FOOD: Panjshir–A Blast from the Past

By JIMMY SCARANO
Falls Church Times Staff

March 12, 2010                      

There was a time when Panjshir, the city’s long-standing Afghan restaurant, was considered the cream of the crop in the region for its genre.  It was written up in magazines and praised for its traditional, well-prepared dishes. 

In the last five years that’s changed.

Food critics and foodie fanatics have moved on.  A host of newer places, including the nearby Bamian in Falls Church, are the current darlings in a growing Afghan restaurant circuit.  There is a perception out there that Panjshir is stuck in the past—that it caters to an older clientele of regulars with predictable, mildly seasoned food. 

This week I embarked on a mission to the 25 year-old institution to see what the story was.  Even though I’d been to the restaurant once before, it was so long ago that it felt like my first time there.

I walked into a fancy dining room half-filled with white-haired grannies; a scene that did not, in all honesty, fill me with confidence.  I know there are ethnic restaurants that are patronized primarily by Westerners and still have good food, but those are few and far between.   Generally I prefer to eat at a place where there are some people dining there from the same ethnic background as the cuisine being served.  It reassures me that I’m getting something reasonably close to the real McCoy.  Nevertheless, I kept an open mind.  Good food can come from anywhere.

I sat down with a couple of friends with plans to order a range of dishes, a few of which I would be tasting for the first time.  Truth be told, I’ve only eaten Afghan food a handful of times.  There are still a ton of dishes I want to explore from the landlocked Central Asian nation. 

From what I’ve had so far I’d say Afghan food is most similar to Persian food, which I eat often and love.   Both cuisines work wonders with slowly stewed fruits and vegetables, rice, and charcoal-charred meat kabobs.  They’re neighbors, so that makes sense.  But Afghan cooks also employ a more liberal use of Indian spices—especially cardamom, black pepper and coriander—and incorporate some Turkish-influenced dumpling-like dishes, most notably the meat-filled pillows called mantu  (Panjshir calls them muntoo).  Like most surrounding countries, bread and yogurt also play integral roles at the table.  

I’ve always wanted to try aushak, the scallion-filled cousin of the aforementioned mantu, so we started off with a small order of those.  The little dumplings were drowned in yogurt and a mild tomato-meat sauce and served tepid.  Not good.  A bigger problem was the pasta itself, which was some of the chewiest and toughest I’ve ever had.  The only highlight was the generous sprinkling of dried mint over top of it all, which contributed a unique and welcome savory flavor.  I’m pretty convinced this was a poor rendition of what could be a wonderful dish.

The bulanee kachalu, a beef-and-potato stuffed fried pastry, was a little better.  I especially liked its accompanying cilantro and chili chutney, which had a potent kick of vinegar.  But the filling was skimpy and the flavor pretty bland without the sauce.  Order it and you’re likely to be satisfied but not impressed.

After the appetizers we were all given a complimentary salad of iceberg lettuce with a tart, mustardy dressing—a gesture I remember from the last time I ate there.  Honestly, I’d prefer a big basket of bread with some of that chutney to start the meal, but the salad was pretty tasty and free, so I can’t complain.

For the main meal we split a veggie combo and a meat combo.  Thankfully, there was a lot of good eatin’ on these two plates. 

Both the boneless chicken cubes and lamb chops on the mixed skewers were excellent.  The former were succulent and charred; the latter smoky, well-seasoned, and a joy to gnaw on.  Only the cubes of beef left a little to be desired, as they were overcooked.  I’d go so far as to say that the lamb and chicken rank number one and two on the hierarchy of kabobs in the City of Falls Church.  They were that good.

Unfortunately, the “saffron rice” that shared the plate with the kabobs couldn’t stand up to them.  It was dry, bland, and a poor excuse for a starchy side.  This was particularly disappointing because I know Afghan cooks, much like their Persian neighbors, pride themselves in making some of the most fragrant, delicious long-grain rice dishes around.  It is the countries’ staple grain.  If I went again I’d order the lamb chops or chicken and try to talk the waiter into subbing out my rice for something else—perhaps some bread or a vegetable side dish. 

The so-called “spinach rice” that came with the veggie combo was even worse than the “saffron rice,” but everything else on the plate was tasty and refreshingly different.  We opted for slow-cooked pumpkin, stewed apples with split peas, and sautéed eggplant, all three of which were smothered in typical Afghan fashion with tangy yogurt and a sweet tomato sauce.  Both the pumpkin and the apples had an almost dessert-like sweetness that could turn off people without a sweet tooth, but I liked them, especially with the slightly tart yogurt.  The eggplant was tender as can be and savory.

When all the food was cleared we agreed that some of it was downright delicious and definitely worthy of a return trip.  Aside from the so-so appetizers and inexcusably bad rice the only other downside was the price.  We spent 20 bucks a person but could have ordered twice as much food.  In fact, we were so hungry after we left that we went down the street and had a second, smaller dinner at La Caraquena.  I understand that Panjshir is locally owned and probably barely turns a profit with all the competition in the area.  But I’d love it if the prices were a tad cheaper and the portions a tad bigger.  That sort of generosity is what keeps me coming back.  For now, I think I’ll only be coming back for lunch (when many dishes are a few bucks cheaper) or when someone else is paying the bill. 

So is Panjshir the stale, stuck-in-the-90s restaurant that food folks “in the know” make it out to be?  Perhaps.  There are clearly some dishes that aren’t what they could or should be.  And there’s that free bowl of iceberg lettuce that is “so ten years ago.”  But after my recent trip it’s clear to me that there are a few things this restaurant does very well—and probably a number of other good standbys I didn’t get a chance to try. 

All in all, Panjshir isn’t as affordable or well-rounded as I wish it was, but I like it.  Once you take a bite of those lamb chops it’s pretty hard not to. 

Panjshir is located on 924 W Broad St, Falls Church City, VA, 22046. (703)-536-4566.  (Its sister restaurant, Panjshir II, is on 224 Maple Ave E., Vienna, VA, 22180.  (703) 281-4183.)

Is Your Falls Church Fido Legal?

By KATHLEEN NEBEKER
Special to the Falls Church Times

March 11, 2010

A total of 697 dogs are registered with the city, a figure, according to City of Falls Church Treasurer Cathy Kaye, representing perhaps half of all the dogs in the City.  That’s right, only about half of the dogs in the City are licensed.  Is your dog licensed? Why should you care? 

Dog licensing started long ago as a way for dog owners to defray the cost to farmers of dogs killing sheep, goats and cows.  Today, the main reasons for licensing dogs center on public health and animal safety. The canine rabies vaccination, along with animal control, has largely eradicated rabies in this country. As a result, human rabies deaths from dog bites have dropped precipitously since the 1950’s.  Yet, rabies is present in the wildlife population, presenting a risk to domestic dogs and cats, as well as to humans. Licensing dogs provides verification to your community that your dog or dogs are current on their rabies vaccination. If you do not believe your dog will ever encounter a rabid animal, and that the vaccine and license are not necessary, check out the CDC’s data.  

Another reason for licensing your dog is that identifying tags provide help to get your dog home should your dog escape from your house or property. Has your dog ever pushed past you as you opened the front door?  Slipped out through a gate left open by a child or unthinking adult?  Accidents happen. In addition to alerting whoever finds your dog that he or she is vaccinated, the license tag provides a number linked to your address. 

City of Falls Church Animal Control Officer Rebecca Keenan reunites lost dogs with their owners on a regular basis.  Last year, approximately 40 dogs in the City were reunited with their owners, thanks to tags and the help of animal control.  Wearing a tag will also buy your dog more time at the animal shelter should he or she be picked up. Unlicensed dogs may be adopted by another person or euthanized after a five-day holding period.  Licensed dogs are given ten days.

If neither reason above for licensing your dog resonates with you, there is yet another reason for licensing your dog.  It’s the law. The law states that all dogs over four months of age must be licensed.  Unfortunately, the consequences for not licensing your dog verge on nil. 

Here’s the code:  Sec. 4-57.  Failure to obtain license: Every dog for which a license has not been obtained within 30 days after such license is required by law may be taken up wherever and whenever found within the City and kept, unless redeemed by owner, for a period of five days and disposed of as provided in section 4-77.

It’s hard to imagine our local animal control officer seizing unlicensed dogs in the City and carting them to the animal shelter in Arlington, with whom the City contracts for sheltering services.   Essentially, this leaves compliance to the good character of the dog-owning citizenry. Levying fines would appear to be a less cumbersome, more efficient way to increase dog-licensing compliance.   

The small revenue collected from dog licensing – only about $1,855 last year – goes toward animal control. All residents benefit from having a local animal control officer to handle problems with wildlife, as well as with dogs and cats.  The work ranges from capturing bats that get into houses to disposing of dead wildlife to handling cases of suspected rabies exposure.  Much of the work entails dealing with dogs in the City.  Animal control responds to calls about dogs running loose, dogs barking and, sadly, cruelty and neglect cases.  Other responsibilities include cases of dog bites, where the offending dog must be located.  As the keeper of three dogs, I’m happy to pay for their licenses, a small tax, to help support this work. 

