7-23-2026

JULY 23 - 29, 2026 Founded 1991 • Vol. XXXVI N o . 24

Northern Virginia’s Newspaper

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‘Democracy Thrives In Sunshine’

F.C. Mourns MVP MOMS Former Mayor Hal Miller Community Leader, Marine, and Mayor Dies at 96

by Falls Church News-Press

Former Falls Church Mayor Harold “Hal” Lister Miller, who also served on the Falls Church City Council and as the city’s Commissioner of the Revenue, died peacefully on July 15, 2026, at Spring Arbor of Fredericksburg.

He was 96. Miller was elected to the Falls Church City Council in 1971. In 1974, his fellow council members unanimously elected him mayor, and he served three terms through 1980.

Miller moved to Falls Church with his wife, Ruth, in 1964, where they raised their six children. After working as an assistant manager at a lumber yard, Hal and Ruth started a lumber brokerage that they operated from their home for 30 years.

Working from home gave Miller the freedom to serve Falls Church

Continued on Page 4

BEHIND EVERY WIN OR LOSS, hit or error, celebration or disappointment is a baseball mom, ready with a hug and words that every kid needs to hear: “You played great today. Be proud of yourself!” Thank you to all the “Real Moms of FCKLL.” From left to right, top row: Kari Forsee, Verra Stewart, Heather McKeown, Jhena Roy, Christine Quinn, Amanda Coyle, Margie Kuczkowski, and Michelle Talbert. Bottom row: Mary Verasin, Anna Southworth, and Kathryn Allan. Inset: Jesse Labukas with her mom, Debbie Lamont. (Photo: Adam Roy)

Table Of

A Summer to Remember: F.C. Little League Historic Run

Contents

By Adam Roy

Editoral Page 6 Business News Page 7 Our Man In Arlington Page 9 Best Of FC Pages 10 Classads Page 12 Critter Corner Page 14 Calendar Page 15

Falls Church Little League

“You lose, you smile, and you come back the next day. You win, you smile, and you come back the next day.” Ken Griffey Jr. said that.

Over 22 years, he played 2,689 games, yet not one in the Fall Classic.

While a World Series championship eluded him, as it does for many greats, he gave the fans so much more—a renewed joy for the game, a flawless swing, and, of course, a backwards-wearing baseball cap.

His quote comes to mind while thinking about the Falls Church Kiwanis Little League’s historic

state championship run. Those 12 all stars from Falls Church might not have brought home the championship nor found themselves on ESPN in August. They did, however, give the Falls Church community so much to celebrate and a summer to remember.

Since June 1, FCKLL’s 12U

Majors All Stars Team played ball, and played it well. There were good days and bad days. Wins and losses.

Hours on the field. Hours in the cages. They learned to hit ‘em hard, rear back and deliver the payback pitch, and face each obstacle with a

Continued on Page 3

PAGE 2 | JULY 23 - 29, 2026

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F���� C����� N��� B�����

Rescheduled Civic Jam Set This Friday in F.C. Due to the extreme heat earlier this month, the Civic Jam event originally scheduled for Friday, July 3, 2026, is now taking place on Friday, July 24, 2026.

Citizens are invited to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America at Civic Jam and to celebrate the City of Falls Church’s diverse community, civic engagement, and classic summer fun. Jam out to live, local music, sip on local brews, enjoy tasty treats and eats, and a full evening of festivities for all ages now on Friday, July 24 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Play, connect, and earn points throughout the evening in the Civic Cup Competition with activities ranging from sack races and relays to collaborative community art and trivia in the beer garden. No pre-registration required, assemble a team of four, pick up a Civic Cup scorecard, and compete for the Civic Cup Trophy.

Event Schedule: 6 p.m. – Festivities begin, community booths, food vendors, beer garden, all age inflatable games (mechanical bull, axe throwing, bounce house), non-profit sponsored activities, photo booth, cotton candy, and yard games begin. Civic Cup Competition team check-in begins.

6:15 to 8:45 p.m. – Civic Cup games including relays and sac races take place.

Full event schedule will be listed on the Civic Scorecard the day of.

8:45 to 9 p.m. – Civic Cup Competition Trophy Ceremony.

9 p.m. Grab a free light up VA250 giveaway, glowsticks, and jam out.

10 p.m. – Festivities end.

tools they need to succeed from day one.

This summer, NVFS is bringing together individuals, businesses, and community partners from across Northern Virginia, to provide new backpacks and essential school supplies to more than 1,500 local students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Readers can help families start the school year with confidence. Whether you donate, host a supply drive, or spread the word, every contribution helps equip students for success in the classroom, and strengthens families across our community.

To help reach the goal, here are ways to help.

• Donate to the Back2School Fund online, and NVFS will shop for the most-needed supplies on your behalf: nvfs.link/b2sdonate • Shop the Amazon Wish List by July 22: nvfs.link/b2s2026amazon • Host a school supply drive or learn more about the campaign: nvfs.link/b2s The new school year will be here before we know it. Together, we can make back-to-school season a time to help local students start the school year strong as they work toward a brighter future.

F.C. Forward Offering Micro Grants for Local Events Falls Church Forward is providing $50-150 microgrants to neighbors in the greater Falls Church area who want to host social gatherings. The microgrants are intended to help cover what you need to get neighbors together -- both new and old -- and imagine what’s possible for your shared place. Gatherings might include block parties, picnics, home cafes, happy hours, or your own unique idea.

F.C. Police Investigating Suspicious Death in City The City of Falls Church Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating the suspicious death of an individual whose body was found by police officers the morning of Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

At approximately 10:10 a.m., police were dispatched for a welfare check of a guest at the Sonesta Suites at 205 Hillwood Ave. Upon arrival, police were denied entry into the room by its occupant, later identified as Kyle Gosweiler, age 37, of Falls Church, VA. Once officers gained entry into the room, they located the body of a 78-year-old woman who was pronounced deceased on scene. The decedent’s name is being withheld until next of kin is notified. Gosweiler has been charged with Concealing a Dead Body and Obstruction of Justice. He is currently being held under bond at the Arlington County Detention Center.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia is conducting an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death. The death has been classified as suspicious based on factors at the scene, and the circumstances that preceded the death remain under investigation. However, the preliminary investigation indicates that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective C. LeGrand-Douglass at cdouglass@fallschurchva.gov or 703-248-5168 (TTY 711).

N.Va. Family Services Offer Free Student Backpacks At Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS), one of the region’s largest and most established human services nonprofits, it is believed every child deserves to walk into the classroom on the first day of school feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn. But for many local families, the excitement of a new school year is overshadowed by the financial stress of buying school supplies. By helping families meet this essential need, we can ease financial pressure and give students the

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JULY 23 - 29, 2026 | PAGE 3

F.C. Little League’s Historic Run Ends, Legacy Lives On

Continued from Page 1

belief that if not them, then who.

And all that positive energy and team camaraderie backed by hometown support propelled them to a District 4 championship, an accomplishment some thought impossible, and a shot at the state tournament.

“The scoreboard may say our season is over, but it can never erase what this group accomplished,” said Assistant Coach Jon Labukas. “Years from now, people won’t remember every score. They’ll remember that this was the team that broke through. The team that made history. The team that proved Falls Church belongs on the biggest stage.”

Led by Coach Alex Kuczkowski and Assistant Coaches Chris Talbert, Jon Labukas and Brad Allan, the team opened state tournament pool play last Friday with an impressive 13-1 victory over Bedford Metro with multiple hits by James Labukas, Hunter Roy and Will Talbert. Strong pitching and eight combined strikeouts by Colin Dailey and Spencer Allan led to a 15-1 win the following day against Roanoke City.

On Sunday, the team faced McIntire from Charlottesville, also 2-0 in pool play, for a chance to secure first place in the pool.

Through four competitive innings, including two innings of no-hit, no-run pitching by Jay McKeown Jr., the team entered the bottom of the fifth inning leading 2-1. With one out and runners at first and second, Thomas Stewart smashed a double to left field putting FCKLL up 4-1. Pitcher Gavin Kuczkowski closed out the game quickly in relief, sending Virginia’s oldest little league into the state quarterfinals for the first time in history.

Facing Virginia Beach in the win-or-gohome quarterfinal, pitcher Will Talbert went the distance, allowing only two runs over

six innings to help secure an 11-2 victory on Monday morning. Backed by error-free outfielding by Andrew Quinn and William Southworth and gritty catching by Timmy Verasin, who caught innings across all five games played, the Falls Church All Stars earned the right to face Lower Loudoun Little League in the state semi-final that evening.

Lower Loudoun took the lead early, scoring one run in the first, then another three in the third. Falls Church kept fighting but tough pitching and strong defense from Loudoun kept Falls Church off the scoreboard. Loudoun would add another four runs in the top of the sixth, leaving the FCKLL All Stars with one more chance to create a miracle. Evan Iweagwu’s single, then an RBI double by Jay McKeown Jr. erased the zero from the scoreboard, giving the Falls Church faithful in attendance a much-needed burst of joy, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t FCKLL’s day.

Final score: Lower Loudoun 8, Falls Church 1. While their historic run was silenced, the support from the Falls Church community only got louder as FCKLL’s all stars received a standing ovation from their fans. As the boys approached, the realization that they had just played their last little league game filled the air.

No more finding out each spring which friends were on their team, no more night games at Westgate, no more curly W jerseys and hats. But they also realized something else. They have more baseball games to play, more pitches to hit, and most importantly, more memories to make. Which put that smile right back on their faces.

Congratulations to the 2026 Falls Church Kiwanis Little League Majors All-Star Team!

Inspired? Sign your ballplayer up now for fall ball. Register online now at www.fckll.org.

COACH ALEX KUCZKOWSKI delivers his �inal thoughts to the boys following their semi�inal loss to Lower Loudoun Little League. Over ten games, the team �inished 8-2, securing FCKLL’s �irst Little League District 4 Championship in 20 years and �inishing among the �inal four teams in state tournament play. The tournament concluded Tuesday with a walk-off win by Fairfax’s SYA (who also beat West Spring�ield in the semi�inal) over Lower Loudoun; a nod to the strength of Northern Virginia youth baseball. (Photo: Josh Gross)

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Remembering Hal Miller’s Lasting Legacy of Public Service

Continued from Page 1

in several capacities.

As his first official act as mayor, Miller helped establish the first section of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Bike Trail. He cut the ribbon on Sept. 7, 1974, when the first mile-and-a-half bike ride through Falls Church took place.

Miller said his aim as mayor was to “reflect the attitudes of the people, and lead the City along paths reflecting their aspirations.”

He also joined with the Falls Church Community Services Council to persuade the owners of Winter Hill housing to set aside 80 one-bedroom units as federally funded housing for seniors.

Miller participated in the city’s annual Memorial Day celebration by climbing into a dunk tank and allowing residents to “Dunk the Mayor.” His family also regularly participated in the celebration’s 3K race.

In 1975, Miller became a member of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ board.

He became its chairman in 1977.

That year, he received the Civil Defense Award from the Society of American Military Engineers for emergency disaster planning in the Washington area.

In 1980, Miller ran for Congress in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. He lost to Frank Wolf in the Republican primary, but the two later became friends.

Miller returned to elected office in 1989 as Falls Church Commissioner of the Revenue. He served three terms totaling 12 years.

During his tenure, Miller modernized the office’s computer system, helping improve the city’s finances and strengthen citizen accountability.

His office also established a process integrating the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Taxation, allow-

ing tax refunds to be issued more promptly. Miller took pride in the fact that the office treated taxpayers “as customers with courtesy.”

Outside city government, Miller was active at St. James Catholic Church. In 1971, he helped start and lead the Community of God’s Love Prayer Group, now known as the Community on FYRE. He also served as a Eucharistic Minister.

During the 1980s, Miller served on a search committee that found the property for Aurora House, a home for at-risk teenage girls in Falls Church.

Born Jan. 5, 1930, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Miller graduated from Spartanburg High School before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1949. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served until 1952, including 14 months during the Korean War. One of the “Frozen Chosin,” he survived the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.

His military honors included the

Presidential Unit Citation with One Bronze Service Star, Marine Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars and United Nations Service Medal.

Miller met Ruth Marye Wall in October 1954, and they married June 11, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria.

After living in Fairfax County, they moved to Falls Church in 1964.

Following his retirement in 2001, the couple relocated to Winchester, where they were active at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and Miller remained involved with local veterans.

Known as Grandpa and Pop Pop, Miller attended his grandchildren’s sporting events, graduations, birthday parties and other family gatherings. His family said his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the legacy of which he was most proud.

Miller is survived by his children, Maureen (Alex) Gallagher-

McLeod, Sharon (Tom) Brown, Kellie (Charles) Alpaugh, Melissa (Nick) George, Patricia “Trish” (Mari) Brebenel and James (Kathy) Miller; 16 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Marye Miller; his parents; his brothers, James Fred Miller Jr. and Thomas Pinckney Miller; his sister, Marianna Miller; and his granddaughter, Mary Miller.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s in the Woods Episcopal Church, 5911 Fairview Woods Drive, Fairfax Station. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment with military honors will take place at Fairfax Memorial Park.

The family thanked Spring Arbor of Fredericksburg and Mary Washington Hospice Care for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to DementiaMatters, P.O. Box C, White Post, VA 22663.

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JULY 23 - 29, 2026 | PAGE 5

LOCAL

FC Scavenger Hunt Proves That Democracy Rocks!

BY AMY BOWKER

The principles of democracy come alive, one signpost at a time, as part of the Falls Church Scavenger Hunt taking place Sunday, July 19 through Tuesday, August 4 across the Little City.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Falls Church, the scavenger hunt was designed as a family activity where participants visit six locations throughout the city to gather messages pertaining to democracy.

For those taking part, you can begin by printing out the official Scavenger Hunt Map and Log Sheet from the City of Falls Church website by going to fallschurchva. gov and navigating to the Calendar.

Click on any date during the scavenger hunt to find the link to the map and log sheet. Hard copies can also be picked up in person at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library on the main floor just to the right of the check-out desk.

With map and log sheet in hand, scavengers can visit the following locations: the Falls Church, Tinner Hill Historic Site, Mr. Brown’s Park, Mary Riley Styles Library, Cherry Hill Farmhouse, and the City Hall Welcome sign by the Tree mural. At each site, you’ll find a Democracy Rocks! Civic Stand that includes a Civic Tag with a message about democracy. Once you find the message, fill in the words from the tag that are missing on your log sheet so that you have a complete message.

For example, Civic Tag #2, which can be found at location #2 Tinner Hill Historic Site, reads on the log sheet as: “In 1870, 94 years after the Declaration of Independence, the _________ to the US Constitution overrode states’ authority, giving all male citizens the right to vote without regard to race, color, or prior enslavement.” Civic Tag #3 at Mr. Brown’s Park deals with women attaining the right to vote.

The seventh part of the scavenger hunt might only require a virtual search but it’s just as important as all of the others. The log sheet prompts you to look up the location of your polling place on the Virginia Board of Elections website and record it on your log sheet.

The website for this information can be found at: vote.elections. virginia.gov/VoterInformation.

I decided to give the scavenger hunt a try on opening day, so I headed over to the Mary Riley Styles Library (#4 on the list) where I could also pick up a printed map and log sheet. Locating the Civic Stand at this location required a detour; I walked right by it on the sidewalk outside. (Maybe another message for me is to be more observant!) The stand itself is a metal post around three feet high that’s rooted in a giant bowl of white rocks. The Civic Tag is a laminated sheet of paper attached to the post by a lanyard.

After the library, I walked across

the street and found the Cherry Hill Farmhouse Civic Stand (#5 on the list) pretty easily. The message on that tag was particularly memorable in discussing the “inalienable rights” of the people as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

From the Cherry Hill Farmhouse, it was a quick walk to the City Hall where I found the Civic Stand near the Welcome mural (#6 on the list). Another location, Mr. Brown’s Park (#3 on the list), is also within easy walking distance of these three.

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Taking part in the Scavenger Hunt was a nice reminder that democracy itself is a participation sport. Something to remember in the days leading up to the primary election on August 4, and of course, the midterm elections this coming November.

Once you’ve completed the scavenger hunt, email your log sheets to: lwvfallschurchva@ gmail.com. Ten winners will be drawn at random, and prizes will be awarded on Wednesday, August 5th.

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PAGE 6 | JULY 23 - 29, 2026

Since 1991, an award-winning LGBT-owned general interest community newspaper.

Vol. XXXVI, No. 24 JULY 23 - 29, 2026 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Member, Virginia Press Association •

Nicholas F. Benton Owner & Editor-In-Chief nfbenton@fcnp.com

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classified & Legal ads classads@fcnp.com letters to the editor letters@fcnp.com News & Notes newsandnotes@fcnp.com Obituaries obits@fcnp.com subscriptions distribution & delivery delivery@fcnp.com www.fcnp.com The News-Press is certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to publish official legal notices including probate, abc notices, small and foreign estates. We will provide the appropriate paperwork. A comprehensive book on the 36 year history of the News-Press, “The Life and Times of the Falls Church NewsPress”: by Charlie Clark (History Press, 2023), can be purchased at local bookstores or online.

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 to over 140 locations. 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. ©2025 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.

A searchable archive of all issues of the Falls Church News-Press since 1991 can be found at bit.ly/44kt6Sc.

Editorial

The Summer of Moving On

This summer, for whatever reasons, the City of Falls Church is finding a larger than usual number of its civic leaders dying. One, former Mayor and Commissioner of Revenue Hal Miller, is remembered in this edition, having died in Fredericksburg in his mid-90s. He was widely admired and well liked during the course of his extensive career in Falls Church politics.

Another is former Vice Mayor Sam Mabry. While we reported his passing in recent weeks, a formal obituary was not provided until this week and it came on top of a pressing, early deadline. So the full report on it will be saved for next week. Those who knew him will be reminded of a long and colorful life in wider D.C. area politics and as a thorn in the side of the Citizens for a Better City (CBC) in Falls Church.

His constituency, it can be said, was largely that of anti-development forces in the City that tried unsuccessfully to stand in the way of the incredibly significant growth the City has enjoyed in the last two decades. But he did, indeed, have that constituency which elected him to the City Council more than once, including one two-year stint as vice mayor.

Other important contributors to Falls Church have also left us in the recent period, including another case of delayed publication of his obit, Falls Church native and nationally prominent editor and author of science fiction, the Little City’s own Ted White. His full legacy has been written and also awaits publication next week. Then there was the long-standing Falls Church Superintendent of Schools George Thoms. It was under his leadership that the City’s school system began its full K-12 conversion to International Baccalaureate curricula, which today makes it without question one of the premier systems in the nation.

Then there is the devoted member of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library’s Board of Trustees, the wise and venerable centurion husband of four-time mayor Carol DeLong, Chet DeLong. He was the driving morally passionate voice of the virtues of the role of a public library to a community. The City Council went for a full renovation of the existing library in a time when the buzz was peaking about abandoning a resort to tactile books altogether. Chet DeLong stood resolute and he carried the day.

Among those whose contributions often took place behind the scenes was Mary Knieser, a longtime supporter of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. She managed the Foundation’s social media accounts, handled its bookkeeping, published its weekly newsletter, and worked closely with its accounting firm to ensure annual tax filings were completed. While much of her work happened out of the spotlight, it helped preserve and promote one of Falls Church’s most important historic and cultural institutions.

Now, the culture is beginning to develop a fresh appreciation for all things tactile, even newspapers like our own. The critical component is the concept of community and continuity associated with print and paper. So as we have stood resolute in our determination to keep our print product alive, it has been people like DeLong whose unbending support for the same has helped make it happen.

Platform 1. Keep the news clean and fair.

2. Play no favorites, never mix business and editorial policy.

3. Do not let the news columns reflect editorial content.

4. Publish the news that is public property without fear or favor of friend or foe.

5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.

6. Give ‘value received’ for every dollar you take in.

7. Make the paper show a profit if you can, but above all keep it clean, fearless and fair.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Movie Review: The Invite

by Lisa Sinrod

Directed by and co-starring Olivia Wilde, this R-rated drama is both deceptively simple and emotionally complex. The plot unfolds inside the San Francisco apartment of Angela (Wilde) and her husband, Joe (Seth Rogen), where Angela has invited their upstairs neighbors (Pina and Hawk) over for a first-time dinner. Joe, a musician whose fleeting success came from a minor hit song, trudges home to Angela, unloading his frustrations about teaching music just before their neighbors arrive. Their 12-year old daughter is away on a sleepover.

As Angela and Joe scurry around getting ready, their bickering begins. At moments hilarious and at others depressing, they represent a couple deep in midlife resentments and strife. The title’s “invite” comes from neighbors Hawk and Pina (Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz), who casually reveal details of their polyamorous lifestyle during the evening get-together.

Pina quite literally sweeps into the apartment foyer at the appointed time, along with her partner Hawk. Pina is a psychotherapist with a spirited personality, while retired firefighter Hawk radiates hard-won serenity and is her former patient. The initial gathering around Angela’s hors d’oeuvres table is painfully awkward as the guests make stilted attempts to get acquainted while Hawk dispenses Zen-inspired wisdom. Joe is immediately put off by Hawk’s relentlessly upbeat persona, but the evening gradually fosters an unexpected mutual respect between the two men. Once the libations begin to flow, more is revealed about each of the individuals and surprising confrontations occur.

The film is dialogue rich, with a script written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. “The Invite” is a remake of a Spanish stage-to-screen adaptation, “The People Upstairs”, which was released in 2020. The principal roles are at times over-acted, particularly by director Olivia Wilde in the role of Angela. Despite this, the film is a jolly romp and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. As the conversation unfolds, layers of disappointment and regret are

peeled away, exposing the vulnerabilities that leave each character visibly uncomfortable.

The film gradually draws viewers in, creating an almost voyeuristic connection between the audience and its characters. The question of whether Angela and Joe will accept Hawk and Pina’s invitation to engage in an intimate encounter takes several unexpected turns.

The otherwise sharp dialogue occasionally gives way to stretches that feel like filler, diverting attention from the script’s central themes.

However, the discussion ultimately returns to the deeper issues each character and couple is grappling with as the evening progresses and their defenses begin to fall away.

“The Invite” recalls relationship-driven films from earlier decades, including “Closer”, “Perfect Strangers,” and the iconic “Bob & Ted & Carol & Alice,” emphasizing dialogue and character dynamics. It becomes clear during the movie that Angela and Joe’s marriage may be beyond redemption, a question which is addressed in an interesting way at the end of the film. It also appears that Angela is reaching somewhat frantically toward the neighboring couple in an effort to revive something in her own life, with mixed results.

Age-old themes are explored, such as whether passion can survive a long marriage and the difference between emotional honesty and cruelty.

This is Olivia Wilde’s third feature film as director, in addition to her numerous acting credits.

Wilde, who grew up in Washington, D.C., received critical acclaim in her directing debut of “Booksmart” in 2019. Wilde shot “The Invite” largely in chronological order, an uncommon approach intended to help the actors’ performances develop naturally. Wilde has described this film as less about swinging and more of a comedy-drama exploring long-term relationships, intimacy and communication. Improvisation and script revisions by the actors was reportedly permitted on set.

Clocking in at 1 hour, 47 minutes, the film avoids overstaying its welcome and delivers a satisfying conclusion.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JULY 23 - 29, 2026 | PAGE 7

F� � � � C � � � � �

B������� N��� � N���� The Best of Falls Church Finalists The Falls Church News-Press (FCNP) has published the finalists in the Best of Falls Church. Congratulations to Falls Church Chamber Members who are finalists: Dogwood Tavern, Cafe Kindred, Solace Outpost, Diener & Associates, BlueHuki Group, Neat Financial Planning, Burke & Herbert Bank, Tori McKinney, ROCK Star Realty Group, LP Dental, Drs. Miller & Love, The Kensington, Chesterbrook Residences, Foxcraft Design Group Inc., Skin Lab Med Spa, Alloy Personal Training, KiPS Family Gymnastics, Stylish Patina, Doodlehopper 4 Kids, St. James School, Levine Music, Mane Edit, State Theater, Creative Cauldron, Lee Design Studio, Amy Clay, Sunstone Counseling, Think Happy Live Healthy, CJ Beauty Hair Salon, and Falls Church Arts. Be sure to cast your final votes by August 10th.

The winners will be announced in the August 20 publication.

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Enjoy Coffee with a Cop Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is hosting Coffee with a Cop next Wednesday, July 29, 9:30 – 11 a.m, at 500 S. Washington Street. The community is invited to meet the City of Falls Church Police Department. Drop by for some coffee, pastries, and a chance to meet your City police officers.

Adoption Event for Cat Lovers Falls Church was ranked #5 in the country by PetSmart for its love of cats, and it’s the only city in Virginia that made the list. Rankings were based on sales of cat products at PetSmart stores and adoptions at PetSmart Charities events. The local PetSmart at Seven Corners partners with Lost Dogs & Cats Rescue Foundation (LDCRF), which operates the Cat Adoption Center and provides adoptable cats and kittens. Dawn Wallace, Executive Director of LDCRF, appreciates the timing of the ranking – this week is PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week and they’re hosting a Cat Adoption Event this Saturday, July 25, noon – 5 p.m.

Sessions on Virginia’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Program Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is holding a series of virtual listening sessions in the coming weeks as it begins the work of promulgating regulations for Virginia’s mandatory paid family and medical leave insurance program as required

by Chapters 981 and 1093 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly. There are specific sessions offered for Workers, Employers, Self-Employed, and Small Business Owners. More information is available here: covaconf.webex.com/webappng/sites/covaconf/ webinar/webinarSeries/register/3535298f52a84ce5b867d0a65fb6051b.

The Arc Nominations Due In recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, The Arc presents the “Commitment to Employment of Persons with Disabilities Awards” to recognize companies in Northern Virginia that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to providing employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Anyone may nominate a company that employs people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Fairfax County, Arlington County, or the cities of Fairfax, Falls Church and Alexandria. Nominations can be made by the employer, a job coach or disability service provider, or parent/family of the employee with IDD by the deadline, July 31. thearcofnova.org/employer-awards

Kensington Career Open House The Kensington is hosting a Job Fair on Sunday, July 26, noon – 3 p.m. There are multiple opportunities across a variety of departments that work together to make this a warm and engaging community for its residents. There are openings in Care & Nursing Services, Dining Services, Life Enrichment & Activities, and Housekeeping & Maintenance. You can register for the fair online at: thekensingtonfallschurch.com/events/careeropenhouse/, and reach out to Christina Phan-Van, Manager of Human Resources and Team Member Services, at Cphan-van@kensingtonsl.com with any questions.  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.

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2026

PAGE 8 | JULY 23 - 29, 2026

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LOCAL

F.C. Arts All Members Show (M—Z): Travel and Beyond

BY MARK DREISONSTOK

Like the previous All Members Show, the current one (M—Z), running through August 23, features many snippets of travel. There is Russ Mardon’s oil of “Brandy Pot Lighthouse” along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. Also in oil: Nancy M. Patrick’s nature idyll “Shanandoah,” inspired by lyrics from the evergreen song “Country Roads:” “Blue Ridge Mountains, Shanandoah River / Life is old there, older than the trees . . .”

Through the medium of photography, we visit a quiet “Country Road Chapel” in North Dakota (Renee Nicole Ruggles) and, also via photography, take in a “Key Sunrise” at Washington’s Key Bridge (John Valenti). Vivian Song’s watercolor “The PengPeng Boat” pictures “the quiet poetry of a southern Chinese water town,” in the words of the exhibition card, and Yoshiko Ratliff’s three-panel

acrylic “Festive Sash #1” depicts Japanese wedding kimonos.

Yet in addition to various travel and exotic locales our artists visit, the show has some unique and insightful works which take us outside of this theme, and perhaps outside of the norm.

Christina Scott’s watercolor “Perspective Shift” turns the world into something akin to false-color infrared film. The artist has decided to alter the world as we see it based on color theory, almost like a visual Caesar cypher. Classically, false-color infrared photography was used to study changes in vegetation and was shot from aircraft mounted cameras flying above the area to be studied. Here the artist gives us a beautiful rendering of the world, down to the smallest details, such as the playful, almost creature-like rocks below the water’s surface nearest to the bottom edge of the matte. “Perspective Shift,” reminiscent of golden autumn, is sure to fill any room with joy.

As a highly unique study on architecture, Nolan Noble’s acrylic “NMAI, NMAAHC, Hirshhorn & NGA East” breaks the fourth wall, reflecting on some of America’s most famous art galleries. Across a background much like the works of American artist Jackson Pollock, which sometimes encroach over onto the spaces themselves, blurring the lines of physical space and depth, we find explorations of the silhouettes of these four galleries, each overlaid in striking colors.

“Up, Up and Away” by Deborah Schindler (hand-puled linoleum cut) assembles monochrome images of birds via two remarkably geographically distant cultures: some of the pictographs look strikingly similar to Aztec works and others closely resemble those of ancient Chinese porcelain. The intense difference in tone between the pure black and vivid white makes for an incredibly eye-catching effect.

Notice the highly detailed conical repetitions of circles behind the

birds in the top middle and second right frames in contrast to the radiating sunbeam-like lines in the third right frame behind the puffins. On the other hand, the roosters in the bottom left frame take on a more Latin American stylistic. Sampling from world cultures,

“Up, Up and Away” takes a unique look at the flying creatures we see every day, and perhaps brings us back to the dominant travel theme one cannot miss in the exhibition!

Whatever one’s taste, there is something of interest to find in the new All Members Show!

Russ Mardon’s “Brandy Pot Lighthouse.” (Photo: Falls Church Arts)

Nancy M. Patrick’s “Shanandoah.”

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Senator Saddam Salim

JULY 23 - 29, 2026 | PAGE 9

COMMENT

Our Man In Arlington Bill Fogarty

Affordability was the theme of the 2026 legislative session. The investments Virginia made in healthcare, housing, and energy were all designed to help you navigate today’s high cost of living. One of the most important outcomes for Falls Church is the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to Metro and regional transit. Metro is essential to how residents reach jobs, schools, medical appointments, and businesses throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington region.

This year, Virginia leaders moved forward with the regional DMV Moves framework, which calls for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia to jointly provide about $460 million per year in new dedicated capital funding for Metro, indexed at 3 percent annually. Virginia’s budget includes an additional $153 million in operating funding for Metro, a major commitment to preserving system reliability and preventing deeper infrastructure backlogs. For this major new funding to emerge from a difficult budget cycle shows how important DMV Moves is to the future of Virginia and our region.

This is part of a broader transportation funding picture. Virginia’s long-term transit program directs billions toward rail and public transportation, including substantial support for Metro, Metrobus, Virginia Railway Express, and local transit systems.

This helps protect reliable service, reduce the risk of cuts, and sustain the transit network that supports the local economy and regional mobility.

The 2026 session also produced meaningful outcomes on affordability beyond

transportation. The budget delivers 4 percent raises for teachers over the biennium, helping school divisions recruit and retain strong educators, 3.5 percent raises for state employees, and increases to the standard deduction. These investments put modest but meaningful relief into household budgets.

The General Assembly expanded tools for eviction prevention, mixed-income housing development, and local affordable housing initiatives, giving communities more capacity to keep people housed and reduce displacement. For a region like Northern Virginia, where housing costs are one of the biggest pressures on working families, these investments are especially significant.

On energy costs, Virginia adopted a new statewide energy consumption tax on data centers that is expected to generate about $600 million per year, with 45% of those revenues invested in lowering residential power bills. This approach is designed to make large data center operators and big businesses pay the costs they impose on the grid, while shielding households and small businesses from rising utility bills.

Richmond may be out of session, but the work of implementation is underway now. As always, I invite you to stay engaged. Residents can track legislation and budget actions through the Virginia Legislative Information System, and you can reach my Senate office at senatorsalim@senate.virginia.gov or (804) 698‑7537 if you have questions, concerns, or ideas about how these policies are affecting our community.

Transform Your Bathroom and Change Your Life.

Here is “the rest of the story” in relation to my column last week, about the imminent closing of Ayers Variety & Hardware in the Westover neighborhood. The original owner, John Ayers, opened the store as a “five-anddime” store in 1948, and operated it until his death in 1976. Fortuitously, Ronald and Wilma Kaplan bought the business from his estate in 1977. Mr. Kaplan was already a small business owner, at one point having owned a variety store in Clinton, Maryland. The Kaplans continued the Ayers legacy, and kept the business in their family, passing it along to their children, Keith Kaplan and Kristy Peterkin. This history of their family ownership is one small example of the value of small businesses in Arlington.

The words “reliability” and “dependability” come to mind when thinking about the Kaplan family contribution to the Westover community. And while the world is a much different place than it was fifty years ago, the world felt a bit smaller, and comforting, in recent years, knowing that one could rely on finding a pie plate or a doorstop at Ayers.

The Kaplan family appreciated the loyalty and business of the local community, which responded with generosity and support when the store was overwhelmed with a flood in 2019, followed immediately by the effect of the pandemic less than a year later.

This closure of a long-time family business leads me to reflect on the impact, and history, of small businesses in Arlington. This impact can still be seen in the Westover neighborhood, which has a large number not only of small businesses, but also of that smaller sub-set known as “family businesses” (which I might define as generational in nature, with second and even third generations working in the business, often taking on the management of the business).

For example, the Lebanese Taverna restaurant got its start in Westover as a family busi-

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ness, which has grown over the years. Their family story goes back fifty years, when Tanios and Marie Abi-Najm, along with their five young children, boarded a cargo ship in the middle of the night to escape the Civil War in Lebanon. They were bound for Arlington, where other family members had already been living. In 1979, after having worked in several local restaurants, the family had finally saved enough to purchase a humble corner restaurant in the Westover neighborhood. They kept the original sign, “Athenian Taverna,” but changed one word, and thus the “Lebanese Taverna” legacy was born. Today, there are twelve Lebanese Taverna locations around the Metro area, with the five children involved in the business.

Another family business in Westover is The Italian Store, which got its start with brothers Bob and Mike Tramonte in 1980 in the Lyon Village Shopping Center. They opened its second location in Westover in 2015, with Bob’s son Mike in charge (and with a number of family members over the years working at their stores). In an Arlington Library oral history interview, Bob Tramonte recounted those early days: “We really didn’t know what our clientele would be … we didn’t know what we were going to sell either. So, anybody that asked us for anything, we said yes, which got us into a little trouble now and then. But the very first day we were busy. People were anxious to have this new store open and we had a core of people I felt the first couple years that were Italian … they really supported us and went out of their way to spend money to make sure that we survived.”

There are many excellent stories in that interview, which is on file with the Charlie Clark Center for Local History. This also leads me to recommend one of Charlie Clark’s books, Lost Arlington County. In his preface, Charlie noted that the book was an attempt “to remind our community of its shared heritage,” especially with regard to people, places, and institutions.

Check it out from the Library, or better yet, buy a copy at the Arlington Historical Society Museum.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

BEST OF FC

YOUR FINALISTS ARE HERE! American Dogwood Tavern Harvey’s The Falls Cafe Kindred Lazy Mike’s Deli

New Restaurant Stratford Banh Mi Oi Little Beast Fish Taco My Home Thai

Seafood Nominee Clare & Don's Chasin Tails Fish Taco Borek-G

Doctor Point of View Eyecare Dr. Terri Remy Abby Evans Capital Area Pediatrics Bridget Casadaban

International One1ea Taiwanese Cafe & Tea House Borek G Ireland's Four Provinces Lucky Thai Maneki Neko

Best Latin Helena’s Taco Bamba La Tingeria Super Chicken Borek-G

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Dentist Dr. Peterson Huang LP Dental Drs. Miller & Love Dr. William V. Dougherty

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Gluten-Free Menu Happy Tart One1ea Taiwanese Cafe & Tea House Harvey's Borek-G Clare & Don’s

Treats and Sweats Bakeshop One Tea Taiwanese Cafe & Tea House Lil City Creamery BakeShop Paris Baguette

Burger Five Guys Elevation Burger Harvey’s Stratford Ireland's Four Provinces

Professional Services Point of View Eyecare Diener & Associates BlueHuki Group Neat Financial Planning F.C. Wellness Center

Outside Dining Stratford Banh Mi Oi Clare & Don’s Dogwood Tavern Godfrey's

Pizza Little Beast 10 Pizza Flippin Badd Paisanos

Bar Solace Outpost Audacious Aleworks Dogwood Tavern Dominion Ireland's Four Provinces

Vegetarian Banh Mi Oi Lucky Thai Saffron Haandi Loving Heart

Brunch Cafe Kindred Harvey's Godfrey's The Falls Dogwood

Bank Burke and Herbert Truist Wells Fargo Chase Apple FCU Real Estate Agent Tori McKinney Kelly Thompson Susan Tull O’Reilly Chris Earman Bethany Ellis Real Estate Group Rock Star Realty Keller Williams F.C.

VOTING ENDS AUGUST 19!

BEST OF FALLS CHURCH ISSUE COMING AUGUST 20!

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Specialty Store Stylish Patina Doodlehopper 4 Kids Botanologica Antique Annex

Pet Services Dude’s Dog House F.C. Animal Hospital Dogtopia Barkley Square

Private School The Falls Church Episcopal Day School Congressional School St. James School Levine School of Music Bishop O’Connell H.S.

Property Management Bozzuto Globetrotter Winfield Group Dinkin Realty

Physical Therapists Bodies in Motion Artizo: Exclusive Men's Pelvic Health Physical Therapy New Business The Barberhan Stratford Coco Cameo Vintage Mane Edit Little Beast Barbershop The Barberhan Father and Son Neo Golden Blade Neighborhood Barbershop Accountant Diener & Associates, CPAs Arden Financial Live Entertainment State Theater Creative Cauldron Clare & Don’s Ireland's Four Provinces JVs

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COMMENT

Search Narrows For Shields Replacement This Week

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

According to News-Press sources, the number of applicants who initially applied for the job of replacing Wyatt Shields as the Falls Church City Manager exceeded 80 and after a first round of interviews, was shaved to five who this week will, among other things, participate in a behind closed doors panel in front of the Council at the end of this week.

It is expected that a new candidate will be chosen by the Council prior to Shields’ announced final day of service to the City in the first week of September.

Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi would not confirm nor deny any of the information about this, but did issue a statement to the News-Press on the overall recruitment matter where she said the following, “We’ve been encouraged by the strong interest in the City Manager position, which reflects the outstanding opportunity Falls Church represents. We know how important this role is to the city, so the City Council has been very involved throughout the process, working closely with Raftelis as they conduct a nationwide search. We’re looking forward to the next round of interviews, where candidates will have the chance to meet with Council, employees, and community members in a variety of settings and activities. It’s been a thoughtful and thorough process so far, and I’m confident that we’ll identify the next exceptional leader to serve Falls Church.”

This marks the first time the City has had to choose a new City Manager in over 20 years. Shields was hired as a deputy city manager in the early years of the current century and was elevated to the top when then City Manager Dan McKeever died unexpectedly in 2007.

Raftelis has been retained as the consultant for the executive search.

Shields is currently 57 years old. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1991.

Throughout his 19-year tenure as City Manager, Shields has maintained a reputation as a highly respected, steady administrator, meaning his term has been largely free of any major personal or political scandals. However, steering a rapidly growing city through significant transformation inevitably came with community policy debates and infrastructure challenges.

Key Term Controversies and Challenges he has faced include the following: Affordable Housing & Property

Redevelopments: Shields managed massive shifts toward mixed-use developments to build the city’s tax base. Most recently, tense public rifts and council debates emerged over the future of the Virginia Village affordable housing options, as well as how to balance the scaling down or pausing of major private real estate projects like Phase II of the West Falls development.

The Gordon Road Property Yard: In 2024, significant public pushback and political friction arose over a proposed $30 million Capital Improvement Plan to revamp the city’s 5-acre public works property yard. Critics and city leadership called for more creative mixed-use solutions rather than an expensive, single-use public infrastructure cost, leading Shields to eventually delay the funding in favor of checking private sector interest first.

Zoning & Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): A multi-year community debate gripped the city over changing zoning laws to allow ADUs (ancillary residential living spaces) on single-family lots without a special-use permit. While top staff and Shields pushed to “land the plane” and finalize the ordinance based on prior feedback, several City Council members and residents pushed back strongly, noting that much of the community felt left out of the loop regarding changes to residential neighborhoods.

The Great Recession & Tax Pressures: Financially, his most challenging era occurred between 2010 and 2013 when the Great Recession forced him to oversee heavy budget contractions and severe staff cuts. In his final year, pushing through budgets that relied heavily on rapidly rising real estate tax assessments sparked continuous local debate regarding the long-term affordability and sustainability of living in the independent city.

It is expected the next two years, at least, will present the City with significant fiscal challenges, though nothing Shields has said publicly indicates this was a factor in his decision to step down.

In recent weeks Shields has used his time to address the City Hall staff on Monday mornings with tutorials on the City’s history encountering key issues.

Born and raised in Virginia, Wyatt Shields came to Falls Church in August 2003 from Scottsville, Virginia, where he served as Town Administrator for five years. His experience prior to Scottsville included service as Legislative Assistant to Senator Charles S. Robb (D-VA) and work for Dominion Virginia Power in its Office of Government Relations.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

By Penny Gross Life is fragile, and life is fleeting. While reporters and politicians focused on the health and “disappearance” of Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell since mid-June, his colleague, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was nearly a decade-and-ahalf younger, died suddenly of aortic dissection. Conspiracy theorists almost immediately began their campaign of suspicion, coverup, and wild speculation. No expressions of sympathy. No decent interval to allow the medical teams to explain what killed him. Little or no humanity for the passing of a veteran politician. Fortunately, the suspicious approach seems to have settled down, but the drama persists as Senator Graham was running for re-election in November. A new Republican candidate must be selected; Graham’s sister was named to fill out the remaining months of his term and has been urged by Donald Trump to run for the full six-year term.

Did Graham’s death prompt the McConnell team to release a photo of him with his wife, Elaine Chao, in his rehab room a day later?

Coincidence or not, the conspiracy theorists went at it again, questioning if the newspaper in his hand was authentic, whether the folds in his checkered shirt were AI-generated, and on and on. Quite frankly, the photo showed an elderly man seated in a rehab lounge chair, alert and smiling for the camera but clearly not ready to return to work. McConnell is 84 years old, has fragile skin for that age and, by his own admission, is reluctant to share the vulnerabilities facing many of his generation.

Although his absence from the Senate could, and should, have been handled more candidly by his staff, his personal medical information is protected by law, like anyone else’s. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton 30

JULY 23 - 29, 2026 | PAGE 11

years ago this week and, among other things, protects patient information from disclosure by insurance companies and medical staff. That’s why you are asked to sign a document authorizing release of your medical information to your insurance company and other providers at your doctor’s office every year. A patient can disclose their own medical information to anyone they want, but their privacy is protected from anyone else disclosing it.

Senator McConnell’s personal medical information is his private business; if he didn’t authorize release of it, his staff is required to honor that, regardless of press inquiries or nationwide speculation. A simple statement might have laid a lot of rumors to rest: “Senator McConnell fell at home, was taken to a local hospital, and is recuperating while also being treated for pneumonia.” It may be helpful to acknowledge that elderly patients are at greater risk for pneumonia as a secondary condition, especially if they are incapacitated for even a few days; it can be treated successfully with medication.

Privacy protections and the public’s “right to know” clash head-on in today’s toxic political atmosphere, exacerbated by New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean, who revealed his several month absence from the House earlier this year was due to hospitalization for depression. Calls for elected leaders to step down because of health or age are increasing, especially by much younger office-holders and office-seekers. Our Constitution establishes minimum ages for serving in Congress and as President but, since the average male life span in 1800 was around 40, the Founding Fathers probably felt it unnecessary to institute an age ceiling. Perhaps they understood that a variety of ages and experiences for public officials is necessary to ensure that our broad diversity of population is adequately represented.

Life’s vulnerabilities can affect any age and any political persuasion, whether Senator McConnell at 84, Senator Graham at 71, or Congressman Kean at 57. They are public figures, but they are allowed health and medical privacy like anyone else. Let’s not make difficult situations even worse, and mind your own business.

PAGE 12 | JULY 23 - 29, 2026 ABC NOTICE Music Thanks LLC, trading as Music Thanks, 6795 Wilson Blvd., Suite 18, Falls Church, VA 22044, is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a Beer and Wine Restaurant license to sell alcoholic beverages. Hung Yen Nguyen, Owner.

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted 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 by calling 1-800-552-3200.

Ian Sushi VA Inc., trading as Ian Sushi, 112 S. West Street, Falls Church, VA 22046, is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority for a RestaurantBeer, Wine, Mixed Beverages, Consumed on and off Premises License to sell alcoholic beverages. Yu Suk Kim President. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted no later than 30 days from the publication date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or by calling 1-800-552-3200.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The following were heard at the June 22, 2026, City Council meeting. Public hearings and possible City Council action is scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TR26-23) Resolution to Adopt Amendments to the Downtown and South Washington Street Small Area Plans Relating to Land Use, Zoning, and Related Guidance for the Virginia Village Area (TR26-24) Resolution to Amend the City of Falls Church Comprehensive Plan Chapter 4 Addendum, “Revitalization Areas, Small Area Plans, and Urban Development Areas,” In Order to Relocate the Following Parcels Out of Planning Opportunity Area 5, “City Center/ Downtown,” and into Planning Opportunity Area 6, “South Washington Street Corridor”: 202 Gibson Street (RPC #52-309-002), 204 Gibson Street (RPC #52-309-003), 206 Gibson Street (RPC #52-309-004), and 208 Gibson Street (RPC #52-309-005), and to Incorporate by Reference All Small Area Plans Adopted by City Council into Chapter 4 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to cityclerk@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. For copies of legislation and other information, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov or visit www. fallschurchva.gov/councilmeetings. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or e-mail cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov.

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

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C L AS S I F I E DS VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE Final day of registration is Friday, July 24 for the August 4th Democratic Party Primary Election for Member, US House of Representatives 8th District and for the Republican Party Primary Election for Member, US Senate. Sample Ballots can be found online: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/vote All citizens, including those who are currently 17 years old, who will turn 18 years old by the November 3, 2026, General Election are eligible to register and vote in one of the August 4th Primary Elections.

Online Voter Registration and early/absentee ballot by mail applications: http://www.vote. virginia.gov/ Deadline for applications submitted online via the Virginia Department of Election website is 11:59 pm on July 24, 2026. Only applicants with a DMV ID like a driver’s license can submit an application electronically and these applications may also be untimely if missing material information. Please note: those applications filled out online that are required to be printed and delivered to the registrar should be treated as regular mailed in applications and need to be postmarked

by July 24, 2026, to meet the deadline. The 5:00 p.m. deadline on July 24, 2026, applies if any of these are submitted in-person at the registrar’s office.

The deadline for mailed in applications must be postmarked by July24, 2026.

Early/Absentee Voting for the City of Falls Church In-Person early voting began in June at our office at City Hall, 300 Park Ave, and will continue through Saturday, Aug 1, 2026.

During that time, residents wishing to vote early can do so 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

We are open the following additional hours.

Saturday, July 25: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 26: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, July 29th: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 1st: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mailed ballots with a postmark no later than August 4th, 2026 can be received by our office until noon on Friday, August 7th, 2026.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FAYETTE COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA

AUCTIONS

IN RE: PETITION OF YVONNE PHILLIPS, for Adoption of: E.Z.C., a male Minor Child ADOPTION NO. 2026-A-0009

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TO: Jaya Dominique Jenkins Unknown Address Notice is hereby given that YVONNE PHILLIPS, Petitioner in the above-styled case, by and through the undersigned, filed her Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and Petition for Adoption in the Superior Court of Fayette County, Georgia, on or about April 21, 2026, seeking to adopt the Minor Child, E.Z.C., a male Minor Child born in 2019.

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This 15th day of July, 2026.

SLEPIAN & SCHWARTZ, LLC /s/ Chloe James CHLOE JAMES, ESQ. Georgia State Bar No. 553364 Attorney for Petitioner 42 Eastbrook Bend Peachtree City, Georgia 30269 Phone: (770) 486-1220 Facsimile: (770) 631-2340 Email: chloejames@slepianfirm.com

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Vote By Mail: The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is Friday, July 24th, 2026, but we don’t recommend that you wait that long.

Election Day Reminders for the City of Falls Church Ward 1 votes at Oak Street Elementary School in the trailers Ward 2 and Ward 3 votes at the Falls Church Community Center Residents are reminded that on Election Day, street parking is available on both sides of Little Falls Street by the Community Center and on Oak, Seaton, Fellows, Parker, Timber, and Jackson near Oak Street Elementary School. Additional details, can be found online at www.fallschurchva.gov/Vote. Contact the Registrar’s office at 703-248-5085 (TTY 711) or vote@fallschurchva.gov for more information.

David B. Bjerke, MPP, CERA, VREO Director of Elections & General Registrar of Voters, City of Falls Church Office of Voter Registration & Elections 300 Park Ave., Room 206C , Falls Church, VA 22046 Office: 703-248-5085; Fax: 703-248-5204 vote@fallschurchva.gov; http://www.fallschurchva.gov/vote

MEDICAL PRACTICE CLOSING Kate Lemmerman and Dr Elizabeth Conrad (Well Being-Being Well , LLC) is announcing its closure as of September 30, 2026. Patients needing assistance in locating another physician should contact your health insurer, local medical society or call the physician referral services at a local hospital, such as INOVA Fairfax 703-776-4001. With written patient authorization, a copy of medical records will be available at Well Being-Being Well, LLC PO Box RR McLean, VA 22101 or by calling 703-635-2158 until September 25, 2026

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JULY 23 - 29, 2026 | PAGE 13

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE, DESIGNATED RIDER GEN, UNDER § 56-585.1 A 6 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA CASE NO. PUR-2026-00080 On June 1, 2026, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) a petition (“Petition”) for revision of a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider GEN, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 6 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”). Through its Petition, Dominion seeks to recover costs associated with the Company’s biomass units; Brunswick County Power Station (“Brunswick”) and Greensville County Power Station (“Greensville”); the US-2, US-3, and US-4 solar facilities; and the liquefied natural gas storage facility and related transmission interconnection facilities supporting Brunswick and Greensville (“LNG Storage Facility”) (collectively, the “Rider GEN Facilities”). Specifically, the Company seeks recovery for a rate year of April 1, 2027, through March 31, 2028 (“Rate Year 1”), and a second rate year of April 1, 2028, through March 31, 2029 (“Rate Year 2”). The Company further requests limited waivers of certain provisions of the Rules Governing Utility Rate Applications and Annual Informational Filings of Investor-Owned Electric Utilities, 20 VAC 5-204-5 et seq. (“Rate Case Rules”).

In its Petition, Dominion asserts that the Rider GEN Facilities include the Company’s existing biomass units (Altavista, Hopewell, Southampton); Brunswick; Greensville; the LNG Storage Facility; the US-2 Solar Facilities (Scott Solar, Whitehouse Solar, and Woodland Solar); the US-3 Solar Facilities (Colonial Trail West Solar and Spring Grove 1 Solar); and the US-4 Solar Facility (Sadler Solar).

Dominion explains that Riders B, BW, GV, US-2, US-3, and US-4 were consolidated into a new rate adjustment clause designated Rider GEN, effective for service rendered on and after April 1, 2025, to be filed biennially, pursuant to the Final Order in Case No. PUR-2024-00097. The first Rate Year for Rider GEN became effective April 1, 2025, and the second became effective April 1, 2026.

The Company proposes to continue using a biennial update procedure for Rider GEN with two consecutive rate years. In this Petition, the Company asserts that the two key components of the revenue requirement for Rate Year 1 are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor, while the Rate Year 2 revenue requirement only comprises the Projected Cost Recovery Factor.

The total proposed revenue requirements requested for recovery by Dominion in this Petition are $430,052,016 for Rate Year 1 and $407,777,328 for Rate Year 2. The Company asserts that, for Rate Year 1, the implementation of the proposed Rider GEN on April 1, 2027, would increase the typical residential customer’s monthly bill by $1.15 compared to the current Rider GEN, based on a usage of 1,000 kWh per month. According to the Company, the proposed revenue requirement for Rate Year 2 would result in an incremental decrease of $0.59 compared to Rate Year 1.

The Company is proposing a Rider GEN tariff, which if approved, would be effective for usage on and after April 1, 2027, for Rate Year 1, and April 1, 2028, for Rate Year 2.

The Company is proposing to use the 2025 Baseline Factor 1 to allocate the 2025 true-up costs, which is a change from the methodology approved by the Commission in Case No. PUR-2024-00097. Dominion claims that the change is appropriate because, beginning in 2025, the Company was able to adjust for customer movement to and from competitive service providers using actual usage amounts.

For the rate year projected cost recovery beginning April 1, 2027, and April 1, 2028, the Company proposes to modify the Virginia customer class allocation factor used in this proceeding to reflect the Company’s forecasted customer growth. Consistent with the Company’s approach to allocating costs for the 2026 and 2027 Rate Years in the Company’s 2025 Biennial Review, the Company proposes to modify its Average and Excess (“A&E”) methodology calculation. Dominion proposes to adjust these 2025 allocation determinants based on the Company’s forecast for the Rate Years in this proceeding, as opposed to the Company’s standard approach to the A&E methodology, which uses allocation determinants based on historical data from calendar year 2025.

For Rate Year 1, the Company requests a rate effective date for usage of on and after April 1, 2027, or the first day of the month that is at least 15 days following the date of any Commission order approving Rider GEN, whichever is later. For Rate Year 2, the Company requests a rate effective date for usage of on and after April 1, 2028.

Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Petition and supporting documents in full for additional details.

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

An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuire Woods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/case-information.

On or before October 7, 2026, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition electronically by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: scc. virginia.gov/case-information/submit-public-comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No.PUR-2026-00080.

On or before October 7, 2026, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding must do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at: scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties and their counsel. The respondent shall serve a copy of the notice of participation electronically on counsel to the Company, Commission Staff, and any 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 notice of participation filed by a person not represented by counsel shall also set forth why the filer’s positions in this matter are not adequately represented by another party to this proceeding and cannot be expressed through written public comments as provided for in this proceeding. 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-2026-00080.

On or before October 7, 2026, any interested person or entity may file with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling a request that the Commission convene a hearing on the Petition. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a hearing request electronically may file such hearing request by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. A copy of the request for hearing also must be served electronically on counsel for the Company, Commission Staff, and any other respondents.

Requests for a hearing shall include: (i) a precise statement of the filing party’s interest in the proceeding; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; (iii) a statement of the legal basis for such action; and (iv) a precise statement why a hearing should be conducted in this matter. All requests for a hearing shall refer to Case No. PUR-2026-00080.

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 Comment, 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 public version of Dominion’s Petition, the public versions of other documents filed in this case, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Comment may be viewed on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/ case-information.

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

PAGE 14 | JULY 23 - 29, 2026

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Mary “Mama K” Knieser was a long-standing supporter of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. She was an avid Blues aficionado and worked alongside famous WPFW radio disk jockeys, The Gator and Bill Wax. Affectionately known as “Mama K,” Mary was a steadfast worker, volunteer, and supporter of the Tinner Hill Blues and Music Festival over 20 years. Her exuberance was unmatched. Each year you would find her selling souvenirs, T-shirts, and memorabilia. Behind the scenes, Mary ensured that every performer received his/her pay on time. She spoiled us by managing the Foundation’s social media accounts, performing bookkeeping tasks, publishing the weekly newsletter, and dutifully collaborating with our accounting firm to submit our taxes annually. Her Celebration of Life will

be on Sunday, July 26th from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Our Mom Eugenia’s Restaurant located at 2985 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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The SMILE you want.

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Currently accepting new patients

BARKLEY THE DOG was chilling out and celebrating Pride month in June!

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CALENDAR

JULY 23 - 29, 2026 | PAGE 15

This Week Around Falls Church Thursday, July 23

Friday, July 24

Falls Church Fiber Artists

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Drop in for an informal knitting and crocheting group. All skill levels are welcome.

Stuffie Sleepover Drop Off

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Children can drop off a favorite stuffed animal for an overnight library adventure.

Summer Storytime 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Lower Level Conference Room, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Songs, stories and rhymes for preschoolers ages 2–4.

Playtime with Early Literacy Center

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Lower Level Conference Room, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Free play following storytime using the library’s Early Literacy Center.

Concerts in the Park: Sirsy 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave.

Bring a picnic and lawn chairs for a free outdoor performance featuring pop, rock and folk music. Food and treats will be available for purchase.

Historic Architectural Review Board Meeting 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

City Hall, Dogwood Rooms A & B, 300 Park Ave.

Historical Commission Meeting

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

City Hall, Dogwood Rooms A & B, 300 Park Ave.

Baby Play Time

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Lower Level Conference Room, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Playtime for infants and caregivers.

Civic Jam

6:15 to 10:00 p.m.

312 Park Ave.

Commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America at Civic Jam! Celebrate our diverse community, civic engagement, and classic summer fun. Engage with Civic Groups, Community Organizations, and Nonprofits that make a difference in the Little City while jamming out to live, local music that reflects the City of Falls Church community and experiences.

Eastern Standard Time 7:30 p.m.

Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St.

A performance in Creative Cauldron’s Passport Music Festival.

Saturday, July 25 Music with Groovy Nate 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Interactive music program for children and families.

Dave Kline Band 7:30 p.m.

Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St.

A performance in Creative Cauldron’s Passport Music Festival.

Sunday, July 26

City Council Action Meeting 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.

City Hall Council Chambers, 300 Park Ave.

Public meeting of the Falls Church City Council.

Tuesday, July 28 Health Talk: Workplace Ergonomics

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Main Level Conference Room, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Dr. Jorge Villalobos of Body Dynamics will discuss the importance of good workplace ergonomics. Registration is required. This program is for adults ages 18 and older.

Wednesday, July 29 Saving for Your Child’s Financial Future

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Main Level Conference Room, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Learn strategies for planning and saving for a child’s future financial needs, including education and other long-term goals.

Registration is required. This program is for adults ages 18 and older.

Public Utilities Commission Meeting

Stories from Our Federal Workers: Michael Dennis

City Hall, Laurel Room, 300 Park Ave.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Main Level Conference Room, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

The 2026 All Member Show: M–Z

Monday, July 27

Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Part of the FC250 series highlighting public service. Registration is requested.

Family Movie Night: Ice Age 6:00 p.m.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave.

Enjoy a free family screening of the animated film Ice Age.

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Gallery hours

Falls Church Arts Gallery, 700-B W. Broad St.

The 2025 All Member Show features works by Falls Church Arts member artists. The second session, showcasing artists with last names M–Z, runs through Aug. 23. Visitors may vote for the People’s Choice Award at the gallery through Aug. 7.

Have Events?

Send an email to: calendar@fcnp.com

PAGE 16 | JULY 23 - 29, 2026

YOU’RE INVITED

EXPERT TALK With Lisa Humes, Senior Benefits Specialist

Planning ahead? This session is for you.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM