Falls Church News-Press 11-12-2020 by Falls Church News-Press

November 12 – 18, 2020

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F.C. Distillers Mulls City Exit Over Music Cut-Off Early Limit Hurts Business Already Stung By Virus

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

The live music that Falls Church Distillers has featured to complete the ambiance for its outdoor dining has been a nuisance to its neighbors, and that may be jeopardizing the distillery’s longterm commitment to the City of Falls Church. Michael Paluzzi, the owner of Falls Church Distillers, told the News-Press that live music is the biggest draw for his business. Before the coronavirus pandemic took off in the spring, he would regularly hold shows inside the distillery until midnight or 1 a.m. without a problem. Ever since the City relaxed its zoning rules to accommodate more outdoor dining during the pandemic, businesses like the dis-

tillery have brought their music outdoors as well. The choice to do so, however, hasn’t been unanimously enjoyed by nearby residents. “I would say at least 50 percent of the weekend nights” since re-opening in the early summer have had some kind of a police presence, Paluzzi said. He mentioned one specific situation where cops responded to a call and then camped out to listen to the music, until Paluzzi asked them to leave since they were making guests uncomfortable. “I can’t survive in this situation if it’s going to be maintained,” he added. City Manager Wyatt Shields told the News-Press that a bulk of the calls are coming from nearby apartment complexes in Pearson

Continued on Page 5

LIVE MUSIC has been a major draw for Falls Church Distillers over the past few months, which has moved outdoors due to Covid-19 concerns. However, residential neighbors in nearby apartment complexes haven’t taken to the adaptation as well. (P��: N��-P��)

Equity in F.C. Schools Brings Nuanced Approach to U.S. History BY MSTT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Curriculum adjustments that account for the minority experience in America has been a focus of history courses in Falls Church City schools, especially after a summer where students protested against racial injustice and ques-

tioned how they should remember the founding fathers. The school system’s mission to include those aspects alongside, rather than at the expense of, others already in its studies is how it tries to avoid the conflict felt in other areas of the country. The goal laid out last September, according to Falls Church City

schools Chief Academic Officer William Bates, was to develop a process for curriculum reframing in City schools as a component of the school system’s equity work. In other words, Bates said, Falls Church schools began asking how it could consider diverse perspectives when planning lessons and activities for students, with less

emphasis on making dramatic changes to the core materials they must teach as prescribed by the Virginia Department of Education. This directive took on new importance during a summer of nationwide protests that the City of Falls Church joined in. George Mason High School students organized one of the first marches

to take place in City limits following George Floyd’s killing by a police officer in Minneapolis. A simmering call to change the name of George Mason High, and then later Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, had turned to a boil as well, prodding the schools to contextualize these figures outside of their major accomplishments at the very least.

Continued on Page 4

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See News Briefs, page 8

See Column, page 23

At its Tuesday meeting, the F.C. School Board heard a report on the successful reopening from Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan about the start of Phase II reopening for the schools’ to inperson teaching following an initial opening for special education classrooms.

City of Falls Church developer and chair of the Falls Church Economic Development Authority won the Citizens for a Better City’s first-ever “Shoutout Award” for leading the EDA’s effort to distribute microgrants to Falls Church businesses that were suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic. See News & Notes, page 9

It’s been over 20 years since the concept of “peak oil” was put forth in Scientific American. When the idea that the world’s oil supply might soon hit a peak was first developed, the world consumed about 63 million barrels of oil per day.

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes..................................... 9 Crime Report .................................... 12 Calendar ........................................... 14 Business News ................................. 15 Classified Ads ................................... 16 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 17 Critter Corner.................................... 18

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NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER US-2, SCOTT, WHITEHOUSE, AND WOODLAND SOLAR POWER STATIONS CASE NO. PUR-2020-00231 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, Rider US-2 by which it recovers the costs of three solar power stations. •Dominion requests $9,528,537 for its 2021 Rider US-2. According to Dominion, this amount would decrease a typical residential customer’s bill using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by $0.01. •A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hear the case on March 16, 2021. •Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On October 5, 2020, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion” or “Company”), pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 6 of the Code of Virginia, filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) an annual update with respect to the Company’s rate adjustment clause, Rider US-2 (“Application”). Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with (i) the Scott Solar Facility, a 17 megawatt (“MW”) (nominal alternating current (“AC”)) facility located in Powhatan County; (ii) the Whitehouse Solar Facility, a 20 MW AC facility located in Louisa County; and (iii) the Woodland Solar Facility, a 19 MW AC facility located in Isle of Wight County (collectively, “US-2 Solar Projects” or “Projects”). In Case No. PUE-2015-00104, the Commission approved construction of the US-2 Solar Projects. In conjunction therewith, the Commission also approved a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider US-2, which allowed Dominion to recover costs associated with the development of the Projects. The US-2 Solar Projects achieved commercial operations in 2016. In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve Rider US-2 for the rate year beginning September 1, 2021, and ending August 31, 2022 (“2021 Rate Year”). The two components of the proposed total revenue requirement for the 2021 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 $8,975,279 and an Actual Cost True Up Factor revenue requirement of $553,258. Thus, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $9,528,537 for service rendered during the 2021 Rate Year. For purposes of calculating the revenue requirement in this case, Dominion utilized a rate of return on common equity of 9.2%, which was approved by the Commission in Case Nos. PUR-2017-00038 and PUR-2019-00050. If the proposed Rider US-2 for the 2021 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 US-2 on September 1, 2021, would decrease the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.01. The Company indicates it has calculated the proposed Rider US-2 rates in accordance with the same methodology as used for rates approved by the Commission in the most recent Rider US-2 proceeding, Case No. PUR-2019-00159, with the exception that in this case the Company did not remove federal customers’ and retail choice customers’ load and usage for the purpose of designing rates. 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. A public hearing on the Application shall be convened on March 16, 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 (“Staff”). Further details on the hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing 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. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency, 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) 3719838 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 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. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On or before March 16, 2021, 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. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2020-00231. On or before December 29, 2020, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation. 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-2020-00231. On or before February 2, 2021, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission and serve on the 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-2020-00231. Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The Company’s Application, 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 d/b/a DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA

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More Details on History Topics Lets Students Come to Own Conclusions

Continued from Page 1

Exposing students to an array of historical perspectives is something that Mason history teachers approached as their duty to their students. Eric Duchaj and Josh Singer, who also work with the school system on its equity initiatives, said that having conversations with other teachers about how they teach world, government and U.S. history courses are a regular feature of their team meetings. “Part of being a really good teacher in an area of history is constantly reimagining and revisiting what you do in the classroom to meet the moment and meet the interest of the students,” Singer said. “Absolutely what’s coming out of the community from our students and things like the social justice committee and what we see in the news influences that.” One example of Mason’s teachers modifying how they address a topic is the Columbian Exchange — the triangular trade routes that

brought sugar, tobacco and cotton to Europe; rum, textile and often guns to Africa and newly captured slaves to the Americas that started after Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World. Singer explained how positives, such as the development of the New World wouldn’t have been possible without bartering between these four continents. At the same time, he added, it fostered negatives, such as explosion of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the destruction of the indigenous peoples in the Americas. It’s neither about trying to paint Columbus as a hero or villain, Singer continued, but providing students with all kinds of information so they can understand historical events from all angles. The International Baccalaureate program, which Falls Church schools has integrated in K – 12, will also be featuring more equity in its lessons once it updates its curriculum in 2024. “We are working to ensure that the revised course will continue to

reflect developments in the wider teaching and research of history,” said Dr. David Weiss, the head of IB World Schools, “Particularly in respect to the experiences of people who...have been marginalised or discriminated against because of their ethnicity, gender, political beliefs, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and because of the actions of colonizing or enslaving powers, institutions or individuals.” Efforts to make curricula more equitable in other parts of the country can be a fraught process, especially at the state level. Neal McCluskey, director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, told the News-Press that curricula battles in California and Texas get contentious when both sides believe their ideological rivals have an agenda. So, as McCluskey said, one side feels that revisions to U.S. history syllabi are putting too much attention on minority accomplishments. Meanwhile, the other side feels

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MASON STUDENTS organized the �irst protest in the City after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police back in May. The inertia behind those demonstrations motivated history teachers to dedicate more time for those topics in their classes. (P��: J. M�� W��) that it’s not giving enough recognition to minority populations’ influence in American history. The fight over how to frame

U.S. history has also played out at the national level.

