Next Tuesday, Nov. 4, the eyes of the entire world will be zeroed in on Virginia to see how the U.S. electorate will react to what Donald Trump is doing to dismantle democratic institutions and make huge cuts to the living standards of average Americans.
While three statewide offices, including governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor and all 100 state delegate slots will be on the ballot, including in Falls Church, at home in Falls Church important races for City Council and School Board are also on the ballot.
Of course, going into election day, F.C Registrar of Voters David Bjerke reports that a whopping 2,898 Falls Church voters, or 25.7 percent of all registered voters in the City, had already cast their ballots as of close of business this Tuesday, Oct. 28. Voters will have until 5 p.m. Saturday to cast early ballots if
Two major initiatives were launched at Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting aimed at meeting the economic storm clouds that are growing over the region this fall.
The first took the form of a Council proclamation declaring the upcoming month of November as “Live Local Month” in conjunction with an
initiative by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.
The second was a modified first reading of an ordinance to more than double the amount of funds allocated by the Council from the City’s FY25 surplus to an Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, from $20,000 to $45,000.
On the “Live Local” initiative, the Council’s proclamation joins the Chamber “in challenging residents and businesses to
pledge to keep 20 percent more of their spending in the City of Falls Church” during the coming month.
The proclamation cites the “multiplier effect” of buying products and services from local businesses “creating diverse job opportunities and strengthening the City’s overall economy” as “shopping, eating, playing, creating and doing business in the city adds to the local tax revenue base, which supports city
schools, roads and other city services.”
The initiative is important as many owners of the over 100 restaurants in the city are reporting a decline in business due to the high numbers of layoffs of federal and federal contractor employees and the current federal government shutdown.
“When you consider all of the professional services, retail,
sized characters
from scary to elegant descended to celebrate the season. (Photo: Gary Mester)
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press
Since 1983 Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) has provided grants to 600 exceptional women from 79 developing countries to support their higher education.
Deep cuts in international aid from the U.S. will have long-term consequences for the poorest in the world. MMEG is reaching out to support more women helping build a more equitable world.
Ways you can help:
Donate. World Bank and IMF staff and retirees can give via CCC and IMF Giving Together, respectively, and federal employees and retirees can now give via CFC code 58177
Shop. We love to meet our donors. Come to our annual fundraiser International Arts & Crafts Market, World Bank HQ, 1818 H St NW, Washington DC, November 10–12 (Mon.–Wed.), 10am–5pm. Photo ID required; cashless event.
MMEG.ORG
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Chamber Tailgate for Virginia Dream FC Sunday
The Falls Church Chamber is cheering on our local semi-pro soccer team, Virginia Dream FC, at “The Cloud”, the Meridian High School Stadium this Sunday, November 2 with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Virginia Dream FC will host Guerilla FC (Washington DC) in the third round of US Open Cup qualifying games. It will be the first head-to-head meeting between the two teams. Bring dinner from West Falls restaurants, Mason’s Lobster Rolls or SeoulSpice, from home or purchase it from a local taco truck on the premises. Chamber members will be admitted free and government workers will be admitted free with government ID.
The Great Candy Exchange
The Toy Nest is once again collecting excess Halloween candy in exchange for toys. All candy will be donated to the trash collectors serving Falls Church City and to the Falls Church Public Works Operations Department, the public servants who collect leaves, plow snow, clean up after storms, and maintain City vehicles and infrastructure. To participate, drop off unopened candy from Saturday, November 1 through Saturday November 8 at The Toy Nest during business hours.
KidsWatch Pediatric Care
Nightwatch Urgent Care has been rebranded and is now known as KidsWatch Pediatric Urgent Care. Located in Graham Park Plaza, formerly known as Loehmanns Plaza. The practice expanded their services to include primary pediatric care for wellchild visits, vaccinations, and ongoing health management for long-term relationships with experienced pediatricians. They already offer on-site X-rays, rapid testing, and extended hours for urgent needs in the evenings and weekends.
50 Best Restaurants List
Northern Virginia Magazine has released its list of the Top 50 Restaurants and Falls Church was well represented. In the annual Top 10 list, Seoul Prime came in at number 5 and the top spot went to 2941 Restaurant. The critics included the following in the list: Ellie Bird, Rice Paper, Thompson Italian, NUE Elegantly Vietnamese, Trio Grill and Harvey’s.
Telecoms to Merge
Lynk Global Inc. has been working on a merger with Omnispace LLC, a Tysonsbased communications company. This will create a workforce of nearly 100 employees. The entity is awaiting regulatory approval. Lynk Global, a local startup, has been working on space satellites towards global communication including rural locations. The merger would upgrade the direct-to-device (D2D) services with coordinated S-band spectrum, joining SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile to improve satellite frequencies beyond cellular partnerships.
Capital Food Fight – Fava Pot Takes the Stage
Join DC Central Kitchen at The Anthem on Thursday, November 6 for Capital Food Fight! Local chef and owner, Dina Daniel, of Fava Pot will compete onstage this year. D.C.’s “Baddest Night of Doing Good” is an event for local foodies and philanthropists, including a thrilling stage show featuring four rising stars of D.C.’s culinary scene, tastes from over 65 top restaurants and bars from across the region, and appearances from some of the biggest names in food. All proceeds go to support DC Central Kitchen’s fight against hunger and poverty in our nation’s capital. Tickets are on sale now at capitalfoodfight.org!
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.
Election Day Tuesday, Polls Will Be Open From 6 a.m. to
they so choose.
But long, hard campaigns of Falls Church’s candidates will culminate with long days standing in front of polling locations Tuesday. There are three wards in the City but two voting locations that will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In the City Council race, all six candidates seeking to fill four (of seven) vacant seats were on hand for a final faceto-face event at the community room of the 301 W.Broad apartments above the downtown Harris-Teeter last week.
Again, the dividing line was between those who contend the current Council has been effective and those who don’t. Incumbents Downs and Connelly spoke strongly in favor of results to date, and incumbent Snyder less so but overall in support.
Challengers Agin, Thompson and Pendleton focused more on what the Council hasn’t accomplished, though Agin said
everything that’s happened so far he supports while holding out concerns for where we go from here.
Pendleton was more critical, especially of the revenue-sharing agreement between the City and the schools, and Thompson, who first moved into Winter Hill 12 years ago around the time the final nails were being driven into a proposed senior affordable housing project nearby that wound up never getting built, repeated his primary assertion that a “pause” in development is needed in the City.
Viewed from the perspective of growth vs. no-growth, Connelly and Downs are on the side of the former (with all due caveats for appropriateness) while Snyder and Agin fall in the middle and Pendleton and Thompson on the no-growth side, though no candidate would admit fully to those characterizations.
But the question matters in terms of the tax rate, with prodevelopment proponents pointing out that 17 cents has been
chopped off the real estate tax rate in recent years due to the tax and permit revenues that have come from development here, putting the City in far better fiscal shape as economic storm clouds gather than her neighbors. The development has also helped provide for 99 affordable housing units with no limits on their duration.
