Facing imminent severe economic headwinds in the region, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, alongside elected officials from across Northern Virginia this past week, confirmed a unified call to action aimed at safeguarding and reinventing the region’s economy for a more diversified and equitable future.
“Northern Virginia has long been a powerhouse, but we’re at a defining moment. The old playbook won’t secure our future,” said Julie Coons, the Northern Virginia Chamber (NVC) president, introducing a new paper last week developed for the Chamber, “NOVA Roadmap: A Call to Action for Northern Virginia’s Economic Growth,” which was developed in partnership with professional consultants.
The roadmap directly responds to alarming federal workforce reductions and contracting losses that pose a serious threat to the regional and national economy. Nearly 11,100 federal jobs have been eliminated in Virginia so far this year, with Northern Virginia experiencing the steepest drop among metro areas, putting pressure on regional unemployment, now at 3.5 percent in June.
Issues the report identifies played a major role in the 10th annual “Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit,” that drew 200 business, government, and community leaders, including 22 elected officials last week.
The “NOVA Roadmap” paper
Continued on Page 3
THE JOYS OF LEARNING
EYA, a Washington D.C.based leader in urban infill residential development that was a major player in the 10-acre West End development in Falls Church in recent years, officially secured entitlement approvals from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pimmit Hills, adjacent Falls Church, it announced yesterday. “It marks a major
milestone in the transformation of the site into a thoughtfully designed townhome community,” a spokesman said.
Located at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Idylwood Road, the approximately 70-townhome community “will honor the church’s vision for growth while introducing new housing, green space and trail connections in a highly desirable, centrally located neighborhood,” Askash Thakkar, exec -
utive vice president of EYA, stated.
“Our work with St. Paul’s has been grounded in a shared commitment to creating something lasting and meaningful. This important project is a reflection of what can be achieved when vision and expertise align, ” said Thakkar. “This has been a true partnership, which will result in a neighborhood that reflects the values of the congregation and the character of
the surrounding area.”
“For St. Paul’s, this partnership is a shared journey toward a stronger future for our congregation and our neighborhood. Our site had previously been pursued by other development teams, but challenges in securing the necessary entitlements had stalled progress,” said Pastor Mark Shaltanis of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. “EYA
AS SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT the region began last and this week, eager learners were attentive to the opportunities awaiting them, as shown here in this photo from the Falls Church City Public Schools. (Photo: FCCPS)
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Easterseals Community Open House
Easterseals’ Child Development Center in Falls Church is hosting a Community Open House this Saturday, August 30, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Families are invited to drop in to learn about the mission and tour the center. It is regarded as a top program for combining an inclusive learning environment, NAEYC accreditation, and the Creative Curriculum. Families may enroll youth during the open house.
Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant Programs
Virginia Tourism Corporation is offering a Virginia Special Events & Grants Program funding opportunity. This program is designed to assist with the marketing and production of well-established Virginia special events and festivals. Preference is given to those that have a significant and positive economic impact on the local community with significant local/regional cash or in-kind match. This application will close on September 11. View this and other upcoming grant opportunities via the link: https://www.vatc.org/grants/
Readers Vote for the Best
Readers of Arlington Magazine are invited to vote on the Best of Arlington 2026. Since the magazine also covers Falls Church, local businesses are included in the survey. The survey categories include health, fitness and beauty, education and family, restaurants and boutiques. Voting closes on September 5. Use the link to vote: https://assets.arlingtonmagazine.com/2025/07/ Best_of_Arlington_2026_Categories-2.pdf
Coming Soon: The Cheese Cartel
The chamber is welcoming a new member, Alyssa Romashko and The Cheese Cartel. The specialty shop will carry cheeses, cured meats, tapenades, nuts, and gluten-free options. Baguette sandwiches and charcuterie boards will be available as well as other foods. The shop expects to open in Founders Row in early 2026.
The CBC Candidate Meet & Greet
The CBC hosts a cocktail reception for candidates running for City Council and School Board on Friday, September 5, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Falls Church Arts Gallery, 700 B West Broad Street. This is an informal opportunity to meet all candidates so there won’t be speeches. The CBC with local PTAs will host a public forum for School Board candidates on October 16. The CBC with Falls Church Forward will host a forum for City Council candidates on October 22.
Oasis Digital Receives Approval
Dahlgren West, affiliate of Falls Church-based Oasis Digital Properties LLC, received approval for a data center development near Fredericksburg from the Board of Supervisors. Partners Ross Litkenhous of Calvary Real Estate Advisors, and Nick Over explored opportunities outside of Northern Virginia and will now move forward to design and build the power infrastructure. The project is expected to take 15 years to complete.
Three Local Employers Make the Top
Several large employers in Greater Falls Church made the Forbes list of Top 45 Virginia Employers. Northrop Grumman, founded in 1939, was ranked 5th. Inova Healthcare System, founded in 1956, was ranked 20th, while BAE Systems, Inc., founded in 1999, came in at 23rd. Four years of survey data was used to determine rankings with current employees surveyed within Virginia carrying more weight. Companies with the highest scores in each state made the final list.
Teddy Bear Repair Clinic
Saturday, August 30, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – The Toy Nest and The Learning Quest hosts another Teddy Bear Repair Clinic. Bring stuffed animals to the Farmers Market where experts will fix them and teach some basic sewing skills.
Mediumship Workshop Enrollment Opens
The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment has announced that registration is open for the next Introduction to Mediumship Workshop. The Fall Session comprised of four sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. from October 7–28. Visit www.thecse.org to register.
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.
outlined four strategic priorities:
1. Reinvent the Economy-Embrace emerging sectors, AI, quantum computing, biotech, semiconductors, space, and robotics, and establish tech-driven innovation hubs, supported by modern digital infrastructure and workforce reskilling.
2. Cultivate Workforce Affordability–To retain and attract talent, the region must become affordable—through attainable housing and high-quality, accessible childcare.
3. Attract Sustained Investment— Modernize tax policy, land use, and regulatory frameworks to make the region more competitive and nimble in attracting high-growth industries.
4. Tell Our Powerful Story–Rebrand Northern Virginia as the destination of choice for innovation and investment, backed by compelling storytelling and regional promotion.
The agenda also includes development of a regional Economic Development Index—a targeted, data-driven tool to track performance on metrics like business attraction, workforce transitions, equitable
growth, and startup activity.
Economic confidence among regional business leaders has experienced a notable rebound: a Q2 survey (April) reflected widespread pessimism, with 59 percent expecting economic decline and only 12 percent anticipating hiring growth.
By Q3 (July), however, sentiment improved: 40 percent now expect growth, 26 percent foresee stability, and 34 percent anticipate decline. This shift underscores the durability of businesses’ outlook amid persistent concerns around federal cuts and tariffs, even as 80 percent are still worried about the federal DOGE’s (Department of Government Efficiency) impact.
Surveys conducted by the Annandale-based Pinkston, communications firm in collaboration with NVC, have underscored local business concerns: approximately one in three surveyed businesses reported harm from DOGE cuts, with 23 percent downsizing and 7 percent laying off employees.
With Northern Virginia accounting for approximately 42 percent of the Commonwealth’s GDP, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A 10 percent reduction in federal employ-
ment could translate to a $6 billion GDP loss and nearly $250 million in lost state tax revenue.
A recent analysis also highlighted the severe strain on communities, including impacts on housing, food security, nonprofits, and human services—even as eateries continue to open in Falls Church—highlighting both challenges and resilience across the region.
NVC, aligned with regional elected officials, has urged:
1. Immediate investment in workforce development, including reskilling programs, boot camps, and certifications tailored to emerging technologies.
2. Acceleration of infrastructure modernization, especially expanding energy capacity to support booming data center growth.
3. Supportive policy investments—ranging from affordable housing to streamlined tax codes— that bolster private-sector growth and community stability.
4. Active collaboration across public, private, academic, and civic sectors to ensure inclusive, sustainable economic recovery and advancement.
Many of these ideas were pre-
sented last week when 200 business, government, and community leaders, including 22 elected officials, gathered to discuss some of the region’s most urgent issues at the 10th Annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit.
This event was held by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, with premier partner NVC and co-hosts Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, and the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative, and sponsored by Dominion Energy.
The program, held at George Mason University - Mason Square consisted of a panel discussion featuring Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair Deshundra Jefferson, Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis, and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay. NBC Washington reporter Joseph Olmo moderated the panel.
As reported by the Arlington Chamber, at the summit the panelists “began with considering the economic impact of federal workforce reductions.” Chair Deshundra Jefferson of
the Prince William Board of County Supervisors discussed the importance of local government services as part of the response. “For local governments, a lot is falling on us. How are we meeting the needs of our residents? How are we stepping up?” said Jefferson. She noted that she remains nervous about the impact that economic uncertainty has on budgeting. “Local government touches people in such an intimate way, and it’s hard when you’re not able to really meet people’s most basic needs and address their most basic concerns.”
“The challenge of high commercial office vacancy was a key theme for panelists as they discussed economic development. Chair Jeff McKay of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors detailed his county’s struggles with office vacancy and efforts to be proactive in the wake of expiring tenant leases. “We have to be cautious as local governments that as leases expire and fewer new leases come in place, the valuation of those may be much lower, and that’s what’s going to sink your revenue picture,” said McKay. He continued
EYA Set to Proceed With New Homes Project in Pimmit Hills
understood our vision, worked with us through the challenges, and brought the resources and know-how to make it a reality. This project will enhance our mission, strengthen our congregation and create a vibrant new neighborhood that benefits the entire community.”
Designed to complement the existing community and environment, the project will feature elevator optional townhomes with rooftop decks, mature landscaping and public amenities, including a central entry park, pollinator garden and nature trails that connect to surrounding neighborhoods and retail. The plan also incorporates a signature staircase linking the community to the church, traffic enhancements along Idylwood Road and environmental stewardship measures such as stormwater management.
Located minutes from I-66, I-495, and the West Falls Church-Virginia Tech Metro station, the new neighborhood offers direct access to Tysons, downtown Falls Church and the broader D.C. region.
EYA’s successful approval process clears the way for the full development process to begin, demonstrating the company’s ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships, navigate challenging zoning requirements and move quickly from entitlement to execution. Construction is expected to begin late next summer 2026, with sales launching in late 2026.
For over 30 years, EYA has been a market leader in the development of large-scale, urban infill residential projects. With expertise in the entitlement, development, and construction of for-sale, multi-family, and mixed-income housing, EYA has created over 50 neighborhoods that are home to more than 10,000 residents across Washington,
DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.
EYA is a privately held company that has completed over $2 billion of projects that have introduced “life within walking distance” throughout the greater D.C. region.
In Falls Church, the group has had a major presence, teaming with Hoffman and Regency, as selected by the Falls Church City Council, to undertake the mammoth West End project, now under control of Hoffman.
EYA, in partnership with Rushmark Properties and Hoffman, secured Fairfax County approval in June 2023 to transform a surface parking lot at West Falls Church Metro into a vibrant transit-oriented neighborhood.
The master plan includes 810 multifamily residences, 85 townhomes, 110,000 sq ft of office space, and up to 10,000 sq ft of retail, along with six public parks and extensive mobility enhancements.
Infrastructure improvements, like trail construction, new road grid, pedestrian signals, and bus shelters, were slated to begin this summer, with most work expected to wrap up within 9–12 months.
As of this month, construction has begun on the West Falls Church Metro station site, but, according to reports, not for the main mixed-use redevelopment by EYA. Significant site infrastructure and road improvement work is underway, with the larger building construction expected to follow financing.
EYA executive vice president Evan Goldman, the chair of the Mission Advancement group at the Urban Land Institute, appeared at numerous town halls in Falls Church to win broad support for their efforts starting in November 2019, when the project team for development of the West Falls project was first announced.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Only 2 Parties in U.S. Now: Anti & ProTrump
Nicholas F. Benton
The one most glaring wrong with American culture is the homeless problem combined with a drastic housing shortage. Combine that with the related juxtaposition of the extraordinary percentage of families who live one paycheck away from the street and the massive bubble reflected in overvalued homes. Combine all that with the record income inequality we’re letting the uber-wealthy get away with, the top one percent making more than the bottom 50 percent, or so.
Combine that with the extent to which families are handcuffed by student loans, and to which affordable basic health care is being denied while a lunatic is now running national health policy, leading to the recurrence of measles and other communicable diseases that as recently as last year were completely stamped out.
All of these unacceptable extremes have been exacerbated under Trump as matters of policy in the last six months, with the help of pathetic yes-men in the Congress, lying hypocrites on the religious right and a pathetic popular base of millions that are, as the saying goes, willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces.
The new thing that is about to hit involves the impact from Trump’s tariff and ham-handed immigration policies that will drive up prices for everyone on almost everything, and leave supermarket shelves empty while crops rot in their fields because there’s been no one to harvest them. Then is there any end to this darkness? The impact of mass firings of government employees and termination of contracts with private sector entities, the armed deployments to inner cities that are emptying out anything associated with dining or entertainment, leading to off-the-cliff revenue nosedives.
Forget about fair elections any longer, too, if elections at all.
Add in what is being done to the standing of the U.S. in the world and the systematic defanging of national intelligence and defense capabilities and the permission of massive criminal networks to ex-
pand domestically.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the midst of the greatest assault on America’s cherished institutions, role in the world, and standards of living of its citizenry ever in her existence.
We are being savaged by enemies not so much foreign as domestic. This administration is a fully blown operation of Russianbacked enemies of democracy and freedom. The only freedom allowed is the freedom to assault your neighbor, to game the system, to join the ugly romp, or at least that is what is being said.
So, all that being said, what’s the solution? It must be understood that the two political identities that exist in the nation today are proand anti-Trump. The old political labels no longer apply. Either you are on the Trump bandwagon, or you are against it. It is not possible in this situation to be on the fence, or to be equivocal at all. In other words, if you are not dead set against all this, then you are for it.
Moreover, if you are against anyone who is against Trump and this whole mess, then you are for it all, because you are weakening the potential for opposing it.
If Trumpworld is able to convince you to attack any anti-Trump component, then you are acting as a Trumpworld agent.
