Falls Church News-Press 10-23-2014

October 23 - 29, 2014

FALLS CHURCH, VI R G I N I A • W W W. F C N P . C O M • FREE

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Police say a man entered BB&T Bank at 191 W. Broad St. in Falls Church Tuesday morning and handed the teller a note before fleeing from the bank on foot.

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Paying for Mt. Daniel Expansion: It May Not Be All from Debt Financing May Not Need All $ Authorized by Bond Referendum

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

Starting today, the News-Press has partnered with George Mason High School’s award-winning newspaper, The Lasso, to bring its readers some of the top articles appearing in the student-run digital paper each month.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

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There’s been a lot of tuttingtutting about the people who are overreacting to the Ebola virus. We live in a society almost perfectly suited for contagions of hysteria and overreaction.

SEE PAGE 12

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Roberto Fonseca was surrounded by music from an early age. His father was a drummer, his mother is a professional singer and his two older brothers are also musicians who are internationally known.

SEE PAGE 27

THIS CONCEPTUAL DESIGN by the Technical Assistance Team of the Urban Land Institute shows how they envision a desirable close proximity between the George Mason High, Henderson Middle School and commercial/retail development on the newly acquired Cityowned site, creating the effect of a Greek city state “agora.” linking education and commerce.

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Urban Land Institute Brings Its Fresh Ideas to City’s New Land

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

INDEX Editorial.................6 Letters.............6, 30 News & Notes 10-11 Comment .12-14, 19 Calendar ........20-21 Food & Dining ......22

Business News ...23 Sports ................26 Classified Ads ....28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ..........29 Critter Corner......30

Top City of Falls Church leaders and citizens got a heady dose of what this year’s transfer of those 40 acres into the City limits from the sale of its water system could mean from a panel of the region’s top experts in the field last week. Under the auspices of the Washington, D.C.based Urban Land Institute, a ULI “Technical Assistance

Panel” of nine experts spent two days of intensive work at the site that includes the George Mason High and Henderson Middle Schools.

They came away with a dazzling presentation, made in the new Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Falls Church, late Thursday that whetted the thirst of City and regional officials about what could happen there, all the time saying their work was “back of the napkin sketch-

es.” All the major players in the Falls Church development scene were there, from City Manager Wyatt Shields to Mayor David Tarter and members of the City Council, Planning Commission and City Hall economic development efforts, as well as private developer interest.

“This is a huge gift for the City,” Falls Church developer Bob Young told the News-Press

Continued on Page 5

Although City of Falls Church voters will be asked to approve a school bond referendum on the ballot Nov. 4 that authorizes the use of $15.6 million for the expansion of the Mt. Daniel Elementary School, in fact, if it passes, City taxpayers may be responsible for considerably less than that amount.

That’s because the Falls Church City Council is already contemplating using other funds for the school project, in addition to the bonds it will sell if the referendum passes.

At its work session Monday, the Council mulled three options which it will wait until after the election to decide upon. The first is to use the $15.6 million in debt authorized by the referendum to do the project. The second and third include options for using some of the money from the sale of the City’s water system to Fairfax County earlier this year, and from $4.2 million in proffers from developers for projects that are currently underway in the City.

That would mean, in addition to the bargain City taxpayers will gain from the current low interest rate environment, they would not be in for the whole $15.6 million.

The alternative funds include a portion of the $10 million from the sale of the water system not dedicated to shoring up the City’s pension fund, and $4.2 million from the proffers still to come from the developers of the Northgate project on N. Washington St., the Reserve at Tinner Hill project on S. Maple, and the Rushmark project with the Harris Teeter in the

Continued on Page 4

PAGE 2 | OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014

Falls Church News-Press 9.75 x 11.5

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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School Expansion Could Cost Taxpayers Less $ Continued from Page 1

300 block of W. Broad.

Those voluntary concession funds would be available, assuming the projects are completed on time in the spring of 2016, in time to ensure the delivery of the Mt. Daniel expansion in the fall of 2016.

“This approach would allow us to put the developers’ proffers to immediate use to save taxpayers some money,” F.C. City Manager Wyatt Shields told the News-Press this week.

Though she is unable by policy to make a formal endorsement for the passage of the upcom-

ing bond referendum in the City of Falls Church, Dr. Toni Jones, Falls Church’s School Superintendent, made a strong case for the needs that passage of the referendum would provide for the Mt. Daniel Elementary School in a presentation before the F.C. Planning Commission Monday night.

The $15.6 million bond referendum would increase the capacity of the school to 792 first and second graders by doubling the number of classrooms from 18 to 36, make it fully ADA compliant, provide more recreational space, provide media, gym, cafeteria, art, music, day care and

local specialty rooms to accommodate the recent years’ record growth of enrollment.

The expansion would also impact the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School by freeing up space there by moving the second grade back to Mt. Daniel. By “going vertical” at the Mt. Daniel site, playground spaces are gained and parking is expanded.

The goals of the project are to have a safe and accessible school system from kindergarten through 12th grade, to handle moving the second grade back to Mt. Daniel, and to be prepared for growth of the system for the next 20 years. The project, itself, will have a life of 50 years.

Dr. Jones noted that enrollment growth continues apace, and that, overall, the system has absorbed a doubling of its stu-

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F.C. superintendent Toni Jones speaks at Monday’s Planning Commission meeting. (Photo: News-Press) dent enrollment from 1,215 in 1991 to 2,495 in 2015.

Another public forum on the pros and cons of the referen-

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OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 5

Urban Land Institute Team Visits New F.C. Land & Offers Ideas Continued from Page 1

afterward. Not only did they produce what often costs a jurisdiction hundreds of thousands in consulting fees, but they produced their report in two days, instead of six months or longer, he noted.

The group came up with a series of graphic examples of how the area of the property closest to the intersection of W. Broad and Haycock Road could be densely developed adjacent the schools to create an “agora” modeled on the ancient Greek city state, where academics and commerce meet, a “creative marketplace of ideas and goods.”

The proximity of the commercial retail development of the site with the schools would be augmented with public spaces, providing “civic uses in a mixed use context” that would allow for a more complete use of the schools in after hours, among other things, allowing the wider area to be a “great public place” for evening events and galas.

One idea for the residential development at the site would be to enlist the cooperation of the Virginia Tech graduate center there to produce on-site student housing that would bring younger more vital adults to the area, with less of a tendency to have children with them.

Also stressed was the potential for working with others in proximity to the site, such as Beyer Automotive, which has assembled a considerable amount of land, Federal Realty which owns the West Falls Shopping Center where Giant Food currently is, and Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia, which share use of a graduate school building there.

There is a remarkable opportunity here for joint planning to unlock the greatest value in the property, the experts said.

Their team was composed of Bob Wulff, chair of the center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship at George Mason University, Elizabeth Baker of Walsh,

Colucci, Lubeley and Walsh, PC, Leonard Bogorad of Robert Charles Lesser and Co., Anthony Chang of the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, Martin Combal, AICP, for the D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Peter Crowley of LandDesign, Robert Eisenberg of Heritage Property Company LLC, Gary Malasky of Malasky Properties, and Sean O’Donnell, AIA, LEED AP of Perkins Eastman.

“The key is to avoid the misplaced concern at this stage of exactly what should go where,” Young told the News-Press. This is going to take time to develop, and what the market will want by the time the time comes to build may look a lot different than today.”

He noted that one of the ULI experts said that had they been asked to do a conceptual design of the site six years ago, it would have been predominantly commercial office.

But there has developed such

A LARGE TURNOUT OF City of Falls Church leaders was on hand to hear nine representatives of the Urban Land Institute present their ideas for development of the 40 acres that came into the City earlier this year as part of the deal of selling the City was system to Fairfax County. The meeting was one of the first ever held at the new Hilton Garden Inn in downtown F.C. (PHOTO: NEWS-PRESS) a glut in that market now, that it is the last thing to include in a package. Similarly, in the coming four years or longer, the market will shift again. “In two, five or 10 years, who knows?” Young quipped.

He said the key elements the ULI experts brought was

the notion of partnering and the potential of the land. “With this kind of vision, a major developer will be interested,” he said.

The ULI presentation, both the video of the forum on Thursday and a powerpoint of the drawings and illustrations they compiled, are available online.

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EDITORIAL

Editorial

The Urban Land Institute’s Gift

The extraordinary contribution to the City of Falls Church by the expert “Technical Assistance Panel” team from the Washington, D.C.based Urban Land Institute last week was an eye popper. The report the nine experts made Thursday afternoon after two days of examining the potential of the 40 acres of land transferred into the City was remarkably thorough and filled with great ideas (see story, page one of this edition).

Their vision for the site was high-minded, based on the ancient Greek city state idea of the agora, the combining of the institutions of education and commerce. But a lot of the expertise they brought was centered on process, what it will actually take to get the property developed to its highest and best use, and the most useful idea there was delivered at the outset: involve neighbors to the site, too, the Beyer Automotive, Federal Realty, Virginia Tech and University of Virginia people.

Less important were the specific plans they drew up about how to develop the site. As the experts themselves said, these are subject to always-changing market forces, so it is not necessarily productive to be speculating now about what a developer might be drawn to do when it comes time to develop in, say, four years.

It did surprise us, however, that the study did not seem to appreciate what many feel is the single greatest asset of the site, its proximity to the West Falls Church Metro station. The station seemed to impress them little, with one citing the lack of energy at the Vienna Metro station.

But that notion was, in our view, based on the fallacy that the Metro station would draw people to the retail and other options in the area of its location.

The more dynamic idea is to put something by the Metro station that causes people to want to locate there to begin with, and to use Metro to move around the region. There is already evidence of the viability of this approach.

An informal poll taken of patrons of the new Hilton Garden Inn in Falls Church revealed that most people chose to stay there because of its proximity to the Metro. The brisk sales of the new Northgate rental property on N. Washington is also based on the same amenity.

So, something placed on the new City land at the West Falls Church Metro station of a hotel or residential nature would be bound to be a winner. As to the complaint that it would be away from the City, and not visible along any main corridors would be dashed if a single structure was tall enough to dominate the skyline. Customers would be from the 15 million tourists annually who visit the D.C. region.

Why not offer a developer the opportunity to build a combination hotel and luxury condo project there on the condition that it put the City on the map by being the tallest building in Virginia?

Letters

Treasurer Candidate Got Facts Wrong at Forum

Editor, I am a supporter for the election of Jody Acosta for city treasurer. We are always lucky to live in this city and meet some great people, raising their families but who also find time to get involved to keep this city a great place. Jody is one of those people.

Last Thursday I attended the candidate’s forum at the American Legion. The other candidate for treasurer, Chris Johnson, empha-

sized his main contribution if elected would be his leadership skills.

During his presentation he alleged that there were various egregious failures in the treasurer’s office that he would fix. Through his own investigation, including FOIA’s, he claims he learned that the city’s independent auditors had “identified and reported a significant deficiency in the treasurer’s office” in the 2013 audit. However, it turned out that he had his “facts”

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totally wrong. He was corrected and told that the audit he was citing was for the city’s Office of Finance – not the totally separate and unrelated treasurer’s office. The treasurer’s office was not cited – for anything!

He had also stated that the treasurer’s office has failed to receive certifications for the past five years, but again that is related to the understaffed Office of Finance and not the treasurer’s office.

So imagine my surprise when the day after the forum, after his assertions were totally debunked, he placed on his campaign Facebook pages the very same false claims.

I get that candidates need to have an issue to run with, and I get that it is hard to find failures of

the current office operations led by Jody Acosta, which is known for its efficiency and competency such as collecting almost $600,000 in past due water bills and an impressive collection rate of 99.7% while still looking for improvements for the citizens to benefit from.

When you want to ding the treasurer’s office, get your facts right. And when you find out that you majorly goofed, give it up and stop repeating the false information to Falls Church voters to mislead them to get their vote. That, is Leadership 101.

Betty Coll Falls Church More Letters on Page 30

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

COMMENT

G u e s t C o m m e n ta ry

OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 7

F.C. Treasurer’s Office Can & Needs to Do Better

By Chris Johnson

My name is Chris Johnson and I am asking for your vote on November 4 for City treasurer.

Immediately after filing my papers with the Registrar of Voters on August 15, I began analyzing our Fall Church City’s financial statements. I found the numbers associated with our treasurer’s office didn’t seem to add up. Digging a little deeper, I discovered a finding by our City’s independent auditor. In short, our auditor found that our City has “significant deficiencies” with its finances and lacks certain internal controls (processes, systems, and procedures designed to prevent fraud). I later learned that these “significant deficiencies” have been cited by our independent auditor for years – never corrected, nor publicly discussed or disclosed. Along with other taxpayers and stakeholders in our city and schools, these findings are quite alarming.

Moreover, our City failed to receive a “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” beginning in 2010.

This is noteworthy because our neighbors – Fairfax County, City of Alexandria and Arlington County – all have received such an award for decades. Yet Falls Church City hasn’t managed to earn such a certificate since 2010.

Last week I attended a candidate forum with my competitor. (You can view the

video at www.chrisjohnsonfortreasurer. com). My opening remarks concluded with a summary of the above findings.

During a Q&A session, referring to the “significant deficiencies,” my competitor remarked: “I feel like I threw the Finance Office under the bus a little bit on that con-

“Falls Church City has internal control issues so serious that at least one person can wreak havoc with our City finances.” trol issue. That control issue relates to the fact that we don’t have enough staff in the finance office to have a separation of duties . . the audit, you know, the audit company said, ‘This is too much to have this in one person.’ She can go in there and do all kinds of things. She could wreak havoc, if she wanted to. She hasn’t and they didn’t have any findings of that, but that was their issue with internal control.”

Falls Church City has internal control issues so serious that at least one person can wreak havoc with our City finances...

and that fact is treated with ambivalence, withheld from voters, not corrected immediately, and continues?!

I also learned my competitor lacks a college degree and lacks real finance experience outside City Hall. This partially explains the lack of alarm and outrage over such serious financial issues.

I possess the right credentials, independence and financial leadership needed to improve the treasurer’s office. I am deeply independent, which ought to be something voters look for in their financial leaders and city tax collector.

Upon earning a commission in the U. S. Navy, my father gave me important advice.

“Always stay in the center and remain independent. Remaining independent will enable you to solve problems without being influenced by the fog of politics.” I have followed my father’s advice – and I am independent. I am so independent that I do not accept campaign contributions or endorsements because these implicitly come with political indebtedness.

As a Harvard MBA, former U. S. Naval Officer in our nuclear submarine service, economic and finance advisor to governments and corporations around the globe, I have the experience to get the job done – and a track record of success.

Admiral H.G. Rickover said “Responsibility is a unique concept... You may share it with others, but your portion

is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you... If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else. Unless you can point your finger at the individual who is responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible.”

The bottom line is that our City can do better and needs to be better. In the area of finance, I will ensure we regain the status of excellence in financial reporting. I will also ensure we eliminate the “significant deficiencies” that have been reported by our independent auditor repeatedly over the past several years.

Our treasurer is the last financial “check and balance” our citizens have in City Hall.

As your elected treasurer, I will accept the responsibility of being a financial executive responsible to all citizens of Falls Church City and I also will efficiently implement the tasks now assigned to the treasurer’s office.

With your vote on November 4, we can make our City a better place for all citizens.

A vote for Chris Johnson for treasurer will help ensure that our children will inherit a Falls Church City on a firm financial footing with an independent treasurer working for and reporting to you, the citizens of Falls Church City!

Chris Johnson is a candidate for City of  Falls Church Treasurer.

Question of the Week Should F.C. use money from the water sale along with developer proffers to help fund the expansion of Mt. Daniel?

• Yes

Last Week’s Question:

Should the F.C. City Council take more time to decide how to use the water sale proceeds?

• No • Don’t know

Log on to www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

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

[WRITE FOR THE PRESS] The News-Press welcomes readers to send in submissions in the form of Letters to the Editor

& Guest Commentaries. Letters to the Editor should be no more than 350 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four weeks.

Guest Commentaries should be no more than 800 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four months. Because of space constraints, not all submissions will be published. All submissions to the News-Press should be original, unpublished content. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar and accuracy. All submissions should include writer’s name, address, phone and e-mail address if available.

Email: letters@fcnp.com | Mail: Letters to the Editor, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church 22046 | Fax: 703.340.0347

PAGE 8 | OCTOBER 23 - 29 , 2014

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News Briefs Downtown F.C. Bank Robbed Tuesday The City of Falls Church Police are looking for a man suspected of robbing the BB&T Bank at 191 W. Broad St., Falls Church, at about 9:48 a.m.

