Gardner Trial Set for October
July 21, 2011 by Falls Church Times Staff · 3 Comments
By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
July 21, 2011
Michael Gardner’s jury trial on sexual abuse charges will be held in October in Arlington Circuit Court. However, defense attorney Peter Greenspun said during this morning’s proceedings that each of the three counts “by statute” should be tried separately, rather than jointly as the prosecution prefers. Presiding Judge Joanne Alper did not rule on the issue.
Most of the brief hearing involved disucussion of a trial date, tentatively set for October 3. Mr. Greenspun said that he expected the trial to last four days.
The charges involve two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one of object sexual penetration involving three girls. Two of the girls are 10 and one is 9.
Mr. Gardner was indicted by the Arlington Grand Jury last Monday. The offenses allegedly occured in the Gardner home on June 16 and 18. He was arrested by Falls Church Police on June 22.
The accused’s wife sat by his side during the proceedings.
City Announces Street Sweeping Schedule
July 21, 2011 by (see byline) · Leave a Comment
By CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
July 21, 2011
The City of Falls Church’s second round of summer street sweeping is schedule for early August. Street sweeping reduces the volume of pollutants entering local streams through the City’s 900 storm drain openings. The City contracts with Reilly Sweeping to provide Citywide street sweeping services.
The schedule, subject to change due to weather, is as follows:
Monday, Aug. 1 and Tuesday, Aug. 2: residential areas south of Broad Street
Wednesday, Aug. 3 (night): commercial areas and municipal parking areas
Thursday, Aug. 4 and Friday, Aug. 5: residential areas north of Broad Street
Residents are asked to move vehicles off of residential streets scheduled for sweeping between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Parked vehicles impede the street sweeping equipment, resulting in less efficient and effective service.
For more information, contact the Department Public Works at 703-248-5176 (TTY711).
All Night Grad Organizers Thank Businesses
July 20, 2011 by (see byline) · 1 Comment
BY SUSIE LARCAMP AND CECILY SHEA, CO-CHAIRS, 2011 GMHS ANGC
Special to the Falls Church Times
July 20, 2011
The 23rd annual George Mason High School All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC) for the Class of 2011 is a wonderful memory thanks to the support of many Falls Church businesses, community members and hundreds of volunteers. Graduation night is one of the highest risk nights for a teen. While students attend parties throughout the year, peer pressure is highest when there is a momentous event to celebrate. The ANGC is a drug and alcohol-free event held the night of graduation that gives every GMHS graduate a safe place to celebrate.
The ANGC committee extends its thanks to all of the local businesses that supported this worthy cause, and ask that when you frequent these establishments, please thank them for supporting the Falls Church City schools and its graduates. These businesses donate because they care about our community and the George Mason High School All Night Graduation Celebration would not be possible without them:
Anthonys, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill, Arbonne-Maryanne Carlson, Argias, Arlington County Bar Association, Bagel Deli, BB& T, Browns Hardware, CD Cellar, Chipotle, Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, The Container Store, Direct Jewelry Outlet, DKG Designs-Chris Earmen, Dogfish Head Ale House, Dominion Jewelers, Dr. Lawrence Baker, Dr. Leslie Rye, Dr. Paul Cannon, Dr. Ralph Gallimore, Elevation Burger, EMW Properties, Falls Church Animal Hospital, Falls Church Art and Frame, Falls Church Community, Falls Church Education Association, Falls Church Police Association, Falls Church Sunoco, Falls Church Yellow Cab, Five Guys Burgers, Flippin’Pizza, Foxes Music Company, Functional Fitness, Galleria Florist, GMHS Parents, GMHS Athletic Department, Hair Cuttery, Ira Kaylin, Irelands Four Provinces, Italian Cafe, Jason’s Deli, Jefferson One-Bob Young, Jiffy Lube, Keller Williams Realty- Tori McKinney, Kendall Barrett, Kings Dominion, Korte Realty-Trina Rinaldi, La Cote D’Or, Lawerence Baker, Ledo’s Pizza, Legal Sea Foods, Les Brorsen, Lions Club, Mad Fox Brewing Company, Manekineko Japanese Restaurant, Massage Envy, Matt’s Tailor, McDonalds, Metro 29 Diner, Nash Hair Design, Natalia’s Elegant Creations, Old Dominion Brewery, One More Page Books, Open Kitchen Bistro, Original Pancake House, Papa John’s Pizza, Perfect Endings Hair Designs, Pie-Tanzia, Point of View Eyewear, Quiznos, Red White and Bleu, Redskins, 7-Eleven, Silpada Jewelry- Katherine Mason, Sonic Car Wash, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Tara Thai, Trader Joe’s, Tyronne Byrd- GMHS Principal, Washington Nationals Baseball Organization, Wegmans, Whole Foods.
