2-2-2017 by Falls Church News-Press

February 2 – 8, 2017

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. X X V I No. 50

Falls Church • Tysons Corner • Merrifield • McLean • North Arlington • Bailey’s Crossroads

Inside This Week 3rd Report of Gunfire Near Jackson St. The News-Press has learned of a third case of suspected gunfire in the same residential area of Falls Church as two other reported incidents that occurred in the past week. See News Briefs, page 9

McAuliffe, Beyer, Connolly Join Protesters Speaking at Dulles Airport last Saturday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe condemned President Donald Trump’s Executive Order barring refugees and travelers from certain Muslim countries from entering the United States. On Sunday, U.S. Reps. Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly also joined protesters there.

Town Hall Meeting on High School Campus Project is This Saturday Citizen Input Sought At Key Stage of

School Planning

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

“is a company town” unduly dependent on the federal government for its economic stability. However, where federal government employment accounted for 32 percent of all the jobs in the region a half-century ago, it now accounts for only 11.5 percent today. It is how the regional economy has been handling the key “knowledge economy” facets of its private sector growth that causes most of his concern, Fuller said.

Seen by the combined forces of the Falls Church City Council and School Board as a key threshold moment in deliberations on how to proceed with the considerable needs of the City’s George Mason High School, significant publicity has gone into the summoning of Falls Church citizens to a town hall meeting this Saturday morning at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. The meeting is slated to go from 9 a.m. to noon in the school’s cafetorium, and its organizers are hoping to come away with a better sense of how well the public understands, and what the public wants to do about the school. It will be an important inflection point as plans for the school are moving toward a public bond referendum in November. A joint meeting of the City Council and School Board at City Hall Tuesday night was for the purpose of preparing for the Saturday town hall, including how to best present the menu of options the two bodies are considering after months of fact and forecast gathering and deliberations. Whittling down over a dozen options to three, with variables, for the sake of clarity was discussed. The three overarching approaches are: • Renovation Only: a minimalist patchwork of repairs only to the existing building, including a new roof and boiler, and the low-cost construction of trailers for classrooms at $20 million. A second version coming in at about $60 million adds a 103,000 square foot annex to the existing building, instead of

Continued on Page 5

Continued on Page 4

See News Briefs, page 9

David Brooks: The Republican Fausts

If the last 10 days have made anything clear, it’s this: The Republican Fausts are in an untenable position. The deal they’ve struck with the devil comes at too high a price. It really will cost them their soul. See page 12

Mustang Boys Take Down Madison Co.

George Mason High School’s boys basketball team knocked off Conference 35 leader Madison Co., 51-47, handing the Moutaineers their second loss on the year. See Sports, page 16

MEMBERS OF THE FALLS CHURCH City Council, shown here, sat across from their School Board counterparts in City Hall Tuesday night to discuss plans to bring the options for development of the George Mason High School to the public at a town hall meeting this Saturday from 9 a.m – noon. (Photo: News-Press)

Regional Economic Forecast Not Too Rosy, Fuller Explains

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

Index Editorial..................6 Letters....................6 News & Notes.10–11 Comment........ 12–14 Food & Dining......15 Sports..................16

Calendar........18–19 Classified Ads......20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ..........21 Business News....22 Critter Corner.......22

In an environment defined by significant uncertainty as President Trump takes office, economic forecasting becomes an especially dicey proposition, but that did not stop Dr. Steven Fuller, the region’s best known prognosticator of trends for the Washington, D.C. metro area, from dishing his thoughts to a large gathering of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce at Falls Church’s Fairview Marriott yesterday.

Fuller, a tweedy professor at George Mason University and director of a regional economic forecasting institute there now named for him, replicated a posture he’s taken so many times in the last decade and more, which was to dampen the optimism expressed by others, including Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, at the conference. “I am not as optimistic as the government, and am attuned to threats to the economy here,” Fuller said, reminding the 500 in attendance that the D.C. area

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Big Decisions Looming for Campus Development Plan Continued from Page 1

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trailers. Neither of these options presents an opportunity for economic development on the site, as the area deemed most optimal for economic development is the southeastern corner of the property at the intersection of W. Broad and Haycock and that is taken up by the existing high school footprint. Therefore, taxpayers would bear the entire cost of either of those approaches. • Phased Construction: This two-part approach, considered for spreading out the cost, would involve construction of a 268,000 square foot building by 2021 and an additional 35,000 square feet in 2026. This approach could allow for a relatively small amount of economic development by demolishing the portion of the school nearest to the Haycock-W. Broad intersection while leaving the core of the original school building. While the economic development would help allay some of the cost of the school, this would be the most expensive approach overall. • New Construction: This approach would build an all-new high school in a currently underutilized part of the property at the farthest west end along W. Broad, leaving the existing high school to be occupied without interruption to the students pending the completion of the new structure, and once completed to involve the complete demolition of the existing school and opening up that portion of the land of economic development. The cost of this was given at $117 million. At Tuesday’s meeting, however, interim School Superintendent Dr. Robert Schiller posited another version of the new construction approach, saying that if it was only about a new high school, then addon features like the relocation of the schools’ central office (which he said was a bad idea, anyway, to have in the same space as the high school), the elimination of one or more of the three new gyms

designed into it at this point, and the elimination of a Henderson Middle School addition could lower the cost of a newly constructed school to $90-$95 million. This, he said, would be focused on building a new high school and nothing else, and would allow for its construction to be completed away from the existing high school, and allow for the complete demolition of the old school upon its completion in 2021 and open all 10 acres at that old school site for economic development. The new school would accommodate 1,200 students, and be expandable to 1,500. (This compares to the current school capacity of 876 students and enrollment of 818). Councilman Phil Duncan threw his support behind an option that would permit the highest and best use for commercial development. “No big and worthy endeavor is without risk,” he intoned. “If you don’t try to maximize economic development, we’ll be required to have the taxpayers bear the full cost of the school.” He added later, “I will fight to the last breath for as much economic development as we can get up there,” suggesting that by allowing a floor-to-area (FAR) ratio of three or four, “it would “make the cost of the school very manageable.” “This is, after all,” he said, “A once-every-75-years event that could last into the next century.” But Council member Karen Oliver did not agree, citing risks and costs. To commit to a plan that assumes economic development will pay a large portion of it “really disturbs me,” she said. She cited her concern for the financing costs of the construction. Mayor David Tarter echoed the view that commercial development will mitigate the risk of the school, and suggested that establishing a separate working group for the economic development portion, including the involvement from the Economic Development Authority and others, might be wise.

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FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017 | PAGE 5

Fuller Not Too Optimistic on Regional Economy Outlook Continued from Page 1

While the last two years have seen an explosive growth in jobs in the region (the third highest two-year number in the history of the area), they’ve not been in the right sectors, he cautioned. Fuller defined the eight kinds of private sector industries that reflect the best of what the region has to offer to the wider world, and provided data to show they were particularly stagnant, while less definitive businesses – food, entertainment and other consumer-based ones that only serve the existing population base here – have accounted for all the job growth in recent years. Fuller defined a cluster of nongovernment businesses that offer advocacy services, media and information, business and leisure travel, business and financial services, information and communication technology, science and security technology and bio and health technology as core businesses reflecting the considerable

talents of the regional “knowledge economy” here. But this cluster has accounted for only a 1.9 percent growth in jobs, compared to a 4.9 percent increase in jobs in non-cluster businesses and 1.8 percent growth in federal government jobs. That is problematic because jobs in the cluster industries pay an average of $103,000 compared to noncluster jobs paying half, an average of $51,000. The failure for these cluster business to grow at even the national average (2.2 percent) is costing the region dearly, he said, accounting for 75,000 fewer jobs than if they grew at the national average. That adds up to a loss of $177.9 billion carried forward to the year 2025. “That’s a lot less spending power than we need to drive this economy,” he said. “That’s a lot fewer meals, cars, home buys, and other expenditures to augment the growth in this economy,” he noted. He concluded that “how well the region has pivoted away from

federal government dependency is not as rosy as thought.” It all depends on the kinds of jobs that are created, he noted, and also to what end infrastructure investments are put. Preceding Fuller at the conference, Dr. Terry Clower, the Northern Virginia chair and professor of public policy at George Mason University, noted that 16 percent of the labor force in the region takes the form of a selfemployed contract work mode, and that proportion will rise to 30 percent by 2030. So while job growth has been solid the last two years, “wages should be growing much faster,” he said, while much of the gains in technology in recent years has been in the form of “labor saving technologies” that “add stress to middle income white collar jobs and low income entry level hospitality jobs alike.” Economic diversification is required, including infrastructure projects that have the effect of boosting productivity.

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City & Schools Need The Public’s Input

We join the chorus of everyone in the City of Falls Church government and schools urging a robust Falls Church citizen attendance at Saturday morning’s town hall meeting on the progress toward a final plan for the 39-acre high school property at the west end of the City. At this stage, after many hours of deliberations, the groups have divided the options into about three, with variables in each. The first is a mere renovation of the existing footprint, with the addition of more trailers to house classrooms (the cheapest option), or a more expensive plan that couples a renovation with 100,000 square feet of a new classroom building. There is a phased option which calculates out as the most expensive one, though phased, and there is one for a new high school in one fell swoop, which appears pricey at first (at $117 million), but which can go down below $100,000 if only the high school and not ancillary uses is built. This approach proposed by interim Superintendent Dr. Robert Schiller is a very level headed one, especially because it will include the ability for the maximum economic development on the site once the new school is completed. This Saturday, the public will get information on all the options, and then weigh in with its thoughts. The key decisions, of course, will remain with the Council and School Board, which will work to craft language for the bond referendum that will go on this November’s ballot to seek citizen approval. Of course, nobody wants to commit too many tax dollars to anything these days, (especially with the voter-approved renovation of the library and expansion of City Hall coming soon). But the most remarkable feature of the high school project is the potential for an enormous yield in sale and tax dollars from the dense economic development of up to 10 of the acres. Handled right, this could mitigate the impact of the cost of the new school to an enormous degree. As there are no really hard numbers about what economic development could bring, it is our view that now is the time to put out a “request for proposal” (RFP) to commercial developers for just that part of the project. Among other things, it is assumed so far that the economic development would be most lucrative at the area nearest the Haycock and W. Broad intersection. But that may not be what a developer thinks. He or she might like the current football field better for its greater proximity to the West Falls Church Metro station. Let’s let the developers tell the project developers what they think could work best there. Our view has always been to cut a deal with WMATA for some of its surface parking space there and couple it with 10 acres at that end of the school property to put something really big and dense right at the Metro station itself.

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Finds Many News-Press Articles Are Missing Info

Editor, One of my great frustrations with the News-Press is that I am one of the majority of residents of the City who are not “A-listers” who know the details of everything that is going on in the City. Therefore, I cannot take for granted many of the aspects of your articles that you simply throw out in one-liners. When I read many of your articles, I find that missing information leaves me feeling that there is something

important happening, but I’m not getting enough detail on significant and sometimes critical issues. For example, in your front-page story on the possible destruction of the Merrill House Apartments you wrote that the current seven story, 159 apartment building “… has a net negative fiscal impact on the City estimated at $600,000 per year.” My immediate questions were: Who estimated that and how did they arrive at the figure? Net

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negative of what? Compared to what? The owners pay taxes don’t they? If the City does not itself spend money on the property, then how can it be anything other than a positive cash flow? Then you wrote that the owners offered four possible replacement options to the City. However, the City Manager did not like any of them, and the City’s “position” is to sell it to someone who would keep it like it is. So why, if it costs the City $600,000 a year would the City want to keep it unchanged? You also inferred that the four options would not increase the City’s affordable housing stock. Later in the paper, you picked up on the “pressing need” for afford-

able housing in your editorial. What causes the City to need low cost houses? Where does our pressing need originate? How could anyone in the City government be so hypocritical as to say the City needs affordable housing while at the same time allowing developers to tear down every house they can acquire for $750,000 or less to replace them with $1,500,000+ mini-mansions? Maybe you and the insiders know the answers to all these questions, so you don’t have to include them in an article like this. But we aren’t, so a little detail on important issues would be welcome, here and in the future. Robert A. Speir Falls Church

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FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017 | PAGE 7

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What is the Motivation of Millennials? B� P�� D��

Much ink has been spilled about what Democrats can do to win back the Rust Belt voters who switched from voting Obama in 2012 to voting Trump in 2016. Unfortunately, not enough focus has been given to a group that might be easier to reach in the coming years: young eligible voters who chose not to vote at all. Half of all Millennials stayed home on Election Day, a phenomenon that assuredly drove the election’s outcome: while Trump won Seniors 52-45 percent, Trump lost Millennials 37-55 percent. If Democrats want to win the next election, they would be smart to think about what would motivate those 24 million young people who last year’s candidates failed to inspire to vote. When confronted with this challenge, party strategists tend to employ two misguided strategies. Their first strategy is to deploy what I call “civic engagement fingerwagging”: criticizing young people’s disengagement by appealing to platitudes about the almost-religious importance of voting (like “people died so that you could vote” or “It doesn’t matter who you vote for: just vote!”). This strategy is ineffective, because people do not vote because they care about voting: They vote because they care about the deeper projects for which their votes stand. To be invested in voting, you have to be invested in a direction in which you

want the country to move. To be invested in a direction in which your country could move, you have to be invested in your country. If we do not connect young people to their country — by engaging them in the

“[People] vote because they care about the deeper projects for which their votes stand.”

public life of their own neighborhoods and towns — and if we do not empower young people to imagine themselves as being able to lead their country in a fresh direction — by respecting their ideas and fostering their initiatives — then young people will never become invested in voting. A second misguided strategy that politicians use to motivate Millennials is to highlight political issues in which Millennials, they perceive, have a self-interest. They think they will win over Millennials by, say, talking about the national debt (“you know, you’re going to have to pay for this one day!”) or narrowly focusing on, say, student loans or legalizing pot. This is also ineffective, because it appeals to young people as self-centered

consumers rather than as moral-centered citizens. Our consumer preferences might motivate us to buy one toothbrush over another, but they will not motivate us to participate in something as beautifully irrational as casting our lone ballot in with millions of others. To vote, we need to first become part of something bigger than ourselves, a process which requires politicians to appeal, in Lincoln’s words, to “the better angels of our nature.” The great sociologist Emile Durkheim warned of two paths to societal unhappiness. One was insufficient individualism: society requesting too much of its members and overwhelming people. We all know about the dangers of this type of society: Our culture is replete with tales of iconoclastic individuals liberating themselves from the constraints of oppressive roles. Durkheim’s other unfortunate path, however, is much less discussed. This is the path of “anomie” or excessive individualism: Society providing little moral guidance to individuals, because the bonds of community, mentorship, care and responsibility had broken down. Millennials today, perhaps more than any other generation, suffer under a state of anomie. We are given infinite choice and total consumer freedom. But we yearn for solidarity: a sense of belonging and purpose. If done in a spirit of solidarity, politics has the potential to be be one antidote to our generational isolation and drift.

Perhaps a lesson can be drawn from the story of civic organizations in the past decades. When mid-century community groups were seeing declining numbers, civic leaders split on what to do to stop the bleeding. Half of the organizations thought the best way forward was to ask less of their members: To loosen each members’ required commitments by demanding less time and less effort from each of them. The other half thought the best way was to ask more of their members: To reaffirm members’ required commitments by calling for more time and more effort from them. Surprisingly, organizations that loosened their requirements continued to wither and organizations that reaffirmed their requirements became vibrant again. Indeed, people are drawn to groups that demand enough of them to become a part of their identity. If we are to meet the immense public challenges of our age, we young people need to make long-term civic commitments. Fortunately, as many of our elders know, these day-in-day-out, year-in-year-out, decade-indecade-out commitments are a path to great joy. We need their help to teach us of what the poet Jack Gilbert put best: “Not the marvelous act” but “the beauty that is of many days… the normal excellence, of long accomplishment.”  Pete Davis is a lifelong resident of Falls Church and the co-founder of the Laboratory for Civic Technology.

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MARY ANNE AND ANDREW PAINTER show off Falls Church-themed apparel from their new t-shirt company, Falls City Threads. (P��: A�� P��)

Little City Couple Create F.C.Themed Apparel Company BY JOSH THOMAS

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While traveling across the country, Falls Church residents Mary Anne and Andrew Painter were struck by small t-shirt companies promoting civic pride with locally-focused apparel. The more they saw, the more the couple became enamored by the concept. So in December 2016, the Painters launched Falls City Threads, a t-shirt company designed to celebrate The Little City and its unique community. In only a few short weeks the shirts have become an in-demand product, selling nearly 100 units at the rollout. At first, the couple made a few shirts just for themselves. But after neighbors saw their favorite local landmarks emblazoned on these shirts, the Painters realized they were on to something. “We’d be over at Dogwood (Tavern) and hear people whispering,” Andrew says. “And we go to the 5K every year and people just grab up those shirts just to have something that says ‘Falls Church.’ ” With that in mind, the Painters set out to not only capture the pride of Falls Church, but also to have the community reflected in the quality of the product. They explored the area in search of images that would resonate with local residents, eventually whit-

tling down hundreds of options to just a few that were made into designs. Local sights like the corner of Virginia and Broad Street, the Cherry Hill Farmhouse and State Theatre grace the front of their tees in a minimalist monochrome. The pair looks for “gritty, urban images but still accurate depictions of what this place is,” Andrew says. “Things you have to be ‘in the know’ to appreciate.” Everything the Painters do with Falls City Threads comes on top of their day jobs — Andrew Andrew as a zoning and land use lawyer, Mary Anne as a pediatric nurse. Barbara Cram, president of the board of directors for Falls Church Arts, is excited about the new company and what it will bring to the area. “They have taken what’s iconic to the city,” Cram says, “and made it hip-looking and more contemporary.” At the launch, Cram, an early advisor and supporter of the Painters, observed that the Falls City Threads were a hot item, even purchasing several as Christmas gifts for her family. “Every five to 10 years something really catches on,” Cram says. “We used to have books, clocks, Monopoly — now it’s these shirts.” It was the support from people like Cram and the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce (on which Andrew is a board member) that

encouraged the couple to get the enterprise off the ground. But starting a new business as a young couple with careers and three children under four is no easy task. “Finding enough time in the day to run a full business – there just aren’t enough hours in the day,” Mary Anne says. On New Year’s Eve, the Painters got their first chance to market their clothing to the broader Falls Church community at the Watch Night festivities. Despite the cold, the young company reported excellent sales and positive feedback on their products, which range from $20 toddler tees to $45 sweatshirts. Mayor David Tarter bought a shirt, Andrew recalls, and Councilmember Marybeth Connelly told the couple that her son — who had received one of their shirts as a gift — said his shirt was “by far” the best gift he had received. Children, adults, elderly folks — all of them dug Falls City Threads. Eventually, the couple plans to expand with more clothing options: youth sizes, increased sweatshirt options and tank tops. iPhone covers and prints of the graphics may be down the pipeline as well. You can buy Falls City Threads on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/ FallsCityThreads and at local retailers Art and Fame of Falls Church, Society Hill Designs and Stylish Patina.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Fa l l s C h u r c h

NEWS BRIEFS 3rd Gunfire Incident Reported in F.C. The News-Press has learned of a third case of suspected gunfire in the same residential area of Falls Church as two other reported incidents that occurred in the past week. Stacy Hennessey told the News-Press she heard what sounded like gunshots at her home on Gibson Place around 9 a.m. the morning of Friday, Jan. 20., and then more shots later that afternoon. She reported the suspected shots to police who she said took a report and then drove around the area. This latest incident occurred three days before the police first reported the sound of gunfire and discovery of shell casings on Jackson St. the morning of Monday, Jan. 23, a week before reports of more gunshots in the same area on Friday, Jan. 27. Gibson Pl. is just one block from Jackson St. In all three incidents, there were no reports of injuries or property damage. Police are currently comparing the shell casings found on Jan. 23 to other crimes in the area, looking for a connection. In an e-mail to the News-Press, City of Falls Church Police department public information officer Susan Finarelli said that since police found no evidence of gunfire after canvassing the area, officers thought the sound from the Jan. 20 incident may have been fireworks celebrating the Presidential Inauguration. Finarelli subsequently reported that police have stepped up their presence in the area and encourage people to report if they know, see or hear anything in the future..

McAuliffe, Beyer, Connolly Join Protesters Speaking at the International Terminal of the Dulles Airport west of Falls Church Saturday afternoon, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued a strong statement condemning President Donald Trump’s Executive Order barring refugees and travelers from certain Muslim countries from entering the United States. McAuliffe spoke along with Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring in the terminal while scores of protesters carrying signs and chanting were also there. The following day, U.S. Reps. Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly also joined protesters there, along with State Del. Marcus Simon and Falls Church City Council member Letty Hardi. McAuliffe said, “I am outraged and disappointed by the actions President Trump has taken to ban travelers from certain Muslim nations and to close our country to families seeking refuge from persecution. This executive order is antithetical to the values that make America great, and it will make our country less safe. On behalf of the people of Virginia, I urge President Trump and leaders in Washington to reverse this policy and restore our nation to its place as a beacon of opportunity for all.” On Tuesday, Herring filed a suit against Trump on behalf of the Commonwealth.

F.C. Resident Arrested for Indecent Exposure An Arlington teacher and resident of Falls Church was arrested Thursday night for allegedly exposing himself to two juveniles at a McLean health club. According to Fairfax Police, officers were called at 9:30 p.m. to Tysons Sport and Health, in the 8200 block of Greensboro Drive, for a report of a man exposing himself to two juveniles in the locker room. A statement from police said that the victims, ages 16 and 17 years, told employees that a man had watched them in the shower and followed them around the locker room while exposing himself. Thomas Lenihan, a 38-year-old social studies and history teacher at Yorktown High School in Arlington, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure. He was taken to the Adult Detention Center in Fairfax and was released Friday afternoon on a $5,000 bond. Arlington Public Schools announced in a statement Friday that Lenihan, who has taught at Yorktown since 2003, will be placed on administrative leave once he has been released from custody. “The well-being of students in always our top priority for Arlington Public Schools,” the statement said. “Once Mr. Lenihan has been released from custody, staff in the APS Human Resources Department will meet with him and place him on administrative leave, and we will follow all of our HR policies and procedures.” Dr. Ray Pasi, principal at Yorktown, alerted families of the arrest via email last Friday.

Nestle World Headquarters to Arlington Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced yesterday that Nestlé USA, a subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., a leading global nutrition, health and wellness company, will invest $39.8 million to relocate its U.S. corporate headquarters operation to Arlington County from California. The company will occupy 206,000 square feet of 1812 North Moore Street, the tallest building in the metropolitan area. The project will create 748 new jobs in the area. “Adding a global brand like Nestlé USA to Virginia’s corporate roster is a huge win for our commonwealth,” said Gov. McAuliffe.

FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017 | PAGE 9

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COMMUNITY MEETING

High School Campus Project

Exploring Options for the Future Saturday, February 4

•

9 a.m. to Noon

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church www.fallschurchva.gov/CampusProject

Hear updates, ask questions, and provide input on the school options and economic development.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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PAGE 10 | FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2017

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes Falls Church Arts Holds Capital Campaign The Falls Church Arts hopes to purchase the audiovisual equipment, art lighting, and classroom and studio arts equipment that will complete this vibrant and welcoming arts center for greater Falls Church. As a nonprofit organization, Falls Church Arts, or FCA, relies on the public’s support and generosity to make the arts available to everyone. To help them reach their goal of $30,000, please consider a special, tax-deductible gift to FCA’s Capital Campaign. Contribute to this Capital Campaign at the $100 level or above and you will be invited to a donor recognition party at “FCA Central” before their late February opening. Give $250 or

more and you will also receive special acknowledgment in FCA materials and at the new space. For more information, visit fallschurcharts.org

VPIS Looks to Fill Open Positions This year, the City of Falls Church will be considering and finalizing a number of capital projects and some changes to the City Code. As in years past, the Board of Directors of VPIS plans to be an active contributor to the review and debate about issues important to the City. VPIS intends to continue to provide the City and its residents its opinions about what will improve Falls Church and what may not, and to sponsor meetings to help inform the public about the projects and deci-

sions facing the City. This year, the Board of Directors has assigned one member of the Board to be the point person for each development project, plus trees and the Environment, for which there’s been a long-standing interest. Any member of VPIS should feel free to contact the appropriate Board member with opinions or issues about a project, or to volunteer his or her assistance to VPIS during the review process. Those individuals are: George Mason High School project: Dennis Szymanski Library: Jeff Peterson Streetscape: Keith Thurston Cottage Housing: Lisa Varouxis Mason Row: Michael Connelly City Hall: Keith Thurston Environmental Issues: Tim

Stevens Trees: Seth Heminway Downtown: Ruth Rodgers The Board of Directors currently has two vacancies on the Board, so anyone interested in joining the Board should contact any member of the Board. They are all listed, with contact information, at www.vpis.org. In addition, volunteers are needed for three important posts. The first is Treasurer. The second is Membership Chair, which consists of ensuring that mailings to members go out, and working with the Board to think of ways to expand membership. Each of those is a position on the Board of Directors, which meets on the second Thursday of each month. The third position is particularly important. The Attic Treasures event is the main method of funding VPIS. This year, it

will take place on Saturday, April 29. Although there have been a number of volunteers for the event, a person to direct the project is needed. If you are interested, please let one of the members of the Board of Directors know.

‘47, Inc. Holds February 2017 Social and Planning ‘47, Inc., the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals’ organization, has had great success since the group’s launch in November 2015, holding 10 social events at four local businesses and five local restaurants. They’ve also added over 45 group participants to their distribution list, which include Chamber members as well as young professionals Falls Church City schools and government. Please join them on Thursday,

THE EZHER MAMII MOSQUE in Fairfax hosted an open house on Monday. Attendees included Falls Church representatives Michael Diener (left), heading the Diversity Committee of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, and Nicholas Benton (right) of the Falls Church News-Press, visiting with mosque spokesman Mehmet Ayaz (center). The event was heavily attended by friends of the mosque from throughout the FALLS CHURCH CITY MAYOR David Tarter celebrating the year of the D.C. region. (Photo: News-Press) rooster at the Eden Center. (Photo: Alan Frank)

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

February 2 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the 4Ps in Falls Church to plan activities for 2017.

Falls Church Boy Scout Earns All 141 Merit Badges Last Sunday, January 29th, Boy Scout Michael William Holland, of Crew 820, Chain Bridge District, National Capital Area Council was honored for earning all 141 Boy Scout Merit Badges. Michael set the goal to earn every single merit badge as a way to focus his mind and efforts while his father, Major Eric W. Holland, was deployed to Afghanistan with a Route Clearance Unit in April of 2010. Michael spent the past six and a half years working diligently to complete the merit badges and finished the last merit badge, Woodwork, on December 4, 2016, one day before his 18th birthday. His father returned home safely after 13 months in Afghanistan.

Fashion Stylist to Give Advice at Fashion Show More than 30 carefully selected designers and artisans will offer a wide variety of women’s fashion, fine and artisan jewelry, and fashion accessories at the McLean Community Center’s Better Than Bling Jewelry & Fashion Accessories Show. The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Center, which is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue. Admission is $5 for adults; free for active military (with a military ID) and children up to 12 years old. This year, Better than Bling is offering something new. Julie Van Blarcom, a fashion stylist for a national woman’s retail chain, will be available for free, 15-minute consultations. Blarcom has been every size from 2 to 18 and back again. She knows the

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best designs and designers whose clothes translate beautifully for women with nontraditional body types. She uses accessories as a simple, and sometimes more affordable way to create a personal fashion statement. Blarcom is especially welcoming women veterans who are transitioning to civilian life and others who are returning to work or making a career change. Patrons may sign up for a limited number of appointment times at the event. For more information, call 703-790-0123.

at Plaka Grill the flyer (found at ow.ly/BTSZ308sMq5) and they’ll count the sale toward the donation. Plaka Grill is located at 513 W. Broad St, Falls Church, and will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

FIRSTfriday of Falls Church Returns This Week

New Private School to Open in Arlington

Come to FIRSTfriday of Falls Church and join in on the fun with dining specials and retail discounts. This month’s highlights include art exhibits, musical performances, tastings, and more with Irish Balladeer at Ireland’s Four Provinces and additional live music at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. FIRSTfriday of Falls Church is a monthly, year-round event that creates and promotes a business and social synergy for the arts and artists in and around the City of Falls Church, attracting people to view local artwork, attend musical and theatrical performances, learn about the City’s history, and shop and dine in downtown Falls Church.

While Falls Church school leaders are grappling with computer technology budget decisions, and residents are demanding smaller class sizes, local families have a new private option at their disposal for fall 2017. The Sycamore School in Arlington, just off of I-66 in Ballston, offers extremely easy access to Falls Church residents. The Sycamore School is the direct result of local families demanding access to a small, secular, progressive school model. Upcoming Open Houses for The Sycamore School will highlight “pop-up” classrooms where students can participate in experiential learning and parents can talk with staff about the curriculum and admissions. Wednesday, February 8th, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, February 11th, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesday, March 8th, 6-8 p.m. Sunday, March 19th, 2-4 p.m. Where: The Falls Church Presbyterian Church (225 E Broad St, Falls Church).

Dine Out, Do Good at Plaka Grill on Feb. 6 Kids home from school for a teacher work day? Tired of sad desk lunches at the office? Not in the mood to cook? Let Plaka Grill take care of it, and help raise money for the Falls Church Homeless Shelter at the same time. Dine in or take out from the Plaka Grill on Monday, February 6, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Shelter. Just show the friendly staff

FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2017 | PAGE 11

Falls Church Students Earn Academic Honors F.C.’s Flor Jasmin ChvezCruz and Sheila Maureen Evans earned honors recognition from McDaniel College (Md.) for the fall 2016 semester.