Tuesday morning, Oct. 21. Police say the suspect entered the building and handed a teller a note but did not brandish a weapon and then fled on foot from the bank. The suspect is described as a black male with scruffy facial hair, about 6’2″-6’3″ tall, 240 – 250 pounds. He was wearing a black stocking cap, sunglasses, a gray long-sleeved t-shirt, Security footage released by the FBI of Tuesjeans and black-and-white athletic shoes. The FBI day’s robbery. is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest and convictions of the bank robber. The FBI and the City of F.C. Police Department are investigating the robbery and request that anyone with information call the FBI at 202-278-2000 or Falls Church Police at 703-241-5053.

Tips can also be submitted at: tips.fbi.gov.

Shields Attends Mandates Reform Meeting

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Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields was slated to attend his first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Mandates Reform tonight since being appointed by Gov. McAuliffe. The meeting will be held in Midlothian, Virginia. It will address mandates passed by the legislature that often burden localities with the cost of implementation, and one of the biggest cases is in the area of storm water management. Formerly, Falls Church was represented by past School Board member Joan Wodiska on the body.

Davis: Attack Ads Soil Senate Candidates’ Integrity A recent spate of personal attack ads in the campaign for the U.S. Senate in Virginia, especially a recent one where GOP contender Ed Gillespie assails the character of incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, are predictable in the closing days of a campaign, but by exaggeration serve only to soil the “high levels of accomplishment and integrity” of the candidates, former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis told the News-Press Tuesday. Now teaching at George Mason University and a consultant, Davis, a Republican, said he has “high regard for Mark Warner,” adding, “It will take a lot to tear him down.” He said the latest attack ad allegation against Warner alludes to him doing something his office “is not capable of doing.” Both candidates, Davis said, “are honest and above board,” and allegations that are made in TV ads but have no other basis in reality are hard to make stick with voters. Davis also had positive things to say about Democratic congressional candidate Don Beyer.

“He’s a very solid guy and an optimist,” he said.

Syrian Refugee Blanket Drive Set to Begin Elected officials from major municipalities in Northern Virginia, leaders from the faith community and representatives of aid organizations will hold a press conference next week on a region-wide effort to help more than a million refugees fleeing from Syria and Iraq due to ISIL and civil war violence. Blankets will be collected at various locations throughout Northern Virginia and will be shipped to refugees who have recently landed in Turkey. The blanket drive will take place from November 1st to 22nd, 2014, with collection locations throughout Northern Virginia. Fairfax Board Chairman Sharon Bulova, Loudoun Board Chairman Scott York, Arlington Board Chairman Jay Fisette, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and Prince William Chairman Corey Stewart will chair this effort. This is a completely volunteer effort. Paxton Van Lines will be collecting the blankets free of charge and delivering them to Maersk Shipping Company for transport to Turkey at no cost.

Willingham New Chair of F.C. Dem Committee Democratic activist and aid to Rep. Jim Moran, Peg Willingham was elected unanimously Tuesday night to replace the retiring Betty Coll as chair of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee in the committee’s monthly meeting at the Community Center. Among those present to hail her election were State Del. Marcus Simon, F.C. Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton, F.C. Treasurer Jody Acosta, Electoral Board member Renee Andrews, and FCCDC vice chair Tom Devlin.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LO CAL

OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 9 CITY

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John foust (right) meets with 10th Congressional District constituents. A September poll found that he is down two percentage points to his opponent Barbara Comstock. (Courtesy Photo)

Comstock, Foust in Close Race for 10th Congressional District Seat

by Drew Costley

Falls Church News-Press

The 10th and 11th Congressional Districts of Virginia races are starkly different. One is a contentious race between two candidates vying for a seat being vacated by 17-term Republican congressman Frank Wolf. The other seems like a runaway victory for incumbent congressman Gerry Connolly (D), currently serving his third term.

The 10th Congressional District race features 34th District Virginia State Delegate Barbara Comstock (R) and Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (D) among a field that includes libertarian, green and independent party candidates.

Comstock, who was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2009, is running on a platform that promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act (2010), give tax cuts to families and small businesses and bolster the nation’s national security infrastructure. She touts herself as a right-to-work politician, who is pro-life, gun-friendly and in favor of offshore drilling and oil exploration.

Foust was elected to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors in 2007. His campaign platform includes promises to support investments in education, infrastructure and research and development, expand early childhood education, make college affordable and expand train-

ing programs for Virginia’s education workforce. Some of his other campaign promises are to provide funding and financial assistance to major transportation projects in the region and develop balanced budgets that protect essential public services – like funding all day kindergarten – and continue to make investments in the future.

A poll released at the beginning of October by Republican PAC Congressional Leadership Fund and The Terrance Group has Comstock carrying 46 percent of the vote to Foust’s 34 percent in a district that typically leans Republican. The poll also said that 14 percent of voters in the 10th district are undecided.

A poll released in late September

by House Majority PAC had the head-to-head between Comstock and Foust at 41–39. According to Caroline Behringer, Foust’s communications advisor, internal polling has Foust within the margin of error of Comstock, though they declined to reveal their poll numbers. Other candidates in the 10th District Congressional race include Bill Redpath (L), Dianne Blais (G) and Brad Eckholt (I).

In the 11th Congressional District race, Connolly’s top challenger is Suzanne Scholte (R), who has been president of the non-profit Defense Forum Foundation since 1988. Connolly, who was first elected in Congress in 2008, had

his greatest electoral challenge in 2010, when he won re-election over Republican Keith Fimian by a .4 percent margin in a year with big GOP gains in Congress. His current campaign platform includes promises to create a pro-business environment, make “smart” investments in Virginia’s public schools and protect Medicare and social security.

Scholte, a lifelong Republican, was the youngest chief of staff on Capitol Hill during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, has a long history of activism in the Republican Party of Virginia and is a native Northern Virginian. She’s never held or ran for an elected office, though, and is running in a Congressional district that hasn’t elected a Republican since electing Tom Davis to an eighth consecutive term in 2006 and is called a “Solid Democratic” district by Cook Political Report.

Her campaign platform promises to reform the Affordable Care Act, promote small businesses, protect benefits to veterans, federal workers and retirees that were financially harmed by the Federal government’s sequester and cuts to the nation’s defense budget.

Scholte’s other campaign promises include working to reduce the nation’s $17 trillion debt and work for entitlement reform.

Other candidates in the race include Joe Galdo (G) and Marc Harrold (L).

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LOCAL

News-Press

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Community News & Notes Falls Church Arts Started New Season of Classes Last Week The new season of Falls Church Arts classes kicked off last Thursday at ArtSpace Falls Church, located at 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church, with local artist/instructor Elizabeth Coberly Benfornado teaching a drawing class for those at a beginning to intermediate level. The class will be held each Thursday at 9:30 a.m. until Nov. 30.

As part of Falls Church Arts’ 2014 theme of “pARTicipate,” the organization is offering a more expanded education program with excellent artist/instructors who are very experienced and accomplished in their fields.

The Falls Church Arts “pARTicipate” program is to encourage those who might otherwise be uncomfortable in trying their creative skills to experience

an intimate and supportive atmosphere.

Falls Church Arts provides small classes with personal attention on each student’s particular needs and skill levels at local venues with fine artist/instructors.

Other classes starting up this month include Creative Arts in the New Media, Beginning Watercolor, Oil Painting, Assemblage Art and Pastels.

Falls Church Arts is also preparing its new show FACES, which will be curated by Falls Church Artist Bill Abel. FACES will be a show focusing on faces of all sorts as the main theme of each piece of art.

The show will open on Thursday, Oct. 30, at ArtSpace Falls Church.

For the catalog of new Falls Church Arts classes and shows for their 2014 – 2015 season and more information about the FACES show, visit fallschurcharts.org.

Hilton Garden Inn Will Host 2014 Falls Church Tree Fest The Falls Church Tree Fest, a holiday event featuring decorated trees displayed at the Falls Church Hilton Garden Inn, will be held from Dec. 12 – 14.

The purpose of the event is to aid non-profit groups who provide benefits and services to the Falls Church City community.

To participate in the event, non-profit groups or businesses that wish to support a non-profit can decorate trees for display at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is located at 706 W. Broad Street.

This year, the Falls Church Education Foundation will be one of the non-profit groups participating in the three-day event.

At the end of the festival, after the general public has had an opportunity to view all of the trees, each tree is auctioned off, with 100 per-

THERE AT HOANG’S Grill & Sushi Bar on its last night in business last Thursday were regular Falls Church patrons that included (left to right) John Napolitano, Mary O’Donnell, Donna Byrne and Mark Byrne. With them is Lyly Huong, one member of the extended family that ran the restaurant with such charm. In a few months, a new sports bar will open at the site named The Locker Room. (Photo: News-Press)

cent of the winnings going to the organization that decorated the tree.

In addition, all organizations can display materials at the event to raise awareness within the Falls Church City community.

Non-profit organizations or businesses who wish to show support for a non-profit by participating in the Falls Church Tree Fest can go to fallschurchtreefest.com for more information or contact Melissa Morse at 703-992-9435 or melissakmorse@earthlink.net.

There are still plenty of tree spaces available and all participants will be recognized in the press and on the Falls Church Tree Fest website.

Local Author Philip T. Nemec Writes Jazz Age Novel Philip T. Nemec, an author who has been based in Falls Church since 2000, published his novel,

The Chicago Syncopator, about the jazz age in Chicago, earlier this year.

The novel began as a short story in 1975 that Nemec wrote while he was in the writers’ program at the University of Illinois.

Nemec’s book features George Nepras, a son of Czech immigrants who grew up living a hard life in blue collar early 20th century Chicago, and spins a tale of his life in jazz and his soul’s redemption through it.

George hangs out in the speakeasies of the Roaring Twenties, studying early jazz greats like King Oliver, and he befriends jazz legend Bix Biederbecke.

The journey to his calling forces George to struggle against fate, virulent racial tension, his insular ethnic neighborhood and his own limitations. For more information about the book, visit philiptnemec.com.

SURROUNDED BY OVER two dozen friends and family at the new Anthony’s Restaurant last Friday night, Falls Church icon and friend of the News-Press Eileen Levy (far right) celebrated another milestone birthday. (Photo: News-Press)

Send Us Your News & Notes!

The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!

Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Market Common Clarendon Hosts 5th Annual FALLoween

Market Common Clarendon is hosting its fifth annual FALLoween event this Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington.

The event is free and familyfriendly and will feature musical performances by Washington, D.C.-area children’s performers Mr. Knick Knack at 10 a.m. and Rocknoceros at 11:45 a.m.

Mr. Knick Knack will also perform on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 at 10:30 a.m. for children in the gazebo in The Loop at Market Common Clarendon.

Costumes are welcome at FALLoween and all are invited to enjoy trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, face painting, the Festive Photo Shop, pumpkin decorating, as well as samples from retailers at Market Common Clarendon.

For more information, visit marketcommonclarendon.com.

World Children’s Choir Hosts International Bazaar The World Children’s Choir of Falls Church is hosting an International Bazaar next Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8:15 a.m.

– 2:30 p.m. at Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 6817 Dean Ave., McLean.

The bazaar will feature African drumming, Broadway show tune choreography, singing, storytelling, an introduction to skin care and make-up workshop for preteens and young teens and other

children’s activities.

The event, which is free, will benefit the World Children’s Choir scholarship program for children and teens from families that are financially disadvantaged. In addition to the children’s activities, there will be vendors from places such as Barefoot Books, Clever Containers, Cookie Lee Jewelry and Nature Inspirations.

The World Children’s Choir will perform and there will be raffles at the bazaar. Anyone interested in donating a raffle prize or hosting a space at the bazaar can call 703-883-0920 or e-mail info@worldchildrenschoir. org. For more information, visit worldchildrenschoir.org.

Annual Chrysanthemum Show Set for this Weekend The Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society will be hosting their annual Chrysanthemum show at Merrifield Gardens this Saturday, Oct. 25, from 2 – 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The show will feature hundreds of cut mum cultivars as well as mums in hanging baskets, container grown varieties and sprays.

There will also be bonsai and fukusuke exhibits and a special standard and mini-sized design competition based on this year’s special theme “100 Years Ago.” The show is free and will be open to visitors at the Merrifield Gardens Fair Oaks location at 12101 Lee Hwy., Fairfax. For

LOCAL more information or to sign up for door prizes, call Jim Dunne at 703-560-8776.

october 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 11

‘The Monster Who Ate My Peas’ Comes to The Alden Children can experience the ups and downs of the popular children’s book, The Monster Who Ate My Peas, which will be presented by ArtsPower this Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m. at The Alden at McLean Community Center, located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.

Tickets for the show, part of the 2014-2015 McLean Kids Performance Series, costs $10 for McLean tax district residents and $15 for everyone else.

ArtsPower’s new musical, based on the multi award-winning book written by Danny Schnitzlein and illustrated by Matthew Faulkner, tells the funny and poignant story of a young boy who doesn’t want to eat his peas. When a crafty monster appears underneath his kitchen table, the boy is ready to make a deal with the monster.

If the monster eats his peas, the boy will give the monster his possessions. First he gives his soccer ball, then, he gives his bike, but when the monster raises the stakes, will the boy refuse the monster and make the difficult decision to face his own fears?

For more information about the show or to purchase tickets for it, visit aldentheatre.org or call 703-790-0123.

Nicholas F. Benton, publisher and editor of the News-Press, was honored by the Falls Church School Board last week. The school board nominated him for the Virginia School Boards Association 2014 Media Honor Roll. He’s shown here with School Board chair Susan Kearney. Stepen Siegel of the Falls Church Times was honored as well. (Photo: News-Press) Acosta Large 3.8x11.5.indd 1

10/21/14 12:41 PM

PAGE 12 | October 23 - 29, 2014

NATIONAL

The Quality of Fear

There’s been a lot of tutting-tutting about the people who are overreacting to the Ebola virus. There was the lady who showed up at the airport in a homemade hazmat suit. There were the hundreds of parents in Mississippi who pulled their kids from school because the principal had traveled to Zambia, a country in southern Africa untouched by the Ebola outbreak in the Western region of the continent. There was the school district in Ohio that closed a middle school and an elementary school because an employee might have flown on the same plane (not even the same flight) as an Ebolainfected health care worker.

The critics point out that these people are behaving hysterically, all out of proportion to the scientific risks, which, of course, is true. But the critics misunderstand what’s going on here. Fear isn’t only a function of NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE risk; it’s a function of isolation. We live in a society almost perfectly suited for contagions of hysteria and overreaction.

In the first place, we’re living in a segmented society. Over the past few decades we’ve seen a pervasive increase in the gaps between different social classes. People are much less likely to marry across social class, or to join a club and befriend people across social class.

That means there are many more people who feel completely alienated from the leadership class of this country, whether it’s the political, cultural or scientific leadership. They don’t know people in authority. They perceive a vast status gap between themselves and people in authority. They may harbor feelings of intellectual inferiority toward people in authority. It becomes easy to wave away the whole lot of them, and that distrust isolates them further. “What loneliness is more lonely than distrust,” George Eliot writes in Middlemarch.

So you get the rise of the anti-vaccine parents, who simply distrust the cloud of experts telling them that vaccines are safe for their children. You get the rise of the anti-science folks, who distrust the realm of far-off studies and prefer anecdotes from friends to data about populations. You get more and more people who simply do not believe what the establishment is telling them about the Ebola virus, especially since the establishment doesn’t seem particularly competent anyway.

Second, you’ve got a large group of people who are bone-deep suspicious of globalization, what it does to their jobs and their communities.

Along comes Ebola, which is the perfect biological embodiment of what many fear about globalization. It is a dark insidious force from a mysterious place far away that seems to be able to spread uncontrollably and get into the intimate spheres of life back home.

Third, you’ve got the culture of instant news. It’s a weird phenomenon of the media age that, except in extreme circumstances, it is a lot scarier to follow an event on TV than it is to actually be there covering it. When you’re watching on TV, you only see the death and mayhem. But when you’re actually there, you see the broader context of everyday life going on alongside. Studies of the Boston Marathon bombing found that people who consumed a lot of news media during the first week suffered more stress than people who were actually there.

Fourth, you’ve got our culture’s tendency to distance itself from death.

Philip Roth once wrote: “In every calm and reasonable person there is a hidden second person scared witless about death.” In cultures where death is more present, or at least dealt with more commonly, people are more familiar with that second person, and people can think a bit more clearly about risks of death in any given moment.

In cultures where people deal with death by simply getting it out of their minds, the prospect of sudden savage death, even if extremely unlikely, can arouse a mental fog of fear, and an unmoored and utopian desire to want to reduce the risk of early death to zero, all other considerations be damned.

Given all these conditions, you wind up with an emotional spiral that develops its own momentum.

The Ebola crisis has aroused its own flavor of fear. It’s not the heartpounding fear you might feel if you were running away from a bear or some distinct threat. It’s a sour, existential fear.

It’s a fear you feel when the whole environment seems hostile, when the things that are supposed to keep you safe, like national borders and national authorities, seem porous and ineffective, when some menace is hard to understand.

In these circumstances, skepticism about authority turns into corrosive cynicism. People seek to build walls, to pull in the circle of trust. They become afraid. Fear, of course, breeds fear. Fear is a fog that alters perception and clouds thought. Fear is, in the novelist Yann Martel’s words, “a wordless darkness.”

Ebola is a treacherous adversary. It’s found a weakness in our bodies.

Worse, it exploits the weakness in the fabric of our culture.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

David Brooks

Monopsony Is Not OK Amazon.com, the giant online retailer, has too much power, and it uses that power in ways that hurt America.

OK, I know that was kind of abrupt. But I wanted to get the central point out there right away, because discussions of Amazon tend, all too often, to get lost in side issues.

For example, critics of the company sometimes portray it as a monster about to take over the whole economy. Such claims are over the top – Amazon doesn’t dominate overall online sales, let alone retailing as a whole, and probably never will. But so what? Amazon is still playing a troubling role.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s defenders often digress into paeNEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE ans to online bookselling, which has indeed been a good thing for many Americans, or testimonials to Amazon customer service – and in case you’re wondering, yes, I have Amazon Prime and use it a lot. But again, so what? The desirability of new technology, or even Amazon’s effective use of that technology, is not the issue. After all, John D. Rockefeller and his associates were pretty good at the oil business, too – but Standard Oil nonetheless had too much power, and public action to curb that power was essential.

And the same is true of Amazon today.

If you haven’t been following the recent Amazon news: Back in May a dispute between Amazon and Hachette, a major publishing house, broke out into open commercial warfare. Amazon had been demanding a larger cut of the price of Hachette books it sells; when Hachette balked, Amazon began disrupting the publisher’s sales. Hachette books weren’t banned outright from Amazon’s site, but Amazon began delaying their delivery, raising their prices, and/or steering customers to other publishers.

You might be tempted to say that this is just business – no different from Standard Oil, back in the days before it was broken up, refusing to ship oil via railroads that refused to grant it special discounts. But that is, of course, the point: The robber baron era ended when we as a nation decided that some business tactics were out of line. And the question is whether we want to go back on that decision.

Does Amazon really have robber-baron-type market power? When it comes to books, definitely. Amazon overwhelmingly dominates online book sales, with a

Paul Krugman

market share comparable to Standard Oil’s share of the refined oil market when it was broken up in 1911.

So far Amazon has not tried to exploit consumers. In fact, it has systematically kept prices low, to reinforce its dominance. What it has done, instead, is use its market power to put a squeeze on publishers, in effect driving down the prices it pays for books – hence the fight with Hachette. In economics jargon, Amazon is not, at least so far, acting like a monopolist, a dominant seller with the power to raise prices. Instead, it is acting as a monopsonist, a dominant buyer with the power to push prices down.

And on that front its power is really immense – in fact, even greater than the market share numbers indicate. Book sales depend crucially on buzz and word of mouth (which is why authors are often sent on grueling book tours); you buy a book because you’ve heard about it, because other people are reading it, because it’s a topic of conversation, because it’s made the best-seller list. And what Amazon possesses is the power to kill the buzz. It’s definitely possible, with some extra effort, to buy a book you’ve heard about even if Amazon doesn’t carry it – but if Amazon doesn’t carry that book, you’re much less likely to hear about it in the first place.

So can we trust Amazon not to abuse that power?

The Hachette dispute has settled that question: no, we can’t.

It’s not just about the money, although that’s important: By putting the squeeze on publishers, Amazon is ultimately hurting authors and readers. But there’s also the question of undue influence.

Specifically, the penalty Amazon is imposing on Hachette books is bad in itself, but there’s also a curious selectivity in the way that penalty has been applied. Last month The Times’ Bits blog documented the case of two Hachette books receiving very different treatment.

One is Daniel Schulman’s Sons of Wichita, a profile of the Koch brothers; the other is The Way Forward

by Paul Ryan, who was Mitt Romney’s running mate and is chairman of the House Budget Committee. Both are listed as eligible for Amazon Prime, and for Ryan’s book Amazon offers the usual free two-day delivery.

What about Sons of Wichita? As of Sunday, it “usually ships in 2 to 3 weeks.” Uh-huh.

Which brings us back to the key question. Don’t tell me that Amazon is giving consumers what they want, or that it has earned its position. What matters is whether it has too much power, and is abusing that power. Well, it does, and it is.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NATIONAL

The Frightening Specter of Deflation

On the major network national news, the talking heads were sharing with glee the recent precipitous drop in the price of gas at the pump as a boon for consumers. They would have us believe this is really good news.

However, in reality, it is anything but. While there is some increase in supply, the overwhelming cause of the drop in oil prices is due to a flagging demand, and that portends a longer term problem, and a very large one that extends beyond the boundaries of the U.S., with no easy solutions.

While the so-called recovery in the U.S. is tepid, at best, being called by the Fed’s Janet Yellen “not a new normal, but a new mediocre,” the biggest shocker on the world scene has been the dramatic Falls Church news-press economic slowdown in China. There, the dizzying rates of growth have slowed to almost zero, and there is very little anyone is in a position to do about it.

China’s problems are only going to get worse, too. They’re faced with an aging population, a full quarter of which will be 60 and older in a dozen years, the consequence of their one child per household policy extending back to the 1970s. They were cautioned then that the population control policy would eventually be their undoing.

While China has gone overseas, in particular Africa, to find the auxiliary labor and other resources to fuel their growth, that was destined to flare out. The fundamental error is to blame population for blunting growth potential, rather than limits to production.

Growth is fundamentally connected to population growth, to the power of a population to advantage itself of the benefits of production with a rising standard of living that is intimately connected to educational and professional opportunity.

While wrong headed policies dating to the 1970s have begun to cripple China, in the U.S. a similar phenomenon has been operative since the Reagan revolution in the 1980s that has manifested itself in the grotesque imbalance that has developed, and is still growing, due to the wealth accumulated by one percent of the population at the expense of the remaining 99 percent.

There is now an elite class of Americans who feel caught, themselves, in the vicious cycle of accumulating wealth for its own sake, who fear that interrupting that process will bring down the whole economic house of cards like it did in 2008.

This is what all U.S. financial policy, the Fed’s desperate effort to create a false impression of economic health, is now geared toward. As a result, the stock market has grown entirely out of whack with reality, so much so that any whispers that the Fed might end its policy sends the markets into a tailspin, as happened last week.

But the Fed policy of maintaining record-low interest rates has an unintended consequence of its own, which involves setting in motion deflationary momentum that will be almost impossible to correct once it sets in.

What makes this especially problematic is the political chaos that has been unleashed in the recent years by Wall Street which is now spinning out of control to block any mitigating efforts to put more resources into the hands of the average consumer.

Right wing Republican Tea Party and other politicians are locked in on maintaining the “new mediocre” on the U.S. economic landscape, even though many of them are not be aware of the longer term consequences of their actions.

The precipitous drop in demand of the U.S. consumer in the wake of the Great Recession is the equivalent here to the drop in demand in China. Europe is following suit.

The U.S. consumer is simply not capable, for political reasons, of absorbing the amount of growth required to charge up the U.S. economy, much less to help Europe and China with their growth problems.

On the other hand, the U.S. population has begun to discover that it can get by quite nicely with a lot less of the conspicuous consumption that characterized pre-2008 America, and that is going to make it harder for any economic stimulus efforts to be effective.

Americans are simply unwilling to go down that same road to ruin that triggered the 2008 recession.

october 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

 Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

An Affair to Remember, Differently We live in a world awash in unreliable narrators.

Officials at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital were unreliable narrators on Ebola. The Internet is bristling with unreliable narrators who prefer their takes to the truth. The unsavory husband and wife in the thriller “Gone Girl” are such chillingly unreliable narrators that they easily beat out the undead unreliable narrator, Dracula, at the box office.

So now comes the riveting “Rashomon” in Montauk, Showtime’s “The Affair,” with Ruth Wilson and Dominic West offering alternating he recalls-she recalls versions of the same story in each show, as they get swept up in sexual infidelity and a serious crime during a shimmering summer.

I went to Brooklyn to talk to West – the British actor who played the raffish Baltimore detective Jimmy McNulty in “The Wire” on HBO – and the show’s cocreator, Sarah Treem, as they shot scenes at a school there.

West’s character, Noah, is a novelist and teacher who lives in a Brooklyn brownstone NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE with his wife, played by Maura Tierney, and four kids. He’s happily married but feeling insecure about the lackluster performance of his first novel. It gets worse when his wife giggles at his facial expression during lovemaking, and he’s taunted by his arrogant father-in-law, a famous fiction writer who owns the oceanfront mansion in the Hamptons where the family is spending the summer.

When West meets Wilson’s comely Alison, a diner waitress and Montauk native who is also married to someone she loves (Joshua Jackson) and also feeling uncertain and anxious, the chase is on.

But who’s chasing whom? In West’s memory, Alison is sultry and curvy, wearing sexy outfits and seducing him. In Alison’s version, she’s wan and withdrawn, still mourning the drowning death of her small son and dubious about Noah’s aggressive blandishments.

Treem, a playwright and “House of Cards” writer, created “The Affair” with Hagai Levi, with whom she also worked on HBO’s “In Treatment.”

Treem said the new show uses sex to illustrate that the characters are “trying to connect and they fail at it all the time. I think we have a lot of sex in this show, but in terms of the sex where they’re actually unified, that happens very rarely.”

Treem is a newlywed. In June, she married Jay

Maureen Dowd

Carson, a former campaign spokesman for Howard Dean and Hillary Clinton who is a producer on “House of Cards” and the father of Treem’s nearly 2-year-old son. Yet the brainy, alluring 34-year-old has an intriguingly jaded philosophy of romance.

“I have this belief that, in all relationships, there’s this long erotic moment that happens at the beginning of the relationship,” she said. “It’s like the pole of a tetherball court, and then everything else is just basically that damn ball going around, winding and unwinding around that one erotic moment, and you’re trying to always get back to that incredible moment of connection with somebody, and it’s gone forever.”

I tell her that Carson asked me if he should be worried, given how knowingly his wife writes about infidelity.

She laughed, replying, “I wrote the show when I was still single at 31, so at that point in your life you see a lot of infidelity. You have married men coming on to you. You see your friends already in affairs. From my perspective at that point, infidelity was all over the place. Now, being married, I would like my marriage to work. I love him, and I want to be faithful to him, and I want him to be faithful to me.” But, she adds matter-offactly, “you probably have a 20 percent chance, maybe a 10 percent chance, of actually getting through an entire marriage with no infidelity.”

When I ask her if she thinks that men are more prone to cheat, she instantly replies: “Yes, I do.”

West agrees that the show may be “a shag-a-thon,” as he merrily put it, but its real subject is meant to be marriage.

“When you have four kids, inevitably your sex life suffers,” said West, himself a father of four. “But, for me, in my 20s and 30s, the stakes are much higher if you’re unfaithful. I feel, as you get older, the stakes get a lot lower. I don’t think infidelity would bother either me or my wife so much as if anything happened to our children, for instance. It ceases to be the primary anxiety.”

When I mentioned that it was interesting how, in Noah’s remembrance, Alison has fuller breasts, West’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Does she?” he said, laughing. “Is that right? Well spotted.” The actor said that, after playing Iago and the English serial killer Fred West, he yearned for a more heroic role.

“I was really keen to play a good guy,” he said, with a wry smile. “So this is the good guy I’m playing – a cheating husband.”

COMMENT

PAGE 14 | OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014

A Penny for Your Thoughts

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Decades ago, Mason District was very suburban, predominantly Caucasian, and home mostly to federal workers and their families. Foreign language was an elective in our schools, kindergarten was a half-day, and Fairfax Hospital (on Mason District’s border) was one mid-rise building on Gallows Road.

How things have changed!

Today, Mason District and Fairfax County is home to folks from every nation in the world, every ethnicity, every language, every religion, and every culture. It started slowly at first, in the 1970s; then the trickle became a stream, and finally, a flood.

Our diversity is trumpeted and envied, because we already had a strong foundation on which to build community – a community that may look different from decades ago, but a community still seeking the attributes, and improving upon them, that many of us identified when we first moved here. We still have good schools, housing choices, faith communities, safe streets, clean water, and clean air.

It’s still a good place to raise a family and, as the silver tsunami continues, a good place to grow old.

Planning for such growth is a major focus for local governments. Working with community members, non-profit organizations, faith communities, and others, local officials identify present and future needs of our population, young and old, and develop plans to accommodate those needs. Part of the planning includes determining costs, and how to pay for them. Growth should not surprise us; it has occurred as long as humankind has maintained history.

Today, demographers examine current trends and make forecasts for the future. Looking back, their

projections have been pretty accurate. Looking forward, we anticipate that 1.6 million more residents will call the National Capital Region “home” by 2040. That’s why so much effort is going on, regionwide, to plan for new housing, new transportation options, more schools, parks, libraries, fire stations, and the like.

Some of that planning in Mason District resulted in these investments in public facilities: renovation and expansion of the George Mason Regional Library; the Thomas Jefferson Library; and the Woodrow Wilson Library, currently underway. Renovation and expansion of J.E.B. Stuart and Annandale High Schools, and a nearly complete re-do of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology; renovation and expansion of Poe Middle School, a brand new Glasgow Middle School; Mason Crest Elementary School, the first new school in Mason District in decades, followed this fall by the Bailey’s Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences.

Another new urban elementary school concept is being studied for a site on Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads. A new Fire Station 10 was opened earlier this month, and Fire Station 18 on Route 50 is slated for replacement next year.

More than 80 additional acres of parkland have been donated or purchased in Mason District alone during the past 15 years, along with renovated fields, facilities, and programs on existing parkland.

It’s a great community effort, and it’s paying off – for everyone.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Congressman Moran’s News Commentary

The Plight of Afghan Translators

BY JAMES P. MORAN

John Oliver’s new HBO show, “Last Week Tonight,” is quickly making a name for itself by offering a candid, intelligent take on many of the shocking issues facing our country. This Sunday was no different when he highlighted the plight of the translators we’ve left behind in Afghanistan.

During the war in Afghanistan our forces have been ably and loyally assisted by Afghan nationals.

Now that we are leaving, these brave allies face a mortal threat from the Taliban and other forces who wish to do them harm because of their service to the United States.

They are relying on us to uphold our commitment to return their loyalty. Now that time has come. Many of these individuals are seeking to escape the dangers that face them in a post-American Afghanistan by relocating to the

United States.

The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program provides visas to those who we owe an extraordinary debt. For a number of years, however, this program suffered from administrative neglect, and the visa process was hardly functional.

In the past year, however, important improvements have been made to the processing system and many more of our Afghan allies are being admitted to the United States. Among them is a remarkable man named Janis Shinwari, who served as translator alongside U.S. troops and saved the life of U.S. Army Captain Matt Zeller, with whom he now has a lifelong bond.

Matt and Janis have campaigned tirelessly to ensure that we do not leave our allies behind.

I’m proud to call Janis a member of my staff in my District Office

in Alexandria where he continues to hear the desperate stories of his fellow translators who are in great peril and desperately seek to leave Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, and as John pointed out on his show, it’s been easier to get a donkey out of Afghanistan than our brave translators. Sadly there are no visas left for the many deserving Afghans we have left in administrative limbo.

I am an original cosponsor of legislation to extend 1,000 emergency visas necessary to continue the work the State department has done of late, allowing our allies to escape a dangerous situation. It is a critical stopgap measure that sadly only scratches the surface of the problem.

We must stand by our friends, and ensure that those would work with us in future conflicts know that they will not be abandoned.

OCTOBER IS EYECARE HEALTH MONTH

We are a full-service eye care center, equipped to handle all of your vision needs. Point of View Eyewear has been a part of the greater Falls Church community for over 40 years

Annual eye exams for seniors are also important in the early detection of eye disease, an important part of preventing vision loss. If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, call us to schedule your comprehensive vision check.

