December 17 - 23, 2015
Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee
Fou n d ed 1991 • Vol. XXV No. 43
Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads
Inside This Week 9th Gas Station Robbed in Area
A man who is linked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to robbing eight gas stations in the Washington, D.C. region has robbed a ninth station, this time on Gallows Road, on Dec. 10. See News Briefs, page 8
Gun Store Coming to F.C. Robbed in McLean
A McLean gun store with plans to open up a location on West Broad Street in Falls Church, was robbed last Friday. Police say two handguns were stolen from Nova Firearms on Chain Bridge Road after the store’s rear door was found damaged.
Mason Row Deferred to January When New F.C. Council Seated 3 Council Members Elected in November Sworn in This Week
by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
of the ticket, and having Bennett associated with the Democratic candidate, who most expect to be Hillary Clinton, will be a better match-up than Comstock with whomever the GOP nominee will be, pundits say, although that might not hold if Comstock’s personal choice for the GOP presidential nod, Marco Rubio, prevails. Foust confirmed to the News-Press at a Fairfax County
Following the recommendation of the Falls Church City Planning staff, the F.C. City Council Monday night voted unanimously to defer final action on the 4.3acre large scale mixed-use project known as Mason Row until its first business meeting of the new year on Jan. 11, 2016. With a turnover on the Council coming Jan. 1 from the election in November, it is expected that the project will gain another supporter in incoming Council member Letty Hardi, who was officially sworn in to her new job Monday along with two re-elected incumbents, Mayor David Tarter and Phil Duncan. Departing Council member Nader Baroukh, who did not seek re-election last month, had been a critic of the project. Major new changes were made to the project in the last week, including downsizing the number of rental units, removing a fifth floor over retail in one section facing onto West Street, and shifting the location of the movie theater from underground to second floor. These changes, and more, necessitated City Hall’s need for more time to evaluate the project, City Manager Wyatt Shields told the Council Monday. There also needs to be a new fiscal analysis of the project which there has not been time yet to complete, he said. In the public comment period, there were strong statements in favor of the project, including from a delegation from the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, and also from nearby residents to the site who said that based on
Continued on Page 5
Continued on Page 4
See News Briefs, page 8
David Brooks: The Year of Unearthed Memories
Childhood fears and adult traumas are stored differently in the brain than happy memories. They are buried like porous capsules deep in the primitive regions, below awareness and beyond easy reach of conscious thinking and talking. See page 14
Press Pass with Griffin House
When ISIS fighters attacked Paris last month, musician Griffin House had a new song, “Paris Calling (Sweet Sensation),” that was perfect for the moment. See page 25
FALLS CHURCH CITY Clerk Celeste Heath (left) swore in three members to new four year terms on the Falls Church City Council Monday night, including (l. to r.) incumbent Mayor David Tarter, new electee Letty Hardi and incumbent Councilman Phil Duncan. The three will commence their new terms as of Jan. 1 after winning the election last month. (Photo: News-Press)
Democrats Launch Big Push To Take Rep. Comstock’s Seat by Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press
Index
Editorial..................6 Letters..............6, 10 News & Notes.12-13 Comment......... 14-17 Calendar.........20-21 Food & Dining......23
Business News....26 Sports..................27 Classified Ads .....28 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword...........29 Critter Corner.......30
Real estate executive LuAnn Bennett announced her bid for Virginia’s 10th District U.S. Congressional seat last week, hoping to be the Democratic nominee in the race for the seat next year. She will go up against freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock, who won the seat last year after GOP colleague Frank Wolf, who held the 10th District post for over two decades,
retired. Comstock won after serving two terms as a state delegate from her home McLean District. While Bennett has not run for public office before, she is considered a power in the regional Democratic party and, she told the News-Press, was asked personally by Rep. Don Beyer to seek the job. She is considered a stronger candidate to challenge Comstock than Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust proved to be a year ago. Next fall’s election will have the presidential race at the top
PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Don Beyer Volvo & Beyer Kia will donate $25 for every car sold from now until the end of the year to Falls Church "We Support the Girls" GoFundMe
703.237.5000 | donbeyervolvo.com | 1231 W. Broad St. Falls Church
THERE IS STILL TIME TO GIVE THE GIFT OF THE ALL NEW 2016 VOLVO XC90
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 3
OVER 95 HOMES SOLD SO FAR THIS YEAR!
Vacation at HOME in this luxurious custom property!
JD CALLANDER Top 1% of Realtors Nationwide
#1 Agent, COMPANYWIDE
OVER half an acre in Sleepy Hollow!
8009 Greenwich Woods Dr, McLean, VA
6501 Kerns Court, Falls Church, VA $649,000
*ABSOLUTELY STUNNING* 8 BR/9 full BA/2 half BA RESORT LIVING at home! -
Fabulous CONTEMPORARY home with 4BR/3 full baths on over level half acre lot and cul-de-sac location! Open
Super 2015 custom home!
Fabulous 2015 built colonial!
1911 Pimmit Drive
6610 Chesterfield Avenue
*BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED*
Cape in the heart of Falls Church everything. Call for details! $1,025,000 Oak Street, North
703.606.7901 JD@newNOVAhome.com www.newNOVAhome.com # 1 Listing Agent #1 Selling Agent #1 Total Volume #1 Total Transactions Weichert/Dolley Madison Office
Falls Church, VA $1,299,900 BUILT in 2015 - this BEAUTIFULLY built custom home features 5BR and 4.5 baths plus office space with flowing open concept floorplan! Gourmet granite -
$1,675,000 McLean, VA Newly-built CUSTOM DREAM HOME featuring 5BR/6 full and 2 half baths on 3 sparkling finished levels! 2--
Call me TODAY at 703-606-7901 for a FREE Analysis of Your Home’s Value!
ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service
TM
Call ROCK STAR Realty when buying or selling your home. Open Sun 1-4
Price $1,500,000
•
427 Hampton Ct Falls Church City
END UNIT Winter Hill townhouse style 2 BR/1.5 BA condo with gleaming hardwood floors, newer windows and an enormous yard. Freshly painted. New Price $360,000
6633 Van Winkle Drive Falls Church Va.
6 BR/5.5. BA on 4 finished levels offering spacious living areas and bedrooms. Finished LL w/bar area, recreation room, full BA, exercise room, expansive storage and wine room. Sited on 0.87 acres, on an exclusive street with direct access to major transportation arteries.
May Your Season Sparkle!
End unit townhouse in Ballston. Walk to Metro, restaurants, mall, & trails. New kitchen, windows, hardwood floors, bathrooms, A/C & heating. 3rd floor deck w/great views! Ready for immediate move in! $3700/mo
1355 Beverly Road Suite 109 McLean, VA 22101
Remember, I treat every transaction as if it was my own.
520 S Spring St, Falls Church City
764 N. Vermont St Arlington
Laurie Mensing Long & Foster
Open Sun 1-4
Home for the Holidays! Cozy up in your fireplaced living room. This expanded brick home boasts a large, updated granite kitchen perfect for baking cookies and enjoying meals with the family. Updated baths too! Gleaming hardwoods throughout. Large 1/4 acre yard. $699,000
FOR RENT
Please visit www.6633VanWinkleDr.com OR www.lauriemensing.com for more information.
703-790-1990x5193 703-965-8133 (Cell) 703-356-1635 (Fax)
FOR SALE
NEW PRICE
703-867-8674 ®
REALTOR
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
2101 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Lifetime Top Producer 2010-2014
2015 2014 2013 2012
Tori@ToriRocksRealEstate.com
ToriRocksRealEstate.com © 2015 Tori McKinney, LLC
PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
LO CA L
New F.C. Council Sworn In, To Be Seated in New Year Continued from Page 1
recent changes, they’ve changed from opposition to supporting the project. There was also a surprisingly strong turnout of citizens appearing before the Council for the first time who expressed enthusiastic support for the project. Drew Walter, a Sycamore Street citizen, said he was speaking for 19 of his neighbors, what he called part of the “quiet majority,” who enthusiastically support the project and other younger citizens who said they are “ecstatic” about it. Andrew Painter, a zoning attorney who’s become active in the Falls Church Chamber, said Mason Row will represent a “vibrant urban experience.” Chris Prior, who lives nearby the proposed project in the 500 block of N. West Street, coined the term “ecstatic,” adding, “It is exciting to see the City embracing thoughtful smart
change.” Rachelle Barimany from a business across the street with a 30-year history in Falls Church, spoke in favor of Mason Row. Amanda Franklin, living nearby the proposed project on S. Spring Street, said she “loved” the experience of living near the newly-redeveloped Clarendon neighborhood in Arlington and is very proMason Row now. Tim Stevens of the City’s Environmental Services Council said that the project will contribute to the walkability of the City, and thereby help to lower the “carbon footprint” here. He also said that contrary to remarks made at a Planning Commission meeting earlier this month, “this project has a vision in keeping with that developed by the regional Council of Governments.” Others, such as Madeleine English, Alison Kutchma and James Morrison among others,
reiterated their opposition to it. Two citizens, Mark Mathew and Kathy Kleinman, said they’d changed their minds to now support the project, based on the changes that have been made to it over the two years it has been under consideration. Former Falls Church City Manager David Lasso, now representing the Mason Row developers (Spectrum Group and Mill Creek), in a letter to Falls Church Planning Director Jim Snyder, summed up the new changes made to the project since its July 24 submission that were presented Monday night. “The development team believes there should be two anchors, a hotel and a movie theater. That was the City Council’s directive to the team over a year ago, and that directive has now been fully embraced, leading to the exemplary development now before the City Council,” he wrote. He added that even more revisions had also been made,
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
including: Reducing the number of apartments by 5.3 percent, or 18, to 299 market rate units and 23 affordable units; the height of the building along N. West Street has been reduced by a full floor, and the “massing” has been reduced to present less of a “presence” to the immediate residential area,” and more. He wrote that the current annual tax revenue to the City from the retailers currently at the site is about $100,000, by contrast with the City’s estimate of the net new income to the City that would come from the Mason Row development, being in the range of $1.3 million to $2 million annually. Voluntary concessions now include full compliance with the City’s desired policy for affordable dwelling units, the relocation of the theater to above ground, and 30 parking spaces offered to the neighboring St. James Church for services. “Mason Row has evolved and is now a premier retail, hotel, entertainment, residential gathering place...Mason Row provides for land consolidation, superior net new income to the City and the specific uses set out in the City’s zoning code
as requirements to be deemed exemplary,” Lasso wrote. Concerning the proposed theater, although no lease has yet been nailed down, the developer says the prime candidate for the venue “is offering a dinner and a movie concept in a small size theatre with large reclining seats with tables,” adding “the theater will be half the size of the typical multiplex theaters in our area and will function as a restaurantlounge and special events venue in addition to being a movie theater. The theater will be limited to 800 seats in eight auditoriums and will offer first run movies from Hollywood studios, noted small budget and artistic films and special screenings of films. All theaters will be 100-percent reserved seating.” Developer Peter Batten told the News-Press yesterday that the negotiations are well underway for the theater operator, but that any identifications made to date are merely speculative. When the Council does take up the matter for final approval in January, it will need a five-vote “super-majority” of its seven total members because the Planning Commission failed to recommend it on a 3-3 tie vote.
LO CA L
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Bennett Announces Plans To Seek 10th District Seat
Continued from Page 1
Democratic event at his McLean home that he had decided not to try again next year. He just finished a hard-fought battle for re-election to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last month. Bennett is considered a strong choice to go after Comstock’s voting record on women’s health issues. According to Emily’s List, Comstock has supported an abortion ban in cases where the probable age of a fetus is 20 weeks or older, with criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. She also voted for a transvaginal ultrasound procedure for all women seeking an abortion while in the state legislature in 2012, and called for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. But in her campaign announcement last week, Bennett focused on her business skills. “When you run a small business, you work with whomever you need to in order to get results,” she said. “Refusing to
work with someone just isn’t an option. I have spent my career in the private sector, identifying challenges, solving problems and working with people to build a better future.” In a statement issued by the Republican Party of Virginia following Bennett’s announcement last week, it was noted that Comstock “defied all odds last year and won by almost 17 points in a swing district. The Democrats have targeted her in five elections and she has defeated them despite their millions in lame partisan attacks.” Bennett, who grew up in Illinois, earned a Bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University before moving to Northern Virginia in 1980. Here she married her late husband Rick Bennett and built her real estate firm, Bennett Group, which is currently based in Upper Northwest Washington, D.C. Bennett died in 1994 and LuAnn Bennett has continued to run the business since. Following a decade running the business and raising teen-
age children, she married former U.S. Rep. Jim Moran in 2003 and they were married for seven years before their divorce in 2010. “We’ve preserved a good friendship with mutual respect,” Bennett told the News-Press. She currently serves on the National Children’s Museum board, the Institute for Sustainable Communities board and the New Jersey & H Educational Foundation Advisory Board. She is a former member of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, Charity Works Advisory Board and she previously served on Virginia’s Climate Change Commission and the board of trustees of the Potomac School in McLean, where she has lived for 35 years. Concerning GOP presidential front runner Donald Trump, Bennett said, “I found him entertaining for a long time, but now I don’t know what’s going on with the Republican Party. His persistence will help the Democrats. Basing a campaign on anger and fear does not usually turn out well.” Her goal, she said, is to help fellow Democrats “to change Congress one district at a time,” while she is supporting Clinton for president.
Keller Williams is the #1 Real Estate Company in Falls Church City for 2015!!! Call #1 to buy or sell! WANTED!!! Falls Church City! Rare end unit 3 BR town house (all with ensuite full BAs!), 4.5 total BAs, 3013 sq ft, 4 level elegant town home w/sweeping staircase, spacious rooms, kitchen opens to breakfast nook & fam room. Deck. Walk-out LL w/rec room. 2 car gar! 139 Rees Pl $895,000
FCC 4+BR, 2+ BA single family home under a million. Falls Church... 3+ BR, 2+ BA, roommate friendly under $600,000 Pimmit Hills 3+ BR, 2+ BA home under $650,000 Fixer upper and/or vacant lot.
Falls Church City 2 BR, 2 BA 1,426 sf Broadway condo, on quiet courtyard side. Gourmet kit w/gas cooking, 9’ ceilings, fplc, balcony, laundry room, hardwood floors. Double storage unit! 2 pkg spaces. Party room, Gym, If you would consider a one Library, Concierge Mon-Fri. time showing for 3%, call me! 502 W Broad St #421 $544,000
ING M CO N! SOO
EN OP -4 1 SUN Falls Church - Lee Oaks Spacious 2 BR, 2 BA, Den, Sunroom & wood burning fireplace!! Updated Kit & BA. BIG rooms. Quiet spot overlooking greenery at rear. Great location - close to shopping, 495, Merrifield, Tysons. McLean High School! 2806 Lee Oaks #201 $305,000
Falls Church - One level living! Master BR/BA suite & fam room addition could be in law suite. 4 BR, 2 BA, 1,689 sf w/remodeled kitchen & bath, wide fenced yard, patio, lush landscaping, hot tub, shed, 2 car carport. Freshly painted & ready to move in! Call to see! $522,000
Leslie Hutchison
Alexandria - On Market Soon! Everything you want in a home gorgeous remodeled kit opens to breakfast nook, family room and sun room! Elegant 4 BR, 3.5 BA former model home, stunning deck & landscaping, backs to woods for privacy! Call to be the first to see! IT WON’T LAST!!
Realtor®, GRI, SRES, ABR
703-861-8119 Direct
Search the MLS at www.VirginiaHomeTeam.com
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 5
E D I TO R I A L
PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
One of the Nation’s Foremost Weekly Newspapers, Serving N. Virginia
(Published Weekly by Benton Communications, Inc.)
FOUNDED IN 1991
Vol. XXV, No. 43 December 17 - 23, 2015 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •
N������� F. B����� O���� � E�����-I�-C���� �������������.���
J��� F������ M������� ������
�������������.���
D��� C������ N��� E�����
�������������.���
N��� G��� A���������� S������� A������������ ����������.���
M������ M���� A���������� D������� �����������.���
H���� W������ C����������
�������������.���
C������ C����, T�� W������ C��������� T�� W���� C��� E����� J���� I����� C���������� M������ �������������.���
T� C������ ��� N���-P���� �����: 703-532-3267 ���: 703-342-0347 �����: ���������.��� ������� ����������� ��������.��� ���������� ��� �������������.��� ������� �� ��� ������ ������������.��� ������������� ������������ � �������� �������������.���
WWW.FCNP.COM The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2015 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.
E��������
Fresh, New Voices For Falls Church
There was really something new and refreshing which was manifested at the Falls Church City Council meeting this week, and it bodes very well for the long-term health and sustainability for The Little City. A lot of the “usual suspects” who have taken it upon themselves to claim the importance of their traditional roles on the City’s policy-making volunteers boards and commissions and to define the parameters of the City’s image may not like this. Some won’t but some who genuinely have the best interests of the City at heart will. It was the surfacing of new, strong and muscular voices among the many citizens who offered their opinions at Monday’s meeting on the merits or lack thereof of the 4.3-acre Mason Row mixed use project at W. Broad and N. West Streets. These voices were of young professionals with children who spoke out forcefully in favor of Mason Row, and citing the same reasons that would likely cause them to support other similar projects here in the future. While the final approval of the project was deferred by the Council until mid-January, its final approval at that time is looking bright. With a proponent of the plan replacing an opponent on the City Council as of January 1, the Council now appears to have the five votes it will need for final approval. The new “pro” vote joining the Council, Letty Hardi, fits the same profile as the numerous citizens who stepped up to advocate for the approval of Mason Row on Monday night. She’s young, definitely by traditional standards for community service in Falls Church, and she and her husband, a native of Falls Church, have three sons in the Falls Church schools. She did not start out being vetted by any citizens’ group to ensure she embodied the “Falls Church Way,” and the strong prejudice among those existing circles for maintaining a low-growth “village atmosphere” here. She brought with her a healthy appreciation for the symbiotic relationship between economic development and quality education, something that citizens obsessed with maintaining the status quo have too often refused to acknowledge or appreciate. In the course of her campaign, and that of Erin Gill for the School Board, a lot of the supporters they were able to reach have, apparently, now begun to speak out for the same kinds of values that they’ve held and ignited through their campaigns. Elements that have contributed to this are numerous, but primarily two. First, the venerable Citizens for a Better City organization that was created in the late 1950s to try to make sure the right values prevailed among candidates for public office here decided four years ago to cease its candidate vetting role. Second, the date of municipal elections here was moved from May to November a few years ago in order to allowwider participation by citizens. It was something the “old school” types strongly resisted at the time.
L������
DMV Shouldn’t Move Its Service Center to Barcroft Editor, The Department of Motor Vehicles plans to relocate its Four Mile Run customer service center to Barcroft Plaza shopping center. As Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross stated in her November 19 News-Press column, DMV’s plan was a surprise to nearly all, including state and local elected officials. The DMV service center would not be compatible with the shopping cen-
ter or the surrounding residential neighborhoods and should not be moved to Barcroft Plaza. A December 3 community meeting with DMV discussed their Barcroft plan. The meeting, organized by the Mason District Council and Del. Kaye Kory, was attended by nine representatives of DMV, VDOT, and Fairfax County as well as more than 100 residents. More than 30 residents spoke out, all in opposition to the plan.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
P������� 1. Keep the news clean and fair.
2. Play no favorites, never mix business and editorial policy. 3. Do not let the news columns reflect editorial comment. 4. Publish the news that is public property without fear or favor of friend or foe. 5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.
6. Give “value received” for every dollar you take in. 7. Make the paper show profit if you can, but above all keep it clean, fearless and fair.
ADVERTISE IN THE
The News-Press is delivered to every household and many businesses in the City of Falls Church (22046), and to many homes and businesses (but not all) in the adjacent 22041, 22042, 22043, 22044 and 22205 zip codes. Its total circulation of 15,000 per issue is greater than any other newspaper in the distribution area, including dailies. For complete advertising information, call us or check out our web site.
Call 532-3267 x2274 or visit www.FCNP.com
All original and some syndicated content is accessible via the Falls Church News-Press online site, www.FCNP.com. FCNP.com also includes photos, stories, ads and more not appearing in the print edition.
For information on online advertising, please contact Nick Gatz at 703-532-3267 or ngatz@fcnp.com. ONLINE
Four Mile Run, with its 540 daily customers, is one of the busiest DMV’s in the state. Its parking area of 102 spaces easily overflows during peak periods. In a November 11 letter to Del. Kaye Kory, DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb explained that customer volumes “have increased steadily and substantially” resulting in “constant vehicular congestion and a variety of safety issues.” The principal concern of residents in the meeting was that the relocated service center would overwhelm the shopping center and environs. The safety and congestion issues evident at Four Mile Run would be transferred to today’s busy
Barcroft Plaza. It was evident in the meeting that DMV had given no thought to the compatibility of their planned service center with Barcroft Plaza and surrounding neighborhoods. The justification for their plan was simply that DMV would save money on rent. It is unacceptable for DMV to move a busy service center to Barcroft with no thought given to safety and compatibility. The service center is not compatible and should not be allowed to relocate to Barcroft Plaza. Clyde Miller Falls Church
More Letters on Page 10
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
CO MME NT
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 7
G � � � � C � � � � � �� �� Keeping Our Seniors & Community Safe for 27 Years B� J���� D�������
If you’re the parent of a high school senior or a graduate, you already know the days are long and the years are short. If your children are younger, you’ll be shocked at just how fleeting these school days become the closer you get to graduation day. Truly, in the blink of an eye, those little kids are seniors. That’s why I ask for the entire Falls Church community’s help in supporting a 27-year Falls Church City tradition: the All Night Graduation Celebration. Every year, the All Night Graduation Celebration, or ANGC, takes place inside George Mason High School following the graduation ceremony at Constitution Hall, starting at 11 p.m. The new grads shed their caps and gowns to reconvene with their classmates for a last hurrah inside their new alma mater. Featuring prizes, food, games and entertainment through the wee hours of the morning, it’s a celebration our graduating seniors never forget. We’re so pleased to provide this special send-off to our seniors, but we want the Falls Church community to understand that the ANGC is much more than just a party. It’s a safe alternative to typical “grad nite” fetes that may include alcohol, drugs, driving between multiple locations, and other unsafe behavior. Here
are some sobering statistics: According to recent data from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), dates in May and June – when graduations typically occur – are among the seven deadliest nights for teen alcohol-related accidents. In 27 years of running the ANGC, our Falls Church City
“By supporting the 2016 All Night Graduation Celebration with a �inancial donation, you’re playing a part in keeping our community safe.”
community has not had a single alcoholor drug-related death or injury on graduation night. Certainly the numbers above share an important message, but if you aren’t the parent of one of this year’s seniors, you may wonder why should the ANGC matter to you at this time. Quite simply, our small, close-knit Falls Church
community has always supported the ANGC. Remember, our George Mason High School seniors are your neighbors, your friends’ kids, your babysitters, the athletes you see on our playing field, the musicians and performers you enjoy on stage, and the role models younger children look up to. Donating to the ANGC is one way you can recognize how members of the class of 2016 have positively impacted our community. By supporting the 2016 ANGC with a financial donation, you’re playing a part in keeping our community safe. You’re also helping to ensure the tradition endures for Mason grads now and in the future … even if that future seems hard to picture today. A donation of any size can make a big difference toward ensuring the success this year’s event as well as the continuation of the ANGC for all subsequent graduating classes. A committee of the George Mason PTSA began planning the Class of 2016’s ANGC as soon as the 2015 celebration ended. Since last June, these Mason volunteers – almost all parents of underclassmen – have dedicated countless hours to booking entertainment, planning fundraising events and community outreach. With the new year comes even more preparation, which is why we are asking now for your financial help. We realize that at this time of year you
receive many requests for help, and we hope that after learning about ANGC that you’ll agree it’s a cause worthy of widespread community support. Looking for a way to personalize your ANGC donation? Think about your own children as you consider a donation amount. For example, are they ages 7 and 8? You could donate $15 in honor of their combined ages. Are you the parent of a member of the class of 2025? Consider donating $25 this year. Did your 11th-grader score 30 on the ACT? Commemorate that achievement with a $30 donation. To donate securely online, please visit www.georgemasonhighptsa.org/all-nightgrad.html, and scroll down to the PayPal “Donate” button near the bottom of the page. We also hope you’ll follow our planning progress on Facebook at facebook. com/angc2016 and Twitter at twitter.com/ GMHS_ANGC for fundraising updates, donor recognition, upcoming events in the community, and, ultimately, footage of the event itself in June. On behalf of the entire ANGC committee, thank you in advance for helping to keep this important event going in 2016, and beyond! Julie Donnelly is the 2016 chair of the All Night Graduation Celebration.
Q������� �� ��� W��� What are Rep. Comstock’s chances of being re-elected in the 10th District next year? • Very good
• Good
• Not so good
• Not good at all
Last Week’s Question: Will the City Council vote to approve the Mason Row project on Monday?
• Don’t know
Log on to www.FCNP.com to cast your vote
FCNP On-Line polls are surveys, not scientific polls.
[WRITE FOR THE PRESS] The News-Press welcomes readers to send in submissions in the form of Letters to the Editor
& Guest Commentaries. Letters to the Editor should be no more than 350 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four weeks. Guest Commentaries should be no more than 800 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four months. Because of space constraints, not all submissions will be published. All submissions to the News-Press should be original, unpublished content. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar and accuracy. All submissions should include writer’s name, address, phone and e-mail address if available.
Email: letters@fcnp.com | Mail: Letters to the Editor, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church 22046 | Fax: 703.340.0347
TFCE Holiday Ad 2015 4.8 x 5.7
12/14/15
4:29 PM
Page 1
PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
LO CA L
Christmas WITH
THE FALLS CHURCH EPISCOPAL All are Invited Sunday, Dec. 20 Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:00 a.m. “Let There Be Light” Children’s Pageant with Holy Communion in the Main Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. A Service of Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion in the Historic Church
Thursday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. “Godly Play” Children’s Pageant with Holy Communion in the Main Sanctuary
10:00 p.m. Choral and Instrumental Prelude in the Historic Church 10:30 p.m. Festive Holy Communion in the Historic Church
Friday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the Historic Church
115 E. Fairfax Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 • 703.241.0003 www.TheFallsChurch.org
F� � � � C � � � � �
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
NEWS BRIEFS Man Robs 9th Gas Station in Region A man who is linked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to robbing eight gas stations in the Washington, D.C. region has robbed a ninth gas station, according to a report from the Fairfax County Police Department last Friday. Police said that the Sunoco Gas Station located at 2210 Gallows Road in Dunn Loring was robbed on Thursday, Dec. 10 around 4 p.m. by a man fitting the description of a man who is currently being sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after a string of robberies in Northern Virginia, Richmond and Washington, D.C. in the last month. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, an employee of the gas station reported that a man entered the store, loitered for a short time and left. He returned, produced a handgun and demanded money. The clerk complied and the suspect fled. No one was injured, according to police. The suspect is described as white, between 30-35 years old, around 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighs between 160-180 pounds. He has a beard and wore a black shirt and white pants. Fairfax Police detectives believe the Thursday robbery is linked to a series of similar cases being jointly investigated by the FBI and other local law enforcement agencies.
Gun Store Robbed in McLean Two handguns were stolen from Nova Firearms in McLean in the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 11, according to a report from the Fairfax County Police Department. Police said that the owner was monitoring the alarm system and responded to the location at 1389 Chain Bridge Road when the alarm activated. According to the police, the store’s rear door was found damaged and two handguns were missing from inside the store. The suspect fled the area in an unknown vehicle. Nova Firearms, formerly of Falls Church, has announced plans to return to the City and open a new store in the 800 block of W. Broad St.
F.C. Council Votes to Waive Certain Fees The Falls Church City Council Monday night voted 6-0 to give a final OK allowing for a waiver of certain building permit fees in the case of business re-locations in the City where a business has been at a location for more than a year, and is compelled to relocate because of new development that is the result of the granting of a special exception. The waiver would occur when the redevelopment results in an established business in the City relocating to another location in the City. Granted an initial OK on Nov. 23, it was given a unanimous approval Monday. It was noted that the adoption of the ordinance will result in a decrease of revenues. For some business relocations, the permit fees may simply be for a certificate of occupancy of $200, but for businesses requiring a major interior fit out for a new restaurant, for example, the permit fees may exceed $6,000, and therefore the overall impact of this new law will be hard to predict.
Council Defers Zoning Change for Churches The Falls Church City Council Monday voted to defer action on the final approval of a zoning change that would require a special use permit for certain uses now allowed in the City code, such as churches, parish houses and similar religious facilities, as well as mental health facilities. In addition, payday lenders and car title companies were added to the list of uses proposed to be special exception uses. The changes would also allow second story business signs and permit strings of lights in trees and outdoor cafes and plazas in the business districts of the City. Among the intents of a “B-2” downtown business district, it was noted, is “to provide the community with a variety of retail and service-oriented businesses that will respond to various community and consumer needs.” The Planning Commission will hear the item at its January 19 meeting with the idea that it will come back to the City Council for final action on January 25.
Judge Continues One Item of Parents’ Suit Vs. F.C. Schools One aspect of a suit filed by parents of students in the Falls Church City School system, led by former School Board candidate and chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee, Becky Smerdon, was continued by Arlington Circuit Court Judge Daniel S. Fiore last Thursday, while the rest of the complaint was dismissed. In the words of F.C. School Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, in a statement to the News-Press following the trial, “Judge Fiore considered and dismissed petitioners; challenges to Policy 5.12 with the exception of one matter which he took under advisement to give the parties an opportunity to try and come to an agreement on some clarifying language. That lone remaining issue has to do with the role of the School Board liaison with respect to the generation of committee minutes or reports. The School Board is hopeful that it will be possible to finalize revised wording on that issue very soon.”
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 9
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
NOW IS THE TIME TO USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY ONLINE OR IN STORE
COMBINE THEM WITH COUPONS & SALE PRICES! EVEN ON OUR BEST BRANDS—including cosmetics & fragrances! See below for details.
ONE DAY SALE SAT, DEC. 19 7AM-MIDNIGHT
ALSO SHOP FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 7AM-MIDNIGHT
HOURS MAY VARY. SEE MACYS.COM AND CLICK ON STORES FOR DETAILS
FREE SHIPPING ONLINE AT $25 GET IT BY CHRISTMAS
VALID 12/18-12/19/2015. PLUS, FREE RETURNS. U.S. ONLY. EXCLUSIONS APPLY; SEE MACYS.COM/FREERETURNS
WHEN YOU ORDER ON MACYS.COM BY NOON EST ON 12/23 AND CHOOSE PREMIUM SHIPPING
DOORBUSTER
40% + 20% OFF
DOORBUSTERS DOORBUSTER
75% OFF
TOMMY HILFIGER
CLEARANCE
Doorbuster 31.20-33.36.
Doorbuster 9.88-18.75.
Reg. $65-69.50, after 2pm: 45.5048.65. Dress shirts & ties. For example: H WebID 2352931.
Orig.* 39.50-$75, after 2pm: 14.30-37.50. Dress shirts & ties.
DOORBUSTER
DOORBUSTER
JA JOHN ASHFORD Reg. $30-39.50, after 2pm: 19.99.
OUTERWEAR Doorbuster $15-$35. Reg. $60-$140, after 2pm: $30-$70. Girls’ 2-16; boys’ 2-20; infants 3-24 mos. H WebID 2325008 & H 2261581.
9.99
75% OFF
Only at Macy’s.
Flannel or knit tops. Shown: H WebID 968665. DOORBUSTER
DOORBUSTER ALL 8-PC. BED ENSEMBLES Reg. $100, after 2pm: 59.99. Only at Macy’s. By Fairfield Square Collection. Full-king. Shown: new Austin. H WebID
70% OFF
39.99
14K GOLD CHAINS
Doorbuster $75-$2,400.
Reg. $250-$8,000, after 2pm: 87.50-$2,800. For example: H WebID 539830.
2383985.
DOORBUSTERREGULAR
25% OFF
& orig* PRICES
SELECTIONS FOR HER: SPORTSWEAR, SEPARATES AND MORE. MISSES, PETITES & WOMEN
DOORBUSTER
DOORBUSTER
OUTERWEAR Reg./Orig.* $275, after 2pm: $165. Wool-blend and down styles from Anne Klein and more. H WebID 2197513.
CASHMERE SWEATERS Reg. $139, after 2pm: 59.99. Only at Macy’s. From Charter Club in turtlenecks & more styles. Misses & petites. H WebID 2194585. Women’s prices slightly higher.
119.99
39.99
DOORBUSTER DIAMOND RING Reg. $160, after 2pm: $56. Victoria Townsend 1/4 ct. t.w.‡ rose-cut in sterling silver (H WebID 2121179) or 18k gold over sterling silver (H 2121178).
DOORBUSTER
DOORBUSTER ULTRA PLUSH THROW Reg. $40, after 2pm: 19.99.
DOORBUSTER
By Charter Club. Polyester. H WebID
Reg. 39.99-699.99, after 2pm: 29.99-499.99. Shown: KitchenAid Architect 5-qt. stand mixer, #KSM150APS. H WebID 393917.
39.99
$49
CULTURED FRESHWATER PEARLS Reg. $300, after 2pm: $105. 3-pc. set: 7-8mm strand & bracelet and 7mm studs. H WebID 1916747.
15.99
30% + EXTRA 20% OFF MIXERS
Only at Macy’s.
Doorbuster 22.99-415.99.
2465005.
DOORBUSTERREGULAR
2O% OFF
& SALE PRICES
SELECT DRESSES & SUITS FOR MISSES
OR, USE THIS SAVINGS PASS FRIDAY ‘TIL 2PM OR SATURDAY ‘TIL 2PM
1O OFF
EXTRA DOLLARS OFF SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL & HOME ITEMS
$
7 HOURS ONLY! 7AM-2PM FRI & SAT
YOUR PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE.
LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. VALID 12/18 ‘TIL 2PM OR 12/19/15 ‘TIL 2PM.
2O OFF
EXTRA DOLLARS OFF SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE APPAREL & HOME ITEMS
$
YOUR PURCHASE OF $5O OR MORE.
LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. VALID 12/18 ‘TIL 2PM OR 12/19/15 ‘TIL 2PM.
CANNOT BE USED ON DOORBUSTERS OR DEALS OF THE DAY Excludes: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters, Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys, cosmetics/fragrances, electrics/electronics, floor coverings, furniture, mattresses, rugs. Also excludes: athletic apparel, shoes & accessories; Dallas Cowboys merchandise, gift cards, Jack Spade, jewelry trunk shows, Kate Spade, Macy’s Backstage merchandise/locations, New Era, Nike on Field, The North Face, previous purchases, Samsung watches, selected licensed depts., services, special orders, special purchases, Tumi. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.
➤ YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD MAY NOT BE: redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account. If a purchase used to accumulate macy’s money is returned, Macy’s reserves the right to void the macy’s money reward card or reduce the corresponding value. For more information, go to macys.com/macysmoney Fine jewelry doorbusters are only at stores that carry fine jewelry. ➤ REG. & ORIG. PRICES ARE OFFERING PRICES AND SAVINGS MAY NOT BE BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. SOME ORIG. PRICES NOT IN EFFECT DURING THE PAST 90 DAYS. ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 12/18 & 12/19/2015. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE & OTHER SALE PRICES THROUGH 1/2/16, EXCEPT AS NOTED. *Intermediate price reductions may have been taken. ‡All carat weights (ct. t.w.) are approximate; variance may be .05 carat. Jewelry photos may be enlarged or enhanced to show detail. Fine jewelry at select stores; log on to macys.com for locations. Almost all gemstones have been treated to enhance their beauty & require special care, log on to macys.com/gemstones or ask your sales professional. Doorbuster items are available while supplies last. Extra savings are taken off already reduced prices, “doorbuster” prices reflect extra savings. Advertised merchandise may not be carried at your local Macy’s & selection may vary by store. Prices & merchandise may differ at macys.com. Electric items & luggage carry mfrs’ warranties; to see a mfr’s warranty at no charge before purchasing, visit a store or write to: Macy’s Warranty Dept., PO Box 1026, Maryland Heights, MO 63043, attn: Consumer Warranties. N5110998. N5110998A.indd 1
12/10/15 1:05 PM
LE TTE RS
PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
N���-P����
LETTERS
TO THE
Continued from Page 6
Fairfax City Also Has Low Renter’s Insurance Editor, Falls Church has the sixth cheapest renters insurance in Virginia? [Falls Church News-Press, December 3-9, 2015, page RE4]. Nowhere in your full-page article that mentions nearby cities of Alexandria, Leesburg, etc. is there any mention of nearby Fairfax City. Fairfax City is where I currently pay a major insurance provider $115 for a 1,000 square foot residence and $30,000 personal property. That’s just 40 percent of your listed Falls Church average insurance premium of $295. Omitted data = skewed results. Donald E. White Fairfax
Real Issue in Recent U.S. Attacks is Gun Violence Editor, As member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association my heartfelt condolences go out to the victims and their families. We also condemn such innocent attacks on humanity such as the San Bernardino attacks of December 2. Before any investigative reports providing evidence of the perpetrators being radicalized surfaced, countless individuals on social media spread the usual hatred towards Muslims. Compare this to the attack at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs where Robert Dear, a Christian, took the life of three people and left nine wounded. Strikingly, no Christians were called upon to condemn this as antiChristian. Furthermore, Dear was not described as a terrorist but his actions certainly could be described as “the use of violence for political purposes.” The hypocrisy of these actions is clearly visible and should be addressed instead of letting some small minded bigots destroy the good image of society. The real issue that needs to be addressed here is gun violence as there are almost 30 homicides per one million people in the U.S. which is three times greater than Switzerland, the next developed
EDITOR
country with eight homicides per one million people. There are countless occasions where people on social media have suggested as much as a genocide against Muslims. It is really important for us as Americans to stand united against all this bigotry and also should ensure the safety of all Americans from Islamophobic backlash and gun violence as the numbers are increasing by the day. Arsalan Ahmad Khan Woodbridge Under Contract
Charming Cape Cod house- 4BR/2BA, 3 levels with family and dining rooms addition. Updated and open kitchen. Updated baths. New Price $575,000
6804 Jefferson Ave. Falls Church, VA 22042
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
[ LET TERS ] Send us a letter and let us know what you think. Email letters@fcnp.com
“2-Night Free Vacation!”
Fax 703-342-0347 Mail or drop off Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls Street #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
OPEN SUNDAY 2-4PM
Beautiful, large open floor plan. Huge addition w updated kit. 5BR /3BA, 2 car garage. Over one half acre. WOW! Amazing new price! $975,000
2114 Great Falls St. Falls Church, VA 22043
Bethany Ellis REALTOR®, SRES, e-PRO, Corporate Relocation Specialist NVAR Lifetime Top Producer & Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club
McLean Sales Office: 703-790-1990 office
1355 Beverly Road, Suite 109 McLean, VA 22101
703-307-7003 preferred
Donate A Boat or Car Today!
bethany.ellis@longandfoster.com www.buyandsellwithbethany.com
1- 800 - CAR - ANGE L
w w w.boatangel.com
sponsored by boat angel outreach centers
STOP CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
Unleash your hidden superpowers Become a foster parent Kids in our community need super parents like you.
Call us today! 855-367-8637 www.umfs.org
FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STICKING DOORS? BOUNCY * FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASE MENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, BUGS, RODENTS? FOUNDA TION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STICKING DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? *Any job over $3,000. Good only when presented at time of free inspection. Not to be combined with any other offer. STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD Foundation & Structural Repair • Concrete Lifting PROBLEMS? & FUNGUS? TERMITES, BUGS, RODENTS? FOUNDATION CRACKED UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY Crawl BRICKS? Space Moisture Control • Basement Waterproofing SMELLS? STICKING DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WIN DOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, BUGS, RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? Jesse Waltz, PE & Stella Waltz STICKING DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY Owners CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUN FUNGUS? TERMITES, BUGS RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STICKING DOORS? BOUNCY www.jeswork.com FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, BUGS, RODENTS? FOUN
SAVE $500 FREE
INSPECTION & ESTIMATE 888-876-3113
SMELLS? STICKING ING DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WIN
VirginiaPress_2015_3.22x4.indd 5
7/16/2015 10:09:17 AM
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
LO CA L
DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015 | PAGE 11
F.C. Original Pancake House Hosts Free Christmas Breakfast BY PATRICIA LESLIE
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
On Christmas Day at the Original Pancake House in Falls Church owner Jeff Bulman will make a pancake smoothie for several severely disabled guests who are unable to swallow solid food. They will be among the more than 1,300 visitors who will eat at no cost to them on Christmas morning at the Original Pancake House’s annual breakfast for the area’s disadvantaged residents. Coats, scarves, hats and gloves will be offered to each attendee to take home, and the 200 or so children who come will each receive a new toy and a book. Falls Church residents help by volunteering and by bringing in their new (or almost new) coats and gear, and some donate to the cause. “I just love doing this,” Bulman said. “I’m Jewish and I get all religions coming in [to help] and they are thrilled to do it.” On the menu are coffee, milk, orange juice, scrambled eggs, bacon and – would you believe? – pancakes which are served on plates. “We use no Styrofoam, except for the kids’ orange juice cups,” said Bulman. “I want them to feel like it’s quite a special day.” About 150 customers will begin arriving at 8:30 a.m. for the first shift which will last about 45 minutes and is followed by other shifts which continue until early afternoon, and everyone eats. Everyone has a “timed entry” ticket for admission.
Guests sign up for the breakfast at area shelters and homeless centers which transport them to and from the restaurant, and Bulman rents a bus or two to shuttle Christmas Day customers who need rides. “Everyone is invited,” Bulman said. “It’s quite a happening over here,” he happily proclaimed in this, the thirteenth year of operation. The restaurant has “a bowl out in the store” for contributions to the event which regular customer make before Christmas, Bulman said, and some donate $100 or $200. So far this year $800 has been spent to buy hoodies, blankets, fleeces and toys and the Original Pancake House makes up the cash difference needed for purchases. “We used to get all the food donated, but things have tightened up quite a bit. Eggs have gone through the roof,” Bulman said. A vendor is trying to get him an egg discount. To accommodate all the winter gear and toys for Christmas Day giving, Bulman rents a storage locker which is emptied on Christmas Eve, and the goods are brought to the restaurant. High school students will help sort the clothing, including the daughter of Falls Church Council member Marybeth Connelly, Bulman said. What the Pancake House needs at this late date are musicians or singers who would like to perform holiday sounds and make the event more festive. This year 75 volunteers have signed up to cook, serve, refill cof-
DINERS AT ORIGINAL PANCAKE House �ix a plate at the restaurant’s annual Christmas Day Breakfast in the photo above. The breakfast is offered for free for the area’s disadvantaged residents. One of the specialty dishes that Original Pancake House owner Jeff Bulman makes is the pancake smoothie, which is made for severely disabled guests who are unable to swallow solid food. Volunteers help prepare meals for the breakfast in the photo on the right. (P�����: C������� �� J��� B�����)
fee cups, bus tables, clean up and wash dishes, and there’s a waiting list of more who are eager to help. Key to the successful operation are Bulman’s volunteer managers Risa Sanders, Annie Turner and Karen Bergin. Sanders began working as a volunteer eight years ago with her husband and son, Zack, who then was in the sixth grade. “I really fell in love” with the celebration, Risa Sanders said,
and she now recruits volunteers, many who return to help year after year as she and her son do. “It’s a really dedicated group.” Bergin, a social worker by day, has been volunteering about ten years at the Original Pancake House. This year, she said, someone collected 100 pairs of new socks to give away. The whole event “really touches me,” Bergin said. Every year “goes smoothly,”
Bulman said.”It’s just great. I just love seeing everyone come in and enjoy themselves.” Bulman and his brother have restaurants in Rockville and Bethesda where clothing giveaways and Christmas breakfast are celebrated, too. Donations are welcome at the Falls Church Original Pancake House at 7395 Lee Highway through Christmas Eve. Call 703698-6292 for more information.
Come worship with us this Christmas season! Sunday, December 20 - 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Worship Services Monday, December 21 - 7:30 p.m. The Longest Night Service for Hope and Healing Christmas Eve - 4:30 p.m. Family Worship Service 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service (Nursery childcare available at both services) Sunday, December 27 - 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Worship Services December 31 - 7-11 p.m. New Year’s Eve Watch Night – Live music, kids’ activities and more! 225 East Broad Street Falls Church, VA • 703-532-6518 • www.fallschurchpresby.org
PAGE 12 | DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015
LO CA L
News-Press
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Community News & Notes F.C.’s Kline Recognized by Cabot Creamery Co-Op Falls Church resident David Kline was recognized by Cabot Creamery Cooperative, the New England and upstate New York farm-family owned dairy cooperative, for his volunteer efforts with Volunteer Fairfax. Kline volunteers as a supervised visitation monitor for the county’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to keep families connected in the wake of domestic incidents that separate children from their parents. He joined 57 honorees from across the country who were recognized on the Cabot Community Celebrity Cruise, along with Cabot staff and special honorees selected from program partners AARP Create the Good, National Cooperative Bank and Points of Light’s HandsOn Network on the six-day, seven-night excursion November 14 – 21.
The Community Celebrities were flown from their hometowns and boarded the Celebrity Cruise ship Reflection in Miami, which made stops in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
F.C. Non-Profit Holds Arts & Crafts Workshop Global Assistance Management and Training, a nonprofit based in Falls Church, held an Arts & Crafts Workshop and Silent Auction on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Falls Church Community Center. The event was a fundraiser for the Fisher House Foundation supporting the families of Wounded Warriors. For more information, visit globalamt.org.
Falls Church Wrestler Wins Midwest Nationals Falls Church resident Felix Chang won first place in the
America Crown Midwest Nationals wrestling tournament in the 10-year-old heavyweight division on Saturday, Dec. 6 in Des Moines, Iowa. It was Chang’s first time winning the Midwest Grand Nationals and his eleventh national wrestling tournament win. Earlier this year, Chang won first place in the America Crown Pre-Season Nationals wrestling tournament in the 10-yearold heavyweight division at the Cowles Fieldhouse on the campus of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He also won the Most Valuable Wrestler award at the event.
bring in their favorite Nintendo Wii games to play at the library. Registration is required for the event and the event is limited to 15 participants. For more information or to register, call 703248-5034.
Santa Claus Visits James Lee Community Center James Lee Community Center will be holding its annual Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the community center, located at 2855
Annandale Road, Falls Church. The event is co-sponsored by the James Lee Community Center Advisory Council and the King Tyre Lodge. Breakfast at this free family event will served from 10 – 11 a.m., with a visit Santa following breakfast. The community center is looking for volunteers for the event and is also seeking donations in the form of gifts for children ages 9 – 12. Those interested in volunteering or donating can contact Zurii Conroy at 703-246-5755 or Zurii.Conroy@ fairfaxcounty.gov.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library Holds Wii Game Day Mary Riley Styles Public Library at 120 N. Virginia Avenue is holding a Wii Game Day on Monday, Dec. 21 from 3 – 4 p.m. Children in grades 2 – 5 can
THE NEW ‘HAPPY TART BAKERY’ on S. Maple in Falls Church last week donated a special ginger bread house in the form of the Creative Cauldron’s venue for its holiday production of ‘Madeline and the Gypsies’ to the second annual Falls Church Tree Fest held at the Falls Church Community Center on Sunday, Dec. 6. (Photo: News-Press)
A LOCAL YOUNGSTER uses a loom at the Global Assistance Management and Training Arts & Crafts Workshop and Silent Auction on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Falls Church Community Center. (Courtesy Photo)
Send Us Your News & Notes!
The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!
Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 200 Little Falls St. #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
McLean Community Center Announces January Events
Barnes & Noble January Events Include Lego Event
The McLean Community Center recently announced its slate of events for the month of January, which includes an improv comedy show, auditions for a play based on a classic children’s book and the center’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The first community center event of the new year is an improv comedy show that will be held at the Old Firehouse Teen Center, located at 1440 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. The Unruly Theatre Project Improv Comedy Show, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 8 from 7:30 – 9 p.m., is free. Auditions will be held on Monday, Jan. 11 and Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 7:30 – 8 p.m. for The Alden’s production of “Sideways Stories from Wayside School,” the classic story of a school that’s 30 stories tall by Louis Sachar. Only children between the ages of 10 – 16 who live in the McLean Community Center’s tax district will be allowed to audition for the show. For more information, contact Kathleen Herr at kathleen. herr@fairfaxcounty.gov. Then, on Sunday, Jan. 17, the McLean Community Center will hold its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, which features a speech by Peggy Wallace Kennedy entitled “A Walk to Redemption.” Tickets for that speech are $10 for McLean Community Center tax district residents and $25 for everyone else. For more information or to see the full slate of January events at the McLean Community Center, visit mcleancenter.org.
Barnes & Noble Tysons, located at 7851-L Tysons Corner Center, McLean, recently announced its January schedule of events, which include an opportunity to help build the store’s new Lego Skyline in-store display. The store is having several children’s storytime events, including the Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast Storytime event, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. and the Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes Storytime event, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble Tysons will hold an Educator Appreciation Day on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 1 – 4 p.m. During the event grade school educators are invited to the store for special discounts, giveaways and events. On Saturday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m., the store is holding an event called All Aboard! Ticket to Ride Game Event during which customers of all ages can learn to play the popular Ticket to Ride strategy board game. Finally, on Saturday, Jan. 30, adults and children ages 14 and over can gather at the store to help build the store’s Lego Skyline display. For more information, call 703-506-2937 or email crm2238@ bn.com.
Local Vets Organization Asks For Brassiere Donations Chapter 227 of the Vietnam Veterans of America are asking the community to donate new and gently used brassieres for distribution to veterans and their families
LO CA L at 2016 Winterhaven Standdown at the Washington, D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Used bras should be gently washed or dry cleaned. Bras can be mailed to P.O. Box 5653, Arlington, Va. 22205-0653. They can also be delivered to the chapter’s holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 12, the January 7 board meeting or the January 21 membership meeting. For more information, visit vva227.org.
DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015 | PAGE 13
Long Branch Nature Center Hosts Winter Walk The Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, located at 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, is hosting a winter walk through the woods of Glencarlyn Park on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. for adults and children ages two and over. There also might be some tree identification that may take place during the course of the walk. Participants in the walk will meet at Long Branch Nature Center and venture out from there. Registration is required for the event. Admission costs $5. For more information, call 703-228-6535. Correction: Last week, we ran the schedule of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department’s Santamobile in an article called “Santamobile Readies for Tour of Greater Falls Church.” In it, we said that the Santamobile program starts on Monday, Dec. 15 and lasts through Tuesday, Dec. 23. The program started on Tuesday, Dec. 15 and lasts through Wednesday, Dec. 23.
Planning for All Ages & All Needs Wills & Trusts Special Needs Planning Medicaid Planning
Guardianships Probate Trustee or Agent Services
NEEDHAM MITNICK & POLLACK
PLC
703-536-7778 400 S. MAPLE AVENUE, SUITE 210, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22046 WWW.NMPATTORNEYS.COM INFO@NMPATTORNEYS.COM
With warm wishes to our clients, friends and associates this holiday season! We value your trust and thank you for seeing us this past year! We Will Be OPEN Thurs., Dec. 24th • 9AM -1PM
We Will Be CLOSED Fri ., Dec . 25 th and Sat ., Dec . 26 th
Enjoy A Happy And Safe Holiday With Family & Friends!
A ROTATING QUARTET of talented musicians from George Mason High School entertained folks looking in on the annual Falls Church Tree Fest held at the Falls Church Community Center on Sunday, Dec. 6. The trees were provided by non-profits in the City that citizens then bid on with their winning contributions then going to those non-profits. (Photo: News-Press)
701 W. Broad St. (Rte 7) Falls Church VA
703-237-6500
www.pointofvieweyewear.com
PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015
NATI O NA L
A Year of Unearthed Memories Childhood fears and adult traumas are stored differently in the brain than happy memories. They are buried like porous capsules deep in the primitive regions, below awareness and beyond easy reach of conscious thinking and talking. They are buried so deep that they are separated from the normal flow of life, and so time cannot work its natural healing powers. There is a vast psychological literature on the diverse ways people are held back by these hidden capsules. Often, they don’t feel fully grounded or empowered. Some people experience a longstanding but vague sense of unease about the crucial matters of life, a tangled, inchoate sense of depression in the heart that is hard to pinpoint and articulate. The symptoms differ according to the nature of the hidden memories. Some people dissociate from their experiences, NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE detaching themselves emotionally from their surroundings. Some feel compartmentalized, as though they are actors trapped in many roles at once. Some fear making commitments because of the ways past bonds have been simultaneously loving and frightening. Some suffer from nightmares, or numb themselves through substance abuse, or have their emotions powerfully undone by certain triggers. There are hundreds of psychological methods that try to unearth the memory capsules and restore a sense of empowerment. The process is hard. As Judith Herman writes in Trauma and Recovery, “The conflict between the will to deny horrible events and the will to proclaim them aloud is the central dialectic of psychological trauma.” But people with patience and resolve can look forward to a life in the sunshine. They face their fears, integrate the good and bad memories – recognizing that many different truths lie side by side. After years, many build a sturdy sense of self and make lasting commitments that bring joy, strength and peace. The parallel is inexact, but peoples and cultures also have to deal with the power of hard memories. Painful traumas and experiences can be passed down generation to generation, whether it is exile, defeat or oppression. These memories affect both the victims’ and the victimizers’ cultures. Many of the issues we have been dealing with in 2015 revolve around unhealed cultural memories: how to acknowledge past wrongs and move forward into the light. The most obvious case involves U.S. race relations. So much of the national conversation this year has concerned how to think about past racism and oppression, and the power of that past to shape present realities: the Confederate flag, Woodrow Wilson, the unmarked sights of the lynching grounds. Fortunately, many people have found the courage to tell the ugly truths about slavery, Jim Crow and current racism that were repressed by the wider culture. Many of the protests on campus and other places have been about unearthing memory or asserting a narrative, or, at their worst, coercing other narratives into silence. There have been pleasant and unpleasant episodes during all this, but overall, you’d have to say this has been a good and necessary stage in the nation’s journey. Unhealed cultural memories have shaped other policy areas. In the Middle East, Sunnis and Shiites are battling bloodily over competing pasts. In its sick way, the Islamic State is driven by historical humiliation. Thus, we find ourselves involved at all levels in the therapy of memory. I’d only mention three concepts that might be useful going forward. The first is Miroslav Volf’s notion of soft difference. The person who feels that diversity is filled with hard differences sees the world divided between his group and the alien. A demagogue like Donald Trump offers the following bigoted choice: Submit or be rejected. The person who sees diversity as characterized by soft differences allows others the space to be themselves and sees her mission as one of witness and constant invitation. The second is the distinction between blame and responsibility. Where there is blame, there must be atonement and change. If you emigrated from Norway to the United States last year, you’re not to blame for the history of racism, but as a new American, you probably have a responsibility to address it. An ethos of responsibility is less defensive than an ethos of blame and provides a better context for cooperation, common action and radical acceptance. The third is the danger of asymmetric rhetoric. If one person in a conversation takes the rhetorical level up to 10 every time, the other person has to rebut at Level 10 and turn monstrous, or retreat into resentful silence. Rhetorical passion, which feels so good, can destroy conversation and mar truth and reconciliation. Even after a tough year, we are born into a story that has a happy ending. Wrongs can be recognized, memories unearthed, old hurts recognized and put into context. What’s the point of doing this unless you’re fueled by hope and comforted by grace?
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
David Brooks
Hope from Paris Did the Paris climate accord save civilization? Maybe. That may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but it’s actually the best climate news we’ve had in a very long time. This agreement could still follow the path of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which seemed like a big deal but ended up being completely ineffectual. But there have been important changes in the world since then, which may finally have created the preconditions for action on global warming before it’s too late. Until very recently there were two huge roadblocks in the way of any kind of global deal on climate: China’s soaring consumption of coal, and the implacable opposition of America’s Republican NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE Party. The first seemed to mean that global greenhouse emissions would rise inexorably no matter what wealthy countries did, while the second meant that the biggest of those wealthy countries was unable to make credible promises, and hence unable to lead. But there have been important changes on both fronts. On one side, there is a visible shift in Chinese attitudes – or at any rate, a shift that would be visible if the smog weren’t so thick. Seriously, China faces a huge air quality crisis, brought on largely by coal-burning, which makes it far more willing to wean itself from the worst form of fossil fuel consumption. And China’s economic growth – real income per capita has quadrupled since 1997 – also means that it has a rapidly growing middle class that demands a higher quality of life, including air that’s relatively safe to breathe. So China is playing a very different role now than it did in the past. One indicator: Some of the usual suspects on the right have suddenly changed their line. They used to argue that U.S. emission limits would be useless, because China would just keep polluting; now they’re starting to argue that U.S. action isn’t necessary, because China will cut coal consumption whatever we do. Which brings us to the U.S. Republican attitudes haven’t changed, except for the worse: The GOP is spiraling ever deeper into a black hole of denial and anti-science conspiracy theorizing. The game-changing news is that this may not matter as much as we thought. It’s true that America can’t take broad-based action on climate without new legislation, and that
Paul Krugman
won’t happen as long as Republicans retain a lock on the House. But President Barack Obama has moved to limit emissions from power plants — a big part of the solution we need — through executive action. And this move has already had the effect of restoring U.S. climate credibility abroad, letting Obama take a leading role in Paris. Still, what reason is there to believe that the accord will really change the world’s trajectory? Nations have agreed both to emission targets and to regular review of their success or failure in meeting those targets, but there are no penalties other than censure for countries that fail to deliver. And achieving those emission targets would definitely hurt some powerful special interests, since it would mean leaving most of the world’s remaining fossil fuels in the ground, never to be burned. So what will stop the fossil fuel industry from buying enough politicians to turn the accord into a dead letter? The answer, I’d suggest, is that new technology has fundamentally changed the rules. Many people still seem to believe that renewable energy is hippie-dippy stuff, not a serious part of our future. Either that, or they have bought into propaganda that portrays it as some kind of liberal boondoggle. The reality, however, is that costs of solar and wind power have fallen dramatically, to the point where they are close to competitive with fossil fuels even without special incentives – and progress on energy storage has made their prospects even better. Renewable energy has also become a big employer, much bigger these days than the coal industry. This energy revolution has two big implications. The first is that the cost of sharp emission reductions will be much less than even optimists used to assume – dire warnings from the right used to be mostly nonsense, but now they’re complete nonsense. The second is that given a moderate boost – the kind that the Paris accord could provide – renewable energy could quickly give rise to new interest groups with a positive stake in saving the planet, offering an offset to the Kochs and suchlike. Of course, it could easily go all wrong. President Ted Cruz or President Marco Rubio might scuttle the whole deal, and by the time we get another chance to do something about climate it could be too late. But it doesn’t have to happen. I don’t think it’s naive to suggest that what came out of Paris gives us real reason to hope in an area where hope has been all too scarce. Maybe we’re not doomed after all.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
NATI O NA L
A Fear Mongering GOP Debate
It is clear from Tuesday’s GOP presidential candidates’ debate in Las Vegas that the principal role assigned Donald Trump in this process has been to provide cover for other even more dangerous candidates to harden their obsessive policy stands that amount to little more than perpetual brinksmanship and war. Ironically, while Trump heightens anxieties and fears bellowing about the full array of defensive, police state social aspects of a dystopian world, such as walls and moats, bans and blackouts, he is providing a context for other candidates – Bush, Rubio, Christie and Cruz, most importantly – to offer escalated scenarios for offensive, military interventionist involvement in the middle east and elsewhere. Effective as he is at ginning up FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS hysteria in a population a lot of which never shed racist attitudes during nearly seven years of President Obama, as intimidating as he is as the image of the “strong man” leader, and as useful as he is to the “military industrial complex” in pushing the envelope against basic civil liberties by calling for an all-out ban on allowing Muslims into the U.S., and even more ominously, restricting access to the Internet, there’s one noteworthy thing that Trump lacks to be the ideal candidate for those who would be the masters of this process. What ultimately disqualifies Trump, in the eyes of these masters, is his opposition to what the U.S. has done militarily beginning with the invasion of Iraq and his eager willingness to let Putin help in the destruction of ISIS. Note the extent to which Trump went in the debate Tuesday to repeatedly rail against the “waste” of $4 trillion on U.S. military involvement since the invasion of Iraq that could have been put better to domestic uses, such as infrastructure renovations. So, while Trump will continue to be allowed to clear the field, so to speak, first of the same kinds of token candidates the GOP permitted last time – the African-American, the woman – and then of any obstacles to the most extreme of pro-war intentions, don’t be surprised if Trump gradually begins to fade while his war monger opponents begin to rise. The problem for those masters is two-fold: first, to actually engineer the slow demise of Trump while allowing him to carry along a sizable fear- and racist-based constituency and secondly, to see who among the other candidates can demonstrate the chops to make the general election next November truly competitive. On the second point, nothing is yet clear. Jeb Bush has been a huge disappointment for them to date, even if he played a bigger part in the invasion of Iraq through his founding role in the war-obsessed gaggle of neo-cons making up the Project for a New American Century than his brother in the White House. Among Bush’s biggest problems is his last name, the long and the short of it. Many Trump supporters would never migrate over to Bush for just that reason. To be an “outsider” to the Washington establishment is an unconditional precondition for a vast majority of Trump’s populist devotees. The other significant contenders, while they’ve been falling all over each other to out-Trump Trump, have not shown they could actually be effective in the general election against Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. They’ve simply crafted their images to be too extremist. Rand Paul was right Tuesday when he characterized Christie’s claim that he’d shoot Russian fighter planes out of the sky in Syria as “a prescription for World War III.” Yes, these nut cases would not know when or how to prevent a total conflagration, and while the “military industrial complex” wants the U.S. committed to a perpetual war, not many have an appetite for a nuclear conflagration. At that level it becomes obviously self-defeating, although some may think such a scenario could be a winner for them. Another quickly-suppressed subject was Cruz’ claim that the new meta-data legislation allows for more, not less, total surveillance of the U.S. population. CNN’s disingenuous role in the debate was to frame it entirely as a response to the great fear that Americans are supposed to be feeling right now.
DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015 | PAGE 15
Nicholas F. Benton
Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.
First Time at a Gun Show I was in San Antonio on Saturday for the college graduation of a nephew when one of my brothers, the one who’s a gun collector, invited me to a local gun show. As he put it, “If you’re gonna write about it, you need to see it.” I jumped at the chance. As we drove to the Austin Highway Gun Show, we dove headfirst into our gun debate. He seemed determined to convince me of the futility of many of the national gun control measures now being debated and how they would do little to block criminals from acquiring weapons or mass killers from using weapons. I was determined to convince him that some new measures were needed to at least put a dent in this country’s abominable gun death numbers. Indeed, as the Los Angeles Times has noted: “Of 33,636 deaths from firearms counted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013, some 62 percent, or 21,175, were suicides, and about 11 percent of those were of people ages 5 to 24. NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE Accidental shootings accounted for 505 deaths, including 69 victims ranging in age from less than 1 year to 14 years.” My brother and I could both agree that those numbers were too high; we simply disagreed on how best to address it. One area of agreement was to stop the opposition to smart guns – those that can only be fired by their owners or those that are authorized. I framed my argument this way: Don’t focus on criminals first; focus on responsible gun owners first. Shouldn’t those owners, who may simply want a gun for an extra layer of protection, also have the option of buying a gun that they could be sure a small child couldn’t find and use to accidentally shoot a sibling, a friend or themselves? Shouldn’t those parents have the option of owning a gun that a depressed teen couldn’t use to commit suicide? Shouldn’t they also have the option of owning a gun that a burglar couldn’t steal and use on the rightful owner or take and use in another crime? These guns, which rely on fingerprint-access technology or radio waves to allow the gun to be fired, could put a huge dent in the number of suicides and accidental deaths. This seems to me one possible step among many. He also didn’t oppose universal background checks.
Charles M. Blow
My brother’s agreement on this point was a reasonable concession by a reasonable man. Indeed, when we arrived at the gun show – held in a rather nondescript event center with harsh overhead lighting – the one thing my brother wanted to impress upon me was just how “normal” most people were, not the “gun nuts” people accuse them of being. He had a point, but the somewhat festive environment felt a bit at odds with all the firearms. I was also surprised at how little security there seemed to be. It occurred to me that I had gone through more security at the airport than I had at the gun show. Inside, there were elderly couples and whole families. I paid particular attention to the children I saw, like the adorable little girl who rode her father’s shoulder as he inspected the wares and the little boy, slumped in this mother’s arms, seemingly slipping off to sleep. Overall, the word that kept popping into my head was how “pedestrian” it all seemed, especially as I watched my brother – a gregarious man who has never met a person to whom he wouldn’t speak and with whom he wouldn’t laugh – chat up and chuckle with other collectors he recognized from the gun show circuit. I thought of how productive it would be if more people with discordant views on gun regulations could have as civil a discussion as I had with my brother – full of mutual respect, adults disagreeing but not attempting to demonize, honestly searching for solutions. The gun lobby poisons these conversations. It pumps out and promotes a never-ending stream of worst-case scenarios until it builds a level of fear and paranoia that only profits gun makers and grinds all progress to a halt. Indeed, the Austin Highway Gun Show itself published on its Facebook page on Dec. 9 an image of a gun and a Bible with the caption: “History has shown that these are the first two things banned by totalitarian governments.” But, I must also say that, to a lesser degree, some proponents of better regulations also do damage by painting with too broad a brush and labeling the millions of gun hunters, collectors and people simply seeking to provide an extra layer of protections for their families – people like my brother and his gun show buddies – as deranged and deficient. Most are not. Many are simply enthusiasts like my brother and the elderly man who climbed out of an SUV as we were about to leave. My brother bellowed, as is his wont, “How you doing today?” The man responded with a smile, “Any day I can go to a gun show is a good day.”