There is only one item on our political agenda, folks! It is to get rid of him, and to work to shape and strengthen the united front needed to do it.
The last 50 years of postmodernism’s insistence that everyone’s little personal issues justify sewing division and discord unless “demands are met” must now be subordinated to achieving and holding a united front against this murderous and treasonous dictator.
A movement inspired by a notion that granting everyone their little petty grievance is the best way to preserve democracy has proven wrong. There are now only two components to democracy upon which its survival depends: the assertion that all persons are created equal, the most essential component of American democracy, and the rule of law grounded in that notion as reflected in the U.S. Constitution.
A united anti-Trump movement must affirm these basic shared components and fight against all efforts to set one against another to shatter it.
COMMENT
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
Thuggery. Among many derogatory terms used by Donald Trump to disparage people is “thug.” Also lunatic, sick, low-life, crook. In playground parlance, “it takes one to know one.” Not content with namecalling, Mr. Trump has surrounded himself and his administration with fellow thugs, as cabinet secretaries and agency heads. In the 24/7 information cycle, the headliner thugs may change from hour to hour, or day to day, but the commonalities among them don’t. The common thread appears to be allegiance to Trump rather than to the Constitution. That, and lack of empathy, might create a crisis of conscience for many people in government leadership, but not the Trump Administration. The Secretary of Defense has fired long-serving, experienced military personnel, apparently because they are persons of color, women, or both. The Secretary of Homeland Security dresses up in costume for photo ops at a notorious Salvadoran prison, or a shooting range, or on horseback wearing a cowboy hat, thankfully, in lieu of a MAGA baseball cap. At the same time, states are pleading, with little success, for FEMA’s help to rebuild communities devastated months ago by rainstorms and wildfires. The White House Border Czar has ICE (Immigration and Customs
Enforcement) in his portfolio and appears to have ice in his veins, too.
Rather than tackle real community challenges in partnership with states and localities, the Trump Administration uses coercion and extortion to force compliance to his whims and dictates. It doesn’t matter which area – public and private universities, law firms, corporations, cities – all are fair game in his desire to rule America as a czar, dominated by white males. The major cities he attacks – Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston -- are headed by mayors of color, some of whom also are women. If Trump really wants to reduce criminal activity in America, he should focus on the plethora of firearms in this country. The size of the community isn’t relevant. Mass shootings have occurred in urban, suburban, and rural populations.
Calling out the National Guard in D.C. today is performance, not rooted in reality. I was working on Capitol Hill in April of 1968 when Lyndon Johnson brought in the National Guard following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. People, including my roommate and me, were terrified. Looting of businesses led to setting fire to downtown portions of the city, fires that burned for days, creat-
City of Falls Church Crime Report
Week of Aug 11 - 17, 2025
Other Jurisdiction Warrant Service, N Washington St, Aug 18, 3:38 p.m., a female, 34, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested on five outstanding warrants from another jurisdiction.
Larceny from Vehicle/Destruction of Property, Wilson Blvd, Aug 20, between 7:13 p.m. and 7:20 p.m., two unknown suspects broke the window of the victim’s vehicle and stole a purse. The first suspect is described as a black male approximately 30–35 years of age, approximately 5’8”–5’10” in height and weighing roughly 180–190 pounds, medium build, with a light beard, wearing a gray sweatshirt, light-colored pants, tan shoes, and a black hat. The second suspect is described as a black male approximately 30–35 years of age, approximately 5’8”–5’10” in height
and weighing roughly 170–180 pounds, medium build, with a full beard, wearing a blue T-shirt, blue jeans with rips, and blue shoes.
Disorderly Conduct, E Annandale Rd, Aug 21, 6:49 a.m., a male, 29, of no fixed address, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.
Identity Theft, W Broad St, Aug 12, 5:30 p.m., victim reported their social security number was compromised.
Aggravated Assault, Roosevelt Blvd/Wilson Blvd, Aug 21, 4:33 p.m., victim reported an unknown suspect approached the victim’s vehicle and brandished a firearm while at a stoplight. The suspect is described as a heavy-set Hispanic male with curly hair in a ponytail, driving a blue Honda sedan.
Fraud – Credit Card, N Tuckahoe St, Aug 21, 4:08 p.m., victim reported multiple fraudulent charges were made using their lost debit card.
ing a smoky haze over the city and suburbs. National Guard troops surrounded the Capitol Building and were deployed in the Congressional office buildings. I remember practically tripping over armed soldiers sitting on the floor in the Senate cafeteria at lunch time. It took decades for some neighborhoods to recover from the riots.
That’s not the situation in D.C. today. Washington’s crime rate has been falling since the pandemic. It’s fantasy to believe that crime can be wholly eradicated, but local police departments have the responsibility for patrol and enforcement, not the National Guard. There is no reason for huge military vehicles, designed and built for the battlefield, to patrol the monumental core of the Nation’s Capital. It is intimidation, pure and simple, and National Guard troops, sadly, are pawns in Trump’s thuggery. Members of the National Guard are citizen-soldiers, called out in emergencies by the governor of their state (except in D.C. where the President controls the Guard). Normally, they would be working at their civilian desks, operating local businesses, teaching school, building homes, and raising families. Putting thousands of National Guard troops in D.C. leaves a hole in their local economies. Estimates are in the tens of millions of dollars, but the total costs of deployment and loss of local income may never be known. What we do know is that, every day, Trump’s thuggery puts our treasured democracy in ever greater danger.
Driving on Suspended License, W Broad St, Aug 21, 12:09 p.m., a male, 76, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Driving on Suspended License.
Threats - Intimidation, Mustang Alley, Aug 21, 9:03 p.m., victim reported an unknown suspect threatened them during a basketball game. The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male, approximately 6’8” in height, with dreadlocks, wearing a white jersey with black letters saying “Goon Family” with a black number 35, and white basketball shorts.
Dangerous Dog, Little Falls St, Aug 22, 9:40 a.m., Animal Control received a report of a large dog attacking a smaller dog. A male, 81, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested for Dangerous Dog. Custody of the dog was transferred to Animal Welfare League of Arlington pending the completed investigation per policy.
Public Intoxication, W Broad St, Aug 22, 9:39 p.m., a white male, 49, of no fixed address, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
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The loss of local news is linked with increased government secrecy, according to a new study conducted by the Brechner Center for the Advancement of the First Amendment at the University of Florida, John Volk of the Local News Initiative reported and Editor and Publisher announced yesterday. “The findings lend the first empirical evidence to the connection, long intuited, between the declining health of local news ecosystems and decreased government transparency,” according to the report. “They add to the growing body of research that demonstrates the impact of news deserts on democracy, including increased partisanship, lower voter participation, and diminished civic engagement.”
“Where there are no newspapers and weakened newspaper systems, government secrecy is flourishing,” said David Cuillier, director of the Freedom of Information Project at the Brechner Center and author of the report. “Government officials see that journalists are hurting, and they’re taking advantage of that.”
To measure transparency, Cuillier and his colleague Brett Posner-Ferdman, a law student at Penn State, requested the same seven records from 44 state governments under each state’s public records law. They found that the states with fewer newspapers per capita were more likely to deny or ignore their requests. They also found that responsiveness to requests improved in states with stronger press associations. Overall, about a quarter of requests were fully complied with, while another quarter were outright denied or not responded to.
The Medill Local News Initiative has tracked a net loss of more than 3,300 local newspapers and 45,000 newspaper journalists in the US since 2005. Those losses represent drops of about 33 percent and 60 percent, respectively.
The researchers did not find a significant connection between the density of digital-only local news sites and government transparency. Cuillier argued that these typically small start-ups can’t be expected to replace the work once done by large newspaper teams.
“They’re stretched too thin,” Cuillier said of digital-only local news sites.
Virginia native and Maryland based former Washington Post journalist Miranda Spivack explained that government secrecy can take its most damaging form at the state and local levels where most citizens encounter government. She documented local officials’ attempts to hide critical information about issues ranging from toxic chemicals in firefighter gear to dirty drinking water in her book “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back” pub lished earlier this year.
“It paralyzes communities in a lot of ways,” Spivack said of local govern ments’ noncompliance with transparency laws. “It puts a lot of power in the hands of officials and private companies, usually, that they’re doing business with.”
Medill researchers requested records from a sample of 165 news desert counties earlier this year, looking to learn who, if anyone, was requesting records from these local governments. Almost half did not respond to the requests. Of the 54 counties that produced records in full, more than 70 per cent received no records requests from journalists in a full year.
Platform
Editor,
Roundabouts (traffic circles) in Falls Church? I saw a piece on Channel 4 News. And I am left wondering, just one simple question: Why?
What is the value of a roundabout at Annandale Road and South Maple?
What purpose does it serve?
Is this a traffic-clogged intersection?
Not that I’ve ever seen – and I bank at the Burke & Herbert half a block away. So what problem will this roundabout solve?
At a guess, this intersection was picked because there are no buildings crowding the intersection, leaving plenty of room for the expansion necessary to cre -
ate a traffic circle.
Falls Church prides itself on being “pedestrian friendly.” Will this roundabout meet that criterion? It’s hard to imagine that it will.
With the elimination of traffic signals (red and green lights), and the continual flow of traffic, it will be much harder, and far less safe, for pedestrians to cross either Annandale Road or Maple Avenue at that intersection. A new element of danger will be introduced to downtown Falls Church.
Was this roundabout chosen because our city leaders felt it would be nice to have one, somewhere in our Little City? A feather in our caps?
So, I wonder why. What we are left with is a “solution” in search of a problem. And a serious waste of our tax-payer dollars.
Ted White
Guest Commentary: Falls Church Democrats Must Lead in 2025
By Jeff Person Member, Falls Church City Democratic Committee
Falls Church is more than just a dot on the map of Northern Virginia—it’s a tight-knit community with a proud history of civic engagement. We may be a small independent city, but we’ve always punched above our weight when it comes to shaping the direction of Virginia politics. Our neighbors are the kind of people who stop to talk at the Farmers Market, volunteer in our schools, show up at City Hall to testify, and lend a hand at Cherry Hill Park cleanup days. It’s that spirit of participation that makes Falls Church special.
As we look ahead in 2025, that spirit will be more important than ever. Virginia will once again find itself on the frontlines of a national struggle over what kind of future we want for our Commonwealth—and for our country. Donald Trump is President again. And here in Falls Church, we know firsthand the damage he caused.
Trump’s agency shutdowns and reckless leadership threw thousands of our neighbors—federal workers
and contractors—out of work, creating financial uncertainty for families right here in our city. It wasn’t just an abstract fight in Washington; it was the people of Falls Church waiting anxiously for back pay, juggling bills, and wondering how long the chaos would last. Trump turned hardworking public servants into political pawns.
We have to fight back!
That’s why the Falls Church City Democratic Committee is gearing up for one of the most consequential election years of our lifetimes. We will be electing a new statewide ticket—Abigail Spanberger for Governor, Ghazala Hashmi for Lieutenant Governor, and Jay Jones for Attorney General—leaders who will move Virginia forward instead of dragging us backward. And right here at home, Delegate Marcus Simon is running for re-election, continuing his record of fighting for our values in Richmond.
The work we do here at the grassroots level—knocking on doors, making phone calls, talking to our neighbors at the Farmers Market or over coffee at Northside Social— will determine whether Virginia continues moving forward or slips back-
ward into division and extremism.
But we cannot do it alone. We need every Democrat in Falls Church engaged. That means volunteering your time, contributing what you can, and bringing a friend to join us. It means showing up not just on Election Day, but throughout the year—at events, canvasses, and conversations with undecided voters who need to hear why our values matter.
We’ve seen what happens when Democrats organize, invest, and turn out: We expand healthcare, we protect reproductive freedom, we invest in education, and we defend democracy. Falls Church has played a role in those victories before, and we must do so again. When we come together, we don’t just shape elections—we shape the future of Virginia.
This fall, the City Democratic Committee has two major events to bring our community together. First is our Labor Day Ice Cream Social on Monday, September 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Park Pavilion, 312 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046. This family-friendly event is a chance to enjoy ice cream, meet your neigh-
bors, hear from Democratic leaders, and kick off the campaign season with energy and optimism.
Then, just a few weeks later, we’ll host our biggest fundraiser of the year: the Falls Church City Democratic Committee Potluck on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Nothing says Falls Church quite like a potluck dinner, where neighbors share a dish, swap stories, and build community while raising the resources we need to win. Tickets are $50 with a dish or $75 without a dish, and you can also sponsor a federal worker for $75—a fitting gesture in a city where so many of our residents serve the public every
day. Tickets are available now at (secure.actblue.com/donate/fccdc25)
These gatherings are more than social events—they are statements of defiance against Trump’s brand of chaos. They are moments when we remind each other why we fight: for good schools, for safe neighborhoods, for the dignity of every person, and for a democracy that truly represents the people—not one man’s ego.
This is our moment to stand together, to reject Trump’s dark vision, and to fight for a Virginia that is inclusive, forward-looking, and just. Falls Church has always risen to the occasion. Let’s do it again.
Know The Facts
May 1st
- deadline for insurance companies to file.
Nov. 1st - deadline for most businesses, corporations, etc.
EVERY business must annually repor t unclaimed proper ty to the Virginia Depar tment of the Treasur y by the deadline Visit our website and Click on “Reporting Property”
News & Notes
2 Democratic Party Events On Labor Day Monday in F.C.
Monday, Labor Day, Sept.1 is the occasion for two venerated Democratic Party events in the City of Falls Church that will formally kick off the fall electoral season here. The first is the annual Falls Church Democratic Committee ice cream social, scheduled as usual for the pavilion at Cherry Hill Park at 2 p.m. It will be followed by the annual fundraiser for State Del. Marcus Simon to be held starting at 4 p.m. at the residence at 102 S. Spring St.
Friends and supporters are invited to both events with need of advanced notification. Historically, Falls Church’s U.S. Rep. Don Beyer has attended the ice cream social and Del. Simon has reported that James Walkinshaw will also be there. He is the Democratic nominee in the 11th District (east Fairfax County) race to fill the vacancy caused by the May passing of his former boss, the Hon. Gerry Connolly, for which early voting is now underway, will culminate in a Sept. 9 special election.
While it is not now known whether any of the three Democratic statewide candidates or their spokespersons for Abigail Spanberger for governor, Ghazala Hashmi for lieutenant governor or Jay Jones for attorney general will appear, it is expected that local candidates for Falls Church City Council and School Board races will also be appearing at one or both events.
F.C. Eateries, Civic Groups Gear Up for Fall Festival
Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the annual Fall Festival and Taste of Falls Church will be held behind City Hall in one of the most popular events of the year in the Little City. Local restaurants will occupy booths to offer samples of their fare to all buying tickets for them and a large contingent of local and regional civic groups will also be present to promote their efforts.
The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce will feature a table where any of its members can promote their businesses with literature or branded items. A major feature on the event will appear in next week’s News-Press.
Little City Concerts Prepare For Season at F.C. Episcopal
The season opener for Little City Concerts is Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Falls Church Episcopal Church with Nen Daiko, a taiko drum ensemble from Fairfax, in an uplifting, family-friendly concert.
Youth and anyone with a student ID gets in free, and our general admission tickets are $25. Fifty percent of ticket sales will go to Hamkae Center, a nonprofit that organizes Asian Americans in Northern Virginia for social, racial, and economic justice.
Key CIA Russia Analyst Fired By Gabbard
According to an article in last week’s Economist magazine, a key CIA officer who had worked in American intelligence for more than 20 years, has been fired by Trump-appointed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The Economist reported that in 2016, as the country’s top intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia, the agent oversaw the production of a report, which described how Russia had meddled in that year’s presidential election in favour of Donald Trump. A few years later she returned to the agency as a senior manager, overseeing the CIA’s operations and analysis relating to Russia and the former Soviet Union.
On August 19th her career came to an abrupt end, when Gabbard revoked her security clearance, along with those of 36 other serving and former officials accused of “betray[ing] their oath to the Constitution”. Mr Trump’s administration has previously used its control over clearances as a political cudgel against retired officials. But the CIA officer in question, along with two others involved in that 2016 report, Shelby Pierson and Vinh Nguyen, are some of the most senior serving career intelligence officials to be purged under Mr Trump. “These steps mark a sharp escalation in his war on American spooks,” the Economist noted.
THE FALLS CHURCH Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon last week was held at the Pop Up in the Eden Center, a new and creative space that is a combination multifaceted Asian-based dining experience with multiple options for walk-up dining sharing the space with a large surround bar in the middle and huge video screens displaying music performances and announcements appealing to a late-night club crowd. A large contingent of Chamber members (some shown here) was joined by Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields came for the unique experience. (Photo: FCNP)
Trump Moves to Withhold Funds From N. Va. Public Schools
The U.S. Education Department has announced that it has placed the school systems in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Prince William and Loudoun on “high-risk status,” a move that lets it attach specific conditions for releasing federal funds.
Arguing that the schools are violating federal civil rights laws by accommodating students based on their gender identity, rather than their sex assigned at birth, the department has said it will require the districts to pay their expenses upfront and then request reimbursement in order to receive over $50 million in grants and other funding.
The department said it’s also “commencing administrative proceedings seeking suspension or termination of federal financial assistance.”
The schools all announced last week that they will instead continue to accommodate students based on their gender identity, asserting that those supports are crucial to creating an inclusive, safe environment for all and consistent with both state law and previous court rulings.
The Virginia Human Rights Act includes gender identity among the characteristics protected from discrimination, including in “educational institutions.”
According to the county’s most recent youth survey, which was conducted among eighth, 10th and 12th-grade students in 2023, 2.3 percent of respondents, or 595 students, identified as transgender, though another 1.7 percent, or 453 students, said they were unsure. There were 427 respondents, or 1.6 percent, who identified as nonbinary.
“Clear Shelters’ Pet Adoption Through Sunday in Fairfax Co.
“Clear The Shelters” annual event, with pet adoption fees waived, runs this weekend, through Sunday. Adoption fees will be waived for all pets throughout the weekend, including dogs, cats, rabbits and more. The event will be held from 12-7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Michael R. Frey Campus: 4500 West Ox Rd., Fairfax and the Lorton Campus: 8875 Lorton Rd., Lorton.
HOLDING A CAMPAIGN kickoff event at the Big Chimneys Park last Saturday were incumbent Falls Church City Council members Marybeth Connelly (left) and Laura Downs (right), shown with a couple of supporters. The two candidates are on the November ballot when six candidates will be vying for four City Council seats and five School Board candidates will be vying for four seats. (Photo: FCNP)
AT METRO PARK in Pentagon City Monday, the annual free banana split ice cream social was hosted by Amazon’s HQ2, Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream and the Arlington Museum of Contemporary Art. Live music and family-friendly art activities added to the neighborhood-affirming feel of the event. (Photo: Courtesy )
TALKING POLITICS at the Dogwood Tavern this Monday were (l. to r.) State Del. Marcus Simon, F.C.. Treasurer Jody Acosta, and Ken Feltman. (Photo: FCNP)
Experienced Football Squad Leads Meridian Sports This Fall
By Ryan McCafferty
Fall is nearly upon us, and with it comes the start of the 2025-26 school year. At Meridian High School, it also marks the beginning of the season for football, field hockey, volleyball, cross country, golf, and cheerleading, and for the always competitive Mustangs, it should be three months full of excitement.
Football will fill the most seats as usual, and PJ Anderson’s group brings plenty of experience into a season that should be much improved from 2024’s 3-7 campaign. Senior Cruz Ruoff returns at quarterback while Oumar Thompson will line up behind him in the backfield, and 2024 All-Regional selec-
tions in OL Ryan McDonald and safety Jack Mossburg are back as well. The Mustangs have impressed throughout their August scrimmages, and will open their regular season at Justice on Thursday. Field hockey has been one of Meridian’s most successful fall programs for the past few seasons, reaching the State Finals in 2023 and going 15-3-1 last year before a heartbreaking loss in Regionals prematurely ended their run. Despite the departure of seven seniors, Anne Steenhoek will regroup her squad and have them ready for redemption, led by senior captains Emma Flanagan and Sara Meade while sophomore Baelyn Reinfurt returns in net. The
Mustangs will face a schedule full of tough tests, with their home opener set against Mount Vernon on Wednesday.
One of the best stories at Meridian last fall was the new boys’ volleyball team, which rebounded from an 0-7 start in its inaugural season to finish 7-11 with a Regional playoff appearance. In Year 2, head coach Shannon Hladky will have another challenge in front of him as he turns over much of his roster, though three key players will return in Marshall Vogel-Rogers, Niko Kruse-Lawson, and Charlie Santee. The Mustangs will begin their season with a trio of road contests on opening week, beginning Tuesday at Westfield.
The girls also have high hopes on the volleyball court, after finishing last season 13-11 and qualifying for Regionals. Sahana Cushman, Adelyn Pye, Hannah Rosenbusch, and Sophia Chan highlight a core that returns some solid production for head coach Milena Racic, and they’ll open their season at home on Monday against Skyline.
The co-ed cross country squad will join in on the action in midSeptember, as will competitive cheer in October. For cross country, Jeff Buck and Jessica Hollinger’s groups both look to build upon successful campaigns a year ago, when the girls finished fourth in Regionals while the boys were seventh. Michelle Malheiro and William Anderson
will headline the respective teams, Malheiro having qualified for States individually last fall.
Finally, the team that enters the season in the best position of all is Tim Sample’s golf club, which looks to defend its State championship. Noah Peng, Henry Brown, and Alex Way have all graduated from last year’s team, but Atticus Kim, Christian Hammond, Drew Fishel, and Charles Griffith headline a group that is already off to a strong start with a pair of third-place finishes in two District mini-tournaments. In addition to the co-ed team’s schedule, Meridian will host a girls’ invitational in Gainesville on September 8th, an event that Sample is responsible for putting together.
THE MUSTANGS OPEN THEIR SEASON tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 27! They’ll be on the road just 10 minutes away at Justice High School. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.— come out and cheer them on to victory! (Photo: FCCPS)
THE MERIDIAN VARSITY GOLF TEAM earned its second district win at Blue Ridge Shadows, posting a team score of 166 to finish nine strokes ahead of Kettle Run. Charles Griffith and Christian Hammond led the way with rounds of 41, backed by strong scores from Atticus Kim, Ezra Fine, Drew Fishel, and Era Inglis-Nelson. (Photo: FCCPS)
Meridian Golf: Champions return strong, new season already underway. (Photo: FCCPS)
MARY ELLEN HENDERSON 8th graders Lilly Johnsen and Bridget Hartenstein represented Virginia this summer in the Little League Softball Southeast Region Tournament in Warner Robins, GA. Playing with the McLean Little League Softball All-Star Team, the pair helped their squad reach the Southeast Region Finals—just one win shy of the Little League Softball World Series—before falling in a game broadcast on ESPN. The McLean team, which welcomes players from Falls Church schools, finished with a 12–1 record, capturing both the local district title and the Virginia State Championship in Yorktown. (Photo: FCCPS)
This Week Around Falls Church
Thurs, August 28
Field Shaman
– Time: 5:30 p.m. – Location: Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA
Vireo, Clear Creek SP, Holling, Floor Jam
– Time: 7:00 p.m. (doors), $10 cover – Location: Spacebar, 709 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA
Historic Architectural Review Board Meeting –Time: 7:00–9:00 p.m. – Location: City Hall, Dogwood Rooms A & B, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA
The Fabulous Dialtones — Classic rock dance with horns!
State Theatre: Jehovah’s Favorite Choir — A Grateful Dead Celebration!
– Time: Doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m.
– Location: The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA
Community Center Closed for Clean Week – Time: All day
– Location: 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA Sat, August 30
Falls Church Farmers Market –Time: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. –Location: City Hall Parking Lot, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA
Kid’s Show!!! King Bullfrog
– Time: 10:30 a.m. – Location: Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA
Honkytonk Cassanova — Cherith is in town! Country, Americana, dance
– Time: 4:00 p.m.
– Location: JV’s Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA
Maria & Marco
– Time: 5:00 p.m. – Location: Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA
Dimwit, Off-Leash, The Plan B’s, Leaving Off
– Time: 7:00 p.m., $15 cover
– Location: Spacebar, 709 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA
The Rock-its! — Fun party dance variety
– Time: 8:30 p.m.
– Location: JV’s Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA
Salsa at The State: Tribute to Fania All-Stars
– Time: Salsa class 7:30–8:30 p.m.; show 8:30 p.m.
– Location: The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA
Community Center Closed for Clean Week
– Time: All day
– Location: 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA
Sun, August 31
Mary Riley Styles Public Library — CLOSED
– Time: All day
– Location: 123 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA
Community Center — CLOSED – Time: All day
– Location: 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA
Washington Spirit Watch Party – Time: Time TBA –Location: Solace Outpost Falls Church, 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA
Flower Power Happy Hour Band — AM radio hits 1965–1972! Dance with Ezmo A Go-Go
– Time: 4:00 p.m.
– Location: JV’s Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA
FREAKAZOID Drag Show f/ Ruby Ridge & Calli Coquette
– Time: Doors 8:00 p.m., $5 cover
– Location: Spacebar, 709 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA
Eastern Dreamers — Bluesy feel of southern rock & all classics
– Time: 8:30 p.m.
– Location: JV’s Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA
Mon, September 1
City Hall — CLOSED
– Time: All day – Location: 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA
Mary Riley Styles Public Library — CLOSED
– Time: All day – Location: 123 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA
Community Center — CLOSED
– Time: All day – Location: 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA
Labor Day Cookout at Arlington Beer Garden –Time: 3:00–9:00 p.m. – Location: Arlington Beer Garden, 3217 10th St. N., Arlington, VA
Punk Rock Karaoke
Location: Spacebar, 709 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA
Tues September 2
Falls Church Arts — “Layers” Exhibition
– Time: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
(Gallery hours Tue–Fri) –Location: Falls Church Arts Gallery, 700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA
Community Center — REOPENS
– Time: Normal hours resume
– Location: 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA
Weds, September 3
Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life
– Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
– Location: Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Upper Level Conference Room, 123 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA
Send us your events to calendar@fcnp.com
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on September 11th, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following item:
- Variance application V1669-25 by Homer Perez and Grocery Outlet, Inc (Applicants), on behalf of April Lane Associates JVTinner Hill, LLC, (Owner), for variances:
1) Section 48-1265(1) to allow wall sign quantity of 4 instead of the maximum of 2 wall signs per business, and 2) Section 48-1265(a) to allow wall sign area of 17 square feet, 40 square feet, 40 square feet, and 59 square feet instead of the maximum 50 square feet, and 3) Section 48-1265(4) to allow permanent window signage of 13 instead of the maximum of one permanent window sign per ground floor business and 4) Section 48-1265(4)(a) to allow window sign area of a total of 54.9 square feet instead of the maximum 10 square feet and 5) Section 48-1269(b) to allow aggregate sign area of total amount of 215.4 square feet instead of the maximum 125 square feet and 6) Section 48-1269(b) to allow aggregate maximum number of permitted signs of 17 instead of the maximum of 4 signs at 455 S Maple / 500 S Washington, RPC#52-308-009 of the Falls church Real Property Records, zoned B-3, General Business District. Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on September 11th, 2025. Agenda and application materials will be available the week prior to the scheduled hearing at: http://www.fallschurchva. gov/BZA
Information on the above application is also available for review upon request to staff at zoning@fallschurchva.gov.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
The following were given first reading at the August 11, 2025 City Council meeting. Public hearings, second readings, and possible City Council actions are scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.
(TO25-13) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 40, “TAXATION,” ARTICLE VII, “TAX RELIEF FOR LOW INCOME ELDERLY OR PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED,” SECTIONS 40-133 AND 40-134 TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF GROSS COMBINED INCOME AND THE EXEMPTION AND DEFERRAL ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR INCOME, ASSETS, AND PERCENT OF EXEMPTION AND/OR DEFERRAL
The proposed ordinance would set income standards that were presented to City Council in April during the FY2024 budget process, expand the definition of gross income, and correct a typographical error in the net financial worth section. The net effect of these changes would be to expand eligibility for this tax relief program.
