Falls Church News-Press 7-1-2021

July 1 – 7, 2021

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FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 20

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No July 4 Fireworks for 2nd Year in a Row Due to School Construc�on F.C. City Officials to Meet with School Staff, Pyrotechnicians to Determine Viability of Future Shows

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Your patriotic fervor won’t have to go home by nighttime in the City of Falls Church, but there won’t be much of a reason to stay here.

That’s because, for the second year in a row, Falls Church won’t be hosting a fireworks spectacle for residents on the field of the now-Meridian High School’s turf. Finishing up the construction on Meridian’s campus makes it too unsafe for the

Roundup of New Laws Taking Effect Throughout VA on July 1

BY MARCUS SIMON

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

New laws affecting everything from the intentional release of balloons to legalizing simple possession of marijuana to riding bicycles two abreast on public streets to abolishing the death penalty officially become the law of the Commonwealth on July 1, 2021.

With Democrats in control of both houses of Virginia’s General Assembly and the Governor’s mansion, Virginians will see some significant first-in-the-south changes to Virginia’s code as new laws go into effect this July 1st, along with a laundry list of lower profile but often impactful legislation adopted with broad bipartisan support.

Advocates for fully reopening Virginia’s schools, for instance, will be pleased to know that a new state law requires all local school districts to offer live, in-person instruction five days a week unless that can’t possibly be done safely. That law

passed with broad bi-partisan support on an 88-9 vote in the House of Delegates.

An issue that has bipartisan support among the electorate, according to polling, but that passed almost exclusively with Democratic votes, was marijuana legalization.

Beginning July 1, Virginians over the age of 21 can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana for personal use.

While Virginia has yet to establish a legal framework for a regulated marijuana market place, making obtaining and transporting marijuana legally fraught, a Virginia household is legally allowed to grow up to four plants, provided they are labeled, not in public sight, and out of the reach of anyone underage.

While mass balloon releases may produce fleeting, beautiful, Instagram-worthy moments, they won’t be legal in Virginia anymore.

Concerns about the long-term environmental impact, particularly on

Continued on Page 4

pyrotechnics to find a spot where they can launch the fireworks for droves of locals to see.

“They’re connecting the middle school to the high school for a little bit, and the fields are still completely under construction,” said Danny

Schlitt, the director of the City of Falls Church’s Recreation and Parks department. “We just didn’t have the ability to line everything up and have everything ready to go.”

The City isn’t totally bailing on Fourth of July fun. The reading of

the Declaration of Independence will return at 2 p.m. on Sunday, though this time outdoors at Falls Church Episcopal (bring a chair). There is another holiday-themed scavenger

Continued on Page 5

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LITTLE CITY CROWDS will have to find somewhere else to go to get their fireworks fix this Independence Day. Whether or not the City can hold a true fireworks show going forward is the subject of discussion later this month, mainly due to the proximity of the mortars to the new school. (P����: N���-P����)

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SEE STORY, PAGE 2

David Thong, a local musician, recalls playing a show this past winter when it was only 38 degrees outside, saying he was surprised just how many people came out in the cold to see live music. Now Covid-19 vaccinations increasing, he’s eager to see droves of fans return to shows after a long year.

SEE PRESS PASS, PAGE 18

George Mason was one of the founding fathers of both the nation and also of Virginia. Those honors are why he became the namesake of a high school in Falls Church, until it was decided Mason’s name will be dropped in favor of “Meridian” effective July 1.

Opening just in time for the Independence Day weekend is the expanded portion of Rare Bird Coffee Roasters, with new hours and lunch menu items becoming part of the popular coffee shop situated along West Broad Street.

SEE STORY, PAGE 3

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes.............................10-11 Crime Report .................................... 12 Calendar .....................................16-17 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22 Business News ................................. 23

PAGE 2 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Rare Bird Opens Expansion in Time for July 4

by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW...roaster, that is. Rare Bird’s first coffee roaster that was front and center in its previous space now has been moved behind the scenes. It’s made room for more seating in the original building as well as in the expanded section. (Photo: News-Press).

Opening just in time for the holiday weekend is the expanded portion of Rare Bird Coffee Roasters, with new hours and lunch menu items becoming part of the popular coffee shop along West Broad Street.

The expansion officially opened earlier this week, just in time for Independence Day weekend, and the shop’s weekday hours will be going from 2 p.m. closing to 6 p.m., with co-owner Lara Berenji eyeing a move back from the 2:30 p.m. weekend closing to 7 p.m.

With a happening breakfast, lunch and dinner spot such as Northside Social right up Maple Avenue, Berenji teased about her own shop’s growth lending to some friendly competition.

“We’re trying,” she said with a chuckle. “Both places elevate the area by just drawing people in.

I’ve noticed so many more people and maybe it’s just the waning of the pandemic, but a lot of people are out and about everywhere.”

But it’s hard to focus on anything outside of the project when there’s been such a transformation inside.

An interior that previously only had about 16 seats, according to Berenji, now seats around 60 people. That’s in large part due to the roasting operation that had once occupied its front window being

moved into the rear of the added space. New seating, including a communal table and stool seating for a wrap-around bar, take up the entire original plot along with a few small tables and the barista’s counter.

The expanded area has seating for those who are looking to spread out a bit more. A handful of mid-sized tables that can accommodate four guests are in the new area — either as free standing units or as a part of a booth. Small tables for two, similar to what you would find in the original area, are a part of the booth seating as well.

Behind panels of glass in the expanded area is the beefed up, in house roasting set up. While beans that are being roasted by Berenji’s husband and co-owner, Bryan Becker, are largely the same (except for the seasonal Ethiopian Limu Gera, which took a year off due to pandemic related reasons), the new roaster does allow for a more distinct taste between the products.

“They’re just more pronounced,” Berenji said. “Our roasters just recently had a [tasting] of all our existing coffees and said that this roaster is improving the ability to differentiate the flavors that were in them.”

Lending his talents to Rare Bird’s roster is Chris Licciardi, the shop’s new head baker. With experience at Dog Tag Bakery in Georgetown, the Greenway Downs resident would regularly

come by the shop and chat with Berenji about the shop’s plans to expand.

Conversations about new kitchen equipment and whether or not they’d consider adding sandwiches to the menu, all the while hoping he was throwing his hat in the ring for when the expansion finally did happen.

“When they decided to get the new space, they reached out to me and said they were secretly hoping that I would be interested,” Licciardi said. “On my side, I thought I was pushing them away, but it worked out.”

Licciardi’s bread and butter (pardon the pun) are making what are called “laminated doughs” or all the croissants, danishes, scones and puffed pastries.

On the sweets front, he’s also responsible for the coconut lime cookie as well as a double chocolate chip cookie and sugar blossoms — which are basically a vanilla shortbread cookie that has an edible flower on each one. He’s working with Becker to come up with a few different types of bread that can be used for lunchtime sandwiches that are soon-to-berevealed.

For those interested in giving Rare Bird’s new menu and space a try, they won’t have to wait much longer.

Rare Bird Coffee Roasters is located at 230 W Broad St, Falls Church. For more information, visit rarebirdcoffee.co.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 3

Mason’s Name is Removed from High School, But His Virginia Legacy Endures

BY MARK DREISONSTOK

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Donald McAndrews has spent a good portion of his life explaining George Mason to his fellow Americans. McAndrews began his craft of historical interpretation in Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria among historical reenactors who encouraged him to portray a colonial doctor in early Virginia; from there, he took on the role of George Mason and also sometimes Benjamin Franklin. Mason was, of course, one of the founding fathers of both the nation and also of Virginia. Those honors are why he became the namesake of both a state university in Fairfax and a high school in Falls Church, the latter of which will no longer be so as Mason’s name is dropped in favor of Meridian High School effective July 1.

After years of portraying Mason, McAndrews comments that “It boggles my mind that he is not known by everyone!” The Virginia Declaration of Rights states “that all men are by nature equally free and independent, and

have certain inherent rights...,” words which would find an echo in U.S. founding documents. In those documents,“Other people wrote the words, but the ideas were George Mason’s,” according to McAndrews.

George Mason himself was a man with little formal schooling, instead being self-educated from the books in his uncle’s library. Mason wrote much of the Virginia Constitution as well as the 15-article Virginia Declaration of Rights, the model for the Bill of Rights amended to the U.S. Constitution.

Although Mason attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (the farthest he ever ventured from Virginia), he did not initially sign the Constitution, as it did not have a Bill of Rights that would guarantee important notions such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Mason’s reluctance to sign the Constitution earned him the ire of his erstwhile friend and neighbor George Washington.

Mason once owned the area

Continued on Page 19

DONALD MCANDREWS is a first-person historical interpreter. He’s seen here beside a statue of George Mason at George Mason University in Fairfax. (P����: C������� S������ M�A������)

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PAGE 4 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Legalization of Marijuana for Adults Headlines New Statewide Virginia Laws

Continued from Page 1

coastal habitats and wildlife, led the General Assembly to enact a ban on the intentional outdoor release of balloons.

Concern for the environment and long-term health of the planet also led to the enactment of laws that will have Virginia join a number of other states looking to increase sales of electric vehicles.

Legislation going into effect this year will require carmakers to sell a certain percentage of electric or hybrid cars.

Mandatory paid family and medical leave is not yet the law in Virginia, but beginning July 1, for the first time, some Virginia businesses will be required to provide paid sick leave to their employees.

Employers of home health care workers who work on average of 20 hours per week or 90 hours per month and who provide personal care, respite, or companion services will be required to allow those employees to start accruing leave. This means they won’t have

to choose between taking care of their patient or taking care of their own health.

After greatly expanding worker protections from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin and sexual orientation in 2020 with the adoption of the Virginia Values Act, this year the Act was expanded to include Virginians with disabilities as was the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA).

Voting continues to get easier in Virginia, as we continue our climb for a ranking of 2nd to last in ease of access to the ballot to number 12 and hopefully soon to the top 10. Local registrars will have the option to include Sunday voting hours during the recently expanded in-person early voting period. Also, starting July 1, it becomes illegal to carry a firearm within 40 feet of a polling place on Election Day. When driving, bicyclists and drivers should be aware of two new bike laws: one allows bicyclists to ride two abreast in a travel

lane and the other making drivers change lanes when passing bicyclists instead of just moving over.

Our neighbor, Arlington County, will have the power to rename its stretch of Lee Highway.

And we’ll now be able to remove the statue of Harry Byrd, Sr. that stands in Capitol Square in Richmond.

We’re continuing to make strides in criminal justice reform with Virginia becoming the first state in the south to abolish the death penalty. We also eliminated the so-called “Gay Panic Defense,” which previously allowed those accused of homicide to receive lesser sentences by saying they panicked after learning of the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Local law enforcement agencies and campus police departments will be banned from using facial recognition technology, which will better protect individual’s privacy.

These are just a few of the good bills we passed this year.

DELEGATE MARCUS SIMON (Courtesy Photo)

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JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 5

Scavenger Hunt, Declaration Readings Hosted by F.C. on 4th Instead

Continued from Page 1

hunt that younger Falls Church residents can participate in from 9 a.m.

– 6:30 p.m. on Independence Day (Sunday). Scavengers will have to find 13 historical markers throughout the City and match each one of the 13 colonies they find on that historical marker on the form they print out.

Sudden M Pac will also be playing in Cherry Hill Park from 4:30 – 6 p.m. for those who want to take in a show before they find a spot to watch a show.

But don’t make plans for the fireworks to return next year just yet.

“I intend to meet with school representatives, the City Fire Marshal and a pyrotechnician to determine whether or not, with the placement of the new building, we can still hold a legitimate fireworks show for thousands of people,” Schlitt said. “That is where we are moving forward and hoping that we can once again have a firework shoot in the future on site up there.”

The way it’s always been done is that the fireworks would set up their mortars in the deep centerfield of the adjacent baseball field. The fire mar-

shal would go by and make sure it had the proper spacing set up so it’d be safe for people on the synthetic turf field.

State regulations require that, for every inch in diameter of the shells being fired, it requires 100 feet of separation between the mortars themselves and the audiences. With the City using three-inch shells these past years, that means 300 feet of distance are needed.

Achieving that isn’t really a problem for Schlitt — he mentioned how advanced pyrotechnics have become that fireworks can be shot off in certain small, enclosed spaces. It mainly comes down to the fire marshal’s approval, and the school system’s comfort level with such a production.

“I’ve talked to some pyrotechnicians and they firmly believe we can pull off a show that is worthy of what the community and the citizenry expect,” Schlitt said. “It really then becomes a decision point between the fire marshal and the schools, since they own the facilities and just put millions of dollars into the new school, as to whether or not we can safely shoot.”

This move away from a fireworks

show didn’t surprise Schlitt. He said he knew two years ago that there was no chance the 2020 fireworks show was going to happen, and felt that this year would have only been possible if the school’s construction was well ahead of schedule.

For those looking for other shows nearby, they should check out some celebrations nearby jurisdictions are holding.

Fairfax City will hold its 55th annual Independence Day parade on July 3.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, rain or shine and will loop around downtown Fairfax, along Chain Bridge Road, Main Street, University Drive and Armstrong Street. Nine high school marching bands as well as many large inflatable parade balloons, floats and clowns will be some of the entries.

On July 4, there will be an evening show with music and dancing at 6:30 p.m. at Fairfax High School (3501 Lion Run, Fairfax). On-stage entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. with a fireworks display that follows.

The rain date for the fireworks only is July 5. Items that may puncture the

synthetic turf, smoking, alcohol and animals (except service animals) are not permitted on the football field.

The Town of Herndon will also be holding a fireworks show on the night of July 4, with the show expected to start at 9 p.m. The Town of Vienna, likewise, will hold fireworks display that night at Yeonas Park (1319 Ross Drive, Vienna SW), starting at 9:30 p.m.

Of course, there will also be fireworks on the National Mall inside

Washington, D.C. A good vantage point for those is Gravelly Point Park in Arlington or along the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria.

Schlitt — ever the optimist — did say he wouldn’t rule out a show for next year. Right now, he puts the probability of it happening around 60 percent.

“If we figure there’s any kind of safety risk, then we’ll certainly have to see if we can come up with a Plan B,” Schlitt said.

Status Update on Monday, June 28 City of Falls Church Date

Doses Administered

Monday, June 28

17,372

Monday, June 21

17,149

Monday, June 14

16,836

Vaccine Data

At Least One Dose

Fully Vaccinated

9,447 (64.6% of population) 9,340

(57.6% of population)

(63.9% of population)

(56.8% of population)

9,233 (63.2% of population)

Monday, June 7

16,201

9,134 (62.5% of population)

End of May

15,516

9,813

(61% of population)

8,423

8,301 8,075 (55.2% of population)

7,524 (51.5% of population)

7,033

(48.1% of population)

PAGE 6 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021 

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Vol. XXXI, No. 20 July 1 – 7, 2021 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •

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WWW.FCNP.COM The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 105 N. Virginia Ave.., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2021 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.

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E D I TO R I A L

Will Humans Become Animals?

Now that one of the most severe effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the general population — namely, the lockdown’s 16-month long prohibition of public gatherings — has been lifted in this area, and sell-out crowds are on the horizon, and we’re all piling back onto the roadways and into stadiums, concert halls, restaurants and clubs, a new question arises that some of us have been contemplating for the last year.

Basically, it is this: How will people behave differently now that the pandemic has been declared effectively over for this region of our orb? That is, how differently than before the lockdown. It’s been a big existential question for as long as we were all locked down. Now it’s more of a practical matter.

It’s a perfect time for experimenting with something new, kind of like going to summer camp as a teenager.

The best options, in our humble opinion, deal with adjustments to personal habits, patterns and behavior. Can you be kinder? More considerate? More patient?

Unfortunately, the evidence overall seems to be trending the other way.

People are being observed ruder on the roadways, more prone to angry honking, bird flipping, rage and yelling than before. This has always been a bad trend for our culture, but now, at least in the first days of the post-pandemic, things are not looking a lot better.

It’s not as bad as the true story reported in a Houston, Texas newspaper 40 years ago when two enraged men in pickups pulled along side of each other, and each fired a rifle shot, killing both of them.

The political division in our society seems the worst in a long time, and that’s because there is so much blatant lying at the top levels of key institutions. Society is having an unusually hard time coming to basic grounds for shared sentiments.

This has been exacerbated by the pandemic’s required isolations, when talking, or even sharing a couch to watch a game on TV, requires no dialogue beyond “pass the chips.”

That accounts for the explosion of cute animal images online. The old saw about D.C. seems to apply, “In this town, if you want a friend, get a dog!” Or, as the Internet images are teaching us, a bird, a baby elephant or, of course, a kitty.

Animals, and not just the domesticated ones, seem to have temperaments that stressed humans could really learn from. We’re seeing on the Internet that they act like animals only when they need to for survival or to protect their young. Otherwise, they seem to have a great indifference concerning things that seem to make a much bigger difference to humans, such as outward appearances or language differences. They have powerful tendencies toward empathy, humility and even humor.

So post pandemic, maybe folks will be more inclined to tune in a little bit more to their animalistic sides. Their good aspects, that is.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Don’t Sell to Developers Who Denude F.C.’s Beloved Trees Editor, It would appear that there are still a number of people who enjoy moving into neighborhoods with large healthy trees and proceeding to cut them all down.

An odd occurrence given that there are a number of places nearby that have nothing taller than a dogwood that would save them the trouble and cost.

One such example can be found at the corner of East Columbia and Van Buren Street where the developer Cottage Street Custom Homes decided to clear cut the entire lot including many old growth large healthy trees along the property line.

Evidently a few extra square feet on their listings more than made up for the absolute decimation of the tree canopy.

If you are a resident who enjoys large trees then I humbly suggest you don’t enrich these builders or any realtor who decides to dip there hands into this now tainted property.

On the plus side, the small child who use to play under the shade of these trees next door no longer has to look up videos of clear cutting in the Amazonian rainforests...she only has to look out her bedroom window in our

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F.C.’s New Noise Ordinance Is Right Call From City Council

Editor, As a former employee with the City of Falls Church, I am glad that the Management and Council are taking the initiative to address this issue. The City had a noise meter many years ago, however at that time very hard to enforce. Congratulations!!

Brooke Anderson Via the internet

Benton’s Series On Trump Insurrection Is Truly Enlightening

Editor, Mr. Benton — great job in providing historical background and political perspective to the foreign and right-wing movements and skull-duggery that, over decades, led up to the Trump insurrection of Jan. 6.

While I do not know all of the information you have presented first hand, I was in NYC in the 1970s so kudos to you for calling out the toadie Lyndon LaRouche.

Henry M. Jasny Via the Internet

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Little City.

Thank you to all the impotent city managers and planners who made this learning opportunity possible.

Zachary Albaugh Falls Church

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JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 7

The Lessons of Our Independence Still Guide The Country Today B� J��� P�������

Most Americans think of July 4th, 1776 as the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence or as the beginning of the long war with Great Britain. Less well remembered is the difficult struggle before 1776 as people in the colonies, including those here in Northern Virginia, expressed their grievances and searched for a political solution.

For the past 37 years on July 4th, the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) has hosted public readings of some of the interesting key documents that were the framework for the public debate about the future of the colonies and the idea of an independent country.

This year, the VPIS Independence Day Readings will be held at 2 p.m. on the lawn of the historic Falls Church. As in past years, a moderator will review the issues that faced the colonists in 1776 and the key ideas that formed the foundation for the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

You can find these documents on the VPIS website (vpis.org/history/annualindependence-day-readings). The event is open to all and takes about an hour.

Why take time from a holiday to get up close and personal with documents that are almost 250 years old?

Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower drew on both military and political experi-

ence when he remarked “Together we must learn how to compose difference, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose.”

Hearing the frustrations and hopes of people in the colonies, gives a clear sense of the “intellect and decent purpose” they brought to this critical political issue of

“Looking back to the perspectives of people living here in Northern Virginia 250 years ago also reminds us that the political issues we face are not new. “ their time. Though imperfect, it formed the basis for this experiment in democracy that has evolved and improved to become one of the world’s longest lasting continuous governments.

Looking back to the perspectives of people living here in Northern Virginia 250 years ago also reminds us that the political issues we face are not new.

Today, we debate issues of voter suppression and disenfranchisement. One of the key documents of this period is the Fairfax County Resolves of July 18, 1774,

that became the basis for later declarations by the colony of Virginia. Although the right to vote was narrowly conceived at that time, the second article of the Fairfax Resolves clearly states the basic premise of democratic government: “Resolved that the most important and valuable Part of the British Constitution, upon which it’s very Existence depends, is the fundamental Principle of the People’s being governed by no Laws, to which they have not given their Consent, by Representatives freely chosen by themselves”.

Though the efforts of the colonists ultimately resulted in war, the authors of the Fairfax Resolves struggled to find a less violent approach of diplomacy and sanctions, determining that: “…it is the Opinion of this Meeting, if american Grievances be not redressed before the first Day of November one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, that all Exports of Produce from the several Colonies to Great Britain shou’d cease; and to carry the said Resolution more effectually into Execution, that We will not plant or cultivate any Tobacco after the Crop now growing.”

Today, we struggle with issues of social justice, racial discrimination, and a legacy of slavery.

Americans of the revolutionary period and for many years after failed to live up to lofty goals including the words of the Declaration of Independence that “all men

are created equal.” But, it is interesting to read in the Fairfax Resolves that even in a slaveholding society some people of that period could clearly see the immorality of slavery as they resolved: “…We take this Opportunity of declaring our most earnest Wishes to see an entire Stop for ever put to such a wicked cruel and unnatural Trade [of slavery].”

Of course, despite the ideals and purpose of the authors of the Fairfax Resolves, the dispute with Great Britain evolved into a long and bloody conflict and the issue of human bondage was ultimately subordinated to independence.

Our country would take another 80 years to put “an entire stop forever” to slavery.

The Constitution speaks of forming “a more perfect union.” As we confront the challenges and issues of our day, there is value in remembering the words of people from another time but from here in our same physical place.

We see their “decent purpose” as well as their contradictions and shortcomings.

We are reminded that we all share a responsibility to continue the work to make the union more perfect.

The Independence Day Readings are July 4, at 2 p.m. on the lawn of The Falls Church Episcopal, 115 East Fairfax Street.

Please bring a lawn chair.

Jeff Peterson is the President of the Village Preservation and Improvement Society

Q������� �� ��� W��� Do you support the state’s legalization of marijuana?

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NEWS BRIEFS 9-Acre Project Seeks OK For More Senior Housing

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The Falls Church Gateway developer partnership getting underway with work on the 9-acre site of the former George Mason High School came to the F.C. City Council Monday with a request, granted a preliminary vote by a 7-0 margin, to expand the senior living building set for the site from 225,000 square feet to 260,000, including a height increase to 15 stories to accommodate up to 215 units.

Pressure from the pandemic forced a partner in the project to withdraw, Robin Gotteral of Hoffman Inc. said, but happily Trammel Crow has stepped in its place.

Eric Fisher of Trammel Crow told the Council his firm is “very excited” to be in Falls Church and the facility will be based on “a proven model for us,” including two in the D.C. area and in 10 markets nationally.

The senior project will provide housing for independent living, assisted living and memory care and “will be integrated into the City fabric, rather than being isolated.”

The C-shaped red brick blend building will be “not trendy but current.”

The final OK of the matter is expected to come July 12.

U.S. News Ranks F.C. 3rd Healthiest in U.S.

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The U.S. News and World Report, in its annual assessment of the “healthiest communities in the U.S.,” has given a staggering third place finish to the City of Falls Church in its latest edition.

That’s ahead of all other entities in the entire nation, except for Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Douglas County, Colorado.

The magazine listed the top 500 entities in the U.S., and others in this area to finish near the top were Loudoun County at No. 4, Fairfax County at No. 14 and Arlington County at No. 39, the City of Alexandria at No. 124 and Fauquier County at No. 195.

The ranking are based on an exhaustive list of data points subsuming categories like percentage of the population with health insurance, percentage who are smokers, who have higher life expectancy rates (F.C.’s average is 81.6 years compared to the national average of 77.5 years), availabilities of primary care physicians, leisure time activities, preventive care visits, cancer and heart disease prevalences, teen birth rates, mental distress, “deaths of despair.”

They also rank wider social categories like equity, school graduation rates, average household income (F.C. is $127,610 compared to the U.S. average of $51,000), households facing medical debt collections (1 percent here, compared to 19 percent nationally), business growth rate, percentage of households spending 30 percent or more on housing costs, local food outlets per 100,000 people, diabetes and obesity sufferers, water quality, distance per resident to a park (87.4 for F.C. compared to 12.4 for the U.S.), tree canopy, violent crime, living near an emergency facility, walkability and voter participation rate (91.42 percent in F.C. compared to 66 nationally), and considerably more.

The City’s overall score is 95, compared to the Virginia state average of 53, a “peer average” of 59 and a U.S. average of 48.

F.C. Council OK’s $ for Affordable Home Buys By a unanimous vote, the F.C. Council Monday OK’d an amendment to the FY 2022 budget allocating $1,935,000 in capital reserve funds to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the purchase and preservation of two market-rate affordable apartment buildings with a total of eight units.

The two four-plexes are located in the nest of such buildings that are known as the Virginia Village on S. Maple St.

It comes as the City staff is working on partnering with a non-profit developer to prepare an application for Round 3-5 Amazon “Reach” funds to develop a City of Falls Church Affordable Housing Acquisition Strike Fund with the goal of providing grants or low-cost loans to purchase and preserve the limited remaining market rate affordable multifamily rental housing in F.C. The Amazon deadline has been extended to late September, so the “strike fund” has not yet been established.

Still, all the units acquired through the “strike fund” will include the conversion from market rate to committed affordable rental housing.

LGBT Falls Church Hosts July 1 Event LGBT Falls Church and the Falls Church News-Press are co-hosting an LGBT Pride Month culminating event at the Sfizi Cafe in Falls Church today, Thursday, July 1, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

All are invited at no charge.

A complimentary beverage and free copy of Nicholas Benton’s new book, “Education of a Gay Soul,” will be provided while supplies last.

Demolition to Close Rt. 66 Overnight Demolition of the Route 50 West bridge over I-66 will carry on the overnight period of July 1, with ramp and lane closures at the I-66/Route 50 Interchange. Traffic will be detoured using Route 50 and Route 608 (West Ox Road). The Route 50 Interchange is being rebuilt as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project.

Authorities recommend drivers traveling on I-66 during this time should expect delays and should consider using alternate routes.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 9

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH:

GET VACCINATED! Schedule an Appointment Vaccines.gov

¡VACÚNESE!

HÃY TIÊM NGỪA!

Programe una cita

Xếp Lịch Hẹn

Ayuda en su idioma

Hỗtrợbằng Ngôn Ngữcủa Quý Vị

Vaccines.gov fallschurchva.gov/VAMS

Vaccines.gov fallschurchva.gov/VAMS

fallschurchva.gov/VAMS

Help in Your Language

Call the Virginia Department of Health for translators in 100 languages, 877-829-4682 (TTY 711).

The vaccine is safe and free.

Comuníquese con el Departamento de Salud de Virginia para solicitar traductores en 100 idiomas, al 877-829-4682 (TTY 711).

La vacuna es segura y gratuita.

www.fallschurchva.gov/Vaccine

Hãy gọi đến Sở Y Tế Virginia để gặp thông dịch viên bằng 100 ngôn ngữ, 877-829-4682 (TTY 711).

Thuốc chủng ngừa là an toàn và miễn phí.

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News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes

THE MCLEAN COMMUNITY CENTER 2021 – 22 Governing Board members, left to right, are Max Blacksten, Lisa Mariam, Suzanne LeMenestrel, Maria Foderaro-Guertin, Carla Post, Barbara Zamora-Appel, Rasheq Rahman, Bill Glikbarg and Melanie Sletten with Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust following the new board’s inaugural meeting on Wednesday, June 9.

Read the news item on page 11. (Photo: Courtesy Sabrina Anwah) code will be posted the afternoon of July 4, at 7 p.m. on SoberRide. com.

ALEX RUSSELL, summer intern for the Falls Church NewsPress, is soon to graduate George Mason University with a BA in Graphic Design and is hoping to have a career in journalism somewhere in the Washington, D.C. area. (Photo: News-Press)

Free July 4 Lyft Rides for the Prevention of Drunk Driving According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), over one-third of all U.S. traffic fatalities during this time of year involve drunk drivers. As a helpful and preventive measure, free Lyft rides will be offered throughout the Little City, beginning Sunday, July 4.

This 2021 Independence Day SoberRide program is offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) and will be in operation until 4 a.m. on Monday, July 5. To participate in the program, download the Lyft app to your smartphone and enter the SoberRide code in the app’s promo section to receive their no-cost (up to $15) safe ride home. The promo

5 New Eagle Scouts Honored in Falls Church In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, BSA Troop 349 based at the American Legion Post 130 in Falls Church saw five scouts over the past year achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

The new Eagle Scouts are James Trombo, Giovanni Vigil, Ian Wilson, Alex Autor and Jared Robbins. As part of the Eagle Scout requirements, each scout completed a service project benefitting a part of the Falls Church community.

The Eagle projects consisted

of improving access to a school bus stop near the American Legion (Trombo); the construction of two child-sized picnic tables at the Columbia Baptist Church playground (Vigil); organizing a United Basketball Team for special needs students at Justice High School (Wilson); replacing trash receptacle frames at the Poplar Heights Recreation Association (Autor); and the installation of a flagstone pathway at the Falls Church Episcipal Church thrift store (Robbins).

Goodwin House Named Top Workplace in D.C. Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI) has been named one of the top 10 organizations in

The Washington Post 2021 Top Workplaces in the Washington, D.C. area and has ranked No. 6 in the large company category on the list of organizations receiving a Top Workplace designation.

This is the third year in a row that Goodwin House has received this honor. GHI is in the senior living and healthcare services industry, serving more than 2,100 older adults and employing over 900 people across the D.C. area.

Selection is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, which measured several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, engagement and leadership.

For the 2021 survey, more than

Send Us Your News & Notes!