CO MME NT
PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross
The generosity of Mason District and Northern Virginia residents is remarkable, as evidenced by the results of the third blanket and coat drive for Syrian refugees, organized and sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. The first blanket drive, in 2013, gathered about 30,000 pounds of blankets, which were shipped to Turkey, gratis, by Maersk Line, the shipping conglomerate. The blankets were distributed in the Syrian refugee camps in Turkey by a Turkish non-profit similar to the American Red Cross. In 2014, nearly 40,000 pounds of blankets were shipped, and this year, with a broadened collection area extending to Richmond, 120,000 pounds (60 tons) of blankets and coats were shipped. The idea of a blanket drive was initiated by local leaders who visited Turkey on a legislative mission as guests of the Turkish-American Friendship Fund. One of their stops was at a refugee camp, where tens-ofthousands of Syrian refugees – men, woman, and children – had fled from war and violence in their home country. Many families had left in the middle of the night with little more than those clothes they were wearing and perhaps a valise or two. Housed in tents, with winter approaching, their plea was for blankets, any kind of blanket that would help ward off the winter temperatures. The word went out, local Supervisor’s offices served as collection points, and the blankets began to appear, a trickle at first, and then a torrent – handmade quilts, crocheted afghans, duvets, baby blankets, brand-new blankets still in their store packaging – extended from the office door to the hallway and into the lobby. Individuals, church groups, and businesses all contributed, in staggering amounts. ThatT:7”
was in 2013, and the amounts have increased exponentially each year since. Thankfully, the Maersk Lines continue to support the shipments across the seas, along with local storage companies who transport the donations to Maersk ports. In times of need, here at home or thousands of miles away, Northern Virginians respond, generously and enthusiastically, to calls for assistance. Although the blanket drive is completed for this year, there still are needs to be met, and local non-profits, like Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) and Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), provide services and accept donations for our neighbors who need help, not just during this season of giving, but all year long. A big THANK YOU to all the donors and volunteers! You help make our community thrive. Each year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopts a Legislative Program, asking the Virginia General Assembly to consider in the upcoming session in Richmond. The overarching priority for 2016, as discussed in previous columns, is K-12 education funding. The state must provide its fair share of funding, which has decreased dramatically since 2008, affecting every school division in the Commonwealth. The Board’s adopted Legislative Program may be accessed online at www.fairfaxcounty/gov. Click on “Board of Supervisors” and the Legislative Program, as well as the Human Services Issue Paper, is in the right hand column. Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
YOU THINK SOMETHING MAY BE WRONG. THE ANSWER IS NOT STARING YOU IN THE FACE. Avoiding eye contact is one early sign of autism. Learn the others today at autismspeaks.org/signs. Early diagnosis can make a lifetime of difference.
Delegate Marcus Simon’s
Richmond Report
T:4.875”
The Governor is in Richmond today to present his 2016-2018 two year budget plan to the joint money committees of the House and Senate. Some details have been released in advance, and thanks to an improving economy we can look forward to substantial increases in K-12 education funding, funding for Veterans programs, and a tax cut. Unfortunately my column deadline was early in the week, so the details will have to wait for a future column. In lieu of a budget update, my December column will be a look back at the year that was. 2015: A Musical Review Regular readers of this column and my e-newsletters already know that I use music lyrics to set the theme for my periodic missives. A hook, I hope, to get you to read the substance. This year I got off to a running start (to the tune of Steppenwolf’s Get Your Motor Runnin’) as the House of Delegates convened for its shorter 45-day session in January. I had an ambitious legislative agenda that included carrying the Governor’s bill to restore Virginia’s one-handgun per month purchase limit, the repeal of Virginia’s same sex marriage ban, and a $15.15 minimum wage proposal. Of course, as session went on, and many of those proposals died quiet deaths in subcommittees, I vowed to take Taylor Swift’s advice and Shake It Off. My email soliciting your opinion on the big issues of the session were prefaced with lyrics from Information Society’s I Wanna Know What You’re Thinking and as we neared the deadline for final action on bills, I used The Eagles’ Life in the Fast Lane to describe the pace of work in Richmond. At the end of the session, a number of my less controversial bills became law, the General Assembly reached a budget deal a day early and “The Lego Movie’s” Everything is Awesome was the song of the moment. Of course, it wouldn’t have been right not to include “Frozen’s” Do You Want to Build a Snowman in a winter weather advisory e-newsletter. Once session ended, I generally send e-newsletters less frequently, but that doesn’t mean that the lyrical review ends. To invite constituents to a petition signing event to get me on the 2015 ballot, The Muppets’ Together Again seemed appropriate. In March, I received the lowest
© 2013 Autism Speaks Inc. “Autism Speaks” and “It’s time to listen” & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved. The child depicted has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
This advertisement was prepared by BBDO New York
CLIENT: PRODUCT: JOB#: SPACE: BLEED: TRIM: SAFETY: GUTTER: PUBS: ISSUE: TRAFFIC: ART BUYER: ACCOUNT: RETOUCH:
BBDO Internal Eye Contact P35136_C Half Page: 4/C None 7” x 4.875” None None None None Donna McDonald None None Steve Lakeman
Filename: P35136_C_BBD_GEN_V4.indd Proof #: 4
Path: Studio:Volumes:Studio:MECHANIC...chanicals:P35136_C_BBD_GEN_V4.indd Operators: Santoro, Jonathan / Susalis, Tracie
Created: 5-21-2013 11:14 AM Saved: 5-28-2013 4:33 PM Printed: 5-28-2013 4:34 PM Print Scale: None
Fonts Minion Pro (Regular), Gotham (Medium, Book), Archer (Semibold), Helvetica Neue (47 Light Condensed) Graphic Name Color Space Eff. Res. halfpage1.psd (CMYK; 300 ppi), AS_12_FLogo_STK_cmyk_www.EPS, adcouncillogo_WHITE.psd (CMYK; 581 ppi)
Ink Names Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
grade on the Tea Party’s legislative scorecard; considering that a win, Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy made its debut. Keeping the theme alive, my 2015 campaign kickoff also had a rock and roll theme with Billy Joel’s It’s Still Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me. The Beatles’ classic Taxman led the e-mail previewing the reconvene session, when the General Assembly returns to Richmond to consider the Governor’s amendments and vetoes, since it fell on tax day, April 15. We spent a good deal of time debating the omnibus ethics reform bill. For information on I-66, Steve Miller Band’s The Mercury Blues fit quite nicely as did Minnie Riperton’s Loving You when commemorating National Loving Day. On July 1, the day new laws go into effect in Virginia, you might have wondered why I was quoting Queen’s Bicycle Race, until you read further and learned a number of new laws protecting cyclists had been added to the books. As the year went on, and state revenue forecasts came in above expectations, we went with the obvious We’re In The Money. Elton John’s I’ve Seen That Movie Too was the perfect lead in to my report on our August Special Session on redistricting, full of plot twists and a surprise ending when the Senate adjourned abruptly, saving a Supreme Court justice, but scuttling any hope of drawing a new congressional map. Moving into the fall and election season, Radiohead’s Electioneering and Alice Cooper’s Elected were a perfect match. The Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night and Revolution provided the backdrop for an election thank you and for a request for legislation ideas for 2016. Most recently, Ziggy Marley’s Changes highlighted the first three bills I introduced as well as the many ideas I received from my readers. I have received a lot of positive feedback about my e-newsletter format and am excited to continue the lyrical tradition into 2016. If you’d like to sign up for my e-newsletter and never miss a single lyrical update, please go to my webpage, www. MarcusSimon.com, and click Sign Up on the right hand side. Delegate Simon represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be emailed at DelMSimon@house. virginia.gov
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
A nyt hing
b ut
S traigh t
A Truth-Challenged GOP The great paradox of modern politics: The more pious the candidate, the more likely he or she resembles Pinocchio. In the 2016 campaign, talk of morals equals mendacity and professed faith equals falsehoods. The Republican Party, in particular, has become an assembly line of lies, where a stunning array of fabrications competes with outright fraudulent statements. PolitiFact rated the candidates, and other key politicians, on the percentage of the time they made true or false statements. Republicans took the honors of the top 10 biggest fibbers. Strikingly, Christian conservatives topped the list, with a special penchant to lie for the Lord. Seventh-day Adventist, Ben Carson, who has a painting on his wall of himself and Jesus in robes, was the biggest fabricator. PolitiFact lists 84 percent of Carson’s statements as “Mostly False and Worse.” He was closely trailed by Donald Trump at 76 percent, although, Trump bested Carson in the worst “Pants on Fire” category. I’m sure this excited Trump, who likes to be number 1 at everything. Ted Cruz, the born again candidate with a father who is a fiery End Times preacher, was number three for the ignominious list with 66 percent of his statements listed as false. Other family values politicians who topped the 50 percent whopper mark were Dick Cheney (59 percent) and Carly Fiorina 50 percent. Marco Rubio had a disreputable 40 percent. In the myth of George Washington, he once chopped down his father’s favorite cherry tree with a hatchet. When his father confronted him, the six-year-old George confessed, “I cannot tell a lie…I did cut it with my hatchet.” If this were little Ted Cruz, he not only would lie about hacking down the tree, he’d earnestly say, with a straight face, “that a tree never existed,” even though there would be the evidence of a tree stump. The bottom five politicians – meaning the least likely to lie – were all Democrats. Ironically, Bill Clinton, whose name Republicans habitually use as a synonym for dishonesty was the most honest politician of all, with only 24 percent of his statements “mostly false or worse,” and he topped the list of “mostly true or true” statements at 50 percent. Next time a smug Republican gives their patented smirk and cackle, while throwing around the term “Clintonian,” remind them of this information. While the democrats could fib a little less, they are positively “Honest Abe Lincoln” compared to their GOP counterparts. Here is where they rank on “mostly false or worse statements”: Bernie Sanders (28 percent), Hillary Clinton (28 percent), Barack Obama (26 percent), and Martin O’Malley (25 percent). So, while all politicians lie, the Republicans are significantly worse, which is strange given that their primary appeal is based upon a sales pitch that they are good Christians who have unimpeachable character – as opposed to the hedonistic liberals. Christian conservatives have a lot to answer for. Aside from supporting the sleaziest, most dishonest candidates, they also appear to be the most intolerant part of the electorate. For example, a new Washington Post/ABC News Poll reports that 60 percent of Americans say Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims who are not U.S. citizens is the wrong thing to do, while 36 percentt support it. Less than one-quarter of Americans with no religious affiliation support a ban on Muslims, 24 percent, compared with 40 percent of all Christians and 54 percent of white evangelical Protestants. Isn’t it time these holier than thou hypocrites repent for not loving thy neighbor and supporting dishonest candidates? The larger problem with Republicans is their lies are more insidious. Carly Fiorina, for instance, offered lurid imagery of an imaginary video where Planned Parenthood allegedly peddled baby parts. Only a few months later Robert Lewis Dear stormed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, killing a police officer and two civilians, while injuring five police officers and four civilians. When he was arrested he parroted Fiorina and mentioned “baby parts” to investigators. Of course, Fiorina denies any connection, but as I pointed out earlier, half of everything that leaves her lips is false. Donald Trump’s lies are also particularly egregious. His nonsensical assertion that thousands of Muslims celebrated in New Jersey as the World Trade Center burned on 9/11, has led to a spike in vitriolic speech and hate crimes against innocent Muslims. The intense focus on countering lies should intensify after Tuesday’s debate. NBC News is teaming up with PolitiFact, to “vet the assertions” of the various candidates. The added resources of a major network will help right chronic wrongs. This, obviously, spells trouble for Republican candidates who eschew facts for fiction and rely on fables to feed the escalating fears of their rabid base.
Wayne Besen
CO MME NT
Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark
County board members who balked at spending $350 million on a Columbia Pike streetcar have not – in the 13 months since dropping that bombshell – settled on an alternative traffic cure. Ideas like fancier bus rapid transit still percolate as the board prepares to swear in two new members. Enter one private entrepreneur who thinks he has the solution. Bill James, a Minneapolisbased West Point graduate who crusades to wean the U.S. off of oil, ventured to Arlington this fall to promote JPods. His brainchild is a personalized transit system elevated over a car-packed roadway with airgondola-like pods suspended from rails. As James told a Columbia Heights Civic Association gathering this fall, the light-weight JPods are privately funded, operate with solar panels (no carbon!), move steadily and quickly, and eliminate need for special roadway lanes or digging to install streetcar tracks. The county would collect 5 percent of revenues. Several hundred such JPods in our county could carry cargo as well as people, he enthuses. You and family or friends – no mingling with annoying strangers – board your own pod, press a button and then zip to the destination without irrelevant stops. “It’s a circulatory system for an economic community,” James says. “We can power Arlington’s mobility
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 17
with Arlington’s sunshine.” An antecedent of JPod was installed in Morgantown, W.Va., in 1975, James reports. It has thrived with no injuries while 1.6 million Americans since then have died on highways. Designed in 1999 and patented by James in 2004, JPod’s computerized packets have been tested recently in such places as Ottawa, Poughkeepsie, Boston and San Jose. His company won over the town of Secaucus, N.J., though the state Transportation Department has blocked his contract. James has a tentative deal to bring JPods to Anshan, China. My question would be – is this amusement-park-like spectacle an eyesore? Funny I mention it. James says theme parks are one model “that solved the ground-clutter problem. They are ideal cities designed around pedestrians” built to that industry’s international safety standards, which are “more innovative and safer than Transportation Department standards,” he says. James’s aversion to U.S. oil dependency in the late 1990s peaked his interest in the lowenergy-use, above-the-street transport worthy of the Jetsons. “In freight rail, we can move a ton on average at 476 miles per gallon, so why are we moving a person at 18 miles per gallon?” he asks. If people view JPods as an eyesore, he’d build elsewhere, “but most people think they’re quite pretty,” James says.
The 100 Pike residents and neighboring suburbanites who heard James’s spiel Sept. 28 displayed mixed feelings, according to Sarah McKinley, the civic association’s past president. “Some came totally opposed from the get-go” but others were enthusiastic about the option environmentally. Some prefer a simpler solution such as more ART buses, declaring “This is an amusement park ride, not real transportation,” she says. “But have they no imagination?” County staff are aware of the JPods push as they update the broader transportation plan in the context of countywide bus service, said Environmental Services Department spokesman Eric Balliet. But officials can’t respond to James without more “detailed technical or cost information.” For James, that’s the county “making us jump through another hoop.” He can’t give specs or more studies, he says, until Arlington goes first and creates rules under which JPods would operate. *** County curiosity: One of Arlington’s most famous neighborhoods does not have its own civic association. Residents of elegant County Club Hills, our only formalized area whose name could title a chapter in a sociology text, have never banded together like the other 81 associations. Homeowners near the club who get jazzed up by a local issue, I’m told by Arlington Civic Federation veterans, participate in the nearby Gulf Branch and Old Glebe associations.
C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h
CRIME REPORT Week of Dec. 7 - 13, 2015 Fraud, 132 W. Broad St. (Dogwood Tavern) On Dec.7, an unknown suspect left the restaurant failing to pay a bill. Larceny from Building, 180 S. Washington St. (PHCC National Associates) On Dec. 8, unknown suspect(s) removed copper gutter tubing from building. Shoplifting, 1230 W. Broad St. (Giant Foods) On Dec. 9, a male, 24, of Washington, DC, was arrested and released on summons for Petit Larceny.
Motor Vehicle Theft, 900 blk Ellison St. On Dec. 9 or Dec. 10, a red and black moped was stolen. Vandalism to Vehicle, 140 S. Maple Ave. (Bowl America) On Dec. 11, unknown suspect(s) slashed two tires on a vehicle. Same vehicle was involved in a tire slashing event at the same location on Dec. 3. Smoking Violation, 6757 Wilson Blvd., #17 On Dec. 13, a male, 41, of Alexandria, VA, was issued a summons for smoking in a non-smoking area.
Save a life. Don’t Drive HoMe buzzeD. BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING.
PAGE 18 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
LO CA L
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
The Official Student Newspaper of George Mason High School The Falls Church News-Press has partnered with George Mason High School’s award-winning newspaper, The Lasso, to bring its readers some of the top articles appearing in the student-run digital paper. This regular feature will appear monthly in the News-Press during the school year. The Lasso can be found online at www.gmhslasso.org.
PIECE OF CONTRASTO ARTWORK above displaying a little girl with many hearts clumped together to make up a balloon. The piece of the artwork is by freshmen Sarah Valley.
A VARIETY OF PIECES OF Contrasto artwork pasted on the ramp hallway near the auditorium. These projects were assigned for art classes 1-4.
