Plan Now To Phase Lincoln Ave.
PARK
The prospect of massive cost increases has led the Falls Church public works staff to recommend a phased approach to fixing up one of the Little City’s most traveled public streets, a project known as the “Greening of Lincoln Avenue.”
Lincoln Avenue, according to researchers of Falls Church’s colorful history, at one time was more prominent than it is today, once a major connecting road leading to western parts of Northern Virginia. It was the subject of an original article in the News-Press by the late Charlie Clark under the headline, “A Theory on Why a Southern Town Has a Lincoln Avenue” ( FCNP , March 24, 2003). Long story short, it derives from the fact that a former Union soldier built an important home on the street, where an historical marker at 508 Lincoln identifies “The DePutron House.”
The Falls Church City Council at its work session this
Economic Board Faces Uncertainty
The Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions, the special group organized by the speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates to evaluate conditions caused by the Trump administration’s federal worker layoffs and program cancellations, has as one of its leading members Del. Marcus Simon of Falls Church and environs.
In an exclusive interview with the News-Press this week, Del. Simon discussed how the committee will move forward over the summer in preparing the General Assembly for
an array of emergency measures it may enact to mitigate the impact of Trump’s cuts not only for persons directly laid off, but for the ripple effects through the wider economy of the layoffs and commensurate declines in revenue.
Simon told the News-Press that it is still too early to tell how profound the impact will be, but there are indicators that among the hardest hit areas is the health care industry, with massive cuts to Medicaid funding not only called for by Trump, but enacted in Congressional legislation passed last week and already signed into law.
“We in Virginia have enjoyed the benefits of major government fund-
ing surpluses in recent years because of our economic growth, and now we may see those evaporate as the resources will be required to shore up areas of our economy hurt by the Trump cuts,” Simon said.
The Emergency Committee has so far held four meetings around the state, in Richmond, Alexandria, Wytheville in southwest Virginia, and Norfolk. At those meetings, the 12 House delegates on the committee have taken in information about the impact of the cuts on local economic conditions along with recommendations for where the state might do best to help in the coming months.
The next meeting will be back in Richmond on August 14 and will
be more focused on steps forward to take. By early September, if conditions are as bad as they appear, a special session of the entire legislature may be called to put some dramatic new programs into effect. Already, Simon said, the permanent staff of the House Appropriations Committee has been working on what kinds of emergency bills they may bring to a September special session. Also, analysts at the Weldon Cooper center at the University of Virginia have been tasked with devising strategies. By then, matters may be considerably more drastic as many federal
Theater crew in the public area of Founders Row last week-
just-opened six-screen theater complex there (Photo: News-Press)
Falls Church Business News & Notes
Paragon Theater is Hiring
The newly opened Paragon Theater in Founders Row has openings in every position. Those interested can complete an application on the website via the link: https://www.paragontheaters. com/employment. Call the theater with any questions at: 571-562-5683.
Side Chick Sells Out
Carey and Yuan Tang of Ellie Bird have opened Side Chick. Operating as a ghost kitchen, they return to the fried chicken served during the pandemic. The chicken features Asian American flavor in three degrees of spice. Side dishes like potato salad with kimchi, and desserts including pineapple/basil sorbet and tiramisu are available. Opening on the 4th of July weekend, they sold out in days. Side Chick is available during the dinner hours for takeout and delivery and expects to expand hours in the future.
Foundations of Caregiving with the Alzheimer’s Association
Join the first session of the Caregiver Masterclass Series hosted at The Kensington on Thursday, July 10, 5:00 — 6:00 p.m. It is designed for those beginning or continuing the caregiving path. Learn practical tools for reducing stress and protecting your well-being and receive insightful guidance from Alzheimer’s Association experts. The second session will be held on Thursday, August 14, covering Financial Preparedness for Caregivers. These sessions are free and open to the public.
Small Business Taxes: A Quick Guide
Learn how your business structure affects your taxes. Are you tracking your business finances and deductions correctly? This session will cover the basics of small business taxes, helping participants feel more confident and prepared for the year ahead. This is offered online, free and facilitated by the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia on Tuesday, July 15, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The webinar link will be shared upon registration.
https://wbcnova.centerdynamics.com/workshop.aspx?ekey=10450042
Virtual Business Work Session
Tuesday, July 15, 12:00 — 2:00 p.m. – Online, free, and facilitated by the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia – Do you need help getting unstuck with tasks to start your business? Our small business counselor will be available to hold your hand through troublesome steps. Do you need to register your business, apply for an EIN, or learn what BPOL is and why you may need one? This virtual group session will provide hands-on assistance to keep you moving on track. Any work not completed during this session can be followed up on in one-on-one counseling. The Zoom link will be shared upon registration. https://wbcnova.centerdynamics.com/workshop.aspx?ekey=10450048
All Member Show: Part 2
Falls Church Arts hosts Meet the Artists Reception on Saturday, July 12, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. This is the second half of the All Member, all media exhibit features artists with last names from M-Z. This exhibit will be on view from July 12 – August 10. The reception is free and open to the public.
Get Ready for Taste of NoVa
Northern Virginia Magazine will host Taste of NoVA, a food and wine festival, over two days, October 10-11. This year, it will be held at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. Early Bird tickets are now on sale to attend and enjoy tastings, demonstrations and discussions. A number of chefs and restaurants are already registered including Thomas Harvey of Harvey’s and Tuyet Nhi Le of NUE Elegantly Vietnamese in Falls Church, and there is time for others to sign up. Visit the event website at https://tasteofnova.com/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_ medium=email&utm_content=Early%20Bird%20Tickets%20On%20Sale%20Now%21&utm_ campaign=TASTE%20OF%20NOVA_2025_GA
Parents’ Night Out
KiPS Family Gymnastics is hosting a Disney-themed Parent’s Night Out on Friday July 18. The evening runs 5:15 – 8:30 with gymnastics, games, crafts, pizza and a movie for youth ages 4 –17. KiPS is located in the Shops at West Falls Church on Lee Highway. Contact them to make reservations in advance at https://www.hisawyer. com/kips-family-gymnastics/schedules/activity-set/1441074?source=semester.
Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.
Monday heard an update on the plan from its team led by Amanda Brain, the City’s new Director of Public Works, who explained the report on the design progress made to date, since the planning began in 2022 to address the storm water and roadway improvements needed. Anthony Dudley, the City’s Stormwater Project manager, was also present.
Brain addressed what she and her staff reported as “the need to phase the project due to cost increases and funding constraints.”
Less than a year ago, in September 2024, the City’s public works staff briefed the Council when the estimated cost was $11 million, prior to the completion of its 60 percent design submission last December. But by this spring, the cost of the project had swelled to an estimated $20 million.
Reasons for the huge increase are two-fold, according to Brain. The first involves a deteriorated road subbase, discovered by more recent field assessments, that will require a replacement more than originally anticipated. The second
is rapidly rising construction costs and market volatility.
Escalating unit prices and continued market uncertainty will require increases in contingency funds, she reported. “As a result, the current funding is insufficient to complete the entire project from West Street to the City line,” she said, thus proposing a phased approach.
Phase A under the new plan involves constructing the most critical stormwater infrastructure across three key locations: Legion Hall at Oak Street, Lincoln Park at Great Falls Street and Lincoln Avenue near Walden Court.
The cost of this first phase is $4 million, and the funds are already there from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation to the City. Given the looming deadline for utilizing the money allocated to assist localities facing issues associated with the Covid19 pandemic (the deadline being December 31, 2026) construction of the stormwater projects is scheduled to begin in early 2026 for a six-month duration.
Phase B will then address the portion of the project covering the
N. West to Greenwich streets with stormwater protection and roadway improvements. It will involve completing to 100 percent the design, acquisition of right of way authority, and construction. “Due to the urgency of stormwater issues here, staff recommends prioritizing this segment,” the report states.
Elements of the Phase B include full roadbed reconstruction with new pavement, major roadway drainage improvements, and construction of Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks on the south side of Lincoln with associated curb extensions and crosswalks.
The plan is to fund Phase B at $5.1 million through a combination of state Stormwater Local Assistance funds and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) revenue sharing. Construction would begin in the summer of 2026 for six months, following construction of Phase A.
An available $950,000 that the City Council budgeted for this would be used for Safe
Streets Improvements that would involve the implementation of “quick build” and “light solutions” improvements in the Phase C (Greenwich Street to Meridian Street) and D (Meridian Street to Yucatan Street). While no other funding is yet available for Phase C and D, the City staff is “actively pursuing grant opportunities,” Brain said.
Consideration for snow emergency routes, turning areas and high visibility crosswalks will be included, she added, along with the idea of narrow -
ing the width of drive lanes by a foot and reducing the number of parking spaces on the street.
While a considerable representation of Lincoln Avenue residents was present this Monday, being it was work session and not a formal meeting, there was no provision for public input, and it was argued that more than ample opportunities have been provided for such input over the period from 2022 to the present. No Council action was requested or taken at this meeting, just questions and there were a lot of those.
Task Force Awaits Bad News
workers who’ve been laid off will have the paychecks they have been offered until then run out entirely by the end of that month. That’s when the hardship will first fully begin to take effect.
So far, Simon said, unemployment numbers have been rising but at a slow rate. That will change dramatically by the end of September.
He said to watch out for rural hospitals to close if an answer to the Medicaid cuts aren’t found, and a migration of federal workers away from this area, creating a “brain drain” as former federal workers will choose to move rather than accept lower paying jobs that do not match their skills.
“This is already going on, but it takes a while for these trends to show up in the numbers we’re dealing with,” he said.
Already, however, rural areas of the state are being hit by the phasing out of federal Department of Agriculture programs to buy produce from local farms to supply food banks. In addition, in Norfolk at the Port of Virginia, Trump administration tariff policies, as unsettled as they may be, are causing major cancellations in orders.
He said Chambers of Commerce are also reporting major declines in revenues from local businesses, including restaurants that are losing business because in addition to the layoffs already, the public is worried about what tomorrow may look like.
Depending on how this fall’s elections go in Virginia, he said, there will not be a lot a new governor will be able to do when she takes office in January, whether the Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears wins.
In fact, the legislature will be dealing with the final budget proposals of outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin that he will present in December before leaving office at the end of the year. The new governor, in fact, will not be able to present a budget until 2028.
“If there’s any silver lining to the situation we will be facing,” Simon told the News-Press , it may be that we will be compelled at last to reform the state’s tax laws to address the problem.”
He noted that the current situation, with a single tax rate for everyone in Virginia, which is the same for someone making a million dollars a year as for someone making $30 thousand, may be restructured as part of the effort to meet the crisis.
In Memoriam: Natan Lailari
Born in England on October 11, 1991, Natan Lailari lived a vibrant life, brimming with adventure, discovery, and celebration. A passionate traveler, Natan journeyed to all 50 U.S. states and traveled extensively across the globe, including to Israel, Thailand, China, Mexico, India, Ghana, and much of Europe.
Throughout his life, Natan defied categorization and proved to be a true all-rounder. At George Mason High School (now Meridian High), Natan was a scholar-athlete, competing in cross country, swimming, wrestling and soccer. He served as student body president, and graduated with an international baccalaureate (IB) diploma. He went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Science and minors in Physics and Mathematics, setting
him up for future software engineering roles at Google and Spring Inc. Fueled by boundless creativity and imagination, Natan also founded a startup called Moksha. Whether in camaraderie, work ethic, or competition, Natan stood out for his laid-back charm, intense focus, bold originality, and effortless grace.
To those who knew and loved him, Natan was whip-smart, philosophical, and deeply thoughtful. Conversations with Natan ranged from the profound to the everyday, always full of insightful questions. But it wasn’t just his intellect that stood out, Natan lit up every room. He was magnetic, charming, and hilarious. He loved hiking and nature, sports, food and art, as well as music and dancing. Natan believed life should be enjoyed lavishly, often looking to treat himself and others to a memorable experience. His life was marked by wonder, connection, curiosity, laughter, and a fierce love for his family and friends.
Natan is survived by his parents, Stefani and Guermantes, brother Ze’ev (Maddie Weiner), sister Aliza (Lyle Sweet), niece Sasha Sweet-Lailari, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins who all loved him dearly.
A memorial service was held this past Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the King David Memorial Gardens, Area 45 (7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA) . In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the charity of your choice, in honor of Natan.
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Vol. XXXV, No. 22
July 10 - 16, 2025
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The Importance of F.C.’s Fall Election
This November’s election in Virginia and in Falls Church, in particular, are already turning hot. The statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, with the primaries behind us, are now definitely seen as critical on a nationwide level, being the first harbingers of the 2026 midterms when the nation will deliver its judgment on the new Trump and MAGA agendas. In Falls Church, rumors are flying in the wake of the determination that six candidates will be vying for four seats on the City Council, with one Council member not seeking reelection. Rumors involve a controversial letter sent out by a leader of a prominent non-profit group suggesting an active role in the election, even posing the idea of “bullet balloting,” to increase the chances for a preferred candidate.
This November’s Falls Church City Council election will be another very important one, though not as essential to the well being of society as a whole as the race for governor leading into the federal midterms in 2026. For Falls Church, its seven-person City Council currently has at least five members who have been staunchly in favor of the kind of development that has turned the Little City into a genuine regional destination with fine restaurants and entertainment options spread across the entire breadth of its main corridors north-south, east-west and mutli-family developments that now house more individuals and families than all the single family homes in the City. While they also attend to the interests of neighborhoods and the environment, this majority’s policies have also made possible the funding of one of the best school systems in America, and on top of that, the prospect of significant cuts in real estate and other tax rates.
That majority will be challenged with this November’s Council election by candidates who don’t share the values they have put into policy for Falls Church, who reflect more of a “NIMBY” (“Not in My Back Yard”) sentiment, and their current prevalence on the Council could erode to either a bare majority or no majority at all.
So, preparations, and for that matter, machinations, are in play now. It is an important time for citizens to make the effort to become more knowledgeable about the issues of our local government, and thereby be better insulated against anyone’s efforts to advance half-truths or matters taken out of context
This newspaper has been a staunch advocate of the kind of “smart growth” that has come to distinguish our Little City from other regional jurisdictions that just went through a very difficult budget cycle due to lagging revenues, and that now face the prospect of even more challenging realities as the impact of the Trump administration’s program cuts are resulting in mass layoffs of federal employees and those of government contractors.
It will make for big challenges in Falls Church, whose workforce has the highest percentage of federal employees of any of its neighbors.
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Cult Century: 1970s Roots Of Trumpism, Part 8 of 25
Nicholas F.
Benton
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” Proverbs 14:31. That’s in the Bible.
It follows that there are prominent figures in the MAGA movement who are now contending that the Jesus of the Biblical New Testament was too “woke” and that a magical version that instead ascribes power and blessings to certain of his followers is the real one. For some, the magical version is even Trump himself.
This cult version of Jesus (or Trump) was exactly what the early church shaped its identity by fighting against as heresy. It was variations on this theme that the theology of the Trinity was developed to oppose and St. Augustine developed his theology in works like his “Confessions” and “City of God” and so many of his other writings to challenge.
The actual Jesus of the New Testament, as best as scholars can surmise, the one who in fact formed the basis for the early church and its evolution, was the one best exemplified by the Sermon on the Mount, including the Beatitudes (“Blessed are the poor,” etc.), his Parables and the record of the events leading to his crucifixion.
As a graduate seminarian myself at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., I studied these matters in depth and was most taken by the theologian Joachim Jeremias, who fame derives most from his scholarship around the Parables of Jesus as they came down to us through the Biblical record and his novel appreciation for how the historic figure of Jesus, speaking Aramaic as he did, most likely referred to God as “abba” in a way in which a child might address his or her father with a familiar expression, more like “daddy” than a formal “father.”
This was in keeping with the notion that one must become like a child to enter the Kingdom of God, that is, to revive a childlike fascination with life and a childlike notion that life offers unlimited opportu-
nity for beauty, love and the cultivation of creative potential.
The mundane conventions of spirit-numbing adult socialized behaviors that accept racism, war and debt-slavery are inevitable stumbling blocks to faith and the appreciation for a universal humanity that he prevailed against with testaments to love, forgiveness and spiritual rebirth.
He stood against the conditioning that turns children into spiritually numb adults accepting the burdens of convention with its racial and social inequalities.
The many varieties of heresies that stood against this valid tradition took the form of cults that almost always lifted the historical Jesus or a new “prophet” out of history, out of true humanity and sacrifice, to posit him in a magical way as one who bestows magical powers on followers.
Today’s Christian Nationalist followers of MAGA are espousing a version of Christianity no different that the Gnostics, Docetists or other cultists did that the early church shaped its identity by vigorously opposing.
In our democracy today, we tend to ignore important differences in faith communities on grounds that persons should be allowed to believe whatever they want. Identifying differences is even considered wrong, and I get that concern.
However, it is in times such as these when a false or heretical version of faith is leading people to make bad decisions by appealing to their lowest sense of themselves and by elevating their prejudices.
Accepting the totality of the teachings and ministry of the Jesus of the Biblical New Testament is a good way to begin safeguarding against the heresy that is the MAGA movement today.
True religion and science are not at odds. They complement each other because they both seek to understand and appreciate the incredible world into which we have come. Nobody appreciated this better than Einstein himself, one of the most seminal thinkers and considered a preeminent scientist of the last 150 years.
As vast and beyond our imagining this universe actually is, as the Webb telescope and other observations are revealing now, it is by appreciating that, and affirming the seminal role of love in our lives that there can be the necessary room for both in our hearts and minds.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
By Penny Gross Former Fairfax County Supervisor
Hope may be a theological virtue, an inspiration or an aspiration, even a town in Arkansas, but hope is not a strategy. Hope is not a plan. General Colin Powell knew that; Coach Vince Lombardi knew that, and most any ancient or current military commander would concur. Nonetheless, as Alexander Pope wrote in the 1700s, hope springs eternal. We see that every day, through the tears of the parents whose young campers still are missing in the Texas flood; cancer patients seeking a cure; Nationals baseball fans looking for an eventual winning season; or lottery ticket buyers praying for the winning Power Ball.