701 W. Broad St. (Rte 7) Falls Church VA

703-237-6500

www.pointofvieweyewear.com

BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, USE YOUR HEALTH CARE FLEX SPENDING. CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY

OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 15

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FALLS CHURCH

The League of Women Voters®

FALL 2014 VOTERS’ GUIDE GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014 POLLS OPEN 6:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. U.S. SENATOR, REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TREASURER FOR THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, BOND REFERENDUM FOR RENOVATION OF MT. DANIEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND VIRGINIA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH

The City of Falls Church was incorporated as an independent city in 1948. According to the 2010 Census, the City is home to 12,332 people who live within its 2.2 square miles. Falls Church is part of Virginia’s 35th Senate district, 53rd House district, and 8th U.S. Congressional district. Falls Church operates under a Council-manager form of government. The City has its own school system and police department. The City also has its own District Court, but combines with Arlington County to make up the 17th Judicial District of Virginia; there is one Circuit Court for the two municipalities, which is located in Arlington. The City shares its Commonwealth’s Attorney with Arlington County. The Falls Church school system is comprised of five schools: Jessie Thackrey Preschool (Ages 2-5), Mt. Daniel Elementary School (Grades K-1), Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (2-4), Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (5-7), and George Mason High School (8-12), with a combined enrollment of 2,457 (September 30, 2014 figure). The City’s fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30 of each year. A complete list of City services and information can be found at: www.fallschurchva.gov.

in the City of Falls Church choose their representatives to the U.S. Congress and the Treasurer for the City of Falls Church, and to decide on a bond referendum to renovate Mt. Daniel Elementary School and an amendment to the Virginia Constitution. The approximately 9,200 registered voters who live within the City of Falls Church are eligible to vote at the appropriate polling place for their residences.

Ward 1: Thomas Jefferson Elementary School 601 South Oak Street Oak Street Gym Entrance Park on Oak Street, Fellows Court, Parker Avenue, or Timber Lane Ward 2: Oakwood Apartments 501 North Roosevelt Street Main Building, Conference Room Park in back lot and enter next to Convenience Store Ward 3: Falls Church Community Center 223 Little Falls Street Park in Community Center lot or on Little Falls Street For additional information on the November 4, 2014, general and special elections, voter registration, or absentee voting, please contact the Falls Church Office of Voter Registration & Elections at (703) 248‐5085 or vote@fallschurchva.gov.

NEW IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED TO VOTE

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The League of Women Voters of Falls Church (LWVFC) worked with the Leagues of Women Voters of Arlington (LWV Arlington) and of Virginia (LWV-VA) to produce this Voters’ Guide to help citizens

Officers of the Election are required to ask voters for identification.

The Commonwealth of Virginia now requires all voters to present a valid photo ID. IDs with expiration dates must be current or not expired more than 12 months before the election. Registered voters may

use one of the following types of photo identification to vote: • Virginia voter identification card • Valid Virginia driver’s license or special identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles • Military Identification card • Any federal, state, or local government-issued identification card with photo • Valid student identification card with a photo issued by any higher education institution in Virginia • Valid employer-issued photo identification card • U.S. Passport Voters without a valid photo identification card may cast a provisional ballot but must submit identification to the Elections Office by noon Friday, November 7, to have their ballots counted.

LWV-VA sent a questionnaire to all U.S. Senatorial candidates for Virginia whose names were qualified to appear on the November 4, 2014, ballot. LWV Arlington sent questionnaires to the candidates for Representative from the 8th U.S. Congressional District of Virginia. LWV Falls Church sent questionnaires to the candidates for Treasurer for the City of Falls Church. All candidates for the same office were sent the same questions. Biographies and responses to the questions appear as written by the candidates and are not edited. The candidates’ original responses can also be found at www.VOTE411.org and are on file with the organization that solicited their response. Candidates are listed in the order in which their names will appear on the ballot.

LWVFC is a nonpartisan organization founded in 1951, whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government. The League of Women Voters does not support any political party or candidate. For further information, please visit www.lwvfallschurch.org.

U.S. SENATOR (VIRGINIA) THE OFFICE

Two U.S. Senators represent Virginia in the upper house of Congress.

One of those seats is open this year.

TERM: Senators are elected for six-year terms, with no term limits.

SALARIES: $174,000 per year; Senate leaders earn $193,400 annually.

DUTIES: The composition and powers of the Senate are estab-

lished in Article One of the U.S. Constitution.

BACKGROUND AND QUESTIONS BACKGROUND: Background provided by each candidate.

THE QUESTIONS:

• When the Supreme Court invalidated Section 5 of the VOTERS

RIGHTS ACT (VRA), it allowed Congress to legislatively update it. What measures, if any, would you support to update it?

Explain.

• What should the federal government’s top 3 priorities be in setting ENERGY POLICY? • In light of recent Supreme Court decisions, would you propose updates or changes to the current CAMPAIGN FINANCE system?

Explain your position.

• What are your legislative PRIORITIES, if elected?

CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. SENATE (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE)

Ed W. Gillespie Republican

BIOGRAPHY: See candidate website.

VRA: I do not support revisiting the preclearance requirements the U.S. Supreme Court struck down. The VRA remains largely intact and I am confident that voter discrimination can be prosecuted, as it should be.

Mark R. Warner Democrat

BIOGRAPHY: See candidate website.

VRA: The right to vote is fundamental to being an American.

My FAST Act will create a grant program that encourages states to simplify voter registration and implement best practices to expedite voting. I also support the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014, which allows federal courts to retain jurisdiction in specific circumstances.

ENERGY POLICY: Lowering energy costs for families and businesses, creating high-paying energy jobs in Virginia and moving our nation closer to energy independence. For the 1.2 million Virginia households making less than $50,000, energy costs consume 20% of their incomes. Policies restricting our energy potential only make the economic pinch worse for them.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Our system would be better off restoring the role of political parties in the process, as they have greater transparency and accountability compared to outside groups. This would diminish the role of participants whose motives are not always apparent. I would ENERGY POLICY: I believe that we need an all-of-theabove approach to meeting our energy challenges while addressing issues around climate change in a thoughtful and responsible way. This includes a balanced mix of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, offshore energy sources, safe nuclear power, and cleaner coal and gas technology.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE: I believe the Supreme Court got it wrong with its Citizens United decision, and it has unleashed a torrent of unlimited, special interest money into elections. That’s wrong. People deserve to know who is funding political ads. That’s why I am a cosponsor of the

support reforms that focus on disclosure rather than further limitations on spending.

PRIORITIES: To ease the economic squeeze felt by Virginians, I’ve proposed pro-growth agenda that would foster job creation, raise take-home-pay and lower the prices for health care, energy and food. It would replace Obamacare, unleash our energy potential, implement tax and regulatory relief, reform our education system, and cut wasteful spending.

CONTACT: Website—www.edforsenate.com E-mail—contact@Edforsenate.com DISCLOSE Act, which would provide for more transparency in campaign financing PRIORITIES: In America, everyone should get a fair shot at success. I’m running to make sure folks get the same opportunity I had. As Governor and Senator, I’ve taken a bipartisan approach and will continue reaching across the aisle to tackle student debt, incentivize companies to bring jobs home, reform the VA and get our debt and deficit under control.

CONTACT: Website—www.markwarnerva.com E-mail—info@markwarnerva.com

CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. SENATE ON NEXT PAGE

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THE CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. SENATE (VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN ONE)

Robert C. Sarvis Libertarian

BIOGRAPHY: See candidate website.

VRA: The 14th and 15th Amendments rightly give the federal government power to ensure due process, equal protection, and voting rights. The VRA exercised the power to ensure voting rights for all. Congress must remain VIGILANT and investigate every credible allegation of misconduct that jeopardizes any citizen’s right to vote.

ENERGY POLICY: “There are no solutions, only tradeoffs...” (Thomas Sowell, economist) 1. Open and competitive markets in energy. No cronyism. 2. Liability rules and market-based policies to force polluters to price-in environmental harms. 3. No government subsidies or top-down, command-and-control regulations. If anything, innovation prizes open to all.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE: I have now run, as a political outsider, in a state election with NO campaign limits and in a federal election with STRICT limits. I can attest: low, strict donation limits make it HARDER for outsiders to win. Indeed, limits arose because the establishment wanted no more

well-funded upstarts like Gene McCarthy (who toppled LBJ).

PRIORITIES: Control spending and balance the budget in an equitable manner. Restore democratic accountability by reining in the administrative agencies’ rule-making powers. Reduce partisanship and push policies that Rs and Ds can agree on. Promote civil liberties and a government ethic based on trust in We the People. Enact term limits and electoral reform.

CONTACT: Website—www.robertsarvis.com E-mail—info@robertsarvis.com

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (VIRGINIA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 8) THE OFFICE The member of Congress for Virginia’s 8th District represents constituents in Falls Church City, as well as Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, and parts of Fairfax County, including Reston.

TERM: Two years, with no term limits.

SALARY: The current salary for Members is $174,000. The salary for the Speaker is $223,000, and the salary for the Majority and Minority Leaders is $193,400.

DUTIES: Legislative powers, with responsibility for making laws, raising revenue and adopting the federal budget; sole power of impeachment.

BACKGROUND AND QUESTIONS BACKGROUND: Background provided by each candidate.

GRANTS who already reside in the United States?

• What will you do as an elected official to build a sense of gov-

ernment ACCOUNTABILITY and restore citizens’ TRUST in our government?

• What, if any, legislation would you support to lessen the ECONOMIC EFFECT that decreased federal spending, especially on defense, is likely to have on many parts of Virginia?

• What are your legislative PRIORITIES, if elected?

THE QUESTIONS:

• What solution do you propose for the undocumented IMMI-

CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—8TH DISTRICT (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE)

Micah K. Edmond Republican

BIOGRAPHY: Micah Edmond is the 8th District Republican nominee. Micah put himself through college, served as a Marine Corps officer, congressional staffer and started a small business. He is an expert on the federal budget and national security.

vide citizenship or the right to vote.

support revenue and jobs here in Northern Virginia.

ACCOUNTABILITY/TRUST: As an elected official, I will take a number of steps to increase government accountability and to restore citizens’ trust in our government. I will have an open door policy in my office. I will plan monthly town hall meetings on issues affecting the people of the 8th District. I will push to ensure that constituents have ample time to read legislation and engage in the process.

PRIORITIES: If elected my top legislative priority is enacting a ten-year budget plan that invests in our national and economic security. My plan encompasses ending sequestration, providing tax relief, tax reform, spending efficiencies and entitlement reform. These reforms allow us to make greater investments in the things that make the American Dream possible including education, transportation infrastructure and national defense. They also create incentives for businesses to create jobs, strengthen our middle class, protect seniors and veterans and provide opportunities for the next generation.

IMMIGRANTS: To address the issue of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. I propose we provide them the opportunity to identify themselves without fear of immediate deportation so that they can be submitted to a background check. If they pass, they should be offered the opportunity to pay a fine and purchase a work visa. This would not pro-

ECONOMIC EFFECT: In order to lessen the economic effect that decreased federal spending, especially on defense, is likely to have on many parts of Virginia I will work to ensure the 2016 budget does away with sequestration. I will also work to ensure it fully funds the President’s request for a level of funding that supports military readiness and training, modernization and research and development, a large portion of which

CONTACT: Website—http://www.micahedmond.com; E-mail—info@micahedmond.com; Campaign Phone— (571) 305-2125

Donald S. Beyer, Jr.

to citizenship for the hard-working people who contribute to our communities. I also fully support the DREAM Act.

gressively to keep federal government and federal contractor jobs here.

BIOGRAPHY: Don Beyer is a successful northern Virginia businessman. He was the lieutenant governor of Virginia, and also the ambassador to Switzerland. He has been active in Democratic politics and in myriad local causes and nonprofits.

ACCOUNTABILITY/TRUST: One of the primary reasons I am running is because I believe I can help mend the toxic divide that paralyzes our government. I will work to find bipartisan solutions and to forge relationships with my Republican colleagues. Citizens will also trust government more if it helps find solutions to the nation’s most serious problems, including improving the economy, abating climate change, and more.

IMMIGRANTS: The two political parties need to come together and meet our national responsibility to bring millions of immigrants out of the shadow economy. It is time to pass comprehensive immigration reform. There must be a path

ECONOMIC EFFECT: We must be creative and proactive in job creation in Virginia, including bringing more manufacturing jobs here. In addition, the Virginia congressional delegation must continue to work closely together and ag-

PRIORITIES: My legislative priorities start with finding solutions to climate change, the greatest threat facing our planet today. I favor a carbon tax, and will work with my colleagues to pass such legislation. I also intend to work on gun safety, on women’s equality and reproductive health issues, and on numerous economic matters, including raising the minimum wage and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Jeffrey S. Carson

immigration laws. Fourth, positive incentives.

Democrat

BIOGRAPHY: Former U.S. Army Captain and Iraq vet with considerable private sector experience, first working in operations as a contractor for Google and then as a product operations manager for Asurion. Proven leader; expert in minimizing complexity and waste.

ACCOUNTABILITY/TRUST: Actually hold my colleagues accountable and balance the darn budget! I would immediately move to: (1) Cosponsor Rep. Justin Amash’s Business Cycle Balanced Budget Amendment, which would effectively strip Congress of its power to recklessly overspend, and (2) sponsor legislation that would require all federal government departments and agencies to reduce their budgets by 5% over 2 years.

IMMIGRANTS: The same solution I propose for those (not already here) that wish to come here in order to work for a better life, to pursue the American Dream. First, an opportunity to work and pay taxes legally. Second, a straightforward pathway to citizenship, if that is what they desire. Third, dramatic simplification of our current

ECONOMIC EFFECT: Stimulating the economy and job growth are top priorities. I would immediately move to: (1) Sponsor legislation that would reform the IRS tax code with an intent to dramatically simplify across the board, lower rates, and eliminate all forms of corporate welfare, and (2) sponsor legislation that would require all regulatory

Libertarian

CONTACT: Website—http://friendsofdonbeyer.com; Email—don@friendsofdonbeyer.com; Campaign Phone— (571) 422-5662 agencies and executive departments that play a regulatory role to reduce their regulation count by 10% over 2 years.

PRIORITIES: Balancing the budget; stimulating the economy and job growth; pursuing a non-interventionist foreign policy; pursuing sensible drug policy; combating the erosion of our civil liberties; holding government (that includes myself) accountable; standing up to the mass surveillance state, the militarized police state, and the allpowerful special interest groups that seem to have such a stranglehold on our political process and the 2-party system. Most of all, telling Americans the truth, regardless of the political ramifications.

CONTACT: Website—http://jeffreycarson.com; E-mail— info@jeffreycarson.com; Campaign Phone—(703) 5969097

CANDIDATES FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES–8TH DISTRICT CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CANDIDATES FOR THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Continued)—8TH DISTRICT (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE)

Gerald C. “Gerry” Blais III Independent Green

BIOGRAPHY: I am a lifelong NoVA resident, a former US Government intelligence analyst, and a current IT worker who is running for the 8th in order to seek radical change in the way our government does business.

IMMIGRANTS: I propose eliminating the requirement that consenting adults (regardless of citizenship status) receive permission from the state in order to hire, or work for, each other. Recognizing this individual autonomy will allow immigrants to come out of the shadows, to apply for jobs openly, and to better participate in society. I also support, of course, a blanket amnesty.

ACCOUNTABILITY/TRUST: Reducing distrust in government is not a goal of my campaign. People are right to distrust their government. However, I will fight for changes that might have a side effect of reducing distrust in government.

I will fight to end the lies the government feeds its citizens in order to prosecute wars of choice and aggression abroad as well as the lies used to prosecute the War on Drugs here at home.

ECONOMIC EFFECT: This question amounts to “What sort of new economic central planning will you use to substitute for this old form of economic central planning”?

My answer: None. Free markets create more wealth than economic central planning of the state. To that end I will fight to increase freedom and the free markets that result.

For instance, I will fight to eliminate income taxes on the first 100k of income. This immediate increase in spendImmigrants should not come before citizens.

Gwendolyn J. Beck BIOGRAPHY: Gwendolyn Beck is a business woman and has had two successful careers, finance and tourism. She specialized in U.S. Gov’t debt and then moved into equities.

She is author of a consumer financial education book. She is an Analyst and helps seniors.

ACCOUNTABILITY/TRUST: We need Congress to work for the good of America, not just for the good of the Democrats and Republicans. The House of Representatives doesn’t have ONE Independent, and therefore, its winner take all.

We need to change this mentality by sending Independents who are part of the “silent middle,” Americans for America first, who will build coalitions to get the business of the USA done.

IMMIGRANTS: There needs to be a path to citizenship for people who are hardworking and have lived most of their lives in the USA. But, we need to know of undocumented workers, then we can restructure immigration quotas. Any immigration amnesty policy needs to benefit the average US citizen first, job creators second and immigrants third.

ECONOMIC EFFECT: There is a good argument to eliminate the budget control act on defense spending to ensure the safety of the USA. Reductions in defense spending affects Virginia and the entire country. With our proximity to DC; the Pentagon and major military installations located here, we continue to be negatively affected, impacting defense

Independent

ing power of VA residents will act as a massive stimulus.

PRIORITIES: Elimination of all federal taxes on first 100k of income -Massive improvement in, and expansion of, public transportation (especially trains) -Ending the drug war (via legalization of all drugs) -Universal Health Care -Free Higher Education -Equal Marriage Rights Across the Country (No state should be able to deny due process to an entire class of people) -Massive Opening of the Borders (Any noncriminal who wants to come to America and work should be able to) -An Immediate End to Our Wars of Choice and Aggression Abroad CONTACT: Website—http://GerryForCongress.Com; E-mail—not supplied; Campaign Phone—not supplied

workers directly and businesses indirectly. The impact on national security, instability in the world, global investment and markets, and US economic health is evident.

PRIORITIES: Fix the corporate tax code to make the US competitive and keep our corporations in the US. Protect the pensions of federal government workers and the military – a “promise is a promise.” Protect women’s rights, especially her right to choose and for equal pay. Work for seniors to make sure medical care is affordable and pensions and Social Security are protected. And, for a person’s right to marry whomever they wish. For a child’s right to a good education and safe place to thrive. To make sure gun laws keep the mentally ill from owning firearms. And, for creating good jobs.

CONTACT: Website—http://www.gwendolynbeck.com; E-mail—not supplied; Campaign Phone—(703) 656-6007

SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER FOR THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH THE OFFICE

THE TERM: Four years

The Treasurer is responsible for tax billing and the collection, safeguarding, and disbursement of all City funds. The Treasurer works closely with the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Real Estate Assessor, and the Department of Finance in providing service to citizens.

BACKGROUND AND QUESTIONS

THE QUESTIONS:

• How does your BACKGROUND qualify you

BACKGROUND: Background provided by

each candidate.

for this position, and WHY do you want to be City Treasurer?

• What IMPROVEMENTS or INNOVATIONS would you make to the office of City Treasurer?

• How do you view the differences between the

Treasurer’s office and the Commissioner of Revenue’s job, and where might they COLLABORATE?

CANDIDATES FOR TREASURER, CITY OF FALLS CHURCH (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE)

Jody Acosta Democrat

BIOGRAPHY: I have lived in the City of Falls Church for the past 23 years, along with my husband Phil. We have 3 children, all of whom went through the Falls Church City school system. I have always had a passion for public service and have served many Falls Church civic organizations over the years, including the Women’s Commission, the Elementary PTA, both of my daughter’s Girl Scout troops, and Citizens for a Better City to name a few. I am also a current member of the Falls Church League of Women Voters, a member of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and the Falls Church City Democratic Committee. I attended college at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. BACKGROUND/WHY: I am the current Treasurer and it would be my privilege to be your elected Treasurer. I also have 8 years of experience as the Chief Deputy Treasurer. I started my professional career in banking and have a strong commercial and government banking skill set. The Treasurer serves as the City’s banker, and my banking experience serves the City well. I was the Director of Accounting for a national

association located in the City for 7 years prior to becoming Chief Deputy, with seven perfect audits under my belt. I have also been a small business owner in the City – providing accounting and tax services to other small businesses, which has helped me develop strong relationships with Falls Church City business owners. I have served the Falls Church community continuously for over 20 years, and I have the relevant experience and background required to run one of the most efficient, effective and service-oriented Treasurer’s offices in the State.

IMPROVEMENTS OR INNOVATIONS: One of the main roles of the Treasurer’s office is to collect taxes. While the Treasurer does not set the tax rate, and therefore cannot lower your taxes, a good Treasurer can have a positive impact on tax rates by doing a good job on collections. A high rate of uncollected taxes increases the tax burden on all citizens. As Chief Deputy Treasurer, I was also the chief tax collection officer and our 5 year tax delinquency rate is 0.66% - one of the lowest in the state. My goal is to match Arlington County’s rate of 0.33%. I also want to add online payments for Dog Licenses and Yard Waste Stickers as well as other City fees and invoices. Offering online payments speeds the collection of all monies owed to the City and helps lower costs for both the City and the taxpayer. I am in the unique position of having worked in the office under the

previous Treasurer. I have the experience needed to identify and implement other cost-saving improvements to the office & I can hit the ground running.

COLLABORATE: Many citizens are often confused between the roles of the two offices and will often ask why we need both a Commissioner of Revenue and Treasurer. The easiest explanation is the Commissioner assesses and the Treasurer bills and collects taxes. In this way the City maintains the separation of powers, protecting citizens and assuring fair and balanced taxation. The Commissioner and Treasurer both maintain an independent status as elected officials. The separation of the two offices from each other and from the Council and Manager ensures that no one government entity has total taxing and assessing authority over its citizens.

Our offices collaborate on issues such as DMV Registration Stops for non-payment of taxes. We also collaborate on maintaining the vehicle address database, with both offices entering updated addresses. We share information between the two offices regarding delinquent collections and we insert notices in each other’s mailings when appropriate.

CONTACT: Website—http://www.JodyAcostaForTreasurer. com; E-mail—jody@jodyacostafor treasurer.com; Campaign Phone—(703) 587-3298

VOTE

GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014 POLLS OPEN 6:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER, CITY OF FALLS CHURCH CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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PAGE 18 | OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014

CANDIDATES FOR TREASURER, CITY OF FALLS CHURCH (Continued) — (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE) with a 4-year full-tuition scholarship valued at more than $60,000.

Chris Johnson Independent

BIOGRAPHY: Married, one 6th grade daughter attending Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Managing Director, Emerging Markets Finance; President, Cachet Hotel Group; Vice President, Caesars Entertainment; Team Leader, BearingPoint (now Deloitte Consulting); Financial Sector Expert (PwC Consulting); Consultant (Booz Allen Hamilton, USAID, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, others); Lieutenant, US Navy (1986-1991 in Crystal City, Va.). Education: MBA, Harvard Business School; MSEE, George Washington University; BSEE, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Graduated from nearby Oxon Hill Senior High. My notable community service activities include serving as Treasurer for a metropolitan Office of HomeAid (non-profit for the transitionally homeless), leading pro-bono consulting teams for non-profits, and serving the community through alumni and professional organizations including the American Legion, Boy Scouts, & Disabled American Veterans. My work with the Rensselaer Club of Washington, DC helps ensure a top performing student at George Mason High School is awarded “The Rensselaer Medal,” a prestigious recognition that comes

BACKGROUND/WHY: My education & almost 20 year experience in the financial sector qualifies me for the position of Falls Church City Treasurer. I am fortunate to have accomplished many things during my career. For example, in 2006 and 2007 I led a project at the Egyptian IRS that increased its organizational effectiveness, increased tax collections and minimized delinquencies. My response to the second question --- I want to be Treasurer so I can use my God given talents to make our City a better place for our children and our children’s children. As of October 1st Falls Church City faces a $2 million budget gap for 2015. As Treasurer, I will close that gap by collecting the $1.5m+ of overdue and delinquent taxes. With your vote and your support, we can make our City a better place. My website has more details. In fact, my daughter told me this week: “Hey Dad - cool website!”

IMPROVEMENTS OR INNOVATIONS: The most urgent improvements I will enact are centered around adopting faster and cheaper methods of billing, collecting, and information sharing for Falls Church City residents. Many of these involve implementing improved automated online tools. A review of the websites of our neighboring Trea-

surer Offices will give you a glimpse of how far behind we are. Also, I will aggressively seek collection of overdue and delinquent taxes – even if these have been “written off” by previous treasurers.

COLLABORATE: Put simply, it is the function of the Commissioner of Revenue to assess – that is, to determine the value of property for use in determining tax bills. It is the function of the Treasurer to collect taxes. In Falls Church City, these functions have evolved over time. For example, in 2006 the Commissioner and Treasurer agreed that the Commissioner would do a better job of collecting the “Meals and Use Tax” than the Treasurer. So, Commissioner’s Office now collects the “Meals and Use” tax. It is imperative that the Treasurer and the Commissioner of Revenue work together for the betterment of Falls Church City.

As a consultant and a former US Naval Officer, I know the importance of teamwork and demonstrate teamwork in all my endeavors. I have met with Commissioner Tom Clinton numerous times and we agree on the need to join together to improve City Hall and to work towards reducing the tax burden on our City residents.

CONTACT: Website—http://www.chrisjohnsonfortreasurer. com; E-mail— chris@chrisjohnsonfortreasurer.com; Campaign Phone—(703) 206-8372

REFERENDUM: BOND TO RENOVATE MT. DANIEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Falls Church City Council has approved the following proposed bond referendum to fund the renovation of Mt. Daniel Elementary School. The referendum, as a ballot question, is now submitted to voters for approval.

QUESTION: “Shall the City of Falls Church, Virginia, be authorized to contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Fifteen Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($15,600,000.00) for the purpose of paying the costs incident to constructing, reconstructing, equipping and/or reequipping, in whole or in part, the Mount Daniel Elementary School, and shall Ordinance No. ____ of the City authorizing the issuance of such bonds be effective?”

YES TO THE BOND

NO TO THE BOND

The current elementary school building is over capacity by more than 100 children. Three classes are being held in trailers and dedicated library and music rooms have been lost.

Insufficient financial information has been disclosed on the carrying cost of the bond and its effect on the real estate tax rate.

Explosive growth in enrollment necessitates expanding Mt. Daniel to accommodate 500 children in grades K through 2.

Many other costly school, government, and community facility construction projects are needed that benefit a broader population of the City.

Renovations will bring the school into compliance with American Disability Act requirements and improve safety with installation of cameras, buzzer entrances, and sprinklers throughout the building.

With unpredictable changes in school population, trailers are a flexible and cost-effective alternative to more expensive permanent construction.

Interest rates remain at record lows, making the Mt. Daniel renovation more affordable now than it will be later.

The City’s youngest students will have their education disrupted during the period of construction.

Investing in more trailers rather than renovating will cost more over the 50-year expected life of the renovated school.

Construction will cause parking issues for the neighborhood surrounding the school.

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT The Virginia General Assembly has approved the following proposed amendment to the Constitution of Virginia. The amendment, as a ballot question, is now submitted to voters for adoption. The explanation for the amendment is provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Elections. For additional information on the proposed constitutional amendment, visit the Department of Elections website: www.sbe.virginia.gov Question: Shall Section 6-A of Article X (Taxation and Finance) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to exempt from taxation the real property of the surviving spouse of any member of the armed forces of the United States who was killed in action, where the surviving spouse occupies the real property as his or her principal place of residence and has not remarried?

YES TO THE AMENDMENT

NO TO THE AMENDMENT

The exemption assists families of armed forces members who gave their lives for their country.

As an open-ended, unfunded mandate on localities, the governmental unit that regulates, imposes and collects the real property tax, it will reduce localities’ revenue with no compensating revenues to locally fund services.

As a constitutional amendment this exemption is permanent.

A constitutional amendment does not allow any flexibilities if the Commonwealth’s financial circumstances change in the future.

Explanation of Proposed Constitutional Amendment

The proposed amendment would authorize the General Assembly to exempt from taxation the real property of any surviving spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces who was killed in action, as determined by the US Department of Defense. The exemption would apply to the spouse’s principal place of residence even if the surviving spouse moves to a new principal address within the Commonwealth. The amendment does not require the surviving spouse to have been residing in the Commonwealth at the time the veteran was killed in action. The exemption would end if the spouse remarries.

A “yes” vote for the measure will make effective legislation exempting from real property taxation (real estate tax) the principal residence of the surviving spouse of any member of the US Armed Forces who was killed in action.

A “no” vote against the measure will leave the Constitution unchanged.

GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014 POLLS OPEN 6:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M.

The League of Women Voters®

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The Fall 2014 Voters’ Guide was prepared by:

League of Women Voters of Falls Church P.O. Box 156 Falls Church, VA 22040 www.lwvfallschurch.org

10/19/14 3:38 PM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A nything

but

S t ra ig ht

Democrats or Doom

The 2014 elections are November 4 – and the stakes are high.

Control of the United States Senate hangs in the balance. The latest projections show that the Republicans have pretty decent odds of taking over this chamber. The New York Times’ political column, The Upshot, predicted that if elections were held today, the GOP would win 52 seats.

They put the odds of a Republican takeover of the Senate at 74 percent.

Fortunately, this is not as ominous as it sounds. As the Times points out, 26 percent, when you are talking about playing the odds – offers plenty of paths to victory.

• Roughly 26 percent is the odds of rolling a 9, 10, 11 or 12 with two dice • The odds that a National Football League defense preventing a first down on third-and-one.

For football fans, you’ve seen offensives stopped in their tracks on third-and-one countless times. We – the progressive voters – are going to have to hold the line by showing up at the polls. Only our vote can stop the rising Republican surge – and keep America from making a tragic mistake it will surely regret.

If you voted for President Barack Obama, but fail to vote in midterm elections, you are letting down the president. You gave him your vote for hope – but if you sit home on Election Day, you aren’t giving him the tools he needs for change. The President is not the King – he’s just one man fighting back against angry conservatives and rabid Tea Baggers who reflexively oppose anything that Obama proposes.

Although far from perfect, the Senate Democrats have been a bulwark against Tea Bagger extremism. Time and again, they have stopped crazy bills that have come out of the John Boehner-led House of Representatives. If we don’t show up, we are going to hand over the keys to Washington to extremists like Texas Senator Ted Cruz and corporate shills like Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell.

If this dire scenario comes to pass – we are going to strand President Obama on a desert island with more nuts than a coco-palm. Washington is going to become an episode of “Survivor” – with the President’s veto pen the only thing standing between sanity and insanity.

I must say that Americans have short memories. The President has worked so hard to rescue America from George W. Bush’s awful Great Recession. Bush embraced voodoo economics, cut taxes for the rich, and launched an unnecessary war in Iraq while not raising the funds to pay for it. This has cost us more than a trillion dollars – and counting.

The Reagan-Bush deregulation of markets and the gutting of government watchdog agencies allowed corporate foxes to watch over consumer hen houses. The unchecked avarice burst financial bubbles and led to spectacular busts. While the greedy acted like gangsters and sailed away from their wreckage in gilded yachts, the teetering rowboats of the beleaguered middle class sunk under the rapacious waves.

As a result of this fiasco, the American economy nearly collapsed. It could have been much worse if Sen. John McCain or Mitt Romney were in the Oval office. For example, Mitt Romney, wanted to let the automobile industry sink. John McCain would have likely started numerous unfunded wars. Thankfully, President Obama saved the auto industry and America still makes cars. He also generally avoided expensive and bloody conflicts that did not serve the national interest.

How could people so easily forget the Republican scoundrels who mired our country in a sloppy mess? Is our amnesia so great, so profound, that we are blind to history and doomed to repeat it?

For example, what happens if a liberal Supreme Court justice passes away next year and the Republicans are in charge of the Senate? There is virtually no way the President would be able to get a reasonable nominee through a GOP Senate majority. If you think I’m exaggerating, consider the difficulty of getting a measly Surgeon General nominated and confirmed.

The contemporary GOP is a crazed Party that shut down the government for no good reason. We are talking about ideologues who did not want to raise the debt ceiling – and enthusiastically cheered the potential crash of the world economy. The House voted 54 times in four years to repeal Obama Care. A Republican Senate may join the fray – sending frivolous bills to Obama’s desk to be repeatedly vetoed. It would be a fool’s errand, but wasting time and tax money with useless obsessions is what today’s worthless GOP does best.

If you don’t vote against these Republican clowns on Nov. 4, don’t be shocked when Washington degenerates even further into a cynical circus of folly and failure.

Wayne Besen

COMMENT

OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 19

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

If you saw the musical dramedy film “The Commitments,” you’ll recall the motley crew of young Irish rockers awaiting a rumored local club performance by the legendary Wilson Pickett.

Well, for a certain strata of Yorktown High School graduates from Arlington in the late 1960s, that performance became reality. For decades, our blast of a Wilson Pickett show in the school gymnasium generated a slew of conflicting memories about the surrounding racial tension, missing proceeds and hardball student politics.

It’s time to set the record straight. (Because our school’s got soul.)

