Latest FCNP News

F.C.'s 'Burger Days' Featured on NBC Today Show This Sunday

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:03:44 GMT

An entry by the Falls Church-based "Burger Days" web blog, which profiles the best burgers around the Washington, D.C. area, was chosen by the New York City and Los Angeles-based GO Burger Bar and Grill as the winner of its "dream burger" competition in recognition of National Hamburger Day. As a result, the "Burger Days" winning concoction -- a melted sharp cheddar, bacon and onion jam-topped burger -- will be featured on NBC's Today show this Sunday morning, May 27.

City of Falls Church Suspends Sale of Water Utility Until Further Notice

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:55:27 GMT

Tonight, the City of Falls Church announce the suspension of its bid process for the sale of its water system until further notice. Tomorrow at 10 a.m., the City was prepared to receive bids for the sale of the system in a public meeting at City Hall. This will not now occur, based on a legal opinion received late today from counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the sale of the system cannot be made to a private entity.

Army General Counsel Rules Falls Church Can't Sell Its Water to Private Entity

nfbenton@fcnp.com (Nicholas F. Benton) — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:19:45 GMT

Army General Counsel Rules Falls Church

Can't Sell Its Water to Private Entity

Thursday, May 24 -- On the eve of opening bids for the purchase of its water system, the City of Falls Church was notified today that the general counsel of the U.S. Army "has elected to let stand" a May 17, 2012 legal opinion that water from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Washington Aqueduct can be sold only to a public, and not to any private, entity, in accordance with a 1947 law. A memo to this effect was emailed today from Craig Schmauder, deputy general counsel of the Corps, to relevant parties in Falls Church and Fairfax County this afternoon.

Guest Commentary: CBC Nominations Were Beneficial to Election Process

admin@fcnp.com (Tom Devlin) — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

In the May 10 News-Press Guest Commentary, Sam Mabry explains why he believes the current system for choosing candidates and electing people to the Falls Church City Council is an improvement over the system that had prevailed for as long as anyone in the city can remember. In making his arguments Mr. Mabry engages in sweeping generalizations and selective editing of history that does a disservice to the citizens of Falls Church City and especially to those who have been active in civic life in the last 20 years.

Letters to the Editor: March 24 - 30, 2012

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:30:00 GMT

F.C. City Council Running Out of Water Options

Editor,

Last week, an attorney for the U.S. Corps of Engineers concluded that a sale of the city's water system to a non-governmental entity would be illegal and, as a result, all but one of the potential bidders in Friday's water system auction (Fairfax Water) are apparently out of the running. The Falls Church City Council is running out of options.

A Penny for Your Thoughts: News of Greater Falls Church

admin@fcnp.com (Penny Gross) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

It was standing room only Monday night as more than 100 people packed the meeting room at the Human Service Center on Leesburg Pike for the first Seven Corners Community Visioning Workshop. I initiated the concept last fall, and asked county planning staff to prepare a background analysis of the current land use and demographic conditions in the Seven Corners area. Their findings were used as the basis for the maps and graphs used to orient community members to their charge for the evening.

Senator Saslaw's Richmond Report

admin@fcnp.com (Dick Saslaw) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:38:41 GMT

It is no secret that we have a transportation problem in the Commonwealth. Our roads are underfunded, our highways congested, and our businesses are shackled by a transportation system that no longer meets the needs of Northern Virginia in particular. The current extension of the Dulles Metro Line to Fairfax and Loudoun will help mitigate these serious issues in the region.

Spacebar Opening Soon in F.C.

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:22:06 GMT

Spacebar will be opening soon at 709 W. Broad Street, the former location of Stacy's Coffee House. Owned and operated by Lary and Erica Hoffman, Space Bar will feature 24 rotating craft beers and a wide variety of grilled cheese sandwiches along with live acoustic music.

3 New Food Spots Coming to Falls Church

admin@fcnp.com (Sally D. Cole) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:17:26 GMT

Several new food establishments are coming soon to Falls Church...Teo's Bakery at 1109 W. Broad Street (former location of the Bread House), The Windy Apple at 926 W. Broad (next to Brits on Broad in the other half of the old Bangkok Blues space) and Taco Bamba on Pimmit Drive. Information on each of these new ventures will be provided as plans are finalized.

Acacia Donates $1,500 to Marshall All Night Grad Celebration

admin@fcnp.com (Sally D. Cole) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:16:59 GMT

Acacia Federal Savings Bank donated $1,500 to the George C. Marshall High School 2012 All Night Graduation Celebration. This is the 5th consecutive year the Falls Church bank has made a donation to this event that provides high school seniors the opportunity to celebrate their graduation in an alcohol- and drug-free environment. Marshall High School will again be hosting this year's ANGC at Spring Hill Recreation Center in McLean. For more information visit www.afsbonline.com.