Thanks to all these local businesses, the community and the tons of parent-volunteers-because of all of you-the 2011 GMHS grads had a safe and fun celebration. Congratulations to the Class of 2011! You will always be Mustangs!
Gardner Indicted on Three Counts
July 20, 2011 by Falls Church Times Staff · Leave a Comment
By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
July 20, 2011
Michael Gardner has been indicted on two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of object sexual penetration. The Grand Jury of the Arlington Circuit Court handed down the indictments on Monday, July 18.
Mr. Gardner is due in Court tomorrow morning. The judge will set a trial date at that time.
Rating Agencies Reaffirm City’s Bond Ratings
July 20, 2011 by (see byline) · 1 Comment
By FALLS CHURCH OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
July 20, 2011
Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service have reaffirmed the City of Falls Church’s bond ratings of AA and AA1, respectively. Bond ratings (expressed in letters from “AAA” to “C”), are grades given to bonds that indicate their credit quality. Private independent rating services provide these evaluations of a bond issuer’s financial strength, or its ability to pay a bond’s principal and interest in a timely manner.
The S&P report notes: “Standard & Poor’s considers the City’s financial management practices “strong” under its Financial Management Assessment methodology, indicating practices are strong, well embedded, and likely sustainable.”
In reaffirming the City’s AA1 bond rating, Moody’s Investors Service is indicating it is also satisfied with the City’s financial management plan.
“This positive affirmation from the rating agencies reflects the City’s careful financial planning and solid financial management practices, especially during the recent economic downturn,” said Mayor Nader Baroukh. “One key to they City’s high credit ratings was the City Council’s decision to dedicate revenues for fund balance restoration in the FY11 and FY12 Budget. This indicates the City is in a good position to move forward as the economy continues to recover. ”
According to the City Council’s Finance and Budget Committee members Johannah Barry and Ira Kaylin, “The ratings affirmation reflects the City’s commitment to sound fiscal management which balances needed revenues with expenditures, maintains bond issuance at prudential levels and above all else reflects our citizen’s willingness and ability to support the City. Though difficult to measure, citizen support is one of the most important factors in determining our rating.”
Crime Report for July 12 – 18
July 19, 2011 by (see byline) · Leave a Comment
By FALLS CHURCH POLICE DEPARTMENT
July 19, 2011
Drinking In Public, 200 block W. Broad St. On July 12, 8:21 p.m., a 64 year old man of no fixed address was arrested for Drinking In Public.
Graffiti, 100 W. Broad St. (Brown’s Hardware). On July 13, 8:25 a.m., the victim business reported spray paint lettering on the back door sometime overnight.
Larceny from Building, 210 Little Falls St. #300. On July 13, 9:35 a.m., an iPad was reported stolen from an unsecure and unattended conference room between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on July 12.
Burglary, 114 W. Broad St. (Checks Cashed). On July 13, 9:45 a.m., an unknown suspect broke the door to the employee entrance and stole cash and phone cards when the store was left unattended. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 35-45 years old and he was wearing a dark jacket and jeans.
Public Drunkenness, 905 Park Ave. (St. James Catholic Church). On July 13, 8:23 p.m., a 46 year old Alexandria man was arrested for Public Drunkenness.
Driving Under the Influence, 1100 block W. Broad St. On July 14, 2:16 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a motor vehicle violation. The driver, a 22 year old Alexandria man, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.
Larceny from Building, 400 block S. Maple Ave. On July 15, 6:09 p.m. groceries and a laptop were reported stolen while sitting unattended outside the victim’s apartment door. The incident occurred sometime between 5:15 and 6:05 p.m.
Larceny from Building, 400 block S. Maple Ave. On July 15, 6:09 p.m. two bicycles were reported stolen while locked from a communal bike rack. One bicycle was stolen in May. The other bicycle was stolen between June 15 and July 5.
Public Drunkenness, 105 W. Broad St. (Ireland ’s Four Provinces). On July 15, 8:01 p.m., a 59 year old Vienna man was arrested for Public Drunkenness.
Public Drunkenness, 6763 Wilson Blvd. #R3 (V3 Club). On July 16, 2:59 a.m., a 31 year old Washington, DC man was arrested for Public Drunkenness.
Public Drunkenness, 300 block W. Broad St. On July 16, 8:24 p.m., a 64 year old man of no fixed address, was arrested for Public Drunkenness.
Graffiti, 103 W. Broad St. (George Mason Square). On July 16, 8:46 p.m., an officer observed spray painted lettering on a brick exterior wall and in a stairwell.
Graffiti, 161 Hillwood Ave. (Tradition House). On July 16, 9:00 p.m., an officer observed spray painted lettering on two parked trucks.
Graffiti, 113 Park Ave. On July 16, 9:43 p.m., an officer observed spray painted lettering on a brick wall.
Graffiti, 600 block Roosevelt Blvd. On July 16, 10:26 p.m., an officer observed spray painted lettering on a traffic control box.
Public Drunkenness, 6757 Wilson Blvd. (Eden Center). On July 17, 2:45 a.m., a 37 year old Annandale man was arrested for Public Drunkenness.
Drinking In Public and Littering, 100 block W. Broad St. On July 17, 5:55 p.m., a 64 year old man of no fixed address, was arrested for Drinking In Public and Littering.
Narcotics Violation and Public Drunkenness, 100 block Birch St. On July 17, 11:10 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a motor vehicle violation. Further investigation revealed the passenger had cocaine in possession and $1200 in $50 and $100 cash notes. A 26 year old Lanham, MD man was arrested for Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute and Public Drunkenness.
MONDAY 7/18: FCCFA Pre-Season Summer Camp
July 16, 2011 by Steven Valley · Leave a Comment
The Falls Church City Football Association, in conjunction with the George Mason Mustangs, will host the organization’s Annual Summer Football Camp at George Mason High School July 18-21 from 6:00-8:00pm.
All those youths who are interested in flag or full contact football are welcome. The camp will be non-contact, and adequate water breaks will be given. The camp will take place rain or shine.
Registration fee will be $75. Fees will be collected on-site via cash or check (made out to the FCCFA) only.
To register online click here
This camp will feature football fundamentals, techniques, form, conditioning, and fun. It will use classic speed and agility drills, instruction, observation and repetition.
To register or pose inquiries, contact theFCCFA (info@thefccfa.org)
Come and get ready for the 2011 season with Coach Horn and GMHS Players, and learn from the most successful coaches in the Falls Church/McLean/Arlington area!
See you on the field in July!
THURSDAY 7/21: Concert in the Park
July 16, 2011 by Steven Valley · Leave a Comment
The popular Concerts in the Park summer series will soon come to a close! Don’t miss the final three performances, every Thursday at 7 p.m.
1. Chronic Funk Disorder on July 21 brings funk, fusion and soul.
2. Mama Tried on July 28 will delight all fans of bluegrass. 3. For the final concert on August 4, Big Tow brings down the house with blues, rock and alternative music.