Continued on Page 18

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NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2020 | PAGE 5

Dis�llery Owner Could Move to Rural Loca�on Far Outside City

Continued from Page 1

Square and 455 at Tinner Hill, the latter of which is directly across the street from the distillery’s parking lot where the music comes from. There are only seven noise complaints for outdoor music in the City’s Request Tracker, per spokeswoman Susan Finarelli, though she said that other complaints may have been made directly to Council members or told anecdotally to City staff. According to City code, there is a noise ordinance that prevents music (or any loud noise, for that matter) from being played from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends. Shields said that the City relaxed its noise ordinances to allow for music to be played until 10 p.m. on weekends. For noise ordinances to change, it has to go through a review by City Boards and Commissions before being adopted by the City Council. The leniency has been appreciated by Paluzzi. He also sympathizes and understands the nature of the complaints — people are stuck more in their homes than they’re used to, so they’re around more

to listen to what’s going on outside their windows. And he knows he’s not alone, mentioning how staff at Liberty Barbecue and the State Theatre have also told him about noise complaints they’ve received for their outdoor shows. But, he said, his main goal is making enough revenue to pay his bills and pay his employees, which has been a shared struggle for all businesses over the past eight months. The simplest solution has been for distillery’s bands to turn down the volume level. That’s been the remedy put forward by Shields. Paluzzi uses a decibel meter and measures the music at the curb level to make sure it’s within City limits. He also sits at his furthest outdoor table to gauge if he can hold a conversation while the bands play, such as Grateful Jams and Stealing Liberty on Sunday night. Even with those efforts, Bob Young, the chair of the City’s semi-autonomous Economic Development Authority, believes it’s all about compromise. “What I am trying to emphasize is the need for reasonable people to

be flexible to the extent they feel they can be so we can all get through the winter together, and we have our businesses surviving on the other side,” Young said. Falls Church Distillers is planning ahead as the temperature drops and people move back indoors. Plexiglass barriers separating the singers, a more spread out floor plan and potentially having people buy tickets in advance to ensure the lower capacity crowds still bring in decent revenue. With a higher rate of returning customers — ticking up from percentages in the high 20s to low 30s over the past few months — Paluzzi has witnessed a broader customer base that’s coming from Bethesda and even D.C. since Virginia is further along in its reopening. But another realistic option is for Paluzzi to leave the City altogether. Shields said it hadn’t been a conversation the two had shared, so he didn’t want to comment on it, but Paluzzi has already scouted out places that offer more open air while still being able to continue his distillery/restaurant combination. The closest location to the City he could

find? Dumfries in Prince William County. The farthest is the Great Plains in western Virginia. If that is the route Paluzzi takes, it’s something where he’d ideally downsize to a smaller location in Falls Church. He has one year left on his lease before he has to make a call on whether or not to exercise an option for an additional five years, so he’s going to see how things play out. In the meantime, he’d like for the City to consider some broader efforts to help businesses. One thing he suggested was a deduction on capital gains taxes, which for him includes all his distillery equipment,

considering he didn’t make money off it for three months out of the year. He also thinks the City has a chance to become a regional destination for live music given its homey feel and intimate outdoor areas. Young said that the City has always made efforts to promote its ability to endorse live music; it’s the circumstances of the pandemic that make it a challenge. For Shields, it’s about trying to give everyone what they want — within reason. “We want our businesses to be successful, and we want them to be in harmony with our neighbors as well,” Shield said.

Status Update on Monday, November 9

City of Falls Church Date Monday, November 9 Thursday, November 5 Monday, November 2 Thursday, October 29 Monday, October 26 Thursday, October 22 Monday, October 19 Thursday, October 15

Cases Hospitalizations 79 78 78 75 75 74* 75 75

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

Deaths # Cases per 100,000 People 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

534.8 528.0 528.0 507.7 507.7 500.9 507.7 507.7

*NOTE: These numbers went down as the Virginia Department of Health found that the individuals lived in the Fairfax County part of Falls Church, not the City of Falls Church.

PAGE 6 | NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2020 

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E D I TO R I A L

November 7: Liberation Day

November 7, 2020 is a day to never forget. It is the day that the people of the United States of America learned the news that their extraordinary effort to preserve democracy in this national beacon of hope for the entire planet had been secured. No, there was no storming of the barricades as the terrible paranoids behind the ones erected in front of the White House feared. There was dancing in the streets, a lot of it by a lot of very happy American citizens. As more votes get counted, it is looking like this will be the biggest margin of victory for any candidate for president in the history of the U.S. Donald Trump and his fascist ambitions were not only defeated, they were crushed. You will not be forgetting where you were and what you were doing on this date. You will be asked for years to come what it was like to celebrate the close-call survival of our democracy. You will be asked going forward how the spontaneity that accompanied this day contributed to permanent changes for the better for human society. What a year. We’d been through so much, the ongoing treachery of the Trump stain on our society, how it called out the worst in so many people, leading to rises in racial violence and police brutality. How it necessitated the calling out of the best in so many other people, who began standing up and pushing back very hard. After all, we’d realized how much good had been bestowed upon us by this generous democratic society that we simply couldn’t sit by quietly and let the haters and bigots run roughshod over us, even if they were coming right out of the White House itself to pepper spray hundreds of us gathered there last summer so that Donald Trump could play fascist dictator with a strut across Lafayette Square to defile a perfectly good church with a pose of his unholy, sour visage. No democratically-elected leader of our nation had ever attempted to pose in such a heinous manner before, to pose as a strong-arm dictator, clearly in the manner he hoped he could magnify with another four years in office. So as he’d unleashed the worst out of one quarter of our compromised culture, so had he unintentionally called forth the best from another. We the people, led by our African-American constituency and our “suburban woman” constituency (as the media called it) rose up in great anger and resolve to hit the streets. That took the form of standing in long lines to vote, vote and vote. As hundreds of thousands of us have died from the deadly Covid-19 pandemic left unattended by Trump, the rest of us stood up and exercised the best weapon that our democratic founders could have provided, the ballot. It was like the day the Berlin Wall fell. On Nov. 7 we were liberated.