Virginia Commerce Bank Names New Senior VP

admin@fcnp.com (Sally D. Cole) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:16:30 GMT

Virginia Commerce Bank has hired Steve Witt as Senior Vice President and Product Development Manager. Mr. Witt was previously with the bank for five years as an officer on its Treasury Management and Business Development teams, and has been in the banking industry for ten years. In his new capacity, Mr. Witt will work closely with the bank's sales, marketing, operations and information technology leaders to develop and enhance products with an emphasis on commercial banking and treasury management services.

Anthony’s Celebrates 40 Years With Specials

admin@fcnp.com (Sally D. Cole) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:16:01 GMT

Anthony's Restaurant has just celebrated its 40th Anniversary in Falls Church. Visitors on the days leading up to and including Thursday, May 24 can receive free soft drinks, sweet treats, discounted specials, gift certificates, t-shirts and other give-aways. The family owned and operated restaurant has an extensive menu including Greek, Italian and American fare including pizza, lasagna, baked spaghetti, gyros, chicken souvlaki, steak and cheese subs and even breakfast options on the weekends.

Boutique & Salon Coming to Former Bangkok Blues Space

admin@fcnp.com (Sally D. Cole) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:15:38 GMT

Local residents Joan Van Steyn and Virginia Bowles have partnered to open Brits on Broad Boutique & Salon at 926 W. Broad Street (half of the old Bangkok Blues space). The shop will offer an eclectic blend of accessories, home goods, clothing, and jewelry along with a full service hair salon. Brits on Broad is expected to open in early July.

Fairfax’s Bulova, F.C.’s Snyder Exchange Letters as F.C. Sets to Open Water Bids

nfbenton@fcnp.com (Nicholas F. Benton) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:14:03 GMT

2 Leaders Dispute Costs & Legality of Water System Sale

A rapid exchange of written correspondence between Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova and Falls Church Vice Mayor David Snyder has occurred this week, precipitated by Snyder's dramatic open call before a live TV camera at last week's F.C. City Council meeting that Bulova break Fairfax's silence and discuss openly the future of the Falls Church water system.

Anglicans Hand Keys of Historic Falls Church to Episcopalians

nfbenton@fcnp.com (Nicholas F. Benton) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:13:00 GMT

Last Sunday marked the epochal formal handover of the historic Falls Church property from the breakaway congregation that had occupied it since 2006 to its legal owners, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. The Falls Church congregation affiliated with legal owners, known as "continuing Episcopalians" had been banished from the church property until now. While they celebrated Easter at the historic chapel on the property last month, this past Sunday marked the first of now on-going Sunday services there following the official transfer last week.

Kory Reschedules Town Hall Forum to June 9

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:12:05 GMT

State Del. Kaye Kory of the Mason District in greater Falls Church reported yesterday that a town hall forum to discuss the recently-completed legislative session in Richmond has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 9, at the Belvedere Elementary School, 6450 Columbia Pike, at 10 a.m. In addition to a "legislative wrap-up," the meeting will include a draft of the VDOT I-195 Express Lanes Landscaping and Reforestation Plan.

Pedestrian Plan Task Force Meets Thursday

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:11:28 GMT

A meeting of the Falls Church Pedestrian Plan Task Force is slated for Thursday, May 24, with the daunting task of incorporating new guidelines to the plan – such as not diminishing on-street parking – adopted by the City Council earlier this month. The plan is to expand the group by three members, to hold a series of neighborhood meetings in front yards of home in the Hillwood, Maple/Little Falls and Lincoln Avenue areas, to hold a town hall meeting on June 21, to present a new plan to the City Council at a July 16 work session, and to adopt in final form on July 23.

VDOT Options for Widening I-66 Loom

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:11:01 GMT

A new report with options for the widening of I-66 was produced this week, and some options could be detrimental to Falls Church, City Manager Wyatt Shields told the F.C. City Council at its work session Monday.

F.C. Council's Happy Problem: Excess $3.4 Million

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:10:33 GMT

Told by the City of Falls Church's Chief Financial Officer Richard LaCondre Monday night that there is a $3.4 million surplus in the current fiscal year budget, the F.C. City Council at its work session mulled ways to best deploy the unexpected resource before the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.

George Mason High Ranked High in Another Index

admin@fcnp.com (FCNP.com) — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:09:58 GMT

After placing 19th in the nation among according to evaulation standards used by the U.S. News and World Report earlier this month, Falls Church's George Mason High School ranked sixth in the D.C. Metro area, second in Virginia and 84th nationally in a Washington Post ranking released this week. The Post ranking is according to the "Challenge Index" criteria developed by education writer Jay Matthews. That is based on the number of college-level tests given at a school divided by the number of graduates in any given year.