The News-Press is always on the lookout for photos & items for Community News & Notes, School News & Notes and other sections of the paper. If you graduate, get married, get engaged, get an award, start a club, eat a club, tie your shoes, have a birthday, have a party, host an event or anything else you think is worth being mentioned in the News-Press, write it up and send it to us! If you have a photo, even better! Because of the amount of submissions we receive, we cannot guarantee all submissions will be published, but we’ll try our best!

Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 105 N. Virginia Ave #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

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65,500 employees in D.C. area organizations shared their feedback through the survey.

New Members Elected To McLean Center Board At the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 8, the board appointed four new members and reappointed one current member to the McLean Community Center (MCC) Governing Board. MCC, an agency of Fairfax County, is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.

New adult members Lisa Mariam, Rasheq Rahman and Shivani Saboo will serve threeyear terms. Ivy Chen was reelected as the Langley High School boundary area member and Max Blacksten is the new McLean High School Boundary member.

The two teen members will serve one-year terms.

Justice Park Update to be Discussed at July 1 Meeting Those opposing changes to Justice Park are meeting today with Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay via Zoom to make their case against proposed changes to the park.

In addition to representatives of surrounding neighborhood associations Friends of Holmes Run, NAACP-Fairfax, Sierra Club and Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, there will also be a representative from the Culmore community as well as a young rising Justice High School sophomore making the case against paving the only open green space left in the Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners area.

Those against the proposed plan are suggesting that Justice High School designate parking areas along Peace Valley Lane on the side of the school between Colmac Drive and the 90-degree bend in Peace Valley by the school’s name sign.

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JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 11

The parking would be exclusive to students from 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and if needed, hang tags will be used to keep out non-school parking users.

Lewinsville Presbyterian Church Hosting Blood Drive Lewinsville Presbyterian Church will host its quarterly Blood Drive on Sunday, July 11.

INOVA Blood Services will be accepting donations via their bloodmobile from 7:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

The bloodmobile will be parked in the church’s main parking lot near the Music Entrance. All INOVA Blood Services personnel will be wearing masks and donors will be required to bring and wear their own masks as well. Participants will need to bring a photo I.D. in order to donate.

For more information or to join the sign-up list, visit lewinsville.org/ events/blood-drive. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Note that due to construction and renovations happening at the church, many will need to park along Chain Bridge Road rather than in the parking lot. Lewinsville Church is located at 1724 Chain Bridge Road in McLean, VA.

Childhood Education Center Opens in Tysons The early childhood education center Celebree School is opening in Tysons (7950 Jones Branch Dr, McLean, VA 22102) later this summer and is currently in the enrolling and hiring process.

Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education, specializing in infant and toddler care. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small™, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection.

Each school employs a customized program that addresses children’s physical, social, emotional and academic needs.

RESIDENTS AND STAFF at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC) gathered together on Thursday, June 10 to celebrate Pride Month and support the LGBTQ community. The event featured a performance by D.C.’s Different Drummers, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender music organization based in Washington, D.C. as well as a parade complete with a color guard that went around the senior living organization’s building. (P����: C������� E�������� B�����) Interested applicants can visit celebree.com or call 703-6634064 for more information.

Glen Forest Elementary Partners with D.C Food Bank Glen Forest Elementary School (5829 Glen Forest Dr, Falls Church) is one of the several schools that benefitted from a partnership between the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) and

Fairfax County Public Schools where they served families healthy meals in multiple ways.

One of the main ways in which this was done was through the monthly “Family Markets” at several school sites, providing after-school food bags and using a converted school bus to support food distribution throughout the community.

When the pandemic shuttered many businesses, impacting jobs

and food security, the need to provide nutritious food to people who were struggling rose to a new level. CAFB worked closely with FCPS Food and Nutrition Services, Family Engagement teams, school staff, the Office of Communication and Community Relations and the FCPS Title I Office to resume the Family Markets at the start of the new school year.

For More Information About Careers, Education, Medical Benefits and More Call/Text: Staff Sergeant James TureKruse

(571) 274-3217 Or visit: AIRFORCE.COM

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PAGE 12 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Tradition plays a significant role in this weekend’s observances of Independence Day. Flags, fireworks, parades and picnics have been part of the celebration for decades, even centuries, since the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. In cities and small towns all across the nation, families, friends and neighbors most likely will gather for some sort of commemoration of the nation’s independence from the English crown.

Many cities and towns also celebrate with music in the town square, which might host a real covered bandstand or a less formal open space for folks to gather. Neither Fairfax County nor Mason District has a traditional town square, but they have public venues for the return of free summer concerts in the parks. And the music is coming! Beginning next Wednesday, July 7, the Mason District Park amphitheatre will host free summer concerts every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. The concert on July 7 will feature Shenandoah Run (folk). The very popular Tom Paxton will perform on July 9 and Debi Smith will be on stage on July 11. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances for more information about all the free concerts at county facilities all summer long. Children’s concerts at Mason District Park will be held on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., July 10 through Aug. 14. The park is located at 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale.

There is bench seating at Mason District Park, although many concert-goers prefer to bring their own lawn chairs.

An international series, “Cultural Heritage Nights,” will be held on Saturday nights, also at 7:30 p.m., at Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive in Annandale (from Heritage Drive, turn onto Four Year Run near Annandale High School for easy access). Ossian Hall Park has no formal seating but boasts a large lawn area that accommodates blankets and lawn chairs. The summer entertainment events at both parks follow current CDC, Governor’s and Health Department Covid-19 guidelines for events.

Masks are recommended at all times and required

when entering, leaving, and moving through the concert site and any time that social distancing cannot be maintained. Please follow seating spacing for your group as directed. I look forward to seeing you there!

When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the fledgling nation’s economy was built on agriculture. Fairfax County’s own George Washington was reputed to identify himself, not as a president or general, but simply as “farmer.”

Farming continues today in Fairfax County, albeit on a much smaller scale. A public hearing about the future of farming activities, focusing on agritourism, drew nearly 20 speakers last week, as the Board of Supervisors considered rules and regulations to permit agritourism activities on a limited basis.

Much of the discussion centered on drinking water protection in the downzoned Occoquan area of western and southern Fairfax County. Stewardship of the land is paramount for most farmers, as water quantity and quality are imperative for agricultural production. Today’s small family farmers are conservationists at heart and the connection to the land is extraordinarily strong. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board adopted tiers addressing both acreage and attendees for agritourism activities, increased the minimum number of acres needed for actual agricultural production,and established standards limiting the size of parking areas. Other restrictions included no helicopter rides, flea markets, hot air balloons, spa services, commercial restaurants, or mechanized amusement park rides in connection with agritourism operations. George Washington never had to consider parking, restrictions on number of guests, or helicopter rides at Mount Vernon, but one would hope that he would support the continuation of successful agricultural activities in his home county.

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

C � � � � � F� � � � C � � � � �

CRIME REPORT Week of June 21 – June 27, 2021

Larceny from Building, N Maple Ave, June 21, 4:44 PM, a blue REI mountain bicycle was taken from an unsecured shed.

Driving Under the Influence, Hillwood Ave, June 21, 9:01 PM, a White male, 33, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Refusal.

Larceny from Building, E Columbia St, June 23, 2:21 PM,

Larceny from Building, E Jefferson St, sometime between June 22 and 26 a brown Kona Dew Plus Hybrid bike was taken from a possibly unsecured garage.

resident reported that a black Trek 7.2 FX mountain bike, last seen June 18, was missing from a possibly unsecured garage.

Driving Under the Influence, W Annandale Rd, June 23, 11:58 PM, a White male, 43, of Fairfax, VA, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Motor Vehicle Theft, Buxton Rd, June 26, 8:52 AM, an unsecured vehicle last seen at 10 PM, June 25, was reported stolen, but later recovered in Annandale, VA. Investigation continues.

WWW.FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Senator Dick Saslaw’s

Richmond Report Summer is in full swing with a totally different experience than the summer of 2020. Our region has reached its vaccination goal of over 70 percent of the population with at least one dose. While the debate continues and some people have reservations about getting vaccinated, it is hard to argue with the results of the past six months since the vaccine became available.

Governor Northam has rescinded many of the Executive Orders that guided us through the worst of the pandemic. Through his leadership, we managed our way through the darkest days of Covid-19 and minimized the destruction it caused.

With the end of the State of Emergency, in-person governing will be back, shelving the virtual meetings and floor sessions. The Capitol is open and will once again welcome visitors. State offices will also open to the public for in-person business.

The influx of federal funds has made it necessary to revisit the Commonwealth’s budget. The General Assembly will go into a Special Session on Aug. 2. The purpose will be narrowed to allocating nearly $4.3 billion in federal funds to localities and reallocating unplanned surpluses in our current budget. During that time, we will also make judicial appointments including those toward expanding the Appellate Court by six justices.

Businesses are beginning to reopen and many people will be expected to return to their offices.

No doubt we are likely to see a new work week with more flexibility in some industries. Metro has been gearing up and is now operating a fuller schedule. Safety protocols are in place and Virginians are encouraged to get back on the train.

With the temperatures rising and hurricane season on the radar, it is hard to think about the fall, which typically brings with it another flu season. We remain focused on getting our kids safely back into their classrooms. Most colleges will require proof of vaccination as the academic year begins. Several health care providers like INOVA are requiring vaccinations for their employees.

July 1 is the traditional enactment day for most new legislation.

More than 500 bills have become law including the legalization of recreational marijuana. There are still numerous details to work through and this initiative is guaranteed to be revisited by lawmak-

ers. Federal law still prohibits possession. Equally significant was the abolishment of the death penalty in Virginia. I voted for the repeal and believe we have the safeguards in place to keep the most heinous offenders off the streets.

SB 1405 (Chief Patron Saslaw), “Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back” was a measure that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The G3 requires community colleges to provide financial assistance for certain low to middle income Virginia students enrolled in highdemand fields. This is a pathway to the future and cannot be undervalued in Rebuild Virginia.

State employees and statesupported local employees such as sheriff’s deputies, college and university faculty and employees, as well as teachers will soon receive a 5 percent raise. State troopers will receive an additional 3 percent plus compensation for each year of service. We are looking at nearly a third of vacancies within that agency. Virginia must do better in its efforts to attract and retain the best employees.

Chipping away at gun violence, new legislation will prevent individuals convicted of domestic violence from purchasing or possessing a gun for three years. Additionally, guns will be banned from the Capitol, its grounds, and state buildings. Only law enforcement will be permitted to carry a weapon into a polling place on Election Day. Further voting rights measures include prepaid postage for absentee ballots and designated local drop-off boxes for ballots. Worker’s compensation laws were amended to take into account Covid-19 related death or disability as an occupational disease for health care providers. I carried a measure (SB 1375) that addresses the issue for first responders.

When the economy came to a screeching halt, the Virginia Employment Commission was grossly understaffed and ill-prepared to handle the tsunami of claims from workers that lost their jobs. There is still a backlog for the outstanding claims and payments. Concerns over PUA funds past due should not discourage employees from getting back into the workforce.

These are a few of the highlights of laws signed by Governor Northam. For a deeper dive, please visit www.lis.virginia.gov. Have a safe summer and happy Fourth of July!

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

The Origins of the January 6 Sacking

As Nancy Pelosi assembles her special committee to examine what was behind the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, my recent 10-part series here, “The January 6 Capitol Sacking: Putin’s Role,” has been rushed into publication as a small book by the same title. It is now, or very soon to be, available on Amazon for $10.

I brought a unique perspective to the series, drawing from my personal experience having been embedded in the 1970s counterculture, which was a playground for covert operations against the U.S. by FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS hostile foreign intelligence services.

My resources in those days included my academic achievements (M.Div. graduate with honors from the Pacific School of Religion), social activism (co-founder of the Berkeley, California, Gay Liberation Front) and a keen journalist’s eye (editor of my high school and college newspapers and the principal writer for the queen of burgeoning “alternative” newspapers, The Berkeley Barb, and the first gay newspaper, Gay Sunshine).

During the early 1970s “detente” between Nixon and Breshnev thousands of Soviet/Russian emigres were permitted to flood into the U.S., many entering under false pretences being among the most brutal Russian organized criminal elements.

These became treacherous figures of the infamous “Russian Mafia” that worked as Soviet/Russian hatchet men. This pleased Nixon and the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover because they roughed up the Italian Mafia, elements of organized labor and the remnants of the 1960s anti-war and civil rights movements. They were clueless about the sinister Soviet/Russian objectives behind all this.

(Village Voice investigative reporter Robert Friedman documented this extensively in his book, “Russian Mafya,” that resulted in a Russian Mafia kingpin calling for a hit on him. He died two years later).

Meanwhile in Russia, a young Vladimir Putin was soon to begin his steady rise to the top rungs of the KGB, the clandestine Soviet organization that carried out covert operations in the U.S. and elsewhere, The KGB, the Soviet/Russian Secret Police, was and is aligned with old school Russian oligarchs and other thugs who’ve remained loyal to the cause of Soviet/ Russian world domination that included crushing democratic institutions worldwide.

The KGB deployed its thugs in the U.S. for a systematic assault on former pro-Soviet leftist organizations like the Communist Party U.S.A., the Socialist Workers Party and others. One group, the National Caucus of Labor Committees, carried out systematic physical assaults on such groups under the name, “Operation Mop Up.” They showed up at leftist meetings wielding nunchucks.

Over time, this led to a fundamental paradigm shift of fringe groups away from leftist, antiwar and pro-civil rights causes and toward authoritarian cult, right wing and religious fundamentalist entities. Carried out over the course of the 1970s, it contributed to the election of right wing maverick Ronald Reagan in 1980. In his eight-year presidency, the floodgates opened for a huge influx of right wing institutions and individuals into the corridors of power in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, a fellow traveler of the U.S. Mafia and right wing causes in New York, began cavorting with various Soviet/Russian “honey traps” and offering his services to the advancement of the Russian causes in the U.S. Following a trip to Moscow in 1987, it came out of Russia that henceforth he would be their favorite to become president of the U.S. The ascendancy of authoritarian right wing cults and anti-science religious fundamentalist groups continued in the U.S., growing into the Tea Party upon the election of Obama in 2009 and subsequently groups backing Trump’s political ascendancy.

This resulted not only in Trump’s 2016 election, but an enormous boost to the growth of right wing and fundamentalist cults during his term.

When a massive popular anti-Trump mobilizatoin led to his failure to win a second term in 2020, these groups, 50 years in the making in the U.S., were activated for the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol.

Active in support of Trump to this day was the remnant of the National Caucus of Labor Committees, the tiny fringe group that helped launch this era with its physical attacks on the Left margins in 1973.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

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JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

Ten years ago this month, my daughter Elizabeth married Evan at the Hendry House.

That picturesque Victorian-type home at Fort C.F. Smith off Spout Run is owned (and rented out) by Arlington County.

There’s a back story there with lessons for today’s struggling efforts at historic preservation.

The 19 acres was acquired at taxpayer expense in 1994 after a major dustup. The 1927 home was built by physician Ernest Hendry.

He married Anne Pearce in 1939, and they decorated the property with exotic ornamental and specimen trees, as the National Park Service report noted in a 1999 report on the Civil War fort.

The property “has survived the intensive development of the region and is an island-remnant of Arlington’s early twentieth-century landscape,” it said. “The estate is locally significant as an early twentieth-century estate without peer in Arlington and as physical evidence of the former suburban character of Arlington.”

Numerous times in the 1950s, Hendry applied unsuccessfully to the county for rezoning, as property taxes were high. (The land offers access to the Potomac, and is adjacent to the historic Cedars mansion, now headquarters for the National Prayer Breakfast.)

Hendry died in 1976.

In 1988 his widow and son Ernest Jr. began renovations to convert the home to a bed and breakfast, as recapped in Sherman Pratt’s “Arlington County, Virginia: A

Modern History.”

But instead they engaged with developer John G. Georgelas and Sons and real estate broker George Bonaface to subdivide the land.

Plans called for 41 new homes in the Woodmont neighborhood and possibly a retirement community overlooking the river.

Neighbors were unhappy. More than 500 showed up for a Sept.

29, 1985, meeting, and a Parkway Citizens Association (now the Woodmont Citizens Association) objected to new homes. The whole roster of players got involved: The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board, the Planning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Arlington Historical Society for Arlington Civil War Heritage.

It was an uphill battle for preservationists — a bond referendum in 1979 to acquire the property had suffered a rare rejection by voters.

“It was really a question of funds,” recalls then-county board member Mary Margaret Whipple.

The large Hendry tract had “always been a property the county thought it would add to the park network in a meaningful way. But any capital purchase has to be really thoughtout as to whether the value to the community is worth the expenditure.”

The Historical Affairs board concluded that acquiring the land would be a “unique opportunity; a site of this potential may not be found again in Arlington.”

On Feb. 28, 1987, the county board voted 5-0 to approve Historic District Designation for the Hendry tract’s 92,000 square

feet. The developer then filed what became a prolonged lawsuit against Mrs. Hendry for lost income.

On Sept. 9, 1994, the board voted to acquire the property as public land for $5.25 million from the Anne P. Hendry Living Trust and Ernest and Judith Hendry.

Fort C.F. Smith Park opened in October 1996, and the Hendry House, after suitable renovations to make it even more handsome, opened as an event venue.

Today a weekend wedding rental there costs Arlington residents $2,200, only a $200 hike over what it cost me. *** Intriguing new memoir just out about an unusual Arlington boyhood.

David R. Kuney, an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University, published “On Rockingham Street: Reclaiming My Family’s Jewish Identity — Our Journey from Vilna to the Suburban South” with WIPF & Stock.

Growing up in a postwar rambler his family owned from 195273, Kuney navigated assimilation issues and attendance at the Arlington-Fairfax Jewish Center.

He joined the first classes ever at the newly built Tuckahoe, Williamsburg and Yorktown schools.

“Yorktown was my parallel universe in the secular gentile world,” Kuney writes. “I was surrounded by synagogue talk at home, and had attended Hebrew High School, and yet my daily life was mostly devoid of anything Jewish.”

Most astonishing to me personally is that his former house literally abuts my own backyard

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 14 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

WHO’S THE BEST?

The News-Press BEST OF FALLS CHURCH reader vote is back and it’s time to cast your ballot for your Falls Church-area favorites! Our 11th annual contest features a host of all new categories — now 36 in all — for readers to vote on the best eating, drinking, shopping and more in and around the Little City .

Winners will be featured in a special BEST OF FALLS CHURCH edition of the News-Press on August 26!

Vote for Your Falls Church Favorites:

FOOD & DRINK Burger • Pizza • Sandwich • Chicken • Seafood • American • International Breakfast • Brunch • Coffee Shop • Bakery • Frozen Treats Outside Dining • Delivery Food • Farmers Market Vendor • New Restaurant

BEST OF FALLS CHURCH ISSUE COMING AUGUST 26!

BEST of

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STOFFC.COM

1ST ROUND VOTING ENDS AUG 1

CAST YOUR BALLOT AT BESTOFFC.COM

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 15

WHO’S THE BEST?

The News-Press BEST OF FALLS CHURCH reader vote is back and it’s time to cast your ballot for your Falls Church-area favorites! Our 11th annual contest features a host of all new categories — now 36 in all — for readers to vote on the best eating, drinking, shopping and more in and around the Little City .

Winners will be featured in a special BEST OF FALLS CHURCH edition of the News-Press on August 26!

Vote for Your Falls Church Favorites:

RETAIL & SERVICES Accountant • Professional Services • Bank/Credit Union • Real Estate Agent Real Estate Group • Doctors • Dentist • Retirement Community • Home Improvement • Dry Cleaners • Auto • Grocery Store • Salon • Gym/Fitness • City Event Specialty Store • School • Chiropractor • Live Entertainment • New Business

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CA L E NDA R

PAGE 16 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR LOCALEVENTS THURSDAY, JULY 1 Concerts in the Park. Following a pause due to the pandemic, Concerts in the Park returns with new musical acts every Thursday night now through July 29. Featured this week is alternative rock artist Flowerbomb.

Sponsored by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society and the Recreation and Parks Department. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a folding chair as well food and water. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov or call 703-2485077. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave) 7 p.m.

LGBT Pride Event. LGBT Falls Church and the Falls Church NewsPress are co-hosting an LGBT Pride Month culminating event.

Free. Complimentary drink and free copy of Nicholas Benton’s

“Education of a Gay Soul” will be provided. Sfizi Cafe (800 W Broad St, Falls Church). 5:30 – 7 p.m.

a.m. – noon. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov/547/ Farmers-Market-To-Go.

FRIDAY, JULY 2

SUNDAY, JULY 4

Spanish Conversation Group.

Adults looking to practice their Spanish at an intermediate or advanced level are invited to join native speakers in an informal, weekly group setting where they can do just that.

Registration required; limited to one session/week. TysonsPimmit Conference Room at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 3

Independence Day Reading.

Sponsored by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society, this free event will allow for participants to focus on the meaning of Independence Day with a review of the issues of our times and the reading of the documents that are central to our nation’s democracy. For all ages.

The event will take place outside so bring a lawn chair or a blanket. The Historic Falls Church Episcopal (115 E. Fairfax St, Falls Church). 2 – 3 p.m.

Falls Church Farmers Market. The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) 8

Declaration Celebration and Scavenger Hunt. Join the Recreation and Parks Department for an Independence Day-themed scavenger hunt. Using the maps provided at the event, participants will be tasked to find thirteen his-

torical markers throughout the Little City. A sign featuring one of the thirteen colonies will be placed near each marker. Match all the colonies with their site on the provided form and win a free Declaration Celebration t-shirt.

Participants will be able to complete the hunt at their own pace.

Completed forms can be dropped off at Cherry Hill Park (213 Park Avenue) or at the Community Center (223 Little Falls St). Forms can also be emailed to events@ fallschurchva.gov. All forms must be submitted by 6:30 p.m. For information, visit fallschurchva. gov or call 703-248-5077. 9 a.m.

– 6:30 p.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS THURSDAY, JULY 1 Online Preschool Story Time.

Those interested can join the Mary Riley Styles Library staff live on the library’s Facebook page for

a virtual fun time of stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 0-5. Visit facebook.com/mrspl to join in on the activities. 10:30 – 11 a.m.

The New Yorker Discussion Group (online). The featured article “We’ve Had Great Success Extending Life. What About Ending It?” can be found on newyorker.com. For more information about this discussion group or for a Zoom invitation, email Pete Sullivan at psullivan@fallschurchva.gov. 2 – 3 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 3 Signing Story Time (online). Little Hands Farm Animals sing, sign and learn together with this fun, hands-on, online storytime activity for the whole family. Presented

by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series. This program will be available on the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Facebook page through Saturday, July 10. 11 – 11:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 6 City Council Work Session (online). The City Council will hold a virtual Work Session pursuant

In celebration of OUR 30th year in business

The Falls Church News-Press is pleased to announce OUR 30th

Anniversary Party!

30

Please mark your calendar for this Thursday, July 29, 2021 Ireland's Four Provinces "4 P's" 105 W. Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046

6pm to 8pm

Special Guest: US Rep DON BEYER

Buy tickets at: fcnp.com/30thanniversaryticket

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. All participating members of the City Council will be present at this Work Session through electronic means. All members of the public may view this electronic meeting via www.fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings. The meeting may also be viewed on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. City Council Work Sessions are held the first and third Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. 7:30 – 11 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS FRIDAY, JULY 2 "Always…Patsy Cline" (Back by popular demand). Presented by Creative Cauldron and based on an unlikely but true friendship, audiences are invited to experience a humorous, emotional and engaging play about the legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her correspondence with fan and Houston housewife, Louise Seger. 19 classic songs, including hits like "Crazy," "Sweet Dreams" and "Walking After Midnight" will be featured throughout the show and will even require some audience participation.

Louise, played by Erin Granfield, will be joined by Sally Imbriano and Kaysha Williams in the role of Patsy for one night each.

Sponsored by Sisler’s Stone.

Parking will be available in the Falls Church Community Center Lot (223 Little Falls St, Falls Church). Ticket sales go offline at 5 p.m. but can be purchased in cash at the door. In the event of a rain cancellation, perfor-

CA L E NDA R

JULY 1 – 7, 2021 | PAGE 17

mances are typically rescheduled for a Sunday matinee. To purchase tickets online, visit creativecauldron.org. For information, call 703-436-9948. $35.

Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave).

July 2 and 3. 7 p.m.

After Midnight (On Demand).

This exhilarating song and dance extravaganza, conceived by Jack Viertel and available until Aug. 4 on sigtheater.org, is set to the sounds of Duke Ellington, Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields, Harold Arlen and more and framed by the classic American poems of Langston Hughes. Starring Hamilton’s Christopher Jackson and Signature favorite Nova Y. Payton with direction and choreography by Jared Grimes, music direction by Mark G. Meadows and featuring 28 of the big band era’s most memorable songs including “Stormy Weather,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing.” This non-stop revue showcases the gorgeous glamour and sophisticated syncopation of the Harlem heartbeat after midnight.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, JULY 1 Free Flowing Musical Experience. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-5329283.

The Surfabilly Vibe (Outdoor Show). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m.

703-255-1566.

Lady Limbo (Outdoor Show).

The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church).

7:30 p.m. 703-237-0300.

FRIDAY, JULY 2 Two Ton Twig. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703532-9283.

Golden Girls. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington

TWO TON TWIG will be performing live on the Clare & Don's Beach Shack stage this Friday night. (Photo: TwoTonTwig.com) St., Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m.

703-858-9186.

“Top 40 Reggae” Bongo District (Outdoor Show). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m.

The Johnny Artis Band. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $29.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

Dominic Elliot Live. Solace Outpost (444 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 8 p.m. (571) 378-1469.

Southern Accents – A Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $18. 9 p.m. 703237-0300.

SATURDAY, JULY 3 DC Jam Funk Fusion. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-532-9283.

The Atlantic Aesthetic Live and in Concert. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Julia Nixon & Co. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35.00. 7:30 p.m.

703-549-7500.

SUNDAY, JULY 4 Cosmic Carl’s Drum Circle Open Mic. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7

7 Deadlies Performing Jimmy Eat World (Outdoor Concert).

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m. 703-2551566.

Rewind Wednesdays (Outdoor Concert). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $20.

7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

The Nighthawks (Outdoor Show). The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church).

7:30 p.m. 703-237-0300.

Donavon Frankenreiter. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $45. 7:30 p.m.

703-549-7500.

Calendar Submissions Email: calendar@fcnp.com | Mail: Falls Church News-Press, Attn: Calendar, 105 N. Virginia Ave., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

Be sure to include time, location, cost of admission, contact person and any other pertinent information. Event listings will be edited for content and space limitations. Please include any photos or artwork with submissions. Deadline is Monday at noon for the current week’s edition.

SPO RTS

PAGE 18 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Mustangs Defeat Spotswood 4-2 in 12th State Championship

by Mike Abler

Falls Church News-Press

Three years removed from its most recent state title, George Mason High School’s boys soccer team rose to the mountaintop once again after beating Spotswood High School 4-2 for their 12th State Championship title last week.

This win capped off another impressive season for the Mustangs, but the beginning of the season wasn’t the kind of start they wanted. In the season opener, Mason tied Charles J. Colgan High School on the road 1-1.

That wound up being the only blemish of the season as the Mustangs would go on a 14-game winning streak for the rest of the season.

None of the games were even close, with 11 of those 14 wins being shutouts and the Mustangs outscoring their opponents 58-5 throughout the season.

But Covid made the possibility of playing a question mark.

“Since there was so much uncertainty about the season, we wanted to make every day

count,” Mason head coach Frank Spinello said. The secret to Mason’s success was, “having competitive practices that kept us focused,” according to Spinello.

Coach Greiner enforced a mantra of getting one percent better every day, and the team took this to heart.

The coaches helped the players prepare by giving them individual workouts and having Zoom meetings throughout the week.

It was in these Zoom meetings that Spinello and his staff instilled a sense of “Teamwork and the mental health of our players.”

Senior midfielder Declan Quill described playing for the Mustangs as, “Having a target on your back because everyone knows Mason’s history in soccer.” Quill also added that this victory was “The highlight of the season. It was great to hold that trophy above my head after the game.”

Quill attributed Mason’s success to the team’s overall leadership as well as having the entire team dialed in to win. “Having

ANNING SMITH, varsity midfielder, contributed to the impressive win. (Photo: Carol Sly) 27 guys committed allowed us to stay focused on the task at hand and allowed us to fight through the season.”

The team has always held a higher standard. Quill called it “The Mason standard,” where it’s not about just being successful on the field, but also doing well off the field. In his eyes,

Benton’s ‘Education of a Gay Soul’ Informs Readers About Gay Identity & Influence

by J. Roslyn

Special to the News-Press

In 2013, Nicholas Benton published a book of 100 essays he had written and printed in the Falls Church News Press, the publication that he founded some 30 years ago, as well as the Metro Weekly.

The title of that book is “Extraordinary Hearts: Reclaiming Gay Sensibility’s Central Role in the Progress of Civilization.” It is an extraordinary scholarly work that, among other things, provided a unique insight into the lives of Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, Christpher Isherwood and others.

So much has changed in the world since 2013.

There has been a sea change as a result of the LGBTQ+ community (shortened by Benton to collectively to mean “gay”) demanding and receiving in part equality and a prominent seat at governing tables.

Recently, Benton has taken the content of many of the essays

published in “Extraordinary Hearts” and arranged them in “a fluid singular narrative,” in his newest book, “Education of a Gay Soul.”

After laying the framework for understanding the three aspects that help to define gay identity — “gay sensibility, gay alternative perspective, and gay constructive non-conformity” — Benton unrolls the history of this gay identity and its influence on our culture.

For the reader, this book can best be described as slowly traveling on a river, perhaps with Mark Twain, glimpsing Benton’s remarkable vignettes of a largely unknown gay history which Benton meshes with the gift of gay sensibility. Specifically, he defines gay sensibility as the capability of: “Loving and caring for persons of our own sex in ways that those without it can’t match, but we also have a unique capacity to love and care for persons of the opposite sex, because we do not measure such persons

from the standpoint of dominion, procreation and society’s structures for perpetuating these. Gay sensibility empowers us with a unique capacity to love all persons regardless of gender, in a compassionate, empathetic way.”

As we glide down the river, Benton first introduces us to Walt Whitman.

It was Whitman who provided gays “with our core gay identity 150 years ago with his notion of the ‘great poet,’” according to Benton.

As we move on, we meet other great thinkers Benton identifies as gay, who devoted their lives to saving all of humanity, including Socrates, Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt and many others.

Benton has written another extraordinary book, that reveals extraordinary histories that must not be buried or forgotten.

Indeed, if the reader was truly traveling with Mark Twain, he would be one of the vignettes.

As Larry Kramer once said, “How could you not realize that Mark Twain was gay?”

the team met those standards and expects more great things down the road. He gave props to the coaching staff as well, who he believes will continue to guide the team to its high level of achievement for years to come.

The Mustangs have been extraordinary throughout the majority of the past 20 years and

have now won their seventh state title in 11 years (discounting the lost Spring 2020 season due to the pandemic). So Quill’s assessments of continued dominance for the team are frighteningly realistic.

“If we stick to playing Mason Soccer, future teams will be hard to beat,” Quill concluded.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Mason saw that the harsh laws imposed on both freed slaves and their former owners meant that slavery had to be abolished by everyone simultaneously for freedom to be truly effective.

Schools, historic Masonic lodges, and former Chief Justices Warren Burger and William Rehnquist have wit-

TH

now known as Rosslyn as well as Theodore Roosevelt Island, formally called Mason Island and used by his son for providing a ferry service between Virginia and Georgetown across the Potomac River. His estate was Gunston Hall, the historic mansion in Mason Neck where McAndrews regularly portrays this founding father.

Mason was an Anglican/ Episcopalian and this provides a link between the founding father and the Falls Church area: He was on the vestry of the Truro parish which oversaw the Falls Church.

Falls Church historian Bradley E. Gernand explained to the Falls Church News-Press that in colonial-era Virginia, the Church of England operated regional parishes, each anchored by a physical church. These churches served as both religious centers and also provided government services.

Church overseers, known as vestrymen, were leaders of society. In the 1700s, the Church of England established a small frame church at the crossroads of ancient native trails.

The spot, in the heart of today’s City of Falls Church, was referred to as the “church up at the falls” (a.k.a. the Little Falls on the Potomac).

Ron Anzalone, the chair of the City’s Historical Commission, also noted that “It looks like Mason and Washington helped decide to build the brick church to replace the old frame one in Falls Church.” Today this church is known as The Falls Church Episcopal and thus Mason plays a significant role in the history of not only Virginia and the U.S., but of the modern City of Falls Church.

In part due to his faith, George Mason opposed slavery, viewing it as an abomination and a moral evil, though puzzlingly he also owned 150 slaves. McAndrews holds that the reason for this seeming contradiction is that

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CLASSI F I E DS

PUBLIC NOTICE

Property Records, zoned R-1A (Low Density Residential).

Request For Proposals (RFP) RFP 0723-21-TENG Transportation Planning & Engineering Services City of Falls Church

Variance application V1623-21 by Eric Williams, agent, for a variance to Section 48238(3)a., to allow a front setback of 16 feet instead of 25 feet along the Fulton Avenue frontage, for the purpose of constructing a new house on premises known as 300 North Oak Street, RPC #51-125-108 of the Falls Church Real Property Records, zoned R-1B, Medium Density Residential

ELECTRONIC Submission of Proposals will be accepted by the City of Falls Church Purchasing Agent James Wise (jwise@ fallschurchva.gov) for the provision of Transportation Planning & Engineering Services.

Due date for electronic submission of Proposals is Friday, 07/23/21 @ 11:00 AM. A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, 07/8/21 @ 10:00 AM (see RFP for details). The RFP which includes all details and requirements may be downloaded from the City’s procurement website: www.fallschurchva.gov/Bids.

Notice of the RFP may also be accessed via eVA, Virginia’s electronic procurement portal for registered suppliers @ www.eva. virginia.gov.

For more information and/or questions regarding this RFP, contact the City’s Purchasing Agent via email jwise@ fallschurchva.gov. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703 248-5007 (TTY 711).

Volunteers who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office (703-248-5014, cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov, or www.fallschurchva.gov/BC) for an application form or more information. Positions advertised for more than one month may be filled during each subsequent month.

Architectural Advisory Board Aurora House Citizens’ Advisory Committee Board of Equalization City Employee Review Board Historic Architectural Review Board Historical Commission Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Towing Advisory Board (Towing Representative) Regional Boards/Commissions Fairfax Area Disability Services Board Long Term Care Coordinating Council Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Board

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH In anticipation of the creation of a West Falls Community Development Authority and establishment of the West Falls District, the Falls Church City Council invites interested City residents to apply for the resident position on the 5-member Authority. Candidates with knowledge of finance or commercial real estate preferred. Visit www.fallschurchva.gov/BCapply for a link to the application and more information about the CDA, including the background and anticipated schedule for establishing the Authority. Application deadline has been extended to July 15, 2021.

Celeste Heath, City Clerk cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov 703-248-5014

PUBLIC NOTICE Special Use Permit application U1623-21 by Lisa Wills, applicant, to allow a daycare use otherwise not permitted by right, on premises known as 128 South Spring Street, RPC #52-203-037 of the Falls Church Real

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Variance application V1624-21 by Federal Realty Trust, applicant and owner, for the following variances to Section 48-1265: to allow six freestanding signs instead of four; to allow five business names instead of three for freestanding Signs D and E; to allow Sign B to be located in a location other than the frontage that used for calculating the sign’s area; to allow increase of height for Sign B, Sign C, and Sign E; to allow maximum wall sign area of 259 square feet instead of 120 square feet for Signs F.1 and G. Public hearing on the above matter is scheduled for July 15, 2021, 7:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as the item may be heard.

All participating members of Board of Zoning Appeals will be present at this meeting through electronic means. Public comment and questions may be submitted to zoning@fallschurchva.gov until 4:30 pm on July 15, 2021. Virtual meeting link, agenda and application materials will be available the week prior to the scheduled hearing at: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/BZA

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ATTN. CONTRACTORS: Promote your business statewide and in other states. Affordable Print and Digital Solutions to reach Homeowners. Call Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@ vpa.net

RECRUITMENT HIRING? We can help you fill your open positions! Promote job listings regionally or statewide! Affordable Print and Digital Advertising Solutions reaching job seekers. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net

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Information on the above application is also available for review upon request to staff at zoning@fallschurchva.gov.

Lee’s Thai Food. LLC, Trading as: Lee’s Thai Food, 312B S Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) for a Wine & Beer On Premises. Khanthaly Chanthalangsy, Owner, Authorized Signatory Lee’s Thai Food.

LLC, the Operating Member of Lee’s Thai Food. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM PUZZLE NO. 89

11. Botch 16. Truly 20. Consider 22. Elect 23. Deprive of weapons 24. Huey, Dewey, and Louie 25. “____ Misbehavin’ “ 26. Cloth shreds 27. Wound cover 28. Volcanic flow 29. Amend 30. Receive with favor

33. Big truck 36. Fragments 38. Promote 39. Terrible 41. To ____ his own 42. Kingly address 43. Black stone 44. Filch 45. Citrus refresher 46. Asta or Lassie 48. Sailor’s yes 49. Cathedral seat

PUZZLE NO. 90

Copyright © 2021, Penny Press

ACROSS 1. Picniccrashing insect 4. By means of 7. Fire 12. Life story, for short 13. “____ Got Sixpence” 14. Reduce 15. Machines 17. Edmonton player 18. University official 19. Branding ____ 21. Ducked 24. Paving liquid

27. Dozing 30. Operatic highlight 31. West Pointers 32. Curving 34. Spirited 35. Peachlike fruits 37. Vampire, at times 38. Overpass 39. Rounded roof 40. Acapulco money 44. Boom box 47. Ahab of “Moby Dick,” e.g.

50. Smells 51. Organ of sight

8. Desert plants 9. Bitter resentment 10. ____ can 11. Chew and swallow 19. Army cafeteria 21. Secondhand 23. Huron, e.g.

25. Haze 26. Relate, as a story 27. Stick around STRANGE BREW 28. Sidewalk border 29. On a voyage 30. Challenge

32. ____ your request 33. Observer 37. Mince 39. Mouth part 42. Greased 44. Best 46. Household animals 48. Flat hill 49. Concluded 50. Succeeding 51. Paddle’s kin 52. Baked JOHN dessert DEERING 53. Citrus cooler 55. Twins 56. Large antelope

Copyright © 2021, Penny Press

52. Sob 53. Father 54. Darn 55. Curse DOWN 1. In the sack 2. Cat-o’-____tails 3. Dress for Caesar 4. Safety ____ 5. “All About ____” 6. Quit 7. Vital fluid 8. Meat cut 9. Hole-making tool 10. Final letter

JULY 1 - 7, 2021 | PAGE 21

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 89

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

ACROSS 1. Mom’s fellow 4. Strait-laced 8. Quote 12. Wintry 13. Talk wildly 14. Opera tune 15. “Look ____ ye leap” 16. Forewarning 17. Lincoln coin 18. Conditions 20. Morse code symbol 22. Long fish 24. Records 28. Creeps 31. Copied 34. Assembled 35. Avails

36. Lock opener 37. Soft drink 38. Ump’s relative 39. “Chicago” star 40. Hideous 41. Louisiana marsh 43. Mock 45. Troublesome tyke 47. Villain 51. October stone 54. On the cutting ____ 57. Adam’s wife 58. Official helper 59. Food fish 60. Male or female

61. Bassoon, e.g.

62. James Brown’s music 63. Gallery offering

DOWN 1. Say no to seconds 2. Land measurement 3. One who colors 4. Not poetry 5. Barnyard animal 6. “____ Got Sixpence” 7. Heal

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 90

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

SPORTS QUIZ

By Ryan A. Berenz 1. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson holds the Major League Baseball all-time record for shutouts with how many?

PUZZLE NO. 91

26. Attack!

39. “____ to a 2. What British golfer won the Open Championship in 1934, ‘37 ‘48?Alibi” (Hint: The European Tour’s Nightingale” 27.and “____ Rookie of the Year award is named after him.)

40.

Terminate 29. Charged 41. Volcanic fluid particle 3. In 1989, the New York Knicks hired what 33-year-old to be 30. theirDuo head coach? number 42. Farm animals 44. Three 31. Certain musicians 4. What college football bowl game was first played at Yankee Stadium in 2010? evergreen 45. Battery 33. Toothpaste Clutched 5. What Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker holds the NFL record for regular-season46.games played with option 48. Fitness center 382 from 1982-2007?

36. Waning 49. Owned 37. Metalworkers 50. Dated

PUZZLE NO. 92

20. Shipment 21. Not early 22. Above 23. Curved roof 26. Strait-laced 27. Shack 28. Bugle call 29. Write text 30. Derby 32. Posed 36. Slurp 37. Lives

6. Name the rookie NHL goaltender who started every regular-season game for the Detroit Red Wings in 1964-65?

7. Businesswoman Gail Miller was owner of what NBA franchise from 2009-20?

Last Weeks answers!

Last Week’s Answers Copyright © 2021, Penny Press

1. Larry Krystkowiak • 2. Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

37. Blizzard stuff 4. Like some ACROSS 3. Andrew Golotastreets: • 4. 24hyph.

Hours of Le Mans.

1. Choir singer 38. Flower 5.

Willis McGahee • 6.

Ragnar Relay Series.

5. Sparkler 40. Messy type 5. Yak 7.

The Idaho State Bengals and the University of Idaho Vandals.

6. Astonish 43. Trench 8. Detail 7.

Bunk 47.

Cab 12. Hired thug ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 91 8. Coin 48. Device for 13. She-sheep wingtips 9.

Work hard 14. Bright star (c)box 2021 King Features 51. Baker’s 10. 12/24 andSyndicate, Inc. 15. Revered 12/31 52.

Buddy 17. Competed 11. Manufactured 18. Hearty soups 53. Sledder’s delight 16. Curvy turn 19. Different 54. Sharp pain 21. Baby grand, 20. Headache 55. Tack on e.g. cure 56. Auctioneer’s 22. Lazes 25. Pale word around 28. Self 23. Woodwind 32. Craps cube instruments DOWN 33. Storm winds 1. Eons 24. Outs’ 34. Have bills opposites 2. Did not win CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS 35. Shielded 3. Haul 25. Commercials USE AMERICAN SPELLING

41. Burnt wood 42. Downy 43. Three voices 44. Count 45. Seltzer 46. Holler 48. Bakery purchase 49. Piercing tool 50. Island garland 51. Guided

Copyright © 2021, Penny Press

ACROSS 1. Bungle 4. Steak, e.g.

8. Regard 12. Farewell, for short 13. Beg 14. Conform to 15. Drink 17. Shoe part 18. Smaller amount 19. Road sign 20. Pack animal 23. Appropriate 24. Cookie grain 25. Cover, as a couch 31. Potent particle

33. Molasses spirit 34. Voila!

35. Put in the bank 38. Flick 39. Fade 40. Trash 42. Soak, as tea 45. Does, e.g.

47. Verbal 48. Billiard parlor: 2 wds.

52. Discharge 53. Fan’s hero 54. Little 55. Related 56. Munches 57. Cap

DOWN 1. Subside 2. Bread type 3. Gun a motor 4. Dresser 5. Notable periods 6. Caviar 7. Admission price 8. Most curious 9. Clarinet’s cousin 10. Reveal 11. Saw 16. Shade provider 19. Actor Brynner

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 92

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

PAGE 22 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

LO CA L

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No. 20 • June 30,, 2011

Odds on Alan Brangman To Be Elected Mayor at Council Meeting Monday

F.C. Council Gives Preliminary OK To 8% Water Rate Hike Over Protests

Alan Brangman stands to be elected the next mayor of Falls Church with support from as many as five of the seven City Council members — including the two new ones who will be sworn in — when next Monday’s special council meeting is convened.

By a unanimous 6-0 vote Monday, the F.C. City Council gave a preliminary approval to an eight percent water rate increase, the first phase of a “smoothed out” gradual increase in rates over the next five years deemed necessary to maintain the safety and quality of the City-owned water system.

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THIS IS MR. SQUIGGLES, who’s a Shar-pei The Holton family was fostering him at the beginning of the pandemic, and it was clear that pretty early in that this would be come his forever home. Here he is in “croissant pose.”

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

THE MORE YOU UNDERSTAND HER WORLD, THE MORE POSSIBILITIES YOU SEE. For Julia’s family, early screening for autism made a lifetime of difference.

Find out more at ScreenForAutism.org

I CAME ACROSS Myslesha waiting outside the Hot N’ Juicy this past weekend. Born and raised in Washington DC she makes the drive to Falls Church for the food as often as she can. When asked if she had any parting words, she replied, ‘All good things will prevail over the negative.’ © 2019 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Fa l l s C h u r c h

LO CA L

Business News & Notes

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VPIS Will Hold Its Annual Independence Day Reading Live On Sunday The Village Preservation & Improvement Society will hold its annual Independence Day Reading live on Sunday, July 4 at 2 p.m. The free event recalls the grievances, lofty ideals, contradictions, and challenges the local and national founding fathers faced in just over an hour. The event will take place on the lawn of the Historic Falls Church Episcopal. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair as they experience feelings of renewed patriotism and hope. Reservations are not required but more information is available at www.VPIS.org.

The Falls Church Education Foundation Announces Three Fall Events The Falls Church Education Foundation has announced three fall events to raise funds for its programs to support the Falls Church City Schools, its teachers, and students. The Little City Scramble golf tournament, co-hosted by the Mustang Athletic Booster Association, has been scheduled in addition to this year’s Run for the Schools and the biannual Falls Church Home & Garden Tour. The 2021 Run for the Schools will take place live in Falls Church on Sunday, Sept. 12 and will be preceded by a “Learn to 5K” program offered by Advantage Trainers. The Little City Scramble golf tournament will take place at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton on Wednesday, Sept. 29 and include am hour long training with a pro, a silent auction, a chance to win a car, a “Sip & Swing” event later that day, drinks, and dinner. The Falls Church Home & Garden Tour has been scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 17, to showcase beautiful homes and gardens for a good cause. In the last school year, FCEF raised more than $120,000 for the Falls Church Education Foundation Family Assistance Fund and provided more than $63,000 to City schools in grants, training, and support. For more information about these events, visit www.fcedf.org.

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Sunstone Counseling Reopens Offices For In Person Client Counseling Sunstone Counseling has reopened its office for in person client counseling sessions in Falls Church, Alexandria, and McLean. Sunstone Counseling will continue to offer on-line services and recently opened offices in Loudon County and Richmond. The practice of more than 50 counselors is dedicated to providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. The Falls Church location is at 124D E. Broad Street. For more information, visit www.sunstonecounselors.com.

JULY 1 – 7 , 2021 | PAGE 23

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Markon Solutions Has Announced Its Next Leadership Development Markon Solutions has announced its next Leadership Development Program (LDPx) will start Oct. 1. LDPx is a live interactive year-long training program that targets mid to senior level leaders who are headed towards the executive team at their organizations. The refinement course takes a full-circle approach using key elements derived from the Markon Leadership Development Training Arc – Leading Self, Leading Teams, and Leading Strategy & Vision. The program consists of monthly day-long sessions that feature morning workshops and afternoon peer advisory and coaching practicums. The fall program will run through Sept. 9, 2022. Classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. For more information, visit www.markonsolutions.com.

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Tinner Hill Music Festival Fundraiser took place at Settle Down Easy On Saturday, June 26, a Tinner Hill Music Festival Tap Takeover Fundraiser took place at Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. The brewery, a major sponsor of the 2021 Festival, donated $1 per beer sold while live music was performed by Moonshine Society. The Tinner Hill Music Festival is the premier fundraising event of Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation and its mission to present and preserve the African American legacy and promote racial reconciliation in Northern Virginia. Tickets are on sale now for the August 21 Festival at THMF2021.Eventbrite. com.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

DON’T PLAY WITH FIRE. IF YOU SMOKED, GET SCANNED.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | JULY 1 – 7, 2021

Open Saturday 12-2 in Falls Church City

ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service

FOR SALE!

$949,900 $934,900 524 Greenwich St, Falls Church City

Gorgeous Gresham Place luxury townhome with three finished levels in Falls Church City. Prime lot on a quiet elegantly maintained cul-de-sac with scenic views of 7 acres of wooded conservancy just a short walk to the East Falls Church Metro station and a nature park with playground. 4 BRs and 3.5 BAs, including a brand new luxurious Carrera marble master bath retreat with a walk-in shower with massage jets and floating tub. Stunning remodeled kitchen with custom cherry cabinets and new appliances, including double ovens and wine cooler, opening to Family room with Fireplace with door to a deck with outdoor natural gas grill overlooking a rare private treed area. Walk-out rec room with Fireplace, leads to peaceful landscaped patio. Crown moldings and built-ins throughout. Beautifully updated to include all bathrooms, fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, new carpet in bedrooms, and new landscaping. This sun-filled treasure in this highly coveted quiet enclave will please the most discriminating buyer. 115 Gresham place , Falls Church City $1,249,950.

TM

COMING SOON!

$1,375,000 613 Laura Drive, Falls Church City

4 Bedrooms

Renovated Kitchen & Baths

4 Bedrooms

Immaculately Maintained

2 Bathrooms

Large Level Yard & Back Porch

4.5 Bathrooms

Landscaped & Beautiful Yard

COMING SOON!

FOR RENT! 351 Gundry Drive, Falls Church City 3 Bedrooms 2 Full & 2 Half Bathrooms

$949,900 $1,149,900 2535 Sandburg St, Dunn Loring 4 Bedrooms

Fully-finished Lower Level

3.5 Bathrooms

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Updated Kitchen

$3,200

Lower Level Rec Room

Tori@ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com 2111 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

REALTOR®

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

© 2021 Tori McKinney, LLC