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Turnout For Trump Should Make Us Question Our Beliefs Editor, I fear the Little City has already gone “the direction of a gated community,” as evidenced by U.S. Representative Beyer’s response to Tuesday’s election. Rep. Beyer noted he could not fathom how someone, anyone, could vote for an “obvious racist” like President Trump who “treats women so terribly,” nor could he admire him as a role

model. Could it be that those who voted for him also do not see him as someone to emulate, but see his policies as preferable to the alternatives? Interestingly, over a quarter of those who chose Trump in this election were nonwhite, the highest percentage for a GOP presidential candidate since 1960. The only demographic in which he lost support was among white males. Could it

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be that there is more diversity of opinion among these groups than you realize? Or perhaps they have access to more disparate news sources than you. Maybe they run in very different social, economic, or religious circles. If we truly want to heal the deep division in this country, could we not start by recognizing our preconceived notions of how certain segments of the population “should” vote, and instead try to understand the “why” behind each. We each bring a different story to our understanding of the world, don’t we? I wish Rep. Beyer well in his

search for “new Trump friends that [he] can engage deeply.” When you are surrounded by folks who “voted almost 100 percent for Biden,” that might be difficult. Perhaps he and others in this community could start by asking those with whom they disagree politically why indeed they could not cast their vote for the Biden/Harris ticket. One out of five of your fellow citizens did not. Why not grab a coffee with a conservative or libertarian sometime. You might learn something. Adrienne Varner Falls Church

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NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2020 | PAGE 7

Daughters of American Revolution Give Out F.C. Awards B� L�� S��

Last Sunday, the Falls Church chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) presented six awards to pillars of the Falls Church community and nearby areas. The event was months in planning, delayed from an in-person affair last May to an online video call due to the pandemic. Family members from across the United States were able to log in and participate. Falls Church Mayor Tarter, Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly and Council members Phil Duncan, David Snysder and Debbie Hiscott attended the event along with 45 others including representatives of The Women’s History Group, Citizens for a Better City, Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, Victorian Society, Cherry Hill Farmhouse, and The Village Preservation and Improvement Society and the Falls Church News-Press. The award recipients were: Barb Cram received the NSDAR Community Service Award posthumously. The award recognizes outstanding voluntary service. Barb’s decades of volunteer service to Falls Church averaged over 160 hours per month in 2019. The presentation included a pictorial display of her service with The Arts and Humanities Council and Falls Church Arts, Watch Night, the Plein Air Festival, and her support of Chamber of Commerce functions. While we were unable to share this with Barb, the NSDAR was deeply honored to share this with her family. Her husband and daughter were virtually present to receive the honor on her behalf. Carol De Long, received the NSDAR

Women in American History Award, which celebrates women, past and present. The award has been given to more than 2,000 exceptional women, including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Sojourner Truth. Carol is now counted among them, as the first

“The people you are honoring today and your membership have something really important in common — your willingness to volunteer to make our community a better place for future generations.” woman mayor of Falls Church, serving four two-year terms in the 1980s, as a member of the Planning Commission, creation of an economic development board, her advocacy for affordable housing and residential counseling, and the expansion of City Hall. Midge Wang received the NSDAR Historic Preservation Recognition Award, which honors extraordinary work over a long period supporting preservation efforts. A spokesman for the NSDAR Historic Preservation Committee was enthusiastic about Midge’s efforts to protect his-

toric homes in Falls Church, collect and create Victorian period attire, bring history to life with historical events and workshops, the creation of historic markers and walking tour maps, and preservation of the Congressional Cemetery. Mary Ellen Henderson received the NSDAR Women in American History Award for her efforts as an education and civil rights pioneer. The presentation told of her service 100 years ago as teacher and principal of the Falls Church “Colored School,” her lobbying for a new school for African American students, actions to address inequality in public schools throughout Virginia, and support for the Colored Citizens Protective League which formed the basis of the first rural branch of the NAACP. Mary Ellen’s legacy lives on, not only through the naming in her memory of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, but also through the work of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. Journalist, author, and historian, Marc Leepson, received the NSDAR History Award Medal. He was honored for his prolific writing on historical figures and events in his nine books, including “What So Proudly We Hailed: Francis Scott Key, A Life;” and “Saving Monticello, The Levy Family’s Epic Quest to Rescue the House that Jefferson Built.” The award also recognized his extensive writings in numerous periodicals, radio and television interviews, and contributions to academic conferences around the country. Ann Mills-Griffiths, Chairman and CEO of the National League of Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Families, received the NSDAR Women in American History Award to recognize more than 30 years of service seeking the recovery and identification of those lost

during the Vietnam War. The audience learned of Ann’s impact on U.S. government policy, her leadership and involvement in high-level international negotiations, and her appearance before congressional committees and national and international media to keep the spotlight on efforts supporting a full accounting of those still MIA. The online event also celebrated the Falls Church Chapter’s 110th anniversary on June 7, 2020 which was recognized by a proclamation signed by Mayor Tarter. The Chapter’s Regent, Lisa Maloney, shared that the objectives of the NSDAR (and its over 3,000 chapters) is the same since its founding in 1890 supporting education, patriotism and historic preservation, through service in their communities and the nation. The members of the Falls Church chapter have been supporters of the City of Falls Church during Veterans Day, Memorial Day, the Women’s History Walk and the Falls Church Fall Festival events. The chapter maintains two Washington D.C. boundary stones located in Falls Church, cleans headstones in Oakwood cemetery, participates in the cleanup of the local watershed, and supports the Falls Church Community Service Council with cash and food donations. Vice Mayor Connelly gave remarks on behalf of the City: “The people you are honoring today and your membership have something really important in common — your willingness to volunteer to make our community a better place for future generations.” Lyn Sherlock is a member of the Falls Church Chapter of the DAR.

Q�� W�� Should F.C. City allow businesses with live music to play later into the night? • Yes

• No

• Not sure

Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

[WRITE FOR THE PRESS]

Last Week’s Question: How late did you stay up watching the election results?

56% Regular bedtime

24% After midnight 20% Past 2 a.m.

FCNP On-Line polls are surveys, not scientiﬁc polls.

The News-Press welcomes readers to send in submissions in the form of Letters to the Editor & Guest Commentaries. Letters to the Editor should be no more than 350 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four weeks. Guest Commentaries should be no more than 800 words and writers are limited to one appearance every four months. Because of space constraints, not all submissions will be published. All submissions to the News-Press should be original, unpublished content. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar and accuracy. All submissions should include writer’s name, address, phone and e-mail address if available.

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NEWS BRIEFS

F.C. Kindergarten, 3rd Grade Students Return to Classrooms Tuesday marked a big day for the Falls Church City Public Schools, the return of kindergarten students to Mt. Daniel Elementary and third grade students to Thomas Jefferson Elementary. At its meeting Tuesday night, the F.C. School Board heard an in-depth report on the successful reopening from Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan about the commencement of Phase II of the schools’ reopening to in-person teaching following the reopening of some special education classrooms 10 days earlier. Noonan reported that the schools maintain a very close monitoring of the status of the Covid-19 virus’ spread in the region, and while there has been an up-tick in the last week, the metrics as presented by the Fairfax Health Department continue to indicate that the spread remains in the “moderate” range in this region, in which case the school reopening plans will stay at the current level. He cited that the City of Falls Church has the lowest transmission rate of the virus in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. With no reported cases among Falls Church students this fall to date, Noonan said, “We’ve found success, and do not plan to dial back our plans to date.” Meanwhile, Noonan said he personally visited the classrooms newly opened on Tuesday that included careful social distancing, maximal outdoor air access and thorough temperature checks of students and staff. “The staff is really excited to be back,” Noonan said, “and the morale is very high.” The School Board also voted a one-time $1,000 salary increment for all school contracted and salary employees.

Hiscott Sworn In, Council Moves on Storm Water

MARKETSPACE Announcing Our New Online Business Directory! Free for all local Businesses

The winner of the Nov. 3 special election to fill the seat on the Falls Church City Council vacated by the death last summer of Dan Sze, Debora Schantz-Hiscott was sworn in at Monday’s City Council meeting, bringing the Council back to its full seven-person roster. “I am honored and humbled,” Hiscott said, “to attempt to live up to Dan Sze’s legacy of service.” “We have another steady hand at the wheel for the tough slog ahead,” Councilman Ross Litkenhous said, and Councilwoman Letty Hardi said, “I am thrilled to have another woman, bringing our number to three on this body.” Mayor David Tarter hailed the “experience, knowledge and passion” that Hiscott brings to the Council. Meanwhile, the Council moved to extend the terms of the City’s Stormwater Task Force to next summer, and acknowledged the $400,000 the City borrowed as part of its larger recent bond issue for Stormwater Fund engineering for the seven projects currently recommended for work beginning in the spring.

F.C. Saves $600,000 With Bond Refinancing Falls Church’s Chief Financial Officer Kiran Bawa reported that refinancing 2011 and 2013 bond issues last week at a lower interest rate has saved the City about $600,000.

EDA Votes to Fully Fund Wayfinding Initiative This Spring At its meeting Tuesday night, the Falls Church Economic Development Authority (EDA) voted to redeploy the $260,000 grant awarded by the F.C. City Council this week (use of federal CARES Act fund to reimburse the EDA for its program providing microgrants to over 100 local businesses struggling during the pandemic) to cover the complete cost of its wayfinding initiative that has included the design approval, acquisition and placement of an array of new signs exhibiting “uniformity, standardization and continuity” around the City that are designed to provide attractive directions for traffic, including pedestrians, that include four “Welcome to Falls Church” signs at entry points to the City along Routes 7 and 29. The project is expected to be completed by early next summer.

Del. Simon: How Veteran Tax Exemption Will Work

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Del. Marcus Simon issued a paper to explain to his constituents how the passage of Amendment 2 on the November ballot, permitting a personal property tax exemption for families of veterans will work. Since it passed, Del. Simon noted, “This amendment to the Constitution of Virginia will add to the list of property that is not subject to state or local taxation for one motor vehicle owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the United States armed forces or the Virginia National Guard who has a 100 percent service connected, permanent, and total disability. The amendment says that motor vehicle means an automobile or pickup truck. The motor vehicle would be exempt from taxation beginning on the date the veteran gets the motor vehicle or Jan.1, 2021, whichever is later. A veteran who claims this tax exemption would not get back any taxes paid on his motor vehicle prior to Jan. 1, 2021. Under this amendment, a motor vehicle that is owned by the spouse of a veteran of the United States armed forces or the Virginia National Guard with a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability could also be free from taxation.”

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2020 | PAGE 9

C�� N�� N�� Mayor Tarter Speaks At Virtual LWV Event Sunday The League of Women Voters of Falls Church invites the community to attend a virtual meeting featuring guest speaker, City of Falls Church Mayor David Tarter. Mayor Tarter will be answering questions from the audience. Questions likely to be discussed include combatting Covid-19, how the outcome of the election will impact local matters and his commitment to the Obama Foundation’s “Mayor’s Pledge” concerning police reform. This event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m., via Zoom. For more information and to obtain a Zoom link for the meeting, please email Barbara Lipsky, blipsky@cox.net. Participants may also find the Zoom link on the website of the Falls Church League of Women Voters at my.lwv.org/ virginia/falls-church.

ing centers and is by appointment only. The test that is offered is the RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase – Polymerase Chain Reaction) molecular diagnostic test. The test sample is collected at Patient First and is sent to a reference lab for testing. Testing appointments can be made on-line at patientfirst.com/ covid-19/covid-19-testing. It is for patients who are at least five years old and currently experience symptoms of Covid-19 or meet any of the screening criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Results are typically available in less than 3 days. Patients will receive the test result via text message or through a phone call from a nurse. For most insured patients, there is no out-of-pocket expense for Covid-19 testing. The visit will be submitted to patients’ insurance.

Patient First Offering Covid-19 Testing

F.C. Schools Hosts Film Discussion on Tech Usage

Patient First (502 W. Broad St., Falls Church) now provides Covid19 testing. Virus testing is available only at designated Patient First test-

Interested residents can join Falls Church school board’s Health & Wellness Advisory Committee, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle

THE CITIZENS FOR A BETTER CITY (CBC), announced its new “Shoutout Award.” It was presented by CBC President Hal Lippman to Falls Church developer Bob Young earlier this week for leading the Falls Church Economic Development Authority’s effort to help City business with microgrants at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this photo (left to right) CBC’s Dick McCall, Lippman, Young and F.C. Councilman Phil Duncan. (P��: N��-P��) School Principal Valerie Hardy and some of the Henderson and George Mason High School counselors for a Zoom discussion of the film “LIKE” on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. The film is about the impact of social media on people’s

lives and the effects of technology on the brain. The trailer can be viewed at this link (youtube.com/ watch?v=9qVi63wG2OM). All Falls Church schools community members are welcome to watch this film on-demand from

Nov. 14 – 16, engage in an online dialogue together and learn some simple tips for living more intentionally with their devices. The film is 49 minutes and is recommended for ages 10 and up. Details and links are forthcoming.

Send Us Your News & Notes!

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

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PAGE 10 | NOVEMBER 12 - 18, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILITIES: PARTIAL LINE #2010 230 KV SINGLE CIRCUIT TRANSMISSION LINE UNDERGROUND PILOT PROJECT (TYSONS-FUTURE SPRING HILL SUBSTATION) CASE NO. PUR-2020-00198

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM ADVERTISEMENT

On September 29, 2020, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia ("Dominion" or "Company") filed with the State Corporation Commission ("Commission") an application for approval and certification of electric transmission facilities ("Application") in Fairfax County, Virginia. Dominion filed its Application pursuant to ยง 56-585.1:5 and ยง 56-46.1 of the Code of Virginia ("Code") and the Utility Facilities Act, Code ยง 56-265.1 et seq. Through its Application, the Company proposes: (1) to remove an approximate 0.56 mile segment of its existing overhead 230 kilovolt ("kV") Reston-Tysons Line #2010 from the Tysons Substation to just south of the site for the future Spring Hill Substation and to relocate and replace the line underground; (2) to complete work at the Tysons Substation to allow this segment of Line #2010 to be relocated underground; and (3) to construct a transition pole just south of the future Spring Hill Substation to transition Line #2010 from an underground line to an overhead line (collectively, "Project"). Dominion states that the Project is necessary to support economic development priorities of the Commonwealth, including the economic development priorities and the Comprehensive Plan of Fairfax County, Virginia. The Company requests that the Project be approved by the Commission as a project that qualifies as a line to be placed underground, in part, because the Project meets all of the statutory requirements set forth in Code ยง 56-585.1:5 D for the Underground Pilot Program. Dominion represents that pursuant to Code ยง 56-585.1:5 D, Fairfax County has adopted a resolution in support of the Project and requested that the Company relocate and convert a portion of Transmission Line #2010 between the Tysons Substation and the future Spring Hill Substation from overhead to underground to facilitate the construction of a large planned mixeduse development, named "The View," that supports the economic development priorities and Comprehensive Plan of Fairfax County. The Company states that the desired in-service date for this project is December 31, 2025. The Company represents that the estimated conceptual cost of the Project (in 2020 dollars) is approximately $30.4 million, which includes approximately $22.6 million for underground transmission line-related work,

approximately $0.70 million for overhead transmission line-related work, and approximately $7.10 million for substation-related work. The Proposed Route consists of approximately 0.58 mile of variable width right-of-way along existing Line #2010 between Tysons Substation and just south of the future Spring Hill Substation site. It largely will be on existing Company owned right-of-way and deviates for approximately 0.10 mile to accommodate the future site of The View development. The Line will exit the existing Tysons Substation across Tyco Road via VDOT permit and continue southwest for approximately 0.20 mile on existing 42-foot right-of-way. Temporary construction easements will be needed along this segment as will a VDOT permit. At this point, the Line will depart from the existing right-of-way and turn south within a private service road for approximately 0.05 mile on a newly acquired 30-foot easement until it reaches Spring Hill Road (Route 684). Temporary construction easement will be required along this segment. At Spring Hill Road, the Line will turn west

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

within Spring Hill Road for approximately 0.05 mile via a VDOT permit until it reaches Leesburg Pike (Route 7). These two 0.05 mile sections of the Line are being relocated outside of the existing right-of-way to accommodate The View, a future development. At Leesburg Pike, the Line turns southwest crossing under the elevated Metro Train Line and crossing Leesburg Pike via a VDOT permit for approximately 0.05 mile and then continues on existing 42-foot right-of-way for approximately 0.14 mile where it turns southeast and goes around the east side of the future Spring Hill Substation site within existing easement and the future Substation parcel. Temporary construction easements will be required along this segment. Just south of the future Spring Hill Substation parcel, the Line continues on existing 42-foot right-of-way to terminate at a Transition Pole. For purposes of this Project, the Company intends to build a Transition Pole just south of the location where the Company plans to construct the future Spring Hill Substation. The Transition Pole will be approximately 140 feet tall, subject to final engineering. The Company also intends to replace the existing Structure #2010/12 located south of the future Spring Hill Substation and the Transition Pole. The existing approximately 61-foot Structure #2010/12 will be replaced with an approximately 90-foot structure, subject to final engineering. All distances, heights, and directions are approximate. A sketch map of the proposal accompanies this notice. A more detailed map may be viewed on the Commission's website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Transmission-Line-Projects. The Commission may consider a route not significantly different from the routes described in this notice without additional notice to the public. A more complete description of the Project may be found in the Company's Application.

NOVEMBER 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18, 2020 | PAGE 11

Virginia 23219, or by electronic means, the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Application from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission's Staff. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner's Ruling.

Electronic copies of the Application and other supporting materials, including a video depiction of the route, may be inspected at: http://www. dominionenergy.com/springhill. An electronic copy of the Company's Application also may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, David J. DePippo, Esquire, Dominion Energy Services, Inc., 120 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or david.j.depippo@dominionenergy.com. Any person or entity may participate as a respondent in this proceeding by filing, on or before December 29, 2020, a notice of participation. Notices of participation shall include the email addresses of the party or its counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure ("Rules of Practice"), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2020-00198. For additional information about participation as a respondent, any person or entity should obtain a copy of the Commission's Order for Notice and Hearing.

On or before March 26, 2021, any interested person may file comments The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding on the Application by following the instructions found on the Commission's that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion's Application. website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. All such On March 31, 2021, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing, comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2020-00198. with no witness present in the Commission's courtroom, for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On March 29, 2021, any person Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission respects, except as modified by the Commission's Order for Notice and to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Copies and format, of the Commission's Rules of Practice. Commission's website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc. The Company's Application, the Commission's Rules of Practice, the virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will Commission's Order for Notice and Hearing, and other documents filed in the be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting. case may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On April 1, 2021, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission's second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond,

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

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A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

The measured vote counts in “battleground” states last week tested the patience of the nation, but also demonstrated that our electoral process does work, if a bit clunky at times. As the news media recorded the votes racked up by both major candidates, those same reporters had to clarify the differences between state laws that govern electoral counts, and the operational responsibilities that fall upon localities. Candidates for election may run nationwide or statewide, but all those elections are operated by the locality, using both employees and volunteers to accomplish the tasks, mostly funded by local tax dollars. In almost all instances, and despite intense emotions about the outcome, local election officials performed admirably, refusing to be cowed by demonstrators outside counting centers, and ensuring that reported vote counts were accurate. In Fairfax County alone, with portions of three congressional districts, and town elections in Herndon and Vienna, multiple iterations of ballots, in multiple languages, had to be prepared for voters in all 244 precincts. Overall, nearly 600,000 Fairfax County voters cast ballots in the 2020 general election. That’s a turnout rate of 78.8 percent. A significant majority of voters exercised the option of voting by mail, or absentee in-person at the satellite locations (and using the ballot drop boxes). As a result, only about 3l percent of voters actually voted on Election Day, which accounts for the shorter lines last Tuesday. The results in Mason District differ slightly from the county results: 76 percent (52,543) of voters cast ballots overall, and 35 percent (18,286) of those voted on Election Day. Barcroft, Camelot, and Belvedere precincts had the highest percentage of voter turnout in Mason District, at 86, 83.9, and 83.6 percent, respectively.

Despite the persuasive election results for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice Presidentelect Kamala Harris, the two months remaining in Mr. Trump’s term of office heighten anxiety about the future. Mr. Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election is not surprising; his lack of adherence to the oath he took on January 20, 2017 also is not surprising. What may be surprising, and potentially dangerous, is what presidential authorities he may exercise in the next 70 or so days, to disrupt our democratic processes and the peaceful transition of power to the new administration. Firing the Secretary of Defense in a fit of postelection pique may be a first step in his slash-andburn response to the election results. The voters deserve better; the nation deserves better; democracy deserves better. January 20, 2021 can’t come soon enough! Switching to a purely local issue, there is a rise in reports about bike theft and car break-ins in the region. Bikes are being stolen from backyards and front porches, during the day and in the middle of the night. Similarly, there are reports of car break-ins at night; thieves are seeking loose change and tech devices left in the open. It’s an annoyance, but take bicycles inside, and lock both the bike and the door. When you park your car, click the remote control a second time and wait for the beep to ensure that the vehicle is locked. Take a few extra seconds to avoid becoming a victim.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@ fairfaxcounty.gov.

C i t y o f Fa l l s C h u r c h

CRIME REPORT Week of November 2 – 8, 2020

Larceny-Shoplifting, 100 blk Hillwood Ave. November 2, 5:22 pm, unknown suspect(s) placed several items of merchandise in a shopping cart and left the business without paying. Larceny-Shoplifting, 1200 blk W Broad St. November 3, 10:45 am, an unknown suspect concealed merchandise in a backpack and left the business without paying.

Assault and Battery, Disorderly Conduct, 100 blk W Broad St. November 4, 9:17 pm, a male, 49, of Alexandria, VA, was arrested for assault and battery, disorderly conduct, and appearing drunk in public. Destruction of Property, 100 blk W Broad St. November 5, unknown suspect(s) damaged the front glass door of a business. Driving Under the Influence, 200 blk S West St. November 8, 2:09 am, a male, 35, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for driving under the influence.

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From the Front Row: Delegate Kaye Kory’s

Richmond Report Fairfax County Juvenile Courts statistics show that between August 28, 2018 and June 13, 2019, School Resource Officers in Fairfax County Public Schools charged 278 youth with a variety of offenses. These charges were all made relative to a school-based event. Some students were charged multiple times by SRO’s, resulting in 321 intakes. The most common charges made against students by SRO’s were possession of marijuana (116), assault (36), tobacco use, purchase or possession (20), disorderly conduct (13), other drugrelated offenses (13), larceny (10), and weapon on school grounds (10). 35 percent of complaints filed were for White Youth, 34 percent were for Hispanic Youth, and 22 percent for Black Youth. 61 percent of intakes filed were for youth of color. 55 percent of the student intakes were eligible for diversion. of the 321 intakes filed by SRO’s, 35 percent were diverted and 48 percent were petitioned to court. This means that in 2015 more than 160 Fairfax Public School students were faced with the threat of several serious legal consequences, the two most serious are being adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent or transferred to criminal court. Without law enforcement presence in our schools, some — perhaps many — of these charges and consequences would never have happened. These statistics are the reason that the federal Office for Civil Rights pronounced in 2015 Virginia as #1 in the nation for student referrals to law enforcement. We should be ashamed of this desgnation. We should be working furiously to change this dangerous school-to-prison pipeline operating in Fairfax County and the rest of the Commonwealth. This is not a #1 ranking to boast about. On July 7th, Sean Perryman, President of the Fairfax NAACP and I signed an open letter to Governor Northam requesting that he approve the repurposing of the $4.7 million annually allocated to support SRO’s across our state. We asked that these funds be moved to the Department of Education and mandated to be spent on new Mental Health Counselor postions. Given that the average salary of a school Mental Health Counselor in Virginia is $50,000, and adding in the required local match based upon the local composite index, quite a few mental health counselors could be funded. Our reopen-

ing schools need to be able to offer strong support to our children who have been subjected to extreme stress as we have battled the Covid-19 health and economic crisis. The current social unrest has only added to that stress. Our children must not be emotionally undermined even more by armed police presence in school hallways. In accordance with my firm belief that SRO’s should never be involved in student discipline, I have sponsored a bill prohibiting them from doing so. While the 2018 FCPS/FCPD Memorandum of Understanding speaks of FCPS handling discipline without involving SRO’s and that law enforcement explicitly is not to be involved in disciplinary action, the school system website reminds us that SROs are ‘sworn law enforcement officers’ and they may act to enforce state and county laws. There is an inherent conflict here: many student behaviors that warrant disciplinary action according to the Student Code of Conduct can be seen as breaking a state and/or county law, (underage possession of tobacco, for example) and therefore subject a student to arrest by an SRO. I also filed a budget amendent requesting the reallottment of SRO funds to a fund for school mental health counselors. Unfortunately the budget amendment was not included in our final budget, but will be re-submitted for the 2021 session. We have a unique and timely opportunity to step back from the SRO program as it is constituted, and to evaluate, reform or even eliminate it. We should look at the program through a results oriented lens and ask ourselves if the outcomes of this program are the consequences we intend? Do we really want to continue as is, knowing the outcomes I have outlined above? We declare as a society that we want to build a postive and safe school environment. I challenge us all to take this time of virtual schooling to pause and develop thoughtful and evidence-based programs that will acheieve just that. We can start with repurposing state SRO funds to be spent for school counselors — a increasingly pressing need as this Covid crisis continues.  Delegate Kory represents the 38th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. She may be emailed at DelKKory@house. virginia.gov.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

American Democracy’s Closest Call

My best sources assure me that Trump will be out of the White House by Jan. 20. South Carolina’s U.S. Rep. James Clyburn is being rightfully credited with turning around the 2020 U.S. presidential election in favor of the man who won it last week, Former Vice President Joe Biden. After the first Democratic primaries last February in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, Biden was in terrible shape, with Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders in a tight race for the lead among 29 candidates. South Carolina represented the first primary in the south, and perhaps the last best hope for Biden to stay in the race at all. A sea change occurred in that last FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS week in February when the highlyrespected Clyburn threw his support, in his best booming manner, behind Biden. It changed everything. The confusion and chaos that attended the first primaries was suddenly eclipsed by the firm words of the veteran civil rights advocate who came out resolutely for Biden in the days ahead of the February 29 South Carolina primary. On the strength of the solid African-American vote that carried Biden to victory, the Democrats wisely chose to throw all their support behind Biden from that point on, with Presidential challengers Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, among others, dropping out of the race that weekend to throw their support behind Biden. On “Super Tuesday” only days later, on March 3, Biden pulled off a sweep, winning 10 of the states with contested primaries that day to four for Sanders, and he and the Democrats never looked back from there. So, with the epochal win of Biden over Donald Trump last week by a margin that only continues to grow as all the votes are counted, many have suggested that Clyburn get credit where it’s due, and from this perspective of hindsight, yes indeed, he should. But when asked about this during a late night interview on CNN by show host Don Lemon last weekend, Clyburn had a surprising reply. He said it is not who deserves the credit, but one Mrs. Jones. Yes, it was Mrs. Jones, Clyburn explained, a regular attending services at his church, in South Carolina, who following the service asked Clyburn who he was supporting in the primary coming up in just a few days. Biden, Clyburn said without hesitation, “Well then, Mr. Clyburn, you must say so publicly, you must let everyone know about this.” Upon reflection, the congressman knew Mrs. Jones was right, and made a major announcement prior to the primary that changed the course of history, and has now assured us a solid, moral and courageous man in the White House. My friend, Gordon Theisz, told me about this Lemon interview with Clyburn on CNN November 7. Watching it brought tears to his eyes, he said. And well it should have, as these are the kinds of affirmations grounded in the simple but profound morality of average people that drive our nation and its democratic institutions forward. Brava, Mrs. Jones, America and the world owe you a great debt of gratitude! Truly, as we work our way forward now, it is no exaggeration to say that the United States of America came closer to losing its Constitutional democracy in this era than in any other period of our history. That even includes the Civil War, because never has the threat come from a man situated in the country’s Number One seat of power in the White House itself. A statement I was compelled to issue following the announcement of Biden’s victory Nov. 7 included the following: “Behold, President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris of the United States of America! Oh, happy day! As with so many others, I have spent the last more than four years, since Donald Trump won the Repubican nomination for president in the summer of 2016, exerting every ounce of creative, psychic and other forms of energy to the defeat of this foul man. It has drained us and taxed us in many ways in every moment of our lives, waking and otherwise. There is now the upper hand to silence and contain him at last.”

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Nicholas F. Benton

 Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

I’m not saying I forecast the pandemic last year. But I did overrule the complaints of my near-perfect wife, playing the packrat and cluttering our garage with my mother’s old Nordic Track machine and a neighbor’s discarded stationary bicycle. Hence I’m able to perform morning exercise without venturing out for risky playdates with the tiny Covid monster. The question: do I retain my decade-old membership in my Ballston gym? I’m attached to the staff and fellow members of Onelife Fitness, which renamed its Sport and Health branch in 2018. As a reward for sticking with them during the five-year messy reconstruction of Ballston Quarter, I was given a nice monthly rate. Their fine staff and fellow members I’ve befriended helped me stay in shape and be rewarded by a mellowing steam bath. But I haven’t set foot there since February. My decision to continue paying dues is but one example of uncertain habits in our current era. Since reopening in June under the governor’s guidelines, the club has implemented major protocols for disinfecting and social distancing. “Onelife requires masks upon entry and upon departure, and it’s the member’s choice to wear one on the gym floor,” says still-active member Mark Stoffel. He estimated about half of members wear them on the

floor. “Members are never more than about 10 feet from a sanitation station consisting of sanitizing spray, paper towels, and a disposal bin. I have never seen the place so clean.” Similar requirements are in place at Gold’s Gym locations in Ballston, South Arlington and Rosslyn. “We believe in medicine, and a lot of people really need fitness in life, for mental health and for their immune system,” said Eva Everett, director of communication and experience. “So we make sure we do all that is possible to keep members safe.” It took time to block off and separate weight machines and reschedule classes to cap enrollment, she added. Though Virginia policy makes masks voluntary, Gold’s Gym initially rolled out a requirement, but enforcement became impractical. “We would be tracking people the whole time they’re working out.” Gold’s understands why some members don’t want to come in and why some have taken advantage of freezing dues for a year, Everett said. “There’s no getting around that the fitness industry has been hit hard. But members will one day return,” and through some consolidations of branches (including an ill-timed expansion just last March), “we are in decent shape.” At Planet Fitness, which this month moved its location at the Eden Center to a former Gold’s Gym in Falls Church, facemasks

are “required at all times, and staff get their temperatures checked every day,” said general manager Erick Pierola. Hands are washed every five minutes, staff sign forms declaring they have not experienced shortness of breath or fever, and sanitation supply stations are constantly refilled. Because it had to close for a few months, Planet Fitness froze all memberships. “We didn’t want to charge people when they’re not using it, and our numbers did go down significantly,” Pierola said. “But little by little, people are getting more encouraged to come when they see how well we’ve cleaned,” which itself attracts new members. I just struck a deal with Onelife for a dues freeze until January. Whatever I decide, it won’t be just my own budget to consider. *** Before kindergarten became a must in Arlington Public Schools in the early 1960s, that program was provided by churches (like Mount Olivet Methodist, which I attended in 1958) and private entrepreneurs. Nonogenarian Virginia Dodge recently reported that she attended a pioneering pre-school and kindergarten from 1930 to 1932 at the Maywood home of her teacher, Eleanor Locking. That house today at 3405 21st Ave. is owned by realtor Renee Fisher, who enjoys recalling that history. Among those leaders who in the 1950s pushed for public kindergarten in Arlington was WETA founder Elizabeth Campbell.

PAGE 14 | NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2020

CA L E NDA R

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCH

CALENDAR LOCALEVENTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Tiny Tot. Tiny Tot programs provide opportunities to interact one-on-one with young children while discovering the wonders of nature. Each program will engage children with hands-on learning and may include a variety of activities like songs, crafts, finger plays and mini-hikes. Adults must remain during the entire program. Ages 1 – 3. To register, call 703-228-4747. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 10 – 10:30 a.m. 703228-6535.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Falls Church Farmers Market. The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) 8 a.m. – noon. For more information, visit fallschurchva. gov/547/Farmers-Market-To-Go.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Adapted Nature Hike – Bluemont Park. All are welcome to join the group on a leisurely-paced hike through a park. The forested trails will be accessible, smooth and shaded for a fun hike to explore and examine whatever the group discovers. Restrooms & water fountains, paved trails open in the sun until forested area, trails are flat, benches at the picnic area for rest. Families. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. To register, contact 703-228-4747. Meet at Bluemont Park (601 N. Manchester St., Arlington). 1:30 – 3 p.m. Fall Colors Walk. Explore the colors of fall during an easy walk on the trails around the nature

center. Along the way, the group will make leaf rubbings and learn where those colors come from. Families ages 6 and up. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. To register, contact 703-228-4747. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 2 – 3 p.m. R.I.P. — Remove Invasive Plants. Want to restore habitat and increase native species diversity in Arlington? Work parties are held every month and are making a difference with the return of ferns, wildflowers and the animals that depend on them to areas once covered in destructive invasive plants. Adults, teens and families ages 8 and up. For information, call 703-2286535. Registration not required. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 2 – 4 p.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Cross Stitch Crafternoon (online). Mary Riley Styles Public Library will share some tips to get started on cross stitch projects. Craft kits are available Nov. 5 through Thursday, November 19 while supplies last. The craft video will remain available on the library’s Facebook page (facebook.com/mrspl) in the Crafternoon playlist.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Sing Books with Emily (online). Interested attendees can join the Mary Riley Styles Public Library for a morning of stories and songs with Ms. Emily. The show will be live on the library’s Facebook page (facebook.com/ mrspl), good for kids of all ages. This program will be available on our Facebook page from Nov. 14 – Saturday, Nov. 21. 11 – 11:45 a.m.

BILLY PRICE AND THE CHARM CITY RHYTHM BAND will be performing at The State Theatre on Saturday. (Photo: Christopher Myers via BillyPrice.com)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Affordable Housing Community Conversation (online). Falls Church is one of the most desirable places to live in the region, but it’s also increasingly difficult for lowincome people to do so. Interested participants can join a Zoom conversation featuring a panel of local experts on one of the most pressing social equity concerns of the times: affordable housing. Affordable housing is necessary for Falls Church to achieve its goals of diversity and inclusivity. What are the barriers that exist in creating affordable housing in Falls Church and how can citizens get involved in overcoming them? Additionally, the panel will discuss topics ranging from the role of affordable housing in jobs and transportation to its relationship with the recent high end development in the area. For more information or to request a Zoom invite, email Pete Sullivan at psullivan@fallschurchva.gov. 7 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 “ON AIR.” This is an updated version of the hit 2019 musical, rec-

reated for the Covid-19 era as an audio broadcast. “ON AIR” tells the story of the beginnings of mass broadcast in America, taking place in the Pittsburgh garage of Frank and Flora Conrad. Set amongst a presidential election and the fight for women’s suffrage, this performance is a “tuneful, engaging tour through little known history” (Washington Post) airs Nov. 16 & 23 at 7 p.m. on YouTube. Tickets free with registration. Learn more at creativecauldron.org/on-airbroadcast.html.

LIVEMUSIC

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 The 3 R’s Blues Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 5:30 p.m. 703-2419504. New Blue Soul Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504. FFME with Dee Snack Shack. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-858-9186.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Collective A’Chord. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-2370300.

Gerard West & Sasha Benning (3 p.m.) and Little Lawnmowers (7 p.m.) Live and In Concert. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 703-858-9186.

CryBaby DC – Casey Salengo (live comedy show at the Still). Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-858-9186.

The Billy Price Charm City Rhythm Band Live and In Concert. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

A Song & A Slice (Indoors + Distanced!): Steve Forbert Live and in Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $30. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

A Song & A Slice (Indoors + Distanced!): Born Cross Eyed Monthly Residency. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2020 | PAGE 15

We are OPEN and ready to safely serve your dental needs! Currently accepting new patients

The Kensington Falls Church Oﬀering Two New Free Classes The Kensington Falls Church is offering two new free classes for caregivers and their loved ones or patients. Music Therapy will be provided on Thursdays from 2 – 3 p.m. during which music will be used to maintain cognitive functioning, support healthy lung capacity, and encourage exercise in a virtual setting. Also being offered on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. is Parkinson’s Pointers @ Home Edition which will explore the physical benefits of exercise and the cognitive benefits of socialization for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. For more information about these workshops, or The Kensington Falls Church’s other community offerings, such as Kensington Coffee Connect, visit thekensingtonfallschurch.com.

Falls Church Chamber Hosting Virtual Member Orientation The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Member Orientation virtual meeting on Friday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. The event will provide an overview of the benefits of membership with the Falls Church Chamber for prospective members, new members, and long-time members in need of a refresher. For information or to register, visit the calendar of events at FallsChurchChamber.org.

Virtual Wine Tasting Benefiting The Arc of Northern Virginia A Virtual Wine Tasting Benefit for The Arc of Northern Virginia will take place Friday, Nov. 13 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Attendees will taste and learn about 4 wines from Walsh Family Wine. In addition, participants can also receive a 10 percent discount on wine purchases while generating an additional $5 per bottle to support The Arc of Northern Virginia. Tickets are $75 with proceeds to support The Arc of Northern Virginia. For more information, visit thearcofnova. org/events/wine.

Orangetheory Fitness Seven Corners Opens Orangetheory Fitness Seven Corners has opened and will host a ribbon cutting event on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Tours, membership information, and refreshments will be provided at this masked, socially distanced event. The new Orangetheory, managed by Christopher Michael who also manages the Falls Church City location, is located in the Loren Building at 6410 Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church.

Shepherd’s Center Hires Lisa Bellamy As New Executive Director The Shepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church has hired Lisa Bellamy as its new executive director. Bellamy brings a variety of experiences in organizational development, fundraising, finance, and working with volunteers to the local nonprofit organization. The Shepherd’s Center assists older adults in maintaining an independent and safe lifestyle in their own homes by providing transportation and friendly calls or visits. For more information about the organization or its volunteer opportunities, visit scmafc.org.

Ashley Templer, Named Community Partner of the Week Body Dynamics’s Ashley Templer, DPT, was named Falls Church City Public Schools Community Partner of the Week. Templar and Body Dynamics host George Mason High School students for career shadowing and internships, Education for Employment field trips, and they participate in Career Chats, provide interviews for the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School PYP Exhibition and they sponsor the Falls Church Education Foundation’s Run for the Schools, Annual Gala & Auction, and Home & Garden Tours. Body Dynamics also offers school employee discounts and Templar serves on the FCCPS’s Business in Education Partnership Council. For more information, visit the Falls Church City Schools’ social media sites and bodydynamicsinc.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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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereb y informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

ACROSS

By David Levinson Wilk 1

14 17

43 45

20 23

Across

1. Mila of “That ‘70s Show” 6. Actress ____ Pinkett Smith 10. More than a sliver 14. Furious 15. Enthusiastic 16. Prefix with commute 17. Name of Justin Trudeau’s favorite Japanese restaurant? 19. Limerick, e.g. 20. “Star Wars” villain Kylo ____ 21. She’s on TV for a spell 22. Conclusion after a troublemaker can’t keep out of trouble? 28. “Praying” insect 29. Nothing but ____ 30. Glassfuls in restaurantes 31. Restrain, as one’s breath 33. Director of the final episode of “M*A*S*H” 37. Office pranks? 40. ____-deucey 41. Itty-bitty biter 42. Sanctuaries 43. Dress (up) 44. Like most Bluetooth headsets 45. What a cardiovascular surgeon doesn’t want to make? 51. ____ committee 52. Get-up-and-go 53. Caboose, for a train 54. Deceptive ... or a hint to this puzzle’s theme 61. Big name in chips 62. James who wrote “A Death in the Family”

STRANGE BREW

1. Mila of "That '70s Show" 6. Actress ____ Pinkett Smith

63. Perfume named for Baryshnikov 64. “Oh, by the way ...” 65. Tolkien trilogy, to fans 66. Completely

NOVEMBER 12 - 18, 2020 | PAGE 17

Down 1. Kardashian who married Kanye 2. New England state sch. 3. Hip-hop artist with the #1 album “Hip Hop Is Dead” 4. “Who am ____ judge?” 5. Jiffy 6. Singer Jackson 7. ____-garde 8. Accomplished 9. Abbr. on toothpaste tubes 10. Irish icon, for short 11. Téa of “Madam Secretary” 12. Coeur d’____, Idaho 13. “If you want to throw a fit, fine” 18. Fleischer and others 21. Dog doc 22. “It’s ____!” 23. Occupied 24. Keach who played Mike Hammer 25. Ichthyologist’s study 26. Doing a pirouette, say 27. Grievance 28. 2Pac’s “Dear ____” 31. It’s darker than cream 32. Toward the back of a boat 33. Where hurricanes originate 34. Crust, mantle or core, for the earth

JOHN DEERING

Sudoku

35. Note just above C 36. Off in the distance 38. “Nothing’s broken” 39. Court psychologist’s ruling 43. Middle X or O 44. “Goodness!” 45. The second Mrs. Trump 46. 10 out of 10 47. ____ Rebellion (1786 uprising) 48. Body part often sculpted 49. Best Buy buy 50. Wayne Gretzky, for 10 seasons 54. Prefix with ware 55. “Can _____ now?” 56. “____ reading too much into this?” 57. Cacophony 58. “This ____ stickup!” 59. Penguins’ org. 60. Gadot of “Justice League”

Last Thursday’s Solution T H E F B I S A V E O N P L A Y I T B A R N O I S E C O E N S E A T E T A T S F D A Y A T H I S P A A R B M W S I T E M O N T R U B I O U N O M A K L E N O X E O L G E D Y

D O Y E N O N E H Y E N A

U M B K A Y E A R O D I T U I E C I K I M S P D E E A G A P T H E N E E L

A P B D I I O S L S E E A S R E N

L E A N N

P A N G S

A X L E D

B Y S E A

T I M E W T O Y A Y N E

By The Mepham Group

Level 1 2 3 4

10. More than a sliver 14. Furious 15. Enthusiastic 16. Prefix with commute 17. Name of Justin Trudeau's favorite Japanese restaurant? 19. Limerick, e.g. 20. "Star Wars" villain Kylo ____ 21. She's on TV for a spell 22. Conclusion after a troublemaker can't keep out of trouble?

28. "Praying" insect 29. Nothing but ____ 30. Glassfuls in restaurantes Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

1 NICK KNACK

11/8/20

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

LO CA L

PAGE 18 | NOVEMBER 12 – 18, 2020

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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25 � 10 Y�� A�� N��-P�� Falls Church News-Press Vol. V, No. 34 • November 9, 1995

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XX, No. 37 • November 11, 2010

Hull, Whipple Win Easily as Dems Retain Control of State Legislature

Signs of New Life Seen for Stalled Major Mixed-Use Projects in F.C.

Despite miserable weather, 51.2% of all Falls Church registered voters turned out to the polls Tuesday — an impressive turnout for an “off year” election -- to help send two Democrats to the Virginia State Legislature to join their colleagues in what will continue to be a Democratic majority there.

Although the final approval is not slated until mid-January, the Falls Church City Council Monday night voted unanimously to give a “first reading” approval to the Akridge Company’s longawaited F.C. Gateway mixed use project in the 500 block of N. Washington St.

U.S. History

Continued from Page 4

The New York Times’ 1619 project was published with the intent of being used in history classes. That’s despite the fact that its central thesis — the U.S. was founded to preserve the institution of slavery — was debunked by historians, which was summarized best by the Times’ own opinion columnist Bret Stephens. The original thesis has since been covertly edited out of the project, but it was still hair-raising enough to inspire President Donald Trump to sign an executive order to start a 1776 commission and promote “patriotic education,” per Forbes. McCluskey pointed out that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed his own executive order to establish the Virginia African American History Education Commission, which finalized its review of how the state teaches Black history in the K – 12 range in August. He also mentioned some of those who have criticized the order’s intentions, most notably that it will teach “critical race theory” to its youngest students, or the idea that the law and legal institutions are inherently racist in order to benefit White people, as explained in the Encyclopedia Britannica.

READY FOR THE RAIN is emotional support pup Wil. He was adopted at 13 weeks old from Operation Paws for Homes where his foster name was Williston, but at 16 pounds it was too much name for such a little guy. He graduated first in his puppy school class and has helped his human, Scott, through a lot in the last two years. He has his friends and has even spent time with others to spread the love. ENSURING other voices are heard is primary point of the equity initiatives in F.C. schools. (P��: J. M�� W��) It’s easy to see how debates over U.S. history can be acrimonious in that context, but from McCluskey’s view, he doesn’t think there is anything sinister in either side of the argument’s perspectives. They just have different priorities for what an American history education should look like. That’s also the reason why teachers like Duchaj and Singer are making sure their equity doesn’t trend in one direction. As Duchaj put it, equity doesn’t exclusively apply to what’s being taught. It’s also about making sure everybody feels welcome in the class. He gave an example that

in government classes most students identify as Democrats, but there are still students who lean Republican, and Duchaj said it’s about making sure those voices are heard. “What we’re doing is part of good historical work,” Singer said. “We’re encouraging the students to look at primary sources. We’re encouraging them to look at historical thought and to draw their own conclusions. I don’t think there’s an agenda in what we’re trying to do here other than what we’ve always been trying to do, which is push kids to engage with this material at the highest level.”

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NOVEMBER 12 -18, 2020 | PAGE 19

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PAGE 20 | NOVEMBER 12 - 18, 2020

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