Bowling Event to Benefit Special Olympic Athletes Over 250 participants, friends

MICHAEL HOLLAND WITH LES BARON, CEO and Scout Executive of the National Capital Area Council. Holland was honored on Jan. 29 for earning all 141 Boy Scout Merit Badges. and long-time supporters of Fairfax Adult Softball, Inc. united on Sunday, January 29th for the 17th Annual Benefit Bowling Tournament to raise funds for Northern Virginia Special Olympics and Fairfax County Park Authority field improvements. The four-hour event, which took place at Bowl America in Falls Church, grossed over $20,000, making it the most successful

event in its 17-year history. The annual event was also the kickoff of Fairfax Adult Softball’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. FAS has been special partners with Special Olympics since 1988 when FAS was first approached by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to assist in establishing a pilot program where Special Olympians play softball alongside volunteers.

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PAGE 12 | FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017

NATI O NA L

How to Fuel the New Movement

The extreme events of the last two weeks have established at least two things: First, there is an autocratic regime in the White House now more alienated from the nation’s core democratic values and traditions than perhaps any in memory; and, second, there is a new movement, coalesced veritably overnight, of Americans of all stripes taking to the streets, spontaneously outraged by the racist, sexist and brutish makeup of this new White House. Going forward, there will be a lot of pressure to let off steam on both these flashpoints. While there is no telling what will issue from the White House, the challenge that its opposition faces is daunting. How can the outpouring of popular anger and outrage be bottled and translated into a sustainable opposition that can reverse FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS the results of the most recent election most emphatically? The various factions and voices of this opposition jockeying for influence have been a sight to see. Who to listen to? Who to follow? There is the feisty and smart former U.S. treasury secretary Robert Reich. There is the more whimsical and prophetic former Star Trek star George Takei. There is the radical’s radical, or so postured, Michael Moore, threatening Democratic elected officials with the fury of a new tea party of the left if they don’t follow his instructions. There are many of the most familiar Democratic names jumping to the front of rallies and protests at airports and public buildings aiming to inspire and direct. Those running for public offices in 2017 are tailoring their campaign efforts to attract those piling into this new movement. Pundits are offering advice about how to fuel the momentum and what the targets should be. There is a lot of talk and jockeying. But two things – truth and compassion – are required, the rest is all subordinate. First, there needs to be a relentless pursuit of the truth versus the lying dissembling of the White House autocracy. This means a strong spine for truth seekers. Journalists, in particular, continue to come under fire, and not all have a good track record in situations like this. But it’s time for that to change. The relentless and bold pursuit of the truth, and dedication to holding truth up to the standards and laws of our constitutional democracy, challenges our news industry, but also everyone on the Hill and Justice Department with resources to bring the truth out in hearings and investigations. And truth has to be the standard by which the public, as well, casts its collective skeptical eye on all the crap that is shoveled its way through the popular media and culture. This is the time for everyone to shake off all the myths and delusions that our popular culture has advanced to keep us docile and distracted. Second, there must be a strengthening of our human inclination toward compassion for all people. For decades, our culture has encouraged us to seek our selfish self-interest, to make that the norm. But that is neither natural, nor the disposition upon which this nation was established. Rather than looking to divide, vertically or horizontally, we need to reaffirm and strengthen the primacy of a global human solidarity. Political campaigns have been rooted in pandering to selfish selfinterest for a long time now, forgetting the admonition of President Kennedy in 1960, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” That spirit, the same in Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech of 1963, needs to be affirmed as the new morality of our land. It is a spiritual morality youth is hungering for. Recalling the words of the Old Testament prophet Micah, when asked what God wants, if “God be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” The prophet replied, “God has told you, O mortal, what is good and what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Nicholas F. Benton

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

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

The Republican Fausts

Many Republican members of Congress have made a Faustian bargain with Donald Trump. They don’t particularly admire him as a man, they don’t trust him as an administrator, they don’t agree with him on major issues, but they respect the grip he has on their voters, they hope he’ll sign their legislation and they certainly don’t want to be seen siding with the inflamed progressives or the hyperventilating media. Their position was at least comprehensible: How many times in a lifetime does your party control all levers of power? When that happens you’re willNEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE ing to tolerate a little Trumpian circus behavior in order to get things done. But if the last 10 days have made anything clear, it’s this: The Republican Fausts are in an untenable position. The deal they’ve struck with the devil comes at too high a price. It really will cost them their soul. In the first place, the Trump administration is not a Republican administration; it is an ethnic nationalist administration. Trump insulted both parties equally in his Inaugural Address. The Bannonites are utterly crushing the Republican regulars when it comes to actual policymaking. The administration has swung sharply anti-trade. Trump’s economic instincts are corporatist, not free market. If Barack Obama tried to lead from behind, Trump’s foreign policy involves actively running away from global engagement. Outspoken critics of Paul Ryan are being given White House jobs, and at the same time, if Reince Priebus has a pulse it is not externally evident. Second, even if Trump’s ideology were not noxious, his incompetence is a threat to all around him. To say that it is amateur hour at the White House is to slander amateurs. The recent executive orders were drafted and signed without any normal agency review or even semicoherent legal advice, filled with elemental errors that any nursery school student would have caught. It seems that the Trump administration is less a government than a small clique of bloggers and tweeters who are incommunicado with the people who actually help them get things done. Things will get really hairy when the world’s problems are incoming. Third, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the aroma of bigotry infuses the whole operation, and anybody who aligns too closely will end up sharing in the stench. The administration could have simply tightened

David Brooks

up the refugee review process and capped the refugee intake at 50,000, but instead went out of its way to insult Islam. The administration could have simply tightened up immigration procedures, but Trump went out of his way to pick a fight with all of Mexico. Other Republicans have gone far out of their way to make sure the war on terrorism is not a war on Islam or on Arabs, but Trump has gone out of his way to ensure the opposite. The racial club is always there. Fourth, it is hard to think of any administration in recent memory, on any level, whose identity is so tainted by cruelty. The Trump administration is often harsh and never kind. It is quick to inflict suffering on the 8-year-old Syrian girl who’s been bombed and strafed and lost her dad. Its deportation vows mean that in the years ahead, the TV screens will be filled with weeping families being pulled apart. None of these traits will improve with time. As former Bush administration official Eliot Cohen wrote in The Atlantic, “Precisely because the problem is one of temperament and character, it will not get better. It will get worse, as power intoxicates Trump and those around him. It will probably end in calamity — substantial domestic protest and violence, a breakdown of international economic relationships, the collapse of major alliances, or perhaps one or more new wars (even with China) on top of the ones we already have. It will not be surprising in the slightest if his term ends not in four or in eight years, but sooner, with impeachment or removal under the 25th Amendment.” The danger signs are there in profusion. Sooner or later, the Republican Fausts will face a binary choice. As they did under Nixon, Republican leaders will have to either oppose Trump and risk his tweets, or sidle along with him and live with his stain. Trump exceeded expectations with his Cabinet picks, but his first 10 days in office have made clear this is not a normal administration. It is a problem that demands a response. It is a callous, bumbling group that demands either personal loyalty or the ax. Already one sees John McCain and Lindsey Graham forming a bit of a Republican opposition. The other honorable senators will have to choose: Collins, Alexander, Portman, Corker, Cotton, Sasse and so on and so on. With most administrations you can agree sometimes and disagree other times. But this one is a danger to the party and the nation in its existential nature. And so sooner or later all will have to choose what side they are on, and live forever after with the choice.

CO MME NT

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

YO U DON T H AV E T O BE SO STRONG BUT IF I’M NOT, WHO WILL?

Being a caregiver takes a special kind of commitment. We know your strength is super, but you’re still human.

A A R P. O R G / C A R E G I V I N G 1 - 8 7 7 - 3 3 3 - 5 8 8 5

F I N D S U P P O R T F O R Y O U R S T R E N G T H.

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

I’m offering here a peek inside Arlington’s most secretive and haphazardly organized support group. The Men’s Development Club, for exactly one decade, has gathered every sixth Friday night (give or take) at East Falls Church-area watering holes deemed suitable for our brand of development. I’m honored to have qualified. The entrance test weeds out many who aspire, according to chief operating officer Rick (I’m changing the names to protect the obnoxious). Wanna-bes must correctly answer at least one of three questions: “Are you an Arlington dad? Do you have a social life outside your family? Have you ever been thirsty?” The resulting roster (padded with ringers who received misrouted emails) first “connected as school parents, volunteer sports coaches, Boy Scout dads, church members and neighbors,” says member Ross. Others are of the ilk who answer an ad that member Mo describes as seeking “fellow oppressed fathers, tired from many years of taking the high road and repeating, `Yes, dear,’ seeking others to share jokes and stories of former glory days over cold beverages in non-judgmental, non-intellectual environment.” We boast at least one public official, some business owners and many active or shelved government employees. Two or three are Catholic members in good standing at the Knights of Columbus on Little

Falls Road, which allows our group of a dozen or so to populate the bar (enforcement based on the honor system). Bartender Kenny serves large pitchers from which we develop. We’ve also assembled at the Asian Kitchen at Lee Highway and N. Lexington St. (former site of the Charleyhorse Grill, where the MDC was hatched) and at a private home, around a pit fire. We have a captain, Van, who possesses the social clout to greenlight or block a proposed meeting. His deputy performs much of the work, signing off invites as “his most obedient servant.” Other formalities include the specially prepared “charter member” certificate presented (with our development glasses raised high) after a member named Bill moved to North Carolina. (He is establishing an MDC southern outpost.) We’ve taken field trips to downtown museums, and one fresh-air fanatical rump group organizes camping trips. For primal reasons, MDCers journey to mountains in the Shenandoah or Pennsylvania to hike, cook primitively and confess around a fire while sipping their way to advanced development. That’s according to their “after-action reports.” At Christmas, there’s a gag gift exchange (price ceiling: $10) in which fist fights threaten to break out as competitors seek to avoid booby prizes. The conversation is nonpolitical, especially since not everyone knows all who turn up. (Should we make nametags? Nah, too civilized.)

