Statewide & City Elections’ Early Voting Starts Sept. 19
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
Start your engines! Early voting begins tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 19, for this fall’s highly consequential elections in Virginia and the City of Falls Church that culminate on Election Day Nov. 4.
This is the first major election since last November’s presidential election. The races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general are on the ballot, as well as all 100 state delegate slots and, for Falls Church, elections for City Council and School Board. The only other major election this year is in New Jersey, so the Virginia elections will be seen as a very important bellwether for identifying a national trend.
On the ballot in Falls Church will be six candidates for four open seats on the City Council, and five candidates for four seats on the School Board.
At this early stage in Falls Church, voters can come to City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, to the
TASTE OF F.C. WINNER
by Nick Gatz Falls Church News-Press
In less than two decades, social media has gone from a tool to connect friends to the most powerful driver of politics and culture in the United States. What once seemed like a digital town square has transformed into something far more consequential: an engine that rewards outrage, punishes nuance, and spreads falsehoods faster than the truth.
Combined with declining trust in traditional news sources and the rise of political movements willing to exploit the void, this shift has reshaped American democracy in ways few could have predicted.
At the heart of the transformation are algorithms — the invisible formulas that decide what appears on our screens. Designed to maximize engagement, they privilege content that
triggers emotion: anger, fear, and shock. MIT researchers found that false stories travel six times faster on Twitter (now X) than verified ones. Nuanced reporting often sinks, while sensational claims rise.
This system doesn’t just reflect society — it actively shapes it. Outrage becomes profitable, and division becomes a business model. Tech companies reap advertising revenue, while political actors learn
that the most polarizing messages are the ones most likely to spread.
In the past, newspapers, television, and radio set the pace of the news cycle. Stories had to clear editors, fact-checkers, and producers before reaching the public. That structure collapsed in the social media age. Politicians no longer need the press to amplify their words;
on the right)
Marcus Simon’s Richmond Report
There’s a debate playing out in Virginia right now about the true state of our economy. If you believe Governor Glenn Youngkin, everything is fine: Virginia is outperforming national averages in the job market, our revenue collections are above projections, and the Commonwealth’s financial picture is solid. But if you believe the signs that economists, analysts, and even bipartisan legislators are pointing to, we’re in for a heap of trouble.
The truth is both perspectives can be true. And that’s the real challenge when you’re cruising at 70 miles an hour down the interstate, everything can look smooth until you spot a bright sign flashing: “Accident Ahead.” Most of us, faced with that warning, take our foot off the gas, check the GPS, and prepare for what’s coming. The question is whether we’ll do that as a Commonwealth or whether we’ll plow forward at full speed, insisting the road is clear until it’s too late.
Last week, the Emergency Committee on Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions held its final meeting and issued a sobering report. After months of testimony, data collection, and economic analysis, the conclusion was clear: Virginia is on a collision course if Congress continues cutting federal spending at this pace.
Nearly a quarter of our Virginia’s economy is tied to federal spending, more than any other state. When Washington makes deep cuts, Virginia feels the pain first and worst. We’ve already lost more than 11,000 federal jobs, with another 10,000 at risk. These statistics represent families who’ve lost paychecks, small businesses who’ve lost customers, and local governments who’ve lost tax revenue for schools and public safety.
lion annual loss in federal funding once these cuts take hold. That is enough to push many community and rural hospitals already operating on razor-thin margins to close their doors. Losing a hospital doesn’t just mean losing access to doctors and nurses. It means longer drives in an emergency and reduced healthcare access for entire regions of the Commonwealth.
Education is under the knife too. The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has proposed the deepest cuts in decades, slashing overall federal support for K–12 schools by 27% and Title I by 34%. On top of that, they would claw back $2.6 billion that schools already planned to use. These cuts eliminate programs for English learners, adult education, migrant and homeless students, and teacher training.
And it’s not just abstract future obligations, but critical current projects. Portsmouth saw $24.2 million for dam repairs evaporate. Richmond lost $12 million for water treatment upgrades. Hampton lost $20 million for climate resilience. Norfolk lost nearly $40 million for an offshore wind logistics park. These weren’t “nice to have” projects. They were urgent, job-creating investments. And now they’re gone.
The threats go well beyond the workforce. The President signed H.R. 1, allowing federal premium tax credits to expire at the end of 2025, spiking health insurance costs for more than 200,000 Virginia families with many seeing premiums more than double. Replacing those credits would cost the state $250 million annually, money that could otherwise fund schools, infrastructure, or job creation.
Food assistance is another area where families will pay more for less. H.R.1 adds $90 million in costs to Virginia in 2027 and $270 million in 2028 just to keep SNAP running. At the same time, it layers on red tape and blocks benefit increases, even as grocery bills climb higher.
Hospitals are bracing for a $2.1 bil-
The Governor would have you believe our current surplus protects us. But that “cushion” is temporary and these costs are ongoing. You can’t build long-term stability on short-term dollars. That’s why the Committee called for transparency from the Youngkin Administration and real-time data so Virginians can see the risks clearly. We also recommended practical protections for workers blindsided by layoffs: the right to break leases they can’t afford, eviction prevention, extended unemployment benefits, and retraining programs. These are common-sense ways to soften the blow when federal cuts land hardest here at home
The Governor may prefer to look away as his term winds down. But Virginians don’t have that luxury. The warning signs are flashing. Our choice is simple: do we slow down, take stock, and adjust course or do we press the accelerator and hope the road really is as clear as it looks right now?
Virginia has always thrived when we planned ahead, diversified our economy, and invested in our people. That’s the road to long-term prosperity. Pretending there’s no accident ahead is not leadership. It’s denial. And Virginians deserve better than that.
SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2025 | PAGE 3
Election Season Begins With Races in F.C. for Council, Schools
Voter Registrar’s Office on the main level, to do their voting, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The next candidate forum for all the Falls Church slots open will be next Thursday, Sept. 25, co-hosted by the Falls Church League of Women Voters and the Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS), at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 130, 400 N. Oak St.
Following that, numerous other opportunities where the candidates will appear together are slated through late October.
On Thursday, Oct. 9, the VPIS will do its version of the open Council candidate meet-and-greet at the Founders Row community room at 110 Founders Avenue, akin to what the CBC did earlier this month.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Citizens for a Better City (CBC) and the Falls Church City PTAs will host a School Board Candidate Forum from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Learning Stairs at Meridian High School, 121 Mustang Alley.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce
will invite the Council candidates to appear at its monthly luncheon at the Italian Cafe, 7131 Route 29, at 11:30 a.m. for paid-in-advance attendees.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the CBC and Falls Church Forward will host a City Council Candidate Forum from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the 301 West Broad apartments in the Community Meeting room.
The League of Women Voters will distribute a voters guide through the News-Press that will appear in its Oct. 2 edition, and also copies will be available at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, at the polling locations and online.
In advance of the start of voting, the News-Press has endorsed its choices (see editorial, elsewhere this edition) based on its extensive coverage of local political leaders over many years and with consultations with key respected leaders.
By Oct. 1, those who have applied to receive ballots through the mail should have received them, and Oct. 13 is the deadline for registering to vote in this election. Mail in ballots can be submitted at a drop box at City Hall. On Nov. 4, voters can appear at one of their three wards, two of which are in the same location
at the Community Center.
The candidates for the Falls Church City Council, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are Laura Downs, David Snyder, Marybeth Connelly, Arthur Agin, Brian Pendleton and James Thompson.
