explorers Club”: August 31-September 21, 2024; “Jekyll and Hyde”: October 19-November

RECOGNIZED BY FCCPS by their placement on the VA School Boards Association’s Media Honor Roll Tuesday, l. to r., Abby Crespin of the MHS newspaper, The Lasso, Emily Leavman of the online Patch, and Nick Benton of the News-Press, a recipient of this annual recognition over a dozen times. (News-Press Photo) 9, 2024 (Musical); “A Christmas Carol”: December 7-December 21, 2024; “Shrek”: February 8-March 1, 2025 (Musical—Pending Rights); “Much Ado About Nothing”: March 29-April 19, 2025; “The Play That Goes Wrong”: June 7-June 28, 2025 (Pending Rights).

Fill Out the Solid Waste Survey Online The City of Falls Church invites City residents to provide feedback on managing municipal solid waste (MSW), which includes the collection of household and commercial trash, recyclable materials, and organic waste for composting.

Feedback will inform the City’s 20-year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP).

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at gbb-inc.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=wGn WwE%2B7RcsECHrPeIW9eQ%3 D%3D, which is available in English and Spanish. The survey closes on November 3, 2023.

Halloween Carnival Coming Soon

THE CITY’S ANNUAL FALL EVENT Farm Day was held on Saturday, October 7, despite the early morning rain. The event was filled with pumpkin decorating (shown above), a petting farm, farmhouse tours, scarecrow making and more. (Photo: Gary Mester)

Grab the little goblins and ghouls for the spooktacular family fun Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 28, presented by Dr. Toothfairy.

Activities include games, inflatables, candy, fall snacks, and more.

Bring a trick or treat bag to collect goodies, costumes are encouraged.

Wristbands to participate in all activities will be available for purchase onsite and for presale at the Community Center starting October 25 for $1 per person.

Food for Neighbors to Help F.C. Students Over 2,700 households in Northern Virginia are working with Food For Neighbors to end teen food insecurity. Help them reach 2,800 so they can better fill the weekend food gap for students in your local secondary schools. Sign up at ​​foodforneighbors.org/redbag-program/ to donate food and toiletries up to five times per year via our popular Red Bag Program.

This will be helping students attending Luther Jackson Middle School and Annandale, Falls Church, and Justice high schools.

During each Red Bag Events, they’re currently collecting well over 20,000 pounds of food and toiletries to help students in 42 Northern Virginia middle and high schools. As the number of students served continues to grow, donations are key to helping the most vulnerable students in local schools.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

St Thomas to Host Community Fall Festival

GMU Arts Celebrates Benefit Event

On Saturday, October 21 from 11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m., St Thomas Episcopal Church will hold their community fall festival at 8891 Brook Road, McLean. Food trucks, live music, free fun and games, and a pumpkin patch will be offered. Buy pumpkins to support local charities.

Parking is available at Providence Baptist Church (8980 Brook Road, McLean).

“An evening like no other,” ARTS by George! made its annual return on September 30, hosted by George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). The benefit event, which was headlined by Grammy and Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, raised more than $275,000 for student scholarships in visual arts, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. With donations still coming in, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for the arts at Mason since the event began in 2006.

Dominion Hills Fall Craft Show Celebrates 20 Years The Dominion Hills Fall Craft Show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Dominion Hills Area Recreation Center at 6000 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,, between 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Twelve fine art and craft vendors will offer holiday shoppers the best in local art including jewelry, pottery, glass, abstract and landscape paintings, polymer clay, artisan chocolates, wood working, handknits, bookmaking, bath and body products, coiled baskets and much more.

Chesterbrook to Hold Fall Festival Embrace the spirit of autumn and join Chesterbrook Residences on Saturday, October 14 for a day filled with family fun, featuring a petting zoo, festive photo booth, pumpkin decorating, delicious snacks, and refreshing apple cider. Gather loved ones from 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. and make lasting memories as they celebrate the joys of the season together.

Local Groups to Combat Food Insecurity in VA A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held to unveil the newly branded Anthem HealthKeepers Plus Virginia refrigerator at the Food For Others community food bank in Fairfax.

Food For Others is a Northern Virginia-based organization that seeks to alleviate hunger and provide nourishing foods for those in need.

Since 1995, Food for Others has been at work helping families who are struggling to make ends meet.

Excel Award Finalist a F.C. Local The Center for Nonprofit Advancement announced that Dr. Donny John, executive director of NOVA ScriptsCentral, is a finalist of the 2023 Excel Award. The award honors exceptional nonprofit chief executives in the region, with consid-

LO CA L eration to achievements in innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity, and strategic leadership. Dr. John is one of three finalists. The winner is given access to a $10,000 professional development account and a $2,000 cash award to the organization to support professional development programs for the staff.

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 25

School Board Chairs to Hold ‘Office Hours’ FCCPS School Board Chair Laura Downs and Vice-Chair Tate Gould will hold “office hours” at Lazy Mike’s (7049 Leesburg Pike) on Monday, October 16, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members may drop by to ask questions and offer feedback in a casual environment. As this will not be a private setting, community members who prefer to have a private exchange with the School Board can locate members’ email addresses online at fccps.org/page/school-board.

Creative Cauldron Awarded Arts Project Grant

RELEASED THIS WEEK, author Charlie Clark’s game-changing book, “Life and Times of the Falls Church News-Press” (The History Press), now available on Amazon and at locations around Falls Church. It draws from the archives of the News-Press over the last 33 years to provide, in addition to the history of the News-Press itself, a wealth of material on the Little City’s commercial development, schools, history, politics, crime and the law, sports, entertainment and transportation battles. Clark will make a presentation based on the new book on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church at 2 p.m. (News-Press Photo)

Creative Cauldron is the recipient of a FY 2024 Arts Fairfax Project Grant in the amount of $14,435 from Arts Fairfax, which supports local arts organizations providing outstanding arts experiences for the Fairfax community between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

The project support grant will support Creative Cauldron’s “Artes Para Todos Celebraciones!” which will provide young people from Spanish speaking families in Title One Fairfax County schools with opportunities to explore drama, music and the arts in a celebration of heritage and culture.

EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN and join Chesterbrook this Saturday for a day filled with family fun. (Photo: Danielle Daniels)

THE GREATER FALLS CHURCH Veterans Council held its 13th annual Veteran’s and Community Awards Picnic. The event celebrates Veterans in the Falls Church Community and recognizes local individuals and businesses for their support of Veteran causes and Initiatives. (Photo: Dave Crance)

120 COMMUNITY MEMBERS volunteer to collect, sort, and deliver over 4,000 pounds of donations by more than 270 households for students at various local schools (Photo: Kurt D’mello)

CA L E NDA R

PAGE 26 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

THIS WEEK AROUND F.C. THURSDAY

OCTOBER 12 Chamber Networking Breakfast

Jenny Langer & Jonathan Sloane

Jenny Langer & Jonathan Sloane perform.

Settle Down Easy Brewing (2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church), 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Stop by for an informal gathering to meet fellow Chamber members. No agenda and no cost other than the cost of your breakfast. The Original Pancake House (7395 Lee Hwy., Falls Church), 8:00 a.m. — 9:00 a.m.

Economic Development Authority meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Laurel Room, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.

Legislative Committee Meeting

School Board Town Hall on Start Times

Legislative Committee meets.

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 9:30 a.m. — 10:30 a.m.

Films in the Park: 'Coco'

A special fall edition of Films In The Park celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Film lovers can watch their favorite flicks on the larger-than-life outdoor screen while sitting picnic-style. This week's film: "Coco" (PG-13). Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-greatgrandfather, a legendary singer.

Strawberry Park (Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA), 6:00 p.m.

Economic Dev. Authority Meeting

The Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) holds a town hall to allow members of the community to discuss plans to change the start times for FCCPS school days. Meridian High School (121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

Board of Zoning Appeals meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.

The Laramie Project

A play by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project in response to the 1998 murder of Mat-

thew Shepard, a young gay man, in Laramie, Wyoming. Kaufman and the other company members visited Laramie on six occasions and interviewed residents, members of the police force, and Matthew’s friends, in an attempt to understand what happened, and why.

They were also interested in the possibility that theatre, more than any other medium, would allow people to engage with and reflect on the issues brought to public attention by Matthew’s murder, such as homophobia, hatred, intolerance, and fear. "The Laramie Project" takes those real interviews and weaves them into the story of events surrounding the murder and the months beyond. The Little Theatre of Alexandria (600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA), 8:00 p.m.

FRIDAY

OCTOBER 13 Ukulele Baby Lap Time

For ages 0-24 months with a caregiver, older siblings are welcome.

Join Ms. Ingrid Christina for a short lapsit with a story, songs on the ukulele, and rhymes. Stay and play with toys designed just for babies and mingle with other families. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Lower Level Conf. Rm., Falls Church), 10:30 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

Sunset Cinemas: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

This week's movie: "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial." The City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department presents the annual Sunset Cinema in the Park! Viewers are encouraged to bring blankets and a picnic.

Drinks, popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase (cash only). In the case of inclement weather, screenings will be rescheduled to the following Friday after the last scheduled showing.

Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church), 5:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

Reston After Dark

Join Reston Museum for an evening presentation on graveyards, ghosts, Bunnyman, and more! View a special exhibit put together just for this event that showcases these stories! Light refreshments provided. Reston Community Center Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza N, Reston, VA), 6:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

GMU Midnight Madness

GMU holds the annual kickoff to men's and women's basketball season. Mason fans will be introduced to the student athletes from each team and hear from new men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn and women's basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis.

Each team will also take part in a scrimmage on the arena floor.

EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Cir., Fairfax, VA), 7:00 p.m.

Symphonic Spooks with SONOVA

A PRECIOUS MOMENT at last year's McLean Pet Fest. Enjoy music, vendors, treats and more as the event returns, Sunday at McLean Central Park. (Photo: McLean Community Center)

The Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia (SONOVA) is bringing all the fun to your Halloween festivities this year, appropriately on Friday the 13th!

Celebrate the spooky season with the haunting music that keeps us up at night. Expect orchestral classics from Bach, Berlioz, Rachmaninoff, and more in addition to iconic horror film scores in this spooktastic evening of frights for the whole family! Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP1023ss. George Washington Masonic National Memorial Theater (101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria, VA), 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY

OCTOBER 14 Falls Church Farmers Market

Shop the award-winning market every Saturday, year-round! City Hall Parking Lot (300 Park Ave., Falls Church), 8:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

Chesterbrook Fall Festival

Featuring a petting zoo, bounce house, picture booth, and pumpkin decorating. Chesterbrook Residences (2030 Westmoreland St., Falls Church), 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.

Gala Theatre Presents: Picasso

From the lush stroke of his paintbrush to the beat of his heart, the artful canvas of Picasso's life unfolds through memories of cherished family and friends, his passion for bullfights, the circus and the stage. Immerse yourself in the imagination of this creative genius. Gala Theatre (3333 14th St. NW, Washington, DC), 3:00 p.m.

Surf's Up Storytellers

Join Better Said Than Done storytellers for "Surf’s Up," with storytellers Nick Baskerville, Bonnie Gardner, John Kreul, Giselle Ruzany, Jack Scheer, Allison Stevens, and Andrea Young, and emcee Jessica Robinson. Better Said Than Done stories are true, personal, entertaining, and intended for a mature audience. $15 tickets available at bit.ly/FCNP1023st. Clare and Don's Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church), 6:30 p.m.

Monarch: A MexicanAmerican Musical

After 20 years of running a successful workshop in the US, beloved handyman Luis becomes the relentless focus of ICE Officer Castelo. Fearing for his future, Luis seeks sanctuary in a local church where memories abound of the Monarch sanctuary in Mexico where he met his wife. Like the Monarch butterfly, Luis is determined to follow his fate-defining journey.

Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CA L E NDA R

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 27

EVENTS, LIVE MUSIC, & ARTS SUNDAY

MONDAY

OCTOBER 15

OCTOBER 16

McLean Pet Fest

Daytime Art Critique Group

Have fun at the park and bring your furry friends (leashed, please)! Enjoy free music, Fido’s Bone Bar, a photo booth, pet tricks, gourmet food trucks, giveaways and demonstration shows. Find valuable pet-related resources including pet rescue, adoption, pet sitters, groomers and trainers. Costumes are welcome for the Pet Parade at 3:00 p.m. McLean Central Park (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, VA), 11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood LIVE

Daniel and all his friends invite you for a brand-new adventure in the “Neighborhood of Make-Believe" where Daniel learns just what it takes to be king. The beloved characters come alive on stage to captivate you with new songs to sing along to, magical moments, and surprise guests along the way! It’s an event filled with tigertastic fun, teaching the valuable lessons of kindness, helping others, and being a friend. Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP1023dn. GMU Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax, VA), 2:30 p.m.

Extraordinary Cinema: 'Sarafina'

"Sarafina" brilliantly depicts a true story of the struggles of youth during the apartheid in South Africa. This free movie screening is first come, first served, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early. The REACH at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC), 3:00 p.m.

Sunrise Sunset Drag Bingo

Open to all ages, this familyfriendly event, hosted by Evita Peroxide, features performances by local drag performers, rounds of bingo, interactive competitions and prizes, and more!

Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP1023db.

Clare and Don's Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church), 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

Bring a piece of art for feedback from a community of artists . Free and open to all levels.

Meets third Monday each month.

Falls Church Arts (700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church), 12:00 p.m. — 2:00 p.m.

School Board 'Office Hours'

Community members may drop by (no registration required) to ask questions and offer feedback in a casual environment. This is not a private setting. Thos who prefer a private exchange with the School Board should contact members via email. Lazy Mike's Delicatessen (7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church), 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

City Council Work Session

City Council Work Sessions are held the first and third Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held.

These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. Watch the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings or FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 11:00 p.m.

TUESDAY

OCTOBER 17 Luncheon: The Candidate Forum

Gather under the canopy in the parking lot for a moderated discussion from Falls Church city council candidates Erin Flynn, Letti Hardi, Tim Stevens, and Justine Underhill. Advance registration required

by Monday at 12:00 p.m. via bit. ly/FCNP1023cf. Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Ct., Falls Church), 11:30 a.m. — 1:15 p.m.

THE ARTFUL CANVAS of Picasso's life unfolds in "Picasso," on stage this weekend at Gala Hispanic Theatre (Pictured: Camilo Linares. Photographer: Stan Weinsten)

Electoral Board Meeting

Electoral Board meets. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Oak Room, Falls Church), 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18 Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Library board of trustees meets.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Upper Floor Conf. Rm., Falls Church), 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting

Urban Forestry Commission meets.

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.

Planning Commission Meeting

Planning Commission meets.

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.

PAGE 28 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE: On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., the City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and meeting on the proposed Quinn and Homestretch senior living/human care and mixed-use redevelopment project. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Public comments can also be submitted ahead of time to larseneau@ fallschurchva.gov. The Planning Commission will consider the following items and recommendation to City Council: (TR23-23) RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, OFFICIAL FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, BY RECLASSIFYING APPROXIMATELY 0.623 ACRES OF LAND, LOCATED AT 360 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET (LOT 27, REAL PROPERTY CODE 55-306-027) FROM “BUSINESS’ TO “MIXED-USE”, FOR A MIXED-USE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, KNOWN AS QUINN/HOMESTRETCH SENIOR LIVING, ON APPLICATION BY QUINN ENTERPRISES, LLC; and (TR23-24) RESOLUTION TO GRANT A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL USES WITHIN A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND TO INCREASE THE BUILDING HEIGHT WITH A BONUS OF UP TO FOURTY(40) FEET TO A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN (115) FEET FOR A MIXED-USE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, KNOWN AS QUINN/HOMESTRETCH SENIOR LIVING, ON APPROXIMATELY 1.866 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 350 AND 360 S. WASHINGTON STREET AND 303 S. MAPLE AVENUE (REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS, #55-306-026, #55-306027, AND #55-306-028) ON APPLICATION

BY QUINN ENTERPRISES, LLC. The proposal includes the construction of a new, a new 10-story senior living/human care and mixed-use building with a maximum height of 115 feet, with 233 senior living units, approximately 32,000 square feet of medical office space, approximately 12,000 square feet of retail business,a 292 space partially underground parking garage and new publicly accessible open space.

The public hearing meeting agenda and materials will be available on the following page prior to the meeting date: http://www. fallschurchva.gov/PC. More information about the proposed Quinn/Homestretch redevelopment are available on the project webpage: https://www.fallschurchva. gov/2190/Quinn-and-Homestretch-Development-350-an.

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The LGBTQ+ Reach

by Brian Reach

Falls Church News-Press

25 Years After Matthew Shepard Thursday marks 25 years after the death of Matthew Wayne Shepard, a 21-year old University of Wisconsin student who was beaten, tortured, and robbed before being tied to a fence and left to die, by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, on October 6, 1998 in Laramie, WI. A comatose Shepard was found 18 hours later by police, but six days after the attack he died from his injuries.

McKinney and Henderson pretended to be gay to lure Shepard into their truck, intending to rob him. McKinney tried to use the LGBTQ+ “panic defense” during his trial, which was rejected by the judge.

Shepard’s memorial service was picketed

by Westboro Baptist Church, who held up signs saying, among other things “Matt in hell,” “God hates Fags,” and “AIDS cures Fags.” In response, the group “Angel Action” was formed, and began counter protesting WBC wearing white outfits with “wings” for arms, forming a wall around the protesters.

The “wall of love” became a trend for counter protesting the WBC’s hateful demonstrations.

Children’s Book By Gay Banned Read Me a Story, Stella, a picture book

by Marie-Louise Gay, was listed as sexually explicit and flagged for removal from the children’s section at Huntsville-Madison County Public Library in Madison, Alabama. What was sexually explicit about it? The author’s last name is Gay. That’s it.

Alabama has passed a ban on trans participation in sports in K-12 schools and twoand four-year higher education institutions.

There are bills advancing the anti-LGBTQ+ agenda of the far-right, including adding Drag to the list of sexual material that is illegal for a minor to witness — essentially kicking Drag performances out of public spaces, despite not being inherently sexual in nature.

The ACLU is currently tracking 501 bills introduced in 2023 across 47 states targeting LGBTQ+ folks. At least 84 have been passed, with 14 now being challenged in court. 187 are advancing. 227 have been defeated (including 12 bills introduced in Virginia by Republicans in the House and Senate).

Salim Announces Unity Rally Saddam Salim, the Democrat running to represent Falls Church and central Fairfax County in the Virginia Senate in this November’s election, has announced a Democratic Unity Rally, which he will host along with guest Albert Vega, the Democrat running for Springfield Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on Sunday, October 22 in the City of Fairfax.

The event is in response to Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax), who Salim defeated in the June primary, endorsing Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) over Vega, in an email on Monday.

Petersen and Herrity both repeated “common sense” ad nauseam — a catch phrase readers may recognize from Petersen’s “Fairfax Commonsense PAC,” which sought to unseat Steve Descano as Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax in the June Democratic primary with Ed Nuttal, whose past political activity certainly looked like that of a Republican, though he ran as a Democrat.

Descano bested Nuttal, though a writein site for Nuttal has launched. The site claims it is “not authorized or managed by any candidate, PAC and other entities that would be classified as political organizations or groups.” Interestingly, perhaps only to me, this statement doesn’t mention “elected officials who didn’t win their primaries.”

Notably, Herrity always leaves the room during the annual LGBTQ+ Pride month proclamation, which passes unanimously by the rest of the supervisors (who are all Democrats). A variety of excuses have been given, including that he “drank a lot of Diet Coke” (my favorite response, provided by his staff in 2016). Pictured is Herrity’s empty chair during that proclamation.

Petersen also endorsed Saundra Davis for Fairfax Co. School Board. Davis’s campaign site makes no mention of political party or LGBTQ+ rights, however she does mention parent’s rights and transparency a lot, including during a Fox News interview about book banning. These are talking points used heavily by anti-Trans politicians nationwide, largely to promote bills forcing schools to “out” students to their parents or permit choose-your-own-facts education plans that erase LGBTQ+ people from schools.

To be fair, Petersen also endorsed the first elected Trans person in the U.S., Danica Roem (D-Manassas), in her closely contested Senate race.

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 29

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Copyright © 2023, Penny Press

Copyright © 2023, Penny Press

ACROSS

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church

Business News & Notes

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023 | PAGE 31

The SMILE you want.

The attention you deserve.

Currently accepting new patients

Thompson Italian Hailed Eater DC named Thompson Italian to their list of restaurants for “top Notch Pasta.”

They mentioned the spicy meatballs and olive oil cake which have earned accolades for years, and their expansion into Old Town Alexandria. Read the full article in Eater DC at dc.eater.com/maps/best-italian-restaurants-pasta-takeout-delivery-dc

Win ner

Bestoffc.com

Dr. Donny John is Excel Award Finalist The Center for Nonprofit Advancement announced that Dr. Donny John, executive director of NOVA ScriptsCentral, is a finalist of the 2023 Excel Award. The award honors exceptional nonprofit chief executives in the region, with consideration to achievements in innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity, and strategic leadership. Dr. John is one of three finalists. The winner is given access to a $10,000 professional development account and a $2,000 cash award to the organization to support professional development programs for the staff. Congratulations to Dr. John for being one of three finalists.

Chamber Hosts Candidates Forum The Falls Church Chamber is hosting the Candidates Forum at Dominion Wine and Beer next Tuesday, October 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Andrew Painter is the moderator and will pose chamber questions to the four candidates: Erin Flynn, Letty Hardi, Tim Stevens and Justine Underhill. This is an opportunity to learn their positions on business-oriented issues in Falls Church city. Reservations are required by 12 noon, Monday, October 16, as well as lunch orders. There is limited space which can be reserved online at fallschurchchamber.org/events/details/chamber-event-networkingluncheon-10-17-2023-66002?calendarMonth=2023-10-01

The Red Bird Could Head Our Way The Red Bird, a halal hot chicken restaurant, expects to open its first local permanent location in Vienna this November. A Reston franchise is expected to open next. The eatery started out in Los Angeles in 2022 and has had pop ups in Virginia and DC. The franchise has plans to expand in Northern Virginia and is reportedly negotiating leases in Falls Church, Ashburn, and Arlington.

Get Retail Ready for the Holiday Season Tuesday, October 17, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – The Virginia SBDC hosts, Get Retail Ready Holiday Pres Class. The session covers best practices on plans for a successful holiday retail season. The interactive session will refine focus, identify opportunities for more traffic and sales, and create a four-part holiday action plan. For more information, visit clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=900430042.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.

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PAGE 32 | OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2023

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