Rep. Don Beyer isn’t mincing words. The Northern Virginia congressman unloaded on President Trump Friday after the President announced he intends to tear up East Potomac Park and build an expensive new golf course on it, a plan Beyer says will wall off roads and paths that thousands of local cyclists, runners and walkers use every week, many of them crossing over from our side of the river to do it.

Beyer’s statement landed a week after chainsaws hit the park. Golfers watched crews take down trees on Saturday, Oct. 10, and by Monday the cuts had become the subject of a four-hour court hearing. The count runs into the hundreds. Axios reported roughly 500 trees came down, and a court filing reviewed by Newsweek put it at about 430. The National Park Service didn’t tell the court it planned to cut hundreds of trees until 4:55 p.m. that Friday, hours before the work began.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes was having none of it. She accused Justice Department lawyers of breaking an understanding that major renovation would wait until the court had a chance to review the plans. When a DOJ lawyer insisted the work was not a renovation, Reyes called that claim preposterous. She then temporarily halted the removals, finding the plaintiffs likely faced immediate and irreparable harm because cutting down hundreds of trees is permanent while a short delay costs the government nothing.

The administration says the critics have it wrong. The Interior Department maintains the Park Service is simply carrying out a seven-year-old plan to deal with tree overgrowth at the course. National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Kevin Griess has sworn the work is not a renovation or redesign and that no healthy cherry trees would be cut. Trump himself has called the course virtually unplayable and promised a redesign built to the highest standards of golf that the general public will love.

Beyer flat-out isn’t buying it. “The Trump Administration was clearly lying about the reasons for their mass felling of trees in East Potomac last weekend,” Beyer said. “They were lying to conceal from the American people that, at a time when our country is at war and everyone is worried about the economy and high prices, the President simply doesn’t care. Trump is focused on building an upscale golf course within walking distance of the White House, on his fancy ballroom, and on his memorial arch to himself.”

Then he went at the design. “The design Trump is pursuing would block off or eliminate roads and paths used by large numbers of local residents for cycling and walking, no doubt to make the area another exclusive hangout for his rich and powerful friends. He is almost certainly doing all of this at great expense on taxpayers’ dime, and if recent history is a guide, with corrupt contracting practices. What a disgrace.”

This isn’t a drive-by press release for Beyer. Last month he led a site tour at East Potomac with cyclists, runners and neighbors to sound the alarm, and he has since joined a congressional investigation into the administration’s work at the site, including the Park Service contracts tied to Trump’s takeover of the East Potomac Golf Links.

The legal fight is far from over. The DC Preservation League’s lawsuit argues the overhaul would violate the 1897 act of Congress that created the park for the recreation and pleasure of the people. The course opened in 1919 and is considered one of the most historically significant in the country, with a role in the fight for civil rights. Trump is also planning to renovate a military golf course just outside Washington that presidents have used for decades.

For Northern Virginians who bike the Mount Vernon Trail into Hains Point or run the loop on a Sunday morning, this is no Beltway abstraction. It’s our park, too, and right now a federal judge, a lawsuit and a congressman from across the river are all that’s standing between it and the bulldozers.

The post Beyer Rips Trump’s East Potomac Golf Grab: “What a Disgrace” first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

Virginia Dream FC needed one point to win the United Premier Soccer League’s fall regular-season championship, and the Falls Church club got it the hard way. Hosting Los Toros FC in the regular-season finale Sunday night, the Dream twice surrendered a lead before hanging on for a 2-2 draw that put the title in its hands. The math going in was simple. A draw would do it for Virginia Dream, while Los Toros needed a win, and the visitors came out attacking like a team that knew it.

The pressure didn’t last. Winger Fela Osifeso scored in the 17th minute to give Virginia Dream a 1-0 lead, forcing Los Toros to find two goals instead of one. Los Toros answered in the 36th minute, and the teams went to halftime level at 1-1, with the title still leaning toward the hosts but nowhere close to settled. Both sides kept pushing after the break until striker Caleb Pritchett finished a cross from Zoumana Diarra in the 60th minute for a 2-1 lead. Down to 30 minutes and needing two goals, Los Toros threw numbers forward and got one back in the 83rd minute. That turned the final stretch into a standoff in which one more Los Toros goal would have flipped the championship. It never came.

Coach CJ Taylor made clear the club isn’t finished. “This victory feels great, but we have more work to do. We want the post season tournament title also,” Taylor said. That distinction matters, because the regular-season crown and the playoff title are separate prizes. The first one buys position: home-field advantage and a direct berth in the UPSL playoff semifinals, set for Sunday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.

A week later, the club turns back to the competition that put it on the national map. Virginia Dream hosts DC Hyper FC on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the third round of U.S. Open Cup qualifying, chasing a third straight trip to the country’s oldest soccer tournament. The first two trips made noise. In its Open Cup debut on March 19, 2025, Virginia Dream beat the professional Richmond Kickers, the 1995 Open Cup champions, 3-1 at Richmond’s City Stadium. Exactly one year later, it fell behind against MLS Next Pro’s Carolina Core FC in High Point, N.C., and came back to win 2-1 on goals from Diarra and Akingbolahan Akinkoye. Both runs ended in the second round, against Loudoun United in 2025 and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2026. Still, back-to-back first-round wins over professional clubs put a semi-pro side from the Little City in rare company.

What makes the club’s rise worth watching goes beyond the scoreboard. Founded in 2022, Virginia Dream says its mission is to remove financial barriers to competitive soccer by covering all player costs. In a sport where pay-to-play fees routinely decide who advances and who drops out, that model puts high-level competition within reach of talented players regardless of what they can afford, and the results suggest the talent is there to be found.

Now come two shots at something bigger. The Oct. 25 semifinal opens the path to the postseason title Taylor wants, and the Nov. 1 qualifier opens the door to another Open Cup run. Virginia Dream has already shown it can beat professionals on the road. Next it has to finish the job at its own level, with one trophy already in the case and two more within reach.

For updates, follow the club on Instagram at @virginiadreamfc.

The post VIRGINIA DREAM FC ARE UPSL FALL REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS! first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

By Dinos Simcox

Photo: The conditions were far from perfect, with heavy rain throughout the contest. (Photo by

Dinos Simcox)

The Meridian Mustangs escaped their homecoming bout against their biggest rival, the

Brentsville Tigers, with a 21-14 win. This victory marks the Mustangs’ first time beating

Brentsville since 2017.

“That’s our biggest rival. I’m so proud of our guys. They’ve worked so hard for tonight. Our

players had a great week of practice, our coaching staff put together such an amazing gameplay,

[assistant coach Adam] Amerine called the best defensive game he could have possibly called.

That’s the best win of my career here, and it’s all thanks to our players and our coaching staff,”

head coach PJ Anderson said after the game.

The Mustangs started their bid for victory very strong, with an explosive return on the opening

kickoff, allowing the Mustangs to set up shop in Brentsville territory. Meridian capitalized on the

short field, running the rock all the way down to the one yard line. From there, senior Keaton

Grace bulled his way into the endzone for the first score of the game.

After a huge defensive stand by the Mustangs on fourth down, a long touchdown run by junior

running back Noah Mayer put the Mustangs up 14-0. However, that lead didn’t last for long, as

Brentsville struck back quickly with a touchdown of their own, shrinking the Meridian lead to

14-6 with six minutes left in the half.

After a lengthy drive by the Mustangs, a deep touchdown pass from junior quarterback Luke

Micciche to sophomore tight end Nate Landers put Meridian ahead 21-6 with 26 seconds to go in

the first half, cementing a dominant performance by the Mustangs in the first two quarters.

Unfortunately for the Mustangs, they wouldn’t be able to carry that momentum into the second

half. A lightning delay kept the game from resuming for over 60 minutes. When it finally did

resume, both teams played a very sloppy second half.

“It’s tough. We were amped up, and all things considered, that’s one of the best first half

performances our offense has had in a while. It would’ve been great to be able to get right back

out there, but we’ll take it any way we can,” coach Anderson said.

The only score in the entirety of the latter half of the contest was a touchdown and two-point

conversion by Brentsville to cut the lead to 21-14. After multiple turnovers by both teams,Brentsville failed to convert on on a fourth down late in the game. Meridian converted their own

fourth down try on the ensuing drive, officially sealing the win.

“Like I said, coach Amerine called a whale of a defensive game. We were pretty dialed in on

everything they did on offense. I wish we had converted on a couple plays after we got those

turnovers, but it is what it is. Definitely things we can and will improve on for Warren County

next week,” coach Anderson reflected.

The win finally breaks the Mustangs’ alternating win-loss streak, and improves their record to

5-3 on the year. With just two games to go in the regular season, Meridian’s upcoming contest

against Warren County will have massive playoff implications, as the two are very close to each

other in district standings. The Mustangs will go on the road on Friday, Oct 23, to partake in the

crucial matchup.

The post Mustangs Break Losing Streak to Brentsville with Homecoming Victory first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

Imagine you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association. You don’t get to choose whether to belong and you must pay whatever dues the association charges. Now imagine the HOA board announces that it’s considering merging with a much larger association in another state.

The board tells you the merger will create efficiencies, save money, and improve services. Maybe it will. But before you vote, you’d probably have a few questions. Will my dues go up? Will our neighborhood still have a say in how our money is spent? And who exactly benefits from this deal?

Those are essentially the questions Virginians should be asking about the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy.

Dominion isn’t just another company headquartered in Virginia. It provides electricity to millions of Virginians, employs thousands of people, and plays an enormous role in our economy. Decisions about its future have consequences for everyone who lives or does business here. This is why a merger of this magnitude raises legitimate questions about electric rates, Virginia jobs, and investments in our energy infrastructure.

In exchange for the exclusive right to serve customers in a particular area, electric utilities are subject to oversight by the State Corporation Commission (SCC), which is responsible for making sure rates are reasonable and service is reliable. It’s a system that depends on strong oversight and accountability to consumers. That makes the SCC’s review of this proposed merger especially important.

Speaker Don Scott raised some of these same questions in a letter to the SCC last month, emphasizing that affordability must be at the center of its review. Any potential benefits from the merger should go first to the customers who are already paying the bills, not simply to shareholders or corporate executives. That means more than promises about keeping rates low. It means enforceable, long-term commitments that protect residential customers from paying more because of the merger.

It also means making sure Virginians aren’t asked to subsidize operations in other states. NextEra has substantial operations in Florida, where hurricanes and other natural disasters can create enormous costs. Virginia customers should not be responsible for expenses incurred elsewhere simply because two companies have combined.

But I have concerns that go beyond what might happen to our electric bills in the immediate future.

Dominion already wields considerable influence in Virginia, both economically and politically. Its role in shaping energy policy and its longstanding relationships with state government have been debated in Richmond for years. Adding the resources of another major utility raises questions about whether regulators and policymakers will be able to exercise meaningful oversight over an even larger company. The public needs to have confidence that the rules are being written and enforced in their interests. The larger and more influential a utility becomes, the more important independent oversight becomes.

This merger is also being considered at a time when Virginia’s energy needs are changing dramatically. Northern Virginia is home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers, and their electricity demand continues to grow. Meeting that demand requires significant investment in our electric grid. Residential customers and small businesses should not be left paying for infrastructure built primarily to serve some of the largest and most profitable technology companies in the world, regardless of who owns the utility. The SCC should require greater transparency about how these costs are allocated.

Beyond this, any merger must preserve Virginia’s clean energy commitments, protect our natural resources, and provide meaningful assurances about Virginia jobs and continued investment in our communities.

The SCC is an independent regulatory body, and it needs the time and information necessary to conduct a thorough review. I support Governor Spanberger’s decision to intervene in the proceedings to help ensure that Virginia consumers have a meaningful voice in the process. This review cannot be rushed, particularly when the long-term implications for consumers and regulatory oversight are so significant.

While mergers can create opportunities for investment and greater efficiency, those potential benefits need to be demonstrated, not simply promised. We should be asking whether creating an even larger utility will strengthen Virginia’s energy future or make it harder to protect the interests of the people who depend on it.

Virginia has spent years debating how to ensure that our utilities are accountable to the people they serve. We shouldn’t approve a merger that makes that job even harder. Dominion and NextEra should have to demonstrate that this merger will benefit Virginians, not simply ask us to trust that a bigger company will act in our best interests.

The post Marcus Simon: October Column first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

An apt title for the autumn season in Arlington might be the “Anniversaries and Awards Season.” To put it another way, it is a time of “remembering and honoring” for many of our civic institutions. To start with one anniversary example, let’s go back to 1956. That year, many Arlington citizens interested in preserving County history created the Arlington Historical Society (AHS). Beginning with over 50 charter members, within a year AHS published the Arlington Historical Magazine, with seven well-researched articles (my favorite is “The History of the Potomac Bridges”). This annual magazine continues to produce a remarkable amount of history, and the good news is that it is accessible online. To commemorate its 70th year of existence, AHS recently held a 70th Anniversary event at Mario’s Pizza, which got its own start in the same era (1957). Mario’s is one of Arlington’s oldest eateries, known for its Square Sicilian Pizza, and for being open late for the night owls in Arlington. 

To continue with the anniversary theme, let’s go back to 1866, and the establishment of two local churches that are still in existence: Lomax African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church, and Mount Zion Baptist Church. Their histories are intertwined with the creation of Freedmen’s Village at the end of the Civil War, in the area located on the grounds of the Arlington Plantation owned by Mary Custis Lee. Freedmen’s Village evolved from a temporary refugee camp into a thriving, self-sustaining community with its own schools, churches, and industry, before the federal government closed it down in the late 19th century. That closure displaced the residents and their churches, including the AME and Baptist churches of Lomax AME Zion Church, and Mount Zion Baptist Church, both of which are now located in the Green Valley neighborhood. Both churches have held many events this year to celebrate their 160th year of existence.  

Taking the time machine from 1866 to 1966, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Arlington Chorale, which got its start in 1966 as the Metropolitan Chorus (as with many local organizations, there has been a name change along the way). The Arlington Chorale is a multi-generational chorus featuring local singers from a diverse range of professions and musical backgrounds, with performances throughout the year (often held at Westover Baptist Church), performing not only well-known masterpieces, but also new works. 

In addition to organizational anniversaries, this is also a time of remembering and honoring. I was intrigued by recent news from Yorktown High School, noting that nine alumni were inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame and Inspiration on September 18. I was intrigued by the title – adding “and Inspiration” provides a bit of a unique perspective. Yorktown initiated their Hall of Fame in 2004, with new inductees added every four years. Their website provides an informative summary of all the inductees over the years. Check it out – there are some famous names (Katie Couric) and many recognizable names, such as Captain David M. Brown, Navy aviator, and NASA astronaut who died in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster (the County planetarium is named in his honor). And there are plenty of other names that may not be recognizable, but whose accomplishments are noteworthy. 

While surfing the internet for information about our other high schools, I noticed that Wakefield High School created their Hall of Fame in 2003, to honor alumni and staff who made significant contributions to society or brought recognition to the school. Their inductions take place every odd-numbered year, so perhaps I can write about their new class of inductees next year (and about our other high schools as well). 

One final note: the Arlington Community Foundation hosts its “Spirit 2026 Celebration” with an awards luncheon scheduled for November 12, which will include a very special remembrance. The 33rd annual Spirit of Community Award will honor the late Honorable William Newman, Jr., lifelong Arlingtonian, local attorney and Circuit Court judge, and founder of the Arlington Community Foundation. 

The post Our Man In Arlington 10-15-2026 first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

Hallmark is launching its Countdown to Christmas showcase of holiday movies this Thursday, October 16. Yes, this seems very early. We haven’t even taken down Halloween decorations yet (or, in my case, put them up). But can we honestly say that life doesn’t need a little merriment right this very moment? 

The best case I can make for watching Hallmark holiday movies (in October or beyond) is this: for two hours you will watch a movie where people fall in love and share lots and lots of community activities, hot chocolate flows like a river, and the holiday decorations are truly aspirational. You could find worse ways to spend that time.

Keep in mind, I have not seen any of the 34 new movies for 2026 so these recommendations are based on the cast, the premise, and the release date. (In my opinion, Hallmark tends to release their strongest movies around mid-November/early December so they can be rerun as much as possible.) Conversely, I have viewed the selections from prior years so those are based on first-hand opinion.

Here then is your Hallmark Christmas Movie guide, past and present. So, prep the hot cocoa and grab some candy canes, holiday joy is incoming!

7 Hallmark 2026 

Movies to Watch

A Season of Promises (November 8). The logline sounds familiar; two estranged sisters reunite when their widower father ends up in the hospital and then join forces to find him a love connection in time for the holidays. This one has promise given the cast includes Brooke D’Orsay, Ali Liebert and James Denton, and the three have pulled off a lot of Hallmark movies between them.

My Christmas Cowboy (November 13). I’m rooting for this one because of the stars, Luke Macfarlane (a versatile Hallmark star) and Amy Acker (who did an exceptional turn on the TV show Angel). Acker is a small-town news producer who lost the newscaster job of her dreams to former crush and now Hollywood celebrity host Macfarlane. When Macfarlane returns home for the holidays, the pair confront their past and maybe future. (Somehow there’s a Reindeer Roundup holiday event and Acker has to teach Macfarlane how to ride a horse. Obvious point reductions for all this, but if anyone can pull it off these two can.)

