School is Underway Monday in Little City
BERMAN PARK UPGRADES
The new school year is now upon us! Unlike even the more recent past when the year always began right after Labor Day, now it is commencing on Monday, August 18.
That earlier start date pushed up the annual event of the week prior when the convocation of the Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) brings all teachers and staff to gather, and that happened this Monday and Tuesday, led by the system’s new superintendent. Dr. Terry J. Dade.
Dade delivered keynote remarks on Monday, and they centered on two main points: “Be curious, not judgmental, and love what you do, and love kids.” He spoke of his background, being born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Northern Virginia, his dad being the current girls basketball coach at Robinson Secondary High.
The Falls Church City Council gave a unanimous “first reading” approval late Monday to a new plan to charge residents separately for their trash pick-up, rather than the long-standing policy of having it included in their residential real estate tax bills.
The new plan involves a two-tier billing process, more for those using 65 gallon trash
containers and for those using 35 gallon containers, and also includes an added charge for an organics-only container that everyone eligible for trash pickups has received designed for use in composting that citizens can opt out of if they don’t want to participate in it.
A final OK on the plan is expected at the Sept. 8 Council meeting, in time for the first round of bills to be listed on the fall real estate tax bill that comes
out in November. In conjunction with that change will come a 1.5 cent reduction in real estate tax bills for everybody, from $1.20 to $1.185 per $100 of assessed valuation.
The change has been a long time coming for residents of multi-family projects that do not receive the weekly trash pickup service but have been paying for it as an included part of their real estate tax bill. There are 3,107 residential addresses in the City
that receive the weekly service, constituting 82 percent of the total properties.
Over many years, residents of the Park Towers condo building on N. Maple Ave. have been periodically coming to Council meetings to complain about being charged through their real estate taxes for a service they did not receive. But this marks the first time they were heard and the
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Falls Church Business News & Notes
Financial Preparedness for Caregivers
Did you know financial missteps can be one of the earliest signs of cognitive decline? Kensington Falls Church invites you to join Kay Bransford, founder of MemoryBanc Daily Money Management and a seasoned caregiver herself, as she shares her journey and best practices for organizing finances during the caregiving process. Kim Fiske will provide essential tips on estate planning and long-term financial security. The Caregiver Masterclass will be held today, August 14, 5:00 – 6:00 pm. RSVP via the link: https://business.fallschurchchamber.org/events/details/caregiver-masterclass-partii-financial-preparedness-for-caregivers-81296?calendarMonth=2025-08-01
Wine Tasting at The Casual Pint
The Casual Pint on Arlington Boulevard hosts a sample of various summer-friendly vintages from Kysela Pere et Fils. This is a free wine tasting tonight, August 14, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Oysters Happy Hours
In the August 5 edition, DC Eater reported on the best Oyster Happy Hours in D.C. Two local spots claimed their spot, Chasin’ Tails and Dogwood Tavern. Chasin’ Tails offers $1 raw and $2 charbroiled oysters in orders of a half dozen on Mondays and Tuesdays. Dogwood Tavern, which just hosted a week of oyster specials, offers $1 oysters on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 11:00 p.m. This a part of the Raw Bar night which also features deals on Alaskan snow crab legs, peel and eat shrimp, and steamed mussels.
Chamber Lunch in Eden Center
The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce will meet on August 19 at 12:00 noon for the Annual Lunch in Eden Center. This time, members will visit the new Pop-Up District which offers several vendors featuring Vietnamese, Thai and Korean menus. Last month, Alice Levitt said that one of her favorite places in Northern Virginia is Eden Center for its Southeast Asian food. This visit was to the Pop-Up District, a food hall which becomes a lively hit spot in the evenings. The chamber is taking reservations for seating only and guests will order from their preferred vendor. Prospective members are welcome to join the crowd for this local experience.
Local Business Aids Flood Victims
Toy Nest is auctioning off a very special Barbie Dreamhouse in a local effort to support the flood victims in Kerr County, Texas. Bidding may be done through email or entered at the front desk in Toy Nest through August 20. Guests may enjoy the house for in-library play only, and it will be stocked with accessories and Barbies before it heads to its new home. All proceeds will go to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
Sports Themed Parents’ Night Out
KiPS Family Gymnastics invites parents to call timeout on parenting and enjoy a night off while their kids have a ball – literally! In this sports-themed kid’s event, they will enjoy gymnastics, games, pizza, and movies. Plan your night out on Friday, August 22, 5:15 – 8:30 p.m. and reserve space for your kids now at https://www.hisawyer.com/kips-family-gymnastics/schedules/activity-set/1441074?source=semester. KiPS is located in the Shops at West Falls Church on Lee Highway.
Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.
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New School Year Begins Next Week for All F.C. City Grade Levels
The system’s Community Outreach Director and also elected Falls Church City Council member Marybeth Connelly supplemented the first day of the convocation with an introduction to the new Marian Costner Selby Peace Garden on the fifth floor of the new Meridian High School building, named in honor of the first black person to integrate the Falls Church schools in 1961. Ms. Selby graduated in 1964, and in recent years has come to the City schools on a number of occasions to meet students and tell her story.
The FCCPS, it was noted on the second day of the convocation, has been ranked the Number One school division in the entire state of Virginia for six years in a row, as well as the Number One in the wider Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
It now offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, one of an estimated less than 75 systems worldwide that provide that. Meridian is a Niche website “Best School,” a Purple Star school for its work with militaryconnected students, a National Gold Ribbon school and a “No Place for Hate” school designated by the AntiDefamation League.
Remarks were delivered by Tate Gould, chair of the F.C. School Board, by Pam Mahony, president of the Falls Church Education Association, now the body handling collective bargaining with the system, and Suzanne Hladky, executive director of the Falls Church Education Foundation, which has contributed $246,000 raised mostly from F.C. residents to the system and is now planning its annual Run for the Schools on Sept. 14.
Jamie Sample, Meridian’s choral director, led a student acapella chorus in a number of songs.
A major feature of the annual convocation events was the recognition given to teachers and staff as they reached milestones in their careers with the FCCPS. This year was no exception.
From Mt. Daniel Elementary, recognized for 15 years of service were Scott Daugherty and Beth Green, for 20 years were Shane Levock-Spindle, Nora Pishner and Dave Slikora, and 30 years
Nan Hof.
From Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School for 15 years of service was Kelly Schuman, for 20 years were Ruth Barry and Henry Gonzales and 25 years was Mark Coffren.
From the transportation team for 15 years was Liqin Zhang.
From Meridian High for 15 years was Shawn Northrip, for 20 years were Kent Foster, Christina Leigh, Mo Smith and Edna Baldo.
From maintenance services for 20 years was Jose Rodriguez.
From Oak Street Elementary for 20 years was Layton McCann, and for 25 years was Yoki Smith-Jeffers.
From the Central Office for 20 years was Marybeth Connelly and for 25 years was Dang Nguyen.
The system’s Teacher of the Year recipient honored by the Falls Church Education Foundation for the last year was Marian Schimmoller of Oak Street Elementary. She delivered remarks, noting that “sparks” require oxygen and fanning to become blazing, that one not be perfect but present, and the rewards to a teacher represented by a student who never raised her hand until last week. She cited the value of perseverance, of building identity, taking risks and loving learning.
It is noted about Marian Costner Selby that she told students her favorite song in high school was about the Little Rock Nine, the first black students to integrate Little Rock High School in 1957 following the
Supreme Court decision to integrate in 1954. Ms. Shelby was first interviewed about her experience for a lengthy two-part series in the Falls Church News-Press written by Darien Bates in 2005.
DADE INSPIRES CROWD with Message to ‘Be Curious, Love What You Do, and Love Kids’. (Photo: News-Press)
F.C. Council Unanimous in Preliminary OK for New Garbage Fees
Council decided to do something about it.
A contingent of Park Towers residents showed up at Monday’s meeting to stand while Gail Wordsworth, a Park Tower resident who said she first spoke to the matter 38 years ago, spoke during the petition period of the meeting.
There was no significant dissent on the Council about the new policy being adopted, but it took a long time to concur on the price differential between residents placing larger versus smaller containers on the curb each week.
In preliminarily approving an ordinance, the Council finally adopted one that included the option of two different pricings, with one to be finally determined on the night of the ordinance’s final OK due Sept. 8.
One differential has users of the larger containers being charged $327 a year, and the smaller ones $252 a year. The second option calls for a $100
difference between the two rates, at $336 or $236.
Mayor Letty Hardi noted that an added purpose to seeking the fairness that the Park Towers residents have been seeking is an incentive embedded in the pricing differential that encourages recycling by virtue of the savings for those using the smaller containers, with the goal of “shifting behaviors” toward recycling.
City Manager Wyatt Shields called the two-tier billing policy, in this context, “a win for Falls Church. Not even Fairfax County can pull this off.”
But Council member Marybeth Connelly stressed that the purpose is mainly to make the matter “fair” for all residents, noting that “for many many years it was not, but nobody knew.” Veteran Park Towers residents might say instead, “but nobody listened.”
Other actions taken by the Council at this Monday’s meeting included:
• The Council, hearing from Brendan Woodley of the
Affordable Housing Working Group, adopted an expanded eligibility and wider-ranging set of qualifications for lower-income citizens seeking tax relief through deferrals or exemptions. Jeff Person of the Human Services Advisory Council responded, “I’m thrilled that the City of Falls Church City Council has adopted the new Affordable Living Policy — an ambitious proposal I helped shape as co-chair of the committee that wrote it. This is a meaningful step toward addressing our community’s housing affordability crisis.”
• The Council approved a pay raise for members of the Planning Commission from $150 to $300 a month for the chair and $100 to $250 a month for members, with the total cost rising from $9,000 a year to $21,600.
• The Council heard a report from the City Planning Department, including Capital Improvement Projects coordinator Caitlin Sobsey and new department director Amanda Brain, about the 20 projects
around the Little City that are on target for completion, and 11 that are slightly behind and six labelled “at risk.”
The projects range from the solar panels on the Aurora House to the completion of the baseball field at Meridian High School and the concession stand and restrooms, all of which are due to be completed by the spring of 2026, and the reopening of the post office after hours.
Mayor Hardi said she considers sidewalk repairs around the city, including repairs and also filling missing links, a priority.
“It’s the Number One thing we hear about,” she said.
At the urging of Council member Laura Downs, who attended remotely from Lancaster, Pennsylvania where she was helping a son move into college, the City’s Public Information Office put out Tuesday a special edition of its online Focus newsletter with a “Focus on Wins in the Capital Improvement Program,” ranging from the Broad Street HAWK signals, to the Community Center
geothermal HVAC installation, Community Center generator, the synthetic field replacement at Meridian High, the Berman Park playground (that was unveiled at an event prior to the start of Monday’s meeting), public safety radios, Berman Park trail crossings, the sidewalk at 412 W. Broad, Hillwood Ave. stormwater improvements, and the Wallace Street sidewalks,
• The Council adopted a resolution recognizing the contribution of Robert Lazaro, long time head of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, who looked on remotely, and of Childhood Cancer Awareness Week. That one noted that “the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection report that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15. This tragic disease is detected in more than 16,000 of our country’s young people every year. An estimated 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer globally each year.”
The Alaskan Summit: Echoes of Munich 1938
Nicholas F. Benton
Former U.S. Congresswoman, the first woman ever elected to Congress from Virginia, Leslie Byrne, said on social media this week: ‘The Molester in Chief knows what is in the Epstein files and he is using his trusty old bag of deflection tricks to try to get us to look away.”
This is true, but one cannot overlook the bigger picture of what the Trump operation is up to, as warned by Marc Elias in his Aug. 12 Democracy Docket.
Elias wrote, “Federal agencies are being gutted by teenage boys who think the destruction is funny. The rule of law is mocked by administration officials who believe they stand above it. Government lawyers target political enemies and lie to judges. Corporate titans and their attorneys bow down, offering false praise and thinly veiled bribes.
“Our democracy is unraveling. Like a fragile tapestry, the threads holding our constitutional order together are being pulled out one by one. We thought the United States was stronger than this — that our commitment to individual liberties and free, fair elections would hold us together. We are barely onequarter of the way through Donald Trump’s second term, and already the damage seems immense and irreversible. It is unimaginable that it could get worse — far worse — from here. But it will.”
On the news that there is now no age limit (18 and up) for someone to obtain employment as an ICE agent, Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of the immigrant-rights group America’s Voice, said details about ICE’s plans should send a chill down every American’s spine.
“Take a teenager with more testosterone than wisdom, arm them with guns and masks, fast cars and—to top it off—dangle cash incentives for indiscriminate and speedy arrests,” she said. “Mix in an ICE culture of impunity and overreach. Now, what could go wrong?” So reports Bulwark’s Huddled Masses newsletter by Adrian Carraquillo.
As for the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska Friday, many are worried about its parallels to the meetings between Hitler and British Prime
Minister Chamberlain on the eve of World War II.
In that case, the two leaders, along with the French Prime Minister and Italian dictator Mussolini, met at the end of September 1938 to ostensibly avert war, but Hitler persisted in his demand to annex the Sudetenland section of Czechoslovakia.
No Czech representatives were invited to participate. Sound familiar? In that case, it was agreed that Germany would get Sudetenland and Hitler pledged to make no further territorial demands in Europe. Chamberlain returned home with his infamous “peace in our time” declaration. We saw how that turned out.
Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia by March 1939, and invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 launching the ugliest, most horrific war in world history, eclipsing even the Great War that had preceded it by only two decades.
Putin is resolved to come away with a large chunk of Ukrainian territory. The scenario is almost spookily like Munich 1938 as Trump is even more in appeasement mode than Chamberlain was. “Russian Leader is Likely to Outsmart a U.S. President Anxious for a Deal on Ukraine,” is the headline in Wednesday’s Financial Times
Another headline in the same newspaper reads, “Ukraine Alarmed at Sudden Russian Advance,” with the subhead, “Zelensky (the Ukrainian prime minister NOT invited to the summit discussing carving up his nation) Says Breach is Effort to Define Narrative for Trump-Putin Summit.”
It is not that there is a metaphorical parallel between Hitler and Putin, Chamberlain and Trump. They are in fact the same, players acting on behalf of the same forces, just as if no time has transpired between 1938 and 2025. The backers of Hitler and Mussolini are generically and actually the same as the backers of Putin and Trump, and think of all the weaponry they will be able to sell if there’s another war.
“Arms Factories Expand at Triple Speed as Europe Switches on to War Footing” is a third big headline in the Financial Times this Wednesday.
Notwithstanding whatever forces in 1938 opposed what unfolded then, they were not able to prevent a conflagration that wiped out some 85 million lives of the most advanced civilizations in history by 1945.
COMMENT
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
A few years ago, I called a company to solve a persistent leak in the basement. An estimator came out, took some measurements, and recommended building a low flume-like structure in the family room to catch stormwater and direct it through a new pipe around the bathroom to the drain in the laundry room. Our daughter, listening to the conversation, later asked “Mom, isn’t the whole idea to keep the water out of the basement in the first place?” She was right, so we caulked some cracks, repositioned the downspouts and splash blocks and saved ourselves $8000 and untold disruption.
I thought about that vignette when Donald Trump announced that crime in the Nation’s Capital was “out of control” and announced he was placing the District of Columbia police department under federal control. His new U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro piled on by announcing her intent to charge teenagers, some as young as 14, as adults in the justice system. Shouldn’t the idea be to keep teens out of jail to begin with, rather than associating them
with adult prisoners? Crime data indicates that juvenile arrests have declined in the District this year and teens are subject to curfews in some neighborhoods this summer. Facts have not deterred Mr. Trump, for whom fear and division are standard tools. His press conference about crime in D.C. devolved into a screed against Democrats, Joe Biden, and men playing in women’s sports.
It’s no secret that teens can get into some sort of trouble as they grow up. Youth is a vulnerable time; egos are fragile as teens navigate a hectic and often unforgiving world. They need parents who are strong role models and provide love as well as discipline. They also need something to do, especially during the summer when school is not in session. Rather than threatening federal intervention against teens, a strategy that provides prevention and education can have far greater benefits to the individual and the community. It’s more than ironic that Mr. Trump is preaching non-violence in D.C. today when he was the one who instigated the violent assault on the
City of Falls Church Crime Report
Week of Aug 4 - 10, 2025
Fraud - Swindle, Kennedy St, Jul 16, 11:00 a.m., victim reported receiving a pop-message claiming their computer device was infected with a virus. The victim then allowed a person to remotely access their computer. The individual accessed files to obtain financial information, resulting in money being wired from the victim’s bank accounts. Investigation is ongoing. (late report)
Destruction of Property, Park Ave, Aug 5, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:50 p.m., the victim’s mezuzah was damaged and removed from their home.
Larceny from Building, S Washington St, between 4:00 p.m. on July 31 and 4:00 p.m. on August 5, an unknown suspect stole 30 pieces of artwork.
Destruction of Property, W Broad St, Aug 6, 12:11 p.m., three reports for graffiti were taken.
Destruction of Property, Wilson Blvd, Aug 6, 5:30 p.m., an unknown suspect damaged the victim’s vehicle. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 40-50 years of age, with a medium sized afro, wearing a red and
white long sleeve shirt and blue jeans.
Larceny from Vehicle, Roosevelt Blvd, Aug 7, between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) rummaged through four unlocked vehicles, and stole cash, credit cards, checks, and miscellaneous belongings.
Shoplifting, W Broad St, Aug 7, 8:55 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise.
Shoplifting, W Broad St, Aug 7, 9:02 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise. The suspect is described as a black male in his mid-twenties, approximately 6’0” in height, with black dreadlocks, wearing a baseball hat, black hoodie or a black t-shirt, gray or blue jeans, and gray, black, and white Nike tennis shoes.
Shoplifting, Wilson Blvd, Aug 8, 8:47 a.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’8” in height, thin build, with his hair in a bun, wearing a red polo with horizontal stripes, black pants, and dark colored shoes.
Other Jurisdiction Warrant Service, Founders Ave, Aug 8, 12:50 p.m., a male, 39, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested on an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction.
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2025 | PAGE 5
Capitol, Congress, and police on January 6, 2021, and later pardoned about 1600 of those rioters on the day he took office earlier this year. No estimate of the cost of federalizing the D.C. police force has been announced, but if the Trump administration truly is interested in safety beyond a lengthy press conference and headlines, it would work to reduce the number of guns available, not just in D.C. but across the country. It also would work to provide more prevention and education opportunities for youth. Learning to make good decisions can be difficult, but it’s a necessary part of growing up and some children (remember that a young teen still is a child) need additional help to set and achieve positive goals. Such programs traditionally are the responsibility of the local jurisdiction, now hamstrung by the chaotic underfunding in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.
Mr. Trump was in his element, performing for the reporters and the cameras about crime, real or perceived. Is this a shiny object launched to deflect attention from the Epstein criminal scandal, or a true commitment to support safer communities? If the latter, communities need to be involved in building support programs that work, not occupied by federal troops on a president’s whim.
Fraud, W Greenway Blvd, Aug 9, 8:25 a.m., victim reported a mailed check was cashed for a higher amount than originally written.
Residential Burglary, Abbott Ln, Aug 10, 1:15 a.m., victim reported hearing two loud noises at their front door. The front door frame was cracked near the lock and had muddy footprints on it. Investigation is ongoing.
Shoplifting, W Broad St, Aug 10, 3:17 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise. The suspect is described as a black male approximately 30-40 years of age, wearing a black hat and black backpack, blue shirt, tan pants, and riding a red bike.
Robbery, Roosevelt Blvd, Aug 10, 10:10 p.m., victim reported two suspects approached and asked to use the victim’s phone, then demanded money and brandished a knife. Two suspects were detained and identified, however victim refused prosecution.
6 | AUGUST 14 - 20, 2025
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AUGUST 14 - 20, 2025
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ditorial
If Ever a State Championship
Falls Church’s Meridian High School boys soccer team was introduced by Principal Peter Laub and justifiably lauded at Tuesday night’s first school board meeting of the new school year for winning the Virginia High School League Class 3 state championship last spring.
With most of the 27 team members present, including 14 seniors, the val ues guiding the team as presented in “we before me” remarks by its Virginia’s two-time Class 3 Coach of the Year Nathan Greiner reflected those of Falls Church’s outstanding school system as a whole, which was again this year ranked Number One in the entire state.
The Meridian soccer team’s Fletcher Saaty was named an All-American and the VHSL Class 3 Player of the Year, while Aidan Bakewell and Ben Beloe were named Academic All Americans, and Henry Brown, Ben Beloe, Amin Shams, Suriyan Cushman and Aiden Blackwell were named to the VHSL Class 3 All-State first team, and Zack Miller, a freshman, to the second team.
It was an impressive display of excellence. Meridian, including its years being known as George Mason High, now has more state championships in soccer than any other school. The City of Falls Church should be rightfully proud of everyone involved.
With a new superintendent, Dr. Terry J. Dade, the City schools’ wide array of excellence was exhibited at its annual convocation, this year a two-day affair, involving the entire system’s teachers and staff, at the Meridian auditorium this week. Not the least, of course, was the impressive new, state of the art high school facility itself.
If there is anything that sets the “Little City” and its some 15,000 residents piled into 2.2 square miles apart, it is its schools. It’s what the last three decades of City leaders have been able to accomplish through an aggressive commercial development focus that has brought the financial resources to pay for brand new high and middle schools, major improvements to the other three schools and competitive teacher salaries. They have been supplemented by the fundraising work of the Falls Church Educational Foundation.
Wise leadership at City Hall and the City Council and in the schools’ administration and elected school boards, managed the two-sided effort of economic development and school construction efforts in a highly impressive fashion, even while embracing collective bargaining for the first time and stiff competition for talent from the entire region.
If ever a “state championship” was deserved in Falls Church, it would be for this extraordinary effort, though treated as “ordinary business” by the many leaders involved.
Many school districts have been targets of right-wing assaults nationwide and those in this region, including institutions of higher education like the University of Virginia and George Mason University, are no exceptions. The Covid epidemic made possible not only legitimate concerns, but a lot of politically-motivated rancor, as well. Through all this, the Falls Church system, and its supportive wider Falls Church community, have prevailed magnificently.
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BEST OF FALLS CHURCH 2025
For the sixteenth consecutive year, Falls Church News-Press readers filled out ballots and cast their votes to support their favorite places to eat, drink, shop and more in and around The Little City.
This year, 45 winners have been selected in categories representing the City’s best purveyors of food, drink, retail services and more. On the following pages, you’ll find many repeat winners along with many first-timers, hoping to start a “Best Of” win streak of their own.
Read on for all of your selections in the News-Press’ 2025 Best of Falls Church.
Dogwood Tavern
132 W Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046
International American Outside Dining
130 N. Washington St,. Falls Church, VA 22044
RUNNERS-UP:
Four Provinces 105 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
Brunch
Northside Social 205 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046
6795 Wilson Blvd #1D, Falls Church, VA 22044
RUNNERS-UP: Seoul Prime Dolan Uyghur Restaurant,
RUNNERS-UP:
RUNNERS-UP: Godfrey’s, Cafe Kindred Harvey’s, Ireland’s Four Provinces
Ireland’s
Banh Mi Oi
Dogwood Tavern 132 W Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046
Clare and Don’s Beach Shack
RUNNERS-UP: Maneki Neko, Panjshir, Saffron Banh Mi Oi
RUNNERS-UP: The Falls, Cafe Kindred, Harvey’s Dominion
Semicolon, RH Bistro
Solace Outpost, Spacebar Ireland’s Four Provinces, Audacious Aleworks
Northside Social, Ireland’s Four Provinces, Godfrey’s, Banh Mi Oi
Treats and Sweets
Bake Shop
100 E. Fairfax Street, Falls Church VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Lazy Mike’s Deli, Lil City Creamery, Northside Social One1ea Taiwanese Cafe& Tea House
Pizza
Badd Pizza 346 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Flippin Pizza, Anthony’s 10 Pizza, Vocelli’s
Sandwich
Lazy Mike’s 7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Godfrey’s, Banh Mi Oi Ireland’s Four Provinces, Harvey’s
Burger Asian
Elevation Burger 442 S. Washington St., Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Five Guys, Dogwood Harvey’s , Ireland’s Four
Vegetarian
Northside Social 205 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Clare and Don’s, Saffron Lazy Mike’s, Loving Hut
Gluten-Free Menu
The Happy Tart 410 S Maple Ave #110, Falls Church, VA 22046
Lucky Thai 240 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Roll Play, Maneki Neko Banh Mi Oi, One1ea Taiwanese Cafe & Tea House
Seafood
Clare and Don’s Beach Shack 130 N. Washington St,. Falls Church
RUNNERS-UP: Chasin Tails, Dogwood Tavern Harvey’s , Pho Sate
Best Latin
Taco Bamba 2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA 22043
RUNNERS-UP: Lazy Mike’s, The Falls, Harvey’s One1ea Taiwanese Cafe & Tea House
RUNNERS-UP: La Tingeria, El Tio La Pupuseria Familiar, Cuates
Provinces
ADA, Virginia Dental Association, Northern Virginia Dental Association (Dr. Love is Past President), American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
AWARDS
Washingtonian B est Dentists; Washingtonian Best of Hall of Fame. Best Dentist of Falls Church 2013–2021; Virginia Living Magazine Top Dentists and Northern Virginia Magazine
Best Dentist, 2016–2024
Best of Washingtonian, 2025 Best of Falls Church, (FCNP) 2024
Mark A. Miller, DDS, Melanie R. Love, DDS
Real Estate Agent
Tori McKinney
2111 Wilson Blvd, Ste. 1050, Arlington, VA 22201
Retirement Community
Kensington
700 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
Dentist Co-Winner
Nova Premier Dental-Dr. Peterson Huang
313 Park Ave #306, Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Growing Smiles of Northern Virginia, William Dougherty, LP Dental
Real Estate Group
ROCK STAR realty group 2111 Wilson Blvd, Ste. 1050, Arlington, VA 22201
Home Improvement
Backyard Builders www.backyard.home
RUNNERS-UP: House Doctors
Live Entertainment New Business
State Theatre
220 North Washington Street, Falls Church, VA 22046
Paragon Theaters
112 Founders Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046
Drs. Love And Miller
450 W. Broad St., Suite 440, Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Growing Smiles of Northern Virginia, William Dougherty, LP Dental Dentist Co-Winner
Dry Cleaners
Spectrum Cleaners
450 W Broad St Suite 130, Falls Church, VA
RUNNERS-UP: Hillwood Cleaners Dry Clean NOVA, Merrifield Tailor & Organic Dry Clean
RUNNERS-UP: Stylish Patina Home, The Gaskins Team Earman Real Estate, Sullivan Brownell
RUNNERS-UP: Clare and Don’s Beach Shack Creative Cauldron, Ireland’s Four Provinces, JVs Restaurant
RUNNERS-UP: ArtWorks, Semicolon Cafe
RUNNERS-UP: Kelly Thompson, Susan Tull O’Reilly Matt Earman, Chris Earman
RUNNERS-UP: Sunrise, Goodwin House Vinson hall, Verso Founders Row
"Thank you for choosing
Coming up on almost 20 years since we have opened, we would like to give an enormous heartfelt thank you to our customers who have never forgotten us.
Also to those who stayed with us; to Bob Young, Joe Wetzel, Marina Boyer and all of Jefferson 450 LLC for standing with us; and to the Falls Church News Press for supporting us! We will continue to work even harder!"
Owner: Yeon Mee Lee
Zimmermann Homes Falls Church, VA
RUNNERS-UP: Backyard Homes Bowers Design Build, TriVistaUSA, GN Contracting RUNNERS-UP:
Specialty Store
Doodlehopper 4 Kids
W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046
RUNNERS-UP: Botanologica, Point of View Stylish Patina, Kaleidos
Private School
RUNNERS-UP:
Nail/Day/Skin Spa
RUNNERS-UP:
Physical Therapists/ Chiropractor
Breakthroughs in Parkinson s Treatment With Dr. Drew A. Falconer, Inova Movement Disorders Specialist
Property Management
RUNNERS-UP:
Yoga - Teacher
RUNNERS-UP:
Little City Experience
RUNNERS-UP:
Yoga - Studio Professional Services
RUNNERS-UP:
Buy Local Art
RUNNERS-UP:
RUNNERS-UP:
RUNNERS-UP:
Group, The Young Group , Peake Management, Inc.
RUNNERS-UP:
Cauldron
Fencing & Archery Club, Camp Griffin, Pinecrest
RUNNERS-UP:
Cauldron Nova Fencing
Archery Club, Camp Griffin, Pinecrest
News & Notes
Warner, Kaine Hail Passage Of Bi-Partisan Spending Plan
Virginia’s U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of legislation to fund a number of major priorities, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Fiscal Year 2026.
“Especially after Congress failed to pass a full-year FY25 funding bill last year, I am encouraged to see the Senate move to pass legislation to fund key parts of the government for Fiscal Year 2026 and deliver federal dollars for important community projects across Virginia,” said Sen. Warner. “As the president continues to try to encroach on Congress’ power of the purse, I will continue working with my colleagues to fund our nation’s most critical priorities as the constitution intended.”
The Senators successfully secured $5,700,000 for Marine Corps Base Quantico to fund a new and larger Child Development Center that will support child care and child development for active-duty military and civilian families. The bill also continues unwavering support for Arlington National Cemetery and its future as an active cemetery by providing $118.8 million for operational costs.
The bill rejects President Trump’s request to reduce funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and instead fully funds the program at $8.2 billion, an increase of over $600 million from fiscal year 2025. WIC serves 7 million women and kids nationwide and approximately 100,000 in Virginia.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE RATES CASE NO. INS-2025-00058
The National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. (“NCCI”), on behalf of its member insurers, has applied to the State Corporation Commission (“SCC”) for approval to change voluntary market advisory loss costs and assigned risk market rates and rating values for new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies becoming effective on and after April 1, 2026.
NCCI proposes advisory loss costs that its members may use along with their own expenses and profit and contingency factors in establishing rates for policies written in the voluntary market. The proposal would change the overall average pure premium level for the voluntary market as follows:
(Federal) classifications:
NCCI proposes the following changes to the overall average rate level for the assigned risk market:
requested from the Clerk of the SCC, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218. Any notice of participation shall be filed with the Clerk of the SCC, and a copy must be served on NCCI’s counsel, Charles H. Tenser, Esquire, 2120 Galloway Terrace, Midlothian, Virginia 23113.
Additionally, on or before September 19, 2025, each respondent shall also file with the Clerk of the SCC the testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case.
Further, any interested person who desires to comment on NCCI’s Application shall file such comments on or before October 17, 2025, with the Clerk of the SCC at the address above or may submit comments electronically by following the instructions at scc.virginia.gov/case information/ submit-public-comments. All comments shall refer to Case No. INS-2025-00058.
AUCTIONS
PUBLIC AUCTION! Milling Equipment, Hand Tools, Office Equipment and More! Micronic Technologies, Inc. is Closings Its Doors. Aug. 21, 10 AM. Online Only. Bristol, Va. Bid at motleysindustrial.com. VAAL#16/NCAL#5914.
ATTN. AUCTIONEERS: Promote your upcoming auctions statewide! Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audience. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net
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Information filed by NCCI in support of its proposals, including the exact assigned risk rates and advisory loss costs for individual classifications, which will vary by classification and may be higher or lower than the overall changes stated above, may be viewed at scc.virginia.gov/ case-information under Case No. INS2025-00058.
Interested persons are encouraged to review NCCI’s filing and supporting documents for the details of these and other proposals. TAKE NOTICE that the SCC may approve advisory loss costs and assigned risk rates and rating values different from those proposed by NCCI.
The SCC has instituted an investigation into the changes proposed by NCCI and has set a public hearing thereon in Case No. INS-2025-00058 in its courtroom, Second Floor, Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, at 10 a.m. on October 31, 2025. The hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/case information/webcasting.
Any interested person who desires to make a statement at the hearing on his/ her own behalf should either: (a) appear in the SCC’s courtroom at 9:45 a.m. on October 31, 2025, and identify themselves to the SCC’s Bailiff; or (b) sign up to testify telephonically. On or before October 17, 2025, any person seeking to testify telephonically shall either: (i) fill out the applicable form on the SCC’s website at scc. virginia.gov/case-information/webcasting/ public-witness; or (ii) call (804) 371-9141 to provide the information sought by this form.
On October 31, 2025, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, the SCC will convene a hearing in its courtroom to receive testimony and evidence related to the Application from NCCI, any respondents, and the SCC’s Bureau of Insurance.
Additionally, and in accordance with the SCC’s Procedural Order in this case, on or before August 22, 2025, any person or entity who expects to participate in this proceeding as a respondent shall file a notice of participation, in conformity with the SCC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 5 VAC 5-20-10 et seq., and the SCC’s Orders in this case, which may be viewed at scc. virginia.gov/case-information or may be
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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.
CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
This Week Around Falls Church
Thursday, August 14
Chamber Event: Informal Networking Event
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Location: Original Pancake House, 7395 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, VA 22042
Description: Morning networking event hosted by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce at the Original Pancake House. Open to members and prospective members.
Ladies Lunch
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Church of Christ in Falls Church, 6149 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
Description: Fellowship and lunch gathering hosted by the Church of Christ in Falls Church.
Solarize Virginia –Extended Sign-Up Deadline Time: Ongoing
Location: Online – program details at solarizeva.org
Description: Solar systems installed in 2025 are still eligible for the 30% Federal Income Tax Credit. Solarize Virginia has extended its sign-up deadline to help homeowners secure solar panels before incentives expire.
Friday, August 15
QuinTango
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Creative Cauldron, Broad and Washington Building, 127 E Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Description: Five top-flight musicians and Argentine dancers bring the magic and mystery of tango to the stage. Featuring pianist Hai Jin and previewing QuinTango’s Europe 2025 tour.
Saturday, August 16
Falls Church Farmers Market
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Parking Lot, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Description: A beloved year-round market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and artisan products.
Arlington Farmers Market Plant Clinic: Lighting to Support Your Plants
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: N. 14th St. & N.
Courthouse Rd., Arlington, VA 22201
Description: Extension Master Gardener volunteers demonstrate how to maximize lighting for plants on a balcony or patio.
Meet the Artists Reception – Falls Church Arts “Layers” Show Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Falls Church Arts Gallery, 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church, VA 22046
Description: Meet the artists behind the “Layers” exhibit. The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced. Free and open to the public.
Dave Kline’s Acoustic Global Ensemble
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Creative Cauldron, Broad and Washington Building, 127 E Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Description: Dave Kline returns with his Global Ensemble, featuring Chinese hammered dulcimer player Chao Tian and special guests.
Prince William County Fair
Time: August 9–17, 2025
Hours vary daily
Location: Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Rd., Manassas, VA 20112
Description: The largest county fair in Virginia featuring rides, games, food vendors, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, competitions, and family activities. Suitable for all ages, with special theme days and discounts throughout the week.
Sunday, August 17
Sunday AM Spanish Worship
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Location: Church of Christ in Falls Church, 6149 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
Description: Morning worship service in Spanish.
Monday, August 18
Falls Church City Schools
First Day of School
Time: Monday, August 18, 2025
– Start times vary by schoo
Location: Falls Church City Public Schools, various locations, Falls Church, VA
Description: First day of classes for all Falls Church City Public Schools. Students return to campus for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Employee Review Board — Employee of the Year Meeting
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Oak Room, City Hall, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Description: Meeting of the Employee Review Board to determine Employee of the Year.
Volleyball –
Girls Junior Varsity
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Alexandria City High School, Alexandria, VA
Description: Meridian High School JV Volleyball faces Alexandria City High School in an away match.
Volleyball –Girls Varsity
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Location: Alexandria City High School, Alexandria, VA
Volleyball –Boys Junior Varsity
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043
Description: Meridian High School JV Volleyball hosts Chantilly High School.
Volleyball –Boys Varsity
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043
Description: Meridian High School Boys Varsity Volleyball plays at home against Chantilly High School.
Tuesday, August 19
Chamber Networking Luncheon
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Location: Eden Center, 6751 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044
Description: Monthly networking luncheon for Chamber members and guests.
Field Hockey –
Girls Junior Varsity
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043
Description: Meridian High School Girls JV Field Hockey faces Wakefield High School.
Field Hockey –Girls Varsity
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043
Wednesday, August 20
Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Upper Floor Conference Room, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
CANCELLED: Mayor’s Agenda Meeting with Staff
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Location: Oak Room, City Hall, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Description: Cancelled. Originally scheduled as a planning session with City staff to prepare future Council agendas. Send us your
from Page 19
News & Notes
New F.C. Arts Show Opens With Reception
This Saturday
The artworks of sixty-eight artists will be on display when Falls Church Arts presents its upcoming “Layers,” an all-media exhibit, running from August 16 to September 28, 2025. A meet-the-artists reception will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 16. The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced during the program. The reception is free and open to the public.
This diverse show will feature the work of emerging and established artists from the Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland area, all interpreting the theme of multiple layers in their submissions.
Juror Tricia Ratliff described “Layers” as “an exhibition showcasing an extraordinary range of mixedmedia works—from photography, painting, and collage to jewelry, fiber, found objects, and sculpture—each using layering as a way to explore ideas like memory, transformation, identity, and emotion. Together, the works invite viewers to look beyond the surface and discover the beauty hidden in complexity.”
The Falls Church Arts gallery is at 700 West Broad St. Falls Church. Admission is free, and the gallery is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Supreme Court May Rule Again on Same
Sex Marriage
Ten years after the Supreme Court extended marriage rights to samesex couples nationwide, the justices this fall will consider for the first time whether to take up a case that explicitly asks them to overturn that decision.
Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who was jailed for six days in 2015 after refusing to issue
marriage licenses to a gay couple on religious grounds, is appealing a $100,000 jury verdict for emotional damages plus $260,000 for attorneys fees, according to ABC News.
In a petition for writ of certiorari filed last month, Davis argues First Amendment protection for free exercise of religion immunizes her from personal liability for the denial of marriage licenses. More fundamentally, she claims the high court’s decision in Obergefell v Hodges — extending marriage rights for same-sex couples under the 14th Amendment’s due process protections — was “egregiously wrong.”
“The mistake must be corrected,” wrote Davis’ attorney Mathew Staver in the petition. He calls Justice Anthony Kennedy’s majority opinion in Obergefell “legal fiction.”
15 State Attorneys General Sue Trump Over Gender Care
The attorneys general of 15 states, including California, and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration after several health care providers cited one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders as a reason they will no longer be providing gender-affirming surgeries for trans youth. The federal lawsuit was filed August 1.
Executive Order 14187, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” interprets federal law to prevent the procedures at health providers that are recipients of Medicare or Medicaid coverage. The lawsuit refers to the executive order as the “denial of care” order, according to the Bay Guardian..
On August 1, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the Trump administration’s actions in pressuring health care companies and hospitals to stop gender-affirming surgeries was unlawful.
Last week, Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente became the latest health care provider to pause gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19, effective August 29, as the Bay Area Reporter previously reported.
Kaiser’s decision came after the
federal justice department recently sent subpoenas to 20 unnamed doctors and clinics, which itself came on the heels of a Federal Trade Commission workshop on the “dangers of gender-affirming care,” which Andrew Ferguson, the chair of the commission, says are deceptive under federal trade laws.
Kaiser followed Children’s Hospital LA, which stopped providing gender-affirming care July 22. Stanford stopped providing genderaffirming surgeries to patients under 19 in June.
Repurposing for Affordable Housing Gains in Franconia
Franconia Development Partners is moving forward with its proposal to replace the Franconia Governmental Center with affordable housing. After securing an interim agreement with the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) last fall, SCG Development, NFP Affordable Housing Corp. and Good Shepherd Housing submitted a rezoning application to the county on March 21 calling for 120 affordable multi-family units at 6121 Franconia Road.
The units will be made available to households that earn 30-80 percent of area median income, and 25 of them will be set aside for police, firefighters, teachers and medical personnel, according to the proposed development plan.
Proposed amenities include a fitness center, community room and outdoor open spaces, including a “large” private courtyard for residents and a publicly accessible urban park.
“The final design would be coordinated with adjacent development but the publicly accessible urban park would include walking paths for exercise and seating areas designed for individuals to come close and reflect with nature,” a statement of justification said.
The current Franconia
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Governmental Center will be vacated and demolished after operations relocate to a new facility on Beulah Road this summer.
Tallest Building in Loudoun Set to Go Up Next Year
A building up to 15 stories, becoming the tallest in Loudoun County, is set to be constructed next year, Biznow has reported.
Comstock Cos. is planning to start construction next year on One Gramercy, a more than 200K SF office tower at its Loudoun Station mixed-use development, executives said at Bisnow’s Loudoun County State of the Market event July 31.
Comstock CEO Chris Clemente credited Loudoun’s strong office demand as critical in its plans to start construction on today’s equivalent of a development white whale.
“We build in other markets as well, but as of late, we are seeing more demand for office space in Loudoun County than ever before,” he said in his opening remarks at Comstock’s BLVD Gramercy East building at Loudoun Station.
New Menswear Store to Open in Falls Church
After eight years as an online destination for high-quality menswear, Withered Fig is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Falls Church at West Falls.
Founded in 2017 by Richard Lin, Withered Fig has built a devoted following for its curated selection of independent brands from across the globe, specializing in high-end Japanese denim, heritage menswear, and qualitymade goods.
The new space will give customers an in-person experience to explore the craftsmanship, fit, and storytelling behind each piece — from the subtle details of selvedge denim to the enduring quality of vintageera construction methods. The store is designed for everyone, from hardcore “denim-heads” to first-time shoppers discovering Japanese denim for the first time. Withered Fig anticipates opening in early 2026, with private appointments available outside regular hours. The store will be at the base of The Oak at West Falls.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Our Man In Arlington
One of the recurring obligations about living in Arlington is the need to play tour guide to family and friends when they visit. I appreciate the challenge, as it has helped me to look at life in Arlington with fresh eyes. Lately I feel like I am learning something new nearly every day. My most recent revelation occurred last month, when my sister visited from out-of-town. A quick trip to the Central Library revealed a host of unexpected wonders.
The basic purpose of the visit was to show my sister the Charlie Clark Center for Local History, where I spend a lot of time researching Arlington history. The Charlie Clark Center contains many resources, with one of my favorites being the transcribed interviews of more than 1,000 Arlingtonians. After I took a quick peek at some old maps of the County, my patient sister and I walked around the first floor, where I was amazed to see a display of DIY offerings, with a variety of materials waiting to be checked out. There were building tools, bike repair tools, and even binoculars for your next camping trip.
There also was a display of board games that you can take home. I was intrigued by the game of Arlingtonopoly, which was created by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce as a 2024 commemoration of its 100th anniversary. Looking at the various landmarks and institutions on the board, I wonder which of them might still be around for the 200th anniversary of the Chamber. I suspect the Air Force Memorial will still be around, but I have some doubts about the Crystal City Sports Pub (one can always hope — this month they just celebrated their 31st anniversary).
We then headed to the children’s section in search of some books for my grandchildren. My four-year-old grandson is fascinated by birds (recently he said, with such sweet sincerity, “I know all about birds”). So I thought I would see if the librarians could find some good children’s books on birds for me. I discovered that the library has special book col-
lections for all kinds of topics. There was an entire bag of books about bugs, and another one about oceans. I was told there is a collection of books about birds, but sadly, that bag had been checked out. Better luck next time.
Libraries in Arlington have come a long way. At first, small community libraries were formed by private organizations, beginning with a book collection in the 1890s stored in Carlin Hall in the Glencarlyn community. In 1923, a Cherrydale library was formed to operate in the Cherrydale School. The library was created by the Cherrydale League of Women’s Voters and the Patrons League (the forerunner of PTA’s). Other communityinitiated libraries were quickly formed, and in 1928 an alliance of 20 local organizations created the Arlington District Library Association. By 1936, a Department of Libraries was established by the County Board. By custom, these libraries were available only to Arlington’s White citizens. The Black community, in this era of segregation both by law and custom, organized the Henry Holmes Library in the basement of Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1940. At the opening, Reverend J. Francis Gregory delivered a speech, stating that “the library in any community should be a center of activity, serving as a social, cultural, ethical and spiritual, as well as intellectual, recreational center.”
Eventually, the Holmes Library was incorporated into the Arlington County system. The story of library desegregation can be found in a terrific book you can get at the County Library: “Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries,” by Chris Barbuschak and Suzanne LaPierre.
Yes, you can find so much at your local library! I have more to discover; I need to get up to the second floor of Central Library to see their makerspace room that enables “makers and crafters” to build, create, craft, and tinker. In 1940, when Rev. Gregory was giving his speech at the Holmes Library, no one was envisioning DIY bags and makerspaces. The Arlington County library has certainly evolved with the times, and continues to be a “center of activity,” serving those needs as defined by Rev. Gregory.
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