The development projects have also paid for a $120 million state of the art new high school and major renovations of City Hall and the library, while helping produce a $2.1 million budget surplus this year, a big part of which will be available for the City to meet the special needs of residents due to the current sharp economic downturn.
The question will also matter, the candidates noted, when the next big question arises on how to develop the so-called Gordons Road Triangle, where the City owns a major chunk, the Beyer family a major chunk, and overall as much as 20 acres is susceptible to development.
Proven Leadership
• Elected to City Council in a Special Election in November 2024 and now running for a full, four-year term.
• Elected to the Falls Church City School Board in November 2019 (Chair in 2022 & 2023).
• One of only six FCC residents ever elected to both the City Council and School Board.
• Current President of Henderson Middle School PTA.
• Board Member, Falls Church Education Foundation.
As a 16-year resident of Falls Church City, and a member of the City Council, it has been exciting to watch our community grow and thrive. If reelected, I will continue to embrace growth while also honoring established neighborhoods and our city’s small-town feel and rich history. I will continue to work with my colleagues to encourage compromise and build consensus, making decisions based on both data and community input.
votelauradowns.com lauratdowns4@gmail.com Election Day is Nov. 4th and early voting is underway!
In a development late yesterday, Registrar Bjerke announced that the polling location at Oak Street Elementary on Nov. 4 will be moved to a trailer at the S. Oak St. location due to minor construction activity at the school.
Meanwhile, on the statewide level, while Falls Church’s 13th District state delegate representative Marcus Simon is expected to win handily, the outcome of the 99 other state delegate races will be critical.
Not only will they matter for overall control of the House of Delegates, where Democrats currently hold a hair-thin majority, but in terms of their immediate plans to do a major redistricting of the 11 congressional district boundaries in the state in time for the midterms next year, a process being launched with a special session in Richmond this week. The plan would come before a special vote of citizens next April, but it is assuming Democrats retain control of the House, and also would happen only if Republicans proceed
with their plans to do similar redistricting in their favor in other states.
The measure passed the House by a 51-42 vote yesterday (Wednesday) and the State Senate will vote on it Friday.
Meanwhile, a new Wason Center of Christopher Newport University survey of Virginia’s likely voters shows tightening races across the statewide contests. For governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome EarleSears by 7 points, 50 percent to 43 percent. For lieutenant governor: Democrat Ghazala Hashmi leads Republican John Reid by 2 points, 47 percent to 45 percent. For attorney general, Republican Jason Miyares now leads Jay Jones by 1 point, 46 percent to 45 percent, following reports of a 2022 text messaging scandal involving Jones.
In the House of Delegates generic ballot, the Democratic Party candidates lead the Republican Party candidates by 8 points, 51 percent to 43 percent.
Streets: pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and addressing congestion
Schools: Watching enrollment and supporting funding as the city continues to grow.
Services: Improving processes to enhance the customer experience for our citizens.
Stewardship: Lowering the real estate tax rate while keeping enough revenue to fund city services and our excellent schools.
Falls Church Council Doubles Emergency Assistance Funds As Health, Food Cuts Loom
restaurants and entertainment that we have, meeting the Live Local Challenge should be easy,” said Elise Bengston, executive director of the Chamber. “As we Live Local and shop local, we ge to know one another on a personal level and the city becomes one big Cheers. That is how we build a strong community, one that is
At its meeting Monday, the Falls Church City Council shifted an additional $25,000 toward an emergency aid fund, now to total $50,000, in light of the heightened food insecurity facing the entire region. With health care costs expected to rise dramatically beginning this coming weekend, and food assistance SNAP programs also due to expire Nov. 1, much of Monday’s meeting was devoted to discussions of plans to meet the crisis, culminating in a unanimous vote to shift the $25,000 of FY25 budgetary surplus funds from the committee to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary next year to availability for immediate public aid.
F.C. City Manager Wyatt Shields reported to the Council about regionwide efforts to prepare for what may arise from the new situation, noting that Gov. Youngkin has declared a state of emergency, indicating the state will step in to help with the SNAP program, even if temporarily. Shields said that there are no specific details yet on how regional governments will coordinate efforts, but that talks are underway. He noted that demand is already way up on what food banks and non-profits are able
Mayor Letty Hardi noted the importance that programs like the WIC (woman , infants, children) component of SNAP (the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program) needs to be particularly noted. Council member Marybeth Connelly added that “we need to make sure our safety nets don’t have holes.” The efforts of food banks and non-profits need also to include the schools and the Falls Church Education Foundation.
In giving preliminary approval to an overall allocation of the budget surplus Monday night, the Council voted to send $835,000 to its capital reserves, including $116,000 to a contingency fund, that can also act as a backdrop to efforts to meet emergency food assistance and other needs, Connelly said.
The Council is slated to give a final approval to the allocations at its Nov. 10 meeting.
Meanwhile, in the context of the federal shutdown and workforce cuts continuing to affect Northern Virginia’s economy, a new survey from the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Pinkston released this week highlighted growing concern among business leaders about the economic effects.
Of the 120 executives and business owners surveyed across Northern Virginia, 43 percent said the shutdown is causing their business to decline, while another 65 percent identified it as the top external issue impacting operations. Federal agency layoffs and inflation were close behind, cited by 52 percent of respondents.
Nearly half of business leaders (48 percent) believe the Northern Virginia economy will decline over the next six months, a significant drop in confidence compared to earlier this year. Local businesses also cited challenges related to hiring, workforce retention, and reduced consumer spending, all of which are tied to uncertainty in the federal sector, a cornerstone of our region’s economy.
Please Don’t Eat Your Children, Part 5
Nicholas F. Benton
Of note is the sad passing this week at age 70 of Bjorn Andresen, who at age 15 was an internationally acclaimed teen star of the classic 1971 art film by Lucino Visconti based on Nobel Prize-winner Thomas Mann’s autobiographical novella, “Death of Venice.” The story was about an obsession an older man developed for a beautiful teenage boy he encountered on a vacation in 1911.
Andresen’s life peaked with that performance. He was eaten, metaphorically speaking, at that age, as was the character he portrayed in the movie, the young Tadzio, who was a reallife person that Gilbert Adair wrote about in his 2001 book, “The Real Tadzio: Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice and the Boy Who Inspired It.” It was a mini-biography of one Wladyslaw (Adzio) Moes, the real boy who inspired Mann’s character of Tadzio.
Before passing, Andresen vocalized his bitterness over being chosen and allegedly exploited by Visconti for the role in the film, and expressed it through a 2021 documentary entitled, “The Most Beautiful Boy in the World.” He claimed in interviews from four years ago in the documentary that Visconti’s parading him around as the world’s “most beautiful boy” to promote his film had a profoundly negative impact on the rest of his life.
Andresen spent his adult life as a Stockholm-based violinist who rarely and barely dabbled in movies. The real Tazdio (Adzio), born to an Polish aristocratic family, grew up to fight in the 1919 Polish-Soviet war, and suffer the travails of being in Poland in 1939 when World War II broke out, jailed for a half-dozen years by the Nazis and then distrusted and closely monitored by the Soviets after the war for the rest of his life. Adzio became aware of the 1971 film and its depiction of him, but only recalled that “an old man stared at him wherever he
went that summer in Venice.”
In both cases, of Bjorn and of Adzio, what became of their lives, compared to the relative splendor of their youths, was nothing compared to those younger years. While Mann wrote the novella as the case of a classical composer’s unrelenting descent into obsession with beauty even with some satanic symbolism, a more universal appreciation, as I wrote about it in the Berkeley Barb in 1971, could be found from the standpoint of the just-awakening Gay Liberation movement of that day.
The predicament of the film, I wrote, was the inability of the older man, the composer Gustav Von Aschenbach substituting for the author in the novel (some say Mann based the character on the composer Gustav Mahler, whose music plays throughout the film, especially the adagietto from his Fifth Symphony), to communicate with the younger, the fact that he never says a word to him to the very end. The reason was the lack of a language of gay liberation, I wrote, of a way for Von Aschenbach to address his desire to provide for the youth a pathway for his life to avoid the pitfalls of dull, mundane adulthood, which is really what he was motivated to do. As I later wrote in my collection of essays, “Extraordinary Hearts” (2011), it was as if the lad looked back at Von Aschenbach and silently asked, “Aren’t you going to save me?”
We cannot prevent our aging, except in our minds, our brains.
In our minds, we retain the capacity to be forever renewed and young. Our brains are our compatibility with the entirety of creation, each of us with as many neurons as there are stars in our galaxy. The sole aspect of our brains that are visible in our appearance are our eyes. They remain young as the rest of us age.
The most compelling scene of the film, “Titanic” (1997) is when the camera closed in on the eyes of the heroine played by Kate Winslet, Rose at age 16, and then pulled back on them to show Rose at age 100 as played by Gloria Stuart. While every aspect of the heroine’s appearance changed, the eyes remained the same.
So with our minds, our souls. Retaining a youthful zest for life is our precious, lovely gift.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
Yes, Virginia, there is an election, and it’s next Tuesday! This year’s statewide election will be historic as both gubernatorial candidates are women: former Representative Abigail Spanberger is the Democratic nominee; Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears is the Republican candidate. The statewide ticket is the most racially and ethnically diverse in the Commonwealth’s history, a blow, perhaps, to the Trump Administration, which has removed references to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from government websites, but which also desperately wants a Republican win in this significant off-year election. On the Democratic side, a White female, a South Asian Muslim female, and a Black male are running for state leadership. A Black female, White male, and Cuban-American male are the Republican candidates.
Abigail Spanberger has a law enforcement and intelligence background in addition to serving three terms in the United States House of Representatives. She also proudly cites “Mom” to three school-age daughters on her resume. Spanberger has a reputation for hard work, moderation, listening, and finding common ground to enact legislation. Her broad perspective will serve the Commonwealth well in the coming term. The Republican candidate, Winsome Earle-Sears, served one term in the House of
Delegates in 2002, lost a contest for Congress in 2004, and stayed out of the public eye until her run for Lt. Governor in 2021. Her rude behavior during the gubernatorial debate earlier this month mirrored the antics of Donald Trump in presidential debates. Though not endorsed by Trump, she has expressed support for the president and his devastating economic and social policies affecting all Virginians.
The race between Democratic State Senator Ghazala Hashmi and Republican radio talk-show host John Reid for Lieutenant Governor has been low key, except for Reid’s weird stunt last week conducting a “debate” between himself and an AI version of Senator Hashmi. The position has few official duties except to break ties in the State Senate. However, on the leadership team, the lieutenant governor provides an extra set of eyes and ears to the governor, and Senator Hashmi’s experience as a teacher and a legislator gives her special empathy for addressing the Commonwealth’s challenges. Mr. Reid has a smooth speaking style, and jokes like a stand-up comedian at times, but that persona belies his right-wing agenda on reproductive health care, public education, labor, and Virginia’s economy.
Until earlier this month, the race for Attorney General was overshadowed by the top of the ticket
City of Falls Church Crime Report
Week of Oct 20 - 26, 2025
Destruction of Property/Disorderly Conduct/ Identity Theft to Avoid Arrest, Wilson Blvd, Oct 20, 12:43 a.m., a male, 32, of Annandale, was arrested for Destruction of Property, Disorderly Conduct, and Identity Theft to Avoid Arrest.
Fraud - Identity Theft, Roosevelt Blvd, Oct 21, 5:41 p.m., an unknown suspect claiming to be a Charles County Sheriff’s Deputy obtained a copy of the victim’s driver’s license.
Shoplifting, Wilson Blvd, Oct 22, 1:45 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with long dark hair and a goatee, wearing white pants and a white hooded sweatshirt.
Fraud - Credit Card, W Broad St, Oct 22, 2:54
p.m., victim reported an unknown suspect made several fraudulent charges to a credit card still in their possession.
Larceny from Building, E Broad St, between 8:30 a.m. on October 17 and 5:15 p.m. on October 22, an unknown suspect stole a coin purse containing cash.
Shoplifting, S Washington St, Oct 23, 9:29 a.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise. The suspect is described as an older white male, wearing a navy-blue Champion hooded sweatshirt, olive pants, and a medical orthotic shoe.
Extortion, Meridian St, Oct 23, 4:56 p.m., victim reported an unknown suspect they met on a dating site threatened to share intimate photos of the victim if payment was not provided.
as Republican incumbent Jason Miyares and Democratic candidate Jay Jones vied for airtime and endorsements (Miyares is the only Republican candidate endorsed by Donald Trump). Then, shocking texts that Jones sent to a Republican House colleague three years ago were released. There is no defense for his comments about shooting the House Speaker and watching his children die in their mother’s arms. Jones apologized amid demands that he withdraw from the race, but thousands of residents had already voted when the texts were aired, and Jones remains on the ballot. Spanberger is well ahead in the polls, and having an Attorney General who supports her agenda is important to many voters even though it might be a tough decision.
Additionally, in Fairfax County, a $460 million school bond referendum is on the ballot. Unlike Maryland, where the state helps fund school construction, Virginia school divisions depend on community support for the bonds to invest in renovating and building schools. In the City of Falls Church, voters also will select the Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, City Council and School Board seats. The ballot is long in both jurisdictions, so it is important to turn the ballot over to find all the boxes to check. Early voting will continue at select locations through Saturday at 5 p.m. If you do not vote early, you can vote on Tuesday, November 4, from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. at your regular assigned polling place.
Voting is a crucial responsibility of citizenship. Defend our democracy and VOTE!
Destruction of Property, W Broad St, Oct 24, 11:58 a.m., an identified suspect struck and damaged a business sign.
Simple Assault, Wilson Blvd, Oct 24, 6:30 a.m., victim reported being assaulted by their wife. Driving Under the Influence/No Valid Operator’s License, S Washington St, Oct 26, 2:09 a.m., a male, 32, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and No Valid Operator’s License.
Larceny from Building, W Greenway Blvd, Oct 23, 5:52 p.m., an unknown suspect stole packages from the victim’s doorstep.
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Given what has happened to the country since this January, it is hard to imagine an election more important than the one we are having in Virginia Tuesday. If the right results accrue, it will send a massive signal to the whole nation and world that the American people want this to stop now. More than the 12 million Americans who showed up at the “No Kings” rallies in some 2,500 locations earlier this month, the official election returns from this coming Tuesday will speak volumes, notwithstanding it may be the last major election in the U.S. that will be fair and not completely rigged.
For the statewide offices, we cannot stress the importance of a record turnout and vote for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger. It is also critical that the Democratic attorney general candidate Del. Jay Jones be elected so that Virginia can join 23 other states who are suing the Trump administration over a variety of justified grievances. Jones said some very unsavory things a number of years ago that have been reported and that his pro-Trump opponents have jumped on big time as an issue they hope they can beat him with. But we ask voters to consider how many obscenities we’re all suffering from the other side, verbal and more importantly in terms of assaults on access to health care, basic needs, employment and democracy, itself. A vote against Jones is a vote for Trump, plain and simple.
In Falls Church, important City Council and School Board elections are on the ballot. The News-Press has already published its list of endorsements ahead of the beginning of early voting in September, and through all the forums and debates, we remain solidly behind the choices we announced then. For Council, we endorse (in the order that they appear on the ballot) Laura Downs, David Snyder, Marybeth Connelly and Arthur Agin. For the School Board, we endorse Sharon Mergler, Anne Sherwood, MaryKate Hughes and Kathleen Tysse..
As we wrote in the editorial first announcing our endorsements, “We are confident in our endorsement decisions, not only because of what we’ve observed with our own eyes and ears covering local government here week in, week out for, lo, these many years, but because we have also sought important counsel from among those who work behind the scenes at 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.”
We are in awe of the achievements of the current City Council over the recent period, carrying forward policies that, while they have reflected a commitment to the kind of commercial development that has situated the Little City in a far better position as tough times hit than its neighbors, have also been caring and responsive to citizen needs and concerns.
By Lisa Sinrod
Meridian Football Bounces Back, Field Hockey Winning Springsteen: ‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’
By Ryan McCafferty
The regular season is coming to a close for fall sports at Meridian High School, with every program except football now having completed its scheduled slate of games. Some teams will be moving on to the playoffs, while for others, it’s a wrap until 2026. Let’s take a look.
Football, which still has two regular season games left to play, got back in the win column last Friday by blowing out Warren County 56-14 on Senior Night. That brings the boys to 4-4, and they’ll look to move back above .500 at Skyline on Friday.
Field hockey earned a thrilling win over Fauquier in its regular season finale last Wednesday to extend its winning streak, moving to 14-1 after dropping its opener. Now Anne Steenhoek’s girls will enter the playoffs as the top seed in the Northwestern District.
Boys’ volleyball took a pair of losses to end its season, falling in three sets against Langley last
Tuesday and in four at Marshall last Thursday. They finish 4-18 for the year. Meanwhile the girls split their two matchups in their final week to go 14-6. They won in five sets at Brentsville last Monday and lost in five at home against Warren County last Thursday, and will now begin their Regional playoff run on the road.
Cross country has already begun its postseason, taking on the Northwestern District last Wednesday. William Anderson finished second individually for the boys, who finished seventh overall, while Michelle Malheiro came in seventh for the girls, who ended up fifth. Meridian will move on to the Regional Championships at Pole Green Park this week.
Finally, although the co-ed golf team’s season ended last week, Era Inglis-Nela advanced individually to the Virginia Girls’ Open Championship while Bridget Creed qualified for the Northern Zone Qualifier.
This movie is a biographical dramatization about the life and endeavors of revered musical artist, Bruce Springsteen, during 1981 and 1982. At the time, Springsteen had just come off his tour to promote his latest album “The River” and had returned to his roots in Central New Jersey. He rented a home deep in nature in Colts Neck, seemingly to recover from performance burn-out and to plan his next steps. He was 31 and started work on his sixth studio album called “Nebraska” while living alone in this remote location, eventually buying the home. The movie, released on October 25, is rated PG-13 and was adapted from a 2023 biography written by Warren Zane, who is one of the film’s executive producers. The director and screenwriter, Scott Cooper “Crazy Heart”, is known for intense character narratives and emotionally moody films, of which this is one. Without a doubt, the best part of the movie is the extent to which Jeremy Allen White
known for his role in “The Bear” inhabits the role of Springsteen. His portrayal goes beyond mimicry, to the point where those of us who were of age to remember Bruce in his prime can feel like we are watching the real thing. He taps into the musical star’s vocal style and physical mannerisms with an authenticity that is likely a product of White’s hard work as a method actor for the role. White worked intensively with a vocal coach and also learned to play guitar (with a Gibson provided by Springsteen) prior to production. He studied Springsteen interviews, vocal recordings and performances and does all the singing for any scenes where “The Boss” performs. Springsteen served as an advisor to the film and is reported to have been on the set most days, even though he is not named in the credits nor does he appear in a cameo. Other notables include a quality performance by Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s manager and friend of many years, Jon Landau. Stephen Graham, known for his gritty roles over the years, plays Springsteen’s
alcoholic and abusive father with believability. The film starts with a black and white sequence from Springsteen’s boyhood, with flashbacks to those times appearing throughout to display the family trauma.
Springsteen’s relationship with his father clearly influenced many aspects of his life, likely including his struggles with depression. The story of 1981 and 1982, in a nutshell, shows Springsteen’s desire to escape the grip of record executives who want him to release a new album with commercially sellable songs to further catapult him to stardom. Instead, after finishing his recent tour, Springsteen wants to decompress and get away from the commercially pumped-up music machine. He embarks on a solitary process writing and recording songs in a different style which speak more to his heart during this time of contemplation. The record folks don’t believe these songs created for an album to be called “Nebraska” will sell well to
Continued on Page 14
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Our Man In Arlington
Bill Fogarty
The inter-connected web of community organizations in Arlington always amazes me. Sometimes it is evident in specific coalition work, where one group’s work helps fill the need of another’s work. On a more general level, it is perhaps best illustrated by the upcoming Spirit of Community awards to be presented by the Arlington Community Foundation next month.
This year the Foundation celebrates the accomplishments of three people whose work and volunteerism across a variety of organizations have made a difference for the residents of Arlington County. Spirit of Community Award recipient Claudia Ramirez Cuéllar turned her own challenges as a new immigrant into nearly two decades of service in Arlington’s schools and organizations, such as Aspire Afterschool Learning. Kellen MacBeth, who will receive the Spirit On The Rise Award, has driven policy and grassroots change on many issues, including the creation of Equality Arlington, a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of Arlington’s LGBTQ+ community.
nance.
Arlington’s high-performing nonprofits and progressive civic leadership differentiate this County. Elected leaders like Ellen Bozman (on the County Board from 1972 –1997) left Arlington with a robust economy but also a commitment to justice and compassion. As stated by Bryan Stevenson, author of the book, “Just Mercy.” “The true test of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, (and) the accused...”. Arlington has excelled by this measure.
Bozman’s peers included the founders of APAH (now True Ground). Motivated by their Catholic faith, the four couples launched an affordable housing nonprofit by purchasing an 8-unit property. 36 years later, True Ground houses 6,000 residents in 22 properties, with many more homes in development.
On Sept. 18, I attended True Ground’s groundbreaking for 432 new homes at The Sweeney, named for Jack and Jean Sweeney, two of the APAH founders. Jean shared that the organization has succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. I am excited to see how Carmen Romero, my talented successor, has continued to grow this once tiny nonprofit.
What made True Ground successful?
• Living by the values of excellence, integrity and equity.
• Centering our work on the people we serve. Bringing compassion and curiosity to the data and conversations with residents.
The Spirit of Leadership award recipient is Nina Janopaul, who served as CEO for the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) from 2007 to 2021. She transformed a small Arlington nonprofit into an award-winning, high-performing, regional organization, providing rental homes for over 2000 families in 18 locations throughout the DC Metro area. (And it must be noted, that along with so many organizations, APAH has been re-branded with a new name, True Ground Housing Partners).
Having been on the APAH board during much of Nina’s tenure, I thought it worthwhile to ask her for some reflections on the challenges of being a leader of a community organization. I then figured that instead of interspersing quotes into this column, I would simply cede to her the rest of this column! Here are some reflections from Nina Janopaul:
NINA JANOPAUL “Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts. I landed in Arlington by accident in 1983, intending to spend a few years in Washington before returning to California. In hindsight, I couldn’t be more pleased with my adopted hometown. I find Arlington a model urban community, balancing compassion and generosity with economic development and good gover-
• Collaborating with other nonprofits, government agencies and the private sector. Sharing credit and gratitude.
• Investing time, talent and treasure into this work. Recruiting others, including thoughtful and motivated board directors (like Bill Fogarty!), volunteers and staff.
• Looking for opportunities to make a real impact.
• Bringing hope, persistence and urgency to overcome obstacles.
Several of the APAH founders attended the famous 1963 March on Washington. Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of eliminating racial and economic injustice in the nation seems more distant than ever. However, in this corner of the country, APAH’s founders have helped to build a more diverse and inclusive Arlington. As Rabbi Rami Shapiro wrote (inspired by the Prophet Micah): “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now.” That is my inspiration and advice.
City of Fairfax Band Casts a Musical Spell with ‘Fate and Phantoms’
by Patricia Leslie
“Fate and Phantoms” was the theme Saturday night at a haunting concert by the City of Fairfax Band at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
For music lovers who missed it, the Band’s Spotify account provides listening pleasure.
Choices by the magician who concocted the music of the night were varied and exceptional, in keeping with the tone of the season but many pieces were unfamiliar and spooky, which drew me from my quarters.
Music director Dereck Scott introduced each selection with a short summary of its background which broadened the experience, knowing a little of “the why” the composers wrote them.
The program and bewitching arrangement of “Phantom of the Opera” by Johan DeMeij was a piece I never wanted to end, bringing to mind the celebrated songs by Christine, Raoul and the Phantom, making me wish I had gone to New York again for a final “Phantom” show before its Broadway close in 2023.
My favorite in the first act had to be “The Witch and the Saint” by Steven Reineke about two clairvoyant twin sisters born in the 16th century when twins were considered a bad omen, separated at birth but coming together in a tragic scene at life’s end.
Based on comments found online, musicians love playing the clarinets, horns and the drums in this selection and the audience loved hearing them.
“Bombastic” was the word Scott used to describe John Mackey’s “Haunted Objects” and it was!
Starting with a huge bang, mellowing after a few seconds into scary, creepy objects, featuring the composer’s love of Japanese culture and “tsukumogami” or everyday objects which, after a while, come to life as ghosts and spirits, and you “better watch out, you better not cry” when around them, for who knows?
The clangs and collisions of the objects rapidly became easy to visualize. (A must to hear online!)
The frequently heard and always welcome Giuseppe Verdi’s Overture to the opera “La Forza del Destino” opened the concert and Scott described the superstitions which
surround it, including stage malfunctions, illnesses and even death, so many occurrences over the years that even famed Luciano Pavarotti refused to sing it, its bewitching horns and flutes building to a crescendo and always casting spells.
The band has commissioned a piece by Nicole Piunno for next spring, Scott said, when he announced her “Autumn Air,” which is not so much about falling leaves as about death, quoting the composer, that although death is “a terrible reality that has no beauty,” it can be “a beautiful process” like autumn. (Myself, I haven’t known it to be much of “a beautiful process” but the music was beautiful.)
Also on the program was Leroy Anderson’s “The Phantom Regiment” which features the sounds of approaching troops or whomever the listener wants them to be, before the group recedes in the distance.
The night ended with John Philip Sousa’s “The Black Horse Troop” depicting Sousa’s love of horses and the march, march, march and clippity clop, clippity clop of horseshoes, a Sousa work not well known among the general public.
For my liking and throughout the evening I seemed to hear more than is usually heard, percussionists on chimes, xylophones and the triangle, their distinct sounds certainly pleasing and nicely contrasting with the other instruments.
Members of this band are volunteers, adults and student musicians.
A band differs from an orchestra since it’s usually stringless, however, music played by guest artist Ina Mirtcheva Blevins on the keyboards added welcome electricity, especially in “Phantom.”
Next up on the band’s cal-
endar are free holiday concerts at Fairfax High School with the Main Street Community Band from 4 – 5:30 p.m., Dec. 14, and the Fairfax Saxophone Quartet, 6:15 – 6:45 p.m., followed by the City of Fairfax Band at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20.
Everyone must have a ticket and they “go fast” with a limit of four tickets per requestor, according to the website. (Reserve at www.fairfaxband.org.)
Write manager@fairfaxband.org to be added to the email list.
Conductor Dereck Scott, leading the band. (Photos: Patricia Leslie)
BANDIT
PEGGY
BECCA
CLOCKWISE
MILO, BRUCE, YODA, JACK, KIKI & LILY IN CURLERS
BROTHER KITTEN
SIMON
PENNY HARPER
TITUS
Where Pets and People Share
Love, Care, and Community Life
By Falls Church News-Press
Falls Church has long been known as a small community with a big heart, and nowhere is that more obvious than in how we treat our pets. Walk down Broad Street on a Saturday morning and you’ll see dogs tugging their humans toward Cherry Hill Park, cats peeking out of carriers on their way to the vet, and kids stopping to pet every tail-wagger they can. In a city where neighbors know each other’s dogs by name before they know the humans, pets are family — and the businesses that serve them reflect that spirit.
