December 28, 2017 – January 3, 2018
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. XXVI I NO. 45
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I����� T��� W��� B��������� O����� P��� F�� D������� P���� A petition signed by representatives of each business in the impacted 100 block of W. Broad Street has been making the rounds, protesting the plans for a plaza in the space between the Hunan and Hot N’ Juicy Crawfish restaurants. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 9
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City of Falls Church Treasurer Jody Acosta has reported that since the signing of the federal tax reform legislation last week, her office has been inundated with citizens seeking to pre-pay their real estate and personal property taxes. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 9
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To travel the liberal byways of social media over recent weeks was to learn that Donald Trump was on the precipice of axing Robert Mueller and was likely to use the days just before Christmas, when we were distracted by eggnog and mistletoe, to lower the blade. Christmas has come. Christmas has gone. Mueller has not. SEE PAGE 15
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Even with a broken leg, Falls Church volunteer superhero Barb Cram hasn’t faltered in her annual Watch Night preparations and was able to discover some surprise good from an unexpectedly bad accident along the way. SEE PAGE 4
INDEX Editorial.................6 Letters...................6 Comment ....... 15–17 News & Notes18–19 Calendar .......20–21
Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ..........21 Business News ...22 Critter Corner......22 Classified Ads .....23
Cool, Clear Forecast for F.C.’s New Year’s Eve ‘Watch Night’ Vast Array of Activities Set for Downtown This Sunday Night
BY MATT DELNAEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Boosted security measures, more attractions for children and a double-dose of anniversaries will make up the 20th annual Watch Night New Year’s Eve celebration in the City of Falls Church this Sunday night. The yearly event is slated to take place throughout downtown Falls Church with other satellite locations stationed nearby the main stage. As per usual, all attractions at Watch Night are free to attendees. In its 20th year, Watch Night has developed a far-reaching reputation. According to Falls Church Arts outreach director Shaun van Steyn, one of 100 volunteers who
helps set up the event, the popularity has been a huge plus for Watch Night’s brand and the City of Falls Church itself but has also prompted added security concerns. That’s why this year there will be extra security measures taken to protect the expectedly enlarged turnout from any unforeseen aggressors. Inspired by the recent terror attacks that have used cars as weapons against crowds, weighted barriers will line the perimeter of the public thoroughfare. Along with that, security cameras placed around the area will also be monitoring the night’s events. Another added feature that benefits both Watch Night’s security and its aesthetic appeal is the addition of more lights to this year’s
THE DROPPING OF THE STAR, shown here during Falls Church’s 2014 Watch Night festivities, will be the highlight of this Sunday’s celebration. (P����: A����� F�����) setting downtown. In year’s past the lights that were hung from trees on the main drag of West Broad St. only occupied the tree’s branches. This year, the lights have been
artfully wrapped around the trunk of each tree to illuminate the surrounding area better. There is also
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Donald S. Beyer Sr., Patriarch Of Storied Family, Dies at 93 BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Donald S. Beyer, Sr., the patriarch of the storied Beyer family dynasty in Falls Church, died last Saturday two weeks before his 94th birthday, according to reports from his two sons, U.S. Congressman Donald S. Beyer Jr. and chief of the family business, Beyer Automotive, Michael Beyer, and daughter Weetie Hill. “The patriarch of a dynasty has departed this temporal life,” came the announcement from the family this week. “Donald S. Beyer, Sr. joined his previously departed wife, Nancy, and daughter, Kathy,
in eternal glory on December 23, 2017. On January 6, we will celebrate his incredible life. It would have been his 94th birthday.” Don was born in 1924 to Clara and Otto Beyer. He grew up on Spring Hill farm in McLean and was dubbed “Donald the Good” in comparison to his two wild brothers. He earned many nicknames over the years due to his colorful personality. Don graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1946, served in the Korean war and went on to make the military his first career. In 1948 Don married Nancy and together they bore six children, Congressman Beyer, Kathy
Beyer, Sherry S. Beyer, Weetie Hill, Dr. Sandy MacArthur, and Mike S. Beyer. Their spouses include Don Jr.’s Megan, Weetie’s Wayne and Mike’s June. He leaves 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and his companion of the last seven years, Betty Knight. In 1973 Don Beyer Sr. created Don Beyer Motors. He and his sons grew that one dealership in the City of Falls Church City into nine dealerships that employ over 350 people. His legacy continues as his children and many of his grandchildren work and live in the City of Falls Church. The Beyers have been part of this community for 44 years. The
DONALD S. BEYER, SR. family statement said, “Don Sr. will be dearly missed and yet, greatly celebrated for the man he was: a man of integrity, humor, warmth, generosity and wisdom. Rest in peace ‘Big Guy’!”
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