FOOD: Voting for the Best!

BY Kathleen Nixon

August 26, 2011

Falls Church Times Staff

It is that time again to get out and vote for the Best Farmers Market. Last year the Falls Church Farmers Market won in the Medium size category and we are going to need everyone’s vote this year to win again!

The American Farmland Trust in its efforts to bring awareness to local farms began the contest as part of the No Farms No Food program.  The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest is designed to raise national awareness about the importance of supporting fresh food from local farms and farmers.

From my point of view, our local farmers market is not only a nationally ranking farmers market, I see it as a vital part of our community and health. While at the Falls Church Farmers Market, many will ask me “why would I pay $3 a pound for local tomatoes?” For some reason, the cost of tomatoes seems to be the major bellwether in consumers’ minds. Those who ask me know that I will answer in favor of the local seemingly higher cost farmers’ market tomatoes. Many consumers still do not realize that comparing the cost of produce in the local farmers market is not necessarily apples to apples or I should say tomato to tomato.

The tomato in the grocery store is either organically or conventionally raised on a large industrialized farm probably utilizing immigrant labor. If it was raised conventionally there were pesticides and fertilizers involved. The tomato itself was modified to be picked early so it would stay firm in transport. It was also modified so that it would have the “look” of a tomato – the red globe that it typically associated with a tomato.  The cost of the tomato from the grocery stores also includes the cost of federal subsidized water, subsidizing of services for an immigrant population, international or national transport, and the detrimental affects on the environment. On top of this you are not getting all of the nutrients from the tomato that you think you should be getting, so you have to supplement your diet with vitamins.  While it may seem that your grocery store tomato is “cheaper” you have to weigh all the costs into the equation.

This is compared to your farmers’ market tomato which may be red, green, yellow, purple or zebra as it is an heirloom tomato rather than a modified standard tomato. The variety adds to the tastes and textures to the tomatoes.  One of the benefits of shopping at a farmers market is that you can ask the farmer if the tomato was raised with pesticides and fertilizers. This is one of the great benefits of a farmers market and not something you can do at the grocery store. The produce was raised and transported within 150 miles of where it is purchased and thus you are supporting the local economy.  The positive affects on my taste buds, my health, my community and the environment are worth the cost differential between the local and grocery store tomato.

Farmers markets have grown in popularity over the last decade and have become a vital retail channel for many of the local farms in addition to farm stands and CSAs (community supported agriculture). But farmers markets also provide a vital component to our community. It doesn’t matter your political affiliation, economic standing or family size, we all need food. The farmers’ market provides a way to gather our food, commune with the farmers and participate in our community in a way that not only sustains us physically but fiscally, environmentally and spiritually.

So back to the national competition – be it that you enjoy the farmers market for its community feel, catch up with neighbors, listen to music, watch a chef demonstration, eat a tasty treat  or buy your weekly groceries, please take the time to show your community pride in our local community of farmers and our farmers market by voting for Falls Church Farmers Market to be the best Farmers Market ( in the medium category) in the country! Voting ends midnight August 31^st!

Falls Church City Prepares for Hurricane Irene

By CITY OFFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

August 25, 2011 (6:00 pm)

City Manager Wyatt Shields and Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Polera met with City staff from all departments today to review the tracking report for Hurricane Irene, to coordinate preparations, and to discuss response plans.  Although classes don’t begin until after Labor Day, the Falls Church City Public School system is making preparations for the first day of school so also attending today’s meeting was School Superintendent Toni Jones.

Preparing for possible power outages, City staff has tested and fueled standby generators for use at City Hall, the Community Center, public utilities pumping stations, and the property yard.  The Community Center and Mary Riley Styles Public Library will stay open normal operating hours this weekend unless it becomes unsafe for employees and the public.  The City water system has emergency generators in place to maintain water service.  Although police advise the public to stay off the streets during the storm, the City’s goal is to keep traffic moving, and Public Works crews have generators on standby to operate all Broad Street traffic signals and select intersections on Washington Street.  In preparation for possible flooding, City crews have cleared debris from catch basins and storm drains. 

