Burdened by preliminary projections of a revenue gap for the coming fiscal year of between $2.7 and $5.4 million due to wider conditions impacting its local economy, the Falls CHurch City Council voted Monday to adopt a “guidance” document for upcoming budget deliberations filled with cautionary language.
In its background statement to the resolution, the Council noted, “The revenue forecast this year is marked by an unusually high degree of uncertainty in the national and regional economy and in the national political climate.”
It goes on, “Given the amount of policy change happening at the federal level, which can have a significant impact on the Washington area regional economy, historical data is less useful as a point of reference when trying to predict future years. A more pragmatic approach is to provide a range of where revenue may land, and refine the forecast as additional revenue data becomes available.
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HOLIDAY MAGIC
Women Feted for Their Service
ognized by the Falls Church School Board at its meeting this Tuesday.
Three extraordinary women, each who have served Falls Church for decades in vital roles, were honored this week in recognition of their departures from their current roles.
Falls Church’s Vice Mayor Debbie Shantz-Hiscott and veteran City Electoral Board chief Rene Andrews were feted at Monday’s meeting of the Falls Church City Council, and longtime Meridian High School music instructor and band leader Mary Jo West was rec -
All three women have contributed enormously to the Little City, Schantz-Hiscott was recognized for her years as head of the Falls Church Education Association prior to her election to the Council in a special election in 2020 and then to a full term in 2021. Andrews began serving on the electoral board in the early 1990s and has continued to the present, assuming its top leadership position as the Little City has consistently led the state in voter turnout per-
centages, and West has become a legend at the high school for the work she’s done with the instrumental music program there, achieving many regional awards and creating from among the students a bonafide jazz ensemble that roamed the entire community performing. She continues on with the Little City directing the all-volunteer Falls Church Orchestra. . Monday night, the recognitions of Shantz-Hiscott and Andrews came in the context of the formal swearing in for new four year terms of the four members of the Council elected
in November, including incumbents Marybeth Connelly, Laura Downs and David Snyder and newcomer Arthur Agin, who was the winning candidate among those who ran to fill the sea vacated by Shantz-Hiscott’s decision not to run again.
In hailing Schantz-Hiscott, Mayor Letty Hardi introduced a distribution of pink caps not only to her colleagues, but to the City staff present for the meeting and for anyone in the audience who wanted one.
Salutary remarks were deliv -
MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS, now an annual holiday “learning theater” favorite at Falls Church’s Creative Cauldron, runs through Dec. 21, with special cabaret performances each weekday night in the coming week, as well. (Photo: News-Press)
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
News Briefs
Limited Version Watch Night Planned, After All
Watch Night is not cancelled, after all. A limited version of the New Year’s Watch Night is being planned with the CATCH Foundation announcing that perennial favorite Northern Lights Dance Orchestra will be returning with swing music to lead the lineup at an indoor venue. Watch Night this year. It will be different, with all the same indoor venues but the outdoor venue will be much smaller and shift to the 100 block of East Broad Sheet.
Since 1998, Broad Street has been closed for the event and there has been significant outdoor activities in the street, especially for kids. Since the City Council budget decision not to support the staff costs of closing the street, the event format will be adjusted accordingly, a CATCH spokesman said..
Holiday Tree Fest Charms Locals
The Annual Holiday Tree Fest and the Santa Brunch provided a festive start to the season at Ireland’s Four Provinces restaurant last weekend.
While the Falls Church Village Improvement Society organized the tree event, it was for any local qualified non-profit organization providing highly decorated trees for competition and silent auction. Placing high in the votes was the GMAT- Fisher House Foundation placing second for Most Beautiful. The Kensington Senior Living -Culmore Clinic placed first for Most Nostalgic with its potpourri theme.
The American Association of University Women placed first in both Best Themed and Most Imaginative with its cat and kittens theme, including books on cats and kittens under the tree. The tops in voting was the Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation winning both Most Artistic and Most Beautiful for its tree packed with cherry and bird ornaments. It sold for $500. Mr Reilly, owner of the Cherry Hill Farm House beginning in 1873, was an ornithologist at the Smithsonian. All proceeds went to the designated non-profits.
Creative Cauldron Lands 23 Nominations in 2025
Falls Church’s Creative Cauldron Stage has received 23 nominations for the prestigious 2025 Washington DC BroadwayWorld Regional Awards.
The nominations span 13 distinct categories, recognizing the company’s commitment to artistic excellence across its professional stage productions, educational programs, and musical concert series.
This recognition highlights the depth of talent within the Creative Cauldron artistic family and the critical acclaim received by its diverse 2024-2025 season programming. The BroadwayWorld Regional Awards are entirely determined by fan votes through December 31 and the winners will be announced in January.
Zoya’s Boutique Spotlighted on TLC
Zoya’s Boutique in Falls Church was featured on The Learning Channel’s reality series Baylen Out Loud, and the episode aired live last week. In the episode, Baylen, who is newly engaged, visited Zoya’s Atelier to shop for her wedding gown.
Zoya’s Atelier represented the Falls Church community on a nationally broadcast TLC series. Baylen Out Loud follows the life of Baylen Dupree, a young woman living with an extreme case of Tourette Syndrome, as she and her family navigate daily challenges with humor, heart, and resilience.
Rep. Beyer Blasts Trump Economic Claims
In remarks this week, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer of Falls Church’s 8th District railed against President Trump’s latest claims about the economy.
He said, “Trump has been making some unbelievable claims about the economy lately, saying, Incomes are rising, grocery prices are way down, energy prices are way down. Mortgage prices are down, and the most ridiculous one, Inflation has been defeated.”
Beyer said, “I can’t even listen to all of it because, frankly, it’s sick. The president is talking about prices being down, but he’s living in a bubble where foreign governments shower him with cash, he’s letting his kids do crypto and real-estate deals, and
members of his Cabinet are making themselves rich with insider contracts. All while Virginians and Americans are suffering.
“Grocery costs are up. Healthcare costs are up. Energy costs are up. Food, school supplies, building supplies — all up. Families are paying more for the holidays this year than last year. Instead of being honest about it, Trump is firing economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and telling them not to release the real data. He can try to hide the numbers, but families know exactly what they’re spending at the checkout line. Americans aren’t fooled, and neither am I.
“Trump’s economic policies — especially his reckless and illegal across-the-board tariffs — are driving prices up and pushing small businesses, farmers, and families to the brink.”
Providence
Players in ‘A Sherlock Carol’
Friday, Dec.12, at 7:30 p.m. the Providence Players open ‘A Sherlock Carol.’ Mark Shanahan brings Sherlock Holmes and Tiny Tim together in a clever, heartwarming holiday mystery that’s part whodunit, part Christmas tale, and entirely delightful for audiences of all ages. Moriarty is dead, and Sherlock Holmes is a haunted man. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the mysterious death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the great detective must use his skills to solve a Dickens of a Christmas mystery. This theatrical holiday treat filled with mystery, humor, and heart runs through Dec, 21 at the James Lee Community Center on weekend evenings and Sunday matinees.
Santa at West Falls Commons Park
This Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the West Falls Commons Park, a festive rally will include Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas carols performed by the Meridian High School Choir, a hot cocoa bar, and Santa Station where letters can be written and mailed to the North Pole.
Sinfonietta Performs at F.C. Episcopal Sunday
This Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the Falls Church Episcopal Church, the Washington Sinfonietta will present a family holiday celebration. Seasonal favorites will be performed, some with the Meridian High School Choir.
Tickets are free under a grant from the Falls Church Arts and Humanities Council grant.
F.C. Soccer Team Competes for Title
This Sunday, Dec.14 at 6:00 p.m. the Falls Church-based Virginia Dream soccer team will compete for the final trophy of 2025.. As the champion of the Virginia Super Soccer League, the Dream will face the champion of the Maryland Super Soccer League, Steel Pulse, for the Super Soccer Cup.
F.C.’s City Dance Performs The Nutcracker
Next Saturday, Dec, 20 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 1 and 6 p.m. at the Klein Theatre in downtown Washington, D.C., the magic of Mary Day’s ‘The Nutcracker’ will be presented by the Falls Church-based City Dance Conservatory.
Rising stars will join professional guest artists from The Joffrey Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre, and more, to bring this beloved holiday production to life.
The League of Women Voters of Virginia (LWV-VA) Youth Council and DEI Committee have launched “Feeding Our Future,” a holiday fundraiser supporting food banks across the Commonwealth. The youth-led drive invites Virginians to donate directly to help stock local pantries during the winter season.
The fundraiser runs through December 19, with proceeds to be split among Virginia’s eight major regional food banks, which in turn supply community-based food programs statewide.
Donations can be made online at: https://shorturl.at/9WpCm
“The range used is a five percent annual projection both upward and downward to provide a reference of where we may expect revenue to be.”
In this context, then, the Council adopted unanimously a guidance resolution that begins this way:,
“The City Council seeks a FY2027 budget development process that advances the City vision, Council strategic priorities and initiatives, and comprehensive plan, supports the City’s excellent schools and excellent government services, and adheres to adopted fiscal policies that keep City finances on a sound footing…
“The national capital region is facing rising unemployment due to federal workforce and contractor layoffs, the longest federal government shutdown in history, and high prices for necessities such as groceries, housing, healthcare and daycare. This introduces new difficulties for City households and businesses as well as uncertainty for government revenue projections and operational planning. These factors require the Ciy to
approach the upcoming budget cycle with empathy, heightened caution and a sharpened focus on core City services.”
The statement goes on to list 13 items constituting its guidance to all who will be involved in the coming budget deliberation process, including the City schools who have already indicated they will need a five percent increase in the City’s annual transfer to them.
The 13 points begin with the commitment to “continue the spirit of cooperation and collaboration between the general government and the schools in the development of the annual budget and capital improvement program.”
Next, it notes the “expectation that real estate tax rates will be adjusted to protect homeowners from significant growth in their annual tax bill” noting that 40 percent of the City’s revenues come from residential real estate taxes. It notes that “other tax and revenue options:” may be considered by the Council in this regard.
It calls on the City staff to provide spending reduction options, and adds that the budget should
“ensure competitive compensation for employees, provide funding for professional development and training, and foster initiatives to promote retention and recruitment.”
It says the budget should “include ongoing funds for paving and sidewalk improvements, with the associated walking and hiking facilities called for in adopted plans.”
It adds that the budget should include provision for tax relief, for public safety and emergency management including for competitive compensation to attract and retain qualified personnel, for continued rent and food assistance as needed, initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, changes as necessary to the City’s building permit fee rates that have been unchanged since 2016, for adjusted utility fees as needed, acknowledgment of the pension expenses avoided by the investment of a portion of the water sale proceeds into the pension fund and for “public information that explains the budget clearly.”
Councilman Dave Snyder brought up the Weldon Cooper
analysis reported in last week’s News-Press that indicated for every dollar paid by Fairfax County taxpayers into Virginia state coffers, only 50 cents comes back to the county. This imbalance is even greater for Falls Church, he stated, and urged that discussions ensue to address this imbalance.
Mayor Letty Hardi said she
wants to see comparisons of the City’s budget situation with those of its neighbors over the last decade. Indications are that as tough as the situation is for Falls Church, it is significantly worse for Arlington and Fairfax counties, because Falls Church has been the beneficiary of its own aggressive development during the last two decades.
SIGNING KEY DOCUMENTS confirming their upcoming service on the Falls Church City Council Monday night were the newly sworn in (l. to r.) David Snyder, Laura Downs, Marybeth Connelly and Arthur Agin. All but Agin are incumbents. Their new terms begin Jan. 1. (Photo: News-Press)
Guest Commentary: DC Mayor Race Erupts Sans Incumbent
by David Hoffman
The Potomac River flows eastward to the sea. It marks the riverine boundary between the political capital of the nation – Washington DC – and the equally political Commonwealth of Virginia, which only just concluded its own electoral rites last month.
That’s when a massive wave washed away several dozen Republican candidates at least, and turned Virgina an historic deep hue of Blue.
Sometimes to Northern Virginia political observers, the river seems much more like a vast ocean. But while there are certain clear differences, there are of course also many common denominators, between voters and their political behavior, in DC as well as Virginia.
And yes Virginia there is a DC government election next year. In brightest Blue DC, that’s the Democratic primary in June.
So observers in Falls Church and also in neighboring Arlington and Fairfax counties and Alexandria City would do well to keep a sharp eye on what’s shaping up already, at the close of 2025, as a major-league and possibly nearly epic battle over electing the District’s next mayor, especially because now next year will be an election – for the first time in 20 years – when no incumbent’s name will appear on the ballot.
That turnabout began to take shape just a little over a week ago, when threeterm Mayor Muriel Bowser suddenly announced she would not run for a fourth term after all!
Cue explosive excitement in the intensely ambitious and deeply suspicious world of DC’s political class. Now that all bets are suddenly off, the gloves are already coming off too.
Already emerging are just two candidates – each clearly with significant signs of surging grassroots momentum, and the campaign policy chops, and the financial clout – that they each, although in strik -
ingly different ways, can credibly claim to occupy the strategic high ground for an election still half a year away.
They differ enormously. One is the likeliest current frontrunner, the highly popular and indeed outspoken progressive – and as such, a well known commodity – the former prosecutor and DC Assistant Attorney General, and since 2020, the two-term Ward 4 DC Councilwoman, Janeese Lewis George. The other is a brash but highly likeable outsider – a retired U.S. Army tank corps officer and a longtime DC-based investment advisor and sharp-eyed developer – who has put together a strong team of enthusiastic backers and a growing corps of neighborhood activists, Gary Goodweather.
So far just these two are seen by some observers to currently command that mysterious mojo – of campaign momentum and the elusive yet gutsy pixie dust of charisma, and also the street smarts and organizational moxie to pull off a winning campaign. Janeese and Gary, in other words are viewed, if only as of now, as the two most likely serious candidates to be able to challenge each other next June as rival claimants to become the District’s next mayor.
Yet even so, as they each begin to step forward at year’s end ready to begin their emerging campaigns, a third possible major candidate stands just offstage clearly considering entering the campaign himself, At Large DC Councilman Kenyan McDuffie, clearly a major Establishment favorite.
Key observers predict that McDuffie will be an extremely well-heeled insider, the mayoral challenger from the financial fatcats, the real estate tycoons and various other elites backed by the monetary muscle of the deep pocketed Washington Board of Trade – in other words this campaign’s highly likely Total Opposite of New York City’s upset winning outsider democratic socialist Mayor-Elect Zofran Momdani.
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Best Buns Coming to West Falls
West Falls announced they will welcome Best Buns Bakery & Burgers! The fast-casual bakery concept will open its fourth location in 2026 in the building located within Commons Park. The new stand-alone building will offer abundant outdoor seating, creating an inviting setting for guests to enjoy Best Buns’ signature pastries, sandwiches, salads, freshly brewed Starbucks coffee, espresso, or specialty drinks, and warm hospitality. This exciting addition continues West Falls’ commitment to bringing exceptional dining and community-focused experiences to Falls Church!
Virginia Commission of the Arts FY27 Grants
Tuesday, December 16, the Virginia Commission of the Arts (VCA) will open the following grants: General Operating Support for Medium and Large Organizations (GOS), Operating Support for Small Organizations (OSS), Creative Communities Partnership Grants, and Community Impact grants! A webinar will be held to provide an overview of the application cycle, opportunities offered, key dates, and important information to help plan the FY27 grant cycle, and determine which grant is the best to pursue. Register for the December 16 session, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. via this link: https://vca.virginia.gov/grants/.
Washington Sinfonietta Family Holiday Celebration
The Washington Sinfonietta presents its Family Holiday Celebration on Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 p.m. Falls Church Episcopal host the concert where seasonal favorites will be performed, some with the Meridian High School Choir. Tickets are free under a grant from the Falls Church Arts and Humanities Council Grant. Expect seasonal favorites and fun for the whole family.
Virginia Dream FC in the Super Soccer Cup
This Saturday, December 14, at 6:00 p.m. the Virginia Dream FC team will compete for the final trophy of 2025. As the champion of the Virginia Super Soccer League, the Dream will face the Champion of the Maryland Super Soccer League, Steel Pulse, for the Super Soccer Cup. This game was postponed from December 7 and will be played at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Repositioning for Federal Government Contracting Success
The Virginia SBDC has a 2-hour on-demand webinar available until December 15 for government contractors. In the current B2G environment with the government shutdown, government contractors are facing greater challenges in protecting their existing contracts and winning bids for new ones. With a smaller pool of Federal contracts and a highly competitive market, small businesses require a strategic approach to leverage GovCon Resources. This two-hour ondemand webinar focuses on new GovCon resources, strengthening your competitive positioning, aligning BD, capture, and proposal strategies, and leveraging resources and partnerships to expand your pipeline. Secure access with this link: https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop. aspx?ekey=110450051.
C.A. Business Acquires Falls Church Wealth Management Firm
A California-based investment advisory firm has acquired Hemington Wealth Management, a Falls Church wealth management firm that also has an office in Chicago. With the acquisition of Hemington, which had $1.2 billion in assets under management, Beacon Pointe Advisors’ assets under advisement grow to $55 billion. Hemington will adopt the Beacon Pointe name, according to the Beacon Pointe spokesperson. Eileen O’Connor and Jen Dawson have run Hemington Wealth Management as co-founder and CEO, and owner and managing director, respectively. They are now partners and managing directors at Beacon Pointe. Ten professionals from Hemington Wealth Management will work in Falls Church, and another half-dozen will work in Chicago, according to the Beacon Pointe spokesperson.
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.
6 | DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2025
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Vol. XXXV, No. 44 DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2025
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It is a valid concern that the City of Falls Church is looking another real estate tax rate increase in the face as we enter into the new year. The budget guidance provided by the City Council this week embodied the high degree of uncertainty that is the sign of these times in this region, and the crunch that will surely come from the federal program and contractor layoffs that have savaged the area starting last January.
Ironically, one of the biggest causes of the budget gap between revenues at the level of the current tax rate ($1.185 per $100 of assessed values) and costs are factors over which the City leaders have no control. First is the decline in interest income from the city’s investments due to lowering interest rates, and the second are the fixed costs of health insurance for City and school employees, and the demands of the regional WMATA rail and bus services.
Additionally, there is the acute challenge to maintain competitive salaries and benefits of the City’s and schools’ employees, given a highly competitive regional environment where quality public servants are at a particularly high premium now. Already, the Falls Church police department is down in its force level due to some key entry level graduates of the academy being wooed elsewhere due to higher salaries.
All this while the debt on the construction of the new Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School has been retired, and the glide path for paying off the debts on the new Meridian High School and improvements at City Hall and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library is maintained on schedule. The City has continued to add, if only somewhat, to its roster of affordable housing options, with the important added element that new units are being designated as affordable in perpetuity, as opposed to only a fixed number of years as was the case before. In the face of all this, the City’s priceless AAA bond rating remains intact.
Important priorities, such as street and sidewalk upgrades, further expanded affordable housing, storm water management and environmental improvements, remain at the top of the City’s to-do list. But with the shape of the wider regional economy being what it is, how much of these can be provided for now remains in doubt.
Yes, the data showing how Northern Virginia jurisdictions send far more of their resources to Richmond than they get back (as reported in last week’s News-Press) becomes a matter of heightened concern in this environment. Falls Church gives over twice as much as it gets back, for example. But pursuing that as a remedy for the current conditions is something that will take the battle to the state level where tough times are evident there, as well.. It’s a wider political fight that is needed to bring our local conditions under better control, as well as a push for even more revenue-generating development here.
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Shakespeare Theatre Brings Guys and Dolls for Christmas
by Patricia Leslie
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s new musical is so hot, the run was extended before it even started.
What a fabulous Christmas gift, especially for the hard-to-please in the DMV, and I think there are a few of them around.
The dancing! The fun! Vitality and costumes. Oh, my! Broadway stars come out to shine.
Joshua Bergasse’s choreography has the men doing splits in the air in their 1930s suits which made me wonder how they pulled that off, keeping their pants from tearing? One who dances non-stop with a cigarette hanging from his mouth!
The audience’s enthusiasm for these gangsters in motion even exceeded that for the gals who wooed us all with their high kicks and sparkly, barely there number “down under.”
The whoops! The gasps!
It’s all about the two ends of morality, so to speak: The do-gooders and the not-so-dogooders who come and clash and find out if the winsome lady, Sarah Brown (Julie Benko) at the Save-A-Soul Mission is, indeed, so high up on her pedestal, would she even consider descending to join a questionable man?
One from a different side of the tracks, so to speak, but one who’s as handsome as Sky Masterson (Jacob Dickey) would be hard to resist.
These “guys and dolls”* are about change and changing others to make them how you want them to be. Easy, isn’t it? Can’t we accept who they are?
Meanwhile, the adorable and frilly Adelaide (Hayley Podschun) wants to remake Nathan (Rob Colletti) and cut out his gambling, Nathan with promises, promises of 14 years (!) to marry, this twosome about as mismatched as a Rockette and a monk. She is cute and trim, and he is, well, not so much. (It must be love.)
After all, they’ve had five babies and one on the way!
What’s to change him now?
How about a bet to raise $1,000 immediately and pay for the gambling hall if chief winning gambler Sky will only take on the wager of taking Ms. Prim and Proper to dinner in Havana?
Havana?
Let’s go!
Sarah, with her ethereal crystal-clear voice, and Sky sing their “Never Been in Love Before,” the virile Sky (AKA Obediah) who surprisingly knows a thing or two about the Bible.
In Havana, one can only guess how Sarah lets loose after a few rum drinks.
One of the gamblers, Nicely-Nicely (Kyle Taylor Parker) belts out one of the night’s most popular hits, “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” accompanied by several other popular tunes in the show like “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Take Back Your Mink,” “Luck Be a Lady’ and “Sue Me.”
Walt Spangler sets the stage in a thrift shop which the mission uses for preaching and the gamblers, for a night club and betting parlor down below.
Outside the doors are New York’s streets and the musicians across the walk, under the direction of James Lowe, effectively veiled to reduce any distraction.
But distracted I was by the oh la la! costumes, enough to widen my eyeballs. Honestly, for a few minutes, I became so enamored by the suits and dresses, the shoes (the shoes!), the hats (the hats!), I was torn from the dialogue and drifted off into Constance Hoffman’s costuming, the colors and designs for the huge cast, outstanding.
Plus, to top it all, it’s Christmas in New York City!
Francesca Zambello, the Washington National Opera’s artistic director, directs these guys and dolls in a great escape at Shakespeare.
The show won the Tony Award for Best Musical when it debuted on Broadway in 1950 and ran 1200 performances before it was picked up, revived and produced again and again in many revivals in the U.S. and London, winning several more Tonys.
Tickets start at $43 (with fees included) but are $39 for those under age 35 with code 26U35 and on Friday night, Dec. 12, they’ll be treated by Sebastian D. Pineapple to a “Young Prose Night” afterparty with free drink.
Through Jan. 8, 2026. About 2.5 hours with one 15-minute intermission. Shakespeare Theatre Company, Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW Washington, DC 20004, ph. 202.547.1122.
The theatre is collecting lightly used or new coats, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, and warm clothes for adults and children.
THE CAST OF “Guys and Dolls” at Shakespeare Theatre Company. (Photos: Teresa Castracane)
Kids Delight at Little City Holiday Craft Fair and Market
Little Christmas City
LIVE NATIVITY & PETTING ZOO PICTURES WITH SANTA LIVE PERFORMANCES
FAMILIES AND young shoppers explored the Little City Craft Fair and Market this weekend, enjoying festive finds, local makers, and a warm start to the season. (Photo: Gary Mester)
Falls Church kicked off the holidays in style this past weekend—VPIS Tree Fest lit up the season in support of local nonprofits, and the Falls Church Craft/Market filled the Community Center with handmade gifts, cheerful crowds, and plenty of small-town sparkle. (Photo: Gary Mester)
11 - 17, 2025
by Mark Dreisonstok
The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s current production of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted from the Dickens literary classic, directed adroitly by Michael Page, narrates the famous story loyally but with creative additions. Mr. Page notes that in this version the story is told “from the perspective of and imagination of a modernday preteen who is a budding artist and bubbling with creativity. As her grandfather reads her the traditional story, she draws the scenes and brings them to life onstage.”
The story, of course, revolves around Ebenezer Scrooge (portrayed excellently by Brian Lyons-Burke), the avaricious figure in this morality tale, who famously shows his utter disdain towards Christmas and its concomitant spirit of goodwill with a “Bah Humbug” to anyone who offers greetings of the season or requests donations for holiday charity. After all, in the words of Dickens, even on, “of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve—old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house.” He is later
visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, now chained down by the weight of his sins; Marley warns his fellow miser of great eternal doom if Scrooge continues to lead an unvirtuous life of misanthropy and greed.
The Ghost of Christmas Past (Nina Celestina) guides Scrooge to a scene of regret in his youth when Ebenezer is seen with his beloved Belle (Emma Noel Saville), who broke off their engagement in disappointment of his growing miserly ways. Then the Ghost of Christmas Present (Mikaela Fenn) further awakens a transformation in Scrooge when she introduces him to the home life of his clerk Bob Cratchit (David McCarthy) and Cratchit’s suffering child, Tiny Tim (Arthur Timothy Davis Bailey in some performances, Henry Strahs in others). The mute Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Be then points Scrooge to a future in which he will die alone, unloved, and unlamented. As Scrooge faces his mortality, will he have a chance to redeem himself? If so, will he seize such an opportunity?
A warm Christmas atmo-
sphere was omnipresent with talented cast members who sang Christmas carols famous as well as little known, including “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” Somerset Wassail,” “I Saw Three Ships,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” all prepared wonderfully by music director Aimee Faulkner. Costume designer Joan Lawrence successfully brought forth the Victorian Era in terms of costume design.
Director Page has said of this version—a departure from the past quarter century of “Christmas Carol” productions at Little Theatre—that “the aesthetic design elements, reminiscent of director Tim Burton’s style, contribute to the overall charm of the production.” The Tim Burton influence is perhaps a little overstated, yet we did notice some welcome Expressionist touches, such as distorted walls and windows reminiscent of the Expressionist film classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari as well as glowing eyes of the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Be, recalling a little the appearance of Mephistopheles at a crossroads in a scene from G.W. Murnau’s Ex-
pressionist film version of Faust Likewise, there seems to be some influence of fantasy writer E.T.A. Hoffmann, especially in the presentation of the Ghost of Christmas Past as a Hoffmannesque automaton. This production of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic “A Christmas Carol,” worthwhile both for its new take on a classic as well as for its reimagining of the story from past Little Theatre productions, runs until December 20, 2025, at 75 minutes without intermission.
(L TO R) Michael Blinde (Jacob Marley) and Brian Lyons-Burke (Ebenezer Scrooge). (Photos: Matt Liptak )
Please Don’t Eat Your Children, Cult Century, & Other 2025 Essays
NICHOLAS F. BENTON Founder, Owner, and Editor of the Falls Church News-Press
In his eighth book, Nicholas F. Benton outdoes himself with this remarkable set of essays all crafted in the first eight months of Trump 2.0 and its wholesale effort at dismantling democracy and the rule of law. Most were published in Benton’s iconic inside-the-Beltway weekly newspaper, the Falls Church News-Press, but he adds a stunning new piece to this volume, as an addendum to his “Cult Century” series, revealing for the first time his experiences from decades ago in the political cult of Lyndon LaRouche, aimed at providing a clearer grasp of today’s Cult of Trump.
His Please Don’t Eat Your Children set takes off from the satire of Jonathan Swift to explore society’s critical role of drumming creativity out of the young. Benton, an honored seminary graduate, gay pioneer, respected newspaper owner and insightful, truth-telling published essayist, ascends to new heights in this priceless volume that also shines a light on a positive future in an essay on the potentials of fusion energy.
NICHOLAS F. BENTON has made significant contributions across several domains, primarily as a dedicated local journalist and as a pioneering LGBTQ+ rights activist. His most enduring legacy is the founding and stewardship of the Falls Church News-Press, a model of resilient and impactful community journalism in an era of decline for print media.
Benton is a published author of several books, including Extraordinary Hearts: Reclaiming Gay Sensibility’s Central Role in the Progress of Civilization and Gay Men in the Feminist Revolution, which explore the historical and cultural role of the LGBTQ+ community.
Old War Horse Biden’s Great Speech Last Week
Nicholas F. Benton
It was great seeing the old trooper, former President Joe Biden, being the same Old Joe in a rare public appearance last week. It was Dec. 4 at a national gathering in D.C. of LGBTQ elected officials and candidates under the auspices of the Victory Fund. He was his usual fiery self, centering his remarks on the theme, “Don’t get angry, get elected!”
Given the unmistakable pattern of election returns across the U.S. in the last months, it is excellent advice to everybody who isn’t still a Trumper.
If Biden’s capacities are somewhat diminished after his 50 years of public service, they’re nothing compared to what’s becoming of Trump now, and who can credibly argue any longer that the nation wouldn’t be far, far, far better with Biden still at the helm?
Biden’s message wasn’t just about equality – remember, as vice president in 2012 he beat out his boss Obama by a few weeks coming out in favor of gay marriage – but also about opportunity. As his administration showed by its historic achievements that opened up new opportunities by which the American people could excel and thrive producing world changing results, as it has always been for this country.
It was a particular honor to be in the room where Biden delivered his speech last week. It was 16 years earlier when I first met him on June 25, 2009 at a Pride Month event hosted by the Democratic National Committee. That night, my friend, the late gay pioneer Frank Kameny, the late major league baseball LGBTQ “ambassador for inclusion” Billy Bean, former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank and many others attended. I got my picture taken with Biden grinning between Kameny and I, his arms around us both..
That was, of course, three years before Biden became the first U.S. vice president ever to endorse gay marriage, a development that was an answer to those gay leaders who protested that 2009 event on grounds the Obama-Biden ad-
ministration wasm’t moving fast enough on their issues. Biden and Obama also repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as a discriminatory policy in the military, and as president BIden signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act and issued numerous non-discrimination executive orders.
In his speech last week, Biden’s voice modulated between low whispery tones and when be bellowed, insisting that if we put our collective resources to it, we as a nation can do almost anything, “This is the United States of America,” almost causing his microphone to short.
Biden’s speech heightened again the stark contrast between what he’s represented all his life and the grave danger that Trump has caused for the nation..
This context calls for the evocation of the legacy of our nation’s Founding Fathers, and Biden can proudly stand, with Lincoln, FDR and others, among them.
It was Ben Franklin, perhaps the greatest among our founders, who inspired the biographer Walter Isaacson in his wonderful new little book, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” (referring to the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence) to write, “We can try to be more lik e Franklin.”
Franklin, he noted, “Not only helped to craft the sentence that defines our common ground, He lived it. He organized police, fire and street-sweeping corps; a public library, hospital and school; a widow’s pension fund and a mutual insurance cooperative. He ran a newspaper that was dedicated to publishing a wide variety of opinions and following no party line. He bequeathed a revolving loan fund for young people to start enterprises. He donated to the building funds of each and every church in Philadelphia, and he helped lead the fundraising for a new hall that would provide a pulpit to visiting preachers of any belief, ‘so that even if the Mufti of Constantinople were to send a missionary to preach Mohammedanism to us, he would find a pulpit at his service.’ And, on his deathbed, he was the largest individual donor to the Congregation Mikveh Israel, the largest synagogue in Philadelphia. So when he died, 20,000 mourners watched his funeral procession, which was led by all the clergymen of every faith. Including the local rabbi, walking arm-in-arm.”
COMMENT
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
With Christmas Day just two weeks away, it’s time to make lists and check them twice, determining who’s been naughty or nice, as the 1930s song says. It’s been a chaotic year for our nation and its residents, with more naughty than nice in the news. Traditionally, the naughty will find lumps of coal in their stockings but, given Mr. Trump’s fondness for fossil fuels, he’d probably relish that designation, so I’ve decided to revert to HISSES and KISSES (the chocolate kind) for this year’s list.
• HISSES, too many to count, to Donald Trump and his administration, his unqualified and incompetent cabinet, and his race to the bottom for this country. The crudeness, crassness, denigration, and corruption began with his inauguration screed on January 20, and has multiplied through presidential pardons, ICE raids, and attacks on the legal system to this very day.
• KISSES to the millions of peaceful protesters who showed up for “No Kings” Day and other community events in large jurisdictions and small ones, exercising their First Amendment rights and shining a bright light on preserving democratic values.
• KISSES to voters in Virginia
Week of Dec 1 - 7, 2025
Fraud – False Pretenses, S Washington St, Dec 3, 9:30 a.m., officers took report of an unknown suspect obtaining money under false pretenses.
Fraud – Impersonation, W Broad St, Dec 4, 1:57 p.m., suspect withdrew $2400 from financial institution using stolen credentials.
who elected Abigail Spanberger as the Commonwealth’s first female governor and flipped 13 seats in the House of Delegates. Voters rejected the right-wing statewide candidates who campaigned on fear and division. The challenge now is restraint by the new governor and legislature as Virginia’s economy has been affected demonstrably by federal government budget cuts and firings.
• HISSES to drivers who fail to heed stop signs on our neighborhood streets. Some drivers slow down but about half sail through without care, according to my own informal count. Hisses also to drivers who fail to use their turn signals. Sometimes they are the same ones who miss the stop signs.
• KISSES to Fairfax County which received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2025 Municipal Equality Index. As diversity, equity and inclusion are under attack by the Trump administration, the One Fairfax Policy, adopted while I still was on the Board of Supervisors, exemplifies steady, intentional efforts to make a real difference in the lives of county employees and residents.
• KISSES to the Mason District Police Station officers who, each
year, collect, wrap and distribute toys to needy children in Mason District neighborhoods. Additionally, they collect and distribute new pajamas and slippers for children to help them stay warm on winter nights. Other police districts have similar activities that serve the community, and they all deserve KISSES for the extra effort.
• HISSES and KISSES to The Washington Post newspaper. Their reporting is first-rate, but the reorientation of their print edition sections removes the ease of reading that regular subscribers enjoyed for decades. KISSES also to the print and nonprint journalists, especially the female journalists, who continue to ask tough and pointed questions despite continual denigration and misogyny by Mr. Trump.
• KISSES, for now, to the James Madison University football team, which earned a spot in the College Football Playoffs. The #12 Dukes will play my beloved #5 Oregon Ducks on December 20 in Eugene. Oregon’s Autzen Stadium seats 60,000 vs. JMU’s Bridgeforth Stadium, which seats just 25,000, so it will be loud! Depending on the results of the game, KISSES could turn into HISSES, but Oregon has a 20-point edge going in.
• Finally, KISSES to Nick Benton and the FCNP staff for maintaining a terrific local newspaper, focusing on community and commentary, open to many points of view. Local newspapers help strengthen community ties in a way no social media can, and that’s worthy of celebration!
Motor Vehicle Theft, Hillwood Ave, Dec 5, 12:16 p.m., officers took a late report of a stolen vehicle. Victim stated his white 2012 Chevrolet Sonic was last seen parked on Hillwood Ave. on Nov 17, 2025.
Fraud – Bad Check (Felony), W Broad St, Dec 6, 11:59 a.m., a male, 34, of Atlanta, GA, was arrested for identity theft, identity fraud, and issuing bad checks.
Simple Assault, West Falls Station Blvd, Dec 7, 1:46 a.m., a male, 45, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for simple assault.
Larceny – Shoplifting, W Broad St, Dec 5, 3:38 p.m., unknown suspect entered a business and removed two laptops valued at $1,196 without paying. Suspect described as a black male, 6’1”, wearing a white/gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and darkcolored shoes.
City of Falls Church Crime Report
3 Fantastic Falls Church Leaders Hailed Upon Their Departures
Continued from Page 1
ered by all other members of the Council and former Vice Mayor and school board member, now head of the Citizens for a Better city Hal Lippman. He said of her, “I know the real deal when I see it, and I see it with her.”
Andrews, in gratitude for her recognition, said, “It is truly bittersweet to stand before you this evening. Serving election administration in this City has been the honor of a lifetime. Elections have been in my blood from Day One. I was born on an election day, but only after my parents had voted.”
She credited Edna Frady with convincing her to volunteer to work on the election of 1996 and later on the Falls Church Electoral Board in 2003 and credited Anne Murty of that board with being her mentor. “The best thing the three of us on the board did was to appoint our registrar David Bjerke who has been with us for 10 years and is one of my most trusted friends…I thank Dave, Stacey and now Rodrigo for running the office every day, making sure registration and election preparation activities are accomplished flawlessly, and for always being there when we need them,,,I leave with the deepest appreciation and gratitude.”
Shantz-Hiscott, in her prepared remarks, said, “Almost thirty years ago, I moved to the City of Falls Church and began my community involvement as an appointee to the Women’s Commission alongside Jody Acosta. I’ve been serving this community in some form ever since, and it has truly been one of the great honors of my life.
“I want to thank my parents, who modeled public service constantly and quietly. My mom was involved in every scout, music, academic, and athletic group supporting the public schools, and my dad served in the Navy and then for decades as a volunteer EMT, paramedic, ski patrol member, Red Cross instructor, and trail master. They did all of it behind the scenes, without fanfare. I hope I’ve made them proud—and that my own children will continue that legacy of volunteerism.
“Thank you to my husband, who made it possible for me to serve while balancing eve-
ning and weekend commitments. And to my three children: you are the reason this work matters. I hope our efforts to expand housing options and make our city inclusive, where all really means all, mean you will one day be able to return here, whether to an apartment, a townhouse, a condo, or an ADU. I hope you’ve seen how much community engagement can shape a place.
“To my friends: thank you for supporting me through campaigns, boards, commissions, PTA, boosters, the Education Foundation, and every volunteer, attendance and financial request I ever made. I know I can be intense about affordable housing, economic development, equity and inclusion, sidewalks, paving and the environment. I’ve asked a lot over the years—and you have always shown up. The silver lining of my retirement is that I won’t be asking you for anything… at least for a while.
“To our engaged community—you make this city special. Our turnout rates and civic participation are extraordinary, and I’ve loved hearing your hopes for what should change and what should remain the same.
“To our general government staff—you care deeply about this Little City and work incredibly hard to deliver essential services while pushing for innovation. You deserve recognition and our appreciation.
“To my Council colleagues, past and present—thank you. We bring different skills and experiences, but share a commitment to representing our entire community, expanding housing opportunities, supporting our schools, ensuring safety, and being fiscally responsible. I have complete confidence you will continue to do great things for Falls Church.
“When I moved here nearly 30 years ago—because I couldn’t afford North Arlington—I had no idea Falls Church would become such a vibrant, walkable, thriving place. The transformation from a handful of chain restaurants to the incredible variety of experiences we enjoy today has been truly remarkable and is a credit to all who have served and worked on behalf of the city. Thank you for the great privilege of serving you.”
Our Man In Arlington
Bill Fogarty
As the year winds down, we have a bit of a political controversy here in Arlington – one might call it a respectful disagreement involving County politicians (current and past), and various citizen advocates in our community. The topic being debated is “governance structure”.
Somewhat ironically, this fall I gave a talk at the Glencarlyn Library about the evolution of Arlington’s governance structure. In October I taught a class on Arlington history for Encore Learning, covering the period when Arlington created the current system in 1930. At this point I feel I could write a book about all of this, but let me try to distill the history into a long paragraph.
In 1870, we became a county, separated from the City of Alexandria, with about 3,000 people in a 34 square mile jurisdiction. We had three County Board members; one each elected from three geographic districts. In 1900 we had about 6,000 people, but that would change over the next 30 years, with the growth of the federal government, and with trolley lines (and automobiles) coming through. By 1930 we had over 26,000 people, even though we did lose 8 square miles to annexation by the greedy City of Alexandria. Meanwhile, citizens were frustrated because the powers of a County government were very limited. We could not even have a subdivision ordinance until the General Assembly gave us those special powers in 1911. The three part-time County Board members were overwhelmed with responsibilities that included legislative and executive work. We had no public water system in 1920; the citizens in Clarendon were so frustrated that they petitioned the courts (unsuccessfully) to be incorporated into a town. In the 1920s, our state representatives submitted legislation in the General Assembly to move our form of government into the 20th century. A voter referendum in 1930 approved the concept of a five-member County Board, elected at-large, with a County Manager to deal with executive functions. All five board members were up for election at the
same time, every four years. The Civic Federation lobbied for staggered terms in 1938....and that is basically where we are now (yes, yes, there is a lot more nuance in all this).
In its November meeting, the County Board unveiled a draft Charter to create an “Advisory Panel to Examine Arlington County’s Form of Government.” Public comment was spirited, with a range of opinions, even among the Board members. The Board voted to continue the public hearing, for more public testimony, and Board discussion at its December meeting.
The draft Charter has five areas of “Scope” with nineteen bullet points. There are four “Reporting to the Board” sections, with eight questions to be answered. The Advisory Panel is to be composed of 12 to 15 members.
This certainly seems like a ton of work with an incredibly broad scope. So I figured I would get on my soapbox here, and offer some “food for thought,” in three categories: for the County Board; for our state legislators; and for all of us in Arlington. My basic suggestion is to keep it simple.
For the County Board: maybe they can cut down the “Scope” to only these first two parts: (i) Historical and Legal Review, and (ii) Comparative Governance Analysis. Perhaps designate a larger group than 12 people – maybe even split it into two groups of 25 folks, with no need to provide any recommendations, but merely report on what they learned.
For our state legislators: if you are going to offer a bill, perhaps address only (i) the size of the board (go up to seven members?), and (ii) the timing of elections (how to stagger a five- or seven-member board). The possibility of geographic districts can wait another year. It is hard to figure out districts until you know the number of board members. (Yes, I know that any legislation is only permissive –but with a kitchen sink approach, things get more complicated.)
For all of us: perhaps the best contribution we all can make is to start talking about it with our neighbors, with a bit of curiosity, and the acknowledgement that maybe there is no one right answer. End of the soapbox.
West and husband Richard (Photo: John Brett)
This Week Around Falls Church
Thursday, Dec. 11
John Gorka in Concert
Doors 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
Temple Isaiah, Fulton, Md. Tickets $30; children 10 & under $15. Info/tickets via Uptown Concerts and johngorka.com.
Holiday Music Party
(Big Band Jazz Night)
7:30–9:30 p.m.
Metro 29 Diner, 4711 Langston Blvd., Arlington Seasonal big-band jazz with vocalists; dinner-and-show vibe.
Friday, Dec. 12
Dance Passion LIVE
8 p.m.
Crescendo Studios, Falls Church. Ticketed live dance showcase.
Los Andantes Caminantes + Guests
Doors 9 p.m.
El Palenque, 5863 Columbia Pike, Falls Church. 18+ Latin concert night; ticketed.
Saturday, Dec. 13
Falls Church Farmers Market
8 a.m.–noon
City Hall parking lot, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church. Weekly market with produce, baked goods and local vendors.
Cherry Hill Farmhouse Holiday Tea
2–4 p.m.
Cherry Hill Farmhouse, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church. Holiday afternoon tea at the historic farmhouse.
Little Christmas in the Little City (9th Annual)
3–6 p.m.
Christ Crossman UMC, 384 N. Washington St., Falls Church. Free family holiday event with live petting zoo, hot chocolate and s’mores, kids’ crafts, and a hands-on service project benefiting local children experiencing food insecurity. All are welcome. Questions: office@christcrossman.org.
“Jeremy’s Ten” (Pearl Jam Tribute)
8:30 p.m.
The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church. Ticketed evening concert.
Sunday, Dec. 14
Cherry Hill Farmhouse Holiday Tea
2–4 p.m.
Cherry Hill Farmhouse, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church. Holiday afternoon tea at the historic farmhouse.
Falls Church VFW (and Zoom). Year-end meeting and 2026 officer elections.
Clarendon Menorah
Lighting & Community Chanukah Celebration
6 p.m.
Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria–Arlington, 1307 N. Highland St., Arlington, Va.
Lighting of a 9-foot menorah plus latkes, hot cocoa, donuts, gelt, dreidels and live Chanukah music. Free; registration required, limited capacity. Info: chabadAA.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Quilters Unlimited “AnQU” Holiday Social Meeting
10 a.m.–noon
Sleepy Hollow Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church. Holiday social with lunch/game meetup. Ongoing
Special Holiday Hours
McLean Art Gallery
Dec. 2–23, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.
Chesterbrook Shopping Center (behind Starbucks), 6224B Old Dominion Dr., McLean, Va.
Meridian Girls Basketball Beats Trinity Christian In Low-Scoring Slugfest
by Ryan McCafferty
Charlotte Lieu scored 14 points, Rose Weatherly had 11, and the Meridian High School girls’ basketball team won its third consecutive game to open the 2025-26 season, beating Trinity Christian 36-26.
The Mustang girls were back home after beating Kettle Run on the road last Thursday, a contest in which they won 36-21. They’d be facing a quality opponent in the Trinity Christian Gryphons,
but that was no problem for Chris Carrico’s squad.
Both teams scored 10 points in the opening frame before Meridian gained some separation with a 12-0 run that spanned the majority of the second quarter. Trinity Christian scored a late bucket to make it 22-12 at the break, but they never seriously threatened in the second half as the Mustangs led by double digits for most of the rest of the way.
Lieu’s 14-point performance included four three-pointers. In Meridian’s 3-0 start, the Mustangs
have averaged under 40 points per game but have held their opponent to fewer than 30 in all three contests.
“I don’t think we’ll be scoring in the 60s too often this year,” said Carrico postgame. “But we’re grinding them out.”
Next up, the Mustangs will stay at home to take on Fauquier on Friday. That will be the first of a pair of matchups on back-toback days, as they’ll host James Madison High School after that in a rare Saturday tilt.
50. Nursery schoolers
53. Tennis-court divider
Small spot
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