In the fall of 1968, Wilson Pickett was a gravelly voiced Stax Records soul singer famous for such hits as “At the Midnight Hour,” “Mustang Sally” and “Land of 1,000 Dances.” The notion that the student government of ordinary suburban Yorktown could attract such top talent was a thrill. The booking was also an edgy move for a mostly white student body, a seeming reachout to black classmates that some students, who preferred other

available bands, resented as “liberalism.”

I was present as the show went on the evening of Jan. 19, 1969, watching students leave their chairs to dance in the aisles to Pickett and Florence Ballard (formerly of the Supremes), backed by horns from the Midnight Riders.

Student Council secretary Jean Offutt Lewis, now an artist, recently told me she had greeted Ballard when she arrived looking for her “dressing room,” which was the girls’ locker room. “One of the perks of being an organizer was getting front-row seats,” she recalls. “So after rehearsals, I went home to change. At the concert, Wilson recognized me sitting there, came over and sang to me.”

Retired math teacher Wilmer “Whiz” Mountain “was one of the faculty who ringed the front of the auditorium to `hold back’ anyone approaching the stage. I remember our principal was not too happy with the outcome. It didn’t make a lot of money for our school.”

Steve Nelson ’70 recalls jumping in his car with buddies after the show to follow Pickett’s car across Memorial Bridge, “until they stopped and a big, mean

guy got out to ask what we were doing. Just going with the Flo, we said.”

For clarity on the racial politics, I reached Student Council president Monty Freeman (now a New York City architect). “The simple truth is that I and some fellow Student Council officers liked Motown and R&B and wanted a soul act. Not everyone involved agreed, and we prevailed. The very few black students that we had at Yorktown then did not factor into the decision,” he said. “We did lose money on the concert, which we probably would not have done if we’d booked a more mainstream white band...and we were criticized for that.”

Both the iconic performers went on to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ballard died a sad death by heart attack in 1976 at 32. Pickett, who later moved to nearby Ashburn, died in 2006 at 64, of the same cause.

But their Yorktown concert legend lives on. Last year, I was driving past my friend Doug Ammons’ home, and he flagged me down and told me to wait. He reemerged and presented me with a black-and-white photograph, taken by Michael Willson, YHS ’69, showing wicked Wilson himself, in close-up, in our own school gym.

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

CRIME REPORT Week of October 13 - 19, 2014 Driving Under the Influence, Refusal to Submit to a Blood or Breath Test, and Obstruction of Justice, 300 block E. Broad St. On Oct. 13, a male, 34, of Falls Church, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Refusal to Submit to a Blood or Breath Test, and Obstruction of Justice.

Larceny, 100 block S. Oak St. On Oct.14, a bag and a computer were reported stolen.

Larceny from Building, 421 W. Broad

St. (Inns of Virginia) On Oct. 15, police received a report that jewelry was stolen sometime in September.

Larceny from Motor Vehicle, 400 block Park Ave. On Oct. 18, several items were reported stolen from the victim’s vehicle.

Larceny from Motor Vehicle, 700 block W. Broad St. On Oct. 19, an unknown suspect forced entry into an unoccupied vehicle and stole cash.

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1 IN 6 AMErIcANs struGGlEs WItH HuNGEr.

Simple Assault, 6619 Wilson Blvd.

(New Moon Restaurant) On Oct. 19, police received a report of an assault during an altercation at the restaurant. No injuries were reported.

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CALENDAR

PAGE 20 | October 23 - 29, 2014

Community Events

Thursday, October 23

Preschool Storytime. Stories, finger plays and songs for children ages 2 – 5 on Thursday and Monday every week. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 10:30 – 11 a.m.

703-248-5034.

Early Literacy Center. Explore educational and manipulative items to teach early literacy through play. This program is held for ages birth to 5 years on Thursday and Monday every week. No registration required.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free.

11 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5034.

F.C. Rotary Club Meeting. Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). $15 dinner.

6:30 p.m. FallsChurchRotary.org.

Diabetes Workshop. Mary Anne Carlson, who has 25 years of experience dealing diabetes in her family, will be teaching a workshop on how to live with diabetes. Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). Free. 7 – 8 p.m. 703-2485077.

Community Forum. Residents are invited to meet with local leaders to ask questions and find

out more about the Mt. Daniel Elementary School referendum that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.

American Legion Post 130 (400 N. Oak St., Falls Church). Free. 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

High School Book Club. A book club for teenagers ages 14 – 18 will be discussing Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Registration required. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

703-248-5034.

Friday, October 24 The Ghosts of Ambrose Bierce: Victorian Ghost Stories. Join the Victorian Society at Falls Church, who will re-enact ghost stories by American writer Ambrose Bierce.

Reservations recommended.

Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). $6. 8 – 10 p.m. cherryhillfallschurch.org.

Saturday, October 25 F.C. Farmers’ Market. Vendors offer fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, baked goods, plants, and wine. City Hall Parking Lot (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Free. 8 a.m. – noon. 703248-5077.

Book Sale. Mary Riley Styles Public Library will be selling used adult

&

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Send community event submissions to the News-Press by e-mail at calendar@fcnp. com; fax 703-532-3396; or by regular mail to 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for each week’s edition.

and children’s books. Mary Riley Styles Public (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 703248-5034.

FALLoween at Market Common Clarendon. Market Common Clarendon presents its fifth annual FALLoween celebration featuring musical performances for children, trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, face painting, the Festive Photo Shop and pumpkin decorating. Market Common Clarendon (2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington). Free. 10 – 1 p.m. marketcommonclarendon.com.

Halloween Carnival. Falls Church City’s Community Center is hosting the annual Halloween Carnival featuring carnival games, a moon bounce, face painting, crafts, a haunted house and more. Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). $2 for children ages 2 and up. Free for adults and children under age 2.

6 – 8:30 p.m. fallschurchva.gov/ HalloweenCarnival.

Sunday, October 26 Witch’s Brew Tea. The Victorian Society at Falls Church’s Linda Lau will present select antique trinkets from her private collection and discuss Halloween celebrations and traditions from the Victorian era. Afterward, guests are

invited to enjoy tea, sandwiches, assorted sweets and warm scones.

Reservations required. Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). $35. 1 – 3 p.m. cherryhillfallschurch.org.

Halloween Bash. The Falls Church City Elementary PTA is hosting its first Halloween Bash at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School featuring a costume contest with judge panel that includes Mayor David Tarter and F.C. realtor Louies Molton. Registration required for costume contest. Thomas Jefferson Elementary (601 S. Oak St., Falls Church). Free. 2 – 4 p.m. fcepta.org.

Monday, October 27 Stormwater Management Review.

The Stormwater Management Review team will review the proposed building plan at 210 W. George Mason Road in relation to the Chesapeake Preservation Ordinance General Performance Criteria. City Hall’s Dogwood Room (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 28 Preschool Storytime. Stories, finger plays and songs for children ages 18 – 36 months every Tuesday.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free.

10:30 – 11 a.m. 703-248-5034.

Theater Fine Arts Thursday, October 23

“Elmer Gantry.” A charismatic, but destitute, salesman Elmer Gantry stumbles upon a struggling religious tour led by pious evangelist Sister Sharon Falconer. Gentry falls for Falconer and joins the tour as a preacher and, with little showmanship and theatrics, transforms the revival into the hottest ticket in town. But Gantry jeopardizes the entire tour after his reawakened spirit and Falconer’s earnestness influence him resort to one spectacle too many.

Through Nov. 9. Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). $29 – $80. 8 p.m. signature-theatre.org.

Friday, October 24

“Jacques Brel is Alive and Well in Paris.” Creative Cauldron opens their 2014-2015 season with

this 1968 musical revue featuring the poignant, profound and passionate work of Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel. Through Oct. 26.

ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S. Maple, Ave., Falls Church). $18 – $25. 8 p.m. creativecauldron.org.

“Sex With Strangers.” After a snowstorm traps strangers Olivia, a 39-year-old unsuccessful but talented writer, and Ethan, a tech-addicted and wildly successful young blogger in a secluded cabin, opposites instantly attract, undeniable chemistry ignites and sex is imminent. The next day, however, what was once a one-night-stand becomes something more complicated. Through Dec. 7. Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington). $39 – $70. 8 p.m. signature-theatre.org.

“The Wolfe Twins.” Lewis invites his estranged sister Dana on a trip to Rome to reunite. But when he connects with a beautiful stranger, old

wounds fester and intimate secrets are revealed.

This is the world premiere run of The Wolfe Twins, a dark, contemplative play from Studio Theatre commissioned playwright Rachel Bonds with Mike Donahue directing. Through Nov. 2.

Studio Theatre (1501 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $20 – $25. 8p.m. studiotheatre.org.

saturday, October 25

“The Island of Dr. Moreau.” Synetic Theater’s artistic director Paata Tsikurishvili is directing and starring in this rendition of this futuristic H.G. Wells classic. Sometime in the future, a shipwreck survivor washes up on a island inhabited by the deranged Dr. Moreau and his “children” – experimental human-like animals or animal-like humans. Through Nov. 2. Synetic Theatre (1800 S. Bell St., Arlington). $20 – $95.

8 p.m. synetictheater.org.

CALENDAR

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

live_music&nightlife Thursday, October 23 Adrian Belew Power Trio with Saul Zonana. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna). $25 – $35. 6 p.m.

703-255-1566.

RDGLDGRN with Mista Selecta and Redline Graffiti. 9:30 (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $15. 7 p.m.

202-265-0930.

The Hackensaw Boys with Black Muddy River Band. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $13 in advance. $16 day of the show. 7 p.m. 703-237-0300.

John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band with Nathan McEuen. The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria). $25. 7:30 p.m. 703-5497500.

Kathy Mattea. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna). $35. 8 p.m. 703-2551900.

Monifah. Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.). $32.50.

8 p.m. 202-337-4141.

Dave Chappell Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church).

8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Brian Franke. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 9:30 p.m.

703-237-8333.

Friday, October 24 The Jayhawks with Trapper Schoepp. 9:30 (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $35. 5:30 p.m.

202-265-0930.

Steep Canyon Rangers. The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.,

Alexandria). $29.50. 7:30 p.m. 703549-7500.

Jamie Barton. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna). $35. 8 p.m. 703-2551900.

Najee. Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.). $55. 8 p.m. 202-337-4141.

Cactus Liquors Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church).

9 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Homeboy Sandman with 2HungyBros. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $12.

9 p.m. 703-522-8340.

The Ocean Blue with Jonasson.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna). $15 – $22. 10 p.m. 703255-1566.

Thing3. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703237-8333.

Saturday, October 25 The Greencards. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna). $18 – $20.

5:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Dan + Shay. 9:30 (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $20. 5:30 p.m.

202-265-0930.

Almost Queen. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $15 in advance. $17 day of the show. 7 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Marcia Ball. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna). $35 – $40. 7:30 p.m.

703-255-1900.

Sirsy with Golden Novak. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd.,

Arlington). $12. 9 p.m. 703-5228340.

Karl Stoller and The Danger Zone.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9:15 p.m. 703241-9504.

Through the Roots with The Supervillians and The Steppas.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna). $13 – $18. 10 p.m. 703255-1566.

Jeff Lefler. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703237-8333.

Sunday, October 26 RAC with Penguin Prison. 9:30 (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $28. 7 p.m. 202-265-0930.

The Damned with T.S.O.L. and The Briefs. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $25 in advance. $28 day of the show. 7:30 p.m. 202667-4490.

The Bad Plus. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna). $30 – $32. 7:30 p.m.

703-255-1900.

Dan Hovey Jam Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church).

8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

The High Dials with Juston Stens and The Get Real Gang. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $12. 9 p.m. 703-5228340.

Second Best Westerns with The Torches. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-5358646.

October 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 21

Monday, October 27 Anna Nalick with Justin Levinson.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna). $18 – $20. 6:30 p.m. 703255-1566.

Bachelor Boys. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). Free. 8 p.m. 703-522-8340.

The Flatliners with Single Mothers and Solid. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $12. 8 p.m.

202-667-4490.

Monday Night Blues Jam with Wolf.

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

Dupond Dupont. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.

703-535-8646.

Tuesday, October 28 Huey Mack with Yonas and Da Kid Emm. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna). $15 – $20. 6:30 p.m.

703-255-1566.

Temples with Spires. 9:30 (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $22. 7 p.m.

202-265-0930.

Fred Foss. Bohemian Caverns (2011 11th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10 online. $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m.

202-299-0800.

Roberto Fonseca. Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.). $25. 8 p.m. 202-337-4141.

Wednesday, October 29 Roomrunner with Jail Solidarity and Maloso. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10. 8 p.m.

202-667-4490.

Planning Ahead...

Saturday, November 8 – Farmers’ Market Chef Demonstration. Hilton Garden Inn chef Scott Sunshine will be featured. City Hall Parking Lot (300 Park Ave., Falls Church).

Free admission. 9 – 11 a.m. fallschurchfarmersmarketchef.com.

T

his one’s for the kids when the Market Common shopping center hosts its fifth annual FALLoween this Saturday in Clarendon this Saturday. The free event features a late morning – early afternoon festival for families including trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, face painting, photos, pumpkin decorating, musical performances and more. The fun kicks off at 10 a.m. when Mr. Knick Knack performs his tunes and continues when Rocknoceros takes over at 11:45.

What: Market Common’s FALLoween When: Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: Market Common Clarendon,

2700 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington See marketcommonclarendon.com for more information

Wednesday, November 19 – GIS Day. Geographic Information System day is dedicated

to demonstrating how Geographic Information Systems make a difference in each community. Come to City Hall to meet the City of Falls Church’s Georgraphic Information System analyst and view demonstrations of mapping applications and look through the Map Gallery. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Free. 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. fallschurchva.gov.

Calendar Submissions Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information.

Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.

Email: calendar@fcnp.com Fax: 703-342-0347; Attn: FCNP Calendar Mail: 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046

PAGE 22 | October 23 - 29, 2014

FOOD&DINI nG

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Restaurant Spotlight

House of Steep 3800 Lee Hwy., Arlington 703-567-1589 • houseofsteep.com Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5p.m.

Get your free Eden Center magnetic bumper sticker at:

www.edencenter.com/blog/news-events/free-bumper-stickers

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House of Steep in Arlington’s Cherrydale neighborhood is an innovative little tea house that opened in 2012. Actually, the restaurant’s name could be given two meanings.

The steep in House of Steep could refer to the restaurant’s expansive tea menu featuring over 50 different teas and tea blends. Or it could refer to the fact that you can get a foot soak in the restaurant’s foot sanctuary, though drinking the bathwater after your soak isn’t recommended.

But the steep doesn’t refer to House of Steep’s menu prices – everything on the menu is reasonably priced. The food menu isn’t as expansive as the tea menu, but that’s because House of Steep is a tea house. There are both breakfast and lunch/dinner menu options, though, and the breakfast menu items can be ordered any time of day.

There are several vegan and/or vegetarian items on House of Steep’s menu. The Vega-dilla ($4.29) – a mixture of granola, cranberries and apples topped with almond butter in a pita wrap and cooked like a quesadilla – is a unique breakfast dish. It pairs awesomely with House of Steep’s seasonal apple cider, which is served warm or cold.

There’s also the granola Cereal ($3.49) and Oatmeal ($4.99), which comes with cranberries and brown sugar, for vegan/vegetarian breakfast items.

Other light fare that doesn’t necessarily qualify as breakfast food includes the Sliced Seasonal Fruit ($2.49), Miso Soup ($3.49) and Veggie Wasabi Dumplings ($5.99). House of Steep’s Seasonal Soup ($4.89) is a vegetable soup that’s delicious, if not familiar.

As for lunch/dinner fare, House of Steep has something for those looking for a light meal and for those looking for something more filling. There’s the Garden Beet Salad ($6.29), which can be served with or without goat cheese. Diners can add chicken, shrimp or tofu to the salad for an extra $2 and make the salad a wrap for an extra $1.

The Veggie Tea Sandwich ($5.29) is a little sandwich chocked full of vegetables to accompany your tea if you’re looking for a light snack or meal. House of Steep’s Veggie Wrap ($6.99) with avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers in a grilled pita wrap is hearty, sweet and refreshing. House of Steep also serves Rice Bowls ($8.99) – a mix of veggies and either tofu, shrimp or chicken – that can be ordered Japanese style with wasabi soy sauce or Thai with peanut sauce.

The only complaint about House of Steep is the limited parking. There are three parking spots in front of the restaurant, several more on the North Pollard Street side of the restaurant, which are normally filled during the day and ten easy-to-miss retail parking spaces in the rear of the building. But there is plenty of residential parking a block or two away behind the restaurant’s Lee Highway location and diners who have to resort to parking back there can look forward to a relaxing, uplifting or energizing foot soak after parking and walking to House of Steep.

House of Steep has a special section secluded from the dining room with a partition for foot soaks and foot massages. All foot soaks last 20 minutes and include salts, herbs and essential oils in a warm foot bath and range in price from $19 – $24. The soaks come in three categories – standard, signature and targeted.

House of Steep, which also offers foot reflexology, foot and lower leg massage and hand and arm massage sessions, is truly a fresh business model that can provide a relaxing break from work, a fun, laid-back time with friends or a romantic dinner date with your significant other.

— Drew Costley

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F� � � � C � � � � �

LOCAL

B������� N��� � N���� Red Hot & Blue Closes in Falls Church Red Hot & Blue located in the Hillwood Shopping Center at 169 Hillwood Avenue in Falls Church has closed. While no official reason was provided, sources say the closing was apparently due to lagging sales. It was recently purchased by Sticky Fingers Restaurants, a rival barbeque restaurant which operates in the southeast, primarily in the Carolinas. The two nearest Red Hot & Blue restaurants are located at 1600 Wilson Boulevard and 4156 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax.

Artley Leaves Pizzeria Orso, 2941’s Chemel Takes Over F.C. Kitchen Chef Will Artley and Pizzeria Orso have mutually decided to part ways. Artley, who has gained significant notoriety for his significant weight loss and fitness endeavors, is fielding offers and will continue working as a chef although he is undecided about his specific next steps. Bertrand Chemel, executive chef of sister restaurant 2941 will take over executive chef duties at Pizzeria Orso while retaining his position at 2941. Pizzeria Orso was named Best Pizza by the Falls Church News-Press for the last two years.

1st Time Home Buyers Event Set for Nov. 5 at Mad Fox Falls Church City real estate agent, Tori McKinney, is hosting the third annual Rock the House – 1st Time Buyer’s Backstage Pass to Homeownership on Nov. 5 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Mad Fox Brewing Company. The event is a special housing happy hour/info-session aimed at first-time home buyers, but open to all those interested in purchasing a home.

Mortgage, title, home inspection, and other housing professionals will be in attendance to answer questions. This year Rock the House is asking attendees to bring a new/unopened cleaning item to donate to Homestretch. This event is free and open to the public but RSVPs are requested. Go to RTH14.eventbrite.com for more information.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 23

PAGE 24 | OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014

LOCAL 513 W Broad St #717 Falls Church, VA 22046 Gorgeous 2BR+den/2BA + 2 garage spaces + 1 secure storage space in the Byron! 1789 sq ft of living space. Hardwood floors throughout. Fresh paint and breathtaking views of Falls Church City! $719,000

The Official Student Newspaper of George Mason High School

Starting with this edition, the Falls Church News-Press has partnered with George Mason High School’s award-winning newspaper, The Lasso, to bring its readers some of the top articles appearing in the student-run digital paper. This new regular feature will appear monthly in the News-Press during the school year. The Lasso can be found online at www.fcpps.org/lasso.

Visit www.buyandsellwithBethany.com for more pictures and information.

Bethany Ellis

Top Individual Sales Agent in the Falls Church Office Realtor ®, e-Pro, SRES Long and Foster Real Estate Falls Church Office preferred (703) 307-7003 6299 Leesburg Pike bethany.ellis@longandfoster.com Falls Church, VA 22044 www.buyandsellwithbethany.com (703) 534-9660

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Trials & Tribulations: Becoming Digital

BY TARA HOLMAN THE LASSO

New, chef-owned restaurant, featuring wide variety of traditional Mediterranean cuisine prepared fresh each day by our experienced Turkish chefs.

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As the Editor-in-Chief of an online newspaper with the vision for redefinition, I have come to realize the definition of an online newspaper is not quite not synonymous with that of a digital publication.

The most considerable difference lies with the production of content, rather than the sole production of articles. Unlike written-based work, content includes, but isn’t limited to, photographs, videos, podcasts, infographics, polls, social media interaction, etc. Content allows for ingenuity. Articles allow for tradition.

Yet, as we strive to reach this definition, critics suggest this is no major feat and is easily accomplishable. Readily receiving comments like “It’s simple,” “All you need is a little creativity” and the ever-present

“Just do it already,” I have come to ponder the validity of these statements. Is it truly simple to redefine a legacy newspaper that tore down strongholds simply to reach the basic definition of an online newspaper? Is it simple to retrain 20-plus staff members on newly received MacBooks? Or, simple to undergo a visual transformation in a month? No. The expectations set forth are idealistic, but accomplishable with a dedicated and open-minded staff.

And that’s exactly what we are trying to instil and believe redefinition will follow. Additionally, it is our belief that collaboration and affability beget an atmosphere that fosters innovation and inspiration.

Hence, we have joined other digital publications and start-ups to demolish the bureaucracy that poisons production. In previous years, various articles have disappeared

and ideas have disintegrated due to the ineffective chain of command.

Although we have retained necessary positions, we have instilled boards, such as the Executive Board and Bus-Tech Board, to generate originality and resolve complications synergistically.

During Story Pool or simply while speaking one-on-one with a staff member, we hold steadfast to our belief: “If it matters to you, odds are it matters to someone else. All ideas are valid.” This valiant mindset is bound to reach new heights as it opens the door for fresh production and institutional regeneration.

As we undergo this visual, systematic and technological transformation, we aim to set new standards for future publications of The Lasso and look forward to closely interacting within our community under our new definition.

New Security Team Guards GM Campus

BY MELISSA JOHNSON THE LASSO

“Everyone knows my car, the car with the Dallas Cowboys sticker,” said Principal Tyrone Byrd in reply to being recently towed.

Students are not the only ones learning the new security dynamic at George Mason High School (GM) this year; even Principal Byrd is getting acclimated.

Setting rumors aside, it is true that GM security has been heightened. In past years, security at Mason has been slightly different. For instance, upperclassmen will remember that the front desk in previous years has been monitored by parent volunteers, in addition to two security guards employed by GM. The Falls Church Public City Schools (FCCPS) realize how important school safety is, and are making the changes necessary for the safety of students and faculty. The changes this year have been enhanced through a locally Annandale-based security company, known as Securitas. “[At Mason] we now have the human resource to sit at our front desk, watch the monitors all day, and interact with anybody who comes into the building as a visitor,” said Byrd. “We also have additional resources that travel the campus, that know our kids, our families, know who comes in frequently, and they can engage those people in where they are going.”

For frustrated upperclassmen who might forget an important item in their car, and are denied running out to get that item in between classes or during mustang block, it is for students’ own safety. GM is a closed campus, and the parking lots are not considered secured areas. GM security team will do as much as possible to

JUNIOR EMMA KEITH leaves George Mason by giving a pink slip to the security guard at the front desk. (P����: M������ J������) keep students on campus and safe.

“If a student really needs to go out to their car, just come get one of us, say ‘can I see Mr. Byrd, Mr. Hills, can I see somebody to walk me to my car? I really need this item for my next class.’ If it is something that is really, really important we will find away to get that for you,” said Byrd.

Falls Church City, also known as the Little City is a generally safe community, but it is also true that outside the little city we live in a busy metropolitan area that could prove threats to students’ safety. Just in the vicinity of GM, there is a metro station, strip mall across the street, and even a large mall down the road. As part of keeping GM a safe school, extra eyes to keep an eye out for people who should not be in GM is high priority.

Finally, it is important for students at GM to know that the upgraded security is not because administration doesn’t trust students; it is strictly for the safety of students and faculty. “[Heightened security] is not about towing cars or ticketing cars or any of that, and its not about our concerns about students misbehaving; it’s about the outside elements,” said Byrd. “It is nice to know that there is an extra set of eyes and ears out there, that are making sure that our campus is safe.”

LOCAL

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Fa l l s C h u r c h

OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 25

School News & Notes The Congressional Schools Celebrating 75th Anniversary The Congressional Schools of Virginia, located at 3229 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church, has been celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a series of events commemorating when they opened in 1939 as the Tiny Tots Preschool. As part of the celebration, The Congressional Schools of Virginia are hosting their first annual Service Day next Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Service Day will feature six different organizations that volunteers can serve, including Sleepy Hollow Elementary School and Inova Fairfax Children’s Hospital. To kick off the service day, Elisa Lueck, region 2 manager for Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, will give an inspirational speech.

The celebration will continue through April 25, 2015, when the Congressional Schools of Virginia hosts their 75th anniversary gala. For more information about the Service Day, visit congressionalschools.org/serviceday.

For more information about the 75th anniversary, visit congressionalschools.org/75.

Mt. Daniel Elementary Bond Referendum Forum Tonight The Citizens for a Better City, Citizens for a Sustainable City, Falls Church’s Republican and Democratic Committees and American Legion Post 130 are sponsoring a community forum tonight from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. regarding the Mt. Daniel Elementary School bond referendum that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The forum, which will be held at the American Legion Post 130 building at 400 N. Oak St., Falls

Church, will give Falls Church City residents a chance to meet with local leaders and find out more about the school bond referendum.

For more information, e-mail issuesforum@usa.com.

Falls Church City Elementary PTA Hosts Halloween Bash The Falls Church City Elementary Parent Teacher Association is hosting its first annual Halloween Bash on the fields of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School this Sunday, Oct. 26, from 2 – 4 p.m.

There will be a Halloween parade, costume competition, cotton candy, popcorn and music.

The Halloween parade is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Also, Falls Church realtor Louise Molton has donated goody bags that will be distributed while supplies last.

Those who want to enter the costume competition are

STUDENTS AT JESSIE THACKERY Preschool sit on carpet seats donated to the school by Alexandria’s Ayoub Carpet and Rug. They use the carpets to sit on during morning meetings and circle time at the school. (Photo: Courtesy of Marybeth Connelly/FCCPS) encouraged to register at fcepta.org, but walk-up entrants will be accepted as well.

Costume categories include cutest, wackiest hair/hat, scariest, most creative, best school spirit,

best group/family costume and judge’s choice. Judges include Molton, teachers from Falls Church’s three elementary schools and Falls Church City Mayor David Tarter.

Carriage Trade Travel Services We are experienced Travel Counselors We suggest, advise and plan fabulous trips We save travelers time and eliminate frustration We specialize in creating memorable honeymoons We are a Falls Church business providing personalized service to all of our clients

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PAGE 26 | October 23 - 29, 2014

SPORTS

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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mason’s Junior running back D’Montae Noble tries to round the corner against Warren County during their 30-25 loss to the Wildcats last Friday. Noble scored two touchdowns against the Wildcats. (Photo: Courtesy of Marybeth Connelly/FCCPS)

Mason High Football Loses to Warren Co. on Last-Second TD

by Daniel Donovan

Falls Church News-Press

George Mason High School’s varsity football team fell to Warren County High School’s Wildcats in a crushing last second 20-14 defeat last Friday, dropping the Mustangs’ record to 1-6 on the year.

With one second left in the game and the score tied 14-14, the Wildcats’ junior quarterback Robert Rutherford found senior wide receiver C.J. Sharp for a 28-yard touchdown pass to win the game as time expired.

However, the game began on a much less exciting note. Neither team was even able to reach the red-zone the entire first quarter and the game remained scoreless heading into the second.

The second quarter featured much of the same – both defenses held their own for the better part of the quarter. But the deadlock was broken when Mason’s junior running back D’Montae Noble broke free for an explosive 45-yard touchdown to put the Mustangs ahead 7-0.

The Wildcats quickly responded with a touchdown of their own on the next drive when Rutherford’s throw found senior

wide receiver Blake Cockrell at the back of the end zone to tie the game at 7-7 heading into halftime.

The Mustangs felt confident during the half. They had only been tied or leading at halftime twice before all season.

“We were a little disappointed that we let them score in the last minute of the first half, but we still felt very confident going into the second half,” said Mason senior lineman Nick Casillas.

The Mustang defense continued to hold their ground and held the Wildcats scoreless throughout the entire third quarter.

But Mason’s offense wasn’t able to take advantage on the other side of the ball and the score remained tied at the end of the third quarter.

Eventually the Mason defense cracked, midway through the fourth quarter. Warren County drove 82 yards down the field and capped off their drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Will Spencer.

Mason’s offense responded to Warren County’s score when Noble ran for his second touchdown of the night to tie the score 14-14 with under two minutes to play.

But the Wildcats drove down the field to the Mason 32-yard line and stopped the clock with one second left in the game allowing for one more play.

The Wildcats lined up in a four wide receiver set, the ball was snapped and Rutherford was quickly forced out of the pocket by the Mason pass rush.

Scrambling to his left he saw Sharp wide open near the sideline due to a blown coverage by the Mason secondary. Sharp caught the pass and ran it in the last 5 yards to win the game for the Wildcats as the game clock hit 0:00.

“We were in the bottom of the ninth and we struck out, couldn’t make a play” Noble said after the game. “We have to finish out games.”

The loss all but eliminated the Mustangs from playoff contention, but the Mustangs still have meaningful games left to play.

Mason plays their senior night game against Mannassas Park High School on Nov. 7 and a matchup with district rivals Clarke County High School on Oct. 31.

The Mustangs will travel to William Monroe High School tomorrow night for their last road game of the season.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A RTS & ENTE RTA IN MENT

October 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 27

Oct.

23 y

sda Thur

RDGLDGRN with Redline Graffiti 9:30 7 p.m.

815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.

202-265-0930 • 930.com

25 day

Satur

Steep Canyon Rangers The Birchmere 7:30 p.m.

3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria

703-549-7500 • birchmere.com

Jamie Barton Wolf Trap 8 p.m.

1645 Trap Road, Vienna

703-255-1900 • wolftrap.com

26 nday

Su

by Drew Costley

Falls Church News-Press

Latin jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca was surrounded by music from an early age. His father was a drummer, his mother is a professional singer and his two older brothers are also musicians who are internationally known.

Fonseca, who has been playing the piano since he was eight years old, studied classical music at the prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte in his native Cuba. But his classicallytrained, technically-sound musical background doesn’t really matter to him when he’s playing live. “The point for me is not to try to show the skills. I mean, all musicians have skills,” Fonseca said.

“But that doesn’t matter – how much skill you have…I went to the classical music school in Cuba and there I was playing all those classical composers and that was the time that I Roberto Fonseca (Photo: Carlos Pericas) showed my skill. Now is the time to make mistakes and enjoy jamming with the musi- eral where record companies don’t have money cians, jamming with the people. That’s very to support new projects. But he said that some of the blame is on jazz musicians, too. important. We’re kind of losing that today.”

“It’s the musicians’ fault, too. We try to phiWhile speaking with the News-Press, Fonseca was in his hotel room in Chicago losophize a lot and we forgot to enjoy the music ahead of his Wednesday night show at Mayne with people,” Fonseca said. “That’s why people Stage. It was the first date of his eight-city tour don’t want to go to a concert to see a trumpet or of the United States. He’ll be playing at Blues piano player play difficult songs because we are Alley in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in a really bad moment right now. Everybody has problems – the world is crazy with those at 8 and 10 p.m.

“I’m really excited. It’s really important wars and everything – so we need to just enjoy for musicians to come to American to play,” music with people.”

This is the first tour in the U.S. that Fonseca Fonseca said.

“Latin jazz is difficult to reach people today has headlined and the second chance he’s getting because there are many different styles of music to expose American audiences to music from his that people want to go to. But I’m really excited, most recent album Yo, which was released in the really happy to play here because I was dream- U.S. on August 23, 2013 by Concord Jazz. He ing of coming here with my own band and my played music from Yo while touring last year as an opener for the Buena Vista Social Club. own music…it’s a dream come true.”

Yo is combination of some of Fonseca’s When asked why he thinks jazz has a hard time reaching the people he said it’s partially eclectic musical influences – starting with his because of the state of the music industry in gen- Afro-Cuban roots and journeying through rock,

jazz, Afro-pop, hip-hop, soul and electronica. It was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Latin Jazz Album category.

He said it’s his most personal record to date, except for the album he’s working on now that he expects to be finished with in late 2015.

“I think that came natural to me because I’m always trying to be a musician, not just a piano player, Latin jazz piano player or classical jazz piano player,” Fonseca said.

“I was paying attention to all of those different styles that I really care about and then I was trying to discover new styles of music when I was touring with Buena Vista Social Club… and then I incorporated those sounds and put them on the album Yo because that album is the most personal that I’ve done. I tried to put all my musical influences and my musical world on Yo.” • For more information about Roberto Fonseca, visit robertofonseca.com/en.

The Bad Plus Wolf Trap 7:30 p.m.

1645 Trap Road, Vienna

703-255-1900 • wolftrap.com

These singles whet the appetites of the FCNP editorial team this week:  Nicholas Benton – Russian Easter Festival by Rimsky-Korsakov Jody Fellows – Foggy Eyes by Castle The Band

 

Drew Costley – Ain’t Got Nobody by Weezer

PAGE 28 | OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014

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Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The ordinances referenced below were given first reading on October 14, 2014; and second reading and public hearing will be held on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard.

(TO14-29) ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 1918 AND ORDINANCE 1919, REGARDING THE BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015 FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FUNDS BY (1) APPROPRIATING $159,779.00 IN GRANT REVENUES, SEIZED ASSETS AND CONTRIBUTIONS AND $1,001,250.00 IN UNSPENT OPERATING FUNDS FOR INCOMPLETE PROJECTS, UNMET PRIORITY NEEDS, AND CHANGES IN PRIORITIES, AND (2) COMMITING $597,000 IN PERMIT FEE REVENUE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT COSTS, AND (3) TRANSFERRING $200,000 FROM THE BUDGET FOR WMATA OBLIGATIONS TO THE SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION FUND, AND (4) APPROVE CASH-FUNDING VEHICLES

RATHER THAN BOND-FUNDING THEM. (TO14-30) ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE [TO14-29], REGARDING THE BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015 FOR THE GENERAL FUND USING WATER SALE PROCEEDS TO FULLY FUND (BASED ON ACTUARIAL VALUATION) THE PENSION FUND (UP TO $10,000,000) AND WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE $20,500,000 COMMITTED TO CAPITAL RESERVES, 85% OF WHICH SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT WILL HAVE A USEFUL LIFE OF AT LEAST 20 YEARS AND 15% WHICH MAY BE USED FOR MORE IMMEDIATE CAPITAL NEEDS WITHOUT RESTRICTION. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

CELESTE HEATH CITY CLERK

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Free Estimates References Call Thomas’s Cell: 571-243-2575

Professional Services

Benton Potter & Murdock, PC www.bpmlawyers.com

Government contract law, health law, civil litigation, and all areas of business law.

In the City of Falls Church: 703-992-9255 In D.C.: 202-416-1660 400 S. Maple Avenue, Suite 210, Falls Church, VA 22046

CLASSIFIEDS Furniture

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MakeBenton a Joyful Splash!

Potter & Murdock, PC with Miss Eileen

www.bpmlawyers.com

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

Inatthe City of Falls Church: 703 Held Creative Cauldron 410 S. Maple Avenue On-going enrollment 400 S. Maple Avenue, Suite 21 easternder22046@aol.com Enroll on-line at www.creativecauldron.org In D.C.: 202-416-1660 Or call 571-239-5288

Coaching for Progress & Sanity Stuck in Neutral? Need Goals

www.bentonpotter.com

Do you want to be held accountable?

Personal or Business Contact Ron at

ron@hallagan.net 703.507.1172

Superman had foster parents Kids in our community need super parents like you.

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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

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© 2014 David Levinson Wilk

Across

1. Some PCs

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59

1. Some PCs 5. Souvenir shop item 11. Apathetic reactions 14. Custardy Spanish dessert 15. Declined 16. Split ____ soup 17. 1987 Stanley Kubrick film 19. “____ the ramparts we watched ...”

20. “Although ...”

21. Okla. campus with a Prayer Tower 22. America’s Cup entry 24. #1 Al Green tune of 1971 28. Portend 31. “____ won’t be afraid” (“Stand

By Me” lyric) 32. Therapist’s words 33. “Little Orphan Annie” henchman 36. On ____ (in secret) 38. What daring trapeze artists do ... or a clue to solving 17-, 24-, 50and 61-Across 43. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame architect 44. Everglades reptile 45. Proactiv target 48. Bud 49. World Cup chorus 50. 1850 Nathaniel Hawthorne novel 55. Rhymes of rap 56. Boat turner 57. “____ dreaming?”

60. They always appear right in the middle of dinner

OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 29

61. 1943 Norman Rockwell painting 66. Item attached to a boot 67. Ready-made 68. Common part of a Happy Meal 69. “The Waste Land” poet’s monogram 70. Pacific weather phenomenon 71. Concludes

Down

1. Up in the air 2. Barbie’s eye color 3. Ice cream parlor order 4. ____ Digital Short 5. Nicholas I and II, e.g.

6. “Cheers!” abroad 7. Alphabet trio 8. Wyo. neighbor 9. GOP org.

10. “The Fast and the Furious: ____ Drift” (2006 movie) 11. Pleistocene and Eocene, for two 12. Dainty laugh 13. 1964 Nobel Prize decliner 18. Wks. and wks.

23. Troublemaker 24. Least likely to float, say 25. Mound made by a colony 26. Start of a pirate’s chant 27. Traffic delay 28. Texter’s “Oh, before I forget ...”

29. Palindromic cry 30. “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van ____ Beek 34. Certain guy, in personals shorthand

CHUCKLE BROS Brian & Ron Boychuk

5. Souvenir shop item 11. Apathetic reactions

Sudoku Level:

35. Prince William’s sister-in-law 37. Amt. 39. Eye drop?

40. Goal-oriented org.

41. Fair-hiring inits.

42. Shipping wts.

45. If all goes well 46. Thick pieces 47. Mysterious Scottish figure, informally 51. ____ diem 52. “Mean Girls” star 53. Billy Blanks fitness system 54. Boot one 57. “____ calling!”

58. Combine 59. Investments for old age, for short 62. NBA’s Magic, on scoreboards 63. Professional filibusterer: Abbr.

64. “____ Only Had a Brain” 65. Swelling reducer Last Thursday’s Solution K G B I R A D O G C F D I E C A N N C A T A P E D P E R I O T O E T D U N C O N L O S I C K E S S E

E C O L A W

G A L O S H

S U M W A E C W O N

E S T S T A L A R D A T O D A M C M A T U T E S O N E D A P D R E J O N S P A

A B B N E O Y T I P T A I W A N

S Y N C H S

D R Y C L E A N

M I R O

I T O O

T A N K

A L I C I C A S A R A P

D O T C O M

S E E S U P

E Y G E O T

By The Mepham Group

1 2 3 4

14. Custardy Spanish dessert 15. Declined 16. Split ____ soup 17. 1987 Stanley Kubrick film 19. "____ the ramparts we watched ..."

20. "Although ..."

21. Okla. campus with a Prayer Tower 1

22. America's Cup entry 24. #1 Al Green tune of 1971 28. Portend 31. "____ won't be afraid" ("Stand By Me" lyric)

LOOSE PARTS

DAVE BLAZEK

32. Therapist's words Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

NICK KNACK

1

© 2014 N.F. Benton

10/26/14

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk. © 2014 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

LOCAL

PAGE 30 | october 23 - 29, 2014

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Critter Corner

BACK IN THE DAY

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

20 s Yearo Ag

e c o mthe to of aid i r t h e re. pastu w N o the is e t i m all for o d g o to cows e c o mthe to

20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press Falls Church News-Press Vol IV, No. 32 • October 27, 1994

Small Businesses Access to Credit Via SBA Booms New policies initiated in recent months by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) have resulted in “without question, a very perceptible increase in the ability of small businesses to get credit” according to Falls Church banker Doug Gilbert, a commercial lender for the Patriot National Bank here.

Gilbert’s bank, which opened a Falls Church branch only last month, is the only community bank in the region designated a “preferred lender” by the SBA.

Falls Church News-Press Vol XIV, No. 33 • October 21, 2004

Editor, The decision on how to vote on the Mt. Daniel school referendum should focus on the City’s financial situation over the next few years. The report “The FY2014 Financial Year-End Report: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going” is a valuable starting point.

The report begins with assumed average percent increases of 4.1 for revenues, and 5.1 and 6.7 for Gen. Govt. and Schools expenditures, respectively. The separate Debt Service apparently has no funding for a new high school.

With no additional revenues, the deficit is projected to increase from $2,145,448 in FY2016, to $4,662,024 in FY2020. The revenue increases include an average increase of the RE tax rate of 1.3 percent, resulting in a tax rate of $1.392 in FY2020.

To eliminate the deficits, three scenarios, differing in revenues from new commercial developments, are presented in the report.

With the imminent completion of the Mosaic project, the extensive developments underway at Tysons Corner, and uncertainty regarding the financial outlook for the D.C. area, it is not clear that Falls Church will attract significant commercial development in the next few years. In the extreme

Sponsored by Jon DeHart, Long & Foster

Thr ow it up.

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

Responding to an article in last week’s News-Press about its stalled negotiations with the City of Falls Church to consummate a contract as the city’s “master developer” for the construction of a new city center, a representative of The Akridge Company of Washington, D.C., wrote the News-Press yesterday that, “We remain extremely confident, committed and actively engaged in the transformation of downtown Falls Church into a distinctive, vibrant, mixed-use community center.”

TO Letters THE EDITOR

F.C. Should Defer Commitments Until Revenues Assured

10 Year s Ago

Akridge Insists It’s a Player

News-Press

Continued from Page 6

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

case of no new development, the tax rate would rise to $1.5305 in FY2020. If bonds for a new high school are not already included in the report, then the tax rate would rise still further.

I believe that the Council’s policy should be to defer any new commitments until the necessary revenues are assured. Our taxes are already too high. Without this assurance regarding the Mt. Daniel bonds, I recommend a “no” vote on the referendum.

Don Rea Falls Church

Pre-Funding Pension Destroys Economic Growth Editor, Falls Church City leaders seem to have forgotten an important lecture from their Introductory Macroeconomics class – the paradox of thrift. Keynes taught us (and Krugman often reminds us on these pages) that saving $10 million will reduce economic activity by $30 or $40 million as the initial spending is no longer available to multiply through the economy. Sending the water proceeds to Wall Street will simply inflate stock prices – if we are lucky enough to catch a bull market. Or it could simply evaporate a’ la 2008! The money will not be re-invested in the community as the private sector does not build schools, libraries, parks, etc.

Just as the U.S. government

cannot “save” for its future Social Security obligations, the City cannot pre-fund its pension obligations. Trying to do so only destroys economic growth, making it more difficult to pay future bills. The best way to pay any future financial obligation is to invest in public infrastructure that makes Falls Church a more attractive place to live and do business. Prudent public capital projects will “crowd-in” the private investment that leads to greater tax revenue. Unlike saving, investing in the economic development of the City is inflation-proof. Avoiding $500,000 in pension obligations 10 to 20 years from now will not seem very impressive when inflation and economic growth have made it a minuscule fraction of future City budgets. In addition to the economics, there is the issue of optics. Liquidation of a public infrastructure asset should be used to create other infrastructure assets, not “saved” in exotic financial instruments. Just ask Detroit if their innovative financial arrangements (i.e. interest rate swaps) reduced their pension obligations.

Bob LaJeunesse Falls Church

This is Bambi, a neighborhood favorite and one of many critters that forage for greenery in Gus Whiton’s yard on Johns Road. Gus said he finds interesting critters – foxes, raccoons, rabbits and, of course, deer – in his yard all year.

Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

Helping People and Pets Buy and Sell Homes NEW OFFERING

UNDER CONTRACT

UNDER CONTRACT

1870 Kirby Road McLean List Price: $1,198,000

711 E Broad St Falls Church List Price: $1,280,000

7313 Reddeld Ct Falls Church List Price: $645,000

Jon DeHart

Why Not Use Water Sale $ to Fund School Expansion

Associate Broker, MPS RE Licensed in VA, DC & MD

Editor, I certainly agree with the need for the expansion of Mt. Daniel Elementary school but I don’t understand why using the proceeds from the water sale to pay for the expansion doesn’t seem to be under consideration.

Doug Gudenkauf Falls Church

Long & Foster Realtors 1355 Beverly Rd McLean, VA 22101

Recent Graduate of Georgetown University’s Masters of Real Estate Program

703.405.7576 jon.dehart@longandfoster.com dehartrealestate.LNF.com

VISIT US ONLINE

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OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014 | PAGE 31

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Directory Listings: Call Us at 703-532-3267

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ACCOUNTING

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

Business Directory

ATTORNEYS

Mark F. Werblood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9300 Sudeep Bose, Former Police Officer. 926-3900 Janine S. Benton, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . . .992-9255

AUTOMOTIVE

Beyer Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5000

CHIROPRACTOR

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GIFTS

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OPTOMETRIST

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CLEANING SERVICES

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HANDYMAN

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PAINTING

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HEALTH & FITNESS

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Dr. Solano, solanospine.com . . . . . . 536-4366 Maid Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823-1922 A Cleaning Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892-8648 Dolores Housing Cleaning . . . . . 571-232-1091 Acclaimed Carpet Cleaning . . . . . . . . 978-2270

COLLEGES

American College of Commerce & Technology . . . . . . . . . 942-6200

Handyman Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 556-4276 Falls Church Jazzercize Fitness Ctr 622-2152 Ron Hallagan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-1172 FC Heating & Air Service . . . . . . . . . 534-0630 Joseph Home Improvement . . . . . . . 507-5005 Picture Perfect Home Improvements 590-3187 One Time Home Improvement . . . . . 577-9825

Dr. Alison Sinyai, Family Eye Care . 533-3937 TM Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571-243-2575

PET SERVICES

Feline Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-8665

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REAL ESTATE

Gary Mester, Event, Portraits . . . . . . 481-0128 Mary Sandoval Photography . . . . 334-803-1742

CONCRETE

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EQUIPMENT RENTAL/SALE

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MUSIC

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CRJ Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571-221-2785 Family Dentistry, Nimisha V Patel . . . 533-1733 Dr. William Dougherty . . . . . . . . . . . . 532-3300

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

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EYEWEAR

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

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FLORISTS

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Jon Rizalvo, PAYCHEX . . . . . 698-6910 x27045

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FRAMES

BUSINESS SERVICES

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

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BANKING

BOOK BINDING

1 Line Maximum

(30 characters + Ph. #, incl. spaces)

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ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

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

3 months - $150 6 months - $270 1 year - $450

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VA Outdoor Power Equipment . . . . . 207-2000 Point of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-6500 Falls Church Florist, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 533-1333

Allstate Home Auto Life Ins. . . . . . . . 241-8100 State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5105 www.healthybyintention.com. . . . . . . 534-1321 Dr Gordon Theisz, Family Medicine . 533-7555 Academy of Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938-8054 Foxes Music Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7393

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

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

Healthy Smiles Begin Here Family, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry

Follow Us Online

Merelyn Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .790-9090x218 www.helpfulmortgage.us . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 Casey O’Neal - ReMax . . . . . . . . . . . 824-4196 Rosemary Hayes Jones . . . . . . . . . . .790-1990 The Young Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356-8800 Tori McKinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867-8674 Jon DeHart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868-5999 Shaun Murphy, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . 405-7576 Tailor Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-8886 Educate VA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-1234

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 32 | OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2014

Check Online for Open Houses!

Coming Soon in Alexandria

For Sale

For Sale

6909 Farragut Ave | Falls Church

Absolutely pristine three level colonial featuring 4 BD/ 3.5 BA on a beautiful .46 acre lot. Hardwood floors, crown molding, 2 fireplaces and updates throughout.

Storage!! Fabulous location. Offered at $765,000

Under Contract

Please join us this Sunday at 2pm at TJ Elementary where we will be sponsoring the FCEPTA Halloween Bash and Costume Parade!

Charming 4 BD/3 BA Cape with family room addition, three finished level and inviting front porch. Offered at $585,000

505 S Spring St | Falls Church City

Handsome end TH has been beautifully maintained and updated.

Gourmet Kitchen has Cherry Cabinets and stainless appliances and opens to family room. Hardwood floors on ML and UL, new carpet in LL. Two Bedrooms, each with en suite Bath on UL, den on LL, now being used as bedroom. LL has rec room with FP, and walk-out to brick patio. Replacement windows, updtd Baths.

Walk to Metro bus, trails, tennis, shops, restaurants, $439,500.

Merelyn Kaye

Meeting Real Estate needs since 1970.

There is no substitute for experience Home Office: 703-362-1112 e-mail: merelyn@kayes.com

6309 Buffalo Ridge Road | Falls Church

Built in 2010, incredible 4400 sq ft, 4 BD/4.5 BA custom home on beautiful lot, featuring front porch, hardwood floors, stunning gourmet open kitchen, 4 finished levels and 2-car garage. Steps from W&OD Trail and downtown FCC! Offered at $1,075,000

Inventory is High and It’s a Great Time to Buy! Call Me Today!

Louise Molton NVAR Top Producer Phone: 703 244-1992 Email: louise@moltonrealestate.com

www.LouiseMolton.com

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

ÂŽ

REALTOR