The candidates for the Falls Church School Board are Lori Silverman, Sharon Mergler, Anne Sherwood, MaryKate Hughes and Kathleen Tysse.
The City’s State Delegate is the 13th and the candidates on the ballot will be Democrat Marcus Simon, the incumbent, Republican Sylwia Oleksy and Libertarian Dave Crance.
For the City’s three Constitutional offices, the incumbent candidates are all unopposed, including Matt Cay for Sheriff, Thomas Clinton for Commissioner of the Revenue and Jody Acosta for Treasurer.
The statewide races on the Falls Church ballot are for governor, where Democrat Abigail Spanberger is running against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, for lieutenant governor, where Democrat Ghazala Hashmi is running against Republican John Reid II, and for attorney general, where Democrat Jay Jones is running
against Republican Jason Miyares.
A photo copy of a sample ballot with all the races listed is available on the City’s website under its Voter Registrar section.
The campaigns locally are already well underway with yard signs blossoming around the City, and candidates having shown up at key events like the Fall Festival and Taste of Falls Church last Saturday and the Run for the Schools Sunday. Both days drew large crowds in great weather and were worked heavily by the candidates who showed up.
How Profit-Driven Algorithms Are Destroying American Culture
they can broadcast directly to millions.
Donald Trump mastered this strategy. His Twitter feed drove not only the day’s headlines but also dictated the coverage of entire news cycles. When his posts provoked backlash, it only amplified them further — a feedback loop that blurred the line between reporting and promotion.
At the same time, local journalism collapsed. Since 2004, thousands of newspapers have closed, creating “news deserts” across the country. Advertising revenue once sustaining investigative reporting shifted to Google and Meta. Communities without strong local papers turned increasingly to social media, partisan influencers, or friends and family for information.
For many Trump supporters, distrust in mainstream outlets deepened. A Northeastern University study found that large numbers of these voters are more likely to trust personal networks than professional journalists. Gallup polling shows trust in mass media at historic lows,
especially among Republicans. And when social media platforms attempted to fact-check Trump’s false claims, a Harvard Kennedy School study found his supporters often viewed those claims as more truthful.
The MAGA movement understood the game early. Its messaging was simple, emotional, and shareable: “Build the Wall,” “Stop the Steal.” Each slogan fit neatly into a meme, a chant, or a post. Complexity was the enemy; outrage was the goal.
Rather than debate policy details, MAGA influencers flooded platforms with content designed to provoke. Outlets like Breitbart and Newsmax, alongside armies of podcasters, YouTubers, and grassroots meme pages, amplified the message. By branding mainstream outlets as “fake news,” the movement inoculated itself against fact-checks. For supporters, correction became proof of bias.
Democrats, by contrast, often lagged behind. Their messages leaned on policy nuance and factheavy explanations — important for governance but less effective in the algorithmic battlefield. They
responded to narratives rather than setting them, and they lacked the same unified digital infrastructure. Where MAGA created an ecosystem, Democrats struggled with fragmentation.
No figure embodied this shift more than Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. Starting as a teenager, Kirk built a movement by targeting young conservatives on high school and college campuses. His strategy was straightforward: make politics emotional, simple, and personal.
Through viral clips, debates, and provocative sound bites, Kirk told students they were being silenced, brainwashed, and betrayed by liberal elites. He framed academia, media, and government as hostile forces. For followers with little exposure to fact-based research or media literacy, these claims felt authentic and empowering.
Turning Point grew into a media empire: podcasts, viral videos, campus tours, and rallies. Kirk linked politics with identity — particularly Christian nationalism — weaving a narrative of cultural threat and personal loyalty. His messaging
was less about policy than about belonging.
The consequences have been deadly. False claims about election fraud fueled the January 6th Capitol attack. Replacement theories amplified online inspired mass shootings in El Paso and Buffalo. Covid-19 misinformation led to threats against doctors, nurses, and school officials.
Homeland Security officials now warn that disinformation ecosystems are one of the greatest drivers of domestic extremism. Hatred that begins as a meme can become a manifesto; a post shared for clicks can become a rallying cry for violence.
This is how America arrived at its current crossroads:
• Algorithms reward division.
• Local journalism withers, leaving communities vulnerable.
• False narratives spread faster than fact-checked reporting.
• Movements like MAGA exploit distrust, targeting voters unprepared to separate fact from propaganda.
• Figures like Charlie Kirk turned digital platforms into recruitment tools, binding identity to ideology.
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The result is a nation more polarized, more distrustful, and more primed for conflict. Where neighbors once debated differences over the back fence, many now see each other as enemies. Social media hasn’t just changed the news cycle; it has changed the national psyche.
The Falls Church News-Press exemplifies what seeks to do the opposite of what algorithms reward: to find the truth, present the evidence, and keep violence and hatred from spreading. No matter how loud the noise, the importance of a free press remains. We cannot let violence dictate what information is shared — or silence the role of journalism in holding power accountable.
We need stronger accountability. We need community involvement. And we need you — our readers — to help us provide that trusted source of news for our community. In times when misinformation dominates feeds and outrage fuels profits, local journalism remains one of the last defenses against division. Together, we can make sure facts still matter.
‘We Hold These Truths’ Is Uniting the Forces
Nicholas F. Benton
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4)
There’s this….
The full-page ad in Wednesday’s Financial Times reprinted from an original round of ads that appeared in the New York Times and elsewhere last July 4 from “We Hold These Truths.org” is signed by a very impressive list of names. Any list that includes names ranging from Stacey Abrams to Martin Baron, Pete Buttigieg, Wesley Clark, Jamie Raskin, Christine Todd Whitman and others can add me, too.
Founded by University of California law dean Erwin Chermerinsky, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge J. Michael Luttig and Drexel law professor Lisa Tucker, the young organization’s ad outlines bi- and non-partisan support for personal freedoms, separation of powers, equality, democracy and election and the rule of law. In other words, basic Constitutional values.
The effort is described as ”a new nationwide effort to promote freedom, equality, and democracy through public education about the protections provided by the U.S. Constitution.”
It exemplifies the new political reality in America, the effort at uniting all those who stand for these things against those who don’t, namely, Trump and his minions.
Trumpsters (that’s “dumpster” with a “t”) do all in their power to divide us in myriad ways, to deflect and confuse, with the help of algorithms crafted to sow division and hate. The “We Hold These Truths” effort is one of a number growing now to counter this.
More specifically, in their five foci, Personal Freedoms includes upholding free speech, fair criminal justice and personal autonomy; Equality includes guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities for every American, recognizing that freedom depends on equality for all; Democracy and Elections includes supporting accessible voting, honoring election results, and protect-
ing the peaceful transfer of power; The Rule of Law involves limiting government power through equality before the law, due process, judicial independence and accountability; and, Separation of Powers involves ensuring no branch of government exceeds its constitutional authority, and preserving checks and balances.
So, copies of Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms paintings, derived from a seminal speech by FDR during World War 2, and you have the basics of what America has stood for until recently, that about 80 percent of Americans still stand for once all the clutter of hate and division is sorted through.
Take the slaughter in Northern Virginia earlier this month, where the anti-Trump Democrat won 75 percent of the vote against a prominent pro-Trump Republican. It was a pro-Democratic district, but until now not by nearly that much. The vote was 16 percentage points higher for winner James Walkinshaw than for Kamala Harris there last November. It surely bodes well for the forces of unity against Trump going forward, and few exemplify that unity better than the truly formidable candidate atop the Democratic ticket running for governor in Virginia this fall, Abigail Spanberger.
Take the fact that the Epstein matter is not over for Trump and all who are trying to defend him and say there is “nothing there,” even when a Trumper like Rep. Margarie Taylor Green comes out foursquare on the side of the brave victims who held a press conference in front of the Capital earlier this month. What other hard Trumpsters have begun to do the same?
Especially as the Epstein files come out soon, and will be explosive beyond what most have any idea of. Don’t forget that last July 18 live on C-SPAN, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, delivered portions of his committee’s report on Epstein, which found that in one bank account, 4,725 wire transfers were uncovered going into and out of Epstein’s account totalling over $1.1 billion that used Russian and Turkish banks to process the funds. And that was only one of Epstein’s accounts.
In a letter to Epstein, Trump wrote, “A pal is a wonderful thing, And may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump’s is a sinking ship. Rats will come scurrying down the mooring ropes soon.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
Shades of The Scarlet Letter! It’s not clear that the conservative Heritage Foundation folks behind Project 2025 ever read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 19th century novel about Puritan America, but their influence on the Trump Administration is reflected in Vice President J.D. Vance’s declaration, shortly after the Inauguration, that “I want more babies in the United States of America.” Accompanying his declaration is an effort to propose federal legislation that would provide government savings accounts for new babies, but only if they are born to married couples. The new savings accounts could be funded by cutting or abolishing existing child-focused programs. One target appears to be Head Start, a highly successful early childhood education program that has helped millions of at-risk children be better prepared for elementary school. Deciding to have a child can be exciting, excruciating, and expensive, costs and emotions borne by more than just parents. Rearing a child to age 18 is estimated to be $23,000 per year (in today’s dollars), or more than $400,000 overall, not counting college tuition. Contemplating that sort of investment, it’s no wonder that many
young men and women today are opting for independence and careers rather than marriage and family.
The U.S. birth rate has been declining for years, exacerbated in recent decades by the Great Recession and the covid pandemic. Nonetheless, 3.6 million babies were born in the United States in 2024, a slight increase over the 2023 figures. And every one of those babies is a new American citizen, despite the Trump Administration’s attempts to upend the 14th Amendment. All that political energy and effort should be put into improving access to reproductive health care, reducing housing, food, and medical costs, and recognizing that families can be more than a father, a mother, a couple of kids and a dog (the “nuclear family” espoused by The Heritage Foundation). It really does “take a village” to raise a child.
My mother married during World War II and, like most young women of that time, saw her future as a homemaker and mother, but postwar challenges put a strain on many young families, and ours was no different. Occasionally assisted by my grandparents, she raised her three daughters to be strong and independent women, and we all struggled at times to balance marriage, children
City of Falls Church Crime Report
Week of Sep 8 - 14, 2025
Driving Under the Influence, S Maple Ave/W Broad St, Sep 8, 2:50 a.m., a female, 34, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.
Theft of Motor Vehicle, W Broad St, between 9:09 p.m. on Sep 7 and 7:33 a.m. on Sep 8, an unknown suspect stole a silver 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The vehicle was later recovered by the Fairfax County Police Department.
Destruction of Property, Hillwood Ave,
Sep 9, 7:31 a.m., an unknown suspect broke windows on the victim’s home.
Fraud – Wire Fraud, Randolph St, Sep 11, 12:53 p.m., victim hired a contractor for a building project and received an email from the contractor regarding transferring money for payment of services. The victim later discovered the contractor’s email was hacked, and the money was wired to an unknown suspect. Investigation is ongoing.
Destruction of Property/Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts, Wilson Blvd, Sep 11, 4:44 p.m., an unknown suspect broke the windshield wiper off the victim’s vehicle and stole it.
and jobs/careers, fortunately with mostly positive results. Women today have opportunities that were only dreamed of when my mother was growing up. From the traditional teacher, nurse, or secretarial role, women today compete on an equal footing with their male counterparts for almost any job, excepting perhaps, President of the United States! The U.S. has a maternal death rate higher than many other highincome western nations. The maternal death rate for Black women is 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. For White women, the maternal death rate is 14.5 percent, and for Hispanic women, 12.4 percent. It’s ironic that Mr. Vance advocates for more babies while the number of OB/GYN physicians is declining, often because “red state” legislation restricting reproductive health care puts their patients and careers at risk. The risk is higher in rural areas where seeking, and finding, pre-natal health care can be distant, difficult, and expensive, leaving patients, married or not, to fend for themselves. Judgment and punishment were major themes in The Scarlet Letter, but they should not be incorporated into government programs, for children, their married or unmarried parents, or anyone else. Getting married and deciding to have children are two of the most personal and private decisions anyone will ever make, not opportunities for governmental intrusion or direction, despite the desires of The Heritage Foundation and the Vice President of the United States.
Larceny from Vehicle, W Broad St, Sep 12, between 4:30 p.m. and 5:10 p.m., an unknown suspect stole the rear license plate off the victim’s rental vehicle.
Trespassing, W Broad St, Sep 13, 7:36 p.m., a male, 76, of Falls Church, was arrested for Trespassing.
Shoplifting, S Washington St, Sep 12, 10:30 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise.
Driving on Suspended License, W Broad St, Sep 14, 6:31 p.m., a male, 55, of Springfield, was arrested for Driving on Suspended License.
(This is from the City of Falls Church.)
PAGE 6 | SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2025
Since 1991, an award-winning LGBT-owned general Interest community newspaper.
Vol. XXXV, No. 32
SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2025
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Tomorrow, Sept. 19, begins the 2025 fall election with early voting in Virginia, culminating on Election Day Nov. 4, with all three statewide offices on the ballot – for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general – all 100 state delegate offices and key local elections, like those in the City of Falls Church where six candidates are competing for four of the seven seats on the Falls Church City Council and five candidates are competing for four of the seven seats on the Falls Church School Board.
Cutting to the chase, the News-Press is endorsing for these Falls Church elections the following:
For City Council: incumbents Marybeth Connelly, Laura Downs and David Snyder, along with Arthur Akin.
For School Board: incumbents Kathleen Tysse and Anne Sherwood, along with MK Hughes and Sharon Mergler.
We also endorse the Democrats for statewide and delegate races, being Abigail Spanberger for governor, Ghazala Hashmi for lieutenant governor and Jay Jones for attorney general, and incumbent State Del. Marcus Simon for re-election in the 13rd district that covers Falls Church.
We also back darn near every Democrat running for state delegate seats statewide, because this is the first major election since Trump has come to power with the near full backing of the Grand Old Party, so we in Virginia have a special opportunity to send a very loud and important message to the nation and the world with this election. It couldn’t be more important.
But we are not running the table for Democrats overall. We have chosen again to endorse David Snyder, who has run to hold his seat on the City Council every election since he first won the job in 1994 and was the unsuccessful Republican candidate in the first election in 2001 for the reconfigured state delegate seat here against the late and beloved Del. Jim Scott.
We continue to back Snyder as a conscientious leader in our community even though we are on different sides of many, not all, issues, and because he made a major statement of leaving the Republican Party last year to disassociate with Trump and what he stands for.
We know the local Democratic Committee has struggled with whether or not it should endorse him, too, but has chosen not to because the City Council election is technically a non-partisan race.
We are confident in our endorsement decisions, also, not only because of what we’ve observed with our own eyes and ears covering local government here week in and week out for, low, these many years, because we have sought important counsel from among those who work behind the scenes in City Hall and at the City schools. We are mainly motivated by a desire to get it right for our readers and all citizens of Falls Church.
In this important election, we urge active participation, to study, to engage and to exercise this greatest of all gifts of our now-challenged democracy, to choose who will lead us.
‘Downton Abbey’: The Grand Finale Movie Review
By Lisa Sinrod
This third movie in the Downton Abbey franchise sets out to wrap things up and has fully succeeded. Released on September 12 by Focus Features, it has been met with anticipation amongst the many loyal Downton Abbey fans. In case you missed it, Downton Abbey was a popular British historical drama first aired in the United States on PBS. The series ran from 2010 to 2015, with six seasons. In recent years, the award-winning series has been available for streaming on many platforms. Additionally, the two prior movies from the series were “Downton Abbey” (2019) and “Downton Abbey: A New Era” (2022). Many of the original cast members have returned for this final offering. Having only seen a few episodes of the television series as well as the first movie, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to follow the back story of the finale film. It opens with a sweeping recap which will serve as a refresh of the Crawley family saga for fans,
or a tutorial for the uninitiated.
The recap moves with lightning speed, but with great affection for the characters. Don’t expect to put things fully together if you aren’t well versed in all things Downton. The recap was, however, helpful in providing a starting place from which to pick up the multiple details of a well-developed series being distilled into a finale lasting just over 2 hours.
The greatest pleasure of the Downton series is the simultaneous story line of the aristocrats of the manor who are upstairs and the staff, who work and congregate downstairs.
This film, set in 1930, focuses on Lady Mary’s public scandal due to her recent divorce from Henry Talbot. Michelle Dockery, who has starred in all versions of Downton since the inception, commands this role with intensity and emotion. Mary seeks to regain the trust of the household and local community, bringing to light the shifting views on divorce and societal hierarchy as oldtimers are forced to reckon
with the new era. A witty subplot featuring a fictional Noel Coward is delightful. Elizabeth McGovern, an American actress who has played Mary’s mother (Cora, Countess of Grantham) throughout the series, delivers a quality performance. A generational shift is contemplated in the leadership of Downton Abbey while complex money challenges arise. Key downstairs staff members retire leaving younger staff to take over kitchen and household duties.
The film honors the late Violet Crawley (Cora’s mother) in the final scene, played by the wonderful actress Maggie Smith in reprise images of her from prior filming. Ms. Smith passed away at the age of eighty-nine in 2024. Is this wrap up of Downton Abbey, which is tied with a bow, a bit too tidy? Perhaps, but I can’t think of a better way to do it. I doubt the fans of Downton are ready to say goodbye, even after watching this movie, but the message seems to be that modernity is closing in and the long-time traditions of the past
are changing. The full series has spanned the years from 1912 to 1930. The closing scenes involve displays of true warmth between the Downton nobility and their servants, with a recognition of the caring between them that may have been there all along. The final scene, where Mary reminisces about the past, is beautifully done and poignant. The film is engaging, with a number of plot lines that will be best interpreted by experienced Downton
aficionados. Appreciative chuckles filled the theater during my viewing, as various threads which probably have long back stories were revisited in this final venture. Fear not, however, if you haven’t seen a prior Downton film or watched all of the television episodes. Enough bread crumbs are scattered throughout to allow those of us who are novices to put together the larger picture sufficiently to enjoy Downton in the year 1930.
OLD FALLS CHURCH: SCHOOL DAYS Part V
By Ted White
I have to mention The Bomb. As I mentioned in the first of these pieces, my friends and I rigged up a fake bomb for the last day of eighth grade. We all had chemistry sets in those days, and we all learned how to make black powder (with only three ingredients, all commonly available then), but we used it mostly to make rockets and fake volcanoes – no real bombs, just backyard fun.
But someone else – I never knew who – made a real bomb, and exploded it in Falls Church.
I was a junior in high school (then George Mason) and hanging out with friends in the earliest version of Winter Hill one night after school when the house we were in was suddenly rocked by a nearby explosion. No damage, no windows broken, but it was very loud, and close. We were initially stunned. What had happened?
We ran outside, joining a quickly growing crowd of neighbors and bystanders. At that time there was an open area – a very large empty lot – east of the new houses in what would become Winter Hill. The strip mall that would later include the Post Office and Anthony’s had not yet been built. What was there was basically an open field with a couple
of small trees on its eastern side.
It was obvious what had happened. A small shack was now tangled high in the branches of one of those trees. Clearly it had been blown into the tree by the explosion. People gathered under it or close by, staring at the shack, which seemed to be mostly intact.
My friends and I poked around the open area – a field – motivated by curiosity, and by pure chance we happened on the remainder of the bomb.
It had been a pipe bomb. The pipe had split open and was curled back on itself. It stank of black powder. It was slightly less than a foot long. On the side that had been its outside we could see that someone had filed an X and at the center of that X had drilled a small hole – obviously for the fuse. The pipe had not had its ends threaded and capped. Instead, someone had hammered each end shut, flattening it.
We marveled at the stupidity of this. To hammer shut the end of a pipe filled with black powder was suicidal. One of those hammer blows could have set the bomb off. The bomb-maker had been incredibly lucky. And so was everyone else, no one being caught in the considerable blast.
We found the police and turned over the bomb piece to them. There had been
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Attend the League/VPIS Council Candidate Forum on September 25, 2025, 7:00 p.m., at the American Legion Hall. 400 N. Oak Street.
no injuries and little real damage, so I’m not sure how seriously the explosion was investigated. I never heard any more about it after that night.
A hot bowl of pho at Eden Center. Voted best shopping center in the DMV!
3D Printing Is Reshaping Dental Care and Restoration
By Falls Church News-Press
Dentistry has always been at the crossroads of science, technology, and patient care.
From the first use of X-rays in the early 20th century to the rise of digital imaging in recent decades, the field has embraced innovations that make treatments faster, more precise, and more comfortable. Today, one of the most transformative technologies arriving in dental offices and laboratories is 3D printing. What was once consid ered futuristic is now becoming a standard tool in modern dental care.
At its core, 3D printing in dentistry involves using advanced scanners, specialized software, and additive manu facturing machines to create custom dental products with remarkable accuracy. Instead of traditional impressions that require patients to bite into trays of sticky putty, dentists can now scan a patient’s mouth digi tally in a matter of minutes. The scan is then uploaded to a com puter, where it can be used to
design crowns, dentures, surgical guides, orthodontic aligners, or even replacement teeth.
Once designed, the 3D printer builds the object layer by layer using biocompatible materials like resin, ceramic,
Smaller practices can now bring parts of this process in-house, lowering costs and increasing accessibility.
Surgical guides—custom templates that help dentists and oral surgeons place implants
Dental schools are also embracing 3D printing as a teaching tool, giving students the opportunity to practice on lifelike models of patient cases before moving to live procedures. This not only improves training but also enhances patient safety. Like any emerging technology, 3D printing in dentistry is not without its challenges. The machines themselves represent a significant investment, often costing tens of thousands of dollars. Training is required
Looking ahead, experts predict that 3D printing will play an even larger role in personalizing dental care. Research is underway into bioprinting, which could eventually allow dentists to print living tissue to repair or regenerate parts of a tooth or gum. Though still in its early stages, this field hints at a future where dental care moves beyond repair and into true biological restoration. For now, 3D printing is bringing clear benefits to patients and practitioners alike:
Flu and COVID Vaccinations Remain a Flashpoint
By Falls Church News-Press
As cooler weather arrives and people begin gathering indoors more often, health officials are once again urging Americans to get vaccinated against both influenza and Covid-19. Yet, years after the first coronavirus shots were introduced, vaccines remain a source of political division and public confusion.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that nearly everyone six months and older receive an annual flu shot, ideally before the end of October. This fall, updated Covid-19 boosters are also being rolled out, targeting newer strains of the virus. Public health experts stress that receiving both vaccines can dramatically lower the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death, especially among older adults and people with underlying conditions.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, former CDC director, noted in a recent interview that combining flu and Covid-19 vaccinations is a “two-pronged strategy” to
keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed during respiratory illness season. “We want to avoid a scenario where flu and Covid collide in emergency rooms at the same time,” she said.
Despite broad scientific consensus, vaccination rates for both flu and Covid-19 have dropped in recent years. According to the CDC, just under half of American adults received a flu shot last season. Covid-19 booster uptake has been even lower, with only about 20 percent of eligible adults opting for the most recent dose.
Vaccine hesitancy stems from a mix of factors: mistrust in government messaging, misinformation circulating online, and pandemic fatigue. Some Americans continue to question the effectiveness or safety of Covid-19 shots, despite extensive studies showing they reduce severe outcomes. Others argue that frequent updates to the vaccines have left them skeptical about whether shots are necessary every year.
The debate over vaccines is not purely medical—it has become cultural and political. While flu shots have long faced mild resis-
tance, Covid-19 vaccines ignited heated battles in legislatures, workplaces, and schools. Some states sought to mandate vaccination for healthcare workers or students, while others passed laws limiting such requirements.
Public opinion surveys show a partisan divide: Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to be vaccinated and to support mandates. Conservative commentators have fueled skepticism, framing vaccination campaigns as government overreach. Meanwhile, some progressive voices have accused pharmaceutical companies of prioritizing profits over transparency.
Health experts emphasize that both flu and Covid19 vaccines have strong safety records. Common side effects, such as soreness at the injection site or mild fatigue, usually resolve within a day or two. Rare adverse events do occur, but serious complications remain exceedingly uncommon compared to the risks posed by the diseases themselves.
Studies show flu vaccination reduces the chance of illness
by 40–60 percent during seasons when the vaccine is well matched to circulating strains. Covid-19 vaccines, though less effective at preventing infection with newer variants, remain highly protective against hospitalization and severe disease.
One lingering question for many is whether it’s safe—or advisable—to receive flu and Covid-19 vaccines at the same appointment. The CDC says yes, noting that co-administration is safe and convenient.
Some physicians even encourage the practice, arguing that it helps increase compliance. Still, a portion of the public remains wary, preferring to space out doses.
Public health leaders acknowledge that vaccine communication needs to evolve. Instead of relying on mandates or fear-based messaging, some experts suggest focusing on personal benefits, such as fewer sick days, reduced medical bills, and protection for vulnerable loved ones. Local health systems are also working to increase accessibility by
offering free community clinics, mobile vaccination units, and workplace partnerships.
The broader challenge is combating misinformation that spreads rapidly on social media. False claims about vaccines altering DNA or causing infertility have been repeatedly debunked but still gain traction online. Many doctors stress the importance of trusted messengers—community leaders, clergy, and family physicians—who can cut through skepticism.
As Americans brace for another flu season and an evolving Covid-19 landscape, the stakes remain high. Hospitals are still recovering from the strain of the pandemic, and healthcare workers warn that another wave of respiratory illness could stretch resources thin.
For some, vaccines symbolize protection and collective responsibility. For others, they remain a flashpoint for distrust and debate. What is clear, though, is that the decisions individuals make this fall will ripple across households, communities, and health systems.
Youth Sports Build More Than Athletes—They Build Community
By
Across the country, and right here in Falls Church, the sight of children running onto playing fields or suiting up for their first game of the season is more than just a pastime. Youth sports are one of the most enduring and impactful forces shaping healthier communities. From the basketball courts at Meridian High School to the baseball diamonds at Larry Graves Park, sports programs are giving young people the tools they need to succeed—not just in competition, but in life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about one in four American children ages 6–17 get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Organized sports help bridge that gap. Children who participate in athletics are less likely to experience obesity, have better cardiovascular health, and are more likely
to maintain active lifestyles as adults.
Local health officials stress that building a routine around practices and games helps instill habits of movement and fitness. In Falls Church, families say they appreciate that opportunities abound for yearround activity—whether it’s soccer at Larry Graves Park, basketball in school gyms, or baseball and rugby on community fields.
Beyond physical health, sports provide vital support for mental well-being.
The American Psychological Association notes that youth who play sports are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and often show stronger resilience when facing challenges.
For young people navigating school and adolescence, the structure of practices and the encouragement of coaches can provide stability. “It’s not just about winning or losing,” one local parent observed. “My kid
has learned how to bounce back from mistakes, how to manage stress, and how to stay motivated. Those are lessons for life.”
Sports also build bridges between young people who might not otherwise cross paths. In diverse communities like Falls Church, teams often bring together kids from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. Studies from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative highlight how sports promote inclusion, teamwork, and empathy.
For children, that can mean the joy of making a new friend. For parents, it often means new networks of support, as bleacher-side conversations evolve into community ties.
In a city as tight-knit as Falls Church, this shared experience strengthens the fabric of local life.
Research consistently shows that student-athletes often perform better in school. A report from the National Federation of State High School Associations
found that high school athletes are more likely to graduate and less likely to drop out. Sports cultivate time management, discipline, and focus—skills that translate directly into the classroom.
In Falls Church, educators often note that students who participate in athletics are more engaged in their studies and more likely to pursue leadership roles in clubs, arts, and civic activities. Athletics and academics reinforce one another, offering a balanced foundation for future success.
Still, challenges remain. Nationally, cost is one of the biggest barriers to youth sports. Families with lower incomes often struggle with registration fees, equipment, and travel costs. The Aspen Institute reports that kids from households making less than $25,000 a year are half as likely to play sports regularly as those from higher-income families.
Falls Church has taken steps to reduce these disparities, with
local schools and recreation departments working to keep fees low and programs accessible. Nonprofit groups and community fundraising have also played a role in ensuring no child is left on the sidelines.
When Meridian High School athletes take the field, when rec leagues pack Larry Graves Park, or when families gather at City fields to cheer on little league games, it’s more than sport—it’s community. Falls Church has long recognized that investing in youth athletics is an investment in its future.
Sports in the Little City are not just games; they are moments of pride, resilience, and togetherness. They foster friendships, strengthen families, and teach lessons that extend far beyond the scoreboard.
As the new seasons begin this fall, the message is clear: supporting youth sports means building healthier kids and a stronger Falls Church. And that’s something worth cheering for.
Falls Church News-Press
F.C. Fitness Scene Expands With Pilates, Bootcamps, and Gyms
By
Falls Church, VA — In a city of just over 15,000 residents, the demand for fitness and wellness has grown steadily in recent years, reflecting national trends that show more Americans looking for diverse ways to stay active. From Pilates to bootcamps to full-service gyms, Falls Church residents today have more choices than ever to meet their exercise goals.
Pilates has become a cornerstone for many seeking a low-impact form of exercise. Rooted in controlled, deliberate movements, Pilates emphasizes posture, core strength, and flexibility. Health experts point to research from the American Council on Exercise showing that regular practice can reduce lower back pain, improve balance, and increase muscular endurance.
In Falls Church, residents can take part in both mat-based Pilates and equipment-focused sessions using Reformers, Towers, or stability chairs. Sessions are often offered in small groups, with instructors guiding participants to modify exercises based on age, ability, or injury history. For older adults or those recovering from injuries, Pilates provides a way to maintain strength and mobility without the high impact of running or weightlifting.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, participation in mind-body exercises like Pilates and yoga has increased by more
than 12 percent nationally over the past decade. This growth reflects a broader desire for holistic health practices that combine physical conditioning with stress relief.
On the other end of the fitness spectrum, exercise bootcamps have gained traction in Falls Church for residents looking for short, intense workouts. Bootcamps typically run 30 to 45 minutes and combine cardiovascular training with body-weight drills, free weights, or circuit-style stations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a staple of most bootcamps, can burn more calories in a shorter time than steady-state cardio while improving heart health and endurance. For working professionals with limited free time, bootcamps offer efficiency and a sense of community.
National surveys show that more than 40 percent of adults cite “lack of time” as the main barrier to exercise. The bootcamp format directly addresses that obstacle by condensing a workout into less than an hour while maintaining intensity.
Larger gyms also remain an essential part of Falls Church’s fitness landscape. These facilities provide access to cardio machines, free weights, pools, and a broad array of group fitness classes, from yoga and cycling to dance-based workouts. Many gyms have adapted to changing consumer expectations by offering childcare services, flexible hours, and
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even hybrid memberships that include both inperson and online classes.
For families, multipurpose gyms can provide a “one-stop shop” for wellness, with options suitable for different age groups and fitness levels. Industry reports indicate that more than 60 million Americans are members of health clubs or gyms, with family memberships representing a growing share of that total. Beyond private facilities, Falls Church has also promoted fitness through public initiatives. Community wellness challenges, seasonal fun runs, and partnerships with local organizations encourage residents to try new forms of exercise. These programs not only highlight the city’s diverse fitness options but also reinforce the importance of movement as part of daily life.
The CDC recommends adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, paired with musclestrengthening activities on two or more days. Yet, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, fewer than one in four adults nationwide currently meet those guidelines. Local programs and challenges in Falls Church aim to bridge that gap by raising awareness and lowering barriers to participation.
Experts emphasize that no single workout fits everyone. Pilates may be best for those seeking improved posture and joint stability. Bootcamps appeal to people looking for fast, high-energy sessions that maximize calorie burn. Larger gyms remain ideal for individuals or families wanting a variety of options under one roof.
The key, fitness professionals stress, is consistency. Whether residents choose mindful Pilates sessions, high-intensity bootcamps, or a mix of gym classes and equipment training, the goal is to find a sustainable routine. Studies from the National Institutes of Health show that people who find a style of exercise they enjoy are three times more likely to maintain it long term.
As Falls Church continues to grow, so too does its emphasis on wellness. With more options available than ever, residents can choose paths tailored to their needs, schedules, and budgets. The expansion of Pilates classes, bootcamp programs, and gym facilities reflects both national fitness trends and a local commitment to health.
For a community that prides itself on walkability and active living, the city’s fitness offerings signal a broader cultural shift: wellness is no longer an afterthought, but a daily priority.
Mark A. Miller, DDS, Melanie R. Love, DDS
Falls Church News-Press
COLUNGA, outreach and training coordinator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, spoke to the monthly luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce held at Dominion Wine and Beer Tuesday. (Photo: FCNP)
LAST WEEKEND’S highly successful Fall Festival in Falls Church was the News-Press table manned by founding owner-editor Nicholas Benton (foreground) and Managing Editor Nick Gatz
PERFORMING THE final of the Creative Cauldron’s Summer Cabaret Series last Saturday was frequent performer Wesley Diener, son of F.C.’s prominent Michael Diener CPA. Young Diener now runs a voice training school in Chicago. Saturday, he sang songs ranging from Broadway favorites to a song series of Massenet’s opera, Werther. (Photo: FCNP)
ARTIST JESSICA VALORIS (center) spoke of her stained glass works unveiled last Sunday at the First Congregational Church of Washington, D.C. commemorating the lives of the 52 Black people who were enslaved to work on the land where the church now sits. The church was founded right after the Civil War by abolitionists who subsequently founded Howard University. “The enslavement of these 52 people reflects a core contradiction in our nation’s narrative of freedom for all, and calls us to reckon with the enduring legacies of slavery and racism, and to remember those on whose backs our nation was built,” she said. The church pastor, the Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, is at the left, and the day’s preacher, Dr. Renee K. Harrison, on the right. (Photo: FCNP)
wide selection of offerings to festival goers. (Photo: Gary Mester)
AT
(right) with his wife Ellie and daughter Emmie. (Photo: FCNP)
MONICA
SHOWN HERE ARE some of the crowds of of happy folks who poured into the annual Falls Church Fall Festival and Taste of Falls Church last weekend.
(Photo: FCNP)
A YOUNG FESTIVAL-GOER enjoys a pony ride at the Falls Festival in Falls Church. (Photo: Gary Mester)
HARVEY’S RESTAURANT ONCE won the People’s Choice award at the annual Taste of Falls Church, held in conjunction with the City’s Fall Festival. Thousands gathered on a warm late-summer afternoon to sample food and celebrate the community. Sweet Rice earned honors for Best Individual Dish with its mango and sticky rice, while Beat Bakery was awarded Best Overall Menu for its
Rep. Beyer Hosting Federal Worker/Contractor Event Saturday
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, who represents Northern Virginia, is hosting an event for former and current federal workers and contractors on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Paragon Theaters in Falls Church.
This event, held in partnership with City of Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi and the Wellfed Team (former federal employees), will provide practical financial guidance alongside community and wellness support. Experts will lead a Financial Triage Workshop, sharing clear strategies for budgeting, expense tracking, and planning at every career stage, with time for Q&A.
There will also be space for connection and mental well-being, recognizing that resilience is built through both financial clarity and a supportive community. Refreshments and lunch will also be provided.
2 Honored as F.C. Employees Of Year by City Council
Paula Hawkins and Bethany Howard Tran were honored as Falls Church’s Employees of the Year at a F.C. City Council ceremony last week. They were chosen by members of the City’s Employee Review Board and Human Resources Council.
Tran worked in the City Finance Department and over the past year has been described at “phenomenal,” “invaluable” and “essential,” according to a City report. She managed payroll and vendor processes, she played a vital role in the successful implementation of the Employee Self Service system.
Hawkins, according to the report, demonstrated leadership, creativity, and energy to make the Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s 125th anniversary celebration this year a major success. She is described as “bright, caring, industrious and wonderfully creative.”
MRS Public Library Shows Major Uptick in Use
The annual report of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library presented to the F.C. City Council last week by Library Director Megan Dotzler showed remarkable growth of usage and programs in the last year.
Launched was the new Local History Digital Archive featuring over 7,000 historic photographs, more than 15,000 local death notices and obituaries, City Council minutes from 1948 to 2011, Civil War-era letters, diaries and documents, F.C.’s Focus newsletter (1964-2003) and publications by the F.C. Historical Commission and oral history recordings.
Over 507,000 items were circulated, with numbers on the rise, and monthly book clubs for elementary and high school age students were begun. It worked with the State Library and the Falls Church News-Press to post online all issues of the News-Press from 1991 to 2024, expanded to over 4,000 magazines in its collection, hosted tours of the library and fitness and finance classes with local businesses, and registered 5,177 new cards to bring the total to 30,538, over double the population of Falls Church.
Beyer, 26 Dems Demand Release Of Persons Trafficking Report
Last week, U.S. Rep Don Beyer of Northern Virginia led 26 of his colleagues in demanding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio release the congressionally mandated 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, which was due to Congress on June 30 and is critical to combatting the scourge of human trafficking.
The report comes from the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/ TIP), which recently fired over 70 percent of the human trafficking prevention staff due to reductions in force and other personnel policy changes. Given this purge of anti-trafficking experts, the lawmakers also requested updated information on the current staffing and resources available to J/TIP to fulfill its statutory duties under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. They emphasized that these significant staff cuts pose serious challenges to the international effort to monitor and combat human trafficking crimes.
Harvey’s Wins ‘Taste of F.C.’ People’s Choice Award
Saturday, Sept. 13 — Harvey’s Restaurant once again came away with the overall People’s Choice award at the annual Taste of Falls Church today held in conjunction with the City ‘s annual Fall Festival that drew thousands on a warm end-of-summer day.
Sweet Rice won best individual dish for its mango and sticky rice offering and Beat Bakery for best overall menu of options for the samplings of items offered at $3 to the public.
F.C. Schools Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer
The Falls Church School Board has welcomed Ms. Alicia Prince as our new Chief Operating Officer, starting September 22nd.
Ms. Prince brings experience from large school districts, including roles as Chief of Staff and Interim COO, plus advanced degrees from the Broad Center, Villanova, and Hampton University. Most importantly, she shares a commitment to collaborative excellence and prioritizing students’ needs.
She succeeds Kristen Michael in this key leadership role that supports everything from our daily operations to long-term planning. We’re excited about the fresh energy and collaborative spirit she’ll bring to Team FCCPS!
Sept. 19 is National Concussion Awareness Day
Friday, September 19 is National Concussion Awareness Day. Some facts on concussion:
A concussion is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which can occur with or without a direct blow to the head and/or body, and may or may not result in loss of consciousness.
Concussions can be the result of athletic activities and sports, work accidents, motor vehicle accidents, or falls.
Experts estimate that 1 to 3 million concussions happen each year in the U.S.
Brain injury is the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents in the U.S. Causes by Age Group:
Children and Youth (5-19 years): Sports and transportation incidents are the most common causes of TBIs.
Adults (20-64 years): Falls and transport incidents are the leading causes of TBIs in this age group.
Older Adults (65+ years): Falls are overwhelmingly the most common cause of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths in older adults
MedStar Health’s Concussion Clinic has providers available for interviews on concussion awareness who can discuss:
How to identify a concussion
What to do if you suspect concussion
Concussion protocol, e.g. do patients need to be kept awake?
Can concussion be prevented?
Concussion prevention:
Adults and kids should wear helmets while biking, skiing, snowboarding and other high-risk sports.
Fall prevention education, especially for older adults.
Wear a seatbelt not just in your car but also in every Uber/Lyft/Taxi.
St. James Hosts Nun Fun Run on Saturday
The St. James Nun Fun Run 2025 will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., starting with stretching at 7:45 a.m. and the race promptly at 8:00 a.m. This family-friendly event celebrates its 20th anniversary and supports Camilla Hall, a retirement home for the IHM Sisters. You can register, purchase shirts, or donate through the link provided on the event’s registration page: sjsptova.ejoinme.org.
Road Closures for the Nun Fun Run
The City of Falls Church Sherriff and Police Departments advise drivers about road closures on Saturday, September 20, 2025, for the Saint James Nun Fun Run.
Road closures and parking restrictions in the City and along the W&OD Trail will be in place from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. The streets noted below will be closed.
Oak Street at Park Avenue • North Lee Street at Oak Avenue
Pennsylvania Avenue at Park Avenue • Fulton Avenue
Great Falls Street at W&OD Bike Path • Oak Street at W&OD Bike Path
Spring Street at W&OD Bike Path • West Street at W&OD Bike Path
Park Avenue at West Street • Spring Street at Park Avenue
The City of Falls Church Sherriff and Police Departments appreciate the public’s cooperation with the road closures, helping to ensure the safety of the race participants and volunteers. Roads will reopen at approximately 9 a.m.
This Week Around Falls Church
Thurs, September 18
Park(ing) Day – Pop-Up Park
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Falls Church Fiber Artists (drop-in)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046 (Upper Level Conference Room)
Fall Storytime (ages 2–4)
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046 (Lower Level Conference Room)
Playtime with Early Literacy Center
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046 (Lower Level Conference Room)
Workshop: Poetry to Thank Virgo Season (Online)
7:30–8:30 p.m. Online event Register at claudiapoet.com
Fri, September 19
Sunset Cinema: “Moana 2” (Free)
Food trucks 6:15 p.m.; movie ~7:15 p.m. Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Friday Night Live Music in the Commons (Free)
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Commons Park, West Falls, 151–201 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22046
Meridian Varsity Football: Meridian at Millbrook
7:00 p.m.
Millbrook High School, 251 First Woods Dr., Winchester, VA 22602
Sat, September 20
The St. James Nun Fun Run (20th Anniversary)
7:30–9:00 a.m.
(Stretching at 7:45 a.m.; race at 8:00 a.m.)
St. James Catholic School, 830 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Falls Church Farmers Market
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
City Hall Parking Lot, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Vietnamese Heritage Day
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Cherry Hill Farmhouse, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Author Talk & Book
Signing: Brendan Slocumb (“The Dark Maestro”)
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046 (Lower Level Conference Room) Registration required
Reason to Rock: Music with a Mission
2:00–8:00 p.m.
Solace Outpost Brewery, 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Local bands support PathForward. reasontorockva.com
Calm for a Cause Series –Reiki Mini Sessions
2:00–4:00 p.m.
1073 West Broad St., Suite 215, Falls Church, VA 22046
ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
Yoga Release & Restore
4:00-5:15 p.m.
1073 West Broad St., Suite 215, Falls Church, VA 22046
ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
Calm for a Cause Series –Sound Bath for Peace
5:00–6:00 p.m.
1073 West Broad St., Suite 215, Falls Church, VA 22046
ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
FCEPTA Fall Social
7:00–10:00 p.m.
Audacious Aleworks, 110 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Hosted by Falls Church Elementary PTA. Tickets at fcepta.org
Little City Concerts: Nen Daiko
7:30–8:30 p.m.
The Falls Church Episcopal, 166 E. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046 Taiko ensemble performance
The Machine Performs Pink Floyd
Doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:30 p.m.
The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Sun, September 21
Creating Pollinator Habitats (Adults)
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046 (Upper Level Conference Room) Registration required
Falls Church City Democratic Committee Potluck Supper Social Hour 5:00 p.m.; Dinner 6:00 p.m.
Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA 22046
Tickets: $50 with dish / $75 without dish. secure.actblue.com/ donate/fccdc25
Mon, September 22
Fall Storytime (ages 2–4)
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046 (Lower Level Conference Room)
Playtime with Early Literacy Center 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046 (Lower Level Conference Room)
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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.
By Ryan McCafferty
Another week of thrilling sports action at Meridian High School is in the books, and as usual, the Mustangs didn’t let us down. Let’s take a look at how each program fared during the second week of September.
The football team remained at home, and got redemption from its loss to Kettle Run by beating Annandale 52-20. It’s the first home win of the season for the Mustangs, who improve to 2-1 and will now face Northwestern District opponents for the remainder of the regular season. They’ll be on the road this Friday at Millbrook.
Field hockey completed its four-game home stand with another pair of wins, beating Brentsville 5-0 last Tuesday and Justice 4-0 last Wednesday to improve to 4-1 on the year. Their Friday game against Alexandria City was canceled, and they were off for most of this week before competing in a tournament tomorrow and Saturday hosted by Justice.
The girls’ volleyball team split a pair of road matchups, losing in three sets at Millbrook last Tuesday and winning in four at Liberty (Bealeton) last Thursday to move to 4-2 for the year. They’ll be at Kettle Run today before competing in tournament play over the weekend against Potomac Senior and Robinson. Meanwhile, the boys’ trying season continued with losses in four sets against Herndon last Monday and Annandale last Thursday, dropping them to 0-9. They’ll keep looking for their first win of the campaign at Maggie Walker tomorrow – it was around this point last year that they began putting it together, so perhaps history can repeat itself.
Cross country competed in a pair of meets, a District matchup hosted by Brentsville last Wednesday and a relay event at Lake Braddock last Saturday. At Brentsville, JP Tysse led the boys by finishing ninth overall while Madeleine Sherwood finished fourth for the girls. At Lake Braddock, the Mustangs set six all-time performances including William Anderson’s new track record.
Golf had a busy week as well, highlighted by winning the Skyline Hawks Invitational
at Shenandoah Valley last Tuesday against 18 other schools.
Meridian’s Charles Griffith led all individual competitors in the event by shooting a 68, two under par. The next day, Meridian
finished second to Skyline on the same course in a District match, their final one of the regular season as they prepare for the District championship on September 25th.
Bill Fogarty
What is your opinion about ranked choice voting? This might be a hard question for those who do not have that much experience with it. Or perhaps you have experienced it, and you have some strong opinions! But the concept looks to be “here to stay” in Arlington. One observation I will make is that the introduction of ranked choice voting in recent elections highlights the simple axiom that “change is hard.”
This change is hard for voters, and for the electoral office, and even for the candidates, as the candidates try to figure out their campaign strategy when dealing with ranked choice voting. Change breeds anxiety, and often skepticism, and any change in voting rules and systems requires thoughtful attention. This is where civic groups such as Advance Arlington provide a helpful community service. To understand the mission of this organization, let’s first take a look at their origin story, going back to 1954 Arlington, when political polarization was at a high level.
Civic and political life after World War II brought about many changes, in population growth, and in attitudes about the role of government. There was an explosion in the number of federal workers, such that more than 50 percent of the working population in Arlington were federal employees, many coming from out of state. The Democratic party in Virginia, long controlled by the conservative Byrd Machine, was being criticized for not responding to the needs of the citizens in Arlington.
By way of example, a large cohort wanted better schools, including full-day first and second grades, and the introduction of kindergarten classes. This would require higher taxes, which was anathema to a large segment of the population. Competing non-partisan political parties were created, known by the acronyms ABC and AIM (Arlingtonians for a Better County, and Arlington Independent Movement). The endorsement of political candidates became a confusing and acrimonious process. There was even a citizen lawsuit that tossed out three County Board members!
By 1954, people realized that all this activity was counter-productive. Eleven citizens
decided to create a forum to turn conflict into constructive channels by building and maintaining bridges between various interest groups. They created an organization with the title of the Committee of 100, which brought together community leaders for discussions of County issues and concerns. The format consisted of a dinner-forum, preceded by a social hour, with a goal of open and intelligent discussion.
The Committee of 100 changed their name in 2024, to “Advance Arlington”, chosen to better represent the group’s continued work, and its focus on moving Arlington forward (and one has to admit that “Committee of 100” was an awkward name, suggesting a level of exclusiveness).
Advance Arlington provides monthly programs on topical issues in Arlington, and this month it convened their meeting to address the challenges involved in introducing ranked choice voting. Arlington became the first locality in Virginia to use ranked choice voting for a county election during its 2023 County Board primary, and it was also used in the 2024 general election.
Their September program featured an excellent panel consisting of Gretchen Reinemeyer, Arlington’s General Registrar and Director of Elections; Susan Cunningham, a member of the Arlington County Board; and Mike Condray, a scholar whose research focuses on electoral systems. The discussion was informative and illuminating, bolstered by a real-time experiment. The audience participated in ranked choice voting to decide Advance Arlington’s October program! The program should be available on their YouTube channel soon, and I highly recommend checking out the taped program. One interesting comment came from Gretchen Reinemeyer, the County registrar, in response to a question about overcoming skepticism with ranked choice voting. She encouraged folks to work at the polls, which indeed is a terrific way to discover all the comprehensive work that goes into the process of securing a fair election process.
The right to vote comes with the responsibility of understanding our electoral system, and supporting the electoral system. You may or may not like ranked choice voting, but it helps to learn more about how it all works.
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Idylwood Plaza Keeps Growing
The shopping center that once housed Whole Foods on Leesburg Pike has added new restaurants Chicken Salad Chick, First Watch, Kajiken, and Happy Fro Yo in the past year. Quickway Japanese Hibachi and Mumbai Central opened this summer. Currently undergoing renovations, the center has announced additional businesses coming their way. The previous Whole Foods space will be subdivided with Lidl taking a portion of the space and opening next year. South Block, a juice and smoothie chain started by a McLean resident in 2011, will also open in the center. Potbelly and Qdoba are expected to open in Fall 2026.
Fava Pot to Expand
Dina Daniel, founder of Fava Pot located in The Shops at West Falls Church, has announced plans to open in The Boro in Tysons Corner. The Egyptian and Mediterranean restaurant is expected to open there in December. She began her restaurant as a food truck in 2013. Daniel has also been selected as one of four chefs to battle onstage at this year’s Capital Food Fight at the Anthem on November 6. This is the annual fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen of which Falls Church resident Mike Curtin is CEO.
Family Fun Night Tickets on Sale
The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual Family Fun Night on Tuesday, October 7, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Jefferson District Park. This is a community event for families, office staff, friends and neighbors with activities for all ages including mini golf. Westover Taco is providing a taco bar. Tickets are now available on the chamber website, https://business.fallschurchchamber.org/events/details/ family-fun-night-a-community-event-81530?calendarMonth=2025-10-01.
National Dance Day at CityDance
CityDance is open at West Falls across from Meridian High School and in celebration of National Dance Day, it gives guests the opportunity to try them out. On Saturday, September 20, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., children ages 7 – 18 and adults may register for one free trial class. The classes include ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop. Register on their website: https://www.citydance.net/sac/conservatory/new-locationfalls-church-va/
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Skin Lab Med Spa is hosting a community event in their Birch & Broad location. The events include live bachata lessons, music and entertainment, free consultations with experts, raffles, prizes and refreshments. The festivities run 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20.
Washington Sinfonietta Season Opens
The Washington Sinfonietta opens the 2025-2026 Concert Season with an AllOrchestral performance on Saturday, September 27, 7:30 p.m. at Falls Church Episcopal. Enjoy Hayden Symphony No. 90 and Mozart Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.” A reception follows. Tickets are available online in advance (https://www. brownpapertickets.com/event/6714847 ) as well as at the event and youth 18 and under are admitted free.
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.
