Scouts Take Trek of a Lifetime

SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES
July 30, 2012

Twelve Boy Scouts and six adult leaders from Falls Church’s Troop 895 recently completed the 10-day backpacking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Christo Mountains near Cimarron, New Mexico.

The group was one of the largest to go to Philmont in many years from Falls Church and was divided into two backpacking crews. One of the crews was joined by Scouts from Fredericksburg, Va. Each crew hiked more than 70 miles over rocky trails, camping nightly in the back country on terrain varying from high desert to forested river valley.

Scouts carried 40- to 50-pound backpacks with all their gear, food and water. At outposts on the trail, the Scouts went rock climbing, rode horses, panned for gold, shot skeet, raced burros, examined ancient Native American petroglyphs and worked on trail maintenance for the ranch.

Pictured on Tooth of Time Ridge, from Crew One (left to right): Gordon Wisotzki, Austin Gogal, Jack Stallard, Daniel Butler, Henderson Beam, Kevin Drawbaugh, Tyler Gogal, David Drawbaugh, Ryan Sullivan, David Gogal, Owen Sullivan.

Pictured on Baldy Mountain, from Crew Two (left to right): Richard Ast, Brandon Castillo, Karl Ast, Connor Rodgers, Grant Goodwin, Justin Castillo, George Castillo, Matthew Hoskins, Charley Brown, Dave Goodwin, Josh Goldsmith.

FOOD: Going Gluten Free

By Kathleen Nixon
July 27, 2012
Falls Church Times Staff

At a recent Falls Church Farmers Market Chef demo, a program favorite Willow Restaurant demonstrated something different – gluten free products.  Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grain species such as rye and barley. Unfortunately there are many people who are sensitive to gluten and have to restrict their diets to not ingest any gluten. For some, the gluten sensitive is so severe due to having Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine.

Willow has always been sensitive to their patrons who are sensitive to gluten and have provided many of their dishes gluten free. At the Farmers Market Chef demo, the team prepared potato gnocchi topped with sautéed zucchini, roasted tomatoes topped with parmesan cheese and toasted quinoa. The response was overwhelming to not only the recipes and the tastes but also to the other products the team had baked earlier in the morning to include chocolate chip cookies, granola bars and bread. All items sold out very quickly.

A few weeks before the demonstration, chef and co-owner Tracy O’Grady answered a few questions about why she and her partners have decided to provide more gluten free items including retail items.

Why Gluten Free?
Our business partner Julie Mounts’ husband was very ill due to Celiac disease and we’ve noticed that many other people have gluten issues. There are not a lot of choices for folks that suffer from this so we thought we could develop something that is very high quality.

Why develop another line of business during a down economy?

We feel there is a strong need for this line of business and not many chefs are doing this kind of work.

What have you been doing to create these recipes? Who are your local sources for the ingredients?

We’ve been making changes to our existing menu to make some of the products gluten free so that other people will not even recognize the difference.  Part of our goal is to make these products so good people who can eat and enjoy gluten products will like our gluten free products just as well.  We do use many local ingredients but unfortunately many of the special flours needed for gluten free baking are unavailable locally, this may change we are not sure.  The most important thing right now is sourcing the flours from certified gluten free facilities.

You have always had gluten free in your restaurant, haven’t you? What have you had?

We have always had some gluten free options like our crispy quinoa and quinoa cakes.  Now we are very close to having gluten free bread (not brick heavy) and an excellent flatbread that is not laden with chick pea flour.

What are your plans for the mixes? Will they be available for purchase at the restaurant or anywhere else?

We are still in the process of developing our gluten free mixes so home cooks can make something tasty and not have to rely on a restaurant. These mixes are probably 2 months out and we will begin by selling them at farmers markets as a test market to see how they work for the general public.

What are the different gluten free products that you will be producing?

We will be trying to make most of the items gluten free for people who have given up on items like breads, biscuits, pastries, breading’s, etc.  Many people I’ve spoken with have told me that options have been so bad they just have given up on many things they once enjoyed.

Willow Restaurant has a booth at the Ballston Farmers Market on Thursdays from 3pm to 7pm and will be offering their gluten free items there weekly.

 

History & Musical Theater Converge at Creative Cauldron

On Saturday, July 28 at 8 pm, Creative Cauldron’s FOURTHWall Cabaret tackles one of America’s controversial topics: was there or wasn’t there a private relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemings?  Many have an opinion about this and many are passionate in their convictions.

P.J. Thiesen and Alvin Smithson drew inspiration for the subject for a new musical.  After four  years of research, many hours at the Jefferson Foundation and countless interviews with members of the Hemings family, “What Kind of Love: An Evening with Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings” was created.

The audience will have a chance to sample this new work in a concert reading format that will feature eight actors and musical assistance from a quartet called “The Classical Revolution.” Read more

AGENDA: 7/23 City Council Meeting

By CITY OF FALLS CHURCH
July 21, 2012

The following is an agenda for the regular meetingof the City Council of the City of Falls Church, Virginia. This meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue at 7:30 PM on Monday, July 23,2012

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. ROLL CALL

4. VALIDATION OF NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING

5. ADOPTION OF MEETING AGENDA

6. PROCLAMATIONS — None

7. OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS

8. RECEIPT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS, REQUESTS, AND CONSENT ITEM COMMENTS. [The public may address Council for one 3-minute period. The Mayor may shorten the time allowed each speaker, depending on the length of the agenda and number of speakers. A chair or representative of a board, commission, or committee may make a 5-minute oral summary of the written report.]

(1) Marguerite Shovlin – Electoral Bd presentation-certificates to new Council

(2) FEMA “Community Rating System” Presentation

(a) Summary of Written Comments.

9. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER TO COUNCIL

10. BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA

(a) Second readings of ordinances and other items requiring public hearings

(b) Resolutions and first readings of ordinances

(2) (TR12-17) RESOLUTION TO ADOPT A SUSTAINABILITY POLICY TO GUIDE CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION OF PUBLIC FACILITIES (Brenda Creel, Director of Public Utilities)

10 (b) (2)-1 (TR12-17) Green Building Resolution – Staff Report

10 (b) (2)-2 Green Building Resolution – Attachment A

10 (b) (2)-3 Green Building Resolution – Attachment B

(3) (TR12-23) RESOLUTION ENDORSING MEMBERS OF THE FALLS CHURCH CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SERVE ON COG POLICY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AS OF JULY 2, 2012. (Mayor Baroukh)

10 (b) (3) (TR12-23) COG Appointments as of 7-1-12

(4) (TR12-24) RESOLUTION APPOINTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AS LIAISONS TO REGIONAL AND CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND TO CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES AS OF JULY 2, 2012 (Mayor Baroukh)

10 (b) (4) (TR12-24) Council Appointments at 7-2-12

(5) (TO12-02) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 26, “MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” ARTICLE IV, “BICYCLES” SECTION 26-111, “VIOLATIONS”)

10 (b) (5) (TO12-02) Ord Amending Chapter 26 Biking violations

(6) (TO12-04) ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26, “MOTOR VEHICLES, ARTICLE IV, BICYCLES, SECTION 26-109, RIDING AND PARKING REGULATIONS” OF THE FALLS CHURCH CITY CODE

10 (b) (6) (TO12-04) Amend Chapter 26 re Bike Helmets

(7) (TO12-03) ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 8, “BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS;” ARTICLE III, “PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS AND CANVASSERS;” DIVISION 3, “DEALERS IN PRECIOUS METALS AND JEWELS,” SECTION 8-236, “LICENSE ISSUANCE, APPLICATION, CONTENTS, TERM AND FEE” AND SECTION 8-239, “RECORDS; ITEMS PURCHASED TO BE RETAINED”

10 (b) (7) (TO12-03) Ord Amending Chapter 8 Dealers in Precious Metals and Jewels

(8) (TO12-13) ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FY2013 BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES OF THE GENERAL FUND AND THE CAPITAL PROJECT FUND BY APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL REVENUES (Richard LaCondré, CFO and Director of Finance)

10 (b) (8) (TO12-13) FY13 Budget amendment ordinance

(c) Consent items (to include appointments)

