Falls Church News-Press 3-9-2023

March 9 - 15, 2023

The City of Falls Church’s Independent, Locally-Owned Newspaper of Record, Serving

Is Amazon HQ2 Delay A Problem For F.C.?

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

What will the impact of the announced “pause” in its devel opment in this immediate region of Amazon’s much-anticipated second national headquarters, or HQ2, mean for Falls Church’s 2.2 square miles, much less for the wider region?

The pause the giant firm announced last week seems to apply not only a slowdown in hiring, but staff reductions of up to 18,000 nationally and, in this area in particular, to plans for construction of the huge new campus in Crystal City, including an imaginative “double helix” design for its main building.

How much of the push for the development projects we are now seeing in Falls Church, just a few miles up the road from that mega-campus, has been based on the expectations of Amazon’s full buildout, and how might this new announcement of the pause

ON PRESERVING THE EDEN CENTER

THE EDEN CENTER, the east coast’s most active commercial hub for Vietnamese-Americans, will be host to no less than four “pop-up” presentations by the Planning Department of the City of Falls Church starting next week. The topic will be the City’s vision for future development of the area that includes, as City officials contend, the preservation of the cultural character of the center. The pop-ups will begin on Saturday, March 18 followed by March 22, 29 and April 22. (Photo: Brian Reach)

F.C. Confronts Challenges to Fill 3 Dozen Jobs

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church

Officially there are now 35 unfilled positions in the Falls Church City government, as

Review: The Pirates of Penzance

Mark Dreisonstok reviews Arlington’s Chalice Theatre’s production of the classical musical “The Pirates of Penzance” a comic opera about a young man wanting to escape the life of a pirate. (Photo Credit: D. Ohlandt)

See Page 11

reported in the City’s Second Quarter Financial Report, representing 15 percent of the total workforce here.

But while this is clearly putting a crimp on the ability to

get things done around town, it is not a problem unique to Falls Church, but reflective of regional and national trends as the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns continues

F.C. Women Share Advice During Women’s History Month

As Women’s History Month is a time to reflect and encourage women around the community and the world, local women in power share their experiences and advice.

See Page 13

to be slow.

Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields told the NewsPress this week that he’s opti -

News-Press

Does Falls Church Face Consequences of Amazon’s Pause?

impact that?

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, whose 8th District covers both HQ2 and Falls Church, said in a statement that he’s been assured by Amazon executives they remain committed to their project.

He told the News-Press Wednesday that Amazon has already made provision for 40,000 new jobs in this region, and taking even just a “medium view” of the ups and downs in the industry, the prospects remain astounding.

Beyer stated, “Amazon’s representatives said their first office buildings will open as scheduled in June to accommodate 8,000 employees. While this construction pause and hiring freeze are obviously concerning, Amazon says the impact on planned infrastructure investments announced as part of the HQ2 project will be less than some fear.”

He added, “I am told Amazon has committed to cov -

ering costs created by delays in school construction, and that the housing equity fund will be unaffected. Monetary incentives were tied to economic benefits to the region and therefore have not and will not engage until established metrics are reached.”

Of course, Amazon’s pause does not come in a vacuum, but only as the latest in a slowdown of the entire tech sector in the U.S. Downsizing at Meta, the parent company of Facebook, saw 10,000 layoffs last November, Google is cutting 12,000 jobs and Microsoft 10,000.

But according to reports, the tightening at Amazon may be less than what other tech giants are experiencing, as closure, cancellations or delays have been announced for only 100 out of a total of 1,285 Amazon sites across the U.S.

Right now, there have been no indicators that Amazon’s decision is having a material effect on projects that have been full steam ahead in Falls

Church, including at the west end and downtown, where massive projects remain on schedule.

Both of those projects are going up fast, the former being the 10 acres at the site of the former high school where a wide mix of uses is going in, including according to News-Press sources, quietly some Amazon facilities, and at the Broad and Washington city center, where the Insight project set to become home to a mega-giant Whole Foods and new home for the Creative Cauldron theater, is going in, as well as hundreds of new apartments.

The “critical mass” the Little City is hoping to get from these projects, and two others already approved – the One City Center above Ireland’s Four Provinces and the Founders Row 2 on the former Rite Aid/Carpet Store site – but not yet started, is vital to the long term economic vitality of the area. That “critical mass” will come from the thousands of new Amazon

employees who will fill not only the new apartments, but new restaurants, retailers and theaters that will be coming in, too.

Amazon’s pause announcement last week came just days after a 12-page glossy mass mailing went out to thousands in the region, entitled “Capital Region Community Impact Report.”

Beginning with a statement from Amazon president and CEO Andy Jassy, the report spelled out “Amazon’s philanthropic commitments in the Capital Region,” including $32 million donated to 150+ local organizations in 2021, $990+ million committed to create and preserve 6,245 affordable housing units. 13,700 people supported by Amazon-funded affordable housing investments and 23,000 students who received food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene items and other urgent support through Amazon’s Right Now Needs Fund.

According to the report,

the commitments also included benefits to 75,000+ students across 343 schools who received computer science education through the Amazon Future Engineer program, to 166,000+ students who participated in the CodeVA program during the 2021-22 academic year, the 5.3 million free meals delivered to underserved families in partnership with Northern Virginia food banks, 10,000 meals purchased from local restaurants and donated to support Covid-19 first responders, $350,000 contributed to local community theaters and arts-focused non-profits, to 6,000 students who explored cloud computing solutions at the Wakefield H.S. Think Big in the 2021-22 academic year, the 200,000 children and families from underserved communities who received free access to the National Children’s Museum through a $250,000 gift from Amazon, and the 16,700+ students served by Amazon’s support for local youth sports leagues.

With 15% of Positions

ing around. “We’ve made some very good hires in just the last three weeks,” he said.

Business Development Office

mistic that the situation is turn-

Becky Witsman of the City’s

reported to the monthly meeting of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Tuesday that progress on filling two of the three slots in her office is very underway, even though the vacancies began appearing six months ago.

“Nationally, there are currently two jobs open for every person seeking one,” Shields told the News-Press , “So the problem is not ours alone, and we face a lot of competition from our regional neighbors.”

Some of the recent vacancies in the Little City are the result of quality personnel getting recruited away by jurisdictional neighbors and even regional agencies, and that has added pressure here to increase compensation levels to remain competitive.

This is behind Shields’ decision to devote most of the higher than expected projected revenue yields from real estate development to more competitive employee salaries. Projected at four percent growth in December, the release

of official annual assessments last month showed the real estate market growth in F.C. at 4.6 percent, due mostly to new commercial construction.

It has already been made public that Shields will recommend that salaries for City employees be jumped from 4 to 5 percent growth.

It is hoped this will allay the concerns being expressed from some that the City is not pressing ahead aggressively enough given the amount of development now underway from end to end of the City’s 2.2 square miles.

“Anyone can see from all the construction cranes that are now in the air above us that our challenge will be to stay up with the aggressive growth that is now underway,” one local developer said.

Shields is expected to present his recommended budget to the Council for the coming fiscal year before the end of this month. But with his expected emphasis on employee compensation, heads of some departments in the City government

have begun expressing concern that over $2 million in unfunded needs will not be met.

Nobody, for example, is now talking about any cut in the real estate tax rate this year, but at best to hold the line (although that would lead to increases in taxes for City residents based on assessed value growth). The last two years saw major cuts in the tax rate for $100 of assessed valuation from $1.365 to $1.23.

But if the commercial construction boom continues in Falls Church, then tax rate cuts could be the order of the day for the next few years.

This year, Shields’ anticipated recommendation would give the City a significant competitive advantage over neighboring Fairfax County, if the latest plan from that county’s executive Bryan Hill holds. It calls for only a two percent pay hike for the county’s 12,000 employees, along with some performance and longevity bonuses. That’s also based on a tax rate freeze that would result in an average hike in tax bills of $520.

Delegate Kaye Korys Richmond

Report

House of Delegates and Senate Members of the Budget Conference Committee reached a short-term agreement — the Budget Conference Report — to pass a stopgap “skinny budget” on Saturday, February 25th, to ensure the 2023 Legislative Session adjourned sine die on its 46th day as mandated by the Virginia Constitution. The approved Budget Conference Report will therefore serve as the so-called “skinny budget.”

This “skinny budget” amends the following funding allocations from the biennial budget passed in June 2022:

Provides $115.9 million GF in FY 2023 and $125.8 million GF in FY 2024 for the combined impact of K-12 technical adjustments related to average daily membership (ADM) changes, sales tax revenue forecast changes, and program participation rate updates.

Provides $16.8 million GF in FY 2023 ensuring that no school division receives less funding than was communicated in error last June after accounting for the increased funding from enrollment and sales tax forecast changes.

Appropriates $405.9 million in FY 2024 to the Rainy-Day Fund from the FY 2022 revenue surplus to meet a portion of the Constitutionally required deposit.

Additionally, transfers $498.7 million from the Revenue Reserve Fund to the Revenue Stabilization Fund to meet the remaining portion of the required deposit. This amount was deposited in FY 2022 to the Revenue Reserve Funds as a down payment for the required FY 2024 mandatory deposit.

In total, this provides $904.6 million to the Rainy-Day Fund to fully meet the FY 2024 mandatory deposit.

Provides $250.0 million GF in FY 2023 to the Virginia Retirement System to address unfunded liabilities. This amount was approved as a contingent appropriation by the 2022 General Assembly. This brings total lump sum deposits to $1.0 billion over the last two years.

Provides an additional $100.0 million GF in FY 2023 to the 2022 Capital Supplement Pool for cost overruns on previously authorized capital projects. The amount was approved as a contingent appropriation by the 2022 General Assembly, bringing the total supplement pool to $450.0 million.

I voted to adopt the Budget Conference Report when the bill came before me on the House of Delegates Floor. The Budget Conference Report passed the House of Delegates unanimously (91-Y 0-N).