One of the most colorful places on the local pet scene is Dude’s, a shop and community hub that has become something of a “Cheers” for Falls Church’s four-legged residents. Walk through the doors and you’re greeted not only by bins of treats and shelves stacked with high-quality food, but by the crew of staffers who know your dog’s quirks by heart. “Oh, Max likes the peanut butter bones, right?” “Sasha’s due for a new harness — want to see the fall colors we just got in?” It’s this personal touch that has turned Dude’s into more than a store; it’s a gathering spot where pet parents trade advice, swap stories, and share photos of their furry family members.
In recent weeks, Dude’s has leaned into the Halloween season with costume contests and “Howl-O-Ween” photo ops that bring the neighborhood together. From dachshunds dressed as hot dogs to golden retrievers sporting superhero capes, the creativity on display makes clear that in Falls Church, pet owners are willing to go the extra mile for fun. For the store, it’s not just about selling leashes or squeaky toys — it’s about making sure pets and their people feel like part of a larger, supportive community.
But what about when you can’t be there for your pets? That’s where Capital Pet Sitters comes in, a trusted service in Northern Virginia since the early 1990s. For more than three decades, they’ve provided in-home care ranging from mid-day dog walks to feeding visits for cats, and even tending to birds, fish, or reptiles. Their model is built on keeping pets comfortable in their own familiar surroundings while owners are away — a simple idea that has earned them a loyal following.
One Falls Church resident told me about relying on Capital Pet Sitters during a family emergency: “We had to
leave town unexpectedly, and they not only walked the dogs but watered plants, brought in the mail, and sent us text updates. Knowing the pets were cared for gave us such peace of mind.” That peace of mind is priceless for many pet owners, especially in a world where travel and work demands can change at the drop of a hat.
Together, businesses like Dude’s and Capital Pet Sitters illustrate something important about our city: taking care of animals is not an afterthought, but part of the fabric of community life. They give structure to the everyday — whether it’s a reliable dog walker showing up rain or shine, or a friendly shop clerk who remembers that your rescue pup is still nervous around loud noises. They also highlight how Falls Church supports small, locally-rooted businesses. Money spent at Dude’s or with Capital Pet Sitters doesn’t just vanish into the ether; it cycles back into our neighborhoods, into paychecks for local staff, into sponsorships for youth sports teams and animal rescue fundraisers.
Of course, the real stars of this story are the pets themselves. Falls Church dogs seem to have endless energy for parades and park playdates. The cats may act aloof, but anyone who has attended the city’s “Pet Photo Days” knows that their owners are eager to show them off. And let’s not forget the quieter companions — the hamsters, birds, fish, and reptiles who may not be strutting down Broad Street but still bring joy and calm to their households.
As the holiday season approaches, both Dude’s and Capital Pet Sitters are preparing for their busiest stretch of the year. Families will be traveling, routines will shift, and pets will need extra care.
Whether it’s stocking up on treats, picking out a warm winter coat for the dog, or arranging a sitter to stop by during a weeklong trip, local pet parents know they have trusted partners close to home.
It’s a reminder that while the calendar changes, one constant is Falls Church residents’ commitment to making sure their pets are well loved, well fed, and well cared for.
In the end, this city might measure its spirit not only in the civic groups, schools, and restaurants that keep it humming, but in the wagging tails and purring laps that make its homes warmer. From the toy aisles at Dude’s to the daily rounds of Capital Pet Sitters, Falls Church pets are in good hands — and that’s something worth celebrating.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
The following was given first reading at the October 27, 2025 City Council meeting. A Planning Commission public hearing and possible recommendation for City Council action is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.
(TO25-17) ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS OF CHURCH, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CHAPTER 2, “ADMINISTRATION,” CHAPTER 6, “BUILDINGS,” CHAPTER 15, “FEES,” CHAPTER 38, “SUBDIVISION,” AND CHAPTER 48, “ZONING,” TO REFLECT JULY 1, 2025 VIRGINIA STATE CODE CHANGES REMOVING SITE PLAN APPROVAL AUTHORITY FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND ASSIGNING IT TO THE DESIGNATED AGENT; AND TO AMEND THE MAXIMUM REVIEW TIME OF (1) SITE PLAN, SUBDIVISION PLAT, AND PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS SOLELY INVOLVING PARCELS OF COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE, AND (2) RESUBMITTED PLAT, SITE PLAN, AND PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
The proposed amendments to the Zoning Code would bring the City into compliance with recent changes to Virginia state law by removing site plan approval authority from the Planning Commission and assign it to the City’s Designated Agent. The proposed amendments would also amend the maximum review times for site plan, subdivision plats, and plan of development applications for solely commercial or residential uses, and for resubmitted plat, site plan, and plan of development applications.
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 jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@ fallschurchva.gov. PUBLIC NOTICE
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on November 13th, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following items:
- Variance application V1669-25 by Homer Perez and Grocery Outlet, Inc (Applicants), on behalf of April Lane Associates JV-Tinner Hill, LLC, (Owner), for variances: 1) Section 48-1265(1) to allow wall sign quantity of 5 instead of the maximum of 4 wall signs per business, and 2) Section 48-1269(b) to allow aggregate sign area of total amount of 192 square feet instead of the maximum 156 square feet and 3) Section 48-1269(b) to allow aggregate maximum number of permitted signs of 5 instead of the maximum of 4 signs at 500 S Washington, RPC#52-308-009 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned B-3, General Business District. (Continued from September 11, 2025.)
-Variance application V1670-25 by Laura Von Schrilz, (Applicant and Owner), for variances: 1) Section 48-238(3)(a) to allow a side yard setback of 10 feet instead of the 12 feet minimum, and 2) Section 48-238(5)(a) to allow lot coverage up to 27.16% instead of the 25% maximum allowed to construct a screened in porch at 714 Berry Street, RPC#53-124-019 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low Density Residential District.
-Variance application V1671-25 by David Hilde, (Applicant), on behalf of Michael Beyer (Owner), for variances: 1) Section 48-238(3)(a) to allow a side yard setback of 11 feet and 2 inches instead of the 15
feet minimum, and 2) Section 48-238(5) (a) to allow lot coverage up to 26.5% instead of the 25% maximum allowed to construct a screened in porch at 203 Buxton Road,, RPC#53-205-010 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low Density Residential District.
-Variance application V1672-25 by Sarah Snouffer, (Applicant), on behalf of Jasyn Polowitz (Owner), for variances to: 1) Section 48-238(3)(a) to allow a side yard setback of 9 feet and 1 7/8 inches instead of the 15 feet minimum, and 2) Section for a front yard setback of 24 feet and 5 5/8 inches instead of 30 feet minimum allowed to construct a wraparound porch at 817 Ridge Place, RPC#53-210-090 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low Density Residential District.
Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on November 13th, 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 was given first reading at the October 27, 2025 City Council meeting. Public hearing, second reading, and possible City Council action is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.
(TO25-19) ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2090 REGARDING THE BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026: GENERAL FUND AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS
The proposed ordinance would amend the FY2026 Budget for the City of Falls Church to appropriate FY2025 revenue surplus and underspending, revise revenues and expenditures related to the solid waste fee adopted in September 2025, and appropriate new revenues, grants and contributions. The proposed amendment would add expenditures of $2,012,666 to the General Fund and $133,197 to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Fund.
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
SP West Falls Inc trading as Dok Khao Thai Eatery West Falls, 180 W Falls Station Boulevard, Falls Church, Falls Church City, Virginia 22046-0000 is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a Retail Restaurant License – Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell alcoholic beverages.
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.
Sami’s Food Service LLC trading as Erbil Kabob, 3212 Old Pickett Rd., Fairfax 22031 is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a Retail Restaurant or Caterer Application - Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Consumed to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages 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.
Falls Church Bfi trading as BURGERFI, 168 W Falls Station Blvd, Unit A1-160, Falls Church, Fairfax County, Virginia 22046 is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a Retail Restaurant or Caterer Application – Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. 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.
POPULAR FALL FESTIVAL
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AUCTIONS
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News & Notes
David So Named F.C.’s New Director of Finance
The City of Falls Church announced yesterday that David So will join the City as its new director of finance effective Nov. 3.
So comes from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) where he has served as director of its Office of Management and Budget. During his time at WMATA, So led a revamp of budgeting and reporting processes, and was credited with constantly driving innovation in his team. Prior to WMATA, he worked in the private sector for the Berkeley Research Group, Nestle, and Samsung.
So earned his bachelor’s of science in finance from the University of Maryland. His master’s of business administration was earned from George Washington University School of Business.
“We are pleased to welcome David So to the City of Falls Church. His extensive experience will be a tremendous asset to our City. We are confident that David’s leadership and strategic vision will ensure our continued fiscal strength and transparency,” said City Manager Wyatt Shields.
Warner Again Assails GOP Inaction
Virginia’s U.S. Senator Mark Warner came before the Virginia press corps again this week to rail against the on-going shutdown of the federal government and the disastrous “cliff” that is approaching this weekend when, absent Congressional action, health care premiums will suddenly and overnight rise dramatically and funding for the federal SNAP food assistance program will end.
Warner decried Trump’s ongoing “gallivanting” around Asia in the face of these developments, noting that without Trump in the room, congressional Republicans will take no action.
He said that Virginians “began getting the notice of health care premium increases. He acknowledged a short term plan to by the state to pay for SNAP benefits, but said he wants $6 billion identified by the White House for the plan to actually be released.
He added that while he is “increasingly worried” about the fairness of the midterm elections next year, given what Trump is doing to undermine them, he said a “record turnout for (Democratic gubernatorial candidate) Spanberger in Virginia’s election next week will send a signal that Republicans will have to pay attention to.”
Meridian High’s Fall Musical Announced: ‘Rock of Ages’
It’s been announced that the fall musical at Falls Church’s Meridian High School will be ‘Rock of Ages,’ and will be performed at the school’s auditorium Nov. 20, 21 and 22. Nominated for five Tony Awards, the rock-and-roll-themed Broadway musical was made into a 2011 movie starring Tom Cruise.
NPR Report Assails Post’s Failure to Site Bezos’ Influence
In an article by David Folkinflik of National Public Radio this week, The Washington Post was assailed for its failure to acknowledge the influence of its owner, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, over editorial policy.
Folkinflik wrote, “A year ago, in explaining why he had blocked the publication of an endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, Washington Post owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos conceded that ‘When it comes to the appearance of conflict, I am not an ideal owner of The Post. ’
“On at least three occasions in the past two weeks, an official Post editorial has taken on matters in which Bezos has a financial or corporate interest without noting his stake. In each case, the Post’s official editorial line landed in sync with its owner’s financial interests.
“In the most recent instance, the Post defended President Trump’s jaw-dropping moves to raze the East Wing of the White House without any of the typically required studies or consultations as he seeks to build a vast ballroom.” “Trump’s undertaking is a shot across the bow at NIMBYs everywhere,” the Post wrote in its editorial, which first appeared online Saturday.
“As the White House had announced, Amazon was a major corporate contributor in helping to defray those costs. But the Post did not initially disclose that.
On Sunday, the newspaper inserted an acknowledgement of the Amazon donation into the editorial – but only once the veteran news executive Bill Grueskin, now at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, noted its absence in a social media post and made inquiries at the paper. It did not flag the alteration for readers.
In his posts, Grueskin, a former top news editor at the Wall Street Journal and
Bloomberg, had written the editorial’s fundamental reasoning ‘illustrates the collapse of the new Washpost Opinion page’ and noted there was ‘no clarification or correction appended to the piece.’ The Post and its new opinions editor, Adam O’Neal, did not reply to detailed requests for comment for this story.
“O’Neal was brought in by Bezos this summer after the corporate titan tore up his paper’s opinion section. Bezos said he wanted a tight focus on two priorities: personal liberties and free markets. The top opinion page editor resigned. A raft of prominent columnists and the decision to cancel the Harris editorial led to more than 300,000 cancellations by digital subscribers. The subsequent changes in the editorial pages led to 75,000 more.”
AT THE 30TH ANNUAL KENNEDY-KING DINNER in Arlington last week, (l. to r.) State Del. Mark Sickles, the News-Press’ Nicholas Benton, Arlington Democratic activist Charlie Conrad and former U.S. Rep. Jim Moran. (Photos: News-Press)
REVELERS ASSEMBLED FOR the third annual Falls Church Forward-sponsored Halloween bike ride launched from Founders Row Sunday. (Photos: News-Press)
THESE FIRST GRADERS from Mt. Daniel Elementary led the Falls Church City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of this Monday’s meeting. (Photos: News-Press)
‘Grease’ Shines at the Little Theatre of Alexandria!
By Mark Dreisonstok
The 1950s-themed musical “Grease” is back in an attractive production at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA). The story begins shortly after a summer romance between upright and conventional high schooler Sandy (wonderfully portrayed by Shannon Hardy) and greaser Danny Zuko, the epitome of cool (played effectively by Jake C. Schwartz). When they meet again during the first day school— Sandy has just transferred into Danny’s high school—there seems to be an irreconcilable distance between the two; Danny is the leader of the school greaser gang, and he is more than a little embarrassed in front of his peers that he has fallen for unpopular “good girl” Sandy.
While Danny is presented as egotistical, disloyal, and with other less-than-stellar qualities, the plot oddly portrays Sandy as the one who should change and adopt a greaser-friendly persona, and “get with it,” as Rizzo (portrayed with verve by Lourdes Turnblom) of the Pink Ladies clique phrases it.
Numerous versions of “Grease” exist, and many soften the unabashed roughness of the original 1971 stage version of the show. This is certainly true of the phenomenally popular 1978 film version, which featured the winning charm of Olivia Newton-John as an Australian ingénue and, for nostalgia buffs, vintage television stars such as Eve Arden (spunky high school teacher Connie Brooks in “Our Miss Brooks”) and Sid Caesar. The Little Theatre version, directed with finesse by Frank D. Shutts II, is wedged somewhere between the original rough 1971 Chicago debut conception and the more genteel 1978 film.
In contrast to the nostalgic presentation of the 1950s as an era of innocent teenagers enjoying carefree times at sock hops and malt
shops, the “Grease” musical addresses controversial subjects such as dropping out of school and teen pregnancy. Frenchy (depicted as conflicted by Sydney Morefield) waivers on her decision to stay in school, which would allow her to pursue her dream to become a hairstylist. She wishes for a “guardian angel” to guide her. Here a “teen angel” appears and serenades her into staying in school with the musical number “Beauty School Dropout,” sung by Garrett Rinker with great poignancy. Rizzo must face that she might be pregnant in “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” sung strongly and with great effect by Lourdes Turnblom.
Other musical moments to watch and listen for are driving rock-and-roll numbers such as the Ensemble’s “Greased Lightnin’” and “Shakin’ at the High School Hop.” Johnny Casino, a Chubby Checker-type entertainer, is performed well by Brady Misustin, particularly in “Born to HandJive.” The choreography by Suzy Alden in such numbers is outstanding.
The show has a superb live orchestra conducted by Mark V. Deal, which maintains a hard-driving rock-and-roll edge for the show’s
many 1950s-style tunes as well as for instrumentals which serve to keep the audience entertained during set changes. The sets and props such as the Burger Palace Drive-In and 1950s vintage automobiles are simple and stylized and yet highly effective.
Fifties nostalgia abounds, from a disc jockey of the appropriately named radio station WAXX (the station’s call letters refer to 45- and 33-rpm records of the era which were “cut in wax”) to poodle skirts and a poster of Elvis Presley in an iconic pose from his film “Jailhouse Rock.” There is even a posted advert for the classic “greaser” hair product Brylcreem!
The Little Theatre’s “Grease,” playing through November 15, is a 1950s nostalgia fest, occasionally challenging some aspects of the supposedly innocent era’s reputation. What is unique about this production, however, is that it transcends both the “hard-boiled” original “Grease” as well as the more sanitized movie version to return us to our own bittersweet days of youth, when we navigated the challenges of balancing individual integrity and the desire to “get with it” in a bid to join the popular crowd.
Springsteen Movie Now Showing
Continued from Page 7
trayed as walking the tightrope between keeping the record company interested and also supporting his client.
Fans who expect a broader biopic may be disappointed that the film focuses only on a
two-year period of Springsteen’s storied life. However, given the expanse of Springsteen’s decades of successful musical showmanship, I found it appealing that the movie concentrated on a mere two-year timeframe and took us on a deeper dive as to his emotions and career dilemmas. The performance scenes take a back
seat to Springsteen’s journey of introspection and isolation as he worked to develop the new album according to his own terms. A fleeting romantic relationship is depicted. This is a good movie with a story line that carries it sufficiently to be appealing to both ardent Springsteen fans and those who are less ardent or familiar
C ritter C orner
HARBOR IS A 2-YEAR-OLD CAVAPOO mix, friendly and cuddly puppy who enjoys chewing on his fancy, organic treats, and loves sleeping on the couch with a comfortable blanket underneath him! Harbor is a very social pup and whenever people come over he makes friends with them quickly and licks them all over! He loves riding in the car, going on morning and evening walks through our neighborhood in good weather and bad, and loves to be held. Whenever our family comes home from long days he always greets us and hugs us!
Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Please send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.
Their lies come out of your
Insurance fraud costs everyone in Virginia $1,000 per year. Learn how to spot it and report it at TheCostOfFraud.com
Sandy and the Pink Ladies in LTA’s “Grease.” (Photo: Matt Liptak)
Do the electric slide
This Week Around Falls Church
Thursday, Oct. 30
Falls Church Fiber Artists, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library (Upper Level Conference Room)
Fall Storytime, 10:30–11:00 a.m.
MRSPL (Lower Level Conference Room)
Playtime with Early Literacy Center, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
MRSPL (Lower Level Conference Room)
Trunk or Treat at James
Lee Community Center, 5:00–7:00 p.m. 2855 Annandale Rd. Free; all ages.
Friday, Oct. 31 —
Fall Baby Time
10:30–11:00 a.m.
MRSPL (Lower Level Conference Room)
Halloween (All Day) Falls Church neighborhoods Trick-or-treating citywide.
Organics Cart Selection Deadline
Your Organics Cart. Your Choice. Deadline for townhome and single-family curbside customers to choose a cart size or opt-out before new yellow organics carts roll out in Spring 2026.
Taylor-Ween! A Taylor
Swift Halloween Party, 9:00 p.m. The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St.
Saturday, Nov. 1
Arlington Civitan Open Air Flea Market, 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
4001 15th St. North, Arlington, VA One of Northern Virginia’s
largest community markets with 150+ vendors. More at arlington-fleamarket.com
Falls Church Farmers Market
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. City Hall Parking Lot Year-round market.
Cub and Boy Scouts Begin Rounds for Food Donations, Falls Church neighborhoods Scouts distribute flyers for the annual Scouting for Food drive. Food pickup Nov. 8. Apartment/condo residents may drop off donations Nov. 4 at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Broad St., 9–11 a.m.
Chef Demo: Baby Greens with Turnips & Walnuts, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
MRSPL (Lower Level Conference Room) Ages 2–4 with caregiver.
Board Game Sunday for Adults
1:00–4:00 p.m.
MRSPL (Lower Level Conference Room)
Monday, Nov. 3
Baby Builders
10:30–11:30 a.m.
MRSPL (Lower Level Conference Room)
Falls Church City Council Work Session
7:30 p.m.
Character
Operated
Rope
City Hall Council Chambers, 300 Park Ave. Public may attend; no formal votes taken.
Served for a point
(225
Fold-a-Frog: Action Origami
4:15–5:00 p.m.
“____ Rider”
Tie the knot
Flip, as a coin
Spout
Tuesday, Nov. 4
“____ Girl”
Aardvark’s
Election Day (All Day) City of Falls Church & General Election Polls open 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. For official details, see the City of Falls Church and Virginia state election websites.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, Scouts will distribute flyers for the annual Scouting for Food drive. Donations will be collected Sat., Nov. 8, by 9:00 a.m. Residents in apartments/condos may drop off items at Falls Church Presbyterian Church