The Nights Before Christmas (November 14). This one sounds like Groundhog Day meets Christmas Eve with Tyler Hynes and Laci J. Mailey trapped inside the holiday loop. Hallmark borrowed this theme from Round and Round (see Streaming Options), so we already know it’s a fun premise. Hynes costarred in the popular “Three Wise Men and a Baby” series, plus “An Unexpected Christmas,” and he’s one of the channel’s strongest comedic actors.

Mistletoe and Mimosas (November 15). Tamera Mowry-Housley inherits her uncle’s debt-ridden bar, The Tipsy Reindeer, and struggles to salvage his legacy. Kristoffer Polaha is a local businessman who wants to buy the bar for his existing chain of establishments. They take part in a 12 Days of Christmas themed challenge with the Tipsy Reindeer’s future at stake. Both of these actors have long and proven track records with Hallmark, and who can’t appreciate the “Tipsy Reindeer’ as a winning bar name.

Double Booked for the Holidays (November 22). Rachael Leigh Cook plays identical sisters who fall for Owain Yeoman and Stephen Hagan, though the men don’t realize they are dating sisters. Not sure how that happened and somehow this all takes place in Wales when they spend the holidays running an AirBnb/bookshop. But I’m gonna bet on Cook here, who had Christmas charisma to spare in 2020’s “Cross Country Christmas,” and two Cooks make this worth a try.

Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True (November 28). Current reigning Hallmark Queen Lacey Chabert takes her family to Disney World and discovers that the hotel guest in the room next door to hers (Travis Van Winkle) happens to be a man she shared a terrible first date with. The happiest place on Earth meets the most wonderful time of the year and it should at least be a jolly viewing experience.

A Grand Biltmore Christmas (December 5). This is the second movie centered on a mysterious hourglass at the Biltmore Hotel that shuttles people from the present to the past. This time around, we begin in 1895 when teens Elizabeth and Michael meet cute before Michael vanishes. Twenty years later, Michael reappears, reveals himself as a time traveler and the two are somehow accidentally whisked off to present day. Will Elizabeth stay or go back to 1915? Hallmark has cast a lot of talent in this movie, including Andie MacDowell, Niall Matter, Jonathan Frakes, and Holland Roden. Plus, it’s hard to go wrong with a time travel premise.

5 Vintage Hallmark Movies

 to Watch

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008). Two words: Henry Winkler. Here he plays matchmaker when he befriends free-spirited chef Morgan (Warren Christie), who’s stranded at the airport, and convinces his no-nonsense niece Jen (Brooke Burns) to house Morgan until the man’s flight is rescheduled. The smart script is both funny and sweet, and really shines when Winkler and Morgan go to extremes to bring the Christmas spirit to Jen and her son.

A Very Merry Mix-Up (2013). Alicia Witt stars as an antique store owner who travels ahead of her workaholic fiancé to meet his parents for the first time and share the holidays. In the airport’s lost luggage claim area, her cell phone is destroyed by a well-meaning coffee spiller (Mark Wiebe) who shares the same last name as her fiancé and mistakenly believes she is engaged to his estranged brother, who is himself delayed in getting home. Without a way to contact her fiancé and clear up the mishap, she spends a few days with the wrong family, falls in love with the coffee spiller, and then has a difficult reckoning when the misunderstanding is cleared up and she’s left with a fiancé and future in-laws who are no longer the right match. The script is tight, the characters are three dimensional, and the ending is practically lyrical.

Round and Round (2023). This one revolves around Hanukkah where Rachel (Vic Michaelis) keeps reliving the same day (and meet-cute with Bryan Greenberg’s Zach) over and over again until she figures out why; and it turns out to be a nice surprise twist. The script is genuinely funny and the actors make you care.

Christmas Under Wraps (2014). Before Candace Cameron Bure defected to Great American Family, she was a Hallmark holiday queen and this was one of her best. She plays a big city doctor who winds up in small town, Alaska, while waiting for a Boston internship to materialize. Of course, she inadvertently falls for a local (David O’Donnell). It’s a familiar trope but works well here because this particular small town has a magical secret that ripples through every scene.

Christmas at Dollywood (2019). Dolly Parton herself makes a brief cameo in this story set in the icon’s theme park when an event planner (Danica McKellar) falls for a Dollywood employee (Niall Matter). McKeller and Matter are both Hallmark mainstays, and Dolly is a national treasure.

The post Start Your Countdown to Christmas with These 12 Hallmark Movies first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

One of the attractions of the Nation’s Capital is the opportunity to enjoy the arts at internationally-recognized museums – the Smithsonian Institution, the Phillips Collection, the Children’s Museum, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and many others. Add the many live concert and performance venues and the unique and significant architecture of the various monuments (one of my favorites is the Navy and Marine Memorial along the George Washington Parkway in Lady Bird Johnson Park; the sculpted seagulls above the waves honor sailors and soldiers who lost their lives at sea) dotting the landscape and you have a guidebook that can take years to explore.     

For centuries, art was restricted to the wealthy and connected to the patrons who supported artists-in-residence at their palaces. Many of those magnificent creations have been preserved and now reside in museums open to all, usually for a fee, and in faraway places. Closer to home, this Saturday, October 17, offers an opportunity to discover what kinds of art appeal to you, watch local artists bring their visions to reality, visit with the artists, and enjoy live entertainment – for free! You’ll also be able to purchase art directly from the local artist-creator.

The Second Annual Mason District Art Festival will be held in the parking lot of the ACCA Child Development Center at 7200 Columbia Pike, adjacent to the Eileen Garnett Civic Space in downtown Annandale from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The festival is organized and conducted by community volunteers, features more than 40 local artists, is free to the public, and will be held rain or shine. Paintings, jewelry-making, ceramics and pottery, and more will be featured at individual stations, along with a performance stage for music, dance, comedy, and short scenes, sponsored by the School of Rock/Springfield and the Lake Barcroft Art League. Parking for the festival is available at the United Baptist Church at 7100 Columbia Pike and on nearby streets. The goal of the Mason District Art Festival is to connect local artists with each other, promote the sale of their works in the community, and make art accessible to all.  

You’ll be able to create your own art, too, including helping with a creative reuse mosaic led by Ursula Seckel, making small art for little free art galleries by the Community Studio, and painting a mural with muralist John Hartt. I’ll have a special station for adults and children to create painted quilt squares to be turned into a community quilt for display at next year’s Art Festival. New this year is an art materials exchange station. Artists and visitors can bring unused art materials to the exchange table and swap them for items they might want or need for their own creations. This free activity is a great way to recycle materials for other artists and would-be artists to use.  

Art, like politics, has the power to inspire, to unite, to divide, to celebrate, to connect, to discover, to feed the soul, and to stimulate discussion and debate. The Mason District Art Festival promises to do all of that, and it’s free and open for the whole family. See you on Saturday!

The post A Penny for Your Thoughts 10-15-2026 first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

As we invent our lives, issues that arise at critical points become the ones which, in odd moments of reflection, recur in our memories and dreams most often.

We commonly forget 98 percent of what we are doing with our time on this planet. How do we fill our time, after all, when approaching 85 or 90 years of consciousness, minus what we subtract for sleeping?

The brain, which is such a better organizer than we are, keeps at the front of our awake selves the things it considers the most important. While I can affirm this, I add that I don’t have a clue by what criterion it selects out what it does for my continued attention, or why.

That’s the thing about dogs which earn them the title of being a little lower than angels. I don’t know who taught them this, but they are just about the most perfect reflections of the joys and pains of their existences as any living thing, and they are the least judgmental of the behaviors of their owners, once loyalties have been assigned, except when experiencing really overt abuse. They simply refuse to think ill of just about anyone.    

So what do we homo sapiens glean from this? With the help of therapy, almost anything that allows for doors behind which forgotten memories are kept, could be worthwhile. Or maybe not. It steps in, for better or worse, as interpreters of our experiences, and when they happen over and over, perhaps there is a more urgent matter being called out.

There is the one about confronting my dad at a Christmas dinner. Maybe this is one of the more important ones, because it truly marked a turning point for me when it happened at Christmas in 1969.

I took a bus from the Bay Area to Santa Barbara. To the outside world, the only difference was that I had hippie-style long hair and a beard. The fact that I’d come out that previous summer had nothing to do with it.

Both my brothers and their wives were in town for this, too. Word was received, almost immediately at my grandparents house next door to my folks,’ where I’d gathered with my two brothers and their wives, that I was being uninvited to the usual, stuffy and ceremonial dinner.

A big debate was over what to do. All were agreed that it was just another arbitrary injustice by my dad. My two sisters-in-law became the most forceful in my defense, even suggesting that we should all boycott the meal.

But that was not agreed to and when they all left, I was there alone in my grandparents’ house as everyone else crossed the lawn to dinner.

It hit me then that I was alone, and that nobody was going to change anything but me, as much as everyone shared the fear and loathing of dad’s brutal temper and arbitrariness.

I faced an existential choice right then and there. I decided to act, facing the very real fear that my dad would pulverize me. I walked across the law, entered the front door, and faced the dinner table where everyone was sitting. I took the posture of a man ready to fight.

I hurled a few choice epithets to my dad, who never left his chair, as I thought he might, but who weakly retorted, “So are you here to ruin our dinner?”

I turned on my heels and walked out, slamming the front door behind me. As I walked back over to my grandparents’ house I realized others were coming behind me. It was my brothers, both very angry at me. But no blows were exchanged, just some angry words.

I learned much later that my dad left the table and went into his bedroom for the remainder of the evening.

The post A Dog’s Night One Christmas first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

Meridian football continued its one-win, one-loss pattern with a 48-0 thrashing of Thomas Jefferson High School. With the team’s homecoming game against Brentsville up next on the calendar, the Mustangs’ record now stands at 4-3. Meridian’s rushing attack was dominant, producing six touchdowns, including three by senior running back Abe Ellis.

The win was bittersweet, however, as a sophomore running back suffered a frightening head injury following an awkward tackle that left him unconscious. Emergency medical personnel responded, and the player was transported by ambulance to a hospital for evaluation.

Head coach PJ Anderson later provided a reassuring update, saying the player was responsive, had movement in all his extremities and was aware of his surroundings. Anderson said the player’s vital signs were stable and that doctors anticipated he could be released from the hospital that evening.

Field hockey has made a routine of posting shutout victories this season, and this past week was no different. With a 5-0 victory over school rivals Brentsville HS, as well as a 3-0 win over Annandale HS a couple days later, the Mustangs have improved their record to 15-0 and kept their undefeated season alive with just two games remaining. Perhaps even more impressively, their defense has only allowed four goals all season long.

Boys volleyball has struggled to establish a rhythm late in the season, having alternated wins and losses since September 24. Their record sits at a respectable 6-8 after beating Herndon HS in a sweep, then losing to Wakefield HS 2-3. Despite being two games under .500, with three games remaining, the Mustangs do still have a chance at finishing the campaign with a winning record, which would be an impressive turnaround from their 1-5 start to the year.

Girls volleyball only had one contest to play this week, and they made it count with a 3-1 victory over Fauquier HS. This improves their already stellar record to 12-3-1 with only five games remaining in the season.

The post Meridian Sports Recap: 10/6 – 10/12 first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.

Virginia Marriage Equality Vote in November; Rally Oct. 17

Equality Arlington and the NAACP Arlington Branch are sponsoring a Rally for Marriage Equality on Saturday, October 17 at 1 p.m. The rally will take place by the fountains at Courthouse Plaza, 2250 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington. All are welcome to show their support. Learn more at: vaformarriageequality.com.

Metro Station Closings This Weekend – October 17 and 18

If you’re planning to take the Metro this weekend, the following three stations will be closed for scheduled maintenance: Rosslyn, Court House, and Arlington National Cemetery. This affects the Orange, Silver, and Blue lines. Some shuttle services will be available. For more information, visit: wmata.com/ride/planned-track-work.html.

Fairfax County Marks Pedestrian Safety Month

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed October as Pedestrian Safety Month during its Tuesday meeting, according to a constituent newsletter issued by Board Chairman Jeff McKay.

In the newsletter, McKay emphasized the county’s ongoing efforts to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transportation users through infrastructure investments, education and enforcement.

According to McKay, the county’s 2025–2030 Transportation Priorities Plan includes $368.04 million for pedestrian and bicycle projects, while the Board recently approved an additional $8.94 million toward its $100 million commitment to active transportation infrastructure.

McKay also highlighted the county’s Safe Streets for All initiative, school-zone speed cameras and public education campaigns. He reported that average vehicle speeds have declined approximately 15 percent at the initial school-zone speed camera locations.

The county is relaunching its “Take a Moment” safety campaign this October with an emphasis on “See and Be Seen,” encouraging drivers to remain alert and pedestrians to take precautions as daylight hours grow shorter.

McKay said he recently introduced a proposal to establish a joint task force with the Fairfax County School Board to identify additional pedestrian and traffic safety improvements around schools.

“This October, let’s keep the message of our proclamation and Take a Moment campaign in mind: ‘Be Smart. Be Safe. Be Seen,’” McKay wrote.

Equality Arlington Ranks County Board Candidates

Equality Arlington sent questionnaires to the three candidates running for County Board in the November 2026 General Election. The five questions posed were aimed to gauge the candidates’ response to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and related policy issues. They received responses from two of the three candidates. The Board of Directors rated the candidates based on how well their responses demonstrated an understanding of the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and how their proposed actions or inaction would impact the LGBTQ+ community. The candidate who did not respond was given an “F” rating. You can read the questions they posed and each candidate’s response on their website at: equalityarlington.org/news/2026-10-05/ea-grades-cb-candidates-2026.

New Medicaid Eligibility Changes Set Jan. 1

Beginning January 1, 2027, the eligibility requirements for Medicaid will change to include the following conditions:

Enrollees must have a minimum household income of $580 a month; 

OR

Perform 80 hours of activities a month (including volunteer work, unpaid work, work for yourself, attend school part time, be involved in a work training program, and more).

There are exemptions from this requirement, including persons 18 and younger, persons 65 and older, pregnant persons, and people with special needs, among other exemptions. Please see dmas.virginia.gov/news-updates/new-federal-requirements/federal-work-requirements/ for a full list of exemptions.

If you did not receive a letter notifying you of these changes, and you believe you will be impacted by the new rule, you can update your contact information online at commonhelp.virginia.gov or call Cover Virginia at 855-242-8282.

Virginia Medicaid is also hosting a series of virtual Town Hall forums to answer questions about changes in Medicaid coverage. You can register here: dmas.virginia.gov/news-updates/new-federal-requirements/town-halls/.

Stylish Patina Hosts Small Biz Fall Market, October 17

Celebrate all things fall with this outdoor market featuring 25 vendors on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. through 7 p.m. Held on the grounds of Stylish Patina, 301 Park Avenue, which is just across the street from the farmer’s market. Goodies you’ll find here include handmade items, fashion, vintage finds, baked treats, and more. If you haven’t seen their new location since moving from Broad Street, you’ll find a spacious grassy front yard that’s perfect for this event.

No Kings Day Activities on October 17 Promote Early Voting

Join Falls Church Indivisible for a day of three family-friendly events to promote early voting. Activities start at the corner of Park Ave and Little Falls St with stickers, buttons, and kids’ activities, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Later, a Bridge Visibility event will take place on a nearby overpass from 1:30 – 3 p.m. (Location is given when you register.) Lastly, from 4 – 5 p.m., the community is invited to gather at Broad St. and Washington St. to wave signs and flags. This event is not aiming  to be a large, visible protest. For more information and to register, visit: fallschurchindivisible.org/nk4.

West Falls Church Metro Raises Non-Rider Parking Rates Oct. 19

If you’re parking at the West Falls Church Metro station but not taking the Metro, the new daily parking rate will be $10. For those parking and riding the Metro, the daily rate is unchanged from $3, but riders must use the same SmarTrip or credit card for both parking and rail. The rate change for non-riders is meant to help preserve parking spaces for Metro riders since construction in the area has temporarily reduced parking spaces.

Sherrow Ave. Bridge to Close on October 19

As part of a project to rebuild the bridge on Sherrow Ave (over Tripps Run), the bridge will be closed to motorized vehicles on October 19. Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians, bike riders, and scooter riders. Detour signs will be displayed. The bridge is located near the intersection of W. Cameron Road, Seaton Lane, and Sherrow Ave. To view map with suggested detour route, visit: www.fallschurchva.gov/2215/Sherrow-Avenue-Bridge.

Used Book Sale Slated for October 23 – 25 at MRS Library

Stop by the Mary Riley Styles Public Library for their quarterly book sale starting with a preview on Friday, October 23, from 1 – 5 p.m. (5 item limit), and continuing through Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This sale includes DVDs. All proceeds support library programs and services.

Creative Cauldron Receives $12,150 ArtsFairfax Grant for New Musical

Creative Cauldron Stage in Falls Church has received a $12,150.25 ArtsFairfax project grant to support the development of “His Girl Friday,” an original musical comedy scheduled to make its world premiere in October 2027.

The grant will fund “Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Black Box Musical,” a project inviting audiences and aspiring theater professionals to observe the creative process, including production meetings, workshops, rehearsals and a staged reading in June 2027.

Based on the classic 1940 film, “His Girl Friday,” the staged production will feature a big band score and pay tribute to screwball comedies and the newspaper industry. The production will open Creative Cauldron’s 2027–2028 season.

The theater will document the development process through social media updates and a final documentary shared on its YouTube channel.

Founding Artistic Director Laura Connors Hull thanked ArtsFairfax for supporting the project, which she said will give audiences a front-row seat to the creation of an original musical.

The post Falls Church News-Briefs 10-15-2026 first appeared on Falls Church News-Press Online.