Contrasto Art Up For Mason to See BY EVELYN DUROSS THE LASSO
This year’s art classes 1-4 finished their Contrasto project that is now featured on the walls of the ramp leading down to the TLC. A contrasto project consists of cuttings of pieces of white paper to make designs from the black paper behind it. Doing this with smaller and bigger pieces ultimately make a detailed image. The use of the black and white paper are used to display the positive and negative energy. The images that the students created could come from anywhere. Many students got their ideas from their imagination, from other paintings, and some even
from the idea-sharing website, Pinterest. The images varied from animals and ballerinas to abstract pictures. The piece of artwork on the top right is by freshmen Sarah Valley, who takes the elective Art 1. The image displays a little girl holding a large balloon made up of many hearts with sizes from big and small. “I had a really long time to think about what I wanted to do for that project, so it took a really long time, but I found this picture online that was very similar but I made mine kind of different,” said Sarah Valley. Many students got their spark of creativity from Pinterest. Freshman Christine Phan, for example, came upon a beautiful
picture of a ballerina while cruising the site and became inspired for her Contrasto project. “There were lots of small pieces to cut out and coming up with the idea,” Phan said about the challenges of the Contrasto project. Freshman Nicole Miceli’s contribution to the collection of Contrasto artwork was what she calls her “twist” on the symbol Yin and Yang. She used two people’s upper bodies to create a circle like shape by having the two people bend their arms. The white and black dot on their heads represent the Yin and Yang symbol. She also added the elements of shapes to make the piece more diverse. “[My piece] was kind of a twist on Yin and Yang with people,” Miceli said about her project. This year’s Contrasto artwork is a big hit in the walls of Mason. The unique, artistic, and creative add culture and a creative atmosphere to the halls.
FRESHMAN CHRISTINE PHANS’S representation above of a ballerina dancing while music notes �loat around her. “I saw a similar picture on Pinterest,” said Phan.
FRESHMAN, NICOLE MICELI’S WORK above displaying the Yin and Yang sign through people’s bodies.
LO CA L
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
F� � � � C � � � � �
S����� N��� � N����
THESE EIGHTH GRADERS AT HENDERSON spent time exploring obscure fruits, like pomegranate and star fruit, in their Family Consumer Science class last week. They learned where the fruits are grown, the different fruit classi�ications and how to prepare them. (P����: C������� �� FCCPS P����/D��� T�����)
Marshall HS Students Win Marketing Competition Students in George C. Marshall High School’s sports and entertainment marketing program won the first ever Pride & Passion Competition Cup on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The grand prize for winning the competition was the opportunity to promote Washington Redskins offensive tackle Morgan Moses’ reading program through the Morgan Moses Foundation. “I came into Tuesday’s event thinking that these high school students would bring to the table ideas that were far-fetched and perhaps unrealistic, but I was blown away by their presentations,” Moses said in a press release from the National Football League’s Players Association about the competition. “These students surprised me from the moment they walked into the room, dressed in suits, to the innovative programs that were presented.”
2 F.C. Residents Get Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Two residents of Falls Church were recently inducted into the Virginia Commonwealth University’s chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
GEORGE MASON HIGH SCHOOL’S percussion ensemble kicked off Winter Band Concert at the school last Thursday. The jazz band delighted with several standards and Adele’s “Skyfall” with vocals by Sabine Wills. The audience was also treated to a performance of “Appalachian Spring” by the Wind Symphony. (P����: C���� S��)
Sushmita Gordhandas and Christina Perez were inducted into the honor society, which was founded in 1867 at the University of Maine and is currently headquartered in Baton Rouge, La.
Over 800 F.C. Students Participate in Hour of Code According to the Falls Church City Public Schools’ Morning Announcements last week, over 800 students in Falls Church City
schools participated in Hour of Code, which is aimed at introducing computer science to the general public, demystifying the discipline and showing that anyone can learn the basics of coding. Over 350 students at Mount Daniel School and nearly 500 students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School participated in Hour of Code, joining millions of students worldwide who participated in the Computer Science Week event.
DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015 | PAGE 19
CA L E NDA R
PAGE 20 | DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015
Community Events
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17
1-on-1 Computer Tutoring. Receive personalized assistance using computers, internet and eBooks. Registration required and an appointment must be scheduled. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Conference Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 2 – 4 p.m. 703-248-5034. Noel Night. Falls Church Arts will be throwing a holiday bash featuring live music by Devin Divecha and the No Preservatives Band. There will be holiday refreshments and door prizes. ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S. Maple St., Falls Church). Free. 7:30 p.m. Teen Knitting Club. Children in grades 5 – 12 come together to share projects, ask advice or learn how to knit. All skill levels welcome. Scrap yarn and needles available for beginners. Registration required. Limited to 15 participants. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 7:30 p.m. 703248-5034.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
Holiday Sing-Along with Holiday Treats. Join Langston-Brown community as they celebrate the holidays with delicious treats and a fun holiday sing-a-long lead by The Evergreens Duo.
Langston-Brown Community & Senior Center and Park (2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington). Free. 11 a.m. – noon. 703-228-6300. Family Fun Night – Therapeutic Recreation. This once a month drop-in program is for families of children with disabilities ages 4 – 17. Each month will feature a different activity. Langston-Brown Community & Senior Center and Park (2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington). Free. 7 – 8:30 p.m. 703-228-6300. Author Talk. Local author Steven Reiss with be featured at a meet and greet, where he will sign copies of his book 16 Strivings for God: The New Psychology of Religious Experiences. Barnes & Noble Tysons Corner (7851 L Tysons Corner Center, McLean). 7 – 9 p.m. 703-506-6756.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
Holiday Farmers’ Market. Vendors offer fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, baked goods, plants, wine and Christmas trees and wreaths and gifts. City Hall Parking Lot (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Free. 8 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5077. Book Sale. Used adult and children’s books for sale. Mary Riley Styles Public Library Conference Room (120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church,
&
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Send community event submissions to the News-Press by e-mail at calendar@fcnp. com; fax 703-342-0347; or by regular mail to 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for each week’s edition.
VA 22046). Free. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 703-248-5034. Winter Walk. Children ages 2 and up and adults can take a walk in the woods with possible tree identification activities. Registration required. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S Carlin Springs Rd. Arlington VA 22204) $5. 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. 703-228-4747. Invasive Plant Removal. Join community volunteers in protecting the local environment from invasive plant species. This is a ongoing project that occurs the third Saturday of every month to reclaim the natural area in Tuckahoe Park. Free. 10 a.m. – noon. 703-228-1862. John Eaton Holiday Concert. Washington, D.C.-based musicologist, humorist and jazz pianist extraordinaire John Eaton will share the history and harmonies of some favorite seasonal songs at a special “Holiday Spectacular.” The Alden (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean). $20 – $35. 2 p.m. mcleancenter. org.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
Author Talk. Allan Topol will sign and discuss his book The Washington Lawyer. Barnes & Noble Tysons Corner (7851 L
Tysons Corner Center, McLean). 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 703-506-6756. Book Sale. Used adult and children’s books for sale. Mary Riley Styles Public Library Conference Room (120 N Virginia Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046). Free. 1 – 5 p.m. 703-248-5034.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21
Spanish Language Storytime with Communikids. Children ages 2 – 5 can drop-in for Spanish storytime with Communikids. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 10:30 a.m. 703-248-5034. Wii Game Day at the Library. Children in grades 2 – 5 can gather at Mary Riley Styles Public Library to play their favorite Nintendo Wii games. Registration required. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 3 – 4 p.m. fallschurchva. gov/Library.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Little Legos at the Library. Children ages 3 – 5 can gather to play with Legos. Caregiver must be present with child. Registration required. Limited to 16 participants. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 10:30 a.m. fallschurchva.gov/Library.
Theater Fine Arts FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
“Snow White and the Family Dwarf.” The familiar story of Snow White but with enough comic plot twists and turns to keep us all guessing. The Dwarfs are a family of three sisters and four brothers whose last name is Dwarf. Snow’s arrival is a surprise, but quickly the family jumps to her aid. As the Queen obsesses over physical beauty and the Prince searches for the perfect bride, the Dwarf family demonstrates that real beauty is in caring for each other. Half of the proceeds from the production will go towards charity. Through Dec. 20. James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church). $17. 7:30 p.m. providenceplayers.org. “Madeline and The Gypsies.” While visiting a traveling carnival in town Madeline and her friend, Pepito, become trapped atop the Ferris
wheel and separated from her classmates during a sudden rain storm. Soon they are swept away by the gypsies and become a part of the carnival themselves. A madcap adventure ensues as Madeline embraces the gypsy life in this delightful musical adaptation of Bemelman’s classic tale. Through Dec. 27. ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S. Maple St., Falls Church). $15 – $20. 7:30 p.m. creativecauldron.org.
“Akeelah and The Bee.” Based on the beloved �ilm, “Akeelah and the Bee” tells the story of an independent 11-year-old girl whose razorsharp mind just might take her all the way from the Chicago projects to the �inals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The production, featuring Johannah Easley in her Arena Stage debut, was adapted for stage by Cheryl L. West and is being directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. This run of the play, based on the original screenplay of
the 2006 �ilm written by Doug Atchison, is the Children’s Theatre Company’s world premiere of the show. Through Dec. 27. Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater (1101 6th Street SW, Washington, D.C.). $55 – $70. 8 p.m. arenastage.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
“Kiss Me, Kate.” It’s “another opening of another show” with “Kiss Me, Kate,” American musical theatre’s greatest tribute to the Bard. As they try to stage a musical version of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” sparks �ly on and off stage between Fred Graham, the show’s director and star, and Lilli Vanessi, his leading lady – and ex-wife. Through Jan. 3. Shakespeare Theatre Company – Harman Hall (610 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $59 – $118. 8 p.m. shakespearetheatre.org.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
CA L E NDA R
live_music&nightlife THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 C�� J����� ���� R���R, T�� B��J���, P������� T���� ��� I��������� H�����. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $20. 5:30 p.m. 202-667-7960. J������ ���� S����������. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10. 7:30 p.m. 202-667-7960. D���� K������ ���� T�� C���� J��. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-2419504. A F����� C��� C��������. Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.) $27.50 – $32.50. 8 p.m. 202-337-4141. T�� H���������� ���� J��� S���� � T�� D�������� F������� ��� T�� S�����. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $10. 8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340. FKJ ���� L��� �� P������. U Street Music Hall (1115 U St. NW, Washington, D.C.) $15. 10 p.m. 202588-1889.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
B���� Y����. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. RDGLDGRN ���� M�����. U Street Music Hall (1115 U St. NW, Washington, D.C.) $18. 7 p.m. 202588-1889. K������ W����� III. Bohemian Caverns (2001 11th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $22 online; $28 at the door. 8 p.m. 202-299-0800.
D���� E���. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $10. 8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340. Y���� R�����. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504. 7�� A����� C�������� X��� S��� ��������� G��������� I���� S������ C��������, K����� �� S���� ��� B���� L����. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $12. 9 p.m. 202-667-7960. M������ D��� ���� S�������� ��� M��� G�������. U Street Music Hall (1115 U St. NW, Washington, D.C.) $10. 10:30 p.m. 202-588-1889.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
W����� P���. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504. P����� �� � D���� ���� S����� A�������. The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. K������ W����� III. Bohemian Caverns (2001 11th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $22 online; $28 at the door. 8 p.m. 202-299-0800. 90� N���� ���� DJ S��� R��. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). Free until 10 p.m.; $5 after 10 p.m. 8 p.m. 703-237-0300. A�� B���� ���� S���� B�����. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $12. 8:30 p.m. 703-5228340. C������������. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m.
703-241-9504. P������ P���� ���� B�� U�� ��� B���� (D������). Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $13. 9 p.m. 202-667-7960. C���� L��� ���� W��� E������. U Street Music Hall (1115 U St. NW, Washington, D.C.) $15. 10 p.m. 202588-1889.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
E��� 245 ���� B����T����. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 1:30 p.m. 202-667-7960. G����� V. J������, J�. 65�� B������� C����������. Bohemian Caverns (2001 11th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 3 p.m. 202-299-0800. P����’� H���� T��� ��� T���� B���. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504. DC P���/F��� R������. U Street Music Hall (1115 U St. NW, Washington, D.C.) $15. 5 p.m. 202-588-1889. G������ H����. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $18 – $20. 6 p.m. 703-255-1566. S����� B�����. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504. F����� ��� � C������. Iota Club and Café (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $10. 8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340. T�� C����� L��� R����� ��������� J����� T������. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m. 703-525-8646.
DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015 | PAGE 21
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 A J��� W����� C��������: H����� � D������. The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria). $49.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. C������� E��: J�����’ J��� S���������� C����� H������ E������ ��������� T��� W�����, A������ F�����, L��� B������� ��� S���� S�����. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $16. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. D��� D�������. Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.) $20. 8 p.m. 202-337-4141.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
T��� W�����’� 13�� A����� S���� C�������-��%! C�������� S����������. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $30. 6 p.m. 703-255-1566. A� E������ ���� T��� R�������. The Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria). $55. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. D����� M��� ���� S������� ��� A������ DC. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.). $10. 7:30 p.m. 202-667-7960.
Marshall Keys. Blues Alley (1073
Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.) $20. 8 p.m. 202-337-4141.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 T��� W�����’� 13�� A����� S���� C�������-��%! C�������� S����������. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $30. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.
P������� A����... Monday, December 28 – French Storytime with Language Stars. A fun, interactive foreign language storytime with Language Stars. Mary Riley Styles Public
Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 10:30 – 11 a.m. fallschurchva.gov/Library.
Thursday, December 31 – Watch Night New Year’s Eve Celebration. Join in the annual free New Year festivities of Watch Night! There will be
family-friendly events, bounce houses, live music, free popcorn and more. Broad and Washington Streets, Falls Church. 7 p.m. – midnight. watchnightfallschurch.com.
Thursday, January 7 – Thursday Evening Book Group. The Thursday Evening Book Discussion Group meets on the 1st Thursday evening of each month in the
library’s conference room. Light refreshments are served. All are welcome. The group will be discussing Humboldt’s Gift by Saul Bellow. Mary Riley Styles Public Library Conference Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. mwebster@fallschurchva.gov.
C������� S���������� Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.
Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Fax: 703-342-0347; Attn: FCNP Calendar Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 200 Little Falls St., #508, Falls Church, VA 22046
PAGE 22 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
TICKETS ON SALE NOW SOBEFEST.COM | 877.762.3933 |
PREFERRED CARD
FEBRUARY 24-28, 2016 FEATURING SCOTT CONANT
BOBBY FLAY
EMERIL LAGASSE
MARTHA STEWART
GIADA DE LAURENTIIS
ALEX GUARNASCHELLI
MASAHARU MORIMOTO
MICHAEL SYMON
GUY FIERI
ROBERT IRVINE
RACHAEL RAY
& MANY MORE
For your holiday gathering large or small let us handle that holiday lunch or breakfast. Banquet and event space available for larger parties.
Open Christmas Day serving our full breakfast menu and now accepting reservations for our traditional Christmas Dinner 1-7pm. TITLE
PRESENTING
BENEFITING
HOSTED BY
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
HOST HOTEL
PREMIER
OFFICIAL AIRLINE
Christmas Dinner: $17.99 Turkey w/ trimmings, ham, dressing, sweet and mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and rolls, choice of pumpkin or apple pie for dessert. (Children under 10, half price) Reservations Highly Recommended!
Santa is coming to Bentley’s restaurant! Come and Meet Santa and Get Your Picture taken with him!
Saturday, Dec. 19• 10 am-2pm 6654 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA, 22042
PLATINUM
Cost of $10.00 per pic goes to service dogs for American Heroes! Pictures available for pick up on Monday Dec.21
(703)532-4100
6654 Arlington Blvd. Falls Church, Va. 22042
Confirmed sponsors as of September 2015
www.bentleysfallschurch.com
Join us on facebook.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Food Books to Gift the Foodie in Your Life BY LAURA REILEY TAMPA BAY TIMES
It wasn’t too many years ago when food writing meant, ipso facto, cookbook writing. As food systems have gotten more complicated, as diners become travelers in search of great meals, as many of us get woozily nostalgic for the foodways of our forefathers, food writing is quite literally all over the map. Yes, you could get your favorite foodie one of the hot cookbooks of the moment (Bone Broth Diet, yada yada), but why not lard the tree this year with the kind of delicious food books best enjoyed curled up with a mug of cider and a plate of holiday cookies? Best Food Writing 2015 edited by Holly Hughes (De Capo Press, $15.99) This is like a chocolate sampler every year, a potpourri of some of the smartest food writing from the gamut of publications. This year’s is especially wonderful, with a number of essays that read like
science fiction. Essays are divided into rough categories, the first of which (“The Way We Eat Now”) caused me to murmur “whoooaa, no wayyyyyy!” until my spouse threatened defection. There’s the science behind Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte, the quest for fake meat with the right “chew,” and eggs made in a laboratory that yield a nearly flawless omelet. Further along you’ll find aspirational “all of the world’s problems could be solved if only we cooked” essays, along with some truly hilarious bits, as in John DeVore’s earnest assertion: “The Taco Bell Cool Ranch Doritos taco shell is the most important invention of this century.” Pig Tales: An Omnivore’s Guide to Sustainable Meat by Barry Estabrook (W.W. Norton, $26) His 2011 bestseller Tomatoland was an absolute knockout: an
FO O D &D I NI NG investigative look at the trials and struggles and collateral damage in bringing decent, flavorful, edible tomatoes to market. Based on his 2010 James Beard Awardwinning article in Gourmet magazine, it became a seminal work about the politics of agribusiness. Well, he has done it again. He goes deep to tell the story about how “Big Pig” does it, but also how raising pigs respectfully can yield happy farmers and animals. A Life of Spice by Monica Bhide (self-published, $10.99) I need to preface this one by saying that I was a pupil at one of this engineer-turned-food-writer’s coaching sessions a couple of years ago and her savvy, upbeat mentoring was enormously buoying. This book of essays is assembled from pieces on her blog and stories she has written for national and international magazines, covering a range of topics – culture, family, love, identity, faith and writing – all of it liberally interspersed with short profiles of common spices like sage and fennel.
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 23
Much of it funny and poignant, Bhide’s sixth book paints pictures of her relationship with her two sons, tells the tale of her father’s escape from Multan during the Partition of India, and reveals every cook’s insecurities in essays like “Why We Are Afraid to Cook,” a tale of the terror of making pad Thai.
Cocktail Noir by Scott Deitche (Reservoir Square Books, $24) This is a homegrown effort, Deitche a mob aficionado who hails from the mean streets of St. Petersburg. An appealing little square book, it would make a perfect accompaniment to the gift of a great bottle of hooch. There are chapters that are practical (“The Well-Stocked Home Bar”), but much of it chronicles the bars and the drinks of famous wise guys, both real and fictional. Fun fact: Real-life gangsters and straws? Fuggedaboutit, too girly. You’ll learn where to road-trip to toast the famous gangster bars, what
Raymond Chandler kept in his desk drawer and how to make Lucky Luciano’s preferred Manhattan. 300 Sandwiches: A Multilayered Love Story ...with Recipes by Stephanie Smith (Zinc Ink, $26) Much has been made of Ruth Reichl’s new My Kitchen Year, the story of holing up to lick her wounds after Gourmet magazine shut its doors in 2009, but I’ve had enough of her tell-all style. For a fun food memoir, pick up this sandwich saga. Smith made her boyfriend a turkey and Swiss on white bread and then he jokingly intoned, “Honey, you’re, like, 300 sandwiches away from an engagement ring.” Game on. The ensuing blog stirred the waters in feminist circles. (“He can make his own dang sandwiches!” -- in fact, her boyfriend was dubbed “the worst boyfriend on the Internet” by bloggers, and that’s saying something.) But far from being Stepford Wifey, Smith’s journey is a funny, meaningful one. Plus, there are a lot of good sandwiches involved.
PAGE 24 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
40% OFF
HOLIDAY BASKET BONANZA NOW $44.99 / reg $74.99 This extraordinary gift includes over 4 dozen cookies and brownies in a variety of flavors, beautifully packaged in a burgundy seagrass basket. #50746 Dancing Deer Baking Co. has been baking award-winning cookies, brownies and cakes from scratch in our Boston bakery for over 20 years. Shop Now, Ship Anytime.
USE OFFER CODE: BONANZA1105 AT CHECKOUT: DancingDeer.com/BONANZA
CALL: 800.941.4287 (some restrictions apply)
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT
DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015 | PAGE 25
Dec.
18 y
Frida
RDGLDGRN with Masego U Street Music Hall 7 p.m. 1115 U St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-588-1889 • ustreetmusichall.com
19 day
Satur
Amy Black with Sarah Borges Iota Club and Café 8:30 p.m. 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
703-522-8340 • iotaclubandcafe.com
Crimestoppers JV’s Restaurant 9 p.m. 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
703-241-9504 • jvsrestaurant.com
20 nday
Su
BY DREW COSTLEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
When ISIS fighters attacked Paris last month, musician Griffin House had a new song, “Paris Calling (Sweet Sensation),” that was perfect for the moment. He had already written the song for his upcoming album, So On and So Forth, which will be released in March 2016. But after the attacks, he decided to release the song on iTunes with proceeds from the sale of the song through the end of the year going to a non-profit in France. Since then, House’s relief efforts have gotten him noticed by CNN and a slew of other media outlets around the country. He performed the song on CNN’s “Newsroom.” “On Monday night they did a live interview on the air and I played the song acoustically on the air,” House said. “And it aired all over the world….It was a really nice preview of the record.” House said that the songs from his new album are similar to “Paris Calling (Sweet Sensation),” in which the Nashvillebased singer/songwriter sings, “I’m Tennessee dreaming of the City of Lights.” “I had a bunch of pictures from this summer when I had visited France when I finished the record. I went to southern France and spent a couple days in Paris,” House said. “When I was there I took a bunch of footage on my phone and pictures, so we scrambled to get a little music video together and made a collage out of a lot of my video and then combined it with some live performance shots that we shot in Nashville.” House’s efforts to help the people of France in the wake of the Paris attacks are his second attempt to use his musical talents to benefit others in as many years. His most recent release, Songs for a Prisoner, was recorded live inside a prison in Nashville in 2014. House said that a friend of his reached out to him with the idea of recording at a prison.
GRIFFIN HOUSE. (C������� P����) “He wanted to take music into some prisons and he’s a buddy of mine who likes my music and he invited me to come in and do it,” House said. “So I agreed and we went in to play for about 300 inmates and he ended up recording it, so we got a live prison album out of it. It was pretty fun.” House said that he was nervous to perform in front of the inmates, since he doesn’t have nearly the notoriety of a say, Johnny Cash, whose 1968 album At Folsom Prison revitalized his already legendary career. “I didn’t think it was going to be fun at all,” House said. “I thought these guys were going to be really bored because I’m just this guy with an acoustic guitar and they probably don’t listen to my genre of music. They probably listen to something else….I’m thinking these guys aren’t going to know me and they aren’t going to like my style of music, so it’s not going to go well.”
House was presently surprised by the reception he got from the inmates, though. “When I went in there they were just very receptive and I told some jokes and kinda got on their good side,” House said. Another way he won the prisoners over was by breaking the prison warden’s request that he censor the curse words from his songs. “I looked at the guys and thought, you know, I think I’m just going to try to go for some street cred with them because they know I’m not supposed to sing it,” House said. “So I did it anyway and they loved it and they started yelling and clapping and whooping and hollering and it was great. It was a really fun moment and they got into it from the very first song.” • For more information about Griffin House, visit griffinhousemusic.com.
Griffin House Jammin’ Java
These singles whet the appetites of the FCNP editorial team this week:
6 p.m. 227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna
703-255-1566 • jamminjava.com
Nicholas Benton – Time Warp by Riff-Raff
Jody Fellows – Star Wars Theme by John Williams
Drew Costley – Star Wars by Nas
PAGE 26 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
LO CA L
F� � � � C � � � � �
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
B������� N��� � N���� F.C. Businesses Collecting Toys for the Holidays Several local businesses are collecting new, unwrapped toys for the holiday season. Dancing Mind (929 W. Broad Street) is collecting toys for Toys for Tots through December 20 while Doodlehopper 4 Kids is collecting toys for Inova Children’s Hospital from December 18 – 20 and the Original Pancake House is collecting for the more than 250 children expected to attend its Christmas breakfast, free for those in need, through Christmas day. For more information on these giving opportunities, visit www. FallsChurchChamber.org.
New Website for F.C. Economic Development Office The Falls Church Economic Development Office has launched a new website that provides information on demographics, business incentives, available commercial space, and starting, relocating, and expanding a business and new development projects in Falls Church. Businesses are invited to visit choosefallschurch.org, sign up for email and text alerts, and provide comments and suggestions. Questions regarding the new site should be directed at Ingrid Racine at iracine@fallschurchva.gov.
Lions Club Cancels December Fruit Sale While the Falls Church Lions Club was forced to cancel its December fruit sale due to weather conditions and the growing blight in Florida, the Annandale club will have Ruby Red grapefruit, Sunburst oranges, juice oranges, Red Delicious apples, d’Anjou pears and tangelos available on Saturday, December 19 from 8:15 a.m. until they are sold out at 7530 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The Falls Church and Annandale Lions clubs will merge and become the Annandale-Falls Church Lions in January.
F.C. Chamber Announces New Board of Directors The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce announced its 2016 Board of Directors at its annual report to the membership on Tuesday, December 15. New officers include Joe Wetzel (The Young Group) as chairman, Lisa D’Ambrosio-Irons (EagleBank) as chairelect/first vice chair and co-vice chair of membership, Tom Gittins as co-vice chair of membership, Alan Frank (Eden Center) as vice chair of legislation, Mike Diener (Diener & Associates) as treasurer and Gary LaPorta as secretary. Newly elected members of the board include Rachelle Barimany of Dominion Jewelers, Dave Crance of Bentley’s and the Governor’s House Inn, Nikki Koch of Downsize Doctor and Andrew Painter of Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, PC. Re-elected members include Barb Cram of Falls Church Arts, Brian Creswick of Chartis Consulting, Gary Hughes of Century 21 Redwood Realty, Elizabeth Sedova Ray of Burke & Herbert Bank, and Tung Tu of Tung Tu CPA. Continuing members of the board include Mary Alexander of Pizzeria Orso, Michael Ankuma of Fulton Bank, Brian Creswick of Chartis Consulting, Brian DeCelle of Sislers Stone, Bill Madden of Mad Fox Brewing Company, Shelia Newman of New Editions Consulting and Treena Rinaldi, Korte Realty. Ex-officio members include Phil Duncan on behalf of the Falls Church City Council, Marybeth Connelly on behalf of the Falls Church Business in Education Partnership program, Nicholas F. Benton on behalf of the Falls Church News-Press, and Rick Goff/Becky Witsman on behalf of the Falls Church Economic Development Office. Stepping down from the board are Vince Dougherty of Dougherty DDS, Jeffrey Garofalo of Hilton Garden Inn Falls Church, Erik Pelton of Erik M. Pelton & Associates, and Jeremy Staadeker of Staadeker Wealth Management Group. For more information about the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce visit www.FallsChurchChamber.org. Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
SPO RTS
MASON SENIOR GUARD DEVIN THOMAS brings the ball down the court against Riverside High School during the Mustangs’ 78-38 rout of Riverside on Monday, Dec. 14. In another of Mason’s dominant wins in the last week, Thomas led the Mustangs in scoring against Luray High School with 21 points. He sank six three-pointers in that contest. (P����: C���� S��)
Mustangs 7-0 On the Season, Put Up 101 Points on Central BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
George Mason High School’s varsity boys basketball were dominant this past week as they won all five of their games by an average margin of 38 points. They downed Warren County High School 74-39 on Wednesday, Dec. 9; J.E.B Stuart High School 47-24 on Thursday, Dec. 10; Luray High School 87-38 on Saturday, Dec. 12; Riverside High School 78-38 on Monday, Dec. 14 and Central High School 101-58 on Tuesday, Dec. 15. A smorgasbord of opponents were used to display the versatility of the mighty Mustangs. For instance, take the Mustangs’ game against J.E.B. Stuart High School. Neither Bull Run nor conference rivals, Stuart has little effect on Mason’s postseason chances, permitting the team to experiment with different formations and nuances to further their game. “I try to tell them there’s going to be a lot of games where we’re ahead so…let’s try and work on some stuff,” head coach Chris Capannola
said. “We tried a little 1-3-1 zone… maybe [they’ll] try [a] new spin move, and that’s OK because we tell them to be creative.” Senior forward Robert Tartt posted his first double-double on the year against Stuart, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Or if that doesn’t suit you, take the Mustangs’ match against Luray High School. The Bulldogs came into Falls Church on Friday, Dec. 4 and suffered a convincing 65-44 defeat, but it felt like they were spared the full brunt of Mason’s ability. They wouldn’t be so lucky the second time around. The Mustangs vengefully defeated the Bulldogs in their own house as Mason’s starters put up 70 points through three quarters. Senior Devin Thomas sank six three-pointers and scored 21 points in the match and Tartt and senior guard Elliot Mercado both tacked on 13 points. But possibly the best example of Mason’s dominant play so far this season came in their games against Bull Run District rivals Warren County High School and Central High School, which
played out in polar opposite fashion. Mason’s defense pestered Warren County, holding the Wildcats to their lowest point total all year. Against Central, Mason flipped the script and put up a gaudy score of 101 points as they scored from short and long range seemingly at will. Even Mason’s reserves got in on the action and scored the last few buckets to surpass 100 points and send the Mustang bench into a frenzy. For now, everything is gravy for Mason as their hard work is met with instant success. But Capannola is all too familiar with the complacency regular season success can bring and is trying to keep the players mentally sharp by setting new goals for them regularly. Will it work? It’s still early in the season, but if you ask the players you’ll get your answer. “We want states,” Noble said. “Any team that’s in our way, we’ve got to knock them out.” Mason plays their next game against another district opponent, Strasburg High School, next Tuesday, Dec. 22 at home.
DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015 | PAGE 27
PAGE 28 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
BU S I N E S S & S E RVI C E DIR EC TORY
HOME IMPROVEMENT Drywall • Paint Exterior / Interior, Bath & Kitchen Remodeling, Basements, Ceramic Tile, Deck, Fences. Patios, Electric, Plumbing, Clean Garage, All Kinds of Hauling. www.josephhomeimprovements.com Joselozada27@yahoo.com Joseph Cell 703-507-5005 Licensed Work Tel 703-507-8300
5 Rooms Deep Cleaned: $135 Carpet Stretching 24/7 Emergency Water Damage We Clean the White House AcclaimedWaterDamage.com
Call Mike 703-978-2270
A Cleaning Service
Handyman Service
www.novahandyman.com
CLEANING SERVICES ACCLAIMED CARPET CLEANING
JOSEPH HOME IMPROVEMENT
All repairs, plumbing, drywall, doors, windows, rotted wood, siding, gutters, lighting + more FREE estimates, insured Call Doug (703)556-4276
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
since 1985
Insured, Bonded and Licensed Independently owned Commercial & Residential
Get 10% off labor with this ad [must be presented at first consultation]
703-892-8648
www.acleaningserviceinc.com
House Cleaning Service
fcnp.com classads@fcnp.com
Available 7 days a week Weekly - By Weekly - Monthly or by Time Move Out - Move In • 14 years Experience Good References • Senior Discount For Further Information: Call Susy • Cell (703) 901-0596
COLLEGES
OTHER SERVICES
American College
of Commerce & Technology for AA, Bachelor and Masters degrees • Business Administration • Accounting • Computer Information Sciences Falls Church 25% Tuition Discount
NOW ENROLLING
Winter Quarter Registration is now underway! Classes begin January 4, 2016 Apply online, in person, or by contacting the Admissions Office at (703) 942-6200. www.acct.edu 803 W. Broad Street Falls Church VA 22046
ACCT is accredited by American Colleges and
fcnp.com
Benton Potter & Murdock, PC www.bpmlawyers.com
Government contract law, health law, civil litigation, and all areas of business law. In the City of Falls Church: 703-992-9255 In D.C.: 202-416-1660 400 S. Maple Avenue, Suite 210, Falls Church, VA 22046
CLASSIFIED S For Rent 3-4 OFFICE SUITE with conference
room, secretarial space. 1200 square feet, $2500 per month. 254 North Washington Street. 703-538-2666
Help Wanted CDL REGIONAL TRUCK Driver, Great
Starting Pay, Home Weekends, Experienced and CDL Graduates, Start Your Career Today! 866-955-8904
ADMIN 3 HOURS, $60 week. Record, report, and deposit income for Center for Spiritual Living, FC. Apply/details at CelebrationCenter.org/job RESEARCH SCIENTIST I – Falls Church, VA. Performs the daily technical operations of a translational research lab with investigations into disease mechanisms focusing on obesity and chronic liver disease. Requires experience with Protein expression and purification; Molecular biology techniques: Nucleic acid extractions, Plasmid Cloning, qPCR and Nucleic acid Hybridization. Mail resume to- C. Sanderson, Inova Health System, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 200-W, Falls Church, VA, 22042. EOE.
Services HOUSE CLEANING: Quality service at fair prices with great references and excellent work! Satisfaction Guaranteed. Free Estimate. Call: 571-235-4295
Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH PLANNING COMMISSION The City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 21, 2015 at 7:45 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 to consider the following: ORDINANCE TO15-13 ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 48 “ZONING” OFFICE, MIXED-USE, RETAIL AND BICYCLE PARKING, AND OTHER RELATED PROVISIONS
This amendment would allow consideration of a reduced parking ratio for office and mixed-use development with approval of a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan, increase the minimum width of parking spaces from 8.5 feet to 9 feet, prohibit encroachments into required parking, permit conversion of some parking spaces to alternate uses, eliminate variances for parking, require a minimum of 4, or as follows, whichever is greater: Short-term Office - 1/20,000 sq. ft. or portion thereof, Long-term - Office 1/6,000 sq. ft. or portion thereof; Short-term retail - 2/10,000 sq. ft. or portion thereof for the first 50,000 sq. ft. and 1 additional for every 12,500 sq. ft. or portion thereof, Long-term retail - 1/25,000 sq. ft. or portion thereof; Short-term multifamily - 1/50 units or portion thereof, Longterm multi-family – ½.5 units or portion thereof; Short-term hotel – 1/50 hotel rooms or portion thereof, Long-term hotel 1/10 hotel rooms or portion thereof, and other related provisions. ORDINANCE TO15-14 ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 48 “ZONING” TO REQUIRE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR CERTAIN USES NOW PERMITTED BY RIGHT IN THE B-1, B-2, B-3 AND M-1 DISTRICTS, SHIFT REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THOSE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL, ALLOW SECOND STORY BUSINESS SIGNS IN B DISTRICTS, AND REMOVE OBSOLETE CODE LANGUAGE This amendment would require a special use permit for churches, schools, day care facilities, payday lenders and title loan companies in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 commercial districts, and, by reference, in the M-1 industrial district. It would also allow businesses on second stories in B districts to have signs, allow strings of lights outside of merchandise sales areas and update the reference to group homes to make it consistent with state law. ORDINANCE TO15-17 ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 14, ENVIRONMENT, ARTICLE V, OUTDOOR LIGHTING, TO DELETE STRINGS OF LIGHTS FROM PROHIBITED INSTALLATIONS Materials can also be viewed at the Planning Division, City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Room 300W, Falls Church, VA. 22046, M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5 pm. 703-248-5040. This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)
www.bentonpotter.com We are pleged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing We are pledged to opportuthe letter nity throughout the Commonand wealth. spirit of Virginia’s We encourage policy and support advertising and housing for achieving equal marketing programs in which opportunity throughout there are no barriers to obtaining the housing because of We race, encourcolor, Commonwealth. religion, national origin, sex, age elderliness, and support advertisfamilial status or handicap. All real estate advering and marketing programs tised herein is subject to in which are Virginia’sthere fair housing law no whichbarillegal to advertise “any riersmakes to itobtaining housing preference, limitation, or discrimination becausecolor, of race,relibecause of race, religion, national origin, gion,color, national origin, sex, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make elderliness, familial status any such preference, limitation, or handicap. All real estate or discrimination.” This newspaper will notherein knowingly advertised is accept subject advertising for real estate that to Virginia’s fair law. housing violates the fair housing Our readers aremakes herby informed that to law which it illegal all dwellings advertised in this advertise preference, newspaper“any are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more limitation, or discrimination information or to file a housing because of race, color, complaint call the Virginia FairreliOffice origin, at (804)sex, gion,Housing national 367-8530. Toll free call (888) elderliness, familial status 551-3247. For the hearing call (804)or 367-9753. or impaired handicap intention
Email: fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov. to make any such preferWebsite: www.fairhousing.vipnet.org ence, 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.
A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Crossword
ACROSS
By David Levinson Wilk 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
13
14
15
17
18
19
21
22
23
29 33
34
39
41
42
44
45
48
49
51
52
57
56
12
37
38
28
36
47
11
25
35
50 55
24
31
43
10
20
30
40
46
9
16
27
26
32
8
53
54
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
© 2015 David Levinson Wilk
Across 1.
Uncle ____
4.
Network that put out a 2009 book of movie-themed crosswords
7.
Like some verbs: Abbr.
1. Uncle ____ 4. Network that put out a 2009 book of movie-themed crosswords 7. Like some verbs: Abbr. 10. “Paris, Texas” director Wenders 13. Boxer Laila whose last name appears backwards in her first name 14. High-level, as a farm team 15. Prefix with liberal or conservative 16. Signature Obama health measure, for short 17. Alternative to :-) 18. “____ be a pleasure!” 19. Elite athlete 21. Fictional captain who says “Thou damned whale!” 23. “Grey’s Anatomy” locale: Abbr. 25. “No ____ is worse than bad advice”: Sophocles 26. 64-Across alum Carvey 27. Almost never 28. 1994 Peace Prize sharer with Rabin and Arafat 29. Josh of “How I Met Your Mother” 31. “Solaris” author Stanislaw 32. Before now 35. Words before Galilee or Tranquility 36. Have ____ for life 39. Do just what the doctor ordered 41. Bart and Lisa’s grandpa 42. Mello ____ (soft drink) 43. Commoner 44. It contains M.S.G. 45. Composer Stravinsky and others 46. Pelvic bones 48. “Silent Spring” topic
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 29 11. Start of Caesar’s boast 12. Steenburgen and Cassatt 20. It’s represented by this grid’s long row of vertical black squares (and, judging by the circled letters, it’s doing its job) 22. See 1-Down 24. 2002 animated movie with the tagline “A Hero Will Rise. On Four Legs” 30. Smokestack emission 32. Hooded vipers 33. Big do 34. 1971 Santana hit 37. 35mm camera type 38. NFL pauses 40. Nearly overflowing 47. Milano of “Charmed” 53. Eponymous brewer Bernhard 54. Kind of question 55. Lively dances 56. “Don’t worry about me” 57. Mass. neighbor 62. ____ de toilette
49. Sister 50. It may be struck in a field 51. Holy animal? 52. Bloated, as the stomach 55. Malaysian designer who created a high-end line of women’s shoes 58. Legendary marathoner Waitz 59. “I think ...,” in texts 60. “... or ____ gather” 61. Kindle and Nook, for two 63. White House website address ending 64. See 26-Across 65. On the ____ (in hiding) 66. Apt name for a crime boss 67. Music genre that influenced No Doubt 68. “Your point being ...?” 69. Expected 70. “Dexter” airer, for short
DOWN
1. With 22-Down, something commonly protected by a 20-Down 2. 2015 film that came under fire for being set in Hawaii but having no non-white actors 3. Where to see Leonardo’s “The Last Supper” 4. Mai ____ 5. Kind of ray 6. Figures in some Renaissance paintings 7. Ideally 8. Hinduism, e.g.: Abbr. 9. Dungeons & Dragons, e.g. 10. They’re often spit out during the summer
CHUCKLE BROS BRIAN & RON BOYCHUK
Sudoku Level:
D I N E R S
A M U L E T
Last Thursday’s Solution
Z U N I C Y C L I S T
S P E Z X I R T A A S H I I L I N R A T T A S A M S E T E R B U C A R R A D C L I M B D S T O N E
D I M I D I S I L D I Z N E R N N E E B W E L I D O R C E D I O S O W N R E L
Z A N Y T H I N G A G R O E E S
S E A M
A G A T G R E E T E R A
O A R E D
S L E E P Y H L E A A I D T S
S A N D
A L E S
S E R B I A
L E S S E R
By The Mepham Group
1 2 3 4
10. "Paris, Texas" director Wenders 13. Boxer Laila whose last name appears backwards in her first name 14. High-level, as a farm team 15. Prefix with liberal or conservative 16. Signature Obama health measure, for short 17. Alternative to :-) 18. "____ be a pleasure!"
1
19. Elite athlete 21. Fictional captain who says "Thou damned whale!" 23. "Grey's Anatomy" locale: Abbr. 25. "No ____ is worse than bad advice": Sophocles
LOOSE PARTS
DAVE BLAZEK
26. 64-Across alum Carvey Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle
NICK KNACK
1
© 2015 N.F. Benton
12/20/15
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk. © 2015 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
LO CA L
PAGE 30 | DECEMBER 17 – 23, 2015
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
C������ C�����
BACK IN THE DAY
laz y The dog. c k q u i fox sly p e d jum e r o v lazy the g . d o is Now time the all for o d g o to cows
20 s Yearo Ag
e c o mthe to of aid i r t h e re. pastu w N o the is e t i m all for o d g o to cows e c o mthe to
20 � 10 Y���� A�� �� ��� N���-P����
Falls Church News-Press Vol. V, No. 40 • December 21, 1995
Byrne Announces Leslie Byrne, the first and only woman to have served as a member of Virginia’s Congressional delegation and former State Delegate representing Falls Church, formally announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate yesterday at the Fairview Marriott. Byrne is expected to be joined by former Democratic Party State Chairman Mark Warner in a contest for the Democratic nomination that will be decided at a party convention in June.
It is no the timw e for g o all o cows d to go to the aid of the pa stu ir re. *** **
Falls Church News-Press Vol. XV, No. 41 • December 15, 2005
10 Year s Ago
Thr ow it up. Pour it up It now is the time for all go od cows to go the to aid
Eyewitnesses at Scene of Fatal Accident on Rt. 7 Dispute Fairfax Police Claims of Swift Response Witnesses and bystanders expressed concern in the hours after midnight Wednesday morning about what they deemed a slow response by Fairfax County police and emergency crews to the scene of a fatal single-car accident at the intersection of Haycock Road and Route 7 on the border between the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County.
Former F.C. Resident, Photographer To Dignitaries David B. Wilson Dies Former 38 year Falls Church resident and retired Navy Chief Petty Officer David B. Wilson died on Sunday, Nov. 8 in Delaware due to pneumonia after a long, chronic illness. Following an illustrious career in the Navy, including attending Syracuse University, Wilson joined civil service. Stationed at the Pentagon, he was personal photographer to dig-
nitaries including the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations with whom he traveled extensively to many states and countries, including China. Wilson was honored in many ways as a civil servant and photographer. For example, his Bicentennial photos of the “Tall Ships” in New York harbor are published on pages 10 and 11 in the encyclo-
pedia of The Bicentennial of the United States of America. He was a man of pride and integrity with many natural talents and hobbies, including sharpshooting, skirmishing, cars, NASCAR, motorcycling, traveling, concerting and RV camping. He is survived by his wife, Florence, his daughter, Laura and many nieces, nephews and inlaws.
THIS IS TEDDY MOORE, a Australian Shepherd/Lab mix who is six years old. He’s most happy when he’s running, either with his mommy or by himself in the country. He loves to spend time with his Grandma, who spoils him rotten and he’s the best snuggler. His favorite place is the dog park in Shirlington. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
WE EXIST TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and stops people from moving. With the help of people like you, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS and helps them stay connected to the great big moving world.
My child is going to college at
JOIN ThE MOvEMENT jointhemovement.org
. Beverly, diagnosed in 2001
Their tomorrow depends on your words today.
Help complete your child’s future by encouraging them to get a college degree. Call the Hispanic Scholarship Fund today at 1-877-HSF-INFO or visit YourWordsToday.org to learn more.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015 | PAGE 31
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Directory Listings: Call Us at 703-532-3267
n
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
ACCOUNTING
ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
Falls Church Antique Company . . . . . 241-7074 Antique Annex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-9642 n
ATTORNEYS
Mark F. Werblood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9300 Sudeep Bose, Former Police Officer. 926-3900 Janine S. Benton, Esq. . . . . . . . . . . .992-9255 n
AUTOMOTIVE
Beyer Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5000 Koons Ford Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-3363 n
BANKING
Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co.. . . 519-1634 BB&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-3505 TD Bank/www.TDBank.com. . . . . . . . 237-2051 n
CLEANING SERVICES
n
Diener & Associates, CPA.. . . . . . . . . 241-8807 Eric C. Johnson, CPA, PC . . . . . . . . . 538-2394 Mark Sullivan, CPA. . . . . . . . . . . 571-214-4511 Hahn & Associates, PC, CPAs. . . . . . 533-3777 n
3 months - $150 6 months - $270 1 year - $450
BOOK BINDING
COLLEGES
n
American College of Commerce and Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 942-6200 n
DENTISTS
n
EQUIPMENT RENTAL/SALE
VA Outdoor Power Equipment . . . . . . 207-2000 n
n
n
n
n
FRAMES
n
PET SERVICES
Apex Pet Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 532-8012 Feline Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-8665 n
PHARMACY
Broad Street Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . 533-9013
INSURANCE
n
LAWN CARE
n
PHOTOGRAPHY
Gary Mester, Event, Portraits. . . . . . . 481-0128 Mary Sandoval Photography . . . 334-803-1742
REAL ESTATE
Merelyn Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .790-9090x218 www.helpfulmortgage.us . . . . . . . . . . 237-0222 Casey O’Neal - ReMax . . . . . . . . . . . 824-4196 Rosemary Hayes Jones. . . . . . . . . . .790-1990 The Young Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356-8800 Tori McKinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867-8674 Shaun Murphy, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . 868-5999
MASSAGE MEDICAL
Dr Gordon Theisz, Family Medicine. . 533-7555
OPTOMETRIST
Dr. Alison Sinyai, Family Eye Care . . 533-3937 n
www.healthybyintention.com.. . . . . . . 534-1321
Art & Frame of Falls Church . . . . . . . 534-4202 Stifel & Capra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407-0770
HOME IMPROVEMENT
MUSIC
Academy of Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938-8054 Foxes Music Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-7393
Lawn Enforcement Services, LLC . . . 237-0921 n
GIFTS
n
Allstate Home Auto Life Ins. . . . . . . 241-8100 State Farm Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-5105
Falls Church Florist, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 533-1333 n
HEALTH & FITNESS
FC Heating & Air Service . . . . . . . . . . 534-0630 Joseph Home Improvement. . . . . . . . 507-5005 Picture Perfect Home Improvements 590-3187 One Time Home Improvement. . . . . . 577-9825
EYEWEAR FLORISTS
n
Vantage Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241-0565 Jazzercise Falls Church. . . . . . . . . . . 622-2152
Point of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237-6500 n
HANDYMAN
Doug’s Handyman Service. . . . . . . . . 556-4276 Your Handyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571-243-6726
Family Dentistry, Nimisha V Patel . . . 533-1733 Dr. William Dougherty . . . . . . . . . . . 532-3300
n
BCR Binders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-9181
n
Maid Brigade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 823-1922 Acclaimed Carpet Cleaning . . . . . . . . 978-2270 A Cleaning Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892-8648
1 Line Maximum
(30 characters + Ph. #, incl. spaces)
n
TAILOR
Tailor Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-8886
All numbers have a ‘703’ prefix unless otherwise indicated.
Give a little
TENDERNESS
®
Save 76% on Omaha Steaks
EXTRAORDINARY HEARTS Reclaiming Gay Culture's Central Role In the Progress of Civilization By Nicholas F. Benton
Perfect Gifts
GUARANTEED
Happy Family Celebration 2 (5 oz.) Filet Mignons 2 (5 oz.) Top Sirloins 2 (4 oz.) Boneless Pork Chops 4 Boneless Chicken Breasts (1 lb. pkg.) 4 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers 4 (3 oz.) Gourmet Jumbo Franks 16 oz. pkg. Omaha Steakhouse® Fries 4 Caramel Apple Tartlets Omaha Steaks Seasoning Packet
47222SXJ | Reg. $209.91
Now Only
4999
$
PLUS, 4 more
Burgers
FREE! Limit 2 pkgs. at this price. Your 4 free burgers will be sent to each address that includes the Happy Family Celebration 47222. Limit of 1 free box of 4 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers per shipment. Standard S&H will be added per address. Not valid with other offers. Expires 12/31/15. ©2015 OCG | 510B120 | Omaha Steaks, Inc.
1-800-439-9681 ask for 47222SXJ www.OmahaSteaks.com/mb58
'EXTRAORDINARY HEARTS' has risen to the top of Amazon.com's Best Seller list for LGBT-themed books, to #2 and #3 three times! A Perfect Holiday Gift for Gay & Gay-Friendly Family & Friends LARRY KRAMER Hails EXTRAORDINARY HEARTS as "a vital moral book about who we are and who we should be" Available at Amazon.com
PAGE 32 | DECEMBER 17 - 23, 2015
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
7 0 3 . 5 3 7 . 5 0 0 0 | b e y e r k i a . c o m | 112 5 W . B r o a d S t . , F a l l s C h u r c h , V A
beyer kia presents:
KIA-THON $
1,500 off invoice on every model! HUGE holiday savings all month long
1st Annual Unique Christmas Sweater Contest
Join the fun and a chance to win $100 Just email us a photo of your Favorite Unique Christmas Sweater. Winner will be selected 1/1/2016 Decision of the judges is final
Merelyn Kaye
Meeting Real Estate needs since 1970. There is no substitute for experience Home Office: 703-362-1112 e-mail: merelyn@kayes.com