(TO25-14) ORDINANCE TO AMEND, REENACT, AND RECODIFY CHAPTER 34, “SOLID WASTE” OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH
The proposed ordinance would establish a two-tier solid waste fee based on refuse cart size, document income-based relief for seniors and disabled individuals, authorize an organics cart option, and clarify the processes for billing, late payment penalties, and enforcement.
(TO25-15) ORDINANCE TO SET THE SOLID WASTE COLLECTION FEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 34 “SOLID WASTE”, SECTION 34-3 “RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION” OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA AS OF JULY 1, 2025
The proposed ordinance would set a solid waste fee at either $292 per year for a
35-gallon refuse cart and $327 per year for a 65-gallon refuse cart, or $236 per year for a 35-gallon refuse cart and $336 per year for a 65-gallon refuse cart.
(TO25-16) ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RATE OF TAX LEVY ON REAL ESTATE FOR TAX YEAR 2026 AS PREVIOUSLY SET IN ORDINANCE 2091 IN ORDER TO ACCOUNT FOR REVENUE GENERATED FROM A NEW SOLID WASTE FEE
The proposed ordinance would set the real estate tax rate at 1.185 per $100 of assessed value of real estate, which is a reduction of $.015 (or 1.5 cents) relative to the current Tax Year 2026 rate of $1.20 per $100 of assessed value. The proposed reduction is directly associated with and proportional to the anticipated increase in revenue from a new solid waste collection fee.
All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www.fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings.
The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.
CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK
ABC NOTICE
Falls Church Garden LLC trading as Stratford Garden, 300 W Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046 is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a Retail Restaurant License to sell - Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200
AUCTIONS
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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We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No re -
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) 3678530. Toll free call (888) 5513247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Our Man In Arlington
Bill Fogarty
“Encore, encore!” You might hear those words shouted after a concert –the crowd wants more! In Arlington, the word has double meaning when it comes to the topic of great community organizations. We have “Two Encores” that provide meaningful opportunities for connection, education, and participation in community life: Encore Learning, and Encore Stage & Studio. It might get confusing at times, so let me try to set the record straight.
Both organizations started with names that have changed – a trait that is common in Arlington history. (ASPAN became Pathways, AMEN became Thrive, APAH is now True Ground Housing, and the Committee of 100 is now Advance Arlington – I could write an entire column on the evolution of organizational names in Arlington!) The “Two Encores” have origin stories which follow a familiar path in Arlington, perhaps best described as “citizens identifying a community need and then pitching in to meet those needs.” For these Two Encores, their missions are generational in nature.
The mission of Encore Stage & Studio is succinctly stated in their motto: “Theatre by kids, for kids”. Founded in 1967 as The Children’s Theatre of Arlington, it was run by dedicated volunteers for over 40 years before hiring a professional staff in 2010. Over the course of its history, Encore Stage & Studio has produced more than 200 shows. Each year thousands of young people and their families enjoy attending Encore’s performances, with hundreds of youth participating as cast or crew members. In addition, each year Encore Stage & Studio provides classes, camps, and workshops for the youth in our community. For more information, go to their website at encorestage.org. They have an intriguing list of six shows for the coming year, starting with “The Best Haunted House Ever” in October.
And then there is Encore Learning, a completely different entity, with an initial mission in the early 2000s of providing adult education courses, inspired in part by the Fairfax Learning in Retirement program. In March 2002 community activist John McCracken and other citizens
established the Arlington Learning in Retirement program on a membership basis, offering college-level classes taught by experienced instructors to people over 50. The program has expanded its offerings and opportunities over the years, establishing a terrific professional staff (and, of course, changing its name).
In 2025, Encore Learning has much to offer. The classroom courses, which are mainly held at the GMU Arlington campus, are provided on a spring and fall semester basis. With their fall semester quickly approaching, you might want to check out their Virtual Fall Course Preview on Thursday, September 4 at 9:30 a.m. There will be 41 courses, with 24 in-person classes, 11 virtual, and 7 hybrid offerings available for both in-person and virtual participation. Membership is open to individuals over the age of 50, regardless of residence location – so you good folks living in the City of Falls Church are welcome to join.
Encore Learning also has a number of special interest clubs, and group tours to local and national museums and historical sites. In addition, Encore Learning co-sponsors many events with the Arlington Public Library, which are available to all. In fact, with so much going on with Encore Learning, I also need to simply point you to their website, at encorelearning.net. Registration for courses opens on September 8 – some courses fill up fast, so it helps to check out their course catalog on-line, to find out which courses you might enjoy. With the Virginia elections in mind, I hope to sign up for Election 2025: Potential Impact of Virginia Elections on the Nation, with a stellar instructor group including Schar School Dean Mark Rozell, and former Governor Terry McAuliffe.
Hopefully, this description of the “Two Encores” has been of some help in distinguishing the two entities. While they provide different types of opportunities, they have much in common, including the help provided by dedicated folks on their respective boards, and by a large crew of volunteers who devote their time and skills to their organizations. Encore Stage & Studio, and Encore Learning, are important parts of the social fabric of Arlington, providing community engagement and participation for all ages.
In Memoriam: William John Garvelink
William John Garvelink (1949–2025) On August 20, 2025, the United States lost one of its most steadfast servants. William John “Bill” Garvelink, a career diplomat and humanitarian who carried American values into the hardest corners of the world, died at 76. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, a partner in every sense of the word, and a family that bore the cost and pride of a life lived in service. His passing is not only a personal loss for them but a loss for America, for USAID, and for all who believe in the work of dignity, democracy, and compassion.
Born in Holland, Michigan, on May 22, 1949, Garvelink grew up in a Dutch-American community that shaped his sense of duty and belonging. After earning degrees from Calvin College and the University of Minnesota, and pursuing doctoral work at the University of North Carolina, he arrived in Washington in 1976 to serve on Congressman Don Fraser’s staff. At a time when human rights barely had a foothold in U.S. foreign policy, Garvelink was one of only two specialists on Capitol Hill. He worked alongside Senator Hubert Humphrey and Senator Edward Kennedy, men whose names define chapters of American history, and from those years he carried forward a conviction that the power of govern ment must bend toward justice.
Garvelink joined USAID in 1979, beginning a three-decade career in which he responded to famine, war, and disaster across five continents. In the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, where he served more than a decade and rose to deputy director, he helped shape U.S. responses to some of the world’s darkest hours. He led Disaster Assistance Response Teams in Somalia during famine, in Rwanda during genocide, and chaired U.S. task forces after the Indian Ocean tsunami. In 1989, with Julia Taft, he helped launch Operation Lifeline Sudan, an unprecedented effort to deliver food across battle lines to starving civilians.
“It was unprecedented. We broke through war lines because people were starving. That was the only
calculation that mattered.”
— William J. Garvelink on Operation Lifeline Sudan
That mission saved countless lives and became a model for how America could act not with bombs or threats but with bread and stubborn humanity. He was remembered by colleagues as the man who made the impossible move, the problemsolver when disaster struck.
In 2007, President George W. Bush appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He arrived in Kinshasa at a fragile moment in that nation’s history. Garvelink worked to stabilize a country scarred by years of conflict, pressing for reforms, supporting food security, and coordinating aid that reached people long failed by their own leaders. He understood that democracy in Congo was not an abstraction but the difference between survival and collapse. Those who watched him at work saw not a careerist, but a steady presence, empathetic in action as well as word, who believed America had a duty to walk beside the people of Congo as they rebuilt.
After his ambassadorship, he turned to one of the defining issues of our century: hunger. In 2010 he helped lead the Obama administration’s Feed the Future initiative,
“Food security is not charity. It is the foundation of stability, dignity, and peace.”
— William J. Garvelink, launching Feed the Future
Later, he advised International Medical Corps, the same organization that had stood with him in Rwanda, Somalia, and beyond. Even in retirement, he never stepped away. He remained, until the end, faithful to the conviction that America’s strength lay in feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and defending the vulnerable.
Garvelink received many awards, including the Presidential Meritorious Service Award. Yet his true honor is written in the lives he touched, the refugees who ate because a convoy arrived, the soldiers in Kisangani trained to serve a people and not just a regime, the millions lifted by food security programs he helped shape. To his family and his colleagues, he was more than his résumé. He was steady. He was principled. He never mistook power for purpose.
Bill Garvelink’s life reminds us that America’s greatness is not in its wealth, not in its armies, but in its ability to care, to act, and to keep faith with the idea that every human being deserves dignity. His passing leaves a space that cannot
AUGUST 28 -
OLD FALLS CHURCH: SCHOOL DAYS Part III
By Ted White
When Falls Church became a city and the town’s schools were split between the new city and Fairfax County, there were unintended consequences.
I was first made aware of this on a June day in 1953, the last day of school that year. I was then finishing my freshman class at George Mason JuniorSenior High School – and Mason’s first year as a school.
The school building was of course brand new, having opened for the first time for the 1952-53 school year. It was much smaller than it would eventually become, having only one wing connected to the main structure that paralleled Route 7. That main, single-story structure had the library at its east end and a tool shop (for shop class) at its west end, and students’ lockers all along its length. The wide hallway had a relatively low ceiling, comprised of acoustic tiles.
I had just cleaned out my locker and was talking with a friend when the incident occurred. A strange, unfamiliar boy came running down the
hallway, whooping and yelling. As he ran he punched his raised fists into the hallway ceiling, striking and dislodging the acoustic tiles, leaving a pathway of destruction behind him. When he got to the west end of the hallway he used an exit door to leave the building.
“Who was that?” my friend asked. I had no idea. But we soon found out. It was a kid from Falls Church High –then still located on Hillwood Avenue at South Cherry Street in the city of Falls Church. This was the first salvo in a new, previously undeclared rivalry between the two schools.
To the best of my knowledge, no one at George Mason (now Meridian) was aware of or interested in this rivalry. We, in the first year of a brand new high school, felt no hostility or enmity for those who were attending our old high school. We were still establishing ourselves, still launching our school publications ( The Lasso and The Penman’s Palette ) and fielding our first sports teams (who did surprisingly well). But obviously some who were attending Falls Church High felt hostility and maybe enmity for us. That
came as a surprise.
I had a reminder of that hostility the following school year. As it happened, I had childhood friends who lived south and east of Seven Corners – in Fairfax County. They still went to Falls Church High, and I had to meet one of them after school...at Falls Church High. I was waiting in a lobby area when a Falls church High student (whom I did not know), came up to me and asked me if I went to George Mason. I said I did. And he immediately and without warning threw a punch at me. I dodged the blow and he put his fist into the bulletin board on the brick wall behind me. Fortunately for me, my friend showed up then and we left without further incident. My friend confirmed the animosity some at his school felt for mine, but couldn’t explain it.
That same year – my sophomore year at George Mason – we had a far more serious incident. It occurred during the second period. I was in study hall (a class-free period for me), then being held on the stage at the north end of the “cafetorium.” The main doors
to this large area opened onto that same hallway where we had our lockers, fronted by a lobby area and the outside doors directly opposite. When I went out to that hallway at the end of the second period to access my locker, I encountered the aftermath of the incident.
There was blood everywhere, but mostly around the outside doors. An ambulance was out front.
It wasn’t hard to find out what had occurred. Two boys from Falls Church High had showed up during second period. They’d walked in the front doors and made a beeline for the close-by side hallway that bordered the east side of the “cafetorium” and then taken that hallway’s door into the girls’ gym-class dressing room, a room with showers and clothes lockers.
As it happened, there were two hall monitors on duty then. One of them was the same bully who’d given me a gut-punch on my first-grade orientation day. And by some coincidence, the girlfriends of both hall monitors were taking gym that period. So it was no coincidence at all that both monitors chased
after the two intruders, grabbed them, and threw them out of the school.
Physically threw them out. Each monitor picked up an intruder and tossed him through the outside doors. At least one of those doors had been open when the first intruder was thrown through it, but his foot kicked against it and it was swinging shut when the second intruder was thrown.
Those doors had a lot of glass in them, but it wasn’t just glass. The glass was doublepaned, with what looked like chicken-wire fencing laminated between the panes. The second intruder went through that laminated glass. It cut through one of the boy’s arms – some rumors had it entirely severed – resulting in all that blood.
Well, that wasn’t just a few ceiling tiles. That was serious. Falls Church High’s principal came storming into our school to demand retribution – only to be asked what his students were doing out of class and at George Mason.
My last, senior, year at George Mason, the school played its one and only football game against Falls Church High. All the adults held their breaths, fearing the worst, maybe a riot. Fortunately for all concerned, the game ended in a tie.
How Will The DMV Region Handle Coming Economic Crisis?
noting that Fairfax County is identifying functionally obsolete office buildings for redevelopment or residential conversion. “We’re making sure that we’re reaching out to those owners to try to be proactive and put our tools on the table and say ‘How quickly can we do a conversion? How quickly can we do a redevelopment if this building is not a candidate for a conversion?’”
As the conversation moved to housing policy, the panelists questioned the common local framing of being “for density” or “against density”. Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins explained why she rejects this framing.
housing supply through the tool of density. “We are very thoughtful and strategic about how we leverage that tool, because we know that the only way it’s going to get more affordable is if we have more housing supply.”
“Density is a tool in the toolkit, a tool that allows us to not only allow growth to happen but also to be strategic in planning for how we want to grow,” said Gaskins. She continued by noting Alexandria’s efforts to boost the
“On the topic of transportation, the panelists expressed their preference for the DMV Moves Initiative (the joint venture between WMATA and COG) to identify and establish dedicated funding for WMATA. Chair
Takis Karantonis of the Arlington County Board emphasized the need for dedicated funding to be reliable for WMATA and Metro to plan ahead. “It has to be reliable; Metro has to be able to count on this money,” said Karantonis. He continued by noting that the lack of dedicated funding currently makes WMATA unique. “Metro is not working like a normal enterprise here, and we have to bring it back to a place where it is a normal enterprise that knows
what its incoming sources of revenue are for their operations.”
The Falls Church Chamber was not included in the summit. As its executive director Elise Bengtson mused to the NewsPress , “Sometimes we may be considered just too little to be included.” However, as reported in this newspaper, some of the more creative approaches to addressing the regional challenges have come from Falls Church. Continued from Page 1
