Falls Church News-Press 8-5-2021

August 5 – 11, 2021

FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE

FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 25

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F.C. Mulls Vaccine Options As Delta Variant Surges F.C. City Could Mandate Vaccine for City Employees

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields advised the F.C. City Council Monday night that he will recommend the City follow the lead of its much larger neighbor Fairfax County in terms of mitigation efforts to deter the Covid-19 virus, especially its more contagious and deadly Delta Variant that now constitutes over 90 percent of new infections in the U.S. In response to a question from Council member Letty Hardi on whether or not the City government has the authority to mandate vaccinations, Shields answered yes, but added that sorting out the exceptions will be a bigger challenge.

“We will coordinate with Fairfax County,” he said, noting that the county’s health district, in terms of monitoring and

reporting cases, covers the City.

He added that the county’s health department liaison to the City will appear at this Monday’s Council meeting to report on the latest moves and take questions from the Council. It is important, Shields said, that the region act in a coordinated way.

In his latest public communique, Fairfax Board of Supervisors’ chair Jeff McKay announced the “bad news” that “after a careful look at the data, our Health Department determined that per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance we have unfortunately reached a ‘substantial’ level of Covid-19 transmission. We are thus recommending that everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated against Covid-19, wear a mask in public indoor settings.”

This is short of a mandate,

Continued on Page 4

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CONGRESSMAN DON BEYER (RIGHT) and several other friends of the paper attended the NewsPress’ 30th anniversary party on July 28 at Ireland’s Four Provinces. Check out more scenes from the paper’s big day on pages 8 and 9. (P����: N���-P����)

Affordable Housing $ From Amazon Gives F.C. a Full Plate of Funds

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

As the Falls Church City Council mulls how to spend $18 million in emergency Covid-19 related federal funds, it is also facing the issue of how to best deploy millions in funds

from Amazon, among the $2 billion the corporate giant is tossing around Northern Virginia and elsewhere in the DMV region to make for a more favorable receipt of its giant second corporate headquarters just down the road in Crystal City.

The City of Falls Church must

use the Amazon money for the purpose of making affordable housing available, and in the City’s original application late last year, it stated it would use the money for helping first time home buyers. As the money has not yet been received, the City has not done more yet to work

out its deployment.

Now, the City is ready to apply for another $5 million from Amazon, which F.C. City Manager Wyatt Shields said would go to preserve existing rental units. A concern, Shields told the News-Press in an interview yesterday, has to do

with the fact that Amazon wants their money used quickly, which limits the City’s options.

Amazon is also committed to providing another big chunk of help with affordable housing that has to be designated for properties in the immediate neighborhood of Metrorail stations.

Continued on Page 5

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SEE STORY, PAGE 3

Now 30 years of still-continuing consecutive weekly publications of the mighty Falls Church NewsPress, our circulation has never failed to include delivery to every household in the City of Falls Church.. Join us as we reflect on our history and the evolution of Falls Church.

SEE STORY, PAGE 11

This week marked the formal launch of two campaigns in a busy fall season in Falls Church leading up to the Nov. 2 election to fill seats on the City Council and School Board. There are three seats up on the ballot for City Council, and four open seats on School Board.

Solar energy is overtaking individual homes, including in F.C. Virginia is ranked sixth in solar growth, according to Aaron Sutch, Mid-Atlantic Program Director of solar co-op, Solar United Neighbors.

SEE NEWS BRIEFS, PAGE 19

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes................................... 11 Crime Report .................................... 12 Calendar .....................................16-17 Business News ................................. 18 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22

PAGE 2 | AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA FOR APPROVAL OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER W, WARREN COUNTY POWER STATION CASE NO. PUR-2021-00115 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, Rider W. •In this case, Dominion has asked the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to approve Rider W for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022, and ending March 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”).

•For the 2022 Rate Year, Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $121,085,000, which would increase the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.11.

•A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on January 11, 2022, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.

•An evidentiary hearing will be held on January 12, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling.

•Further information about this case is available on the Commission website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information On June 8, 2021, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”), pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 6 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”) and in accordance with the State Corporation Commission’s (“Commission”) February 24, 2021 Final Order in Case No. PUR-2020-00103, filed with the Commission an annual update of the Company’s rate adjustment clause, Rider W (“Application”).

Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with the Warren County Power Station, a natural gas-fired combined-cycle electric generating facility, and associated transmission interconnection facilities located in Warren County, Virginia (“Warren County Project” or “Project”).

In Case No. PUE-2011-00042, the Commission approved Dominion’s construction and operation of the Warren County Project and also approved a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider W, for the Company to recover costs associated with the construction of the Project. The Warren County Project began commercial operations in December 2014.

In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve Rider W for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022, and ending March 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”). The two components of the proposed total revenue requirement for the 2022 Rate Year are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. The Company is requesting a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $115,469,000 and an Actual Cost True-Up Factor revenue requirement of $5,616,000. Thus, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $121,085,000 for service rendered during the 2022 Rate Year.

For purposes of calculating the revenue requirement in this case, Dominion utilized an enhanced rate of return on common equity (“ROE”) of 10.2%. This ROE comprises a base ROE of 9.2% approved by the Commission in Case Nos. PUR-2017-00038 and PUR-2019-00050, plus a 100 basis point enhanced return applicable to a to a combined-cycle combustion turbine generating station as described in § 56-585.1 A 6 of the Code.

If the proposed Rider W for the 2022 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its proposed Rider W on April 1, 2022, would increase the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by approximately $0.11. The Company indicates it has calculated the proposed Rider W rates in accordance with the same methodology as used for rates approved by the Commission in the most recent Rider W proceeding, Case No. PUR-2020-00103.

This Application is one of six filings Dominion made on or about June 8, 2021, for recovery of funds related to capital projects. If the revenue requirements in these filings are approved as proposed, the cumulative impact would be a monthly increase of approximately $0.41 for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month.

Interested persons are encouraged to review the Application and supporting documents for the details of these and other proposals.

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

On January 11, 2022, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing, with no witness present in the Commission’s courtroom, for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before January 7, 2022, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting.

On January 12, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means, a Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence offered by the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff on the Company’s Application.

Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling.

The Commission has taken judicial notice of the recent public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the declarations of emergency issued at both the state and federal levels. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”). Confidential and Extraordinarily Sensitive information shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, Confidential information, of the Rules of Practice. Any person seeking to hand deliver and physically file or submit any pleading or other document shall contact the Clerk’s Office Document Control Center at (804) 371-9838 to arrange the delivery.

Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission has directed that service on parties and the Commission’s Staff in this matter shall be accomplished by electronic means. Please refer to the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing for further instructions concerning Confidential or Extraordinarily Sensitive Information.

An electronic copy of the Company’s Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Lisa R. Crabtree, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or lcrabtree@mcguirewoods.com.

On or before January 11, 2022, any interested person may file comments on the Application by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments or by filing 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-2021-00115.

On or before October 27, 2021, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at the address above or at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by Rule 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00115.

On or before November 17, 2021, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at the address above or at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, and serve on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service; and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00115.

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.

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 3

Solar Energy Shines Brighter in N. Virginia Thanks to Co-Op Help

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Slowly but surely, solar energy is overtaking how individual homes are powered, including in Falls Church and the entire state of Virginia.

The state is ranked sixth in solar growth, according to Aaron Sutch, the Mid-Atlantic Program Director of solar co-op, Solar United Neighbors. Ever since SUN, as it’s known, began its branch in the National Capital area in 2014 with branches for suburban Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. itself, it has noticed the commonwealth’s growing interest in solarizing their homes.

“What people don’t realize is all of the benefits of it,” Sutch said.

“You think of solar as a generator with no moving parts, a free source of fuel, plus the panels are warranted for 25 years, so there’s just not a lot that can go wrong. What we’re seeing is, there’s more demand for solar than there ever was.”

Homeowner Larry Weinstock is one of those who has caught the wave in the Falls Church area.

Living right outside of the City of Falls Church by the intersec-

tion of Haycock Road and Great Falls Street, Weinstock found the coop’s deal too good to pass up. That deal involves the co-op recruiting a bunch of homeowners who are interested in outfitting their homes with solar panels, and then will represent them to a solar provider in order to secure a better deal on panels.

The co-op element comes into play when members of the group select the company they will contract with.

SUN’s current goal for this recruitment period, which started in mid-March and concludes at the end of August, was to get 200 people on board. It currently has 217 people signed up. Weinstock will have to wait for around Labor Day to get his panels installed, but once he does, he said it should go to powering over 70 percent of his home. This process is what becomes “net metering,” per Weinstock, who said the energy produced by the home will be used to offset the energy it consumes.

How that shakes out financially is that the solar panels will reduce his electricity bill from Dominion Power. In his own calculations, he estimated that he’ll save over $100 a month. Since Weinstock is one of the early adopters of solar energy

SOLAR PANELS are in greater demand in Virginia than ever before, with the Solar United Neighbors co-op group currently helping new customers secure lower prices. (P����: C������� S���� U����� N��������) for Dominion’s residential customer base, he gets access to this deal.

It’s about more than money to Weinstock. He said he’s just about exclusively bought hybrid cars for his family (outside of a used one for one of his college-aged kids) since the turn of the century. Adding solar

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panels to his home is the next step in his own personal affinity for his own “green” ways to produce and use energy. But he also knows this is an investment in his own pocketbook as much as it is in the environment.

“I’m confident having solar panels on the house will make the house

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worth more. I’m sure it will gain value,” Weinstock said. SUN is a partner with the City of Falls Church.

While the co-op just completed its final informational seminar recently, people who are interested in joining before the Aug. 31 deadline can go to solarunitedneighbors.org.

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PAGE 4 | AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Backto

School If your child is entering 7th grade they must have the Meningitis, HPV, and Tdap vaccines in order to enroll. Talk to your doctor and vaccinate them now!

A COVID-19 PREVENTION SIGN is still standing at the corner of West Broad Street since having been put up last year, highlighting how Covid is still prevalent. (P����: N���-P����)

F.C. to Follow Fairfax’s Lead on Mitigation

Continued from Page 1

VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

REDISTRICTING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS Hearings to solicit public comments on the drawing of state and congressional legislative districts in Virginia.

A total of eight public hearings will be held in July and August. Hearings are scheduled regionally both in person and virtually. Hearings will be livestreamed and archived online

For more information on dates and registration:

https://www.virginiaredistricting.org Follow Us

@CommissionVa

and in his report McKay cited the statewide data showing 4.6 million fully vaccinated in the state and that over 99 percent of new cases reported are among persons not vaccinated. Therefore, he clearly stressed the need for anyone not yet vaccinated to become so as soon as possible.

In this context, in Falls Church it remains “full steam ahead” for the reopening of the public schools with full in-person instruction beginning Monday, August 30.

Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan, in an interview with the News-Press yesterday, said that while Delta-driven increases in new infections “are of concern to us all,” there are no plans to interrupt the full-time, five days a week in-person instruction throughout the system.

Decisions on masking, he said, will be made in the next couple of weeks, but that the plan is “to follow the science all the way through, as we have done to date.”

He noted there are fewer cases in Falls Church proper than in surrounding jurisdictions, includ-

ing Fairfax County, and that is on top of the fact that all City school employees have been vaccinated and over 500 students ages 12 and up were vaccinated in one event last spring.

“Unless ordered otherwise by the governor, we’re staying on our current schedule,” Noonan said. That includes activities beginning on Aug. 16 of welcoming new teachers and staff that will include a bus tour of the Little City, a luncheon at a local restaurant, and orientation to the teaching curriculum.

He said the system is “very close to being fully staffed now, and will be by the time school opens.”

There are only a couple slots at the Oak Street Elementary that have yet to be filled.

The schedule this month includes a Back to School forum with Noonan open to all via Zoom on Monday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. and an all-administrator retreat that will be held at the brand new Meridian High School.

While details on masking policies will be forthcoming, the system “will continue to observe all mitigation strategies,” he stressed, and that means striv-

ing to meet three feet of social distance in classrooms.

Although not bound to them, the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Education and CDC were published this summer in a “Summer in the Central” memo. They included, • Elementary schools should implement a requirement that students, teachers, and staff wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, until vaccination is available for children under 12 years old and there has been sufficient time to allow for children younger than 12 years old to be fully vaccinated.

• At a minimum, middle and high schools should implement a requirement that students, teachers, and staff who are not fully vaccinated wear masks indoors.

• Schools may want to consider universal masking for specific reasons or under certain circumstances, as outlined by the CDC. (Masking is required on school buses as well as all other public transportation options.)

• All schools should be prepared to adjust local mask policies as local public health conditions evolve throughout the year.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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Housing Effort is Part of Union Between Amazon, Metro to Add Units Near Stations

Continued from Page 1

Overall, Amazon has created a $2 billion Housing Equity Fund which it intends to use through below-market loans and grants handled by both traditional and non-traditional public agencies and minority-led organizations to create over 20,000 affordable living units in this region.

In June, Amazon and WMATA teamed up to commit $125 million to create 1,000 affordable living units on WMATA lands adjacent Metro rail stations and it is hoped that a bunch of those will go on WMATA land at the West Falls Church Metro station.

That will tie in with the City of Falls Church’s aggressive plans to develop 9.75 acres on the site of the former (now demolished) George Mason High School and the Virginia Tech-held land in between. Three parcels — WMATA, Virginia Tech and the F.C. site — combined would represent one of the region’s biggest development projects, over 40 acres, tied together by a grand boulevard running down its middle connecting

Route 7 with the West Falls Church Metro station.

In a statement from Amazon, the linking of mass transit and affordable housing was presented as key to uplifting the population of the region in which they operate. In the June press release, Amazon’s Catherine Buell, head of Community Development, said, “Amazon is committed to creating and preserving inclusive housing developments so moderate-to-low families can thrive and benefit from the goodness our region has to offer.”

“Housing and transit are the first and second largest expenses for most households in America and Amazon’s funding will expedite affordable housing near transit, reducing costs for both while supporting families with long-term financial stability,” she added.

Amazon’s $2 billion commitment to preserve and develop equitable transit-oriented affordable housing units, some 20,000 of them, overall will be handled through its Housing Development Fund created in January 2021. The beneficiaries of

it are all located in one of its three major centers, being the Washington state Puget Sound region; Nashville, Tennessee; and greater Arlington, in Virginia.

According to an Amazon statement, the company is “guided by four principles, customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking.”

It says, “Amazon strives to be the Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer and the Earth’s safest place to work.”

In a live interactive forum on the Internet Tuesday, leaders of Amazon and the local community shared goals and aspirations in a program entitled, “The Amazon Opportunity,” led off

by Jay Carney, a former press secretary to President Obama who has been with Amazon the last six years.

“Our goal is to weave ourselves into the communities we’re in and not to be in isolation,” said Carney.

He said the company has operated with a $16 minimum wage policy and advocates legislation to bring a

minimum $15 minimum wage as national policy.

Spokesmen on panels included Victor Hoskins of the Fairfax Economic Development Authority, Liza Wilson Durant of George Mason University and Amy Liu of the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program in D.C. Also, Katie Cristol of the Arlington County Board and Joe Wooley of the National Lesbian and Gay Chamber of Commerce’s Nashville chapter spoke.

Amazon’s Guy Palumbo spoke about the transit-affordable housing goal, saying the goal is “to get hous-

AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 5

ing and transit married.”

It was noted that every 100 affordable units creates 300 jobs.

Cristol’s comments gave “very high ratings for Amazon’’ that have “outstripped our aspirations.” It was the first big company to sign onto an anti-discrimnation letter, and that, really, Arlington’s concessions to Amazon were “very modest.”

Amazon “has really stepped up to the plate,” she noted, including references to the number public forums it has held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Amazon’s Crystal City neighborhood, the only gay bar in Northern Virginia.

Status Update on Monday, August 2 Vaccine Data City of Falls Church Date Mon., Aug. 2 End of July

Doses Administered 17,865 17,780

At Least One Dose 9,579 (65.5% of population) 9,524 (65.2% of population)

End of June

16,836

End of May

15,516

9,447

(64.6% of population)

9,813 (61% of population)

Fully Vaccinated 8,803 (60.2% of population)

8,768 (60% of population)

8,423

(57.6% of population)

7,033 (48.1% of population)

PAGE 6 | AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 

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Vol. XXXI, No. 25 August 5 – 11, 2021 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •

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

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E D I TO R I A L

Maybe Not Seattle, But Still...

On behalf of all of us at the mighty Falls Church News-Press, past, present and possibly future, we offer a heartfelt thanks to all the more than 100 souls who shared last Thursday night with us in the patio outside at the Ireland’s Four Provinces restaurant in downtown Falls Church to participate in our celebration of 30 years of consecutive weekly publication. We couldn’t be more grateful, and the calls by many there for another 30 years, while eliciting a sense of exhaustion from our editor who founded this and has been overseeing it for these many years, it was underscored by his commitment reiterated on the occasion to ensuring the paper endure for at least that long beyond when he might feel like taking a break.

U.S. Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., Falls Church’s Favorite Son, highlighted the grand occasion with his usual creative remarks, this time making a point about the great population disparity between the cities of Seattle and Olympia in Washington, the latter being the state capitol.

Originally, he noted, the two cities were the same size, so having the capitol in Olympia was readily merited. But the similarities between the two diverged greatly thereafter, with Seattle roaring into a world-class center.

He was making a parallel to Falls Church and the factors that impact whether a city grows and thrives, or not, and cited the role of the NewsPress and its role as a driver of community greatness in that context.

The remarks were much appreciated, even as we doubt Falls Church is going to grow to Seattle’s population of 650,000, being about 15,000 now, up from 9,200 when the News-Press began in 1991 (not unless there are more land annexations, at least!) But the point was more than valid as Falls Church is now thriving, having long since shed its former reputation as a bedroom town hostile to commercial development in a way that other comparably-sized communities in the region have not.

And the steadfast community-binding influence of the News-Press has been huge.

The many developments here, completed, underway, planned or dreamed to date, have and will continue to allow for a first rate, world class public school system, a pioneering role in the promotion of transit (the mega-project at the west end driving a huge revival of the Metro rail station here) and alternative energy to deal with global warming and congestion.

It is putting our Little City on a certain path to meet the challenges of affordable housing and equity in all its dealings, and make it a major driver creating the kind of wider regional social environment many of us favor. The Little City has become a powerful reality and role model.

A good local press contributes not just by providing information, but by setting in motion community engagement, and showing everyone that through it they have a voice in shaping the future.

P������� 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 comment.

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 profit if you can, but above all keep it clean, fearless and fair.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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State Theatre Has Been A True Hero Throughout This Entire Pandemic Editor, Having just come from seeing another great (and free) outdoor band at the State Theatre, I can’t say enough about how this place has been a real hero during Covid. An indoor concert venue would normally be among the first places to shut down in a pandemic, but Meredith and her crew did an amazing job pivoting to outdoor concerts.

This has allowed bands to continue playing — albeit for donations rather than a fee — and the State Theatre has been able to generate revenue from food and drink sales to keep things going. The State Theatre should be a shoo-in for FCC business of the year.

Declan Leonard Fall Church

Worker Shortage is Direct Result of Lack Of Living Wage

Editor, I had to respond to the front page article July 8 about hiring challenges stunting F.C. businesses.

Employers have gotten accus-

tomed to having all the leverage, and they don’t like it when the shoe is on the other foot.

Gwynn Hegyi of Body Dynamics complains about paying for ads and being “ghosted” by applicants. I and many of my friends and colleagues have been ghosted for years by employers, even after having in-person interviews. It doesn’t feel good, does it?

Gary Henry of Dominion Camera complains about unqualified applicants. Perhaps qualified people have found jobs with better pay and benefits. Instead of making snarky comments about iphone photography, perhaps he should think about training new hires.

I pose these questions for these business owners: If you could hire someone for $10 an hour, would you pay them $15 an hour? If you could make more money buying supplies from vendor A, would you instead use the more expensive vendor B? Workers are making the same calculation: maximizing their income. There isn’t a shortage of workers, there’s a shortage of jobs with a livable wage, benefits, and reliable hours. If someone getting an “extra” $300 a week doesn’t want your job, maybe it’s because your job doesn’t pay a living wage.

What’s going on right now is a vivid illustration of supply and demand, this time benefiting workers. It’s called capitalism.

Chris Raymond Falls Church

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AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 7

We Can’t Stop at a Name Change; We Need Multicultural Education B� M������ D��

From New York to San Francisco, school name changes have become a hot topic.

Here at home, the Falls Church City School Board voted on the new names for George Mason High School and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School on April 27 of this year.

This month, Meridian High School and Oak Street Elementary School will welcome their first students since the new names took effect on July 1.

Whether you voted in favor or against the renaming, the new names are here to stay. So now what?

As a future educator and a graduate of the former George Mason High School, this question has burned in my conscience throughout the renaming process. In an “Update from Letty” published on November 20, 2020, Falls Church council member Letty Hardi wrote that “the decision to rename the schools should be coupled with a commitment to meaningful anti-racism policy changes – not an either/or.” Hardi hits the nail right on the head — our work is not done. In fact, it has only just begun.

The school board has recognized the importance of combining the name changes with reform in our schools. In a letter to the FCCPS community on December 10, 2020, Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan wrote: “moving forward, we will continue to revise and restructure curriculum through an equity lens.” These conversations are important, and now that the new names are in effect, it is

critical for FCCPS to go beyond the cosmetics and enact deep and lasting changes in our schools.

But how?

Through my coursework as a Master’s student in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education, I have become familiar with the foundations of multicultural educa-

“Multicultural education provides the opportunity for future leaders and advocates to engage with [social justice issues] in ways that are meaningful and that inspire action.” tion and see it as a powerful way to inspire meaningful change.

James A. Banks, the “father of multicultural education,” writes in 1993 that one of its major goals is “to reform schools and other educational institutions so that students from diverse racial, ethnic, and social-class groups will experience educational reality.” More recently, Sonia Nieto and Patty Bode in 2018 defined multicultural education as a “process of comprehensive school reform and basic

education for all students” that goes beyond mere curricular and instructional reforms in order to challenge and reject inequity while placing special emphasis on the “democratic principles of social justice.”

So why does this matter to a high-performing, predominantly White high school in one of the richest cities in the country?

Contrary to popular belief, multicultural education is for everyone. Researchers agree that it can impact the White, upper-middle class students of suburbia just as much as students of color learning in urban, underresourced schools.

What is more, Nieto & Bode argue that excluding the diverse perspectives of our nation’s dominated communities leads schools to “miseducate” all of their students by reinforcing “unrealistic view[s] of the world.” As a community that places so much value on education, shouldn’t we be doing everything in our power to ensure that students are receiving a complete and accurate education?

Diverse perspectives and social justice issues are realities in the world we live in.

Multicultural education provides the opportunity for future leaders and advocates to engage with these realities in ways that are meaningful and that inspire action. My critics will be quick to point to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme as providing the cross-cultural perspectives that characterize a good education. However, I believe that the multicultural efforts of the IB Programme just barely scratch the surface of deeper sys-

Yes 59.09% No 31.82% Not Sure 9.09%

temic issues faced by dominated groups in our modern society. Having completed the IB Diploma myself, I don’t deny the value of the knowledge and skills it teaches students, but using it as an extension of multicultural education could give students a more complete and accurate worldview.

Some of the values of multicultural education are already embedded in our FCCPS’ philosophy. In his statement last December, Dr. Noonan emphasized the school board’s promise to “respect and uphold the dignity of every student, staff member, and community member in FCCPS so they too can achieve in a system unbridled from the legacy of slavery, discrimination, and systemic oppression.” This promise bears a striking resemblance to the goals of multicultural education, suggesting that it has a place in our schools.

Multicultural education is not a silver bullet for issues of social justice, but embracing it allows us to go beyond name changes, inspire reform, and encourage students to take an active role in the fight against systemic inequity and injustice in our society — now and in the future. Multicultural education is a high and long bridge that can help us cross the “meridian” that separates performative action from meaningful systemic change. In renaming our schools, we’ve taken the first step — now we have to keep going.

Martina Day is a Master’s student of the College of William & Mary who is working toward a career in education

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AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 8

The News-Press Celebrates 30 Years as F.C.’s Paper of Record

FRIENDS OF THE NEWS-PRESS gathered at Ireland’s Four Provinces Restaurant last Thursdayto commemorate 30 years of consecutive, weekly publication and community service. Among the 80 attendees were Del. Marcus Simon, Supervisor John Foust, Mayor David Tarter and countless City Council members . (Photos: News-Press)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 9

PAGE 10 | AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

WINTER HILL was the first apartment complex to be built in the city of Falls Church. Along with the rest of the City and the surrounding area, it has gone through a number of changes, among many being the name change from “Tyler Gardens” to “Winter Hill.” (P�����: A��� R������)

Decades of Change Shown in Design of Winter Hill Neighborhood

BY ALEX RUSSELL

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

To this day, the City of Falls Church retains a certain, long-standing small town atmosphere despite decades of change and modernization, both in and around the Little City.

Winter Hill, a residential community near the City’s center — first erected in 1948 and at the time one of the higher density communities in Falls Church — is a picturesque embodiment of this passage of time. Decades of history made their way through Falls Church, prompting the community to respond and change, yet retain its village spirit.

Originally known as Tyler Gardens, this residential community’s continued evolution reflects the City — and the region’s — response to massive factors since the middle part of the 20th century.

Up until the late 1940s, Falls Church could have been best described as a “quaint little town.” It was surrounded by woods and farm fields, surroundings that were far more common in Virginia at the time than they are today.

Bradley E. Gernand, who has studied the area’s history going back to the Civil War, provided a historical framework for the City’s development up until the present day. He highlighted how the end of World War II acted as a “huge accelerant” that preceded a building boom that essentially swept the region.

Incidentally, when Mattie Gundry closed her nationally-recognized institute for special needs students on West Broad Street in 1946 — the 11 acre-prop-

erty was then utilized for residential use, eventually becoming Winter Hill. A historical marker at the intersection of West Broad St. and West Annandale Road can be found today, noting Gundry’s impact on her community.

The rustic air and feeling of tightknit community would consistently be intruded upon in the subsequent decades as new housing developments constructed to the east and south of the City blurred city limits as construction initiatives “stretched all the way into Bailey’s Crossroads and down to Route 50,” according to Gernand.

The opening of Seven Corners Mall in 1956 and of Tysons Corner Mall in 1966 ensured economic growth as well as an influx of new residents. With the establishment of such large urban shopping centers around the City, the retail market along Broad St. suffered.

With the founding of Dulles International Airport in 1962 and of CIA headquarters in Langley the following year, more and more people found themselves in Falls Church.

James D. Pammel, the director of City Planning at the time, conducted a study that sought to examine the “desirability of apartments in Falls Church.”

The study, titled “Analysis of MultiFamily Dwellings, the Prospects and Recommendations for the City of Falls Church,” underscored the economic advantages of medium- and high-rise apartment complexes that would materialize through tax revenue.

The City Council did not jump at the chance to further modernize the City, but

Pammel’s work, coupled with the findings of another study titled “The Economic Impact of Potential Development in Falls Church” by Hammer and Associates, led to a zoning ordinance that permitted the construction of apartment buildings in Falls Church.

The findings of both reports and the ever-increasing necessity for new apartment buildings in the City were balanced out with the goals and needs of the community, which strove to maintain its provincial identity.

The buildings that made up the original housing community were two- and three-stories high, constructed of brick, with roofs made of gambrel-like wooden shingles; each individual building had a central entrance.

In 1976 and 77, a number of the buildings situated to the rear of the complex were destroyed and replaced with townhouses; the community’s name was then officially changed to Winter Hill.

The Falls Church Housing Corporation, created in 1982 and a part of the NHP Foundation, purchased 81 apartments at the 480-unit Winter Hill complex for $2.9 million during the 80s with the specific intent of reserving them as low-income housing domiciles for elderly and handicapped persons.

This was the first time that the Corporation attempted to sustain affordable housing through the purchase and maintenance of existing residential units.

Around the same time, thousands of low-income people were suffering from displacement, especially in the Arlington and Alexandria areas, many of them

Hispanic. The residential communities they had lived in previously were in the middle of a repurposing project aimed at attracting higher-price residents.

Today, Winter Hill offers one- and two-bedroom units at two sites for seniors 55 and older.

The location is especially ideal for its proximity to local pharmacies, the post office, the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, various shops and many other community resources.

Taking a stroll through the Winter Hill neighborhood today, the immediate incorporation of nature — large trees framing the community’s calm suburban scene, as well as the occasional singing of birds — helps keep the City’s inviting, neighborly energy alive.

With the benefit of hindsight, it becomes clear that the architectural changes in Falls Church are at their core bittersweet. Gernand wrote that the Little City’s downtown area, with time, “became less intimate than before.”

Old photos dating back to Gundry’s time offer a clear glimpse into the past, illustrating how the City’s aesthetic and terrain, both natural and man-made, have both gone through a lot of upheaval.

Even so, walking through the center of the City, one cannot help but acknowledge that Falls Church still has that certain feeling inherent in almost any small U.S. town.

The human-scale buildings, as well as the vibrant mix of people working, learning, shopping, living and socializing, pays respect to the area’s humble beginnings more than a hundred years ago.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 11

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C�������� N��� � N���� Islamic Relief USA Will Distribute Halal Meat Today In a massive effort to provide essential food to an underserved or at-needs population during a time marked by the Covid pandemic and rising food costs, Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, and Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, will provide fresh meat as part of an Islamic tradition known as Qurbani.

Qurbani is a special program that enables donors around the world to buy freshly-prepared cuts of meat for vulnerable populations around the world. The meat was recently prepared in accordance to halal guidelines.

Muslims recently marked one of their major holidays, Eid alAdha, during which meat dishes are commonly served.

IRUSA will be holding their meat distribution drive on Thursday, Aug. 5, from 9 – 11 a.m. at Dar Al-Hijrah (3159 Row St., Falls Church). Some 2,400 people are expected to receive food.

Red Cross Blood Drive Until August 15 The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise and continue to deplete the nation’s blood inventory.

There is an emergency need

for donors to give now in order to ensure blood is on hospital shelves when patients need it. As a thank-you to those who come to donate Aug. 1-15, 2021, they will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive VIP trip for two to the sold-out 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.

Those who come to give throughout this month will also receive a free four-month subscription offer to Apple Music by email (for new subscribers only). For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/FeelTheBeat.

Local Scouts Celebrate Return to F.C. Episcopal Boy Scout Troop 1845 is again able to meet in-person. To celebrate its return to active community service, the troop restored a pair of benches immediately in front of the church entrance on Broad Street. Father Burl Salmon, newly-installed rector, thanked the troop for its services to the Church and to the Falls Church community.

Troop 1845 was formed in 2004. It reflects, represents and serves the vital Vietnamese community in Northern Virginia. The troop has met at the Falls Church Episcopal since Sept. of 2013.

Since then, both Boy Scout Troop 1845 and Girl Scout Troop 5484 have participated in numerous projects organized by the church, including building bookshelves for the Godly Playroom, resurfacing benches on the church’s property, building

BOY SCOUT TROOP 1845 with newly-installed rector Father Burl Salmon at Falls Church Episcopal, where the scouts recently returned for in-person gatherings and have completed a number of church-organized service projects. More on their work below.

(P���� ��������: J������ M����)

two Little Free Libraries and bird feeders, installing staircase railings for kindergartners, and serving a luncheon for the unhoused.

Collect for Kids Supply Drive Stays Online for 2021 As we prepare to welcome students back to school buildings for five day-week schedules, many need school supplies to be fully prepared for the year ahead.

Again this year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

and the Foundation for FCPS are leading the Collect for Kids effort, a consortium of not-forprofit, for-profit and government entities coordinating, promoting and providing school supply drives to benefit students who otherwise might go without them.

Nearly 60,000 (34 percent) of FCPS students qualify for free or reduced-price meals and struggle to afford basic necessities.

Donations help provide the school supplies these students need to have a successful year. Building

upon the success of the 2020 virtual campaign, the Collect for Kids effort is continuing its work this year with virtual, online-only donations. Contributions can be made through the Foundation for FCPS at fcpsfoundation.org/ impact/collect-for-kids.

Donations will be used to purchase bulk school supply kits at highly discounted pricing.

For more information, visit the Collect for Kids website at fcpsfoundation.org or contact Kathy Ryan at krryan@fcps.edu.

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PAGE 12 | AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Health care is getting a lot of attention these days. Whether the Covid Delta variant, vaccinations in general, or mental health issues voiced by gymnast Simone Biles and tennis player Naomi Osaka, paying attention to what our bodies, and health care professionals, are telling us, can be life-saving.

Much as most of us might like to “power on through” physical and mental health challenges, there comes a time when we have to say “Stop, something’s not right.”

For international sports figures, that takes a lot of courage, as they risk criticism and mean-spirited comments by internet trolls, as well as people who should know better. For ordinary mortals like you and me, the process is more private, but nonetheless important.

Fortunately, we live in an area where first-class health care is readily available, often regardless of income or insurance.

The INOVA system, which includes five hospitals and many outpatient specialties, has served Fairfax County and the region since 1960, when the original Fairfax Hospital was constructed.

What seemed like a sizable building then has been dwarfed by many new structures — The INOVA Heart and Vascular Institute, the INOVA Women’s and Children’s Center, the new South Tower, and multiple parking garages.

The bricks and mortar are impressive, but much more impressive is the care happening inside.

INOVA’s health care professionals — doctors, hospitalists, nurses, technicians, care managers — provide patient-centered care, and that care was recognized last week when U.S. News and World Report announced that the INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) was ranked the #1 hospital in both Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for their 2021-2022 Best Hospitals list.

In addition, IFMC Gynecology ranked #6 in the nation, and INOVA Loudoun’s Neurology and Neurosurgery Department is among the 50 best in the nation, at #41.

More good news for the INOVA system: INOVA

Fair Oaks Hospital ranked #10 in Virginia and #4 in the metro region, and INOVA Alexandria and INOVA Loudoun hospitals tied at #13 in Virginia and #7 in the region. Additionally, the INOVA system announced last week that it has filed a letter of intent with the Commonwealth of Virginia to build 20 additional inpatient behavioral health beds at INOVA Mount Vernon Hospital. If approved by the state regulatory process, construction of the new bed space could begin early next year.

Behavioral health beds are sorely needed in Virginia, and the additional 20 beds will increase capacity at INOVA Mount Vernon by two-thirds, to 50 beds.

Overall, the additional beds will increase INOVA’s behavioral health beds to 153 across the system. INOVA’s 11 emergency departments treat more than 1200 behavioral health patients each month!

I represent Fairfax County on INOVA’s Board of Trustees, so I have participated in many of the governance decisions during the past decade or more.

As health care has changed dramatically during the last quarter century, the investments made by the not-for-profit INOVA system have benefited the community, not just in excellent state-of-theart patient care, but in community partnerships that focus on healthy living, wellness care, and affordable clinics. Health care may be big business, but INOVA is our home-town provider, something I try to reinforce at every INOVA meeting.

Sad news this week as we learned of the passing of former longtime Parklawn Elementary School principal, Susan Akroyd. Susan was a petite ball of energy, always positive and smiling, who adored her students, and they loved her in return. Her retirement party was one great big warm embrace!

She led Parklawn for an unprecedented 26 years, and retired in 2014 after 41 years as an educator.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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CRIME REPORT Week of July 26 – Aug 1, 2021 Weapon Law Offenses, Hillwood Ave, July 28, 3:39 AM, a male, 21, of Falls Church, was arrested for carrying a concealed handgun and appearing drunk in public.

Destruction of Property, E Annandale Rd, July 28, 11:20 AM, a customer destroyed property and left. Warrant has been

were taken from an unsecured garage.

obtained.

Drunk in Public, N Washington St, July 30, 10:30 PM, a female, 66, of Arlington, VA, was arrested for Drunk in Public.

Fraud, Ellison Sq, July 31, 1:37 PM, an incident of fraud was reported.

Larceny from Building, E Broad St, Aug 1, between 1:22 and 1:42 PM, items of value

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Senator Dick Saslaw’s

Richmond Report There are indications we are breaking through Covid-19’s chokehold and starting to recover from the pandemic. More than half of Virginians have received a Covid-19 vaccine, demonstrating their trust in science and commonsense. It comes as no surprise that a great divide remains across the Commonwealth regarding the merits of the vaccines. Even with breakthrough cases, the odds still greatly favor the inoculated.

Governor Northam called the General Assembly back to the State Capitol on August 2. For a part-time legislature, special sessions are usually rare events. The pandemic has presented circumstances that require due diligence and legislative action. I may be overly optimistic, but this session should be short and sweet. Laser focused will ensure that outcome.

On the plus side, the economy is regaining strength and unemployment is dropping. Tourism season has brought back many jobs in the leisure and hospitality sectors. Unfortunately, it is a rare day when I don’t hear from restaurateurs, retail owners and / or personal service providers who cannot staff up quickly enough to meet the reopening demands.

Putting the brakes on our biennial spending plan has kept Virginia operating without economic disaster. By readjusting the forecasted revenue and un-allocating earmarked expenses, we are positioned well for recovery. We need to reinvest in Main Street and small businesses: the life blood of local communities. Rebuild.

Virginia Grants have been awarded to over 3,000 qualifying small businesses. In 2021, the VA Community Development Financial Institution Fund appropriated $10 million for low-cost credit for businesses impacted by Covid-19. Further, the state will conform to the federal tax exemption for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs, excluding recipients from taxable income on their returns.

When offices closed, many employees with connectivity were able to keep working. Learning continued with online classes However, there were many kids left behind without consistent connectivity. We can do a better job for all Virginians and we will.

With high aspirations for widen-

ing the net, enabling legislation for school boards, and $124 million in grants, we are on the fast track to expansion and increased access across Virginia.

Virginia has received its share of one-time federal funds (almost $4.3 billion) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Specific guidelines for use of the funds are spelled out for localities and run through December 31, 2024.

Much of our work this month will be to allocate this appropriation from the federal government.

First and foremost, the money is to be used to respond to the public health emergency caused

by Covid-19. This includes addressing access to and equitable delivery of healthcare in communities, as well as addressing the housing crisis and utility payment problems for those who lost their jobs. We will use some of these funds to assist small business, tourism, gyms, and cultural attractions such as museums and theaters. Let’s get “mom and pop” open and functioning. Small towns as well as certain industries need revitalization to claw out of the economic vice of the pandemic.

The Virginia Employment Commission was overwhelmed, understaffed and flat out “broken” when the unemployment tsunami hit. The benefit fund is nearly depleted along with outdated computers and orders from the courts to expedite outstanding claims. ARPA funds will be allocated to addressing these issues and keep the lid on payroll taxes.

Finally, our public schools need major facelifts, improved air quality and HVAC systems, and upgrades to some of the antiquated buildings. There seems to be consensus on both sides of the aisle for ARPA investments toward public education.

Funds will be used to mitigate learning loss in public education.

Higher Ed will provide a pathway for the workforce of the future.

Financial assistance will be available to ensure an equitable pathway.

These are a few of the highlights that I will support during this Special Session. Stay well as we go back to our offices, schools and get out in the community again. Doing the right thing will keep you from being a Covid-19 victim.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

The God of Our Founders

Contrary to the false claims of religious fundamentalist cults and their leaders, the United States of America was not conceived as a “Christian nation” in the slightest. It was a child of the Paris-centered Enlightenment that challenged blind faith and allegiance to institutions and wildly-cultish authoritarian belief systems.

Instead, the Founding Fathers, albeit few of them flawless saints, followed a new path grounded in FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS rational thought and egalitarian principles. They gravitated to the rational philosophy of, among others, Baruch de Spinoza.

Princeton professor Jonathan Israel, a foremost scholar of the Enlightenment and the American Revolution, has argued that Spinoza was the single most influential intellectual source of the American revolutionary era.

So, here is some of Spinoza’s wisdom, on the issue of believing in God (borrowed from the Internet): “God would have said: Stop praying and punching yourself in the chest!

“What I want you to do is go out into the world and enjoy your life. I want you to enjoy, sing, have fun and enjoy everything I’ve made for you.

“Stop going to those dark, cold temples that you built yourself and say they are my house! My house is in the mountains, in the woods, rivers, lakes, beaches. That’s where I live and there I express my love for you.

“Stop blaming me for your miserable life; I never told you there was anything wrong with you or that you were a sinner, or that your sexuality was a bad thing! Sex is a gift I have given you and with which you can express your love, your ecstasy, your joy. So don’t blame me for everything they made you believe.

“Stop reading alleged sacred scriptures that have nothing to do with me. If you can’t read me in a sunrise, in a landscape, in the look of your friends, in your son’s eyes... you will find me in no book!

Trust me and stop asking me. Would you tell me how to do my job?

“Stop being so scared of me. I do not judge you or criticize you, nor get angry, or seek to punish you. I am pure love.

“Stop asking for forgiveness, there’s nothing to forgive. If I made you... I filled you with passions, limitations, pleasures, feelings, needs, inconsistencies... free will. How can I blame you if you respond to something I put in you? How can I punish you for being the way you are, if I’m the one who made you?

“Forget any kind of commandments, any kind of laws; those are wiles to manipulate you, to control you, that only create guilt in you.

“Respect your peers and don’t do what you don’t want for yourself. All I ask is that you pay attention in your life, that your consciousness is your guide.

“My beloved, this life is not a test, not a step, not a rehearsal, nor a prelude to paradise. This life is the only thing that exists here and now, and it is all you need.

“I have set you absolutely free, no prizes or punishments, no sins or virtues... no one carries a marker, no one keeps a record. You are absolutely free to create in your life heaven or hell.

“I could tell you if there’s anything after this life, but I won’t... but I can give you a tip. Live as if there is nothing after... as if this is your only chance to enjoy, to love, to exist.

“So, if there’s nothing, then you will have enjoyed the opportunity I gave you. And if there is, rest assured that I won’t ask if you behaved right or wrong, I’ll ask: Did you like it? Did you have fun?

What did you enjoy the most? What did you learn?...

“I want you to feel me in you when you kiss your beloved, when you tuck in your little girl, when you caress your dog, when you bathe in the sea.

“The only thing for sure is that you are here, that you are alive, and that this world is full of wonders.

“Look for me outside... you won’t find me. Find me inside... there I am beating within you.”  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

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AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

installed planning director who is a 15-year veteran of county staff. The past 16 months of dealing with Covid, he said by way of context, have shown “how fragile certain things are,” citing evictions as an example.

“Flexibility and adaptability” will be important going forward, he said. “The past year has also spotlighted equity issues in terms of the environments in which various demographic segments of our community live.”

Arlington will face a challenge, Fusarelli said, in “living up to our vision of being an inclusive community.” Factors he cites include “the cost of living, increasing housing prices, and market forces that are in many instances regional in nature.” They present “an ongoing challenge to keeping Arlington accessible to a broader range of people.”

While preparing recommendations for this fall and winter on both Langston Blvd. and the coming countywide “Missing Middle” housing initiative (which might, for example, allow duplexes in single-family-zoned neighborhoods), his office will stress “sustainability.”

Planners are “trying to continue pushing the envelope on how we can shape development and limit adverse environmental impact.”

There are no plans to seize property under eminent domain, Fusarelli stressed. “Since the 1970s, Arlington has always been about working with the community to get to a vision, and putting in place tools to realize that vision. We don’t actively rezone property,” leaning on developers

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

The county’s Langston Boulevard (nee Lee Highway) Plan for reimagining that five-mile North Arlington thoroughfare has now officially ruffled some feathers. Following this May’s release of area planning maps and a presentation on density from consultant AECOM, a furious screed was published by Lyon Village Civic Association president John Carten.

Though the process is still in the community engagement phase that precedes concrete recommendations, the hint of possible changes in the General Land Use Plan prompted the Lyon Village group to predict a parade of horribles: “The destruction of 75 singlefamily homes (10 percent of all single-family homes); 43 townhomes (50 percent of all townhomes); six affordable apartment buildings (40 percent of all affordable apartment buildings); as well as the futures of all the families living in them.”

Please cancel the plan, they suggest, as it applies to their neck of the woods.

AECOM presenter Ryan Bouma took a different tack. He asserted that the still-evolving land use, economic and housing affordability plan would not involve “taking” of properties. It will rely on private investment and willing sales. He acknowledged that new flexibility on building heights “can create sensitive issues with adjoining neighborhoods.”

I ran all this by Anthony Fusarelli Jr., the county’s newly

and market forces for “incremental change in residential neighborhoods in appropriate locations.”

But change, he added, is going to happen regardless.” To “do nothing” about teardowns being replaced by luxury homes “is to say that trend is going to continue.” The trend reinforces “a level of segregation that we’re working to further explore and address.”

Fusarelli “fundamentally disagrees” with critics’ assertions that planners are moving without firm data on population growth and the impact on schools, traffic, property values, and impermeable surfaces.

“All these things are important to making sure the community continues to function. We see the potential outcomes as opportunities to strengthen [the] community and mitigate the impacts already experienced.” Fusarelli hopes to hear from a “broader range of voices,” recognizing that with Covid, people may have felt too overwhelmed to take time from daily lives to engage with county planning issues. *** My imaginative neighbors Eric and Jenn grew tired of backyard flooding and puddling rainwater.

So this summer they renounced lawn care and installed an artificial green space. Their plastic turf is tastefully laid out over a re-graded, fenced-in yard lined by a rock garden, vegetable garden, stone patio and kids’ trampoline.

The self-draining lawn is easier to clean than natural grass, they say. The change is actually better for the environment now that chemical fertilizers and energyhog lawnmowers are, for this family, a burden reduced. Their front yard remains au naturel.

PAGE 14 | AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Who's F.C.s Best?

.

The finalists for the 2021 BEST OF FALLS CHURCH reader vote are here! Cast your vote now at BESTOFFC.COM Winners will be featured in a special BEST OF FALLS CHURCH editon of the News-Press on August 26!

2021 Best of Falls Church Finalists: FOOD & DINING

Burger: Clare and Don's Beach Shack • Dogwood Tavern Dominion Wine and Beer • Ireland's Four Provinces • Elevation Burger

Coffee Shop: Rare Bird • Northside Social • Cafe Kindred Starbucks • Northside Social

Pizza: 10 pizza • baddpizza • Flippin Pizza • Anthony's • Pizza Orso

Bakery: Bake Shop • Northside Social The Happy Tart • Nothing Bundt Cake

Sandwich: Celebrity Deli • Dogwood Tavern • Jersey Mike's Lazy Mike’s • Northside Social

Frozen Treats: Lil City Creamery • Sweet Frog Lazy Mike’s • Bakeshop • Baskin Robbins

Chicken: Crisp & Juicy • Dogwood Tavern • Liberty Barbecue Spin Pollo • Super Chicken

Outside Dining: Northside Social • Dogwood Tavern Clare and Don's Beach Shack • Ireland's Four Provinces Dominion Wine and Beer

Seafood: Clare and Don's Beach Shack • Chasin Tails • Dogwood Tavern Hot & Juicy • Koi Koi

Delivery Food: Lucky Thai • Paisanos • baddpizza Taco Bamba • Moby Dick’s

American: Dogwood Tavern • Liberty Barbecue • Dominion Wine and Beer • Lazy Mike’s • Clare and Don's Beach Shack International: Lucky Thai • Panjshir • Haandi Thompson Italian • Maneki Neko

Farmers Market Vendor: Fresh Crunch • Borek G Atwaters • Spring Valley • The Mushroom Guys

Breakfast: Lazy Mike’s • Northside Social Preservation Biscuit • Cafe Kindred • Original Pancake House

New Restaurant: Preservation Biscuit • Casual Pint Solace Outpost • Thompson Italian

Brunch: Cafe Kindred • Northside Social • Dogwood Tavern Ireland's Four Provinces • Liberty Barbecue

VOTING ENDS

AUGUST 15

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LO CA L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021 | PAGE 15

Who's F.C.s Best?

.

The finalists for the 2021 BEST OF FALLS CHURCH reader vote are here! Cast your vote now at BESTOFFC.COM Winners will be featured in a special BEST OF FALLS CHURCH editon of the News-Press on August 26!

2021 Best of Falls Church Finalists: RETAIL, SERVICES & MORE

Accountant: Michael Wetmore, CPA • Arden Financial Diener and Associates • Gilliland and Associates • Johnson and Assoc

Home Improvement: Brown’s Hardware • Lee Design Studio DuBro Architects + Builders • Sislers Stone • House Doctors

Professional Services: Brainstorm Speech-Language Therapy Falls Church Wellness Center • Bodies in Motion Physical Therapy Gayle Matthews • • Sunstone Counseling

Dry Cleaners: Spectrum Cleaners • Hillwood Cleaners Classic Cleaners • Dry Clean NOVA • Zips Auto: Top Japanese Auto • Beyer Automotive • Liberty Smokey's • Integrity Auto

Bank/Credit Union: Wells Fargo • Burke and Herbert PNC • Truist

Grocery Store: Harris Teeter • Aldi • Giant Trader Joe's • Whole Foods

Real Estate Agent: Alison Miller • Tori McKinney • Bethany Ellis Chris Earman • Louise Molton

Salon: Nash Hair Design • Perfect Endings • Kess Neighborhood Barbershop • Rex Day Spa

Real Estate Group: Rock Star Realty • The Bitici Group • West End Realty • The Gaskins Team • Chrissy and Lisa LLC

Gym/Fitness: Balanced Female Fitness • Orangetheory Fitness Fit4Mom • Falls Church Jazzercise • Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do

Doctors: Gordon Theisz • Northern Virginia Pediatrics Capital Area Pediatrics • Kevin Donahue • PMA Health

City Event: Memorial Day parade • Farmers Market Concerts in the Park • Taste of Falls Church • 4th of July

Dentist: Peterson Huang • Drs. Love and Miller • Dr. Dougherty Michael Paesani • NOVA Dental Studio

Specialty Store: Botanologica • Stylish Patina Brown's Hardware • Doodlehopper 4 Kids • Lemon Lane

Retirement Community: Kensington • Sunrise • Chesterbrook Live Entertainment: Clare and Don’s Beack Shack • Solace Outpost Creative Cauldron • State Theater • Ireland's Four P’s

School: Grace Christian Academy • Congressional School St. James School • Dulin Cooperative Preschool • Communikids Chiropractor: Palmercare Chiropractic Falls Church Brooks Chiropractic and Rehab • Michael Armellino • Ray Solano

New Business: Solace Outpost • The Casual Pint FIT4MOM • Preservation Biscuit • Balanced Female Fitness

VOTING ENDS

AUGUST 15

BEST of

FALLS CHURCH BE

2021

STOFFC.COM

CAST YOUR VOTE AT

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OF FALLS CHURCH ISSUE ISSUE COMING ON AUGUST 26! 29!

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR 11th Annual Axe-Throwing Contest. The Lizzie Borden axethrowing contest is in its 11th year, set up to benefit American Legion Post 130. Open to the public; free for spectators. Registration for participants opens 11 a.m. $15 to register, $25 to register and receive a t-shirt. Contest starts at 1 p.m.

Quantum Camp for Middle Schoolers, Part 1. Those interested are welcome to join a fun and interactive lecture on quantum physics, with some magic incorporated into the lesson to help illustrate certain concepts. Registration required, 12 seats available. Register online at librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/ event/7955301. Geared towards teens in the STEM program.

Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 – 5 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 9

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10

Storytime Fun for Preschoolers.

Space is limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. No registration required. Participants will be allowed on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the info desk for tickets. Bring a towel, cap and water bottle. Weather permitting, the event will take place outdoors in a shady location. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 – 11 a.m.

Quantum Camp for Middle Schoolers, Part 2. Part 2 of an interactive and engaging lecture on quantum physics for teenage STEM students. Registration is required, 13 seats available.

Register online at librarycalendar. fairfaxcounty.gov/event/7955302.

The lecture will take place at Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 – 5 p.m.

Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. – noon. For more information, visit fallschurchva.gov/547/FarmersMarket-To-Go.

LOCALEVENTS THURSDAY, AUGUST 5 Walk-In Tech Clinic. A tutor is available every Thursday morning to help adults with tech issues.

Located in the Group Study Room of the Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church).

10 – 11 a.m.

English Conversation Group. A small group for adults seeking to practice English. Meetings take place in the Conference Room of the Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church).

Noon – 1 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 Falls Church Farmers Market. The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday, where visitors can find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. City Hall (300

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 Kids Tie Dye Shirts Outside. Those interested are invited to join Doug and Arizona McClaw outside to create personalized tie dye shirts.

Materials will be provided, as well as washing instructions; the shirts are children’s large. Participants will need to wear clothes they are comfortable getting dirty as the dye stains fabric. One shirt per person; kids ages 5 – 10. In case of rain, activity will be moved into the meeting room. Registration required, 16 seats available.

Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church).

3 – 4 p.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 Bright Star Theatre Presents “Gus Goes Green” (online). New from Bright Star Theater, this play fol-

lows “Gus,” a giant dog puppet, who leads the audience on a STEM-inspired journey around the globe as he finds creative solutions for a thirsty man in the desert, a toy maker, and one very funny bug.

Live on the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Facebook page. Geared towards kids in grades Pre-K – 5.

For information, call 703-2485034. The program will air live on Facebook and a recording will be available until Aug. 14. 11 a.m. – Noon.

MONDAY, AUGUST 9 ESOL Conversation Group (online).

Practice your English with a weekly ESOL conversation group. This program takes place online, via Zoom.

To request a Zoom invite, email Marshall Webster at mwebster@ fallschurchva.gov. 7 – 8:30 p.m.

City Council Meeting (online).

The City Council will hold a virtual meeting pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.23708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the Covid-19 declared emergency. All participating members of the City

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Council will be present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this electronic meeting via www. fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings.

The meeting may also be viewed on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period. 7:30 – 11 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 Great Books Discussion (online).

Those interested are welcome to join a discussion on “An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding,” by David Hume.

This program will be held online via Zoom. For more information, email Marshall Webster at mwebster@fallschurchva.gov. “Great Books” discussions, concentrating on literary classics (both traditional and modern), meets at 7 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of most months. Open to all, no registration needed. 7 – 8:30 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 Creative Cauldron Presents: Katy Benko. Katy Benko made her Creative Cauldron debut in the role of Patsy Cline in the highly successful run of "Always, Patsy Cline" this past June. A two-time World Champion Vocalist at the World Championships of Performing Arts, Katy's roots run deep in both country music as well as rock. She has opened for and performed with artists such as Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, and Alan Jackson and has also established herself on the local Musical Theatre scene. She looks forward to taking the audience on a beautiful and dynamic musical journey that spans many decades and genres. Tickets can be purchased at creativecauldron.org.

Friday, Aug. 6. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave, Falls Church). Audiences are encouraged to bring lawn

CA L E NDA R

AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021 | PAGE 17

chairs. Parking is located in the Falls Church Community Center lot (223 Little Falls St.), 7:30 p.m.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, AUGUST 5 Caligula Blushed: Outdoor Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m.

703-255-1566.

Shakin’ Woods: A Free Outdoor Show. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church).

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

Sol Roots Band: Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703241-9504.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 Mary Shaver, Mike & Bob Trio.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m.

703-241-9504.

Too Extra: Live and in Concert.

Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St., Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Me & The Boys: A Live NRBQ Tribute. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m.

703-255-1566.

The Soul Crackers: Free Outdoor Performance. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-2370300.

Air Supply: The Lost in Love Experience. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $99.50. 7:30 p.m.

703-549-7500.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 Mars Rodeo Show: Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703241-9504.

The Slim Shack Shakers: Live and in Concert. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186.

CALIGULA BLUSHED delivers authentic renditions of classic Smiths songs, as well as songs by Morrissey, and will be playing live this Thursday at Jammin' Java. (Photo: John Flinchbaugh) Whiskey Neat (Formerly Known as SixtyFive12). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Grateful Jams: Open Mic Night Live. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186.

1964: The Tribute (A Live Beatles Tribute Performance).

The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35.00. 7:30 p.m. 703-5497500.

The Toptones: A Live Beatles Tribute Show. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 6 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Josh Allen Band: Birthday Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church).

8:30 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Brad Williams: Live and in Concert. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $30. 9 p.m. 703-237-0300.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8 Cramer & Ivy Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703241-9504.

EU featuring Sugar Bear: A Special Birthday Show. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $39.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

MONDAY, AUGUST 9 Tom Saputo Open Mic Night.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m.

703-241-9504.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Live and in Concert. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $69.50. 7:30 p.m.

703-549-7500.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 Open Mic with Andy & Josh.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m.

703-241-9504.

The Muckers with Guest Tinsmith. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $8 – $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 En Vogue: Live. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $89.50. 7:30 p.m.

703-549-7500.

Clem Snide: Live and in Concert.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703255-1566.

Open Mic Night with Bob & Martha. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

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

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

PAGE 18 | AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021

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B������� N��� � N���� Dogwood Tavern Celebrating National Oyster Day Dogwood Tavern is celebrating National Oyster Day on Thursday, Aug. 5 by offering $1 Vintage Salts oysters, shucked to order, and flash fried oyster po’boys all day and oysters charbroiled over an open flame starting at 4 p.m. Dogwood Tavern is located at 132 W. Broad Street in Falls Church. For more information about Dogwood Tavern and its employment opportunities, visit www.dogwoodtavern.com.

Galleria Florist Will Be Officially Welcomed To Little City Galleria Florist will officially be welcomed to the City of Falls Church by City Council and members of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. Galleria Florist, now located at 248 W. Broad Street, is a full service florist which also offers gift items, owned and operated by floral artist Alisa Rabinovich. Galleria’s previous location was S. Washington Street just outside the City. For more information or to place an order, visit https:// galleriaflorist.biz.

Merrifield Business Association Offering Hands On Training The Greater Merrifield Business Association is hosting Maximize Your GMBA Membership – Know (and use) Your Benefits! on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from noon – 1 p.m. GMBA Executive Director Peggy James will provide a review and hands-on training to help businesses secure the marketing benefits offered through membership. The free virtual meeting is open to GMBA members and prospective members. For more information and to register, visit www. greatermerrifield.org.

Original Pancake House Hosts F.C. Chamber Breakfast The Original Pancake House will host a networking breakfast for the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Aug. 12 from 8 – 9 a.m. This is an informal event with no agenda other than to meet and get to know local business leaders. There is no fee but attendees are responsible for their own checks. For more information, visit the event calendar at www.FallsChurchChamber.org. The Original Pancake House is located at 7395 Lee Highway in Falls Church.

Thompson Italian Nominated As RAMMY Award Finalist

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Thompson Italian is nominated by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington as a RAMMY Award finalist in the Standout Family Meal Packages To-Go category. This year’s awards include categories that speak to all the ways the region’s industry uniquely met the challenges caused by the pandemic. Votes for some categories, including the one Thompson is nominated for, will be available online until Thursday, Sept. 2. The winners will be announced at The 39th Annual RAMMY Awards Gala on Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Visit www. ramw.org for more information and to vote. Thompson Italian is located at 124 N. Washington Street in Falls Church.

Clare & Don’s Beach Shack Limiting Indoor Seating

twitter.com/fcnp

Clare & Don’s Beach Shack is limiting indoor seating to those 65 years and older who are fully vaccinated. Outdoor seating, take out, and delivery through Grub Hub are still available. Current hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 – 9 p.m., Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 8 pm. The Shack is closed Mondays. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack is located at 130 N. Washington Street in Falls Church. For more information, visit www.clareanddons.com.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

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AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021 | PAGE 19

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Falls Church City Councilman Ross Litkenhous enjoyed a write-up in this week’s Washington Business Journal touting his new business, a real estate technology startup operating out of 800 W. Broad in the Little City. His Cavalry Real Estate Advisors group that started up last February, will be launching a tool to simplify the property tax appeals process for regional landlords, according to the WBJ account.

He explained, “In commercial real estate, taxes are the largest single-line item on the balance sheet, aside from debt service and return to investors.

As tax values fluctuate, as they have during the pandemic, it’s led to a lot of very different results for property values. We see a market in that.”

The company is raising $2 million to complete its technology platform, it designed to handle complex property tax submissions, and bring its services to market. It will help assessment appeals and the search for ways to save through incentives, credits and abatements, seeking relief by all available means including but not limited to administrative, board and court level proceedings.

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Falls Church businessman Bob Young, chair of the City’s quasi-independent Economic Development Authority, was voted unanimously as that body’s choice to get an appointment to the City Council-controlled Community Development Authority (CDA) that will oversee bond issuances to build vital infrastructure on the City’s massive 9.8 acre F.C. Gateway Partners project at the City’s West End. The Council is expected to vote Monday authorizing the establishment of the CDA as well as to approve components of the mega-project’s special exception entitlement and site plans. Changes to the comprehensive agreement will be mostly limited to an additional 35,000 square feet (one additional floor to 15 stories) on the senior living building.

Robin Gotteral of the partners’ Hoffman Group told the F.C. City Council Monday that construction of the project is slated to get underway in the first quarter of next year pending approvals this coming week.

The project will be “world class” with its transit-oriented boulevard designed to link Route 7 to the West Falls Church Metro station.

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Currently the project is expected to add about $5 million in tax revenues annually for the City’s coffers, although the City is now upgrading its economic projection model to better anticipate how much will be coming.

GU

This week marked the formal launch of two campaigns in what will be a busy fall season in Falls Church leading up to the November 2 election to fill three of seven seats on the City Council and School Board here.

Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly launched her campaign as one of six candidates seeking election to the City Council, and first time candidate David Ortiz announced the launch of his campaign as one of eight candidates all running for the first time for School Board.

The fields in the races include, for the City Council, incumbents David Snyder, Debora Schantz-Hiscott and Connelly and challengers Stuart Whitaker, Caroline Lian and Scott Diaz.

For School Board it is composed of all first time candidates: Jerrod Anderson, Tate Gould, Courtney Mooney, David Ortiz, Adam Riedel, Ilya Shapiro, Lori Silverman and Kathleen Tysse.

Running unopposed for three commonwealth positions are Treasurer Jody Acosta, Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton and Sheriff Met Cay, the latter being appointed to the slot last fall with the retirement of Steve Bittle. State Del. Marcus Simon will also be on the Falls Church ballot seeking another term opposed by Republican Sarah White.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), little has been reported in terms of fundraising by any of the candidates as of June 30. Among larger donors, Gould reported $5,000 of his own money, Cay $2,089 of his own money, Josh Shokur, who has decided not to run, $1,950 and Lian $1,000.

In her formal launch statement, Connelly said in seeking a third four-year term on her website, “As a community, we’ve made so much progress in the past eight years, and it has been my honor to represent you as a member of the City Council. I’m fully committed to continuing to work to represent the people who live, work, and go to school

in The Little City.”

Ortiz wrote. “In 2013, we moved to Falls Church City because of its excellent schools.

When we arrived that summer, The Little City welcomed us with open arms and we immediately felt at home. The commitment to education was apparent in the resources and programs at the library, and in our engagement with the schools...By serving on the School Board, I hope to have a positive and lasting impact on our community, the nation, and the world. I will do this by working with my colleagues to build on our successes, ensure that we serve all our students, and prepare our students to lead.”

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PAGE 20 | AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA Public hearings and final City Council action for the following items regarding the West Falls development project are scheduled for Monday, August 9, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matters may be heard.

(TR20-29) RESOLUTION TO GRANT SPECIAL EXCEPTION ENTITLEMENT AMENDMENT FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH A BUILDING HEIGHT UP TO FIFTEEN (15) STORIES ON APPROXIMATELY 9.78 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (PORTIONS OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51-221-007, -008) ON APPLICATION BY FALLS CHURCH GATEWAY PARTNERS (TR20-30) RESOLUTION TO GRANT SPECIAL EXCEPTION SITE PLAN (SEC. 48-488.B(3)) FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH A BUILDING HEIGHT UP TO FIFTEEN (15) STORIES ON APPROXIMATELY 8.83 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE (PORTIONS OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 51-221-007, -008) ON APPLICATION BY FALLS CHURCH GATEWAY PARTNERS (TR21-07) RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY 0.33 ACRES OF LAND FROM THE FALLS CHURCH CITY SCHOOL BOARD TO THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH (BEING A PORTION OF REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBER 51-221-008) LOCATED AT 7124 LEESBURG PIKE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A DEED OF CONVEYANCE, AND EXECUTE THE DEED OF RESUBDIVISION AND SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION The ordinance referenced below was given first reading on July 12, 2021. Public hearing, second reading, and final City Council action is scheduled for Monday, August 9, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

C L AS S I F I E DS Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

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

Architectural Advisory Board Aurora House Citizens’ Advisory Committee Board of Equalization Board of Zoning Appeals (Applications due

by Oct. 31) City Employee Review Board Historic Architectural Review Board Historical Commission Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Towing Advisory Board (Towing Representative) Regional Boards/Commissions Fairfax Area Disability Services Board Long Term Care Coordinating Council Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Board WEST FALLS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY In anticipation of the creation of a West Falls Community Development Authority and establishment of the West Falls District, the Falls Church City Council invites interested City residents to apply for the resident position on the 5-member Authority. Candidates with knowledge of finance or commercial real estate preferred. Visit www.fallschurchva. gov/BCapply for a link to the application and more information about the CDA, including the background and anticipated schedule for establishing the Authority. Application deadline has been extended to August 27, 2021.

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

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Public hearings will be held electronically.

To speak on a public hearing item, complete a speaker form at www.fallschurchva.gov/ PublicComment before noon on the day of the Council meeting. Following submission of the form, you will receive emailed instructions to join the virtual Council meeting.

Written public hearing comments may be sent until noon on the day of the meeting to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. Council members will attend the meeting through electronic means and members of the public may view the meeting at www.fallschurchva. gov/CouncilMeetings and on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. The City of

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(TO21-10) ORDINANCE TO CREATE AND ESTABLISH THE WEST FALLS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY This odinance would create and establish a Community Development Authority for the West Falls District of approx. 9.78 acres for the purpose of issuing bonds to pay for public infrastructure in the district and administering a special assessment on property in the district to pay the debt service for those bonds, plus eligible administrative expenses associated with the district.

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AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021 | PAGE 21

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JOHN DEERING

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

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PAGE 22 | AUGUST 5 – 11, 2021

BACK IN THE DAY

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Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No. 24 • August 4,, 2011

No Interest on Council In Big Commercial Use For Whittier Property

Candidates Struggle to Make Voters Aware of Primary Election Aug. 23

Now that the new City Council has been installed and the City has contracted with a real estate consulting firm, the question of how best to utilize the Whittier site will soon be back on the front burner.

The Council will tackle the issue in the next few weeks.

A lot of registered voters in the City of Falls Church are probably not aware that a Democratic primary election is being held here in just over a week, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, to be exact. That may be due to the fact that there is only one race that is being contested.

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CALLISTO, a local Bengal kitty, loves to go on walks around the yard and has recently visited Cherry Hill Park for the very first time. Don’t hesitate to say hello if you see her out and about!

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

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

Find out more at ScreenForAutism.org

FIN had one condition if he were ever to open a tattoo studio: it had to be in Falls Church. Lucky for us, he grew up in the area and always liked the ‘Little City’ so when a vacancy opened up at 412 W. Broad St., he snapped up the location and Mr. Finster’s Tattoo Studio was born! (P����: J. © 2019 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.

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AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021 | PAGE 23

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A HEARING ON VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY’S SHARED SOLAR PROGRAM MINIMUM BILL PROPOSAL AND ON THE PROGRAM’S BILL CREDIT RATE CASE NO. PUR-2020-00125 Section 56-594.3 of the Code of Virginia requires the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to establish a program that affords customers of Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) the opportunity to participate in shared solar projects (“Shared Solar Program” or “Program”). Under the Program, each Dominion customer that is a subscriber to a shared solar facility will pay a minimum bill to Dominion and receive a bill credit, based on the subscriber’s customer class (residential, commercial, or industrial), for the proportional output of the facility attributable to that customer.

The Commission issued an Order for Notice and Hearing in this case. Among other things, the Order for Notice and Hearing scheduled a hearing to consider Dominion’s minimum bill proposal (“Minimum Bill Proposal”), filed in this docket on March 1 and April 1, 2021, and to establish the bill credit rate.

Interested persons are encouraged to review the documents in this case for details on Dominion’s Minimum Bill Proposal and on the bill credit rate, in particular Dominion’s March 1 and April 1 filings in this docket on the Minimum Bill Proposal; the April 20, 2021 Motion for Clarification of the Bill Credit Rates for the Multi-Family Shared Solar Program and the Shared Solar Program filed by the Coalition for Community Solar Access together with the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association (“CCSA-CHESSA”)(“Motion”); Dominion’s May 10, 2021 response to the Motion; and CCSA-CHESSA’s May 24, 2021 reply. (The Motion, Dominion’s May 10, 2021 response to the Motion; and CCSA-CHESSA’s May 24, 2021 reply collectively are referred to as the “Bill Credit Pleadings.”)

Interested persons may download unofficial copies of all documents filed in this docket, including the Minimum Bill Proposal and the Bill Credit Pleadings, from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. An electronic copy of the Company’s Minimum Bill Proposal also may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for Dominion, Timothy D. Patterson, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or tpatterson@mcguirewoods.com.

TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may set the bill credit rate and the minimum bill in a manner differing from that proposed in the Bill Credit Pleadings and the Minimum Bill Proposal.

A public hearing shall be convened on November 18, 2021, at 10 a.m., to receive the testimony of public witnesses and the evidence of the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff on the Minimum Bill Proposal and the bill credit rate. Further details on the hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling that, upon issuance, will be available on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information by searching for Case No. PUR-2020-00125.

The Commission further takes judicial notice of the ongoing public health concern related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”). Confidential and Extraordinarily Sensitive information shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, Confidential information, of the Rules of Practice. At this time, any person seeking to hand deliver and physically file or submit any pleading or other document shall contact the Clerk’s Office Document Control Center at (804) 371 9838 to arrange the delivery.

Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the Rules of Practice, the Commission has directed that service on parties and the Commission’s Staff in this matter shall be accomplished by electronic means. Refer to the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing for further instructions concerning Confidential or Extraordinarily Sensitive Information.

On or before October 27, 2021, any interested person may file comments on the Minimum Bill Proposal and the bill credit rate by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable 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-2020-00125.

On or before September 15, 2021, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable to submit a notice of participation electronically may submit such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to Dominion. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the 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 Rule 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2020-00125.

On or before October 5, 2021, 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 to submit testimony and exhibits electronically may submit 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 on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service; and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2020-00125.

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.

All documents filed in this case, including the Minimum Bill Proposal and the Bill Credit Pleadings, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | AUGUST 5 - 11, 2021

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