If the storm is severe, the City will open the Emergency Operations Center to coordinate its response and keep the public informed through a variety of communication tools, including:

www.fallschurchva.gov

http://www.facebook.com/CityofFallsChurch

FCC-TV (Cox channel 12, Verizon channel 35, RCN channel 2)

1680 AM radio

Falls Church Alert

And regular media updates.

City to Residents: Prepare for Hurricane Effects

BY FALLS CHURCH CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
August 24, 2011

According to the National Weather Service, Virginia could receive damaging winds and flooding in low-lying areas from Hurricane Irene beginning Saturday through Sunday.  The City of Falls Church has begun checking equipment and supply readiness in preparation for potential severe weather.  Residents and businesses should begin making preparations now, too, including having an emergency kit and knowing where and how to get updated information.

The City web site and the City’s Facebook page will be updated frequently with government service updates.  Citizens are also encouraged to sign up for alert.fallschurchva.gov to receive local emergency updates.  For hurricane information visit the web sites Virginia Department of Emergency Management or the Federal Emergency Management.

City Urges Gas, Heating Inspection After Earthquake

BY FALLS CHURCH CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
August 24, 2011

In the aftermath of yesterday’s 5.8 earthquake and multiple aftershocks, the City of Falls Church Fire Marshal and the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office encourage City residents to be vigilant concerning possible fire safety concerns around homes and businesses.

Chimneys, gas or fuel oil lines and tanks, heating equipment, and overall structural integrity may have been compromised. These components may not show visible damage. Individuals are advised to contact licensed inspectors if they have concerns regarding these or any other potential post earthquake issues.

Earthquake fire safety guidelines are available from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Following these safety tips and taking the time to check around your home or business to identify potential hazards will greatly reduce your risk of becoming a fire casualty.

Earthquake Shakes Falls Church City, Rocks Region

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

August 23, 2011

An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter magnitude scale struck Falls Church City at 1:51 this afternoon.  The quake, which was felt from Canada to Georgia, was centered near Mineral, Virginia in Louisa County. 

No major damage has been reported here so far. Two minor aftershocks occured at 2:48 and 3:20 pm, but were too light to be felt.

“It sounded like people were running across the roof of the gym,” said Gary Laporta, who was serving as an election official during Primary Day at Thomas Jefferson School.  Many balls which had lodged in the gym’s ceiling suddenly came tumbling down onto the floor.

“I’ve seen land mines in polling places, but never an earthquake,” said official Barbara Cockrell, who has monitored five elections in Bosnia.

No one was in the process of voting when the earthquake hit.  The school was soon closed as a precautionary measure, forcing officials to hand paper ballots to voters for over an hour. 

Although turnout was light at the polls, many City residents were out and about on a beautiful late summer day.

“We were at Whole Foods,” said John Kennedy. “Things started flying off the shelves. We got out of there in a hurry.”

Others were at home, taking it easy.   

“I was sleeping and it woke me up,” said three year old Ashley Kosmider.  “Then Momma brought me downstairs.”

Her dad Tim, who was on a conference call in Bethesda, observed directly how the earthquake moved through the region. “First we heard a lady who was in Oakton scream, then they began to feel it in Germantown, and then we felt it,” he said.

Animals noticed the quake also, sometimes just before it began.  “My dog perked up”, said Jody Acosta.  “It’s ears went up and it became tense.”   

Minor quakes occur here occasionally, but usually are too weak to be felt.  

A 3.6 magnitude quake centered near Rockville, Maryland, struck before dawn on July 16, 2010, shaking beds and rattling windows.  A 4.5 magnitude event in central Virginia briefly shook the City in December 2003.      

Today’s earthquake was the strongest to hit Virginia in modern times.  An 1897 quake in Giles County measured 5.9 on the Richter scale.  The most serious earthquake experienced in the eastern United States occured in Charleston, South Carolina in 1886.

Stamos Wins Nomination for Commonwealth’s Attorney

By FALLS  CHURCH TIMES STAFF

August 23, 2011

Theo K. Stamos has won the Democratic Party nomination for the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney in the Arlington district, which covers the County and Falls Church City.  Ms. Stamos defeated David W. Deane in today’s primary election, winning 82%  of the votes cast.

With all 58 precincts reporting, Ms. Stamos received 11,183 votes and Mr. Deane 2,415.  She won over 84% of the vote in Falls Church. 

Ms. Stamos, who is currently serving as the chief deputy in the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Trodden, received a number of important endorsements during her campaign and was heavily favored.  She has served in the Arlington office since 1987. 

Mr. Deane, an attorney at the Arlington firm of Albo and Oblon, was making his first try for elective office.

The contest was the only one on the Falls Church City ballot in today’s primary election.

Unofficial Falls Church City Results

Ward 1: Stamos – 83   Deane – 15
Ward 2: Stamos – 78   Deane – 10
Ward 3: Stamos – 56   Deane – 20
Ward 4: Stamos – 97   Deane – 12
Ward 5: Stamos – 86   Deane – 15
Absentee: Stamos – 51   Deane – 7
Total: Stamos – 433   Deane – 79

Crime Report for August 16 – 22

By FALLS CHURCH POLICE DEPARTMENT

August 23, 2011

Public Drunkenness, 100 block W. Broad St.  On Aug. 16, a 59 year old Washington, DC man was arrested for Public Drunkenness.

Permitting Smoking Where Prohibited, 6795 Wilson Blvd. #21 (Hai Lua Restaurant).  On Aug. 17, the manager of the restaurant, a 23 year old Alexandria man, was arrested for Permitting Smoking Where Prohibited.

Larceny from Vehicle, 400 block Jackson St.  On Aug. 18, a vehicle ignition interlock device was reported stolen from a vehicle sometime between 4 p.m. on Aug. 17 and Aug. 18 at 7:15 a.m.

Vandalism, 400 block Poplar Dr.  On Aug. 18, a vehicle parked in the victim’s driveway was vandalized with eggs.  The incident occurred in the morning hours of Aug. 18.

Larceny from Building, 150 S. Washington St. #300 (Center for Health and Environment).  On Aug. 18, an unknown suspect stole a wallet from an unsecure purse. The suspect is described as a black male in his mid 20s, with a short hair cut, and clean-shaven.  He was wearing a black t-shirt, black watchband, black shoes, and green cargo pants.

Stolen Vehicle, 100 block Birch St.  On Aug 18, 3:56 p.m. a vehicle was reported stolen from the victim’s assigned parking space.  The vehicle was found and recovered in the parking lot of Giant Food in the 1200 block of W. Broad St. on Aug 21.

Larceny of Vehicle Parts, 1200 block Seaton Ln.  On Aug. 19, a vehicle’s stock rims were removed during the morning hours of Aug 19.

Public Drunkenness, 100 block Great Falls St.  On Aug. 20, a 46 year old man of no fixed address, was arrested for Public Drunkenness.

Driving Under the Influence and Refusal to Submit to Blood or Breath Test, 200 block N. Washington St.  On Aug. 20, an officer responded to an accident.  One of the drivers, a 44 year old City of Falls Church man, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and Refusal to Submit to Blood or Breath test.

Possession of False ID and Disorderly Conduct, 917 W. Broad St. (El Zunzal).  On Aug. 21, officers responded to the location for a report of fighting with security personnel.  One of the individuals involved provided a false resident alien card.  A 25 year old Vienna man, was arrested for Possession of False ID.  Another individual, a 30 year old Vienna man, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.

Stamos & Deane Contend in Primary Tuesday

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

August 22, 2011

The Democratic nomination for the office of Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney is the only contest on the Falls Church City ballot in tomorrow’s primary election.  Theo Stamos, currently the chief deputy in the Arlington district, faces attorney David Deane.   

Ms. Stamos, a native of Chicago, has served in the office since 1987.  She has received the endoresements of outgoing Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Trodden and is supported by the Arlington Coalition of Police and the the Falls Church Police Association.

Mr. Deane was raised in Chesapeake and came to Arlington in 1994.  After serving as an assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Fairfax, he joined the Arlington firm of Albo and Oblon where he has practiced criminal law for over a decade.

Polls open Tuesday at 6:00 am and close at 7:00 pm.

To access the candidate’s websites, click on “Read More.”

Theo Stamos website.

David Deane website.

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