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

CRIME REPORT Week of Jan. 23 – 29, 2017 Weapons Law Offenses, 300 – 400 blk Jackson St. Jan 22, a citizen heard gunshots during the night and the following morning located shell casings in the roadway. Officers searched the area with a metal detector but located nothing further. Investigation continues. Smoking Violations, 6757 Wilson Celebrate the diversity that makes America, America. Add your photo to the true portrait of America at lovehasnolabels.com

Blvd. #16 (Le Mirage) Jan 23, a male, 40, of Lorton, VA, was issued a summons for violating smoking regulations. The owner, a male, 41, of Springfield, VA, was also issued a summons for permitting the violation. Larceny from Vehicle, 400 blk S. Virginia Ave. Jan 24, resident reported items had been taken from an unlocked vehicle parked in the

FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017 | PAGE 13 “On the one hand, our wives are glad to get rid of us once in a while,” Russ ventures. “On the other hand, they benignly encourage us to make and maintain male friendships as we age, since they somehow think it might help us live longer.” “The glue that holds the MDC together is fellowship, mutual concern and respect, and a shared sense of living responsible lives,” says veteran member Dick, with outlier sincerity. “We are no longer young, but haven’t lost our belief in the common good: community service, local and national values, and care for those around us. I salute the members of the MDC for making life in Arlington a little bit better.” Here’s to the MDC’s second decade. *** Arlington’s embarrassment now Alexandria’s? Richard Spencer, a spokesman for the “alt-right” that is feeling its oats in the Trump era, has been photographed for national publications in Clarendon and the Courthouse neighborhoods. His residence was revealed to be in Arlington this November, and his “think tank,” the National Policy Institute, which pursues a pro-white, pro- European agenda, is in Crystal City. Altright. com has an Arlington post office box. But Politico reported last month that Spencer now lives in Alexandria, where neighbors have complained. And the Alexandria Times just reported that his group signed a lease for a new headquarters at North Patrick and King streets in Old Town.

driveway. Tampering with Auto, 400 blk Hampton Ct. Jan 24, resident reported an unlocked vehicle had been tampered with sometime overnight and a few coins were taken. Tampering with Auto, 400 blk S. Virginia Ave. Jan 24, resident reported an unlocked vehicle had been tampered with sometime during the night but nothing was taken. Weapons Law Offenses, 400 blk Jackson St. 8:30 PM Jan 27, officers responded to a report of sounds of gunfire. An odor of gunpowder was noticed but officers were unable to locate any shell casings. Further reports indicated the gunfire might have come from the area of W. Rosemary Ln and Seaton Ln. Officers conducted a thorough search of that area but located nothing. Investigation continues.

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PAGE 14 | FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Senator Dick Saslaw’s

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

The new administration’s Executive Order imposing a ban on travelers from seven Muslimmajority Middle Eastern countries has resulted in international protests at home and abroad. The ban already has torn families apart, and sowed fear into many local residents, who wonder if they may be at risk in their adopted homeland. In many cases, that homeland was adopted two or three generations ago, by grandparents and even great-grandparents who made a new life for themselves, and future generations, in a welcoming country. That’s been the hallmark of the United States for decades, a hallmark that today is tarnished by the actions of the new president. Fairfax County is committed to respecting all residents and celebrating diversity. My colleague, Board Chairman Sharon Bulova, reaffirmed that commitment in a statement on November 17, 2016, shortly after the results of the presidential election were affirmed. She said “our diversity makes our community strong and vibrant, and I am proud of what every resident has to offer.” I share Chairman Bulova’s pride, and hope, in the future of our community. So many of our residents worked hard to succeed in business, public service, medicine, education, as their chosen fields. I think of Andy Shallal, an IraqiAmerican who created the very popular, and socially conscious, Busboys and Poets restaurants. I think of dear friends who escaped as refugees from Iran, both respected teachers, who ran a small printing business here when their teaching credentials did not transfer. I think of a wonderful Syrian-American woman whose grandparents, who moved to this country in 1912, would be proud of her human rights advocacy.

Richmond Report

I think of an elegant friend from Somalia, who grew up in a diplomatic family, lost family members in the Somali civil war, and couldn’t go home again. As a refugee, she helped many other refugees discover their own resilience after 9/11. I think of a celebrated cardiologist from Libya, who saves lives daily on the operating table here. And I think of many SudaneseAmericans who are more recent immigrants, and who are working hard to create civic pride in their new country, while helping their children maintain a cultural and religious heritage. These are our neighbors and friends, and there are thousands more who understand, and treasure, the freedoms that are the bedrock of our democracy and nation. Of course, our freedoms need to be protected and defended, but there is no religious or cultural test, nor should there be, to visit the United States, to get work permits, or to become a citizen. Our government has made tragic errors in the past – the refusal to allow the German liner St. Louis to dock in the United States with 900 Jewish refugees in 1939, and the internment of American citizens of Japanese ancestry in 1942, are two well-known blunders. One would hope those mistaken policies would have been removed from the national dialogue decades ago. This isn’t happening somewhere else. It’s happening right here, and it’s disgraceful. Presidential senior counselor Steve Bannon told the media to “shut up and listen.” The community is listening, Mr. Bannon, but we’re not shutting up!  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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This General Assembly session is in full swing as we near crossover on Feb. 7. On the national front, it’s no surprise this President continues to wreak havoc domestically and internationally with directives that are meant to satisfy a far-right base of supporters. These reprehensible actions run counter to everything our nation stands for. JFK put it best when he said “Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life.” My own father was an immigrant from Odessa. I am proud to represent a district with citizens from dozens of different countries and appreciate the contributions they make in our society. Back at the Capitol, I would like to note a good news story of Top 10 Highlights of the 2017 General Assembly. 1. Governor McAuliffe announced plans for the largest solar farm ever constructed in Virginia. The facility will avoid releasing more than 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide. This important asset for the Commonwealth will be attractive to new businesses, as carbon neutrality is a priority for Corporate America. 2. VDOT has been executing its Smart Scale program. Our region benefited greatly from the first round of identified undertakings. Among other projects, work is underway on the Jones Branch Connector. The connector will provide a new link to Rt. 123 over the Capital Beltway and improve local traffic and access for drivers. 3. Attempts at dismantling Virginia’s common sense gun laws continue. With a barrage of bills, the gun lobby persists in its attacks on existing laws designed to keep people safe. Permit-less carrying is nonsense and will not prevent gun deaths. The same goes for allowing guns in schools. States with strong gun laws see fewer gun deaths. 4. The University of Virginia announced an expanded financial aid program for middleincome Virginians as well as plans to increase in-state enrollment by 100 students next year. The new “Cornerstone Grant” initiative will provide a substantial number of $2,000 tuition grants to qualified, in-state students from families making less than $125,000 per year. 5. Staying with higher ed, proposals to reduce student debt continue to meet push back in the General Assembly. A large number

of students who do not complete their degree credentials, are disproportionately carrying student debt. 6. Universities and community colleges are partnering to develop the workforce pipeline for high paying jobs. Currently thousands of cyber security jobs remain open in the Commonwealth. GMU, NVCC, Marymount and eight other Virginia colleges and universities are ranked as national centers of excellence for training students in cyber security fields. 7. Concerning mental health reform, the proposed budget includes an initiative for behavioral health that totals $27.5 million in Health and Human Resources plus $4.2 million for Public Safety. The primary focus of the initiative is to fund same day access for assessment and evaluation at 25 of 40 Community Service Boards; opioid and detox treatment; a broad study of the behavioral health system; contracts for use of private psychiatric beds; discharge assistance for patients in state hospitals and the purchase of Naloxone for use in the community. 8. Once again increasing the minimum wage met an early demise in both chambers. One wonders how increasing the minimum wage by a mere 75 cents/ hour this year plus small increases in three subsequent years could be such a threat to any successful business. In 2015, some 50,000 Virginias earned $7.25 an hour. This a wage that does not support any decent standard of living. 9. WMATA CEO Paul Wiedefeld reports the Safe Track schedule will wrap up in June, and by 2020 WMATA plans to have operational trains all the way to Ashburn. Adequate funding to cover the out years remains the biggest obstacle to improved service as well as redirecting people out of their cars. 10. Thanks to the First Lady of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe’s leadership, the No Kid Hungry program in Virginia served 5 million more school breakfasts in 2016 than the year before. Children are responding with better behavior and higher tests scores. Pretty much the remainder of the session will be taken up with House bills and hammering out the remaining details for balancing the budget.  Senator Saslaw represents the 35th District in the Virginia State Senate. He may be emailed at district35@senate.virginia.gov.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FO O D &D I NI NG

FEBRUARY 2 – 8 , 2017 | PAGE 15

3 Ideas for Fennel: Pizza, Potates au Gratin & Soup BY CARLYNN CROSBY TAMPA BAY TIMES

In season from mid-fall to early spring, fennel is a versatile root vegetable that complements almost any produce — citrusy lemons, onions, apricots, carrots. With just a hint of sweetness and licorice flavor, fennel is popular in salads, but the bulb is also great in soups or roasted with meat. The seeds of the fennel are also adaptable, as they’re found in many spice mixes that go into Chinese and Indian cuisines. Try one of these recipes to see how many ways the root veggie can be used. Fontina, Fennel & Onion Pizza Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. (If you have neither of these, a cast iron skillet on high heat or a sheet pan in an oven set to 500 degrees will work.) In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Add 1 trimmed, cored and thinly sliced fennel bulb and 1 halved and thinly sliced large yellow onion. Stirring occasionally, cook over high heat until browned, adding coarse salt and pepper to taste. When the mixture browns, after about 5 minutes, reduce heat to medium, cover pan and cook for

another 5 to 7 minutes. Next, add a tablespoon of water and, stirring constantly, cook for another 2 minutes. Pull off of the heat to cool. On a floured surface, roll out 4 ounces store-bought pizza dough into a 10-inch oval. Brush one side with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place the dough on your grill or other heat source, oiled side down. Brush top with oil and cook until underside forms a char, about 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and repeat this step for uncooked side. Remove from heat and top with ½ cup caramelized onion and fennel mixture, 4 ounces shredded fontina cheese and fennel fronds. Place back on heat source and cook for 2 to 5 minutes until cheese melts and toppings are heated. Recipe adapted from marthastewart.com.