One criticism I have is that the city’s process for licensing dogs is outmoded.  Many jurisdictions offer online dog licensing.  The City of Falls Church should make online dog licensing available to its citizens, as doing so would likely increase compliance.  And, on the subject of online payments, I’d also like the City to provide an online ordering and payment system for the orange stickers we must buy to dispose of our yard waste.   

All told, the fee to license your dog in Falls Church is a bargain. The fee is $5 for dogs who have been spayed or neutered, and $10 for all other dogs.  Fees for licensing dogs in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax are at least twice as high. So, what are you waiting for?  Do the right thing and license your dog.  Licenses my be obtained by visiting the Treasurer’s Office at City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Suite 103E, Falls Church, VA, 22046.   Or, download the form and mail it back to the City with your check.

Commercial Garbage Haulers Routinely Violate City Curfew

By STEPHEN SIEGEL
Falls Church Times Staff

March 10, 2010

It’s 5:30 a.m. Do you know where your commercial garbage truck is?

It may be prowling the streets of Falls Church City, waiting for just the right moment to wake up the neighbors.

The trucks occasionally lurk in parking lots, their lights off to disguise their presence. Other times, they just approach quickly without any fear they’re being watched. Then, with stunning suddenness, they strike.

Bang!

Adults, jarred out of a deep sleep, groan. Babies cry.

Bang! It happens again.

It sounds like a war zone, or a brutal traffic accident, as metal and metal collide with mechanized force. But it’s just another night in Falls Church City.

The noise is the sound of commercial garbage trucks servicing strip malls and stores in the Broad Street and Lee Highway corridors. The specialized vehicles, called “front-loaders,” use giant arms to pick up the big dumpsters, lift them over the driver’s cab, turn them upside down, and bang them into the top of the truck to ensure that every last piece of foul and filthy garbage moves from the one bin to the other.

It’s so loud that it can be heard hundreds of feet away. It can be heard even in City homes tightly closed up for the winter. And in part because of that volume, the City, like many jurisdictions, has a curfew that prohibits the haulers from doing pickups prior to 7 a.m. weekdays and 9 am on weekends and holidays.

But it’s rarely enforced, and the garbage companies continue to do it during the middle of the night with apparent impunity, according to interviews with neighbors who live near the City’s commercial areas.

AAA Trash did just that at 6:25 a.m. March 9. The driver picked up a garbage dumpster at the West End Shopping Center, 1055 W. Broad Street, and emptied the garbage with the typical, shuddering bang, the noise echoing several blocks away. A witness heard a cacophony of other banging further west on Broad Street at the same time, but was unable to see which companies were the offenders in those situations.

AAA did not return a call asking why they chose to violate the city curfew. But they’re not the only ones doing it.
Potomac Disposal Service (PDS) has awakened neighbors on Ellison Street many times. A witness told the Times she spotted a PDS truck picking up garbage, also at the West End Shopping Center, at 5:30 a.m. Feb. 16. Earlier in the winter, when a woman walked by with a dog at 5:30 a.m., a PDS truck turned off its lights in an apparent effort to hide the huge vehicle from view in the pre-dawn darkness. And yet another PDS truck picked up at the same location before 6 am Jan. 26, according to a different witness, who was awakened by the racket.

“This morning before 6 a.m. the damn garbage truck was collecting,” wrote an angry and tired Mara Peltz via email that day. “I’m so fed up with that happening when I’m asleep.”

Sometimes, it’s even earlier. PDS was seen banging the dumpsters at Taco Bell, 935 W. Broad Street, at 2:30 am last summer, and Waste Management, a national garbage company that services many City businesses, has been observed servicing Rite Aid, 1003 W. Broad, as early as 3 a.m.

It’s convenient to live near a commercial area, where one can walk to stores, restaurants, and transportation, but there is a downside: there are noises and activity nearby. People who make the choice to live near commercial areas know that, but they may not have known they would be shaken out of their sleep by a garbage pickup that sounds like nearby gunfire.

Rob Kahr, a City resident, got used to hearing the noise from both garbage pickups and deliveries at his previous home in the Greenway Downs. He made sure to live further away this time. “Nighttime/early morning pickup in areas where commercial abuts residential is not compatible,” he wrote via email. “Noise laws do exist, but you would be hard-pressed to get a cop to wait for a truck and write a citation.”

The city is aware of the problem, but it’s unclear what efforts they’ve undertaken to put a stop to it. In response to an inquiry from the Falls Church Times, Sandy Ingram-Salang, of the city manager’s office, reports there were nine noise complaints last year against sanitation trucks, but no penalties were imposed. She adds companies were contacted and that “a solution was found” in some of the cases. She did not explain what the solution was. But in any case, the problem of curfew-violating garbage pickups continues to fester.

Some garbage companies claim to be unaware of the problem. Shannon Smith, general manager of PDS, said in an interview: “We follow the code to a ‘T’,” adding, “We want to have a good name and reputation out there.” But their reputation may be tattered by their own actions, which, despite Mr. Smith’s assertion, frequently fail to follow the code.

The garbage haulers prefer to operate during the night or early in the morning to avoid traffic, said Lisa Kardell, a spokeswoman for Waste Management. That makes sense, but residents object not primarily because of the time of day, but because of the noise resulting from the banging of the dumpsters.

Yet the city doesn’t seem sympathetic to that concern.

Asked for the city’s position on the banging, Ms. Ingram-Salang said, “It is industry standard for the [trucks] to allow the top of the dumpster to fall open and allow its contents to spill into the hopper.”

That is correct, but it doesn’t answer the question. The garbage companies can follow the industry standard practice without banging, and sometimes they do. Asked via email for clarification, Ms. Ingram-Salang did not respond.

A more direct and sympathetic response comes, ironically, from Waste Management’s Ms. Kardell, who said flatly: “They’re not supposed to be banging.” She said last month that she would pass along that information to drivers at their weekly staff meeting.

But as of March 10, they continued to bang.

The problem isn’t unique to Falls Church City. Fairfax County residents suffer from the noise as well. In Fairfax, solid waste division spokesman Brian Worthy said the county has created decals, that garbage companies must pay for, which are placed on dumpsters near residential areas. The decals specify that those dumpsters cannot be serviced until after the curfew is lifted each day.

Another solution would be to require the haulers to use “rear-load” garbage trucks, like those Falls Church City uses for residential pickups, to service commercial garbage dumpsters adjacent to residential areas. Those don’t bang. But they’re not as big, nor as efficient, because the drivers must get out of the truck at each stop or have a partner who does. Front-loaders have only a driver.

Rear-loaders already ply some areas of the city, because some city businesses have their dumpsters in tight spaces that the big and noisy front-loaders can’t reach. And they’re not that much less efficient, because drivers still have to get out of the front-loaders when the dumpsters are in an enclosure.

The City also could prohibit the banging, which is so loud it might even violate the City noise ordinance’s existing decibel standard. It’s unclear if it does, as no one has ever taken the time to measure it with a decibel meter. But the simplest solution, and the cheapest, which perhaps makes it appropriate for our current moment of austerity, would be for the garbage companies to follow Ms. Kardell’s lead and just decide not to bang.

Sun vs. Snow: May the Best Force Win

March 10, 2010

Shields Proposes 20 Cent Tax Increase, Cuts in Services

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

March 9, 2010

Faced with a record deficit, City Manager Wyatt Shields recommended a 20 cent increase in the real estate tax rate at last night’s meeting of the Falls Church City Council.  The increase will raise the average home owner’s property tax bill $976 or 15%.  The rate now is $1.07 for every $100 of assessed value.  The current median home value in Falls Church is $587,300.

Although the rate increase likely is the highest in City history, it is insufficient to close the FY 2011 budget gap, so Mr. Shields proposed cuts in staff and services to bridge the difference.

Sixteen positions will be eliminated through early retirement or vacancies.  Employee contributions to retirement funds and health insurance will increase, resulting in cuts in take home pay from 1.6 to 5%.  The current pay freeze also will remain in effect.  Additional savings will be achieved through staff reorganization.

Service cuts include closing the library on Sundays and reducing hours by one hour on weekdays, saving $45,000.  The community center will close an hour earlier on weekends and a half-hour earlier on weekdays.  Urban forestry contracts will be cut back, as will street sweeping.  Cuts in information technology will save $65,000.

Uniformed police patrol, storm water maintenance, and local matches for federal grants will be preserved.  Employee pension funds will remain fully funded.  The GEORGE bus system also survives, though with reduced hours and increased fares.  Its net cost to the general fund is $120,000.

Water rates will remain steady for the fifth straight year.  City sewer rates also will remain unchanged.  Some recreation and permit fees will rise but not significantly.  The meals tax, personal property tax, and decal fees will not increase.

Overall, the proposed $64 million budget is slightly smaller than that for the current year.  General government costs are projected to decline by $2.3 million (7.1%) and school costs by $1.3 million (4.5%).  Primary City expenditures are 43% to education, 11% to public safety, 8% to public works, and 7% to recreation and parks, which includes the library.

Sixty percent of the City’s revenue is derived through property taxes.  Mr. Shields noted that this is a larger share than in years pastg because most other revenue sources are decreasing.  Federal and state funding is declining and the $2 million transfer from the water fund to the general fund has been eliminated due to the recent Fairfax Circuit Court decision against Falls Church.  The absence of the transfer equates to 7 cents on the property tax rate.

Photo-red has not been implemented and now only two, rather than four intersections, are projected to have cameras.  Sales tax revenues are down $715,000, partly due to state corrections to the tax rolls, however meals taxes are expected to increase, in part due to new restaurants opening in the City.

Mr. Shields reported that assessed values in Falls Church are down 6.4% overall.  Specifically:

Single family  -  1.6%
Townhouses  –  1.6%
Condominium  –  9.6%
Commercial  -  13.4%
Apartments  -  12%

Assessed value of new construction, which peaked at $128 million in 2007, is projected at $40 million in 2010, only 20% of which was commercial.  On the other hand, improvements to residential properties have remained stable.

School Board Vice Chair Joan Wodiska followed Mr. Shields presentation, noting that the schools are facing similar reductions in funding while coping with increased enrollment.  The Board’s proposal includes instituting new fees totalling $76,000, including pre-school peer partner charges, higher parking fees for students at George Mason High School, and athletic fees.  The equivalent of 10 positions will be eliminated, partly through reducing staff hours.  The schools’ communications function will be consolidated with the City’s.  Anticipated student enrollment in FY 2011 is 2,032.  The cost per pupil, without benefits, is $13,715.

Mr. Shields then briefly reviewed the Capital Improvements Program, most of which is grant funded.  He stressed that the City must take steps to insure that its fund balance is restored to its appropriate level before undertaking major capital projects as proposed in the CIP.  The minimum level for the fund balance is 8%, though the targeted level is 12%.  However, that level may not be achieved until FY 2014.  One of the capital improvements proposed by the Planning Commission is the replacement of the Property Yard storage shed which was a casualty of the February blizzards.

Vice Mayor Hal Lippman and Councilman Lawrence Webb both called the proposals “sobering” and Councilman Dan Sze stated they left everyone “gasping for breath”, but Mr. Lippman was confident Falls Church would weather the crisis.  “I really think we’re going to get through this and the City will be just fine.”

Mayor Robin Gardner suggested that a citizen volunteer corps might be established to assist in maintenance duties such as cutting grass or painting rails.  She cited parents shoveling the Mount Daniel school playground after the recent snowfalls as an example.

The first reading of the budget is scheduled for the next Council session on March 22.  Town hall meetings will be held on March 20 and April 10.  Second reading and formal adoption will take place on April 26.

The proposed budget is available at the City’s website.

Boy Scout Troop 349 Receives $1,000 Grant

By STEVEN VALLEY
Special to the Falls Church Times

March 9, 2010

Celebrating its first year of operations this month, Falls Church City Boy Scout Troop 349 has received a $1,000 grant.

Navy Federal Credit Union’s “Dollars for Doers” program aids non-profit groups with whom their employees are associated as volunteers.  Troop 349 volunteers include two employees of Navy Federal, which enabled the grant.  “We will put that money to good use helping to outfit our growing ranks,” said Jim Custer, Assistant Scoutmaster.

Last year, Troop 349 welcomed 16 scouts to its ranks (8 of which were new to scouting), went on 8 camp outs, 3 special tours, met 2 government dignitaries, advanced 90 percent of its members  a minimum of one rank, handed out over 70 merit badges, and participated in 3 community service projects.

“And that was last year,” said Scoutmaster Tony Ulses – “We have big plans for the coming year. We’re looking to grow troop ranks by a third, advance at least three-fourths of its members, go on at least nine outings, and participate in at least five community service projects.”

Troop 349 comprise three completely outfitted Patrols, and meets every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on North Oak Street in the city.

“We’re an active group and we want to attract kids and their parents who enjoy being involved in exciting and fun activities,” said Assistant Scoutmaster Custer.  “Since we’re looking to grow and to accomplish so much in the coming year, we needed funding”.

“Troop 349 is growing and we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead,”  said Steven Valley, Troop 349’s Committee Chair.  “With a solid year of experience behind us, our place in Falls Church City’s scouting landscape is secure and the future certainly looks very bright”.

The troop appreciates all those who helped it during the past year.

ABOUT TROOP 349: The Troop is open to any boy between the ages of 12 and 17 who has graduated from the fourth grade, and/or has received his arrow of light award.  Boys desiring to join the troop are welcome at any time to attend a meeting and present themselves to the Scoutmaster for admission.  More information is available at www.troop349.us.

SATURDAY 3/13: No Better Off Plays On!

By GINA CACECI
Falls Church Times Staff

Creative Cauldron continues the “Play On!” music series with “No Better Off,” making its second appearance at the ArtSpace in Falls Church, 410 S. Maple Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 13.

These five local musicians have their feet firmly planted in the traditions of rock, folk, blues and country music.  What began years ago as casual Friday night jam sessions among friends has evolved into a band that plays regularly in the area, including appearances at Iota in Arlington and the Palladium in McLean.  No Better Off is anchored by the distinctive vocals of Gus and Marty Guthrie and includes Terry Judd on bass, Joe Martinez on percussion and mandolin, and Falls Church City’s own Steve Selby on guitar.

“At our shows, we like to keep that familiar feeling – that people are just over at our house, listening to good friends play music straight from their hearts,” said Judd.

In addition to fresh interpretations of songs by some of their heroes such as John Prine, Buddy Miller, Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams and The Band, NBO’s show will feature original compositions by band members.

Tickets are $5.00 each for this “Play On!” event and can be purchased online at www.creativecauldron.org.  For information about other Creative Cauldron events, call 571-239-5288. Free parking for ArtSpace is available in the garages at 410 and 400 S. Maple Avenue.

MAN ABOUT TOWN: For Men and Boys Only

By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Falls Church Times Columnist

March 8, 2010

I expect the Man About Town’s readership to drop by half this week, because my subject is of little interest to the fairer sex. Even my dear departed mother, once my biggest fan, would struggle to get through today’s column.

That’s ironic, because the phenomenon I’m addressing is due entirely to mothers. It’s the mothers, you see, who, when their sons grow up and leave home, throw away their comic book collections. That’s why old comic books are rare – although millions were printed, millions of mothers threw them away.

And so, many a Citizen Kane, after making his first million or first billion, seeks his “Rosebud” – a link to the lost idyll of childhood. That’s why pristine issues of the first Superman and Batman comics recently sold for over $1 million. And while the buyers remained anonymous, we can be sure they were men.

Girls don’t experience the same emotional attachment to comics. Sure, my daughters read a lot of Archie comic books. But only Archie – never the superheros. I think it’s because Archie’s girlfriends, Betty and Veronica, and the high school dating themes provide a fascination for pre-teen girls that overcomes their natural lack of interest in comics.

At Victory Comics, which just opened in the old Dinettes and Stools store on Maple Avenue across from Pearson Square, owner Jeff Weaver estimates that out of 100 visitors, 95 are male (not counting mothers accompanying their sons).

Weaver’s mother was different from your mother and my mother: she never threw away his comic books. He kept collecting and now has two freight containers full. For years he traveled the weekend comic show circuit before finally deciding to throw over his day job on Capitol Hill (Chief of Staff for Sen. Bernie Sanders-VT) and go for the real thing. Comics are serious business.

Weaver, who resides on Lincoln Avenue in Falls Church, is on his way to having the biggest comic book store in the state. He’s got plenty of room for expansion, but right now most of his collection remains in his containers. I paid a visit over the weekend and didn’t come away empty-handed. When I got home I asked my wife (who declined to accompany me) to guess how much the most expensive comic book in the store cost.

“I have no idea,” came the disinterested reply.

“Six-fifty,” I informed her, and then showed her my purchase – a reprint of Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge, created by comic book genius Carl Barks. Leafing through the comic at the store, I realized that I remembered the story from reading it 45 years ago. Of course I had to have it, and paid $12 for it.

“Wait a minute – I thought you said the most expensive comic was six-fifty,” my wife responded.  So I had to explain — $650. That’s actually cheap: Weaver sold a poor-quality Superman #1 several years ago at a comics show. It was in such bad condition that it only brought $35,000. Collectors value quality. Read more

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