(1) AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MARY RILEY STYLES LIBRARY TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER TO BAKER & TAYLOR IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $170,000, FOR THE PURCHASE OF LIBRARY BOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, COMPACT DISCS, AND DVDS FOR THE LIBRARY. (Mary McMahon, Library Director)

10 (c) (1) -CONSENT- Baker and Taylor purchase up to $170K edited version FY13

(d) Items removed from consent

(e) Other business

11. BUSINESS NOT ON THE AGENDA

12. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND REQUESTS

13. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

(1) Minutes of June 25, 2012

13 (1) 06-25-12 MINUTES FOR APPROVAL MinutesViewer.php

(2) Minutes of July 2, 2012

13 (2) 07-02-12 MINUTES-FOR APPROVAL-MinutesViewer.php

14. ADJOURNMENT

The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call 703 248-5014 (TTY 711). The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call (703) 248- 5014, (TTY 711).For information in your language please call 703 248-5014 (TTY 711) to request an interpreter. Để có thông tin bằng ngôn ngữ của quý vị, xin gọi 703-248-5014 để yêu cầu người thông dịch. Para recibir información en su idioma por favor llame al 703 248-5014 (TTY 711) para solicitar un interprete.

Saturday 7/21: Arena Stage Veteran at Creative Cauldron Cabaret

Creative Cauldron’s Fourth Wall Cabaret series continues with “Tumble Down Dreams”  on Saturday, July 21 at 8 pm at ArtSpace Falls Church.  The evening with veteran stage actor Terry Currier, and accompanist Eli Staple, is an anecdotal and musical journey of Currier’s life in the theater.  He was a member of Arena Stage’s company for decades and has performed on and off Broadway.

All the Fourth Wall Cabaret shows are Saturdays  in July and August at 8 pm.  Tickets are $20 for Adults and $18 for Students & Seniors.  For this cabaret series, Creative Cauldron is set up like an intimate club with a cash bar that opens at 7:30 pm.  Reserved tables for 2 are available for $50 and a table for 4 with a bottle of wine is available for $100. Order tickets in advance at www.creativecauldron.org or call 571-239-5288.

Creative Cauldron at ArtSpace is located at 410 S. Maple Avenue.  Free parking is available in the garages at 410 and 400 S. Maple Avenue.

FOOD: What I Love About Summer Food

BY Kathleen Nixon
July 20, 2012
Falls Church Times Staff

With the heat plume back and summer vacations underway, we are in the peak of the  summer season.  Every season has its tell tale foods, and the summer brings us luscious fruits and vegetables that we have been craving all throughout the winter. What are your summer foods that you have been waiting for?

For me, it is corn. I love roasting corn on the barbecue and then topping it with chive butter. The sweet succulent kernels matched with the tartness and saltiness of the chive butter tantalizes all my taste buds and I know that summer is here. At the Local Market they had some early corn, and I loaded up early to roast it on the weekends. What we didn’t eat at dinner goes into salads for the rest of the week or is frozen for soups later in the year. After trying to grow corn in our own garden like many other things I have a new appreciation for what a farmer has to go through for raising a perfect ear of corn. The right mixture of heat, sun, soil, water and time brings us the Silver Queen and many other varieties we are blessed with in this area.

One of the food blogs that I just came across is the Accidental Locavore who did a wonderful piece recently on What Not to Do in A Farmers Market. I am frequently amazed at what many folks believe is acceptable behavior in a farmers market, but one that drives me nuts is the shucking of the corn, piercing the kernels and throwing it back into the bin. Please respect the farmer and other consumers by purchasing the corn without pulling back the husks and piercing the kernels.

Other summer foods I look forward to are the berries. The strawberries were phenomenal this year and some of the later producers had strawberries later in the season. Now we are seeing the bounty of blueberries and blackberries, which go great with the stone fruits now coming into season. If you see a bounty of berries consider freezing them for later. Lay them flat on a cookie sheet, put them in the freezer and once they are frozen put them in a Ziploc bag. This is great for keeping some of the season’s best fruits with you year round.

 

What are the summer foods that you look forward to each summer season and what do you do with them?

Crime Report for July 10 – 16

By FALLS CHURCH POLICE DEPARTMENT

July 18, 2012

NOTE: This report is not a definitive list of all criminal activity and is  subject to change upon investigation.

Attempted Burglary, 412 W. Broad St. (Bedo’s Leathershop).  On July 10 officers responded to an alarm at the location.  A cinder block was found next to  a broken window.  No items were taken.

Drinking In Public, 300 W. Broad St. (Stratford Motor Lodge).  On July 13 a 22 year old Mount Airy, MD man and a 33 year old Alma, WV man were arrested and  released on summons for Drinking In Public.

Larceny from Building, 201 N. Washington St. (Kaiser Permanente).  On July 13 the victim reported an unattended video camera was stolen in an office on June  29.

Larceny from Vehicle, 624 S. Washington St. (One Stop Auto Lube & More).  On July 13 an unknown suspect(s) stole both license plates from a vehicle  sometime overnight.

Domestic Assault, 400 block S. Maple Ave.  On July 13 a 56 year old City of Falls Church woman was arrested for Assaulting a Family Member.

Domestic Assault, 500 block W. Broad St.  On July 14 officers responded to a  911 call in a residence. A 41 year old City of Falls Church man was arrested  for Assaulting a Family Member.

Driving Under the Influence, 100 block N. Washington St.  On July 14 an  officer conducted a traffic stop for a motor vehicle violation.  The driver, a 26 year old City of Falls Church man, was arrested for Driving Under the  Influence.

Homicide, 6799 Wilson Blvd. (Eden Center).  On July 14 a shooting occurred in  the rear parking lot where the victim received fatal gunshot wounds.  Medics arrived on scene where they declared him deceased.  The victim was identified as Peter Phan, 49, of Falls Church.  Police later found another deceased individual with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  Investigation continues.

Larceny from Building, 1136 W. Broad St. (Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do).  On July 15 an unknown suspect(s) stole an unattended wallet hidden in a pair of shoes.

Larceny from Vehicle, 400 block Sherrow Ave.  On July 16 an unknown  suspect(s) stole two GPS devices and cash from two unsecured vehicles sometime  overnight.

Larceny from Vehicle, 200 block Gundry Dr.  On July 16 an unknown suspect(s) stole a GPS device from an unsecured vehicle sometime overnight.

Larceny from Building, 1230 W. Broad St. (Giant Food).  On July 16 an unknown suspect(s) stole a wallet from an unattended carriage.

Tampering with Vehicle, 127 E. Broad St. (Applebee’s).  On July 16 a vehicle’s window was broken and a purse was stolen.  The suspect was described as a  Hispanic male, 5’8″ tall, wearing dark buttoned-shirt and blue jeans.

AGENDA: City Council Work Session | July 16, 2012

BY THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH

July 14, 2012

The Work Session of the City Council of the City of Falls Church, Virginia, will be held on Monday, July 16, 2012 in the Dogwood Room at City Hall, located at 300 Park Avenue, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

1. Police Department Requested Ordinance Changes:      Biking Violations; Bike Helmets; Precious Metal Dealers

1a (TO12-02) Ord Amending Chapter 26 Biking violations

1b (TO12-04) Amend Chapter 26 re Bike Helmets

1c (TO12-03) Ord Amending Chapter 8 Dealers in Precious Metals and Jewels

2. Council Rules of Procedure

2a (Res. 2012-19) (TR12-21) RULES OF COUNCIL

2b R. Peppe Suggestions – City Council Rules of Procedure – for Discussion

3. Resolution: Appointments to regional & City boards and commissions & Council committees

3 (TR12-23) Revised – Res. making Council Appointments as of 7-1-12

4. Council Comments and Schedule

5. Closed Session pursuant to (1) § 2.2-3711 (A) 3 of the Code of Virginia for the “[d]iscussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body”….and (2) § 2.2-3711. (A) 29. “[d]iscussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body”….; and (3) § 2.2-3711. (A) 7. “[c]onsultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body; and consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel”…. [Water Litigation]

6. Closed Session pursuant to § 2.2-3711. (A) 1 of the Code of Virginia for the “[d]iscussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body”… [Annual Personnel Evaluations]

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