Simply a look at news headlines recently – continuing war in Ukraine, unprovoked shootings at refugee feeding locations in Gaza; American bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites; wildfires in Crete and elsewhere; concerns about the effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on society; the national debt increases in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill – can tempt you to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over your head. Instead, most of us hope that things will get better, that
violence will cease, the natural environment will recover, and that “somebody” will lead us out of the morass. Hope can be fragile, as delicate as diaphanous spider silk, or strong as steel. As an aspiration, hope is fine, but it’s not a strategy, not a plan.
Pulling a plan together is tough these days, as the “my way or the highway” approach often fails to consider the many divergent views that need to be included in good planning, trying to find a “sweet spot” that everyone at the table can support, even if not wholeheartedly. Democrats need a plan if they want to regain Congressional leadership and, ultimately, the White House. New, younger leadership, from geographically separate areas of the nation (both House and Senate Democratic leadership is held by New Yorkers) would be a start. Many of today’s ruby red Rocky Mountain states had Democratic Senators (some still do), but Democrats ceded that territory, especially at the local and state levels, during the Reagan Revolution. The takeover was aided by young Republican operatives like Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, and Karl
City of Falls Church Crime Report
Week of June 30 - July 6, 2025
Larceny from Building, W Broad St, Jun 30, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., an unknown suspect stole the victim’s purse from a break room.
Larceny from Building/Fraud – Credit Card, W Broad St, Jun 30, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:09 p.m., an unknown suspect stole the victim’s wallet from a break room and made several unauthorized transactions.
Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, N Oak St/W Broad St, Jul 1, 1:49 p.m., a white female, 44, of Ridgeville, IN, was arrested for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
Larceny from Building, W Broad St, Jul 1, between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., an unknown suspect stole the victim’s unsecured sky-blue bicycle.
Larceny from Building/Fraud – Credit Card, E Broad St, Jul 3, between 1:15 p.m. and 2:09 p.m., an unknown suspect stole the victim’s wallet from their purse
while shopping and made several unauthorized transactions.
Drinking while Driving/Underage Possession of Alcohol/Smoking in Proximity to Gas Pump, W Broad St, Jul 4, 10:05 a.m., a white female, 20, of Woodbridge, was arrested for Drinking while Driving, Underage Possession of Alcohol, and Smoking in Proximity to Gas Pump.
Animal Cruelty, W Broad St, Jul 4, 2:15 p.m., a white female, 40, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Animal Cruelty after leaving a dog in a hot car.
Public Intoxication, W Broad St, Jul 5, 1:47 a.m., a white male, 38, of Palm City, FL, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
Driving Under the Influence, W George Mason Rd, Jul 5, 1:57 a.m., a white male, 31, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Refusal to Submit Blood/Breath Sample, and No Valid Operator’s License.
No Valid Operator’s License, Hillwood Ave, Jul 5, 6:15 p.m., a white male, 54, of
Rove, not young anymore, but who still are involved with the Grand Old Party.
The plan must appeal to voters who have become detached and disinterested in politics, or even in voting, because they feel their vote is no longer important. As we are seeing with more citizens adopting the “independent” label, political parties that focus primarily on their “base” are more polarized and doctrinaire, leaving little room for cooperation and conciliation of disparate viewpoints. When I was a local elected official, some constituents would ask if I would talk with them since they were not of the same party or didn’t vote for me. I always assured them that I represented everyone in Mason District, not just those who voted for me. That’s a gentle reminder to those in higher elected office. Listening can be a virtue, too. Demonizing and placing blame makes politics a blood sport rather than finding solutions through reasoned discussions and debate. There are many pieces that make up today’s political jigsaw puzzle. Many of those pieces can fit together with a little effort, some will need to be flipped around to fit, and a few, perhaps, will fall on the floor. A good, solid political plan with more than one “sweet spot” can help figure out where we each fit into the great American puzzle, and return to rational governance, rather than hope and chaos.
Fairfax County, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.
Shoplifting, W Broad St, Jul 5, 7:10 p.m., an unknown suspect stole merchandise without paying. The suspect is described as a skinny black male in his late 30s, approximately 6’2” in height, with a full beard, wearing a brown bucket hat, white tank top, blue basketball-style shorts, white socks, and white sandals.
No Valid Operator’s License, S West St, Jul 5, 7:28 p.m., a white female, 69, of Fairfax County, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.
Other Jurisdiction Warrant Service, W Broad St, Jul 5, 9:28 p.m., a white male, 22, of Fairfax, was arrested on an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction.
Driving Under the Influence, E Fairfax St, Jul 6, 12:49 a.m., a white male, 60, of Potomac, MD, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
This Week Around Falls Church
Thursday, July 10
Caregiver Masterclass:
The Empowered Caregiver (Part I)
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.Location: The Kensington Falls Church, 700 W Broad St
Details: Workshop for caregivers hosted by The Kensington and the Alzheimer’s Association
Founders Groove: Live Music Series
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Founders Row, 109 Founders Ave
Details: Free outdoor concert with local bands.
Falls Church Fiber Artists Drop‑In
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mary Riley Styles Library
Details: Social crafting time for knitters and fiber artists.
Summer Storytime
(Ages 2 4)
Time: 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Mary Riley Styles Library
Early Literacy Center Playtime
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mary Riley Styles Library
Concerts in the Park
Richard Walton Group
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave
Details: Free outdoor concert featuring contemporary jazzrock fusion. Presented by the City of Falls Church and VPIS.
Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, 300 Park Ave
Details: Public meeting addressing zoning issues.
Friday, July 11
Kensington Memory Café
Time: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Falls Church Arts,
700-B W Broad St
Details: A social program for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers.
Ukulele Baby Lap Time
Time: 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Mary Riley Styles Library
Ayreheart
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Creative Cauldron
Details: Renaissance music performance by lute trio Ayreheart.
Saturday, July 12
Organic Vegetable Garden Series
Watering
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Rd, Arlington Details: Learn best watering practices for vegetable gardening.
Blockprint Bac Ty Party
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Eden Center
Details: Create wearable or hangable blockprint art. Paywhat-you-can. Supports La ColectiVA and local mutual aid.
Music with Groovy Nate
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mary Riley Styles Library Details: Interactive musical performance for children.
Golden Melodies & American Classics with Ginny Carr Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: The Kensington Falls Church, 700 W Broad St
Details: Enjoy selections from the Great American Songbook. Free and open to the public; RSVP required.
Falls Church Arts M Z
Artist Reception
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Falls Church Arts Gallery, 700-B W Broad St
Details: Reception for the annual all-member show, featuring artists with last names M-Z.
Neville Street Groove
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Jammin’ Java
Details: Blues, rock, and soul concert.
The Guitar Renegades
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Creative CauldronDetails: Energetic acoustic performance.
Falls Church Farmers Market
Time: Saturday, July 13, 2025, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Parking Lot, 300 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA
Details: Shop fresh produce, baked goods, meats, plants, and local artisan products at one of the region’s most beloved farmers markets. Open every Saturday, rain or shine.
Sunday, July 13
Kensington Career Open House
Time: 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: The Kensington Falls Church
Details: Career info session and tour. Meet leadership and learn about available positions.
Monday, July 14
Summer Storytime (Ages 2 4)
Time: 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Mary Riley Styles Library
Summer Super Improver Swim Clinics
Time: 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Big Blue Swim School Details: Children Swim sessions
Tuesday, July 15
Architectural Advisory Board Meeting (Rescheduled)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Dogwood Room, 300 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA
Details: This meeting of the Falls Church Architectural Advisory Board was rescheduled from its original July 9 date. Open to the public. Agenda and materials available at fallschurchva.gov.
Wednesday, July 16
Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Mary Riley Styles
Library
Details: Regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees. The public is welcome to attend. Meeting agendas and minutes are available on the library’s website.
Send us your events to calendar@fcnp.com
News & Notes
ON INDEPENDENCE DAY last Friday, the main public celebration took the form of the annual collective reading of the U.S’s founding documents in the historic Falls Church. All in attendance took turns reading paragraphs from the founding documents and from the sound of them, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if our nation’s current leadership thought they were aimed at him.(Photo:
Fairfax Schools Offer of Scholarships Now Open
The application period for Fairfax County Public Schools’ ACE’s Fall 2025 Apprenticeship Scholarship is officially open. Current and prospective students in the Apprenticeship track are encouraged to apply before the August 15 deadline.
With additional support from the Adult and Community Education Training and Scholarship Foundation, FCPS ACE is positioned to award nearly $40,000 in scholarships this fall to individuals pursuing careers in the trades.
The scholarship can be applied to eligible fall Apprenticeship courses in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC levels 1–4. It’s part of FCPS ACE’s larger mission to empower the next generation of trades professionals by eliminating financial barriers and expanding workforce development opportunities in Fairfax County.
Rep. Beyer Wins Spelling Bee Competition
Falls Church’s favorite son, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, took home the title at the latest annual spelling competition between politicians and members of the media, as reported in ArlNow.
Beyer won the National Press Club’s annual “Press and Politicians Spelling Bee” on June 25. His winning word was “stygian,” meaning “of or relating to the river Styx” or “extremely dark, gloomy or forbidding.”
Beyer previously took home the crown in his first “Press and Politicians” Bee in 2015 and came in second last year. This year, according to the report, the congressman made one error trying to spell “espalier,” meaning a plant trained to grow flat against a support, but he was otherwise clean en route to his win.
“My goal was not to be the first one out,” Beyer told ARLnow. “Somehow, I got words I knew, and the other guys got words they didn’t know.”
Initially held in 1913 with President Woodrow Wilson in attendance, the spelling bee did not happen again for 100 years until it was reintroduced in 2013. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) won that year. The bee is also a fundraiser for the National Press Club’s Journalism Institute, bringing in more than $20,000 from attendance and sponsors at this year’s event.
F.C. Arts Invites New Show Submissions
Falls Church Arts has announced that local artists are invited to submit work that contains multiple layers for its next show by midnight, Sunday, July 20. The exhibition will run from Aug. 16 to Sept. 28 this summer, with a Meet the Artist reception set for Saturday, Aug. 16.
Tricia Ratliffe is the juror for the show. Submissions can be made to the F.C. Arts Galley at 700 W. Broad.
Work on New 4-Track Rail Bridge Set to Begin
Construction on a new four-track Long Bridge North Project, meant to expand rail traffic between Arlington and D.C., is expected to get underway later this month.
The $1 billion undertaking by the development firm Skanska and infrastructure company FlatironDragados is on track to begin in the coming weeks, Skanska announced in a press release this week.
The effort involves building a one-mile rail link from East Potomac Park to L’Enfant Interlocking in D.C.
IT WAS DINO DAY for kids, dogs and parents in the community space inside Founders Row Saturday, and a large contingent of all three were present to enjoy the summer weather and special treats organized by the Paragon Theaters to promote the Jurassic Park film being shown in their new space just a few feet away. (Photo: FCNP)
FCNP)
Fate of PBS & NPR Will Be Decided Next Week
According to CNN’s Brian Stelter, the U.S. Senate has nine days to either approve or reject President Trump’s rescissions package, which means PBS and NPR have nine days left to await their federal funding fate.
The package “faces potential obstacles ahead.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN according to Stelter. Thune expects the so-called “DOGE cuts” to be voted out of the appropriations committee and “hit the floor next week,” but Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins says she believes the package “needs some significant changes,” i.e., amendments.
If the so-called “DOGE cuts” don’t pass the Senate by Friday, July 18, the rescission effort fails and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting keeps the $1.1 billion that Congress already allocated for the next two years.
Warner, Kaine Win $ for Virginia Airports
This week, Virginia’s U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced $21,254,275 in federal funding to support infrastructure improvements at ten airports across Virginia. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration Airport Infrastructure Grant program, made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law.
“We are thrilled to announce this funding for Virginia’s airports,” the senators said. “This investment is a major win for Virginia’s travelers and communities and will help to ensure our airports are safer, more efficient, and ready to meet growing demand in the years to come.”
Tucked inside Trump’s new tax law is a major shift for affordable housing: a revamped Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that could unlock 1.2 million new units by 2035. Developers now only need 25 percent bond financing, down from 50 percent, reviving stalled deals.
Plus, Permanent Opportunity Zones add fuel, but huge cuts to Medicaid and green retrofit programs are raising alarms for renters and multifamily owners, according to Biznow.
Honeybee Losses Will Impact Food Supply
Experts are concerned that successive loss of honeybee colonies could affect food security as the insects pollinate more than 100 commercial crops across North America, according to a report in The Guardian.
Reports of new losses this year came through before the California almond blossom season, which is the largest pollination event in the world, requiring the services of 70 percent of U.S. honeybees.
Danielle Downey, director of the nonprofit beekeeping research organisation Project Apis, which conducted the die-off survey, says: “If you like to eat, you need healthy bees to pollinate crops. Beekeepers try to rebuild each year but they are pushed to the brink as losses and input costs keep increasing.
“If beekeepers fail, there is no backup plan for the pollination services they provide in US food production,” she says.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS from Eastern Europe are back, working as lifeguards at local pools, like these two from Slovenia working at the Winter Hill pool. They come as a flock through a special program administered by the U.S. State Department. (Photo: FCNP)
SWEET SUMMER SMILES – Decked out in festive red, white, and blue, these two youngsters enjoy a cool treat during the Independence Day Ice Cream Social at Cherry Hill Park (Photo: Gary Mester)
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Are you persuasive, self-motivated, and tech-savvy? The Falls Church NewsPress is looking for a dynamic individual to join our fcnp team. Ideal candidates should be comfortable discussing digital media — including social media, websites, and online marketing — and know how to show local businesses the value of advertising in a respected, community-focused publication.
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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”
This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION OF VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR APPROVAL TO REVISE ITS NET METERING PROGRAM PURSUANT TO § 56-594 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA CASE NO. PUR-2025-00079
On May 1, 2025, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) a petition (“Petition”), pursuant to § 56-594 E of the Code of Virginia (“Code”) and the Commission’s order in Case No. PUR2024-00047 (“Net Metering Order”), for approval of its proposed revisions to its net energy metering (“net metering” or “NEM”) reform proposal, NEM 2.0. The Net Metering Order required Dominion’s Petition to address, analyze, and provide prefiled testimony and data to support certain items identified therein as they relate to net metering, consistent with the requirements of Code § 56-594 E. This included, in part, a proposed rate structure related to net metering to govern compensation related to all eligible customer-generators, eligible agricultural customer-generators, and small agricultural generators, except low-income utility customers, that interconnect after the effective date established in the Commission’s final order in the net metering proceeding. The Company asserts that its Petition and supporting direct testimony address each of the required net metering considerations laid out in the statute and in the Commission’s Net Metering Order. Pursuant to Code § 56-594 E, the Commission must issue a final order regarding the Petition no later than 12 months after this proceeding commences.
In its Petition, Dominion asserts that its NEM 2.0 proposal contains two key changes from the Company’s existing NEM program (“Legacy NEM Program”): (1) a transition from annual to real-time netting, and (2) an Export Credit Rate to compensate customers for excess electricity exported to the grid. In addition, the Company proposes minor changes to its Net Metering Terms and Conditions, including an application fee and an administrative charge of $1.00 per month.
According to the Petition, real-time netting methodology records the inflow and outflow from a customer’s meter every interval, which is every half-hour. Dominion asserts that realtime netting would allow a customer to receive compensation for energy when it is produced and to pay for energy when it is consumed. Under the Company’s proposal, the customer would receive the Export Credit Rate for the net production exported to the grid and would pay the applicable tariff rate for net power that is consumed from the grid in the billing period. Dominion asserts that its proposal to transition from annual netting to real-time netting would reflect the reality of how customers use the grid, would treat participants and non-participants of the net metering program fairly and equally, and would not result in unreasonable cost-shifting to nonparticipants.
Dominion further proposes that exported power be compensated at an Export Credit Rate, which would reflect an avoided cost the Company could otherwise pay under a power purchase agreement (“PPA”) for a comparable product. According to the Petition, this Export Credit Rate would be set at an amount equal to the weighted-average of first year prices for purchases from Distributed Solar PPAs executed in response to the Company’s most recent Rider CE Request for Proposals, which was $95.53 per megawatt hour in the most recent Rider CE. Dominion asserts that this represents the appropriate avoided cost as it is representative of the price the Company could otherwise pay for a comparable product. Dominion proposes to collect the energy cost of these credits through the fuel factor.
According to the Petition, the Export Credit Rate includes the value of the energy as well as renewable energy credit value. Dominion asserts that the proposed payment to NEM 2.0 customers also reflects the value of an avoided renewable energy purchase. The Company requests that the Commission allow the Company to reduce its annual renewable portfolio standard (“RPS”) compliance obligation by the total amount of kilowatt hours exported by NEM 2.0 customers to recognize the energy those customers would contribute to the grid. The Company asserts that this approach would benefit all other customers by reducing the net RPS compliance costs as well as by ensuring that the Company and its customers would receive the RPS benefit for the export power. Pursuant to the Petition, the Export Credit Rate that is related to RPS value would flow through account 557 and be recovered through Rider RPS.
The Company proposes a $100 application fee for NEM 2.0 customers with generating facilities of less than 250 kilowatts (“kW”) and $750 for customers with facilities of 250 kW and greater. The Company also proposes an administrative charge for customers served under NEM 2.0 of $1.00 per month as a placeholder rate. The Company asserts there are costs associated with the development and operation of an alternate billing mechanism for future customers under the Company’s NEM 2.0 program in parallel with the Legacy NEM Program.
Dominion asserts that, as part of its NEM 2.0 proposal, the Company would maintain its Legacy NEM Program for existing net metering customers pursuant to Code § 56-594 E. According to the Petition, the NEM 2.0 tariff would only be applicable to non-low-income customers with new or modified interconnections, effective the first of the month that is at least 12 months from the date of a final order in this proceeding.
Finally, the Company asserts that it is unnecessary to raise or remove the six percent aggregate net metering cap at this time, as the rated capacity of all customer-sited generation participating in NEM is less than three percent of the Company’s adjusted Virginia peak-load forecast for the previous year. The Company proposes to monitor and provide updates in its biannual net metering report to allow the Commission to evaluate the effects of NEM 2.0 prior to
deciding whether it is appropriate to modify the current six percent cap.
TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents, and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents.
The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on Dominion’s Petition. On January 20, 2026, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold the telephonic portion of the hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before January 13, 2026, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission: (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/case-information/webcasting; or (ii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/case-information/ webcasting
On January 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Petition from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff.
To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and has required electronic service on parties to this proceeding.
Electronic copies of the Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Jontille D. Ray, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or jray@mcguirewoods.com Interested persons also may download unofficial copies of the Petition and other documents filed in this case from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/case-information
On or before January 13, 2026, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/caseinformation/submit-public-comments Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00079.
On or before September 30, 2025, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation at scc.virginia.gov/ clk/efiling Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent shall serve a copy of the notice of participation electronically on counsel to the Company, Commission Staff, and all other respondents. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 5 VAC 5-20-10, et seq., (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00079.
On or before October 30, 2025, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served electronically on the Company, Commission Staff, and all other respondents. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, as modified herein, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR2025-00079.
Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.
The Company’s Petition, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, and other documents filed in this case may be viewed on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/case-information
F1: The Movie In Theaters
By Lisa Sinrod
Released on June 27, this is a big sports drama about professional auto racing and personalities behind the scenes. Brad Pitt continues to defy his age in the action movie space, in a manner similar to Tom Cruise. Pitt, whose laconic acting style works well enough for the film, is 61. He and co-star Damson Idris did much of the actual driving, however the cars used weren’t the real thing. They were modified F2s made to look like F1s, and the result was convincing.
The show stealers, however, are the cinematography and actress Kerry Condon. Condon is an Irish actress who portrays the fictional first female technical director of the Formula 1 auto races. In reality, there hasn’t been a Formula 1 female technical director, although women currently hold positions as engineers, mechanics and racers. Damson Idris, who stunned audiences in television’s “Snowfall” series, is also a standout. The British actor plays rookie racing phenomenon Joshua Pearce. Sonny Hayes (Pitt’s character), once a prodigy before being seriously injured in the Spanish Grand Prix, is now a racerfor-hire and lives out of his van. After a decades long break from competitive racing, his performance results in a team win at the 24 Hours of Daytona race. He’s subsequently offered a spot on an underdog Formula 1 team which will next compete in the British Grand Prix. The offer is made by former teammate Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem, who persuades Hayes to stay in the game and join his team in hopes of saving it with some much-needed wins. Pearce is a rookie teammate, whom Hayes is expected to mentor, and yet a fierce competition ensues between the two men.
The APXGP team with Hayes now achieves some wins and moves forward, amid pressure from investors, to the
Hungarian, Italian and Abu Dahbi Grand Prix races. There is much drama surrounding each race, both on the track and behind the scenes. This can be both mesmerizing and at times repetitive. Interestingly, the racing scenes were shot during real F1 races. The cast and crew had permission to set up in between actual races and therefore had tight windows for scene shooting. This adds to the realistic feel of the movie, including shots of the racing enthusiasts in the stands. “You can’t fake the energy of race day,” said film Director Joseph Kosinski (who also directed “Top Gun: Maverick”) to the Movie Blog on June 28. According to the film’s producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, it took a year to convince the FIA (organizer of the F1 races) to be able to film “F1: The Movie” on the tracks during race weekends.
One needn’t know anything about Formula 1 racing to sit back and enjoy the show. General details of the racing structure are filled in, while the sound effects and visuals dominate. The movie is long, clocking in at 2 hours and 35 minutes and rated PG-13. Is this a good movie? In a word, yes. The method of filming along with the cinematography add to the film’s excitement and quality. Does this movie achieve greatness? No. The story line could have been further developed, the racing scenes sometimes feel overdrawn and even formulaic and yet the action, emotions and feel-good moments are all there and make the movie worthwhile for what it is – a good sports drama. My experience was enhanced by viewing it in a Lux Box seat at Falls Church’s new Paragon Theaters, in their largest auditorium (the Axis 15 Extreme with its huge and fabulous screen and Dolby Atmos sound) and it felt like I was right there at the races. I could literally feel the sound (sound, after all, consists of vibrations) as the drama progressed to a crescendo ending.
Old Falls Church: School Days (Part I)
by Ted White Falls Church News-Press
I was born in early 1938, and started first grade during World War Two. At that time the town of Falls Church had only three schools: Madison (a grade school), Falls Church High School, and a third I’ll get to soon. The high school was located on South Cherry St. at Hillwood Avenue. Madison was on the east side of N. Washington St., near where Sunrise Assisted Living is now.
At that time Falls Church did not offer any pre-school classes. No kindergarten. Nor did any other district in the vicinity. So my mother started a private kindergarten, Mrs. White’s School, in 1935. Initially it offered classes from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, but it was so successful (with waiting lists) that an afternoon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. class was added. My mother ran this school, in one side of our house, until she retired and closed the school in 1970. Many in Falls Church attended my mother’s kindergarten, as I did myself, of course.
I lived then, as now, on Tuckahoe St., just east of Broadmont, and until I got a bike I walked everywhere in Falls Church. My walk to Madison School was about a mile, most of it on East Columbia St. Although Madison faced N. Washington St., I never entered through its front doors. I always came in the back way, crossing the playground to one of the back doors.
In August of the year I was to start first grade I and my peers attended a session one afternoon at Madison where we were shown our classrooms and teachers – an orientation session. It lasted maybe half an hour and after it was over I was standing in the playground with several of my friends when a “big” boy – a thirdgrader – came up to us and, without any warning, punched me in the stomach. I had never been hit like that before (or since). I doubled over, grasping at my stomach, and wondered if I’d ever again draw another breath. The bully walked away, smirking. (He remained a bully throughout his years in the Falls Church school system, and, during one summer vacation in high school he killed a man in a bar fight in Florida. Many years later my daughter went to school with his daughter, who was not a bully.) That was my introduction to public school.
During my time at Madison the Oak
Street School was built (and has since had several name changes) but I never attended it. But there was another school in Falls Church, now forgotten, the Jefferson Institute, located on North Cherry St, but with a long walkway (through woods) from East Broad to its front doors, almost a block further north. I attended it for eighth grade, in 195152. It was to be that building’s last year of use. It was around 100 years old, and showed it. Bricks were loosening and the building was dilapidated.
Some of us created a mythical organization, the Anti-Teachers League, or ATL. Its symbol was a round bomb (of the cartoonish sort) with a sparking fuse, the letters ATL on the bomb. This symbol popped up at odd moments on blackboards, to teachers’ annoyance, but nothing was ever done beyond this – until our final day of school. This was a day to show up, get one’s final report card, and say goodbye to friends and teachers for the summer. No classes, no programs.
Around 6 in the morning several of us showed up at Jefferson with a long rope, a ladder, and a croquet ball painted black, with white ATL letters on its sides. The wooden ball had been drilled out, and a small firecracker placed in the hole. Fixed to the firecracker was a fuse we’d made which (we’d timed it) would last for five or six hours – until around noon. We strung the rope between two trees, at least 20 feet above the ground. The “bomb” was hung from the middle of the rope, midway between the two trees. It was obvious and very visible – and well out of reach.
When I went back to the school around 9 that morning, I saw several teachers standing on the ground, staring at it.
“Those fools,” one teacher said. “They don’t realize the danger they’ve put us all in,” said another, a teacher known for his pomposity. I collected my report card, but hung around to see what happened next. The fuse was steadily smoking and growing shorter. One teacher warned us all that we could be blown up.
Then the big moment arrived. The fuse burned all the way down. There was a shower of sparks and the (dud) firecracker went “futt!” A total anticlimax. And a fitting climax for the ATL.
That summer the Jefferson Institute was torn down and that fall I attended the first year of George Mason Jr.-Sr,. High School.
For my “Front-Page History” series, today we are looking at headlines from July 2, 1977, just one day after the new Virginia laws passed by the General Assembly went into effect. In 1977, the most popular new law was described with this headline in the Northern Virginia Sun: “Hi-Test Beer Available”.
BEER NEWS: Some folks might remember back when beer was limited to an alcohol content of 3.2%. This was based on a 1933 federal law, after the repeal of Prohibition. The 1933 law expired within a few years, and yet most states kept the low-alcohol requirement on the books for decades.
The Virginia General Assembly not only permitted a higher alcohol content in 1977, but a number of alcohol-related laws were also passed. Bingo fans could “now sip a brew” in private clubs, and another law repealed a ban on beer advertising on t-shirts, provided “they do not depict messages that would tend to induce minors to drink.”
METRO: Headlines in the Washington Post announced the opening of the Metro’s Blue Line. The first Metro line was the Red Line in 1976, consisting of 5 stations from Farragut North to Rhode Island Avenue. On July 1, 1977, the Blue Line opened, with 17 stations from RFK Stadium to National Airport. There were maintenance troubles with jammed doors and squeaking brakes, though the biggest difficulty involved the new entry and exit system that required the use of that new invention called “farecards”.
There should be no surprise that construction cost estimates were rising, with the original 1960s estimate of $2.5 billion jumping to an estimate of $5 billion by 1977. The final costs to date? Well, I could not find any records, but one assumes it went beyond $5 billion. It should be noted that the original plan was for a 100-mile system; today’s Metro has 129 miles of tracks.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS: The School Board garnered a lot of attention, with a front-page story about the closing of two junior high
schools (Stratford and Gunston). In the 1970s the school population declined rapidly in Arlington, causing the School Board to close 11 elementary schools in that decade. There was much reorganization going on in 1977, as the article also pointed out that the School Board decided to move 9th graders out of junior high and into the high schools, creating 4-year high schools, and leaving only two grades in junior high schools. Arlington waited until 1990 to take sixth graders out of elementary schools, and into the junior high school system.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS LAWSUIT:
“No Progress Seen In Suit”: This headline referred to a lawsuit filed by Arlington’s Bishop O’Connell High School against the Virginia High School League (VHSL), the organization that governs athletic activities for public high schools. Bishop O’Connell, the state’s largest Catholic high school at the time, had been denied in their application for membership. The three Arlington public high schools had been delegated to different athletic districts, making it difficult to fit O’Connell into their schedules in the major sports.
The lawsuit claimed that the exclusion from the VHSL would cause financial difficulties for O’Connell and would deny their athletes the chance to compete against kids in their neighborhoods. Bishop O’Connell lost its lawsuit at trial in 1978, and eventually the high school joined the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, which consists of 13 Catholic high schools in the region.
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES: What was going on in the larger world? The Washington Post had two interesting stories, with headlines that effectively summarized the international troubles in two parts of the world: “South Africa Told To End Apartheid Or Risk U.S. Ties;” and “2 Rights Activists In Ukraine Receive Lengthy Jail Terms.” It would take more than 15 years to end apartheid in South Africa. As for the Ukraine story, its headline could possibly be used as an example of the old phrase attributed to Mark Twain: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”
Drs. Love and Miller provide a family practice with special emphasis on healthy and beautiful smiles for adults and children Both doctors graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and have been practicing together in Falls Church for over 25 years
We take time to listen to our patients so that we truly understand their needs. With emphasis on overall health, we o er services including composite restorations, metal-free crowns, implant restorations, veneers and other cosmetic procedures Our oral hygiene program excels at understanding the vital relationship between oral health and other systems in the body. Drs. Love and Miller, along with our amazing team, greatly appreciate the community’s trust and support
Mark A. Miller, DDS, Melanie R. Love, DDS