10-29-2026

OCTOBER 29 NOVEMBER 4, 2026 Founded 1991 • Vol. XXXVI N o . 38

Schools’ Revenue Sharing At Risk

Northern Virginia’s Newspaper

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

‘Democracy Thrives In Sunshine’

PUMPKIN PALS

Falls Church Cooperative Plan Will Be Tested

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The annual budget process in the City of Falls Church got off to an unexpectedly early start this Monday when an impromptu conversation about the City’s recent-years shared revenues policy with the City schools developed into an hour-long debate. A recently-received revenue sharing document triggered the discussion with a majority on the City Council expressing concern that too literal a divining of the current 50-50 arrangement between the City operations and the schools tilts to the advantage of the schools. Mayor Letty Hardi was among those who spoke out on the need for a modification of the policy on grounds that more flexibility is needed given the realities of the economic conditions throughout the region.

Continued on Page 3

HALLOWEEN FUN AT CHERRY HILL PARK — Two young trick-or-treaters dressed as Woody from “Toy Story” and a colorful witch pose among pumpkins, hay bales and spooky decorations during Halloween festivities at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church this past Saturday. (Photo: Gary Mester)

AI: What We Don’t Know We Don’t Know

by Nick Gatz

Falls Church News-Press

Table Of Contents News Briefs Editoral Sports Classads Calendar Critter Corner

Page 2 Page 6 Page 9 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14

There is a difference between what a government hides and what nobody knows yet. Falls Church City Hall has hidden nothing from this newspaper. Every question the News-Press has asked about

artificial intelligence has been answered in writing and on the record, and nothing we have gathered points to misuse, a breach or bad intent. But ask whether anyone logs or audits how City employees use AI, and IT Director Nate Dupree and Communications Director Mary Catherine Chase give a

one-word answer: “No.” That answer matters because of the problems nobody can see coming. The known risks are the easy ones, and the City has written rules for them. The dangerous ones are what we don’t know we don’t know: a feature switched on in a routine software update, an AI

agent that wanders somewhere nobody sent it, a vendor that can see more than anyone realized. Nobody can write a rule for a risk they haven’t imagined. The only real defense is someone watching. Start with what the City has:

Continued on Page 4

PAGE 2 | OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church News Briefs

Baroody Project Hosts Fundraiser at The Stratford October 29 Howard Herman Park Cleanup, November 8 The Baroody Project will host its “Battle of the Signature Drinks” fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 – 9 p.m. at The Stratford in Falls Church. Mayor Letty Hardi, Matt Quinn and Kim Stobo will compete as guest bartenders, serving their own signature cocktails in the beer garden. Proceeds will benefit The Baroody Project, which provides scholarships for local children to attend summer camps and after-school enrichment programs. Families and friends are welcome.

Falls Church Hosts Public Works Hiring Fair on October 29 The City of Falls Church Department of Public Works (DPW) is hosting a job fair on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Property Yard, 217 Gordon Rd. Prospective job applicants will have the chance to meet DPW employees and hiring managers, learn about career opportunities, and see the equipment used in these jobs. Assistance will also be available to apply for jobs. Check their website for more information and a schedule that’s to be posted soon: fallschurchva.gov/m/ calendar/event/detail/14826.

Falls Church Forward and the Falls Church Climate Action Network are presenting a morning talk on gas-powered leaf blowers, electric lawn equipment, and where local policy stands, followed by a park cleanup. Hot chocolate will be provided. For more details, visit: fallschurchforward.org.

Mary Riley Styles Library Hosts Full Game Day on November 15 A full day of board games is planned for Sunday, November 15, from 10:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., at the Mary Riley Styles Library, 120 N. Virginia Avenue. The event will be divided into three zones: 1) Open Play where you can bring your own game or select something from the game library, 2) Party Games & Social Deduction, which involves games designed for larger groups and interaction; and 3) Learn & Play, which includes three two-hour sessions taught by experienced volunteers. (Registration on the day of the event is required for this zone.) This event is for adults 18+, no advance registration is required, day of event registration required for Learn & Play zone. For more information, visit: mrspl.org.

Mayor and City Council Declare November as “Live Local” Month Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi and the Falls Church City Council have officially proclaimed November as Live Local Month in partnership with the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. Residents and local businesses are encouraged to take the “Live Local” pledge and keep 20 percent more of their regular spending within the City during November. The initiative leverages the economic “multiplier effect,” where local spending supports community tax revenue, funds public services like schools and roads, and sustains small businesses and over 100 local restaurants. Beyond the economy, the proclamation notes that shopping and dining locally reduces traffic congestion, lowers environmental pollution, encourages walking, and strengthens neighborhood relationships.

Donations Welcome for Attic Treasures Bazaar and Booksale The Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society is seeking donations for the Attic Treasures Bazaar to be held at the Community Center on November 6 and 7. Accepted donation items include clothes, linens, tablecloths, drapes, yard tools, antiques, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, books, toys, and more. Drop offs can be made on Thursday, November 5 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. For more details and a full list of items, visit vpis.org/culture-attic-treasures.

News-Press Founder and Owner Nick Benton presented copies of his new book, The Mighty News-Press, to members of the Falls Church City Council Monday night and invited them and the general public to a forum on the book he’ll host at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library this coming Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. (Photo: FCNP)

Reminder: Midterm Elections Voting Day is Tuesday, November 3 The General Election is taking place on Tuesday, November 3, and includes ballots for the offices of U.S. Senator (6-year term) and U.S. Representative for the 8th District (2-year terms). There will also be a Special Election with three amendments to the Virginia Constitution for consideration. The last day of early voting is Saturday, October 31. For more information, visit: fallschurchva.gov.

Sherrow Avenue Bridge to Close on November 4 As part of the Sherrow Avenue Bridge Replacement project, the stretch of Sherrow Avenue that runs over Tripps Run will be closed to motorized vehicle traffic beginning November 4. It is expected to be closed for seven months. Detour signs will be displayed to redirect traffic. It is expected that the sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians, bike riders, and scooter riders. For more information and to view a map, visit: fallschurchva.gov/2215/Sherrow-Avenue-Bridge.

A LIVELY TALK-BACK PANEL discussion followed the performance on Pride Night last week of Monsters of the Villa Diodati, the musical production now showing at Falls Church’s Creative Cauldron through Nov. 1. Left to right: the show’s lyricist Stephen Gregory Smith, Eric Eisner, Associate Professor and English Director of George Mason University’s Literary Program, and Laura Hull, founding artistic director at the Cauldron. (Photo: FCNP)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LOCAL

OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | PAGE 3

City’s 50-50 School Revenue Sharing Split Faces Scrutiny

Continued from Page 1

This year could see a sharp deviation from recent years’ budget patterns in the region, given the fact that student enrollments are sharply down throughout the area due to federal layoffs and the uncertain overall economy. As for the budget process itself, the Council and School Board have agreed to put off a significant joint discussion until February 16, although preliminary budget data will be provided to both on December 14. The change was determined to enable more reliable budget data and other factors to be included in the deliberations and came out of meetings held last summer to improve the process. The second quarter budget data usually becomes available in mid-February so it was determined to be a better time to meet with solid budget data rather than guesswork. It

was also decided to have a second Council-School Board joint meeting in April to make sure that all the major budget issues are addressed. As for the coming budget season, Falls Church’s was the only school district in the wider Northern Virginia region that did not see a significant downturn in enrollment when the numbers got turned in to the state at the end of September. But the growth of the Falls Church numbers was still below what was predicted and could portend a difficult budget process. So, school officials are already taking careful note of what impact this will have on the 50-50 revenue sharing agreement with the schools. Frequently in the recent period the 50-50 revenue sharing agreement has been pointed to as a cause for the copacetic feeling that has characterized the recent years’ budget deliberations. But

this will be put to the test this year when it is expected that revenues will not meet expected needs and a press for some serious budget cuts will necessarily arise. In this Monday’s discussion, the central disagreement was whether the City should continue targeting a 50/50 division of revenue changes or give Council greater flexibility to allocate funding according to actual needs. The schools’ position was to preserve the 50/50 arrangement, allowing deviations primarily for unexpected circumstances. The majority on the Council took the position to retain 50/50 as a guiding principle but allow exceptions for changing needs, including public safety, enrollment, infrastructure and debt service. It was proposed to move toward needs-based budgeting, where the division could vary

depending on school enrollment and broader population demands. The person on the City Council who has most consistently reflected the needs of the schools has been Marybeth Connelly. While she like all the others called for the need for greater flexibility going forward, she did not specifically call for any change in the current overall policy. Vice Mayor Laura Downs referred to the contentious nature of deliberations between the Council and School Board prior to the revenue sharing agreement, and she said that it was like a “war” between the two bodies every year. The change, she noted, contributed to predictability as well as good feelings. Council member Justine Underhill spoke out as the strongest proponent of the need to reconsider the current agreement

based on changing demographics and enrollment profiles. The City comes into this budget season with a new city manager and a new director of finance and these changes could translate into a markedly different approach to the subject. The new city manager, Seth Hendler-Voss, began just last month following an expansive 23-year career in the post by the recently-retired Wyatt Shields. Shields’ lengthy tenure established a pattern of predictability. Also new in his post as chief financial officer David So, who began a year ago, replacing Kiran Bawa who held the job for eight years before leaving to become the CFO of the San Francisco Bay Area city of Piedmont, California. So came from three years and four months as director of management and budget for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

PAGE 4 | OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026

LOCAL

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church Has AI Rules, PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – QUESTION 1 But PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – QUESTION 1 Who’s Watching Its Use? PUBLIC NOTICE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – QUESTION 1 To Be Voted On at the November 3, 2026, Election

BALLOT QUESTION

Be Voted OnNovember at the November 2026, Election To BeToVoted On at the 3, 2026,3,Election

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal Continued from Page 1 decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage BALLOT management, and fertility care; (ii)QUESTION protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for A May 6 memo from City Manager these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom Wyatt Shields bars staff from feeding pregnancy except when the patient's health is at risk or the pregnancy survive? to make personal decisions about prenatal care,cannot childbirth, postpartum personally identifying City data into care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care; (ii) protect doctors, AI. Every employee can use Microsoft nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions Copilot Chat through a City work on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient’s health EXPLANATION FOR VOTERS account, five hold paid Microsoft 365 is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? QUESTION 1 Copilot licenses and consumer AI sites such as ChatGPT are blocked on City EXPLANATION FOR VOTERS Present Law networks and devices. Asked what Currently, the Virginia ConstitutionQUESTION does not explicitly provide to its citizens a right to technical controls keep prohibited data 1 Present Lawfreedom nor does it explicitly protect or prohibit certain kinds of health care out of AI tools, the City listed two: “AI reproductive Currently, the Virginia Constitution does not explicitly provide to its citizens a right to procedures or decisions. guidance memo and web filter.” Asked reproductive freedom nor does it explicitly protect or prohibit certain kinds of health care how an AI incident would be reported, proceduresAmendment or decisions. Proposed it said, “We follow our HR related disThe proposed amendment would add to the Virginia Constitution's Bill of Rights the cipline policy.” Proposed Amendment fundamental right to make and carry out decisions about a person’s own reproductive care with Several answers were reassuring. The proposed amendment would add to the Virginia Constitution's Bill of Rights the only certain, specific exceptions. The proposed amendment specifically allows the state AI features are not switched on in fundamental right to make and carry out decisions about a person’s own reproductive government to pass laws to regulate abortion care in the third trimester of pregnancy, but the vendor software the City uses for care with only certain, specific exceptions. The proposed amendment specifically allows requires such law totoallow abortion care when it is care medically to protect of the life finance, permitting, HR, utilities or the stateany government pass for laws to regulate abortion in theneeded third trimester and health of the pregnant person or because the fetus is not viable. public safety, the City said, and HR pregnancy, but requires any such law to allow for abortion care when it is medically needed to protect the life and health of the pregnant person or because the Count: fetus is116 not/ 500 does not use AI to screen or rank job Word applicants. Beyond a $1,700 purchase, viable. IT has licensed no other AI tools since fiscal 2025. FULL TEXT OF AMENDMENT A web filter blocks a website. It cannot see what an employee types into [Proposed new language is underlined. Deleted old language is stricken.] an approved tool, and it cannot reach a personal phone. Recording activity, ARTICLE I flagging the odd stuff and having a human actually look at the flags are BILL OF RIGHTS three separate jobs, and based on its Section 11-A. Fundamental right to reproductive freedom. own answers, the City does none of the three for employee AI use. That every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including the ability to Georgia is what an unknown make and carry out decisions relating to one's own prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, unknown looks like. On Oct. 25, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care. Anthropic disclosed that one of its An individual's right to reproductive freedom shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, Claude AI agents, working on a statisor infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive tics project, requested an access token means. from a Georgia Secretary of State dashNotwithstanding the above, the Commonwealth may regulate the provision of abortion care in the board without being told to and pulled third trimester, provided that in no circumstance shall the Commonwealth prohibit an abortion (i) that in the professional judgment of a physician is medically indicated to protect the life or physical aggregate vote counts. Both sides say or mental health of the pregnant individual or (ii) when in the professional judgment of a physician the voter registration system was never the fetus is not viable. touched. But Axios first reported that The Commonwealth shall not discriminate in the protection or enforcement of this fundamental Georgia officials and Anthropic both right. said the agent got around a paywall, The Commonwealth shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against an and a day later Georgia said it had not. individual based on such individual's own exercise of this fundamental right or such individual's The state learned of the episode when own actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, Anthropic called, and it has not said or abortion. The Commonwealth shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action whether its own systems would have against any individual for aiding or assisting another individual in exercising such other individual's caught it. right to reproductive freedom with such other individual's voluntary consent. The federal help meant to back For the purposes of this section, a state interest is compelling only if it is for the limited purpose of up small governments is shrinking, maintaining or improving the health of an individual seeking care, consistent with accepted clinical standards of care and evidence-based medicine and does not infringe on that individual's too. Answering a News-Press question autonomous decision making. during his Oct. 21 media call with Virginia reporters, Sen. Mark Warner, This section shall be self-executing. Any provision of this section held invalid shall be severable from the remaining portions of the section. D-Va., turned to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

BALLOT QUESTION ALLOT QUESTION

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) the protect the freedom to make personal ould the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect freedom to make personal decisions prenatal childbirth, postpartum care,control, birth control, cisions aboutabout prenatal care, care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth abortion, abortion, miscarriagemiscarriage management, and fertility care;protect (ii) protect and from patients being for punished for nagement, and fertility care; (ii) doctors,doctors, nurses, nurses, and patients beingfrom punished decisions; andallow (iii) allow for restrictions on toaccess to abortion the third oftrimester of sethese decisions; and (iii) for restrictions on access abortion during theduring third trimester pregnancy except when the patient's health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? egnancy except when the patient's health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive? EXPLANATION FOR VOTERS EXPLANATION FOR VOTERS QUESTION 1 QUESTION 1

Present Law Present Law the Virginia Constitution does not explicitly provide to its citizens a right to Currently, Currently, the Virginia Constitution not explicitly to its certain citizenskinds a rightof tohealth care reproductive freedom nor does does it explicitly protectprovide or prohibit eproductive freedom nor does it explicitly protect or prohibit certain kinds of health care procedures or decisions.

rocedures or decisions. Proposed Amendment Proposed Amendment The proposed amendment would add to the Virginia Constitution's Bill of Rights the right to make andadd carrytooutthedecisions a person’sBill ownofreproductive The fundamental proposed amendment would Virginiaabout Constitution's Rights the care with only certain, The proposed amendment specificallycare allows undamental right tospecific make andexceptions. carry out decisions about a person’s own reproductive with the state to pass laws to regulate abortion care in the third trimester of pregnancy, but nlygovernment certain, specific exceptions. The proposed amendment specifically allows the state requires toanypass suchlaws lawtotoregulate allow forabortion abortion it istrimester medicallyof needed to protect overnment carecarein when the third pregnancy, but the life and health the topregnant or because is not viable. equires any suchoflaw allow forperson abortion care whentheit fetus is medically needed to protect the life nd health of the pregnant person or because the fetus is not viable. Word Count: 116 / 500 Word Count: 116 / 500

FULL TEXT OF AMENDMENT

[Proposed newAMENDMENT language is underlined. Deleted old language is stricken.] ULL TEXT OF

oposed new language is underlined. Deleted old language isI stricken.] ARTICLE

“President Trump has decimated, cut its personnel in more than half,” Warner said. “It is not up to doing the job that it needs to do. And that is even before we see the advent of all these new AI tools that are making all of our systems much more vulnerable.” Warner’s warning is real, but his number runs hot. Published figures put CISA’s losses at roughly a third, about 1,000 employees, and Warner himself said “one-third” in June. The administration says the cuts put CISA “back on mission,” and it plans to hire hundreds back. Closer to home, the federally backed network that gave local governments free threat warnings lost its federal funding last fall, and a state IT spokeswoman told Cybersecurity Dive that Virginia had to “scale down our agreement due to the loss of federal funding.” Whether Falls Church is covered is one of the questions the News-Press is now asking. AI cuts both ways, and Warner’s own example proves it. The day he spoke, AP reported that AI-assisted researchers had found critical flaws in PHP, the code behind about 70% of the world’s websites, before attackers did. The FBI told operators to pull sites offline if they couldn’t patch fast. The machine found the hole first. Getting it fixed was up to people. That is why the News-Press keeps chasing these stories, and it is worth saying plainly. This is not about a gotcha moment, and there is no hidden agenda. Holding everyone accountable is the job, whether that means City Hall, a U.S. senator, a federal agency or a billion-dollar software company. The only goal is making sure the companies building these tools don’t go off the rails while the people responsible for watching them are stretched thin. Falls Church has done the hard part by answering openly. The next step is a log of how AI gets used, a person who reviews it and a named owner for incidents. Rules cover the risks we can see. Watching is the only way to catch what we don’t know we don’t know. Continued online at FCNP.com: how federal cuts reached Virginia, what logs can and can’t catch, and why AI keeps going places nobody sent it.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | PAGE 5

W&OD: The Historic Story of a Railroad Turned Trail

by Amy Bowker

Falls Church News-Press

Whether you jog, walk, or cycle, the W&OD Trail that extends through Falls Church (and way beyond) is probably part of your exercise routine if you’re a resident of the Little City. And while you may be familiar with the zigs and zags of the 100-foot-wide trail, you may not know the history behind this local fixture, which was once a part of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. The 45-mile trail we know today was part of a revitalization project aimed at utilizing the path left behind by the defunct Washington & Old Dominion Railroad that ran through this part of Virginia. Before cars and Metro whisked residents around the region, there was the railroad, a vital source of transportation during that era – and not just for people. Way back in 1847, the Alexandria and Harper’s Ferry Railroad was incorporated and began planning a train route that would link the Port of Alexandria with a railroad operating at Harpers Ferry. In 1853, the company changed its name to the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad and altered its mission to delivering coal from the Appalachians to the Port of Alexandria (as well as transporting passengers and freight). Though that ambition was never fully realized, construction on the route began near Alexandria in 1855. The line subsequently opened

in Vienna in 1859, Ashburn (then known as Farmwell) in 1860, and Leesburg in 1860. Then the Civil War happened. In 1861, the train fell under Union control and was subsequently damaged by retreating Confederate soldiers. The route was used to deliver miliary supplies and survived a small conflict, also in 1861, near Vienna. The railroad line then fell under the ownership of Southern Railway in the early 1900s before it was reorganized as the Washington & Old Dominion Railway in 1912. (It later changed “Railway” to “Railroad” in 1936.) Automobiles became more common in the 1930s and with them the expansion of major through-roads like Broad Street (Route 7). The railroad scrambled to stay in business by ending passenger service and focusing solely on transporting freight in 1951. The route stayed active for more than a decade but then in 1968 (and now controlled by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway), the route ceased all operations and roughly 48 miles of train tracks that snaked through the region were left idle. Eventually, the Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) would swoop in to buy the right-ofway for their electric power transmission lines. (VEPCO eventually became Virginia Power, which gave way to its current name, Dominion Power.) And then the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA), with the support of local

community groups and residents, entered a deal with VEPCO to turn a 1.5-mile stretch of the abandoned route into a recreational trail for residents. The first section of the W&OD Trail to open was our section right here in Falls Church, with Mayor Harold Miller cutting the ribbon on

September 7, 1974. This inaugural section was a trial run (excuse the pun) for the viability of turning the path into an extended trail. It was deemed a popular success and the trail was expanded in segments through Arlington, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, and Leesburg. On November 5, 1988, the final

section of the trail to open was a nine-mile stretch into Purcellville. Today it’s hard to imagine our city without the epic W&OD path. And next time you jog, walk, or cycle along the W&OD route, you’ll know the important role Falls Church played in pioneering it from rail to trail.

PAGE 6 | OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026

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Since 1991, an award-winning LGBT-owned general interest community newspaper. Vol. XXXVI, No. 38 OCTOBER 29 NOVEMBER 4, 2026

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F.C.’s Gabby Chiappetta Chases Olympic Dreams

BY FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Not long ago, Gabby Chiappetta was a Falls Church kid learning lacrosse on local fields. On Nov. 2, she takes the field in Salou, Spain, with a chance to move one step closer to the Olympics. The Falls Church native, who plays defense and maintains both U.S. and Italian citizenship, will represent Italy at the 2026 European Sixes Lacrosse Championship. It is the first step toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where lacrosse returns as a medal sport for the first time since 1908. Nineteen nations will compete in the women’s tournament in Salou, Nov. 2-9. The five highest-placing teams earn direct qualification for the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, to be played in October 2027 in Colorado. That event will serve as the primary global qualifier for the 2028 Olympic Games. Chiappetta’s story started here. She was born and raised in Falls Church and attended Mt. Daniel Elementary School and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. She first picked up a stick as a fourth-grader with the Falls Church Youth Lacrosse Club, then moved through Virginia Metro Lacrosse, Pride Lacrosse and Capital Lacrosse. “I first learned to play and fell in love with lacrosse in Falls Church,” Chiappetta said. “I learned so many valuable skills then that I still rely on. I’m so grateful for the people and experiences that helped shape me into the player I am today.” Chiappetta will arrive in Spain with hardware. This July, she helped Italy make history by taking home the gold medal at the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship Division II in Wroclaw, Poland, the first-ever edition of the event. World Lacrosse named Chiappetta to the 10-player All-Tournament Team, one of three Italians on it. In the final, Italy knocked off previously

unbeaten Mexico, 11-4, avenging a three-goal pool-play loss. Chiappetta and a stifling Italian defense held a Mexican attack that included three of the tournament’s top 20 scorers to four goals. Overall, Italy allowed just 4.6 goals a game, the best mark in the tournament. Wroclaw wasn’t her first appearance on the world stage. In 2024, Chiappetta played for Italy’s U20 team at the Women’s U20 World Lacrosse Championship in Hong Kong. Italy advanced to the playoff round and finished eighth overall, clinching its spot with an 11-10 win over Scotland in which Chiappetta won seven draw controls and scored a goal. Chiappetta is a sophomore at the College of the Holy Cross, a Division I program in Worcester, Mass., where she is studying economics. Balancing books and sticks is nothing new. She has done it her entire life, from Falls Church classrooms to the McDonogh School, where she played high school lacrosse and captained the varsity basketball team. Now she does it at the Division I level, with international travel added to the mix. “It’s important to stay organized, plan ahead, and manage time well,” Chiappetta said. “Having supportive teammates who understand what you’re balancing also helps.” Fans can watch the Salou games on World Lacrosse TV at tv.worldlacrosse. sport and through the WL TV app. Closer to home, Arlington pizzeria A Modo Mio will hold an all-day fundraiser on Monday, Nov. 16, to support the Italian women’s lacrosse team and its quest to qualify for the Olympics. The restaurant will donate 20% of proceeds to the team. A Modo Mio, at 5555 Langston Blvd., is owned by the Farruggio family, who hail from Agrigento, Italy. Rosario Farruggio said he is excited to host an event that combines his heritage with a sport so closely associated with his adopted homeland.

FROM FALLS CHURCH TO ITALY — Gabby Chiappetta pursues her Olympic dreams with Italy’s national lacrosse team. (Photos: Robert Chiappetta )

OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | PAGE 7

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PAGE 8 | OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026

On the Eve of Yet Another Critical Election Nicholas F. Benton FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Perhaps the biggest signal that America wants to move back toward the middle in its politics, which would amount to a huge repudiation of everything Trump now stands for, is in how the attention is being focused in these last days before the midterms. The Democrats have remained well-disciplined in their focus on the economy and what Trump has done to it. Very little attention is being paid to social issues, for example, and almost no one on the Democratic side seems to mind. At a big Northern Virginia campaign fundraiser in the last week, the subject of marriage equality didn’t even come up, even though it is the subject of a major ballot referendum. The MC of the event probably forgot to mention it, but had he been reminded, he would have added it almost as an afterthought and no one would have gotten in a lather about it either way. Well, we can all accept that the focus is more on ICE and the Trump administration’s continued absurd abuse of the immigration issue and the painful policy excesses of Hegseth and his terrible Department of War. In these last days before the election, when many folks are giving a last minute reconsideration to all their choices, this time Trump has done nothing to relieve the drum beat calling for his head and that of his entire regime. It could be this is because he’s exhausted his options, or it could be because the mechanisms have been quietly put into place for a massive fraud that we won’t find out about until it is too late. I am not the one to predict such things, though we as a nation should have learned by now that, when it comes to Trump, between the options facing us, always ex-

pect the worst one. So, sad to say, I am not optimistic, as much as I would love to be. Trump is not going to concede anything as much as we might be tempted to believe he’ll just take his lumps in stride and book a flight to Pago Pago. The toughest time in this election cycle is going to be in the period between election day next week and the day just after the New Year when the new congress is due to be sworn in. So, brace yourselves, folks. It is going to get really bumpy. Our patience is going to be taxed way beyond anything we’ve seen yet, I fear. But if it is sheer exhaustion Trump is relying on to get his way, please don’t fall for it. If we can hold the line through this one, maybe the MAGA movement’s back will be broken for good. We have that to look forward to, to a return to the halcyon days when Leave It to Beaver was a good thing and we took solace in the little things that life has to offer. After the misery of Trump and the MAGA movement, we don’t ask for a lot even though the needs are definitely still there. We’ll settle for considerably less than we might have a decade ago. We won’t need to rename every street or high school to feel justified, but hopefully we will not abandon the most important things in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. It will be a time to revisit our priorities as a nation, to see to it we don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, as they say. Yes, if we can break the MAGA fever this election, I think the rewards will be considerable. We can find new ways to embrace one another with affection and not ideological fervor. We will have a chance to reevaluate what matters most in life and to focus on them. Getting rid of Trumpism means that Putin will soon have to fall, too, and Netanyahu as well. We won’t go too far left but will stabilize as a human people against the latest threat from the right and we will all be the better for it.

COMMENT

A Penny for Your Thoughts

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor

It took me a long time to get through “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” authored by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan. Not that it isn’t a riveting read. It is, but I could get through only a few pages at a time without feeling the need for a shower. It was both absorbing and grotesque as the grift, corruption, lies, and sleaze of Donald Trump and his administration piled up under the authors’ well-researched investigative process. Each page seemed splotched with layers of the muck and filth that Donald Trump revels in. When the book was released in April, news reports focused on the farcical image of Donald Trump super-gluing gold ornaments to a fireplace mantel. The gilded decor of Trump’s office is well-documented in thousands of news photos that reflect (pun intended) his obsession with anything and everything gold – ballrooms, bridge lions, arches, and medals and prizes especially designed for obsequious flattery. That gold story takes only about three pages of the book. More engrossing and dangerous are the book’s four sections: Whirlwind, Retribution, The Enemy Within, and Plunder. Interestingly, the lon-

gest part is Retribution, but the entire book could be, quite simply, Plunder. Plunder of democratic ideals, plunder of America’s reputation, plunder of hard-working taxpayers, plunder of virtues, plunder of trust in America’s government and the judicial process, and plunder of our longtime allies. The list is long and grows longer by the day. Donald Trump is not the sole antagonist in “Regime Change.” Deputy Chief-of-Staff Steven Miller plays a major role, aided by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and assorted collaborators, including family members weaving webs of deceit and aggrandizement. Making occasional appearances are Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, who got their start as “dirty tricksters” in the Nixon years. Stone, Manafort, and the late Lee Atwater, Terry Moran, Paul Weyrich, Richard Vigurie and others came to prominence right here in Northern Virginia in the early 1970s as they created the National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC). NCPAC’s direct mail fundraising and slashand-burn tactics fundamentally changed political campaigning and the direction of the Grand Old Party

in the intervening decades and set the stage for Trump’s MAGA takeover in 2016. The book’s narrative ends in mid-March, when the war against Iran was in its infancy, gasoline and diesel prices had gone up but not to the level they are today, and before the debacles of the Reflecting Pool renovation, the UFC fights on the White House grounds, golf course tree removals, and the mid-term elections ramped up. Trump’s past six months would make another book all by itself, with some of the same characters, the same sleaze, but with even greater challenges to our democratic institutions. Next Tuesday’s mid-term elections may begin the process of the pendulum swinging back toward the middle ground. Political and cultural shifts are hallmarks of American democracy but never has the occupant of the White House been pulling so hard on the chain to prevent the natural movement of the device. Everyone is exhausted by the broad swings of our political process, hoping for gravity to pull us back to equilibrium. When/if that occurs, it does not mean that things will return to tried-andtrue familiar ways. Too much has happened to expect simple remedies, but elevating the human condition, a desire for fair play, and sustaining and celebrating our shared values are important elements in advancing a renewed democracy.

City of Falls Church Crime Report

Week of October 19 - October 25, 2026 Other Jurisdiction Warrant Service, Park Ave, Oct 19, 2:44 p.m., a male, 23, of Germantown, MD, was arrested on three outstanding warrants from another jurisdiction. Shoplifting, Hillwood Ave, Oct 19, 5:28 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise. The unknown suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’7” to 5’9” in height, with a medium build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a white design, black shorts, long black socks, black shoes, and a black beanie hat.

Larceny from Vehicle, Hillwood Ave, between 4:00 p.m. on October 18 and 10:30 a.m. on October 20, an unknown suspect stole cash from the victim’s unsecured vehicle. Identity Theft, Roosevelt Blvd, Oct 21, 11:29 a.m., a report of identity theft was made. Domestic Assault and Battery, Robinson Pl, Oct 21, 7:56 p.m., a male, 18, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested for domestic assault and battery. Reckless Driving, E Broad St, Oct 22, 7:39 a.m., a male, 29, of Raleigh, NC, was arrested for reckless driving. Destruction of Property, W Annandale Rd/S

Maple Ave, Oct 22, 8:10 a.m., victim reported a bus ran over their bag containing electronics. Aggravated Domestic Assault, W Broad St, Oct 22, 4:00 p.m., victim reported their spouse assaulted them. Investigation is ongoing. Aggravated Assault, Roosevelt Blvd, Oct 24, 2:44 a.m., officers responded to a fight in progress call for service. A male, 23, of Temple Hills, MD, was arrested for malicious wounding. Destruction of Property, S Washington St, Oct 25, 1:36 a.m., victim reported an identified suspect damaged their vehicle.

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Sports

Meridian Mustangs Sports: This Week’s Recap, 10/20 - 10/27

BY DINOS SIMCOX

Mustangs football unfortunately lost their contest against Warren County HS 42-7, dropping their record to 5-4 on the year with just one regular season game left. Despite the loss, the Mustangs have already clinched their playoff spot, meaning their upcoming game against Skyline HS only determines their seeding. A win would clinch the #4 seed in the region, guaranteeing the Mustangs host at least their first playoff game. A loss could mean they slip down the standings and have to go on the road for their first playoff matchup.

Field hockey hosted the region quarterfinals and semifinals this week, winning both and advancing to the region championship for the second time in two years. The quarterfinal was a 5-0 blowout over Brentsville HS, and the semifinals were a comfortable 3-0 win over Monticello HS. The region final will be hosted by the Mustangs on Thursday, Oct 29, against Western Albemarle HS. Girls volleyball closed their regular season out with three straight sweeps, beating Warren County, Brentsville, and Skyline HS 3-0. These wins

proved instrumental in helping the Mustangs clinch the #3 seed in the playoffs over Kettle Run HS. The teams’ final records were 17-5-1 and 16-7, with the Mustangs’ extra win and two fewer losses cementing their place in the dance. Boys volleyball split their two games this week, getting swept by Langley HS, then beating George C. Marshall HS in a close 3-2 match. Their alternating win-loss pattern continues, but with a record of 8-9, the Mustangs were actually able to outdo many teams and clinch a playoff spot, and a home playoff game at that.

OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | PAGE 9

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PAGE 10 | OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – QUESTION 3 To Be Voted On at the November 3, 2026, Election BALLOT QUESTION BALLOT QUESTION

FULL TEXT OF AMENDMENT [Proposed new language is underlined. Deleted old language is stricken.]

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) to update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting?

ARTICLE II.

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to provide forFRANCHISE the fundamental AND OFFICERS. right to vote in Qualifications of voters. the Commonwealth, (ii) to revise the qualificationsSection of 1.voters so that a person convicted of a felony (a) In elections by the people, the qualifications of voters shall be as follows: Each voter shall be is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration but is automatically invested with the right a citizen of the United States, shall be eighteen years of age, shall fulfill the residence requirements in this section subsection (b), and shall be registered to vote pursuant to this article. Every to vote upon release from incarceration, and (iii) set toforthupdate the existing prohibition on voting by person who meets these qualifications shall have the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, right shall notwho be abridged by law, except that:found to lack persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply and tosuch persons have been EXPLANATION FOR VOTERS (1) No person who has been convicted of a felony shall be qualified entitled to vote unless his civil QUESTION 3 the act of voting? the capacity to understand rights have been restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority. during any period of

Present Law

Virginia’s Constitution currently provides that a person who is convicted of any felony loses the right to vote for the rest of their life unless the Governor of Virginia takes administrative action to restore that specific person’s right to vote. This is the only means of getting back the right to vote after a felony conviction.

incarceration for such felony conviction, but every such person, upon release from incarceration for that felony conviction and without further action required of him, shall be invested with all political rights, including the right to vote; and

EXPLANATION FOR VOTERS As prescribed by law, no (2) No person who has been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent by QUESTION 3 a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting shall be The current constitutional provision also imposes a broad restriction, while using outdated terminology, on voting by persons found to be incapacitated. A person who is determined by a court to be incapacitated, regardless of the kind of incapacity, loses the right to vote, and only a court can restore the person’s right to vote later.

qualified entitled to vote during such period of incapacity until his competency capacity has been reestablished as prescribed by law.

Present Law (b) The residence requirements shall be that each voter shall be a resident of the Commonwealth and of the precinct whereis he votes. Residence, for all qualification to vote, requires The proposed amendment enshrines in the Constitution the fundamental rightprovides of all qualified that a person Virginia's Constitution currently who convicted ofpurposes anymayoffelony loses both domicile and a place of abode. The General Assembly provide for persons who are persons in the Commonwealth to vote. Two exceptions to this right are for persons who are serving employed overseas, and their and dependents residingadministrative with them, and who are qualified theof incarceration right tofor vote for the restwhoofaretheir unless the Governor ofspouses Virginia takes a sentence a felony conviction and persons determinedlife by a court to not understand the act of voting. Such right cannot otherwise be restricted by laws. to vote except for relinquishing their place of abode in the Commonwealth while overseas, to vote action to restore that specific person’s right to vote. This is subject the toonly ofdefined getting the in the Commonwealth conditionsmeans and time limits by law. Theback General Assembly Under the proposed amendment, a person who is convicted of a felony loses the right to vote duringright their periodto of incarceration. Once released from incarceration, the person gets back the may provide for persons who are qualified to vote except for having moved their residence from vote after a felony conviction. right to vote without needing to apply for restoration by the Governor. one precinct to another within the Commonwealth to continue to vote in a former precinct subject Proposed Amendment

The proposed amendment also requires a specific finding by a court that a person does not understand the act of voting in order for that person’s right to vote to be taken away.

to conditions and time limits defined by law. The General Assembly may also provide, in elections for President and Vice President of the United States, alternatives to registration for new residents of the Commonwealth.

The current constitutional provision also imposes a broad restriction, while using outdated terminology, on voting by persons found to be incapacitated. A person who is determined by (c) Any person who will be qualified with respect to age to vote at the next general election shall permitted to register in advance and also tothe vote inright any intervening primary orand special election. a court to be incapacitated, regardless of the kindbe of incapacity, loses to vote, Word Count: 279 / 500 only a court can restore the person’s right to vote later.

With the right to vote, a person also has the right to be a juror, the right to be elected to an office, and the right to be a notary public.

Proposed Amendment The proposed amendment enshrines in the Constitution the fundamental right of all qualified persons in the Commonwealth to vote. Two exceptions to this right are for persons who are serving a sentence of incarceration for a felony conviction and persons who are determined by a court to not understand the act of voting. Such right cannot otherwise be restricted by laws.

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Under the proposed amendment, a person who is convicted of a felony loses the right to vote during their period of incarceration. Once released from incarceration, the person gets back For Advertising: sjohnson@fcnp.com the right to vote without needing to apply for restoration by the Governor. The proposed amendment also requires a specific finding by a court that a person does not understand the act of voting in order for that person’s right to vote to be taken away.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Movie Review: The Social Reckoning

by Lisa Sinrod

This R-rated film is a fact-based drama involving Facebook before it became Meta. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the movie tells the story of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen and journalist Jeff Horwitz as they seek to hold Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s co-founder and longtime chairman and CEO, accountable for the company’s practices. “The Social Reckoning” is a sequel to the 2010 film “The Social Network,” written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher. The first film, also fact-based, explored how Facebook was founded, the disputes between the founders and the ensuing legal battles. Jesse Eisenberg delivered a memorable performance in 2010, convincingly portraying Zuckerberg as a young, socially awkward entrepreneur at the outset of his controversial career. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”) is Zuckerberg in the 2026 film, with a quiet yet commanding presence that portrays the now 42-year-old billionaire tech entrepreneur as having an air of deliberation and menace. The depiction of Facebook’s recent turmoils, after it had become a behemoth entity crisscrossing all aspects of society, is interesting. It is hard not to compare it to the first film, which was more tightly paced and captivating in both its story and novelty. The reach of social media and the influence of its algorithms are no longer novel subjects, rendering the film topical but lacking the cultural impact of its predecessor. The best aspects of the new movie are that the basic storyline appears to reflect what really happened, although with considerable dramatic license throughout, and the acting of the principal players is high quality and convincing. Jeremy Allen White assumes the role of Jeff Horwitz, a recently hired Wall Street Journal reporter whose investigative journalism zeroes in on technology enterprises. During 2020 and 2021, he examined Facebook’s internal operations and focused on the role of social media algorithms in spreading misinformation and fomenting political unrest. Although Horwitz was not specifically investigating criminal misconduct associated with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, he found evidence that Facebook’s systems could promote divisive content (including about January 6). He is aided by whistleblower Frances

Haugen, played powerfully by Mikey Madison (who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in “Anora” last year). While working for Facebook, Haugen became increasingly concerned about algorithm manipulation, election misinformation and the unrest surrounding the events of January 6. She believed her efforts to bring these concerns to the attention of Facebook management had been ignored or thwarted, prompting her to reach out to Jeff Horwitz. The central theme of the movie involves Haugen providing information to Horwitz and enlisting him to convey it to the public in his role as a journalist. This collaboration led to an investigative series which became known as “The Facebook Files.” The Mark Zuckerberg portrayed in this film appears to represent the power of corporate silence as two individuals seek to expose malfeasance. The conflict between Big Tech’s influence and the public interest takes center stage. At its heart, this story is a compelling examination of accountability, whistleblowing, and the societal consequences of unchecked technological influence. Facebook continues to operate as a social media platform owned by Meta, along with Instagram, WhatsApp, and other services. Jeff Horwitz is now an investigative technology reporter for Reuters. Frances Haugen continues to advocate for public accountability and greater safety with social media. The fallout from “The Facebook Files” is woven into the film, creating dramatic tension as pivotal events unfold and the full scope and consequences of the exposé come to light. From what I can ascertain, the film departs from the historical record in its chronology of events and portrayal of certain characters. Thus, while presenting enough basic facts to convey the true story, it should not be considered a documentary. There have been a number of major motion picture sequels in 2026 (“Scream 7”, “The Devil Wears Prada 2”, “Scary Movie 6”, “Toy Story 5”, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, and “Practical Magic 2”, to name a few). This may suggest that Hollywood has become more dependent on established franchises rather than taking the financial risks associated with bringing original stories to the screen. The sequel story told by “The Social Reckoning” is thought-provoking and reasonably well-presented. If this topic interests you, I suggest seeing the movie.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – QUESTION 2 OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | PAGE 11 To Be Voted On at the November 3, 2026, Election BALLOT QUESTION

PUBLIC NOTICE

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION affirm that two adults may marry regardless ofAMENDMENT sex, gender, or race;– and (iii) require all2 legally valid marriages treated equally underNovember the law? 3, 2026, Election To toBebeVoted On at the

BALLOT QUESTION

BALLOT QUESTION

EXPLANATION FORbeVOTERS Should the Constitution of Virginia amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage;QUESTION (ii) affirm that2 two adults may marry regardless Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; ( of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be affirm that twoPresent adultsLaw may marry regardless of law? sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all lega treated equally under the civil unions, and under other legal valid marriagesMarriages, to be treated equally therelationships law? with the same rights, benefits, and effects of marriage between persons of the same sex or gender are prohibited under Virginia’s EXPLANATION FOR VOTERS Constitution. This prohibition is noQUESTION longer enforceable 2 as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, but the prohibition on marriages Present Law between persons of the same sex or gender remains in the state’s Constitution. If the Supreme Marriages, unions,EXPLANATION and legaldecision, relationships the samewould rights, be benefits, and again. FOR VOTERS Court werecivil to overturn its other previous thatwith prohibition enforceable

effects of marriage between persons of the same sex or gender are prohibited under Virginia’s QUESTION Constitution. This prohibition is no longer enforceable as2 a result of the United States ProposedCourt Amendment Supreme decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, but the prohibition on marriages between personsamendment of the same removes sex or gender remains in the Constitution. the Supreme The proposed the prohibition onstate’s marriages betweenIfpersons of the same were to overturn its previous decision, that prohibition would be enforceable again. Present LawCourt sex or gender from the Virginia Constitution's Bill of Rights. It is replaced with the Proposed Amendment fundamental right marry,legal requiring the state to recognize treat rights, equally under the law Marriages, civil unions, andtoother relationships with theandsame benefits, and The proposed amendment removes the prohibition on marriages between persons of the same any lawful marriage between two adult persons, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of either effects of marriage between of the sameBillsex or gender are prohibited under Virginia’s sex or gender from thepersons Virginia Constitution’s Rights. is replaced with the license person. The proposed amendment prohibits theofstate fromIt denying a marriage to two right to marry, requiring theenforceable state to recognizeasand treat equally under the law States Constitution.fundamental This prohibition is no longer a result of the United adult persons because of their sex, gender, or race. any lawful marriage between two adult persons, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of eitherdecision person. Theinproposed amendment prohibits in the2015, state from a marriage license Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges butdenying the prohibition on marriages to two adult persons because of their sex, gender, or race. between persons of the same sex or gender remains in the state’s Constitution. the/ Supreme Word Count:If167 500

Court were to overturn its previous decision, that prohibition would be enforceable again. FULL TEXT OF AMENDMENT

Proposed Amendment [Proposed new language is underlined. Deleted old language is stricken.] The proposed amendment removes the prohibition on marriages between persons of the same I sex or gender from the Virginia Constitution'sARTICLE Bill of Rights. It is replaced with the fundamental right to marry, requiring the state BILLtoOFrecognize RIGHTS and treat equally under the law any lawful marriage between two adult persons, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of eithe Section 15-A. Marriage. person. The proposed amendment prohibits the state from denying a marriage license to two Thatbecause only a union one man and oneorwoman adult persons of between their sex, gender, race.may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions marriage is one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for Word Count: 167 / 500 relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage deny the issuance of a marriage license to two adult persons seeking a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such persons. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage FULL TEXTlegal OF AMENDMENT This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall recognize any lawful marriage between two adult persons and treat such marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex, gender, or [Proposed new is underlined. Deleted old language is stricken.] racelanguage of such persons.

ARTICLE I

PAGE 12 | OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The following was heard at the September 28, 2026, City Council meeting and a public hearing and possible City Council action is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.

(TR26-30) Resolution to Amend the Voluntary Concessions, Community Benefits, Terms And Conditions (VCs) Associated with the Broad and Washington Mixed-use Development Project Special Exception Entitlement (SEE), Approved by Resolution 2021-03, dated January 25, 2021, to Reduce the Minimum Amount of Required Ground Floor Space for Retail Sales and Restaurant Uses from 6,500 sf to 3,700 sf and to Delete “Studios, including yoga” from the “Prohibited Uses” List on the Site Located at 111 E. Broad Street (Real Property Code 53-104-037) on Application by 127 Broad Street LLC (Owner)

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.

(TO26-18) Ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map of the City of Falls Church, last amended on March 28, 2022 by Ordinance 2041, to remove the Mixed-Use Redevelopment-1 (MUR-1) designation from approximately 4.5 acres of land located at 202 Gibson Street (Real Property Number 52-309-002), 204 Gibson Street (Real Property Number 52-309-003), 206 Gibson Street (Real Property Number 52-309-004), 208 Gibson Street (Real Property Number 52-309-005), 300 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309-007), 302 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309-008), 304 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309009), 306 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309-010), 308 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309 011), 310 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309-012), 312 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52309-013), 307 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309-14), 305 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309-015), 303 Shirley Street (Real Property Number 52-309-016), 300 S. Maple Avenue (Real Property Number 52-309-017), 302 South Maple Avenue (Real Property Number 52-309-018), 304 South Maple Avenue (Real Property Number 52309-019), 306 South Maple Avenue (Real Property Number 52-309-020), 308 South Maple Avenue (52-309-021), and 310 South Maple Avenue (Real Property Number 52309-022) and Add the Virginia Village Overlay District Designation to the Same Parcels

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The following were giving first reading at the October 26, 2026, City Council meeting and public hearings, second readings, and possible City Council action is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. (TO26-23) Ordinance to Amend the Code of the City of Falls Church, Chapter 26, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,” Article I, “In General,” to Add Section 26-24, “Seizure and Disposition of All-Terrain Vehicles and Off-Road Motorcycles,” to Authorize Seizure of All-Terrain Vehicles and Off-Road Motorcycles (TO26-24) Ordinance to Amend and Reenact the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget as Previously Adopted by Ordinance 2109 and to Appropriate for Expenditure the Funds Resulting from the Budget Amendment The proposed budget ordinance would amend the FY2027 Budget to reflect FY2026 revenue surplus, carryforward uncompleted initiatives, and establish new grants and contributions, which would result in additional expenditures of $2,152,486 from the General Fund, $602,675 from the School Operating Fund, $116,761 from the Cable Access Fund, $284,304 from the Affordable Housing Fund, and $1,142,461 from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Funds. All public hearings will be held in the Council

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The following was given first reading at the Monday, June 22, 2026 City Council meeting. A public hearing and possible recommendation for City Council action is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

The proposed zoning map amendments replace the existing Mixed-Use Redevelopment (MUR)-1 overlay district covering the Virginia Village area with the proposed new Virginia Village Affordable Housing District overlay. Other MUR-1 designated areas in the City will not be affected by the zoning map change. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@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 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov.

C L AS S I F I E DS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The following was given first reading at the September 28, 2026 City Council meeting. A public hearing and possible recommendation for City Council action has been continued to the Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Planning Commission meeting, at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. (TO26-15) Ordinance to Amend the Text of City Code Chapter 48, “Zoning,” Article I, “In General,” to Add a Definition for “Social Services”; Article IV, “Districts,” Division 1, “Generally,” to Clarify Optional Redevelopment Opportunities Throughout the Code; Article V, “Supplementary Regulations,” Division 2, “Off-Street Parking Requirements,” to Add Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements for Townhouses and Multifamily Units Within the Virginia Village Affordable Housing Zoning District; Division 3, “Reserved,” to Add Regulations Governing the Virginia Village Affordable Housing Zoning District; and to Amend Divisions 4 and 5 by Renumbering to “Division 4” the Content of the Existing Division 5 “Mixed Use Redevelopment Regulations,” and Renumbering to “Division 5” the Content of the Existing Division 4, “Filling Stations and Public Garages;” and to Amend Division 7 “Site Plans,” Section 48-1137 “Required Information,” Subsection 5, to Allow Exceptions for Certain Developments Within the Virginia Village Zoning District

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM -Appeal application A1684-26 by Laura Tavar and Dan Direnfeld (Lead Appellants), appealing the Zoning Administrator’s determination regarding the approved grading plan for a proposed single-family construction at 206 Tyson Drive, RPC#53-205-004 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low Density district. Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on November 12th, 2026. Agenda and application materials will be available the week prior to the scheduled hearing at: http:// www.fallschurchva.gov/BZA Information on the above application is also available for review upon request to staff at zoning@fallschurchva.gov.

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POPULAR FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, November 7, 2026 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Arlington Church of the Brethren 300 N. Montague St., Arlington, VA 703-524-4100 FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE! Meet Our Animal Friends: Alpacas and a goat (10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) Explore & Shop: Local crafts, international crafts, fair-trade items and homemade baked goods. Eat & Drink: Delicious food selections, complimentary coffee and tea. FREE ADMISSION! CASH OR CHECK ONLY

The proposed amendments to the Zoning Code would have the effect of establishing a new Virginia Village Affordable Housing Zoning District permitting redevelopment to occur at a higher density than what base-level zoning districts permit when substantial affordable housing is contributed. The purpose of the proposed district is to achieve a significant amount of new affordable housing units at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) or below. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@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 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE AD FOR November 2026 BZA The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on November 12th, 2026, at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following items: -Variance application V1679-26 by Thomas Sullivan (Applicant),on behalf of Matthew and Laurie Borman (Owners), for variances to Section 48-238(3)(a) to allow 1) a front yard setback of 15 feet instead of the 30 feet minimum to construct a covered front porch and 2) a side yard setback of 14.2 feet instead of the 15 feet minimum to construct a one-story addition at 1014 Madison Lane, RPC#52-111-008 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low Density Residential District, continued from the September 10th, 2026 BZA meeting.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | PAGE 13

CALENDAR

This Week Around Falls Church

Thursday, October 29 Falls Church Fiber Artists

Mary Riley Styles Library

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) National Museum of the American Indian

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Public Works Hiring Fair

This special day celebrates our ancestors. Enjoy dance performances and family-friendly activities like making paper marigolds. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones. Free. Fourth Street & Independence Ave SW, DC. More info: americanindian.si.edu.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Halloween Storytime

10 a.m. – Noon

This meet-up is for knitters and crocheters 18 years+. Free. 210 N. Virginia Ave.

Property Yard

Explore opportunities with the Falls Church Department of Public Works and see the equipment used for these roles. 217 Gordon Rd.

Mobility for a More Independent You Mary Riley Styles Library

2 – 3 p.m.

Physical Therapist Ariel Painter leads this hands-on session that includes a self-assessment of your own flexibility and a suggested daily routine plan you can try. Free. Adults 18+. Registration is required. 210 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

Friday, October 30 “Hocus Pocus” and “Hocus Pocus 2” Eden Center Parking Lot

7 p.m.

Enjoy a free outdoor screening of the classic 1993 movie and its sequel on a 40-foot screen. Free popcorn and candy. Costume contest. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets or watch the movie from your car. 6751 Wilson Blvd.

Saturday, October 31 Falls Church Farmers Market City Hall Parking Lot

8:00 a.m. – Noon

This award-winning market is open yearround. 300 Park Ave.

Little French Market for the Holidays Falls Church Community Center

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Shop estate sale-quality items, including fine china, linen, glassware, art, jewelry, ethnic arts from around the world, gift books, and holiday décor. Admission is free, proceeds benefit the AAUW fund for local high school students. 223 Little Falls Church.

Donation Drive

Grace (back of parking lot)

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Grace is partnering with Green Drop to collect gently used clothing and household items for local charities. Donate bagged bedding, games, toys, housewares, clothing, small appliances and electronics. Green Drop truck will be in Grace’s parking lot. For a full list of accepted items, visit: gogreendrop.com/what-we-accept. Email questions to Andy Miller, Ministerial Assistant, at miller@gracefallschurch.org. 3233 Annandale Rd.

Visit: fcnp.com

Mary Riley Styles Library

AFI Film Screening and Q&A: Douen American Film Institute

6 – 8:15 p.m.

The Caribbean folktale horror “Douen” screens at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, followed by a Q&A with the film’s DC-based director Alyscia Cunningham and experts in Caribbean folktales. The movie was filmed in the DC and Silver Springs area, and on location in Trinidad. Tickets are $40 (plus $4.52 fee) and must be purchased in advance. For more info and to purchase tickets, go to Eventbrite.com and search for “Douen.” 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD.

This Halloween-themed storytime is for ages 0-11 and Grades K-5. Best for ages 18 months to 4 years with a caregiver, younger siblings are welcome. Free. No registration needed but limited space available. 210 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

Trick-or-treat at your favorite shops and then catch an outdoor screening of “Hocus Pocus” in Strawberry Park at 6 p.m. Free. 2905 District Ave, Fairfax.

Sunday, November 1 Diwali: A Celebration of Inner Light Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center

Noon – 2 p.m.

This free event features food, meditation, dance, family fun, and candle lighting. For all ages. Free parking. 14020 Thunderbolt Place, Suite 200, Chantilly.

Author Nicholas Benton: The Mighty News-Press Mary Riley Styles Library

2 – 3 p.m.

Nicholas F. Benton, Owner and Editorin-Chief of the newspaper you are reading right now, discusses his new book, The Mighty News-Press: How a Small, Persistent Weekly Newspaper Contributed to the Transformation of an Entire Region over 36 Years. Learn about the newspaper’s founding in 1991 as the author shares his personal experiences and discusses what goes into keeping a local newspaper running. Free. Adults 18+. Registration is required. 120 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

Monday, November 2 Paper Craft Workshop Pohick Regional Library

1 – 3 p.m.

Learn and create your own paper-based crafts, including origami, heat embossing, scrapbooking and more. Free, self-directed workshop. No experience necessary, all supplies will be provided. 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke.

Mindfulness Meditation Mary Riley Styles Library

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Join the McLean Art Gallery for the opening of “City Life,” an exhibition that explores the energy, character and beauty of urban living. The exhibition runs through November 29, with an Opening Reception on Friday, November 6 from 5 – 7 p.m. Chesterbrook Shopping Center (behind Starbucks) 6224 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA. Mcleanartsociety.org.

Silent Reading Club Mary Riley Styles Library

6 – 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy a quiet hour of reading to yourself among other book lovers. Participants are welcome to bring their own tea or coffee, cookies will be provided. Free. Adults 18+. 120 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

City Council Work Session

Book Discussion: After the Funeral by Tessa Hadley

7 – 11 p.m.

7 – 8 p.m.

City Hall

These meetings are open to the public, though the public is not generally invited to speak. The discussion will involve upcoming legislation and policy issues. The 7 p.m. start time is to accommodate a closed session at the beginning of the meeting. The meeting can be viewed on local TV, for a link visit fallschurchva.gov. 300 Park Ave. Dogwood Room A and B.

Tuesday, November 3 Camino de Santiago: History, Culture, and Life Lessons Mary Riley Styles Library

6 – 7:30 p.m.

Discover Camino’s rich history and traditions with presenter Cristina FernandezO’Toole who made her own 500-mile pilgrimage across Northern Spain. Free. Adults 18+. Registration is required. 120 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

Community Mending Circle Mary Riley Styles Library

Visit: fcnp.com

This informal setting offers the public a chance to meet with City Council members and ask questions. 300 Park Ave, East Wing, Second Floor, Oak Room.

Noon – 6 p.m.

2 – 3 p.m.

4 – 7 p.m.

9 – 10 a.m.

McLean Art Gallery

Mary Riley Styles Library

Mosaic District

City Hall

Opening of “City Life” Art Exhibition

Autumn Concert: Valeria Stewart

Mosaic Halloween Spooktacular

Ask the City Council Session

Take some time to slow down with this free meditation workshop for adults 18+. No prior meditation experience necessary.120 N Virginia Ave.

11 – 11:30 a.m.

Songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Valeria Stewart performs songs in English and Spanish from her albums, blending Latin American rhythms, folk, jazz, and American roots. Free. Grades 9-12 and Adults 18+. Registration is required. 210 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

Wednesday, November 4

6 – 7:30 p.m.

Gather to mend clothing and other textiles and connect with community members. This is a non-instructional, self-guided gathering. Free. Adults 18+. 120 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

goods, and enjoy delicious food, complimentary coffee and tea. Free admission. Cash or check only for purchases. 300 N. Montague St. Arlington.

Saturday, November 14 Get Healthy Vienna Expo 2026

Vienna Community Center

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This free public event features 50 local health, wellness, and fitness vendors, as well as fun activities for all ages. (There is a charge for face painting.) For more info visit: gethealthyvienna.org. 100 Cherry St SE, Vienna.

Got Events? Free events post for free in our Calendar section, but did you know you can purchase a listing for a paid event? For just $20 per listing, you can promote your event to the entire Falls Church community. Contact: calendar@fcnp.com.

Mary Riley Styles Library

The Wednesday Evening Book Club will discuss “After the Funeral and Other Stories.” This club typically meets the second Wednesday evening of every other month. Free. Adults 18+. 120 N. Virginia Ave. mrspl.org.

Upcoming Events Friday, November 6 Scholarship Book Sale Falls Church Community Center

8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Thousands of books will be on sale Friday (hours noted above) and Saturday (8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Early bird admission is $10 between 8:30 – 9 a.m., otherwise admission is free. Proceeds to benefit senior girls graduating from the five Greater Falls Church high schools. 223 Little Falls Church.

Saturday, November 7 Fall Festival

Arlington Church of the Brethren

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Meet our animal friends, alpacas and a goat, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., then shop local crafts, international crafts, fair-trade items and homemade baked

Visit: fcnp.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

PAGE 14 | OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | PAGE 15

Fa l l s C h u r c h Business News & Notes

Our Man In Arlington

Results of Business Leader Survey Q3

For my monthly “Wayback Machine” column, let’s go back to October 1962. Some of you may have memories of the huge news item of that month – the Cuban Missile Crisis. This 13day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union commenced when President Kennedy received intelligence that, in response to the U.S. deployment of nuclear missiles in Europe, the Soviets were in the process of arming Cuba with nuclear missiles. The confrontation is widely considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into full-scale nuclear war. The severity of the issue became public on October 22, when President Kennedy announced on national television that the U.S. was imposing on Cuba a naval “quarantine” (a euphemism for a blockade, which under international law had the effect of declaring war). After a few days of secret negotiations, on October 28, the Soviet Union agreed to dismantle and remove their existing missiles. I am always in search of personal histories as a complement to the newspaper stories of the day. I imagine a number of you, in a certain age range, have memories of those 13 days in October. I was fortunate to find an illuminating story from a friend of mine who grew up in Arlington, and was in grade school in 1962. His father, who worked for the CIA at the time, arranged for the family to “take a trip” to Pennsylvania for a few days during the height of the crisis. Such a story makes one think that the communal anxiety was rooted in a real possibility of attack! As it turns out, the fear of nuclear attack had already manifested itself in the Virginia electoral process that fall, with this headline at the end of October: “Crisis Adds Emphasis To Virginia Ballot.” There was a constitutional amendment on the upcoming ballot, posing this remarkable question: In case of enemy nuclear attack upon the soil of Virginia by nuclear fission or fission bombs or devices, could the General Assembly be authorized to pass legislation with less than a majority of members present?

The Q3 2026 Northern Virginia Business Leader Survey, conducted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Pinkston, reveals a growing divide between business leaders’ confidence in their own companies and their increasing concerns about the broader economy. Regional economic optimism has declined, pessimism about the national economy has increased, and housing affordability has emerged as the top policy priority. Only one local business leader participated and also shared that affordable housing and childcare were the top policy priorities. The full report findings are available here: nvcbusiness.org/wp-content/ uploads/2026/10/Q3-2026-Business-Leader-Survey-Report.pdf

A Victorian Spirit and Ghost Walk The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment is hosting a 75-minute guided journey through true Victorian history on Friday, October 30. The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment presents this unique community event blending the rich history of Falls Church with mystery, storytelling, and Spiritualism. Tours begin at 7 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $25 and you are encouraged to arrive ten minutes prior to your tour. Tours begin at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, 222 N. Washington St. To register, visit: thecse.org/victorian-ghost-walk.

All Saints’ Day Sound Bath Here is an occasion for remembering with gratitude and healing through your loss. Join Sound Family Health on Sunday, November 1, 5 - 6 p.m. for a group sound healing session. The sounds of crystal bowls, gongs, Tibetan bowls, chimes and other instruments will be used to facilitate relaxation and healing. Register at: mysoundhealth.com/.

Virginia Dream Virginia Dream will host the same DC Hyper FC (DC) on Sunday, November 1, in the 3rd round of U.S. Open Cup qualifying. Kickoff is 7:30 pm at Meridian High School. A victory will advance The Dream to the fourth and final qualifying round of the Cup.

Webinar “Thinking about Entrepreneurship?” on November 4 This webinar takes place on Wednesday, November 4 from 10 a.m. to noon and is designed for first-time buyers, especially later-stage career professionals who want more information about entrepreneurship, as well as franchise and non-franchise opportunities. This session explores the realities of buying into an established cash flow versus starting from zero. Compare business models, analyze financial viability, identify red flags, evaluate franchises and more in this online session facilitated by Mason SBDC. The link will be shared after registration. clients. virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=110460048

Local Restaurants Earn Rave Reviews New Washington Post food critic, Elazar Sontag, has released the Top 40 Restaurants of 2026 in the region. Truong Tien in Eden Center came in at number 10, the top of all Northern Virginia restaurants. Described as a “personal favorite,” he highlighted the banh beo and bun bo Hue. Washingtonian published an article of three new additions to Eden Center: TamTam Brunch & Dinner, Pop Up District, and Bánh Mì Oi. And Arlington Magazine’s article, The Best Restaurants in Seven Corners included some of the area’s longest-running family-owned spots, dim sum destinations, and newcomers, including Bawadi Mediterranean Grill, Fairfax Inn, Hong Kong Pearl Seafood Restaurant, Little Saigon Restaurant, Live Crawfish & Seafood, Mark’s Duck House, Padaek, Pistone’s Italian Inn, and Ruta50 Bar & Grill.

U.S. Government Buys Local Campus The U.S. government has acquired the headquarters of the Defense Health Agency off Arlington Boulevard in a $285 million deal. The sale was between GBA Associates LP and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC). The 43.6-acre campus was purchased on behalf of the Department of War and Defense Health Agency.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.

Bill Fogarty

October has always been a busy time in Arlington politics, with County Board elections every year. County politics in 1962 involved three viable parties nominating candidates who each had a good chance of winning. This third party was known as “ABC” – Arlingtonians for a Better County. ABC gained traction in the mid-1950’s when the progressive faction of Democrats created an independent party to select candidates to run for the County Board and the School Board. In 1962 Leo Urbanske, a member of the ABC, was the County Board incumbent running for office. One opponent characterized Urbanske as being too “pro-business”, while the other candidate lambasted him for being “anti-business.” At a debate in October, Urbanske, with a sense of humor, noted the irony by saying “You can’t win.” As an aside, you will have to wait for my November history column to find out about the 1962 election results for the County Board, and for three constitutional amendments on the ballot (yes, as in 2026, there were three constitutional amendments in 1962 in play). Meanwhile, for other local news in October 1962, there were many headlines about real estate development and transportation issues: “Rosslyn Boom Laid to Zoning”, “Work on Virginia’s Section of Beltway Still on Schedule”, and “Green Route for 66 Is Given Green Light.” The news about I-66 captured the difficulty in accepting any pathway for “the interstate highway connecting Washington to Strasburg.” The County Board approved the route that eventually was built (the Board was studying a map with one route highlighted in green, as opposed to blue and red routes). The vote was 2 to 0, as one member was absent; another, Leo Urbanske, did not like any of the routes, so he abstained; and Ernest Wilt recused himself due to a financial interest in the service station that was being saved by choosing the Green Route. On a lighter note about events in October 1962, the Washington–Lee Generals defeated the Yorktown Patriots 13 to 6, “before more than 6,000 cheering fans at War Memorial Stadium,” and the local movie theaters were showing “North By Northwest” and “Spartacus.”

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