The passage of the stopgap “skinny budget” follows confirmation from the Budget Conference Committee that a full budget agreement has yet to be made. The House Appropriations Chair — Delegate Barry Knight — has pub -

Falls Church NEWS BRIEFS

licly committed to reaching a finalized budget plan. Because the fiscal year ends on Friday, June 30th, this means that Budget Conferees — Delegates Knight, Austin, Bloxom, Brewer, Torian, and Sickles; and, Senators Howell, Barker, Saslaw, Norment, Lucas, Hanger, Locke, Newman, and Deeds — will need to reach an agreement that a majority of the Budget Conferees will sign on to in time to request the Governor call a Special Session that would grant Members of the General Assembly and the public a minimum of 48 hours to review the final budget agreement before a vote for passage may be held.

While I supported the Senate Budget and voted to accept the amendments it would make to the House Budget, I believe that we should be investing in our children and our infrastructure (roads, energy, etc.) more than is reflected in that document. Virginia has a revenue surplus right now and I believe that we should be doing more with it than to offer tax cuts to corporations. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that the Budget Conferees were not able to compromise, and instead produced this Conference Report.

Since the Governor cannot amend or veto a Conference Report, we do not need to be vigilant about ideological changes he may try to make to our stopgap fiscal measure. Admittedly, the values in each Budget are vastly different and the House Budget has a remarkable amount of “pork” for Republican Delegates. However, I remain hopeful that a budget that invests in our future and demonstrates our values, can be crafted and voted upon before the end of this fiscal year. We must return on Wednesday, April 12th to vote upon the Governor’s amendments and vetoes; perhaps we will have a budget to debate on that date as well. We have been stymied by partisan politics, and have not served our constituents well by refusing to compromise and thus, govern. Our Governor has lent his support to this partisan impasse by creating a budget that favors corporate interests over families that need our attention and support NOW. We must free ourselves from this partisan war and begin to help Virginia grow and prosper — not wallow in culture wars and encourage ugly, divisive shouting matches, “The other side of the aisle doesn’t care about..(fill in your favorite cause). The other side of the aisle cannot be trusted .......” This rhetoric only fans the flames of anger and opposition. No one benefits when we are stuck in our ‘other side’ speeches. We need politicians who can rise above, build bridges and govern.

 Delegate Kory may be emailed at DelKKory@house.virginia.gov.

F.C. Councilman Duncan Undergoing Tests in Hospital

Phil Duncan, the second term Falls Church City Councilman, has confirmed that he’s at the Fairfax Inova Hospital this week undergoing a battery of tests. In response to an inquiry from the NewsPress , he wrote this:

“I’m a patient at Inova Fairfax Hospital. I was admitted to the hospital on Friday by my pulmonologist in Inova’s Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant center. This week I’m continuing a series of tests that the IALDT team uses to determine care options.

“I’m grateful to those who helped facilitate my call-in participation in Monday’s City Council meeting, and to all who have expressed concern and support.”

Little City Gift Card Program a Big Success

At the Tuesday meeting of the Falls Church Economic Development Authority, City economic specialist Becky Witsman reported that a whopping $450,000 in purchases from Falls Church businesses were attributed to the Little City Gift Card program run through the recent holiday season.

The program utilized federal funds provided to stimulate recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown and that 3,200 cards were purchased as a result.

F.C. Presses Ahead With New Outdoor Dining Options

With the temporary measures designed amid the Covid-19 pandemic to enable local restaurants to offer outdoor dining options due to expire at the end of March, the Falls Church City Council is pressing ahead with plans to authorize new options that will have the effect of keeping the outdoor dining program in place for the 13 restaurants that have received the temporary OKs and any others that may sign up to participate.

Following a Planning Commission hearing and recommendation vote on March 15, the Council is slated to vote the new terms into existence on March 27, the same day the temporary terms are set to expire.

F.C.’s Bazaz Smith Joins Cyber Alliance Team

Falls Church resident Komal Bazaz Smith is joining the Global Cyber

Alliance as its chief business officer, it was announced this week.

Bazaz Smith will lead GCA’s efforts to strengthen communities to tackle cybersecurity issues together and drive lasting change, according to Phil Reitinger, also a F.C. resident and former School Board member who is president and CEO of GCA. “She will expand GCA’s partnerships, steer GCA’s communications, and bring in resources so that GCA can better enable a secure and trustworthy Internet for everyone.”

Bazaz Smith is currently Project Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) Programs, implemented by DAI Global LLC, where she has held various positions since 2015. She brings over 22 years of passion and professional expertise encouraging social innovation, tackling poverty relief, and addressing sustainability to GCA.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Comparative Areas Studies, Spanish, Markets and Management from Duke University and a Masters’ Degree in International Commerce and Finance from Georgetown University. Since 2015 she has been an adjunct professor at the American University’s Graduate School of International Service and is contributing author of “No Reward Without Risk: Addressing the Economic Impacts of Misinformation and Other Digital Harms on MSMEs.”

The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to eradicating cyber risk and improving our connected world.

3 Named to Environmental Sustainability Council

Appointments made by the F.C. City Council this week included three to the City’s Environmental Sustainability Council. Chris Behr, John Ferris and Jon Ward were all appointed by a unanimous vote of the Council, and Brendan Kelly was also appointed to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.

Our Elections This Year

Amid all else going on, it bears reminding Falls Church residents that this is an election year in the Little City. There are two major dates to keep in mind, the date of the Democratic primary in late June, and the general election in early November when three (out of seven total) City Council and three School Board seats will be on the ballot.

The June 20 primary is not as far off as it may now seem, including due to the fact that early voting will begin May 6. Three contested races will be of importance to Falls Church voters, one for State Senate, one for the General Assembly and one for the Arlington Circuit Court’s Commonwealth Attorney.

While voters will not know for sure who their choices will be until the candidate filing period is over on April 5 (it runs from March 20 to April 5), it appears now that this year’s choices will be sufficiently novel as to require responsible voters to pay attention. By and large, you will not be simply rubber stamping yet another well known incumbent. It’s going to take some effort on voters’ parts in Falls Church to pick the right person.

For the state senate, for example, we have a newly configured district that three people will be contesting, none of whom Falls Church voters have seen on the ballot here before. There is an entrenched incumbent, State Sen. Chap Petersen, but he’s never represented Falls Church, only areas to the west. He’s generally seen as more conservative than most Falls Church voters would prefer but the fact that he’s attracted not one but two challengers seems to most people to enhance the chances he will get elected, nonetheless. His stated opponents as of now are Salim Saddam and Erika Yalowitz, both of whom identify themselves as more progressive than Petersen but neither of whom has won a public office before. If they both stay in the race and qualify for the ballot, in our view it will make it more difficult for either to beat Petersen.

For commonwealth attorneys, it is another challenging choice, this one between the incumbent, first-term prosecutor Parisa Denghanti-Tafti and her former deputy, Josh Katcher. Both claim to stand for reform in the office, the basis by which Denghanti-Tafti won four years ago against Theo Stamos. A recall effort against Denghanti-Tafti was unsuccessful in 2021. Katcher left his position as a deputy in her office and now has announced his bid to unseat her.

In the third race this spring, incumbent State Del. Marcus Simon, in what is now the 13th delegate district, may be facing off against another Democratic delegate, Del. Kaye Kory. While Simon is definitely running, Kory seems a bit less certain. Unfriendly redistricting resulted in the two having to compete in the same district, although Simon has represented Falls Church proper and Kaye the Sleepy Hollow area to its immediate south.

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‘Crisis Pregnancy Center’ Unregulated

Editor,

Abortion is still legal in Virginia, for now. Unfortunately there are many anti-abortion centers in northern Virginia posing as women’s health care clinics that are not medical centers at all. These ’crisis pregnancy centers’ are unregulated and not subject to the same rules and standards as medical clinics.

According to a PopSugar expose: “Nonprofit crisis pregnancy centers have been an arm of the antiabortion movement since 1967, when the first CPC opened in Hawaii, according to the Guttmacher Institute. There are now more than 2,500 CPCs in the US: they regularly rake in millions of dollars in government funding and seek to dissuade patients from obtaining abortions. And yet, these institutions often go under the radar. ‘in general, we find that knowledge and awareness about crisis pregnancy centers is extremely low,’ says Andrea Swartzendruber, MPH, PhD, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Georgia who has helped create a map of crisis pregnancy centers across the US. Multiple studies and investigative reports have shown that these facilities actively deceive and provide misinformation to their clients, but savvy marketing techniques and lack of public awareness mean unsuspecting patients continue walking through the door, often mistaking them for an abortion provider’s office.”

Options Care Center and A Woman’s Choice are two crisis pregnancy centers in the community. Their websites are very compelling, but misleading. Because they are not licensed health centers, they are not constrained by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and can disseminate unprotected personal information. An unexpected pregnancy can disrupt lives and send young women looking for medical help and guidance. As women and their families grapple with their options, it is important that timely and unbiased information about all options be available to them.

Women deserve so much more. Their lives are unique and precious, and women need to be able to make accurately informed personal decisions about their own futures.

Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights

Mission Creep: Falls Church Arts

Editor,

As a member of F.C. Arts I have appreciated the opportunity offered to me and fellow artists to show our art in our locally focussed and funded Gallery. Barbara Cram, our founder and a mover and shaker to establish the gallery and meet the mission to embrace, enhance, and elevate the Falls Church visual arts community always kept her eye on improving and expanding arts in the City. With this mission in mind why, in the current show Textures, do 37 artists take up wall space with 60 photographs? Why was the juror not directed to choose one selection per artist in order to give as many local photographers a chance to show their work to their neighbors and friends?

Why is the Falls Church Arts Gallery advertising in East City Art which covers the entire metro-DC area -far outside our mission? I hope that the current Board of Directors will reconsider their approach and come back to the Barbara Cram ideal of local art -- locally focussed.

Julie Krachman

Congrats for FCCPS FY24 Budget

Editor,

Congratulations the Falls Church School Board and Superintendent Noonan for their work in delivering the FY24 FCCPS advertised budget. In particular, they should be commended for their ongoing investment in FCCPS staff. Along with including several compensation and benefit improvements aimed at staff recruitment and retainment, the FY24 budget also includes funding for six weeks of paid leave to new parents.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the School Board and Dr. Noonan for their openness and engagement with the community during the budget process, which led to the addition of a full-time advanced academics instructional position.

As a co-chair of the FCCPS Gifted Education Advisory Committee, I strongly believe that this position will be vital to the support and success of both students and teachers next year and in the years to come.

Jess Goodwin

Explore the Outdoors with Troop 1996

Learn what scouting is all about on Monday, March 13th, 2023 at 7:30pm! We welcome all young men who are currently fifth graders and will be in the sixth grade in the fall of 2023 as well as older young men seeking a scouting experience. We are an active local troop, with monthly outings, campouts, hikes, Eagle projects, and summer camp and High Adventure crews – come find out more!

Troop 1996 meets weekly at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle school on Monday nights at 7:30pm except when FCCPS schools are closed.

www.facebook.com/ScoutsBSATroop1996 www.troop1996.com

scoutmaster@troop1996.com

Falls Church | Troop1996

Summer camp 2022 at Camp Henson on the Nanticoke River.

Faces of Falls Church

A Penny for Your Thoughts News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Virginia Task Force One, Fairfax County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, is home safely from its mission to assist areas of earthquakeravaged Turkey and Syria, but the devastation that killed nearly 50,000 people and affected millions will last for months, perhaps years.

ber of the Alexandria City Council, noted that Northern Virginia residents and businesses “have always stepped up to the plate to help those in need. This time is no different.”

Local Realtor Colin Storm spotlights Falls Church City businesses with video interviews on his Falls Church Living Facebook page. It began as an effort to support business owners impacted by the pandemic – and to showcase the diversity and excellence of our area’s small businesses. These video interviews have been a great way to connect with local companies, and Colin notes that some of these businesses have even collaborated as a result of watching each other’s videos.

(

Photo: Colin Storm)

To nominate someone for Faces please email us at Ktoland@fcnp.com. To be considered for Faces someone must be a member of the community and have done something you feel they should be recoginozed for. Falls Church News-Press reserves the right to use it’s discretion when it comes to who will be featured.

On Friday, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) announced the launch of a local aid program to collect money that will be used to purchase food packages for earthquake victims. This approach is different from previous international humanitarian efforts organized by NVRC, a coalition of Northern Virginia jurisdictions, when residents literally donated tons of blankets, coats, socks, and gloves which were shipped to Ukraine in 2022, and to Turkish refugees several years earlier.

The most important, and immediate, needs are for food and shelter. Northern Virginia leaders have set a goal of $25,000 and encourage residents and businesses to visit www.helpearthquakevictims.org to donate. Northern Virginia is a very generous community, so the $25,000 goal should be reached quickly and, hopefully, exceeded many times over. At the press conference announcing the effort, NVRC Chairman John T. Chapman, a mem-

Fairfax County Board Chairman Jeff McKay added that the news is heartbreaking, but that our community always rallies to help those in need, both regionally and internationally.

Mustafa Akpinar, a 20-year resident of Fairfax County, said that more than 67 percent of his hometown in Turkey was destroyed, and he expressed deep thanks to “our wonderful NOVA community” on behalf of the American Turkish community.

Saturday was breezy, but bright and sunny, when the opening of the new Annandale Community Center was celebrated by an enthusiastic crowd of nearby residents. The new center will feature youth programs by the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Clubs, and is located in the Heritage Mall in the Braddock District. It is immediately across Heritage Drive from Ossian Hall Park and Annandale High School, which are in the Mason District, so the new space will serve youth from both magisterial districts. The center features two spacious activity rooms, a small serving kitchen, accessible restrooms, and lots of natural light.

The most popular dedication speaker

City of Falls Church CRIME REPORT

Week of February 27 - March 5, 2023

Drunk in Public/Urinating in Public, S Oak St, February 28, 5:55 PM, a male, 43, of no fixed address was arrested for Drunk in Public and Urinating in Public. Trespass, S Washington St, March 4, 7:24 AM, a male, 43, of no fixed address was issued a summons for Trespass.

was Braddock Elementary School fifth grade student, Pedro, who wore an elegant straw hat and an embroidered red vest from his native Guatemala. Pedro had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone, but his message was more poignant than any of the elected officials on the program. Pedro, who speaks three languages, said he came to the U.S. when he was four years old, and he has worked hard to adjust and succeed in his new home. He said he really likes his principal, and is looking forward to participating in programs at the new center.

The Mason District Budget Town Meeting, in-person, will be held this Thursday, March 9, 2023, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Christina Jackson will present an overview of the proposed FY 2024 county budget, and there will be a question-and-answer period after. I look forward to seeing you there!

 Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Drunk in Public, Hillwood Ave, March 5, 4:30 AM, a male, 31, of Falls Church, was arrested for Drunk in Public.

Shoplifting, S Maple Ave, March 5, 4:32 PM, three suspects took items of value and left in a black Ford Explorer. Suspects described as two women and one man in their mid 30’s

‘The Pirates of Penzance’ Sails the Comic Seas at Chalice Theatre

by Mark Dreisonstok

Chalice Theatre at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Arlington is currently presenting Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance,” under the thoughtful direction of Catherine Aselford. In this legendary comic opera, Frederick, a young man, reaches his twentieth birthday and wishes to depart to live on his own after having been brought up by pirates. However, an unexpected snag occurs which jeopardizes his escape into adulthood, resulting in comical conflicts throughout the opera. This is heightened by Frederick’s exaggerated sense of duty to both pirates and to bourgeois society. Comic elements are especially strong as conveyed by the Chalice Theatre cast. Steve Renard is quite convincing as the earnest Frederick. Other humorous portrayals include the

young maidens who appear on the shore and are in exaggerated dismay when Fredrick appears; Greg LaNave also takes on the comic role of the seemingly unmilitary Modern Major General. James Maxted is a spirited Pirate King.

The generous helping of humor, of course, is complemented by the music of Gilbert and Sullivan. One of the show’s standards, “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General,” is performed with verve by Dr. LaNave. Kate Kelly, a music teacher by day, plays Frederick’s love interest, Mabel, commanding an operatic voice which works especially well in the beautiful song “Poor Wandering One.”

The props are very funny and relevant to youngsters today, such as the “Minecraft” themed swords pulled out when the pirates are about to raid the Modern Major General’s house.

The stage space is also used effectively, bringing the show right before the audience. This musical style of the production is innovative; music director Darin Stringer imbues the spritely musical score with a distinctive mellow sound which complements the voices of the performers well.

When asked about the group’s choice of “Pirates,” Nancy Nowalk, who also provides an excellent portrayal of the character Ruth, pointed out that Chalice usually produces classic Broadway fare such as “The Music Man” and “South Pacific” However, Chalice feels that our current times invite parody: “Most Gilbert and Sullivan operettas skewer the politics of the time. If anything, however, ‘Pirates of Penzance’s’ enduring status illustrates how timeless the themes of political satire are! Whether it is total deference to the rich and powerful or the commitment to

putting a rigid construct of ‘duty’ above any sort of logical reality, ‘Pirates’ entertains because the absurdity it points out is timeless.”

An academic by day, Dr. LaNave, the Modern Major General, enjoys his change of pace with “Pirates.” He told Falls Church News-Press : “‘Pirates’ is probably the silliest show I’ve been in, and that includes ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ and ‘Anything Goes.’ My current favorite line is in the second act finale, when Mabel sings “Frederick, save us!” and he responds “Beautiful Mabel, I would if I could but I am not able.” I love the music of ‘Pirates,’ including all the nods towards grand opera (especially on the part of Mabel).”

Most importantly, the audience responded very enthusiastically to the production. The mission of Chalice Theatre is “to offer intergenerational experiences in the performing arts,”

and by this measure the performance was a clear success. The audience, ranging from a six-year-old girl to older adults, were all laughing enthusiastically. Indeed, the show offers a wonderful, warmhearted performance full of humor for the whole family. The broad range of performers in the cast was also a joy to see—everyone from parents to a music teacher, a college professor, and children and teens.

“The Pirates of Penzance” runs for six more performances, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on March 10, 11, 17, and 18 as well as matinee performances at 2 p.m. on March 11 and 12. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington is at 4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22204. For further information, please visit: Chalice Theatre –Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (uucava.org)

GRANT RENARD AS Constable and Kate Kelley as Mabel in Chalice Theatre’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” (Photo: D. Ohlandt)

2-MOLLY SPOONER, EMILY ABRAHAM, and Greg LaNave as Major General Stanley, with Lila Vizzard (Photo: D. Ohlandt)

SCHOOLS

Falls Church School News & Notes

OSE Learns Healthy Habits from Challenges

Oak Street is learning about hearthealthy habits such as: being active, staying hydrated and avoiding tobacco. In addition to physical activities in PE class this week, the students could dedicate hearts to family members or themselves. In the 14 years since being in this program, the school has raised over 120,000 dollars. The money raised goes to the American Heart Association. Oak Street families can sign their students up at ww2.heart.org to create a fundraising site and collect donations (through next week).

Meridian Rock Bands Thrive at N38 Studios

The Meridian Guitar and Contemporary Band class had an extraordinary opportunity to record at N38 Studios in Falls Church and work with professional musicians and owners Buddy Speir and Sarah Marks.

While recording three performances, the MHS rock band musicians learned about engineering and

production. They will be shared shortly. It was a great day as the musicians learned about the music industry.

FCCPS Jazz and Rock Ensembles to Play

Join the MEH & MHS jazz and rock band ensembles on Sunday, March 19 from 3-5 p.m. for LIVE at the MEH Cafe: Swing Time. Guests will be treated to an afternoon of live swing and rock music along with tasty mocktails and nibbles. Special for the performance is swing dancing instruction for all ages. Join in the Mary Ellen Henderson School Cafe for this special springtime concert. Admission is free. Donations accepted to help fund music at the schools.

the world. The event will take place on Saturday, March 18 at Meridian High School from 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

Visitors Thank Students for Donations

by Ryan McCafferty

Meridian High School’s girls’ basketball team swept conference rival Brentsville in the regular season and then beat them again in regional tournament play, but they’d have to get through the Tigers one more time in order to get back to Friday’s State Finals at VCU’s Siegel Center. McLean High – about a ten minute drive up the road from Meridian – was a packed house filled mostly with Mustang supporters, but Chris Carrico’s squad would have a challenge in front of them as senior forward Elizabeth Creed was unable to play with a wrist injury.

Peyton Jones got the scoring started with a three-point play the old fashioned way, and although Brentsville came back to tie on a few occasions, the Mustangs never trailed in the first quarter and led 15-10 after a frame. They went ahead 17-12 early in the second, but then six straight points

Join

MHS for International Night

Back for the first time since 2019, International Night allows students to experience the rich cultural diversity of the school community by offering an educational experience, cultural performances, and a “tasting table” with dishes from around

In addition to making power packs, fifth-grade ambassadors formed smaller groups to support various causes. One such group collected “Sports Gear for Africa.” The hard work of seven Oak Street students (Larissa Bouldin, Sofia Davis, Gwen DeCoste, Addie Estes, Eli Kulman, Hunter Marlin, and Isla Pagliai) and three Meridian senior mentors (Jack Ettinger, Delaney Flanagan, and Morgan Knight) is making a positive impact halfway across the globe. The generous donations made by the FCCPS community have inspired the founders, Ida Puliwa and Ted Mwango of I Demand Access, to start a girls soccer program for several schools in Mulanje, Malawi. On a recent US visit, Ida and Ted from Malawi stopped by Oak Street Elementary to thank the students who are helping positively impact hundreds of students’ lives.

Mustang Girls’ Basketball Season Ends One Game Short of Richmond

by the Tigers gave them their first lead of the game and forced a Mustang timeout. It did the trick, as Meridian ended the first half on a 6-0 run afterwards, capped off by a Nora Stufft layup at the buzzer.

Jones gave the Mustangs their biggest lead of the night by opening the third quarter with a layup on the opening possession, but Brentsville responded with eight straight points to take a 26-25 edge, and the dogfight was on. The Tigers pulled ahead by as much as five before Meridian responded to tie the game at 32 headed into the fourth, and the teams remained knotted at 36 apiece with under two minutes to go. That’s when Brentsville sunk two free throws to take the lead for good, as a Mustang turnover and two more free throws gave them a four point lead with less than a minute remaining. Jones was able to briefly keep hope alive with some clutch buckets, but the Tigers simply wouldn’t miss at

the line and won by a final score of 46-41.

“We just missed opportunities,” said Carrico after the game. The Mustangs’ bench boss, who was named Regional Coach of the Year this past weekend, noted that Creed’s absence was a major factor, but also that his team struggled to get to the free throw line and to make baskets down the stretch.

In addition to Carrico, Creed and Jones both were honored with All-Regional First Team selections. Both are seniors and both will continue playing basketball in college next year; Jones at Rochester University and Creed at Christopher Newport. Meanwhile, Maureen Tremblay and Ellie Friesen both made the second team and Nora Stufft was named an honorable mention.

Jones did all she could in the defeat by scoring 16 points to lead the Mustangs, while Tremblay chipped in with 15. Brentsville was led by Alden Yergey’s 24.

THE HARD WORK of FCCPS students has inspired the founders, Ida Puliwa and Ted Mwango of I Demand Access, to start a girls soccer program for several schools in Malawi. . (Photo: Dave Decoste)

THE MERIDIAN GUITAR and Contemporary Band class had an extraordinary opportunity to record at N38 Studios in Falls Church. (Photo: Mary Jo West) falls one game short of returning to Richmond. The girls lost 46-41 to

F.C. Elected Women Share Advice on Women’s History Month

by Kylee Toland Falls Church News-Press

March celebrates various women during Women’s History Month; it’s also a time for some women to reflect on how far they have come and what obstacles they have had to face. For those women who may be an elected official in the Little City, this is an important time to share what this month means to them, as well as advice they have for those who may want to follow in their footsteps.

Vice Mayor of Falls Church Letty Hardi stated Women’s History Month gives her a chance to reflect on the “immense privilege” to serve the community as one of nine elected women in the city. As a first-generation immigrant child, a first-generation college student and a full-time working mother, Hardi said she is “lucky to have had those experiences” and uses her past experiences as “anchors” to create opportunities for the next generation.

“I have seen first hand in both the professional and political worlds that the conversation is different and decisions are better when there are more diverse voices at the table,” Hardi said. “I am grateful for the brave women who came before me and demanded those seats.”

City of Falls Church Council Member Marybeth Connelly said Women’s History Month is a way for women to encourage each other to “succeed together,” as well as an “opportunity” to remember and celebrate women who “came before us, and to look forward and encourage the next generation to take the steps to change their communities, professions and families for the better.”

“No one (woman or man) succeeds alone,” Connelly stated. “To get this done, we need to find allies who support one another.”

Her advice for women who may want to take on a position like hers,

Connelly said being an elected City Council member is a “worthwhile” way to give back to the community. Over the years, Connelly stated she’s seen people run for office who aren’t as involved in the community, which can make them “less successful candidates.” People “embedded” in organizations such as League of Women’s Voters, PTAs and more “run the city” and are needed in office.

“Your roles probably include some combination of mother, wife, daughter, employee, student, entrepreneur, volunteer,” Connelly said. “Elected officials need to be all of those things to be able to be compassionate listeners and good leaders.”

Laura Downs, the school chair for the Falls Church City School Board, said Women’s History Month is a “valuable reminder” of the “trailblazers” who came before her in the local leadership of Falls Church City.

“These women laid the groundwork for those of us in public service today,” Downs said. “Currently, there is a female majority on both our School Board and City Council which is a testament to how far we’ve come.”

Downs further stated that she is “grateful” to the female leaders who did the “heavy lifting” in her position before her, as well as her current male colleagues who have been “incredibly supportive” with her role as Chair.

“I think as women, we need to encourage each other to step outside our comfort zones and run [for office],” Downs said. “For those who have not yet held leadership positions, those experiences can help to prepare you to run for public office.”

F.C. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Director Elise Neil Bengston said she began her career in the federal government “where being both young and a woman” meant that she would have to “work extra hard to prove myself.”

“I had to carefully assert myself and always be professional in order to be taken seriously and move up the ladder,” Bengston said. “My reputation for solid work and professionalism spread and I earned respect which was acknowledged all the way to the top.”

Bengston’s advice for local women who may want to follow in her footsteps is “give great consideration to the opportunities that come their way.” Being thoughtful and professional, supporting one’s colleagues and proving “you’re not beneath doing simple tasks” are also takeaways Bengston has learned from her past and current work.

Falls Church City School Board Member and Democratic fundraising consultant Lori Silverman said Women’s History Month is a time “to reflect on how far we’ve come” and how much work “needs to be done on behalf of women.” She said she

believes that obstacles happen for everyone, but “some groups have more obstacles than others in various career paths,” whether it be based on one’s gender, race or “other protected classes.”

Some advice Silverman has for women (and men) who want to work in Democratic politics is to find an area that interests them and are willing to “put in the hard work” for.

“Don’t be sold on a specific path because you never know where the next door will lead,” Silverman said. “It’s not always the most glamorous work, but it’s really important work.”

Caroline Lian, a Falls Church City Council Member, said her advice for women during Women’s History Month is to “speak up” every day, whether it be congratulating one’s success and looking for moments to “boost” one’s confidence.

“In your daily life, you can make the most impact by demonstrating

what empowerment looks like for girls and women around you,” Lian said. “That could mean modeling confident behavior or stepping up to protect others who are vulnerable.”

In her 28 years in the workforce, Lian said her challenges have varied, such as overcoming pro-male bias and managing a work/life balance. Although things are “progressing” in terms of men and women sharing the “emotional” workload, Lian said society’s expectations are still not the same for men and women regarding their roles in families.

“Women’s History Month to me means recognizing the history of women in our world and how far we’ve come, acknowledging how far we still have to go, but still making time to celebrate the progress and the accomplishments of women throughout the years to our culture and society,” Lian said.

Local Organizations Help & Empower Women Around F.C.

by Kylee Toland Falls Church News-Press

Tracing back to the early 20th century, Women’s History Month has been a way to highlight the contributions of women in history and society. It’s also a reminder of the various groups and organizations making it their mission to help and/or empower women.

In 2017, the Women’s History Walk was started by Nikki Henderson from the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, as well as current City of Falls Church council member Marybeth Connelly. The walk was created to highlight the history of “little-known” women in Falls Church, which then expanded into the Women’s History Group as more and more local women became involved.

As a founder of the Women’s History Group, Connelly said since the group is trying to “encourage the next generation of young women to get involved.” On the Women’s History Walk website, Connelly stated there’s a page dedicated to how a woman can get involved in the city, including various organizations who need volunteers. The group has also held events that allow local, elected women to share their stories amongst themselves as well as others.

“When you’re running for office, it’s really intimidating to think about how you would do it when you have kids and a job,” Connelly said, “so to hear the stories of people who do this successfully and need encouragement…I think it’s really important to share that message.”

The group also recognizes the work that women have done in the past decades, which Connelly stated is important to celebrate and highlight due to their impact on the City of Falls Church today. This year, the Women’s History Walk will be a little different, as the “walk” spans over the whole month of March instead of just one day. Signs with the names of various Falls Church women and their biographies can

be found at different locations, such as Creative Cauldron, Harvey’s Restaurant and more.

One local nonprofit organization, Homestretch, has been designed to empower homeless parents with children and help “to move them from crisis to long-term stability and financial independence.” Starting over 30 years ago, credit counselor Heather Lynskey said Homestretch helps homeless women by “setting goals and specific plans toward reaching self-sufficiency.”

As a female-dominated organization, Director of Development Nekita Jones said the organization has served “90 percent of women,” as well as being staffed by “over 90 percent of women.”

“With that comes the knowledge and history of knowing what the obstacles are against women,” Jones said, further stating that over 65 percent of Homestretch’s clients are coming from domestic abuse situations. “Immigrant women, women of color and single mothers are facing all kinds of barriers and other obstacles in this country and in this region.”

Kayleen Mark, the housing specialist for the city’s Department of Housing and Human Services, said the main focus of the department is to provide affordable housing and programs to all citizens. Mark stated the department serves a lot of women, unfortunately those who have faced domestic abuse or have children to take care of on their own.

“We work with them on a daily basis to help them find any sort of resources that they may need,” Mark said.

Mark further stated the reason she wanted to be involved in the field of human services was because of her mother, who Mark said had a passion for helping others and “doing good” in the community.

“That has always been my passion as well: to serve those in need,” Mark said.

Falls Church Business News & Notes

Compass Coffee to Open in Falls Church

DC-based Compass Coffee has announced plans to open a full service, drive thru location in the Shops at West Falls Church. They will modify the former BB&T bank building to serve seasonal drink flavors as well as breakfast sandwiches and pastries for those on the go. Compass Coffee opened in 2014 and has 16 shops across the region. It hopes to open this summer.

NOVA Job Market Update

The Northern Virginia Community College Office of Career Services has compiled statistics on jobs posted in Northern Virginia from December 2022 through February 2023. Among the highlights, Northern Virginia had nearly 105,000 job postings in this time period, ranking 25th among all metropolitan areas across the country. The Washington, DC metro area had almost 266,000 job postings, ranking 5th in all metropolitan areas. There were more job postings for software developers than any other occupation (7,338) and registered nurses ranked 3rd. The top three companies posting jobs in Northern Virginia were Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos and Inova Health System.

Best Hospitals Ranked

Newsweek has published its 2023 list of the World’s Best Hospitals with fifteen in DC and Virginia. Among those in Northern Virginia, two are in the top 100. Inova Fairfax Hospital ranked #72, Inova Alexandria Hospital was #100. The goal of the study was to provide a data-based comparison of hospital reputations and performance across the country.

Navigating the New SBA VOSB/SDVOSB Certification

The SBA has recently taken over the certification of VOSB/SDVOSB for set-aside opportunities with the government. GovCon 101 will walk contractors through the new application and share advice on how to properly apply. Participants will learn where to access the portal to submit applications, how to manage the required data, which documents are needed, and eligibility guidelines. The Virginia SBDC session is free and participants will receive the Zoom link upon registration at https://clients. virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=140430004.

Craft Beverage: Media Marketing Webinar

The Virginia SBDC is facilitating a free seminar for those in the craft beverage industry to learn more about the importance of marketing and developing a strategy to work with the media. Virginia SBDC Craft Beverage Assistance program manager Chris Van Orden and Lisa Archer, Editor and Publisher of Edible Blue Ridge , will discuss the craft beverage sector, the media’s process for sourcing stories on local producers, and what makes a good subject. Participants must register in advance and the Zoom will then be shared. Visit https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop. aspx?ekey=900430016.

BAE Systems Receives $245.6 M Contract

Falls Church-based BAE Systems received a contract to procure materials for armored vehicle production. The Pentagon announced that under a $245.6 million cost-sharing contract, the work will support the future purchase of the Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (AMPV). The AMPV program will replace the service’s Vietnam War-era M113 armored personnel carriers. The Army and BAE intend to accelerate the production since approximately 200 M113s have been sent to Ukraine.

 Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.

THE CITY’S HOUSING and Human Services Department often works with women in providing affordable housing programs. (Photo: Kayleen Mark)

Tucker Carlson’s New Big Lie

Nicholas F. Benton

The Dominion Election Machines’ $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News has caused internal Fox documents to come to light that acknowledge beyond any doubt that Fox, including its highest level leadership in Rupert Murdoch, knew it was deliberately lying to its viewers about the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election when it spread the lie that Trump was cheated out of a victory.

This damning evidence if pursued in the legal case against Fox will almost certainly bring the Fox network down. At least it should.

It could be argued that the more recent attempt by Fox’s Tucker Carlson to sanitize the Trump-led January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by use of the 41,000 hours of tapes of the attack he was given by the GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy was, in fact, a desperate “hail Mary” attempt to forestall the inevitable, the demise of Fox entirely as a credible news entity that should be now forthcoming.

But of course we don’t know that this will be the outcome, as much as it should be. That’s because so much of the world’s elites are aligned behind Trump’s side of the story as outrageous as it has become.

Remember, the use of outrageous lies did not begin with Trump claims about the 2020 election outcome. It was clear the first day that Trump took office on January 20, 2017, when his then press secretary made the most outrageous claim that millions of Americans were lining Pennsylvania Avenue and filling the National Mall to overflowing for Trump’s Inauguration.

That singular, massive violation of ordinary sensibilities, was all that anyone should have needed to prove this entire Trump exercise was one of extraordinary grift and lies.

Yes, on that day, the witness of live television cameras, photographers and reporters were subordinated to an extraordinary coordinated lie, and to the extent to which

Trump was able to get away with it, the groundwork was laid for the relentless assault by Trump on the media for everything he didn’t like in the coverage of his administration for the next four years.

Honestly, if he was able to get away with that, there is nothing that he couldn’t get away with from that moment forward, including his claim the 2020 election was “stolen.”

I frankly don’t know what should have happened differently on Inauguration Day 2019 when Trump press secretary Sean Spicer came out to the White House press briefing room to insist, contrary to all the evidence, that reality was not what all the reporting said it was that day.

I served a period myself as a White House correspondent, and I honestly can’t imagine what it would have been like to be sitting in that press briefing room and hearing Spicer say what he did.

Watching on TV, I was stunned. But even more troubling was the fact he got away with it.

Should the reporters there have stormed the podium at that very moment? I don’t know. It came as such a shock to everybody. But the bottom line was that the most outrageous of lies, thrown right in the face of the nation’s elite White House Press Corps, was allowed to pass.

The rest, it might be said, is history.

For my part, I will never forget, or forgive, that moment. And, as I suspected at the time, it defined everything that followed even to this very day.

You see, democracy and the rule of law depend on one decisive thing: that reality, that truth, is recognized. Without some universal standard of truth, we the people have nothing to rely on. Our court system, for example, is dependent and relies on the ability to approximate the truth as best as possible. So do electoral outcomes.

What Trump did was far more insidious in the undermining of our democracy than just cheating about the outcome. He, and his controllers, succeeded in undermining the very basis on which our system of democracy works.

So when Tucker Carlson reverts to a similar technique – the blatant denial of self-evident facts – to make his case, it is in keeping with a now-well known method. Another big lie.

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

I maintain both an historical and personal attachment to the neighborhood called Glebewood, just off N. Glebe Rd. a block south of Langston Blvd.

A slice of its vintage 1930s cottage-style row houses are listed on the national and state historic registers. And my parents in 1974-76 lived in one of the nearby modern townhomes of Glebe Common (just two years after the neighborhood’s Dominion movie theater—formerly the Glebe—closed).

I also recently learned that Glebewood shares with certain other Arlington developments the unfortunate legacy of legally enforced racial segregation.

You’re basically in Glebewood if, like me, you patronize businesses like the Sherwin Williams Paint store or the Livin’ the Pie Life pastries and coffee haunt. The Glebewood Village Historic District, designated two decades ago, comprises 5.9 acres on seven blocks with 105 brick, two-story Colonial Revival homes in alternating colors built 1937-38. The leafy intersections of 21st and N. Brandywine Sts. lead to lovely Slater Park.

My personal memories of those blocks in the 1970s include the time some tranquility-loving neighbors—my mother included—sought to block construction of an assisted living facility a block south on Glebe Rd. It is today Sunrise Senior Living. But I also recall

from my mornings walking our dog noticing that a succession of chain-link fences prevented easy passage through to the nearby African-American enclave of Halls Hill.

Many 21st century Arlingtonians became aware of the “segregation wall” after a vestige of its cinder blocks several blocks away at N. Culpeper and 17th St. was marked in 2017 with a ceremony and historical sign. That informal structure—rolled out gradually by individual homeowners in the 1930s to separate the races—was finally dismantled by local black school kids in the 1950s, and officially by the county in 1966.

The existence of racial covenants—deed and sales agreement language that forbade whites from selling homes to blacks or Jews—became common in the 1920s but had faded by the 1960s. They are only recently being researched. A group of academics led by Marymount University sociology professor Janine DeWitt so far has uncovered two land records for section 1 of Glebewood Village. They read:

“This conveyance is made upon the condition and restriction that neither the said property nor any part thereof nor any interest therein shall ever be sold, transferred, conveyed, devised or leased to anyone not of the Caucasian Race.”

Modern residents have a Glebewood Civic Association, but its leader did not respond to inquiries. During a recent walk through my one time

stomping grounds, I chatted with several neighbors. None were aware of the old covenants, except vaguely in one case. But all said they were fond of the tranquil neighborhood. Which is understandable.

I also noted that Slater Park today allows easy foot traffic between Glebewood and oncesegregated Hall’s Hill.

***

How many of you recall the Cherrydale fixture called Progressive Cleaners? (Slogan: “Arlington is progressive, so are we.”)

Visible from the 1940s until just into the 21st century was a mural that westbound drivers saw from what then was Lee Highway depicting the Trylon & Perisphere from the 1939 New York World’s Fair. (Its original meaning was said to symbolize either Faith, Hope and Charity, or Aspiration and Despair.)

Cleaners founder Joe Fuschini, I’m told by my boyhood friend Gary Glover, who is his grandson, admired the fair’s theme of progress after launching Progressive in 1937. So he wrote to the fair’s managers and asked for permission to reproduce the image. It was granted at no charge, provided that Fuschini (and his later partner Ed Glover) would encourage visits to the fair, which lasted for years in the 1940s before a new version opened in New York in 1964.

Gary Glover followed his father into the business, later expanding a successful chain of dry cleaners in Richmond called Puritan.

The Weekly Diplomatic Reach

by Brian Reach Falls Church News-Press

In Tenn., Drag Shows, ‘Prurient’ Gender Impersonation Now Illegal

In Tennessee last Thursday, Republican Governor Bill Lee signed two bans into place one on drag shows (any gender impersonation where the show could be seen by a minor, or that “appeals to a prurient interest”), and one on transgender healthcare for minors.

First Off, ‘Prurient?’

In case you didn’t know off-hand, the definition of prurient, according to MerriamWebster, is “marked by or arousing an immoderate or unwholesome interest or desire.” If The Handmaid’s Tale had a theme song, it would be stuck in my head right now. Yikes.

Tennessee’s Violent Attack on Trans Youth

While the Virginia Republicans were unsucessful in their legislative assault on trans youth, Tennessee Republicans were able to get theirs signed into law.

Term “Gender-Affirming Care” Misused By Republicans

Trans youth, according to every credible medical organization, do not have a mental disorder, and most are aware of and communicating their discomfort surrounding their gender identities before the age of five. This has always been true, and for most trans individuals, puberty is a horrifying time, when a trans person’s body goes through irreversible changes in opposition to their true identities.

Now that LGBTQ+ equality has progressed, many parents are stepping up and supporting their trans+ youth by seeking hormone blocking therapy; a way to “push pause” on puberty until adulthood, when the young trans adult can decide whether to proceed with further gender affirmation.

There Are No “Sex Changes”

Happening For Minors.

The legislation passed by Tennessee lawmakers, like the ones proposed here in Virginia, ban both surgical procedures and medication for minors. To be crystal clear, minors are not given hormones or surgical sex changes. They are only given hormone blockers, so they aren’t forced to go through the wrong puberty, which permanently changes their bone and body structures, voices, and other traits commonly associated with gender.

These bills force trans youth to go through the wrong puberty, essentially punishing their identities with the equivalent of a lifelong physical deformity. Banning hormone blockers is wholly immoral and without justification, and causes actual life-threatening physical harm to youth cynically in the name of “protecting” them.

Transphobic Speculation is The Goal. Republicans Are Winning.

None of the details of these laws, ultimately, are the point. Folks are choosing to allow continued engagement in a public conversation about a group of people, who have been validated by every medical organization as genuine, and whether to systematically prevent them from pursuing their medical, social, or emotional needs.

The fact that this conversation is happening is the problem.

Virginia Legislature Exodus Continues

Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax), the first female and first Jewish Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, added her name to a growing list of resignations. So far 35 state legislators a full 25 percent of the Virginia General Assembly are vacating their seats this year.

The wave of resignations now surpasses the historic wave seen after Republicans first leveraged computers to digitally gerrymander (in all the worst ways) in 2001, including carving out the specific blocks incumbentstargets lived on and moving them into new and

politically unfriendly districts.

Filler-Corn is almost cer tainly running for Governor in 2025, which she has openly admitted to exploring.

One Local House District With Dual Incumbents Remains

Redistricting pushed 33 incumbent Delegates into 16 new House Districts. This was the impetus for many afore mentioned resignations, though several were already planned.

With Filler-Corn’s resigna tion, Falls Church’s own House District is the only remain ing race in Northern Virginia with two current incumbents: Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church) and Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church).

Simon has announced publicly his intention to run for re-election, has filed his paperwork, and has already announced receiving enough signatures to qualify for the

Virginia Supreme Court,

dates to appeal to moderate voter you couldn’t have been mated that perhaps ten House Districts would be competitive

“It’s unfortunate when popular incumbents who ed are suddenly thrown into a primary together. And pened here, following the Redistricting Commission’s and subsequent court-drawn redistrictings.” explained Cindy Cunningham, Chair of Falls Church City Democratic

institutional knowledge caused

Cunningham warns that we may feel the effects of these departures for some both those planned and those forced by incumbent pairings the General Assembly is losing hundreds of years of experience in one fell swoop, which may affect the quality of legislation and budget-making

Community News & Notes

Gun Violence Prevention Mobile

Classroom Visits MHS

On Monday, February 27th, Meridian’s Gun Violence Prevention Club, in partnership with “Change the Ref,” held an event outside of Meridian to raise awareness about gun violence in America. It was a joint effort between Change the Ref and the club to educate students.

The founder of Change the Ref, Manuel Oliver, who lost his son in the Parkland school shooting five years ago and has since devoted his life to protecting other people’s children, spoke to students and staff who attended the event.

Meridian’s Gun Violence Prevention Club started last year after the Uvalde shooting. President Elijah Pelton said the club officially began with a walkout of 600 Meridian students in protest of recent mass shootings. The idea behind the club was that students have easy access to national politics and should speak for those whose voices “can’t be heard.”

The Gun Violence Prevention Club has worked with other organizations such as Change the Ref,

March for Our Lives and Students Demand Action to support their events and goals to “promote a safer America for students like us.”

Clare and Don’s to Host Fundraiser for Aurora House

Support the Aurora House college scholarship fund for the girls on Monday, March 13th, for an evening of dinner, live music, and a silent auction at Clare & Don’s while supporting the girls’ continued success from 4:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Aurora House is a residential counseling facility located right here in Falls Church that serves at-risk teen girls. Performances will be by talented, young musicians – including an opener by Meridian’s Hannah Boesen.

Welcoming Falls Church to Host International Night

The FCEPTA’s annual International Night will take place on Saturday, March 18 from 5 — 7 p.m. at Meridian High School. International Night gives

students an opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity of the school community by offering an educational experience, cultural performances and a “tasting table” with dishes from around the world.

In order to offer this enriching experience to the students, they need families that are willing to host country tables, bring dishes to share, and to fill a variety of roles at the event.

Please email Gwendolyn Osborn (g@osbornclan.com) for more information.

Grace Christian’s Presents Bullying Program

Grace Christian Academy’s “Parent University” will be offering a presentation on bullying. “Bullying: How to Help Your Child” will offer parents and caregivers lessons on helping children develop skills to cope with adversity at school, and in so doing, develop skills that will address the adversities that will come to them throughout their lives. The presentation will focus on how children respond to and stand up against

bullying.

The discussion is open to the public and will be led by Renae Smith, elementary classroom teacher, music teacher, and licensed professional counselor. The event will be hosted on Monday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m., and will be held at Grace Christian Academy (3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church).

Learn More About Operating ArtsFairfax Support Grants

Join ArtsFairfax on March 9, at 12:00 PM ET to learn about the FY24 Operating Support Grants and changes for the next cycle. The session will be held via Zoom. The presentation will be recorded and posted on their website. For further information, please contact Jackie Dubin, Grants Manager, by email at jdubin@artsfairfax.org.

ArtsFairfax Operating Support advances the arts in Fairfax County by supporting the goals and objectives of the County’s arts organizations, helping them maintain and develop their programs, services, and facilities. Operating Support Grants are awarded

annually to arts organizations of all disciplines for up to 15 percent of their general operating expenses.

Those that are eligible are nonprofit arts organizations based in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church are eligible to apply for Operating Support Grants to support basic operations.

Earthquake Relief Announced By Northern Virginia Leaders

Northern Virginia leaders gathered Friday to announce an earthquake relief effort for the people of Turkey.

Northern Virginia’s fundraiser is collecting money to buy food packages for people impacted by the earthquakes. The commission is working with partner Embrace Relief, which officials previously worked with on Syrian refugee assistance. Embrace Relief has contracted with a firm in Turkey to provide food through the relief initiative.

The commission has a goal of raising $25,000 for the relief effort. Donations can be made at helpearthquakevictims.org.

KAVON ATABAKI of Functional Fitness, Olivia Jeffers of Karma Yoga and Barbara Benson of Body Dynamics offered tips at the luncheon of the Chamber of Commerce two weeks ago. (News-Press Photo)

ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, Meridian’s Gun Violence Prevention Club, in partnership with “Change the Ref,” held an event outside of Meridian to raise awareness about gun violence in America. It was a joint effort between Change the Ref and the club to educate students . (Photo: Chrissy Henderson)

THIS WEEK IN THE LITTLE CITY

THURSDAY

MARCH

Chamber Networking Breakfast

Stop by for an informal gathering to meet fellow F.C. Chamber members. No agenda or cost other than your breakfast. The Original Pancake House (7395 Lee Hwy., Falls Church), 8:00 a.m. — 9:00 a.m.

Art Exhibit: Texture

A dynamic show featuring photographers invited to explore how light and angle enhance or downplay visual or tactile surface characteristics of objects or scenes. Falls Church Arts (700-B W. Broad St, Falls Church), 11:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.

1,001 Plays

An annual 10-minute play festival where students write, perform, and direct original works for the stage, exploring multiple perspectives on a single idea. Works are performed live online, followed

by a talkback opportunity to share, reflect and respond. Register free at bit.ly/FCNP0323GM1. GMU School of Theater (Virtual, Online, register for link), 4:30 p.m.

Parent Education: Hidden in Plain Sight

HIPS is an awareness program educating parents on signs of risky behavior. Madison High School (2500 James Madison Dr., Door 12 Rm 32, Falls Church), 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.

RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up

Featuring local women comedians. Kennedy Center (2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC), 8:00 p.m.

FRIDAY

MARCH 10

GMU Mens Baseball vs. Saint Peter's GMU Mens Baseball takes on Saint Peter's University. Spuhler

Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax, VA), 3:00 p.m.

Book Reading and Signing: Susanne Pari

A special evening with Susanne Pari, author of In The Time of Our History , inspired by her own family’s experiences after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. An intimate yet universal story about an Iranian American family split between San Francisco and New Jersey in the late 1990s. Tensions arise as a woman reluctantly travels to her parents’ New Jersey home to honor her sister’s One Year (the Persian tradition of marking the first anniversary of someone’s death). The Fred Schnider Gallery of Art (888 N. Quincy St., Suite 102, Arlington, VA), 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Dan & Chuck

Dan & Chuck perform. Clare and Don's Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St, Falls Church), 6:00 p.m.

is recycled. Bring a few new or gently-used bath towels to support New Hope Housing, a 501(c) (3) organization fighting homelessness in our local communities. Victory Center Parking Lot (5001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA), 10:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.

PrintUP! Textile Upcycling Clinic

Local printmaker and designer Chitra Sharma will breathe life into old textiles with her block printing kit. Bring in items, choose colors and blocks for them, then shop while Sharma upcycles them. Get a unique, handprinted product and do something good for the earth! Up to four items per ticket; cost depends on size and complexity and ranges $10-$15. Trace: The Zero Waste Store (140 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA), 12:00 p.m. — 2:00 p.m.

GMU Womens Softball vs. Binghamton (DH)

GMU Mens Volleyball vs. Limestone University

GMU Mens Volleyball takes on Limestone University. GMU Recreational Athletic Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax, VA), 3:00 p.m.

Leprechaun Lap Bar Crawl: Clarendon

The infamous Leprechaun Lap shenanigans makes its way to Clarendon’s best bars, patios and rooftops, featuring all day drink specials, DJs, bands, signature party favors, and giveaways. Don your green! Register in advance at bit.ly/FCNP0323EB2. Clarendon area bars (Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA), 3:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.

Principe Y Principe (Prince & Prince)

GMU

Mens Volleyball vs. Limestone University

GMU Mens Volleyball takes on Limestone University. GMU Recreational Athletic Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax, VA), 7:00 p.m.

(the) Unruly Theatre Project

Come enjoy a free night of laughs! (the) Unruly Improv is The Alden’s professional teen improv company dedicated to bringing comedic performances to the community. The Alden Theatre (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA), 7:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Spike Burton

Spike Burton performs. Ireland's Four Provinces (105 W. Broad St, FallsChurch),7:00p.m.—10:00p.m.

Margaret Cho

Comedian Margaret Cho performs. Warner Theatre (513 13th St. NW, Washington, DC), 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY MARCH 11

Paper Shredding and Bath Towel Drive

Bring up to five 20 lb boxes of paper to be destroyed for free before your eyes. All shredded paper

GMU Womens Softball takes on Binghamtom University (double-header). George Mason Softball Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax, VA), 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

GMU Mens Baseball vs. Saint Peter's (DH)

GMU Mens Baseball takes on Saint Peter's University (doubleheader). Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax, VA), 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Judging a Book by Its Cover: A Brief History of the Book

From codex to Kindle, parchment to paper, books have played a significant part in the development of our Western culture. This talk will look at many pictures of historically important books, examine examples of bindings hands-on, watch a short film on the construction of modern books, and try to make one as a group. Please bring a favorite book, no matter the age, size or subject. Register at bit.ly/FCNP0323MRSPL1. Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Upper Floor Conf. Rm., Falls Church), 1:00 p.m. — 2:00 p.m.

Barks & Brews

Bring your canine family members for a day of live music, beer sampling, dog vendors and treats, games, prizes, and more. Shipgarten (6579 Colshire Dr., Tysons, VA), 1:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.

Based on the children’s book King and King by Linda Haan and Stern, Príncipe y Príncipe captures the charm of fairy tales at their finest. When a Queen calls together all the unmarried princesses in the land to meet her son, he must discover which will be his true love. But it may not be a princess he’s searching for…. Performed in Spanish with English subtitles (rows E and back recommended for better subtitle viewing). Gala Theatre (3333 14th St. NW, Washington, DC), 3:00 p.m.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra performs with Grammy winner Jason Vieaux on guitar and FSO's own Aaron Clay on double bass. Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP0323GM2. GMU Harris Theater (4471 Aquia Creek Ln., Fairfax, VA), 8:00 p.m.

Wicked Jezabel

Wicked Jezebel performs. JV's Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church), 8:30 p.m.

Alex Parez

Alex Parez performs. Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St, Falls Church), 9:30 p.m. — 12:30 a.m.

SUNDAY MARCH 12

Spring Forward! Change Clocks to DST

FANS OF WITTY BRITISH humor will enjoy Lettice and Lovage at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. (Courtesy Photo)

EVENTS, MUSIC, SPORTS, THEATRE & ART

Spring is (almost) here! Everywhere (Anywhere, All Over, USA), 2:00 a.m. — 3:00 a.m.

GMU Womens Softball vs. Binghamton

GMU Womens Softball takes on Binghamtom University. George Mason Softball Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax, VA), 12:00 p.m.

GMU Mens Baseball vs. Saint Peter's

GMU Mens Baseball takes on Saint Peter's University. Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax, VA), 1:00 p.m.

VA General Assembly Post-Session Review

Learn what Delegates and State Senators did in the General Assembly Session, which just ended. Ask elected leaders questions directly on issues important to you. Arlington Independent Media (2701 Wilson Blvd. #C, Arlington, VA), 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.

Virginia Opera: La Traviata

Set amidst the pleasure-loving and decadent French aristocracy of the 19th century, Verdi’s three-act tragic and romantic opera follows a sophisticated courtesan, Violetta, who falls in love with a man she cannot have, Alfredo Germont. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. Tickets at bit.ly/FCNP0323GM3. GMU Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax, VA), 2:00 p.m.

Gay Mens Chorus of DC Presents: Whitney

Join the Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, D.C. as they celebrate beloved pop and R&B icon Whitney Houston! Enjoy dance tunes and love songs from her amazing career. Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St. NW, Washington, DC), 3:00 p.m.

Arab American Youth Program

Sponsored by the National Arab American Women's Association. Meet other Arab American youth, discuss Arab American Heritage Month (April), and enjoy food. McLean Old Firehouse Center (1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA), 5:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Pacific Overtures

In 1853, after 200 years of stability, Japan faces an American expedition determined to open the floating kingdom to trade. The isolationist island’s reckoning with the unwelcome western influence is brilliantly illuminated through a kaleidoscope of stories about sailors, samurai, someone in a tree and two friends who choose radically different paths.

Signature Theatre (3200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA), 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY

MARCH 13

Fundraiser:

International Every Girl Wins Day'

Aurora House is a residential counseling facility for teen girls who work hard to develop new skills and tools to put them on a better path. Come together on International Every Girl Wins Day to fundraise for what comes next with an evening benefitting the Olom-Porzel Scholarship Fund. Information and tickets at fundraiser.bid/AuroraHouse.

Clare and Don's Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church), 4:30 p.m. -- 8:00 p.m.

Town Hall w/ Congressman Don Beyer

Join Congressman Beyer for his first in-person town hall of the 118th Congress to discuss what is happening. RSVP to join at bit.ly/FCNP0323EB3. Poe Middle School (7000 Cindy Ln., Annandale, VA), 7:00 p.m.

City Council Meeting

The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period. Sign up to speak at fallschurchva. gov/publiccomment. Watch the meeting at fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings and FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available online and on FCCTV after the meeting.

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 11:00 p.m.

TUESDAY

MARCH 14

Pi Day!

Celebrate 3.14 by enjoying a slice of pie — pizza counts! Visit a

Falls Church business to join the pun! Any bakery, pizza place, or grocery store (Anywhere serving pies, Falls Church), All day.

Art Exhibit: Progress was Neither Swift Nor Easy

The women represented in this exhibition are pioneers in science, engineering, and medicine who exemplify the spirit of those who have broken barriers in their lives and made significant contributions to their fields and society. National Academy of Sciences, East Gallery (2101 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC), 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

GMU Mens Baseball vs. University of Maine

GMU Mens Baseball takes on University of Maine. Spuhler Field (4400 University Dr., MS 3A5, Fairfax, VA), 2:00 p.m.

SHE:DC 2023 Artist Talk

SHE DC is an initiative correlating with Women's History Month to illuminate and celebrate DC's women makers and artists. Includes a curated art show featuring DMV women artists, panel discussions, popups with emerging businesses, and a final pitch competition for the SHE DC Microgrant. Shop the collection and learn more at bit.ly/ FCNP0323SheDC. La Cosecha (1280 4th St. NE, Washington, DC), 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Housing Commission Meeting

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 15

GMU Womens Softball vs. Coppin State University

GMU Womens Softball takes on Coppin State University. GMU Softball Complex (4350 Banister Creek Ct., Fairfax, VA), 2:00 p.m.

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Upper Conf. Rm., Falls Church), 6:00 p.m.

FCPS School Board Candidate Forum

All Fairfax County School Board candidates have been invited to participate. West Springfield Government Center (6140 Rolling Rd., West Springfield, VA), 7:00 p.m.

Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Council Chambers/Court Room, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. Shout Sister Shout!

Inspired by Gayle F. Wald’s Shout, Sister, Shout!, this new musical tells the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, one of America’s most influential rock, R&B and gospel crossover singers and guitarists. Ambitious, courageous and uncompromisingly public, Tharpe became a pioneer of the women’s movement for racial and sexual equality and musical legend who redefined the national and international music scene. Tickets at my.fords.org/overview/7850.

Ford's Theatre (511 Tenth St. NW, Washington, DC), 7:30 p.m.

Lettice and Lovage

The perfect play for fans of witty British humor! This comedy satire, written by the author of Equusand Amadeus, and written specifically for Dame Maggie Smith, centers around an overly exuberant tour guide who loves to embellish the history behind an English country house and the stoic, aestheticallyminded inspector who tries to stop her. Though fired, Lettice refuses to go without a fight. Watch as Lettice and Lotte engage in a battle to the death of all that is sacred to the Empire and to the Crown. The Little Theatre of Alexandria (600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA), 8:00 p.m.

CELEBRATE BELOVED POP AND R&B icon Whitney Houston with the Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, D.C. this weekend at Lincoln Theatre. ( Courtesy Photo)

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) of the City of Falls Church, Virginia will hold a public hearing on March 16, 2023 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located at 300 Park Avenue, for consideration of the following items:

Variance application V1637-23 by Andra Popa, applicant and owner, for a variance to Section 48-238(4)c. to allow a detached garage with a height of 13.8 feet instead of 12 feet maximum at premises known as 806 Ridge Place, RPC #53-215-004 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1A, Low

Density Residential.

Variance application V1638-23 by Steve Deering, applicants and owners, for a variance to Section 48-238(3)a. to allow a rear setback of 18.25 feet instead of 40 feet or the purpose of constructing a covered porch at premises known as 104 Lawton Street, 53-116-007 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned

R-1A, Low Density Residential.

Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on March 16, 2023. Agenda and application materials will be available the week prior to the scheduled hearing at: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/BZA Information on the above application is also available for review upon request to staff at zoning@fallschurchva.gov.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PLANNING COMMISSION

NOTICE: On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., the City of Falls Church Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and meeting on proposed zoning text amendments related to outdoor dining. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Public comments can also be submitted ahead of time to larseneau@fallschurchva.gov.

The Planning Commission will consider the following item and recommendation to City Council:

(TO23-01) ORDINANCE TO AMEND, REENACT, AND RECODIFY CHAPTER 48, “ZONING” AS FOLLOWS: ADD A DEFINITION OF OUTDOOR DINING TO ARTICLE I “IN GENERAL” SEC. 48-2

“DEFINITIONS;” ADD A NEW DIVISION

11 “OUTDOOR DINING” TO ARTICLE

V “SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS” IN ORDER TO CREATE STANDARDS FOR CREATION AND REGULATION OF OUTDOOR DINING USES; AND ADD REFERENCES TO THE NEW DIVISION

11 TO: (1) ARTICLE IV “DISTRICTS,”

DIVISION 9 “B-1 LIMITED BUSINESS

DISTRICT” SEC. 48-457; DIVISION 10

“B-2 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT”

SEC. 48-490; DIVISION 11 “B-3 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT” SEC. 48-525; AND DIVISION 13 “O-D OFFICIAL DE -

SIGN” SEC. 48-589 AND (2) ARTICLE

V “SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS”

DIVISION 2 “OFF STREET PARKING

REQUIREMENTS” SUBDIVISION IV “REGULATION OF USE TYPES” SEC. 48-1003 “PARKING REQUIREMENTS BY USE”

The proposed changes are intended to update zoning ordinance language related to outdoor dining including: 1)

creation of a definition of outdoor dining; 2) consolidation of outdoor dining requirements for outdoor dining in a Supplementary Provisions section; 3) allow for administrative reductions in required parking to accommodate outdoor dining; and 4) add related administrative authority to regulate outdoor dining.

The public hearing meeting agenda and materials will be available on the following page prior to the meeting date: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/PC. More information about the proposed changes to the zoning ordinance and the outdoor dining process are available on the project webpage: https://www.fallschurchva. gov/civicalerts.aspx?aid=1307

This location is fully accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special services or assistance may be requested in advance. (TTY 711)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

The following was given first reading at the February 27, 2023 City Council meeting. A public hearing, second reading, and final City Council action is scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TO23-02) ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCES 2024, 2045, AND 2056 REGARDING THE BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND, THE SCHOOL OPERATING FUND, SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICES FUND, THE CABLE ACCESS FUND, AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS

The proposed ordinance would amend the FY2023 budget to appropriate new revenues and change appropriations for some capital projects.

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva. gov/publiccomment. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. 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).

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

The following was given first reading at the February 13, 2023 City Council meeting. A public hearing, second reading, and final City Council action is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TO23-01) ORDINANCE TO AMEND, REENACT, AND RECODIFY CHAPTER 48, “ZONING” AS FOLLOWS: ADD A DEFINITION OF OUTDOOR DINING TO ARTICLE I “IN GENERAL” SEC. 48-2

“DEFINITIONS;” ADD A NEW DIVISION 11 “OUTDOOR DINING” TO ARTICLE V “SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS” IN ORDER TO CREATE STANDARDS FOR CREATION AND REGULATION OF OUTDOOR DINING USES; AND ADD REFERENCES TO THE NEW DIVISION 11 TO: (1) ARTICLE IV “DISTRICTS,”

DIVISION 9 “B-1 LIMITED BUSINESS

DISTRICT” SEC. 48-457; DIVISION 10

“B-2 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT” SEC. 48-490; DIVISION 11 “B-3 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT” SEC. 48-525; AND DIVISION 13 “O-D OFFICIAL DESIGN” SEC. 48-589 AND (2) ARTICLE

V “SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS”

DIVISION 2 “OFF STREET PARKING

REQUIREMENTS” SUBDIVISION IV

“REGULATION OF USE TYPES” SEC. 48-1003 “PARKING REQUIREMENTS BY USE”

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. Remote participation information at www.fallschurchva. gov/publiccomment. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at (703-248-5014) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. 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).

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

FOR SALE

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AUCTIONS

ATTN. AUCTIONEERS: Advertise your upcoming auctions statewide and in other states. Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audiences. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

PAGE 22 |

9 - 15, 2023

BACK IN THE DAY

Falls Church News-Press Vol. VII, No. 51 • March 5, 1998

It’s Official: 8 City Council, 5 School Board Candidates Certified for May Election

F.C. City Registrar Debbie Taylor reported that no last minute filings occurred, and the eight City Council candidates and five School Board candidates previously announced will constitute the choices on the ballot.

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXIII, No. 2 • March 7, 2013

F.C. School Board Votes to Request 12.9% Increase in Funding from City

The Falls Church School Board voted Tuesday night to formally request a transfer of funds from the City of Falls Church that represents a 12.9 percent one-year increase, driven by a phenomenal growth in enrollment.

ROCKY (SECRIST FAMILY) and his mini-me, Churro (Korves family), like to meet up to play on their walks. Churro likes to think he is as big as Rocky, and Rocky likes to help Churro pretend.

Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE, DESIGNATED RIDER E, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING NOVEMBER 1, 2023

CASE NO. PUR-2023-00005

•Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) has filed a Petition with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) for revision of a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

•Dominion requests approval for recovery in Rider E of a total revenue requirement of $109,070,000. According to Dominion, this amount would increase the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.08.

•A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on July 11, 2023, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.

•An evidentiary hearing will be held on July 12, 2023, at 10 a.m., in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

•Further information about this case is available on the Commission website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information

On January 24, 2023, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 e of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed a petition (“Petition”) with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) for an annual update of its rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for the recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations at the Company’s Chesterfield and Mt. Storm Power Stations.

Dominion states that it is filing this annual update to inform the Commission of the status of the environmental projects located at the Mt. Storm Power Station and the Chesterfield Power Station, and their projected expenditures. The Company also proposes a new project at the Mt. Storm Power Station, the Lake Discharge Temperature Control System Project (“Mt. Storm Environmental Project”). According to the Company, this project is required to comply with Mt. Storm’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Requirements Governing Water Quality Standards, which set water temperature differential limitations implicated by the Company’s operations at Mt. Storm and required a temperature control system to be in place and operational by October 31, 2022. To meet the deadline, the Company states that it rented and installed temporary equipment that was operational by the end of October 2022. The Petition asserts that the Mt. Storm Environmental Project is intended to be a permanent solution to ensure continued compliance in a cost-effective manner.

The Company states that it plans to complete engineering for the proposed Mt. Storm Environmental Project and issue a request for proposal (“RFP”) for system installation during the first half of 2023. The Company anticipates delivery in the second quarter of 2024, and expects to have completed, commissioned, and placed the system in service by the end of 2024. The Company states that cost estimates for construction and installation are in early stages of development, and the Company will be able to more accurately forecast costs after issuing the RFP in the first half of 2023. According to the Company, these costs are not included in the instant Petition but will be presented for recovery in a future Rider E update as appropriate. The Company estimates the total capital cost for the Mt. Storm Environmental Project is approximately $22 million, excluding financing costs. In this proceeding, Dominion asks the Commission to approve Rider E for the rate year beginning November 1, 2023, and ending October 31, 2024 (“2023 Rate Year”). The Company states that the three components of the revenue requirement are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor, the Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”) Cost Recovery Factor, and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company requests a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $57,087,000, an AFUDC Cost Recovery Factor of $691,000, and an Actual Cost True Up Factor revenue requirement of $51,293,000. Thus, the Company proposes a total revenue requirement of $109,070,000 for service rendered during the 2023 Rate Year.

If the revised Rider E for the 2023 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its revised Rider E on November 1, 2023, would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.08. Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Petition and supporting documents in full for details about these and other proposals.

TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents.

The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Petition. On July 11, 2023, at 10 a.m., the Hearing Examiner assigned will hold a telephonic hearing, with no witness present in the Commission’s courtroom, for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before July 6, 2023, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting

Beginning at 10 a.m. on July 11, 2023, the Hearing Examiner will telephone sequentially each person who has signed up to testify as provided above.

On July 12, 2023, at 10 a.m., in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, a Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence offered by the Company, respondents, and the Staff on the Petition.

To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and required electronic service on parties to this proceeding. Electronic copies of the public version of the Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com

On or before July 5, 2023, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition electronically by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-202300005.

On or before April 25, 2023, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at: scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00005.

On or before May 23, 2023, each respondent may file electronically with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. All testimony and exhibits shall be served on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00005.

Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, and the public version of the Petition and other documents filed in this case may be viewed on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY