Jon Wiant Honored at Creative Cauldron’s 10th Anniversary

Creative Cauldron held a party at ArtSpace Falls Church on February 25 to celebrate its 10th anniversary. 

In remarks to the gathering of about 50 people, board president Gina Caceci noted that ”this celebration of Creative Cauldron’s 10^th year is also a celebration and recognition of the people and organizations that have donated time, talent, expertise and funds to furthering our mission of making the arts affordable and accessible to everyone.”

Caceci noted the many and significant grants for programming, operations and capital funding that Creative Cauldron has received during the past decade from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Arts Council of Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church, the Falls Church Economic Development Authority, Dominion Virginia Power and Falls Church Arts.

Some of the individuals who were highlighted for their contributions to the organization’s success were founder and producing director, Laura Connors Hull, who started Creative Cauldron in 2002.  Also noted were theater artists Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith who are part of Creative Cauldron’s ”Circle of Teaching Artists” and entertained at the reception on Friday.  Others singled out for their significant service on behalf of Creative Cauldron included several current and past board members Marty Meserve, Debra Jordan, Nick Benton and Tom Gittins.

Jon Wiant received the first “Creative Cauldron Patron of the Arts” award, presented by the board of directors for his “generous gift made in tribute to your beloved wife, Cay Wiant, [that] provided Creative Cauldron with the critical resources that enabled us to open the doors to our new artistic home: ArtSpace Falls Church.”

Creative Cauldron is a non-profit arts organization offering year-round educational programs in the arts as well as professional performances of live theater, music and dance for adults and for children. Creative Cauldron at ArtSpace is located at 410 S. Maple Avenue in the Pearson Square building.

There’s Nothin’ Like a Great Big Pile of… FREE Double Ground Leaf Mulch!

By STEVEN VALLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

Between the Boy Scouts, the Athletic Boosters, and now the City we’re knee deep in mulch. Bagged, delivered, or self service we seem to really like the stuff. One of the many benefits of being an urban arboreal retreat is all the leaves we generate, be they green, red, yellow, brown, or ultimately black, FCC really takes pride in them. So with that in mind we offer you the following from the city’s communications department:

Free double-ground leaf mulch is available for pickup
At the City of Falls Church Recycling Center, 217 Gordon Road, located near Don Beyer Volvo at the intersection of Shreve Road and Route 7.

The Recycling Center is open 7 a.m. to dusk, 7 days a week.

Bring your own container and tools for loading mulch. You may hire someone to load and/or haul mulch for you. Contractors may not bring heavy equipment into the Recycling Center (no loaders or dump trucks, please). Residents who have a truck or rent a truck can take advantage of Leaf Mulch Loading Day on Saturday March 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Rain date Saturday March 26.)

City staff will use heavy equipment to load pickup trucks and other open-bed vehicles. Be prepared to sign a waiver prior to vehicle loading. You do not need to be a City of Falls Church resident or business to participate and there is no limit to the number of loads available per customer.

For more information, call the Environmental Programs Specialist at 703-248-5176 (TTY 711).

So come on by and get a load of your FREE Leaf Mulch!

WEDNESDAY 3/2: Advisory Board Meetings, Recreation & Parks and Architectural

Recreation and Parks
Advises the City Council and the Director of the Recreation & Parks Division on matters concerning use of City-owned land, acquisition of land for recreational use, and recreational programs and funding.

Meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street.

Architectural Advisory Board (AAB)
Advises the Planning Commission, theBoard of Zoning Appeals, and the Zoning Administrator; reviews building permits and site plans; and makes recommendations to the Zoning Administrator and/or Planning Commission.

The Board reviews architectural design, texture, color and construction materials, scale of development, aesthetic and spatial relationship of development, landscaping configuration, location of signs and exterior lighting and sign applications, and requests for sign variances.

Meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month in City Hall Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 300 Park Avenue.

Tuskegee Airman Flies High at History Forum

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 27, 2011

Charles McGee fought a two front war.

“We called it the Double V campaign,” McGee told spellbound listeners at Falls Church’s Military History Forum last Friday morning at the Community Center. “Victory over Hitler and victory over racism.”

Wearing the traditional red jacket of the Tuskegee Airmen, Colonel Charles McGee recounted his experiences at home and overseas during World War II and his long and distinguished career in the United States Air Force.  When he retired after over 30 years service, McGee had spent 6,300 hours in the air, 1,151 of them in combat.  Now a very young 91 years old, he stands as straight as in his flying days.

Before recounting his own story, Colonel McGee spoke briefly about early African-American aviators, such as Eugene Bullard, who flew for France in World War I, and Bessie Coleman, an airshow star of the 1920s.  Unfortunately, they were the exception, as there were no opportunities for black pilots in the military or the emerging airlines.  He quoted a 1925 Army War College study that concluded “Negros were subservient, lacking leadership qualities, and mentally inferior.”

The Civilian Pilot Training Program, established in 1938, gradually opened the door, with the Tuskegee program beginning the following year.  “Eleanor Roosevelt gave it a boost,” said McGee.  “She flew with the chief instructor and drew attention to the program.”

McGee enlisted in October 1942 and soon after began training at Tuskegee.  Although the trainees gradually began to achieve acceptance within the Air Force, such feelings did not extend very far outside the service.  ”We never shopped in Tuskegee,” recalled McGee.  “There was no love there.  The sheriff was not a friendly person.”

Training completed, 2nd Lieutenant McGee and his fellow officers were assigned to the Italian front in early 1944, initially flying P-39 Airacobras but then shifting to P-47 Thunderbolts.  “We gave the P-39s to the Russians,” said McGee.

Later his squadron switched to P-51 Mustangs, which had a longer range and much higher ceiling than the Thunderbolt.  With the transition to the Mustang, McGee’s unit began flying more bomber escort missions.  “I made six trips to Ploesti,” he said.  The oil refinery there was one of the most heavily defended targets in Europe.

McGee’s only aerial victory came on an escort mission when he shot down a Focke Wulf-190 over Pardubice, Czechoslovakia.  “Had he turned left he’d have gotten away, but he turned right and into my sights.”

“Their fighters were good planes, but their tactics weren’t very good,” McGee explained.  “  He related how Tuskegee-trained P-51 pilots later shot down three Messerschmitt-262 jets while escorting bombers to Berlin.

Having flown 82 tactical and 54 escort missions, First Lieutenant McGee came home to serve as an instructor in November 1944.  Sixty-six of his fellow Tuskegee Airmen would never return.

In 1948 President Truman ordered the desegregation of all military services, but McGee’s branch had already taken the lead.  “The Air Force had earlier ordered training activities be conducted irrespective of race,” he said proudly.  “We were leading the way for the country.”

However, as McGee observed, desegregation can be ordered but integration is another matter.  His family encountered housing discrimination in Kansas and California in the late 1940s.  Travel was often awkward.  “Motels would show vacancy signs, but as soon as you asked for a room they’d tell you they’d just filled up.”

Defense budgets were tight in 1950, when Captain McGee and hundreds of other pilots were temporarily grounded.  But by August another war soon found him back in the thick of the action, flying an F-51D over Korea.

After logging 100 combat support missions during some of the heaviest fighting of the war, McGee then transferred to Clark AFB in the Philippines where he flew his first jet on patrols off the coast of Communist China.  His F-80 Shooting Star flew 160 mph faster than the Mustang and had a better rate of climb.  ”To be on the ground and then at 20,000 feet a few minutes later is just a joy,” he recalled.

While at Clark, Major McGee saw how societal attitudes were gradually changing.  “One man in the squadron came from a very wealthy family and his parents came out one year to celebrate their son’s birthday.  His father invited the squadron to the party, but said I was not welcome.  His son told him that if I couldn’t come then no one else in the squadron would attend either, and neither would he.  That’s when the man decided that he’d better meet me.  I became accepted for the content of my character and ability  ”

After 17 years of service as a reserve officer, Lieutenant Colonel McGee became a regular in 1959.  At the height of the  Vietnam War he flew 173 combat reconnaissance missions in an RF-4c while commanding a tac-recon squadron at Tan Son Nhut AFB near Saigon.  ”During the Tet Offensive there was no movement from off base, so the six of us who were there flew all the squadron’s missions for three days.”

When he retired in 1973, Colonel McGee had achieved the highest three-war fighter mission total of any Air Force aviator.  He later spent many years in business and became the director of the Kansas City Downtown Airport.  In the mid-80s he served as president of the Tuskegee Airmen’s Association.

Holder of the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, and 26 Air Medals, Colonel Charles McGee is the most modest of heroes, a man who sought not glory but justice and in so doing brought great honor to his name.   The standing ovation he received from members of the forum was heartfelt and very much deserved.

CITY MEETINGS: February 28 – March 4

Click on [Read More] to access links.

Monday 2/28: City Council.  Council Chamber, 7:30 pm.  Agenda and documents.

Tuesday 3/1: Electoral Board.  Magnolia Room, 8:00 am.

Economic Development Authority.  Dogwood Room, 7:00 pm.

School Board Work Session.  Council Chamber, 7:00 pm. 

Regular School Board Meeting.  Council Chamber, 8:00 pm.

Planning Commission. Council Chamber, 7:45 pm. Agenda and documents.

Wednesday 3/2: ESOL Advisory Committee. Central Office Conference Room, 800 W. Broad St., 6:30 pm.

Extended Day Care Advisory Board. Thomas Jefferson School Day Care Trailer, 7:00 pm.

Thursday 3/3: Long Range Financial Working Group.  Magnolia Room, 7:30 pm.

Friday 3/4: City Council Economic Development Committee. Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Read more

Mason Basketball in Region Final Double-header Tonight

Falls Church Times Staff

February 26, 2011

The Mustangs Girls and Boys basketball teams both continued their run to state with victories over Clarke County this week.  The girls soundly defeated Clarke County 65 to 19 on Thursday. This was the fourth time this season the Mason Girls overcame Clarke. (More details about Thursday’s game from The Northern Virginia Daily.)

Meanwhile, the Boys defeated the Eagles 43 to 30 in Strasburg last night to earn their third victory over rival Clarke this season. (The story from The Northern Virginia Daily.)
Read more

FOOD: 2011 Farmers Market Chef Demonstrations

By KATHLEEN NIXON

Falls Church Times Staff

February 25, 2011

In its third year, the Falls Church Farmers Market Chef Series announces its 2011 schedule of its very popular chef demonstrations at the Falls Church Farmers Market.  The schedule filled up quickly with returning and new chefs as the chef demonstration program has gained popularity among the local foodie scene.

Many of the favorite chefs such as Tracy O’Grady Willow, Leland Atkinson Sinplicity Catering and Bertrand Chemel, 2941 will be returning to share how they celebrate each season using local foods. New this year will be other local chefs who are doing unique programs to feature local farmers and their products such as Russell Cunningham from Madfox Brewing Company in Falls Church, Steve Mannino from Rustico in Ballston and Craig Currie from Star Catering in Falls Church.

A special part of the series this year will be a demonstration done by the graduating students of the DC Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training Program. The students will tour the Farmers Market to meet the farmers and develop their recipes for the demonstration. The students will be given advice on their recipes by some local celebrity surprise guests.

The Farmer’s Market Chef Series program was developed in partnership with the Falls Church Parks and Recreation Department to bring educational programs about local food and local businesses to the Farmers Market. The chef demonstrations feature two hours of demonstration and conversations with the chefs.  The chefs work with the farmers and vendors in the Falls Church Farmers Market to develop the recipes that are featured. During the demonstrations, tastings and recipes are provided to over 400 participants.

2011 Falls Church Farmers Market Chef Series:

April 23 Willow Restaurant

May 21 Sinplicity Catering

June 11 Northside Social

July 9 MadFox Brewing Company

July 30 Rustico

August 20 DC Central Kitchen Culinary Training Students

September 10 Willow Restaurant

October 1st 2941 Restaurant

October 29th Liberty Tavern

November 19th Star Catering

For more information you can check out the Falls Church Farmers Market Chef website for the schedule, recipes, videos, resources and links to vendors.

Council Reviews I-J Contracts, City Staff Reorganization

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 24, 2011

Tuesday evening’s Council work session focused on a review of Falls Church City’s numerous inter-jurisdictional (I-J) contracts and a proposed reorganization of City staff.

City Manager Wyatt Shields stated that CFO Richard La Condré will lead a review of all I-J contracts to ensure appropriate contract management procedures are in place.  The review will be completed prior to adoption of the FY 2012 Budget on April 25.

Departments that manage I-J contracts now will provide a quarterly report to the CFO.  This will enable the City to confirm the contracts are properly administered, that invoices are accurate, and that the programs involved are effective.

Falls Church annually manages around $4 million in public agency contracts, which vary widely in their terms, pricing mechanisms, and service delivery requirements.  Some have pricing provisions that are tied to a per unit cost, others have provisions tied to population or other known formula.

Mr. Shields advised that as a result of the recent claim by Arlington County for jail costs, staff has reviewed the City’s I-J contracts to identify potential unknown financial liabilities.  The city manager said that the jail costs issue stemmed from an error in the accounting software used to track prisoners in the Arlington Detention Center, which was discovered and resolved before the City paid any invoices.

The City currently maintains nineteen contracts with Arlington and Fairfax, some more than twenty years old.  By far the largest is with Arlington for fire and rescue services.  That and the jail contract account for over half the total costs.  Figures shown in the spreadsheet are for FY 2010.  Mr. Shields said the amounts have since gone up and are partly responsible for the FY 2012 budget gap.

City Staff Reorganization -  The city manager presented his staff reorganization plan, scheduled to take effect on May 1.  Mr. Shields said that over the past two years the City has reduced its work force from 205 to 182 full time equivalent employees, an 11% reduction, and that it is now appropriate to consider changes to the City’s overall management structure.

According to Mr. Shields, the intention is to create a flatter structure, one aligned with core City services.  The new organization combines the general manager and the division director levels of management into a single management team with the title of department director, increasing the number of people reporting to the city manager from five to eight.  This is projected to result in overall savings of $300,000.

Under the City Charter the Council has no authority over staff organization, but Councilwoman Johannah Barry and Councilman Ira Kaylin expressed reservations about the plan.  Ms. Barry, a member of the Government Operations Committee (GOC), said she was philosophically opposed because she was not convinced one individual could handle so many direct reports.

Mr. Kaylin said he was not impressed with the projected cost savings and recommended the GOC review the proposal.  Vice Mayor Dave Snyder concurred, noting that the committee had not had an opportunity to provide comments on the plan.  Mayor Nader Baroukh said he would reserve comment until he’d heard from the GOC.

Naming of City Facilities -  The Council discussed a proposal that would strike a 1990 ordinance that mandated buildings, parks, or other properties owned or controlled by Falls Church could not be named after any living person.  Since its passage, community groups and civic leaders occasionally have asked that a park or city facility be named after a living person to honor their work for the City.

Mr. Kaylin pointed out that even Halls of Fame have a waiting period prior to an individual’s induction, but most of the members seemed inclined to support the proposal at next week’s session.  Any future naming would be by Council resolution.  Prior to such action the Council will seek recommendations from the Planning Commission, the Historical Commission, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, or any other organization deemed appropriate.

Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) -  Mr. Shields recommended that the Council endorse the City’s application for an RSTP project for FYs 2013-17 to construct additional pedestrian and bicycle improvements.  Approximately $300,000 per year is anticipated to be allocated to the City during that period.  The City was awarded that amount in FY 2012 for implementation of pedestrian, bicycle and traffic calming improvements, so the FY2013-17 request is for additional funds for this project.

The funds will enable the City to continue to implement transportation improvements as outlined in its Pedestrian, Bicycle and Traffic Calming Strategic Implementation Plan.  Projects may include, but are not limited to, sidewalk repair and/or construction (and possible associated right of way purchase); trail repair and/or construction (and associated right of way purchase); signage improvements; traffic calming implementation; ADA compliance activities.  All funding received will be used for implementation activities.

Closed Session -  After reviewing its upcoming schedule, the Council went into a closed session to discuss a property issue.

Video -  A video of the public session is available at the City website.

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