Potatoes au Gratin With Fennel & Bacon Heat oven to 325 degrees. Thinly slice 2 pounds Yukon potatoes, trim and dice 1 large fennel bulb, and chop 7 basil leaves, keeping ingredients separate. In a large skillet, fry 1 pound sliced bacon until brown. After draining on paper towels, chop or crumble the bacon and set aside. In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt

5 tablespoons butter and whisk in 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour until smooth and just beginning to bubble. This is what’s called a roux. Gradually whisk in 3½ cups whole milk and stir constantly to ensure no lumps. Cook for about 5 minutes or until thickened, seasoning with ½ teaspoon ground white pepper, salt and black pepper to taste and 1 pinch ground nutmeg. Remove from heat and, adding a handful at a time, stir in 2½ cups grated cheddar cheese, continuing to stir until smooth. Set aside to cool. Using a third of the potato slices, layer the bottom of a greased 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Top with a third each of the fennel, bacon, basil and cheese sauce. Repeat this layering twice more. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 1½ hours. After an hour, remove cover so that the top can brown and cook for another 30 minutes. Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com.

Cream of Fennel Soup To make this soup, you’ll start by creating a spice mixture. Heat 1 teaspoon coriander, 2 crushed cardamom pods, 2 whole star anise and 1 whole clove over medium-high heat in an 8-quart saucepan. Cook

FENNEL is currently in season. (P��: T�� B�� T��) for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the seeds start to pop. Transfer the spices to a piece of cheesecloth and tie into a tight package, then set aside. Add ¼ cup canola oil to the pan and return to medium-high heat. Next, add 4 large, trimmed and roughly chopped fennel bulbs, 1 large leek, also trimmed and roughly chopped, and 1 large roughly chopped yellow onion. Cook the vegetables for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re golden. Then, pour 1 cup dry white wine into the pan, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes or until reduced by half. Add spice

package (in cheesecloth) and 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock and boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until vegetables are tender. Toss out spice package and puree soup, in batches, in a blender until smooth. Return soup to saucepan and add ¼ cup Pernod liqueur (this is optional), ½ cup heavy cream and salt and white pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until soup becomes slightly thick. Serve with crusty bread. Recipe adapted from saveur.com.

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PAGE 16 | FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017

SPO RTS

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Mustang Boys Hoops Knock Off Conference Leader Madison Co. by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

Another big week for George Mason High School’s varsity boys basketball team included two home victories against Conference 35 rivals Madison County High School, 51-47, and Strasburg High School, 61-46, as well as a 50-46 road loss to William Monroe. Madison County stood atop Conference 35 with a 15-1 record, remaining unbeaten in the last month. A duel with Mason (136) from tip-to-horn that saw seven lead changes in the second half ensured they would leave Madison with their second loss of the season. “First time I think we played 32 minutes all year. That’s how good we can be. [Madison’s] a damn good team,” Mason head coach Chris Capannola said. “We gimmicked them on defense, [so] they didn’t run their stuff because we didn’t let them. We limited our turnovers and made big shots when we had to. That’s the recipe for winning basketball games.” The Mountaineers held a slim 35-34 lead entering the fourth quarter before junior guard Anish Chatterjee’s 3-pointer put Mason back ahead. Madison hit a three of their own to go up 40-39, but sophomore forward Hollman Smith’s baseline jumper got the Mustangs out in front until another Mountaineer three put Madison ahead 47-46. With 90 seconds left, sopho-

MASON’S DUSTIN GREEN drives to the basket in the Mustangs’ 51-47 win over Madison. (Photo: Carol Sly) more guard Max Ashton hit a short jumper to put Mason up for good. A tough defensive stand by the Mustangs negated three go-ahead buckets for Madison and allowed Mason to walk out with a win. Against William Monroe, the Mustangs dug a hole they couldn’t get themselves out of. Trailing 27-21 at the half, the Dragons added 12 in the third to increase their lead to 39-32 by the fourth. Mason outplayed William Monroe in the final frame, but not enough to overcome the early deficit. Mason controlled the game easily in its matchup with Strasburg. The Mustangs were ahead 10-7 after eight minutes, but the team kicked it into high gear and began

to outpace the Rams. A 24-19 halftime lead was blown open in the third quarter as Mason outscored Strasburg’s 21-3 to make the fourth quarter a formality. Now Mason sets its sights on the road ahead. “There’s four games in seven days,” Capannola said about the remaining regular season. “I told the guys we gotta turn the knob to 10, and then we gotta rip the knob off. We can’t go back down to nine or eight, we need to peak when we get to the postseason.” Mason began its final week of the regular season at home against Rappahannock County last night before they host Clarke County this Friday, Feb. 3.

Mason Girls Rack Up 2 More Wins by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

George Mason High School’s varsity girls basketball team tackled another slate of big games last week, defeating William Monroe High School 48-44 last Thursday, Jan. 26, and Rappahannock County, 82-44, on Tuesday, Jan. 31. It took Mason (13-4) all 32 minutes to defeat William Monroe. A seesawing game found the teams tied at 39 after a 17-5 stretch from the Dragons put them back in the running with five minutes to play. Junior forward Jenna Short hooked up with cutting senior forward Kenya Bliss to briefly give Mason a lead, but the Dragons scored on two consecutive possessions to give William Monroe a 43-41 advantage. William Monroe’s 2-3 zone halted Mason’s offense as the clock wound under two minutes, forcing

Bliss to heave a three-ball. The shot banked off the glass and into the hoop, prompting head coach Michael Gilroy to turn toward the ecstatic home crowd and flash an astonished grin. “I thought for sure it was going to be a brick so I made a really bad face,” Bliss said. “When it went in my heart sunk I was so happy.” A free throw from the Dragons tied things up again before a missed Mustang three. Junior forward Kaylee Hirsch followed with a rebound and putback layup to give Mason the lead for good. The decisive field goal appeared like a standard reaction, but it highlighted a key part of Gilroy’s game plan. “That’s all we talked about — rebounding,” Gilroy said. “And it had to be a collective effort amongst guards, too. Jenna and Kaylee are always down there, [but] we needed some extra people

to do some work and they did.” The Mustangs trailed 18-17 at the half. In the third quarter Mason mounted a 14-2 run to go up 31-20. The lead grew to 34-22 after junior guard Linnea Skotte located fellow junior guard Elizabeth Dodge outside the arc for an open 3-pointer. William Monroe responded with their game-tying run that spanned the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth. Mason easily handled Rappahannock County in their second of two meetings to sweep the season series. The Mustangs scored double digits in each quarter, highlighted by 23-point and 26-point second and third quarters, respectively. The Mustangs get set for their final week of the regular season with a road game against Clarke County tonight, Feb. 2, before hosting Madison County next Tuesday.

IN THE TOP PHOTO, BECCA CROUCH (center) with friends and family after signing letter of intent to play soccer at the University of South Florida. On the bottom, Derin Kokuuslu (center, in green) with friends and family after signing letter of intent to play soccer at the College of William and Mary (Photos: Carol Sly)

2 Mustang Athletes Sign to Play D1 Sports by Sam Tabachnik

Falls Church News-Press

Surrounded by a gaggle of adoring friends, teammates, coaches and parents, George Mason High School seniors Rebecca Crouch and Derin Kokuuslu signed letters of intent Wednesday to play Division I college soccer. Crouch, who committed to the University of South Florida, played an integral part in three of Mason’s nine straight Virginia 2A state championships. The senior forward has tallied 87 goals and 81 assists in her high school career, and was the 2016 Virginia 2A Player of the Year. As friends and family offered hugs and congratulations, Crouch reflected on the momentous occasion. “I’ve been thinking about this every single day,” she said. “It’s obviously very exciting; it’s official now.” USF was her No. 1 choice, Crouch said, so the decision to commit to the Bulls took little contemplation. “The campus is amazing and I really liked the coaches there,” she

said. “Plus the weather is awesome, Florida is awesome and just overall it seemed like a perfect fit.” Kokuuslu committed to the College of William and Mary. The midfielder played JV soccer for the Mustangs as an eighthgrader before transitioning to D.C. United’s Development Academy for his high school years. The senior was named captain of the U18 United team this past season, starting 10 of 11 games. Signing Day, Kokuuslu admitted, was something he had thought about for some time. “I was really nervous going into it just ‘cause all my friends were coming out,” he said. “I kinda wanted to focus on my signature a little bit, not to mess it up. But I’m really excited.” Not being able to play for Mason in addition to his United team wasn’t easy, Kokuuslu said, but he knew it was the right decision. “It was very hard ‘cause I always wanted to enjoy it with my friends,” he said. “But I knew that if I kept playing consistently at the highest level that I could, it would probably be the best outcome for me.”

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LO CA L

FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017 | PAGE 17

Fa l l s C h u r c h

School News & Notes

FEATURING: VALERIE BERTINELLI GUY FIERI BOBBY FLAY DUFF GOLDMAN

ALEX GUARNASCHELLI ROBERT IRVINE EMERIL LAGASSE RACHAEL RAY

MARCUS SAMUELSSON MICHAEL SYMON ANDREW ZIMMERN & MANY MORE

THE SECOND ANNUAL STEAM NIGHT comes to Thomas Jefferson Thursday night. Most activities are Star Wars themed, including the prizes (Photo: FCCPS).

8th grade Student Wins Grace Christian National Geographic Bee Stefan Truong, an 8th grade student at Grace Christian Academy, won the school competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 25, 2017 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The school Bee, at which students answered questions on geography, was the first round in the 29th annual National Geographic Bee. Thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories are participating in the 2017 National Geographic Bee. The school champions, including Stefan Truong, will take a qualifying test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee on March 31, 2017. The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state winners to participate in the Bee national championship rounds May 15-17 The first place national champion will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society including a subscription to National Geographic magazine, and a trip to the Galápagos Islands. The national finals will air on television on May 19 at 8 p.m. EST on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD, and later on public television stations.

Launching Jump Rope For Heart with Rallies In two assemblies, one for 2nd-3rd graders, a second for 4th-5th graders, representatives from the American Heart Association and Thomas Jefferson Elementary’s PE teachers kicked off the annual heart healthy challenge. The theme of this year’s Jump

Rope for Heart event is the Zoo Crew Challenge. During gym periods the week of Feb. 20, TJ students will count up their jump roping activities. Ahead of it, any interested students can fundraise for the AHA through the link below. Volunteers are needed to help the events run smoothly. Sign up at /www.signupgenius.com/ go/20f0d49afa92ca1f58-jump to help and enjoy being part of the excitement. Mt. Daniel students are also taking the challenge, and some siblings are teaming up between the two schools. Mt. Daniel’s event runs the week of Feb. 13. Students in both schools are learning about the importance of exercise, water, fruits and vegetables, and the need to watch salt and sugar intake.

M.E. Henderson Student Wins ‘If I Were Mayor’ Contest Liv Scappa, a seventh grader at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, won the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe will present the awards to this year’s eight regional winners at a special ceremony to be held January 25 at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.

SCA Souper Bowl Soup Drive At F.C.’s TJ Elementary The canned soup drive, affectionately known as the Souper Bowl, is run by the Student Council Association at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. It continues all week ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl. Students may bring in canned or boxed soup and place their donation in the box for the team they hope will win — either the Falcons or the Patriots. Friday is team jersey day and students can wear a jersey from a favorite team.

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Community Events THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Teen Volunteer Orientation. For new volunteers interested in earning service hours at the library this fall. For teens ages 12-18. Registration and volunteer application required. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave, Falls Church). 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 703-248-5034. Falls Church Rotary Club hosts Bishop O’Connell High School Interact Club students. The students will report on the Rotary Youth Leadership camp weekend and their ongoing activities. Harvest Moon Restaurant (7260 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church). Dinner costs $15 and visitors are welcome. 6:30 p.m. http://fallschurchrotary. org/ 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. This month, the group will be discussing “Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, 1920-1933” by Daniel Okrent. Light refreshments are served. All are welcome. Mary Riley Styles

Public Library’s Conference Room (120 N. Virginia Ave, Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 703-248-5030.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 F.C. Farmers Market. Vendors offer fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, baked goods, plants and wine. City Hall parking lot. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). Free. 9 a.m. – noon. 703-248-5077. Campus Planning Community Meeting. Join your neighbors, City Council members, School Board members and City and School staff for an update on the school campus project including enrollment trends, facility needs and financing constraints. This meeting will be interactive and include opportunities for asking questions. Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Cafetorium (7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. http://www.fallschurchva. gov/1599/High-School-CampusProject 8th Annual “Little House Studio Recital.” Recital features students ages 5 to 60-something playing a diverse range of

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.

music. The recital will also be a fundraiser for the Strings Club at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Clare and Don’s (130 N Washington St. Falls Church). Free. 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 703532-9283. Chinese New Year Preschool Story�me at the Library. Join us for a special bilingual story�me celebra�ng Chinese New Year. Ages 2-5. No registra�on required. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Services Room (120 N. Virginia Ave, Falls Church). 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 703-248-5030. Chinese New Year Cra�s at the Library. A special cra� program celebra�ng Chinese New Year. For children grades K-5. Space is limited to 15 par�cipants. Children must be present at 1 p.m. to enter the room; at 1:05 p.m. spaces will be given to children on the waitlist. Register at the Youth Services desk by phone (703-248-5034) or in person. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Youth Conference Room (120 N. Virginia Ave, Falls Church). 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 703-248-5030.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 ESL Conversation Group. English as a Second Language

Conversation group for adults focusing on English language and American culture. No registration required. Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Conference Room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). Free. 7 – 8:30 p.m. 703-248-5035.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Reading Buddies. Independent readers can practice reading with a teen from George Mason High School. Readers grades K-3rd. Registration Required. Register at the Youth Services Desk by phone 703-248-5034 or in person. Mary Riley Styles Public Library conference room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. 703248-5034.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Bingo at the Library. Play Bingo at the Library. For children grades K-5th. Register at the Youth Services desk by phone 703248-5034 or in person. Mary Riley Styles Public Library youth services room (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church). 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. 703-248-5034.

Theater Fine Arts THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Nicholas Rodriguez Cabaret. Arena Stage’s Carousel and One Life to Live star Nicholas Rodriguez fuses his love of all things 1970s with the music of Bossa Nova, disco, folk and Broadway in a unique and in�mate evening ﬁlled with his charming personality and soulful voice. Signature Theatre, The Ark (4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington). Free. 7 p.m. $35.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 “Company.” A 1970 musical comedy based on a book by George Furth with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The plot revolves around Bobby (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady rela�onship, let alone marriage), the ﬁve married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. Unlike most book musicals,

“Company” was among the ﬁrst musicals to deal with adult themes and rela�onships. As Sondheim puts it, “Broadway theater has been for many years supported by upper-middle-class people with upper-middle-class problems. These people really want to escape that world when they go to the theatre, and then here we are with Company talking about how we’re going to bring it right back in their faces.” Adult situa�ons. Suitable for 17 and older. Shows through Feb. 19. McLean Community Center, Alden Theatre (Address: 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean). $23 – $25. 8 p.m. h�p://mcleanplayers.org/

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 “The Lion in the Winter.” A tale of royal intrigue and sharp wits, James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” transports the audience to the 12th Century where shi�ing alliances and high stakes

plague the royal family. Thomas Jeﬀerson Community Theatre (125 S Old Glebe Rd, Arlington). $15 – $22. 8 p.m. thearlingtonplayers. org.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Sigworks: “Fortune Cookies for Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigare�es.” Marian Amsel assumed that re�rement would be a quiet life with her new husband Richard. However, a surprise visit from her grown daughter Lee, a guest room being used by Richard’s pregnant teenage niece, Ki�y, and some extra a�en�on needed by Bobby, the boy next door with the absentee father, suicidal sister, and mental hospital bound mother, leaves Marian with an empty nest a li�le fuller than she’d imagined. Signature Theatre, Ali’s Bar (4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington). Free. 7 p.m.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CA L E NDA R

FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017 | PAGE 19

live_music&nightlife

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 T��’�. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504. I�� G�� N��. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). 8 p.m. $25 – $27 p.m. 703-255-1900. B�� F��. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 D�� C��. Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. (130 North Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-532-9283. P�� T�� D�� A�� SUNY S�� B��. Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd. Vienna). 7:30 p.m. $38. 703-255-1900. A� E�� T�� N��. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20. 7:30 p.m. 703-2551566 M�� C�� T�� B�� R��. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). 7:30 p.m. $29.50. 703-549-7500 S�� A�� C�� C��. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $10. 8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340 N�� M�� B��. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $37. 9 p.m. 703-237-

0300. Shartel and Hume Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9:15 p.m. 703-2419504. K�� M�� D. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333. T�� L�� L�� S��: Main Stage Comedy Showcase feat. Kevin Skiffington, Davine Kerr, Petey Steele, Nicki Fuchs, Donnie Sengstack, Dylan Meyer and Andy Kline. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $8 – $10 10:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 S�� F��. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504. C�� H�� T��. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $22. 6:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. K�� M�� H�� S�� E�. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $10. 8:30 p.m. 703-522-8340 T�� S�� – A T�� B�� J��. The State Theatre (220 N. Washington St., Falls Church). $17 – $20. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300. C�� V�� C�� M��. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. $15. 9 p.m. 202667-7960.

C�� U��. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 9 p.m. 703-241-9504. B�� M��’� 72�� B�� T�� E�� L�� T��. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12 – $22. 9:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. B�� B��: A K-P�� D�� N��.

P��. Galaxy Hut (2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). $5. 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 AFI. 9:30 Club. (815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.) $30. 7 p.m. 202265-0930 O�� M�� C�� A�� M��. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-241-9504. T�� T�� JUXT. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12 – $25. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. I�� J�� G�� S��. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). 8 p.m. 703-522-8340

Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. $10. 9:30 p.m. 202-667-7960.

I��. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 10 p.m. 703-237-8333.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 R�� C�� A�� R�� S��. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 3 p.m. 703-241-9504. L�� T�� B��. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-2419504.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 P.O.S. C�� R�� T��22. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15 – $25. 8 p.m. 703-255-1566. W�� B�� J��. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504. P�� S�� R�� M��

O�� M�� A�� P��. Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington). 7:30 p.m. 703-522-8340 T�� V�� M�� B��, J�� H��, �� M�� D��. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). 7:30 p.m. $69.50. 703-549-7500 U�� B�� K��. Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. $10. 7:30 p.m. 202-667-7960. L�� K�� R��! JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

P�� A��... Saturday, February 10 - Blues in the Night - Come and celebrate Black History Month with the Tinner Hill Heritage Founda�on and experience the Tony Award-nominated musical “Blues in the Night,” directed by Crea�ve Cauldron’s Ar�s�c Associate, Ma� Conner. The special event includes a dessert recep�on before the show and post show discussion. Sunday, February 12 - Plants in 2017 - The Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society will present a colorful and informa�ve slide program/discussion of the hor�cultural traits of the blooms on the 2017 plant order. The mee�ng will be held at the Falls Church Community Center (223 Li�le Falls St, Falls Church) star�ng at 2:30 p.m. Open to the public. Free Admission and refreshments. Call Jim Dunne (703-560- 8776) for more informa�on. Saturday, April 1 - Chamber of Commerce 70th Anniversary Pla�num Ball - Join us for the 70th Anniversary Pla�num Ball, with awards and dinner, at the Fairview Park Marrio� (3111 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church) from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

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 20 | FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2017

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Public Notice CITY OF FALLS CHURCH FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office (703-248-5014, cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov, or www.fallschurchva.gov/BC) for an application form or more information. Requests for reappointment must be made through the City Clerk. Applications are accepted until the end of the month. Vacancies advertised for more than one month may be ﬁlled during each subsequent month before month’s end. Board of Equalization Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation Environmental Sustainability Council Historic Architectural Review Board Historical Commission Housing Commission Tree Commission Regional Boards/Commissions: Fairfax Area Commission on Aging Fairfax Area Disability Services Board Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia Long Term Care Coordinating Council Members are especially needed on the Board of Equalization: The Board of Equalization (BOE) is an independent body appointed by the Circuit

Court and charged with determining whether the Oﬃce of Real Estate Assessment has equalized the assessments among property owners. Upon its review, the BOE has the power to increase, decrease, or keep the same assessment. BOE members undergo state mandated training prior to voting in meetings. Members can expect to attend an organizational meeting each year to elect a Chair and Secretary and select meeting dates for hearings. The number of meetings is dependent on the number of appeals received. Meetings are Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm and can run up to 3 hours. Professional members of the accounting, legal, and real estate community are encouraged to apply – the board requires three members from these ﬁelds.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, on Monday, February 6, 2017 to consider the following: (TR17-03) RESOLUTION RECOMMENING APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2005 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO INCORPORATE THE “FALLS CHURCH 2040” AS AN UPDATED AND REPLACEMENT OF THE “INTRODUCTION AND VISION” CHAPTER The City of Falls Church Comprehensive Plan serves as a guide for all aspects of planning and development. Chapter 1 of the Comprehensive Plan provides an overarching picture of what the City wants to be over the next 25 years. The Chapter was last updated in 2005. The updated Chapter will incorporate a vision statement for the City and will reﬂect community values and changes to the City and the region that have taken place since the last update. More information regarding the update of Comprehensive Plan Chapter 1 and the public engagement process through which it was developed is available at www.fallschurchva.gov/vision or at the Development Services oﬃce in City Hall, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church.

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All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s oﬃce at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

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

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Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

22 26

32 35

19 21

51 52

53 62

54 63

Across 1. Help for motorcycle daredevils

1. Help for motorcycle daredevils 5. eBay action 8. Key of Mozart's Symphony No. 40 14. Jai ____ 15. In the manner of 16. Giving off, as confidence 17. 62-Across of "on the sly" 19. Natural history museum attractions 20. Get the ball rolling 21. Flue problem 23. Like a button? 26. Writes 2 + 7 = 10, e.g. 31. 62-Across of "no fair to trees" 33. "The Wizard ____" (comic strip) 35. Chick-____-A (chicken restaurant franchise) 36. Fence alternative 37. Sharp turn 38. 62-Across of "real fun" 41. Actress Vardalos 42. Playwright Fugard 44. "N.Y. State of Mind" rapper 45. What Yale became in 1969 46. 62-Across of "I won't hear this" 50. "It's ____ guess" 51. List-ending abbr. 52. Poe's "The ____ of Amontillado" 54. They may be French 58. "Put me down as a maybe" 62. Term used to describe a

FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017 | PAGE 21

rearrangement of letters in a word or phrase to create its opposite meaning 65. John's "Pulp Fiction" costar 66. "Not ____ shabby!" 67. Identify 68. On a "What's Hot" list 69. Special feeling? 70. "If all ____ fails ..."

DOWN

1. Pep rally cries 2. Tons 3. "Give that ____ cigar!" 4. Like some navels 5. Flutter, as one's eyes 6. Hardly 100% 7. Periods of time 8. "Get cracking!" 9. Political comedian with the 1973 album "Sing a Song of Watergate" 10. Suffix with winter 11. Veto 12. 1300 hours, to a civilian 13. NFL positions: Abbr. 18. Double ____ Oreos 22. New Agey sounds 24. Staple of a vegan diet 25. "____ go bragh!" 27. Took courses 28. Failed to 29. "Git along" little critter 30. "Golf Begins at Forty" author 31. Southpaw's opposite 32. Justice Kagan 33. Conductor Seiji

CHUCKLE BROS BRIAN & RON BOYCHUK

5. eBay action

34. Belong 38. Recoiled slightly, as from an oncoming punch 39. Like first editions, often 40. ____ prof. 43. "What have we here?!" 45. It may be splashed on 47. In a precise manner 48. Alternative to -enne 49. "____ only known!" 53. Duchess of Cambridge, to friends 55. Spoken test 56. Bumps hard 57. "Hook" role 58. Suffix with sentimental 59. Dent or crack 60. "____ Mine" (George Harrison autobiography) 61. See 64-Down 63. Rejections 64. With 61-Down, 1986 Tom Cruise film

8. Key of Mozart's Symphony No. 40

Last Thursday’s Solution P A G E A C R E M A R K C R C I V I C A L E B F R A T O R Y O U N E T A I L N O T N E H O O H A A B N E R L A C A N O D E T S

Sudoku Level:

C R U E L

M O B I L

O M A N I

N O N

B E B A N A R M O N E A R E E R C E S S H C E T H E O W I M A N

O N L A T E

U S E R I D

S E N S E I

B A E L A R I D E M I D E A N N

A X I L

C K L E A N Y

H E N N E R

L A B O R D A Y

E L D E S T

D L E R E A E X T

By The Mepham Group 4

14. Jai ____ 15. In the manner of 16. Giving off, as confidence 17. 62-Across of "on the sly" 19. Natural history museum attractions 20. Get the ball rolling 21. Flue problem

23. Like a button? 26. Writes 2 + 7 = 10, e.g. 31. 62-Across of "no fair to trees"

LOOSE PARTS

33. "The Wizard ____" (comic strip) 35. Chick-____-A (chicken restaurant franchise) NICK KNACK

DAVE BLAZEK

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

2/5/17

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.

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2017

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Critter Corner

BACK IN THE DAY

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

20 s Yearo Ag

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

20 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press Falls Church News-Press Vol. VI, No. 47 • February 6, 1997

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. XVI, No. 48 • February 1, 2007

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

Dignan Resigns, Gets $140,000 in Settlement; Shaw is Named Interim

Episcopalian Diocese Files in Court for Removal of Defectors from F.C. Site

In a series of terse and decisive steps at a specially-called Falls Church School Board meeting Tuesday night, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Dr. Patricia Dignan as superintendent of Schools and to name Mary Ellen Shaw as her interim replacement.

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia filed papers in court seeking a restraining order against “further use and occupancy” of the properties it says are falsely claimed by 11 congregations that voted in December to defect from the Episcopal denomination.

Fa l l s C h u r c h

Business News & Notes F.C. Chamber Orientation, Networking Breakfast Set for Next Week The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce is hosting two events next week designed to help the local business community learn about the chamber and meet local business leaders. On Tuesday, Feb. 7 the Chamber will host a chamber orientation meeting from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. for prospective and current members. On Thursday, Feb. 9, the Chamber is hosting an informal networking breakfast from 8 – 9 a.m. at the Original Pancake House. Both events are free but breakfast attendees are expected to cover their own expenses. For more information about these events, visit www.FallsChurchChamber.org.

F.C., McLean & Vienna Chambers to Meet on Feb. 8 The Kensington Falls Church is hosting a tri-chamber networking mixer with the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, and the Vienna Business Association on Feb. 8 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to network, enjoy refreshments, and tour the new facility at 700 W. Broad Street. The event is free but RSVPs are required to 703-992-9868 or conciergefs@kensingtonsl.com.

Arc of NoVa Hosting Professionals Mixer & Happy Hour The Arc of Northern Virginia is hosting a Northern Virginia professionals mixer and happy hour on Feb. 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Blackfinn Ameripub. The cover charge is a donation to support the programs, services, and advocacy of the organization that represents and serves more than 16,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. A $10 donation provides exclusive Happy Hour specials and a complimentary flatbread for a future visit while a $25 donation provides the same benefits plus $15 in happy hour food for a future visit. For more information, visit www.thearcofnova.org.

F.C.’s Markon Solutions Names 2 New VPs Markon Solutions, a Falls Church-based project management consulting firm, named two new vice presidents — Steve Genn and Kyle Werking. Genn, who joined Markon in 2012, leads client delivery and portfolio growth for United States Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs clients. He is accountable for his team’s professional growth and development, client satisfaction, and portfolio growth. Werking, who has been with Markon since its founding in 2007, manages all contracts with U.S. civilian government departments/agencies. He is responsible for client satisfaction, portfolio maturity, and developing new opportunities. For more information, visit www. markonsolutions.com.  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.

WHEN TEMPERATURES HIT 70 in Falls Church last month, Bennett Kimmel went for a leisurely winter-time stroll through The Little City. When walking on Great Falls St., the heat proved too much for Bennett and he had to take a breather. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2017 | PAGE 23

Now Available at One More Page Books! 2200 North Westmoreland Street #101, Arlington

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PAGE 24 | FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2017

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Excellent investment opportunity!! 3BR/2BA condo in Barcroft Hills. Needs updating. Beautiful setting. 2 large balconies. Swimming pool and tennis court. All utilities including in condo fee. Price perfected $213,999

102 Birch St #a-2, Falls Church, VA 22046

Updated 1 BR, 1 BA ground-level condo. Ideally located by West Falls Church Metro w easy access to UVA/VA Tech campus, Grocery store/Restaurants/Shopping within walking distance. Upgraded Kitchen w New Cabinets, SS Appliances and Tile floors. WW carpet in LR & BR, Washer/Dryer in unit, Beautiful outdoor patio space. No Pets. RENTAL PRICE $1,550

FOR RENT

PRICE PERFECTED

Beautiful and classic 3 level cape cod. 5BR/2BA on 3 finished levels. Whole house has been remodeled in last 5 years! Including windows, roof and all systems. Price perfected $729,000

BUYER NEEDS: - Single Family Home in Falls Hill or Marshall HS pyramid - Single Family Home or Large Townhouse in Falls Church City

Thinking about buying, selling, investing, moving up or downsizing? Get a jump on the market and talk to Bethany, your local real estate market expert, to get ready for 2017.