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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
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FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2022| PAGE 7
Guest Commentary Superintendent Gives Thanks and Shares Budget Details
By Peter Noonan
In the second “winter of our discontent,” the Falls Church City Public Schools has great news to share. This year’s budget looks really good. For those of you who were in The Little City two years ago, you will remember I proposed “the best budget I’ve had a chance to build” since my arrival in the Spring of 2017. The budget had a STEP increase for all eligible employees, a solid cost of living adjustment (COLA), and program growth that would allow us to continue building the outstanding school system our community has come to expect. I am not sure if it was the black cat that crossed my path, the ladder I walked under, or some other superstition I was jinxed by, but…a mere two months later, Covid arrived, and the local, state, and the national economy imploded. The result was millions of dollars of reductions to the Superintendent’s Proposed budget and ultimately operating with less revenue than we had the prior school year.
Today is a new day! There’s pentup demand for goods and services. Our community continues to commit to shopping locally. And the real estate market has continued to grow. This past winter and spring, it went “a little crazy.” I know because I, too, bought a house in the city. This growth has put the Schools on a path to recover from two years of budgets that haven’t fully met our needs. Further, for the fourth year in a row, the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget falls within the guidance that the City Council deliberated and defined in meetings in December and January.
For background, four years ago, the City Manager and I looked for a way to establish a working budget relationship allowing for a more predictable process — one where the Schools and the General Government would share revenue from the City’s organic growth. Both the City Manager and I have seen the adverse effects of going through budget cycles where there isn’t revenue agreement that “pits” the General Government against the Schools and ultimately creates consternation among our residents. We came to the table to work through the issues and, in the end, developed a “handshake” revenue-sharing agreement by which the schools and general government will share the local organic growth. Again, this is the fourth year in a row my proposed budget meets the spirit of this agreement; the fourth year in a row, there is little news to make because of conflict in the budgeting process. That history, I hope, is in the past.
Ok…so…with fingers and toes crossed that I’m not jinxing it, this year’s budget is the best budget I’ve had the opportunity to build. In January, to our newly minted school board, I proposed a budget that includes a STEP increase for all eligible employees, a 2 percent increase in the COLA, and a “restorative STEP increase” for staff who would have received a STEP increase when the economy tanked. Also included are many supports for our teachers to ensure excellent working conditions because teacher working conditions are student learning conditions. Plus funding to keep up with inflation.
In the past two years, the positionality of schools has never before been so apparent in a community. The symbiotic relationship between school, work, economic drivers, mental health, etc., has come to the fore. We have a chance to celebrate and recognize the incredible work of those who have gone “all in” for our students in Falls Church City. I am excited for the opportunity to support our outstanding and hard-working staff for their incredible service throughout the pandemic (Ugh…I wasn’t going to say that word in this commentary). Further, this budget presents opportunities to support our students who have struggled academically and emotionally through additional interventionists that are experts. This budget allows us to “see the forest through the trees” and provides an opportunity to build our Secondary Campus program with a vision of becoming a recognized Governor’s School in the coming years. Again, these are all crucial steps to providing the educational quality and excellence we all expect.
I want to thank our City Manager, our City Council, our School Board, and the FCCPS staff for finding such positive ways to work in concert together and create a circumstance where we all get what we need at the time that we need it. The community’s investment in shopping and living locally, along with the agreements between the schools and the general government, have made this possible.
Let’s emerge from the fog with a renewed enthusiasm for what can be. We must remain visionary and make decisions that move our work forward as a community. Just think; four years ago, we were executing on a vision of a new high school that now shines on the western bluff as a beacon of possibility.
Peter Noonan serves as the Superintendent of School for Falls Church City Public Schools. His weekly updates on the school can be found at fccps.org
Humanity’s Enemies: Trump & Putin
Nicholas F. Benton
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Imagine. What if? What if Donald Trump had been able to carry out the outrageous schemes we are now learning he was undertaking to keep himself in the White House despite losing the 2020 presidential election? What if Vladimir Putin carries out his current threat to invade Ukraine?
These are two “what ifs” that taken together represent the kind of world that, like a parallel universe, sits out there, just beyond our current reality, but threatening to break in on it.
This is the dual reality world we now live in, a rare moment in cosmic time when two radically different, monumental options for our future are staring us in the face at once.
On the one side, the calmly heroic world that President Biden represents opens the pathway to sustained prosperity and planetary human will. On the other side, the frantic, wild-eyed world of Trump and Putin offers unbelievable chaos and suffering to millions.
Humanity faced a similar inflection point in the period following the assassination of Austian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914. At that point, the world chose a pathway of choices that resulted, before it was all over, in the obliteration of the most advanced civilization that humanity had achieved. Each and every one of the tens of millions of precious human lives lost between then and the end of World War II in 1945 – two world wars and a “long weekend” in between – saw mass slaughter on a scale no one could have imagined precipitated by the fevered egomaniacal madness of a handful of members of a single family.
Can you imagine? All the key players in the Great War were at the same event sharing pudding at the coronation of the British King George V in 1911, because all were not hostile adversaries, but in fact closely related? George V, Czar Nicholas of Russia and German Emperor Wilhelm were cousins, in fact.
Yet because of them, Western Civilization was dealt a death blow from which to this day it has not fully recovered. Now, we’re on the brink of doing it all over again but with weapons so much more lethal now, it could result in the wiping out entirely of all human civilization as we know it.
Can you imagine? Imagine as in the John Lennon song’s vision of a world at peace? Imagine as in the kind of world that humanity’s resilience saw grow out of the excruciating pain of the two world wars to form a United Nations and its Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a commitment to peaceful progress that was exemplified by the historic meeting at the White House last week involving President Biden and retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
It was such a moving event, as the two aging warriors for peace celebrated their decades of hard work and fondness for one another and their shared love for America and democracy. It was beautiful. Breyer, in particular, was particularly, if softly, eloquent. “It’s kind of a miracle that people so different in what they think decide to help solve their differences under law… People have come to accept this Constitution and to accept the importance of the rule of law.”
He then said how his wife paid their children to memorize the the Gettysburg Address its 271 words affirming that the U.S. is, as “a new nation, “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…He meant women, too,”
The peace and concord of that event was such a contrast to the angry and violent bile spewed from Trump’s foul mouth at yet another poisonous rally, his overt confession of his intent to overthrow the 2020 election, his utter deceit and contempt for this fellow man, and the threat by Putin that he’s willing to unleash 150,000 troops against innocents in Ukraine, spilling the blood of thousands to achieve an ego-driven military objective that would succeed only by the cruel subjugation of millions of people to tyranny and misery.
Why can’t we simply live under the rule of law evenly exercised, to grow old together amid bonds of friendship and love, caring for one another and our well being?
PAGE 8 | FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2022
COMMENT
A Penny for Your Thoughts
News of Greater Falls Church
By Supervisor Penny Gross
The debate focused on a county ordinance to add prevailing wage language for work performed under county construction contracts. In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly had passed HB833/SB8, which allowed state agencies and localities to require payment of the “prevailing wage” in public construction contracts. Governor Northam signed the bill into law, with a delayed effective date of May 1, 2021. The prevailing wage is determined by the Commonwealth’s Commissioner of Labor and Industry on the basis of applicable prevailing wage rate determinations made by the U.S. Secretary of Labor under the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act. That’s a long way of saying “construction workers should be paid wages commensurate with their skills and training.”
Seems simple enough. People who work in the construction industry, who show up for work in all kinds of weather, who go home with sore knees and sore backs, but return day after day to complete the assigned project, deserve to be paid a fair wage, and create a pathway to the middle class. Prevailing wages help create that pathway, along with benefits (annual and sick leave, health insurance, and retirement accounts) that have been important attributes for labor since the 1930s. Prevailing wage rates can increase the cost of government projects by as much as 15 percent, but a clearer estimate is that implementation would cost less than half that, closer to five to seven percent. Paying prevailing wage also has One Fairfax-related benefits to the community atlarge, including increased protection of workers’ rights and helping workers and their families live in the communities where they toil every day.
My colleague, Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield), opined that prevailing wage implementation is too hard, too complicated, and too expensive. That wasn’t surprising, considering the speaker. What stunned us was that he topped off his remarks in opposition by saying “We can’t have everyone in the middle class, or there’d be no lower class or upper class.” What?! An elected official in Fairfax County actually said, on the record, that he doesn’t support expanding the middle class, the hallmark of success for generations of Americans.
Frankly, the problem has been that the American middle class seems to be shrinking. Fewer families are able to purchase a home; homeownership provides a way to pass along wealth from generation to generation. Surveys of housing availability in the region reveal that there is a huge gap, the “missing middle.” As the gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” grows wider, paying a prevailing wage on construction contracts, as well as adopting policies to pay a “living wage” (currently in excess of $15 per hour) to other service workers simply is the right thing to do. Eight members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed. The prevailing wage ordinance change was adopted by a vote of 8 yeas (Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who supported the change, is on maternity leave); 1 nay (Herrity).
Too hard? Too complicated? Too expensive? It may be hard, and complicated, too. In the long run, providing opportunity for people to succeed is not expensive. In fact, it may be the smartest investment we can make.
Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
City of Falls Church CRIME REPORT
Week of Jan. 23 - 30, 2022
There were no reported crimes in the City of Falls Church from January 23 to 30, 2022.
Status report and reminders from the City of Falls Church Police Department:
Despite the extreme cold and threat of bad weather, over a dozen Police and Sheriff units assisted the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation with their annual Martin Luther King Jr. march, attended by over 100 people to include Senator Warner, Representative Beyer, Tinner Hill Foundation chief Ed Henderson and other Community leaders.
Police (sometimes assisted by Public Works) moved over 20 vehicles stuck in the snow during multiple storms in January. This is a great reminder to stay off the roads when the weather is bad. While the Police are always happy to assist the community, their efforts could have been spent on other emergencies and issues.
Also during the multiple snow storms in January, Police officers patrolled the City to ensure that sidewalks and walkways were clear of snow and ice. The City’s snow removal policy states that businesses should clear sidewalks within 6 hours of the end of a storm, and residents should clear withing 12 hours. Being a good neighbor means clearing sidewalks for pedestrians, customers, neighbors with mobility issues, and more.
In recent months there were 15 reported instances of vehicle tampering, most for unlocked vehicles. Remember to lock your doors and don’t leave valuables in the car unattended!
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Senator Dick Saslaw’s
Richmond Report
Last November, Glenn Youngkin won the gubernatorial election with a 1.9 percent margin over his opponent, Terry McAuliffe. By most standards this slim margin would not be considered a license to change the course of a well-run state rated the number one place to do business and amongst the best in the nation to raise a family. What it does reflect is a great division within our Commonwealth and our communities more than just the obvious of urban vs. rural.
On January 15, Glenn Youngkin was sworn into office as the 74th Governor of Virginia. In front of God and country, he swore to uphold the Constitution, work for all Virginians, and asked for civility in government. And now, less than three weeks in office, we are seeing what was really behind the curtain in the leadup to the current crisis at the Capitol starting with Cabinet nominees.
The Governor has the right to pick his Cabinet and the legislature has the responsibility to approve those selections based on their qualifications. Most have no experience in government and limited relationships with the legislative members. It’s time this new administration completed its civic lessons and start their jobs grounded in the governing documents.
During the gubernatorial campaign, public education became a lightning rod issue. At that time, not much was said about Mr. Youngkin’s plans to circumvent duly elected school boards empowered with the policy and oversight management for the jurisdictions they serve. Since taking office, Gov. Youngkin states he was “listening to parents” – often an unruly minority that were escorted from public meetings for inappropriate bullying and threatening school board officials.
In an attempt at political payback, he has declared war on Virginia’s children and public education, issuing executive orders to abandon CDC protocols that have kept children safe in their classrooms. This action was divisive and puts children, teachers, and working families at risk. It is being challenged in court by concerned parents who have lost their voices to the loudest speaker in the room.
It has been a very arduous couple of years for students and teachers. Most children are happy to be back in school and wearing a face mask has enabled that in-person experience. Currently, school admittance requires proof of vaccination against many contagious diseases such as measles, mumps, tuberculosis, and polio. Sciencebased evidence shows the value of Western medicine in our society.
Borrowing a chapter from George Orwell, Youngkin has further exacerbated tension within our communities. Parents have been enlisted to be hall monitors for “divisive teaching in public schools.” A tip line for reporting professionals has been established. No doubt about it, parents have a right to a say in their child’s education. But this is an appalling way to engage input.
It took just a couple of days before Virginia became the subject of comedy shows, with Stephen Colbert reflecting on bills intended to cleanse our school libraries from lewd and deviant books. These attempts at literary censorship were quickly thwarted by the Senate Committee on Education and Health. For the record, a review process with specific criteria for age-appropriate reading is already in place.
The General Assembly began its work during yet another variant of Covid-19 surging. Seventeen days into the legislative session, six Senators, six Delegates, and numerous staff have become ill with the virus. Vaccines do not guarantee people won’t get sick. Fortunately, most of the vaccinated members seem to suffer far less symptoms. Virginia’s healthcare system is again stressed with predominantly unvaccinated people.
We still have many bills in committee where most of our days are spent. Education is not the only thing in the sights of this Governor. The environment, criminal justice, voter’s rights and the budget all have bullseyes on them. Senate Democrats are holding the line and moving the ball steadily on our side. The changeover of bills going to the House of Delegates and its new Republican majority promises to be another challenging encounter in attempts to move the Commonwealth forward.
Delegate Simon represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be emailed at DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2022 | PAGE 9
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR APPROVAL OF ITS 2021 DSM UPDATE PURSUANT TO § 56-585.1 A 5 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA CASE NO. PUR-2021-00247
•Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to implement new demand-side management (“DSM”) programs, extend one DSM program, expand the eligibility requirements for certain previously-approved DSM programs, and revise its Riders C1A, C2A, C3A, and C4A, by which Dominion recovers the costs of its DSM programs.
•Dominion requests a total of $90,660,518 for its 2022 Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A. According to Dominion, this amount would increase the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.29.
•A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on May 11, 2022, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.
•An evidentiary hearing will be held on May 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’s website at: www.scc.virginia.gov/case.
On December 14, 2021, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) made a filing pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), the Rules Governing Utility Rate Applications and Annual Informational Filings of the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”), multiple other Commission Rules, and the directive contained in Ordering Paragraph (4) of the Commission’s September 7, 2021 Final Order in Case No. PUR-2020-00274. Specifically, Dominion filed with the Commission its petition requesting (1) approval to implement new demand-side management (“DSM”) programs; (2) approval to increase funding for customer awareness and marketing to drive increased participation in the Company’s DSM programs; and (3) approval of an annual update to continue rate adjustment clauses designated Riders CIA, C2A, C3A, and C4A (“Petition”).
In its Petition, the Company requests approval to implement the following new programs as the Company’s “Phase X” programs, which include “energy efficiency” (“EE”) DSM programs, as those terms are defined by Code § 56-576:
•Residential Income and Age Qualifying Home Energy Report (EE) •Non-residential Income and Age Qualifying Program for Health Care and Rental Property Owners (EE) •Small Business Behavioral (EE) •Non-residential Data Centers and Server Rooms (EE) •Non-residential Health Care (EE) •Non-residential Hotel and Lodging (EE) •Voltage Optimization (EE) •Enhancement of the Residential Income and Age Qualifying Home Improvement (EE) •Extension of the Non-residential Lighting Systems & Controls Program (EE)
The Company proposes an aggregate total cost cap for the Phase X programs in the amount of $140 million. Additionally, the Company requests the ability to exceed the spending cap by no more than 15%.
The Company asserts that the total amount of spending proposed in this Petition on energy efficiency programs targeting low-income individuals, when combined with the Company’s prior requests for energy efficiency spending on such programs since the Virginia General Assembly passed the 2018 Grid Transformation and Security Act and the Virginia Clean Economy Act, consists of a proposal for approximately $64 million of a total proposed $605 million, excluding any amount of projected lost revenues.
The Company requests, through revised Riders C1A, C2A, and C3A, recovery of costs for September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”) associated with programs previously approved by the Commission in Case No. PUE 2011 00093 (“Phase II Programs”), Case No. PUE 2013 00072 (“Phase III Programs”), Case No. PUE 2014 00071 (“Phase IV Programs”), Case No. PUE 2015 00089 (“Phase V Program”), and Case No. PUE 2016 00111 (“Phase VI Program”), in addition to projected 2022 Rate Year financing costs on the Actual Cost True-up Factor deferred balances associated with the Case No. PUR-2018-00168 (“Phase VII Programs”) and Case No. PUR-2019-00201 (“Phase VIII Programs”). Additionally, the Company requests, through recently approved Rider C4A, to recover the projected 2022 Rate Year costs for applicable programs in the Phase VII, VIII, IX, and X Programs.
The two key components of the proposed Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A are the projected revenue requirement, which includes operating expenses that are projected to be incurred during the 2022 Rate Year, and a monthly true-up adjustment, which compares actual costs for the 2020 calendar year to the actual revenues collected during the same period. In the Petition, Dominion requests the following:
Rider Total Revenue Requirement C1A $2,269,723 C2A ($3,329,892) C3A ($16,513,612) C4A $108,234,299 Combined $90,660,518 Projected Revenue Requirement $3,860,407 ($19,526) ($498,002) $108,234,299 True-up Adjustment ($1,590,684) ($3,310,366) ($16,015,609) None
For purposes of the Petition, the Company states that it calculated a margin only for purposes of the true-up and not for the projected cost recovery factor, consistent with the Commission’s September 7, 2021 Final Order in Case No. PUR2020-00274. For the 2020 calendar year true-up adjustment, the Company utilizes a general return on equity of 9.2% per the Commission’s Final Order in Case No. PUR-2019-00050.
The Company has calculated the proposed Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A rates in accordance with the same methodology approved in the Commission’s September 7, 2021 Final Order in Case No. PUR-2020-00274. Dominion proposes that the revised Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A be applicable for billing purposes on the latter of September 1, 2022, or the first day of the month that is at least 15 days following the issuance of an Order by the Commission approving Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A.
If the proposed Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A for the 2022 Rate Year are approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to the Company, implementation of the proposed Riders C1A, C2A, C3A and C4A would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.29.
Interested persons are encouraged to review the Petition 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 Petition and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents.
The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Petition. On May 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 May 4, 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 May 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 will be convened to receive testimony and evidence 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.
The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health issues 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. 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 Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Vishwa B. Link, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or VLink@mcguirewoods.com.
On or before May 4, 2022, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such 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-2021-00247.
On or before February 25, 2022, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. 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-2021-00247.
On or before March 22, 2022, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. 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-2021-00247.
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 public version of Company’s Petition and other documents filed in this case, 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
PAGE 10 | FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2022
LOCAL
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
News-Press Community News & Notes
“Near and Far” Photo Exhibit Opens in Falls Church
Thirty-six photographers will be featured in “Near and Far,” a photography show at the Falls Church Arts gallery from Feb. 5 to Mar. 20.
The show celebrates 61 images from photographers who have interpreted the world around them by capturing minute details of macro photography and scenic vistas around the globe and beyond our solar system. All artwork is for sale to the public.
The Falls Church Arts gallery is at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church. Admission is free and the gallery is open Wednesdays — Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required.
Constance Phelps, former design editor at National Geographic Magazine, juried the show. “This exhibit explores the heights and depths and macro world of photography. Photographers show a broad range of talent and sensitivity to their subjects. Some have taken the ‘Near and Far’ theme literally by using the method of putting the foreground as close to the lens as you can to create an almost ‘in your face’ composition adding to the impact of the photograph. Controlling the depth of field is a fine art displayed in many of the photographs in this inspiring exhibit,” Phelps said
“At National Geographic Magazine, I worked with the best photographers in the world to build stories to share with armchair travelers. Their mission was to tell a story with their photographs. A successful photograph didn’t really need words. Many of the photographs in this exhibit stand alone and tell a great story,” Phelps said.
“One photographer spent three nights shooting a subject that is invisible to human sight. Using a camera sensitive to the light of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, he photographed the Rosette Nebula, which is so immense it spans an area of five moons. He then translated these images into colors we can actually see,” Phelps said.
Pamela Huffman, exhibits coordinator for gallery, called it “a coup” to have Phelps curate the photography show. Phelps has judged photo exhibitions at the Cosmos Club of Washington; helped National Geographic Magazine photographers select works for submission to the annual White House Press Photographers’ competition; judged shows for Communication Arts, a visual arts publication; and juried local school art contests.
Falls Church Arts is supported by funding from its members, corporate donors, and the community at large. It has been the honored recipient of grants from the City of Falls Church’s CATCH Foundation and ArtsFairfax.
New NOVA Nightsky Play Premieres Feb. 11
Join NOVA Nightsky Theater for the premiere of “Leaving Bedrooms” and the launch of their studio series.
“Leaving Bedrooms” is a romantic comedy and a journey of romantic recovery in four scenes. PG-13.
The theater is requiring all patrons to be vaccinated for Covid-19 for their studio series. Proof of vaccination must be shown at check-in.
Please note that the studio location is not handicap accessible.
Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 11, Saturday, February 12, Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19.
Tickets are $12.30 each and can be purchased online. To buy tickets or find out more information, visit novanightskytheater.com.
Creative Cauldron’s New Play Opens Next Thursday
The 2021-22 Season “Reignite, Reimagine!” continues at Creative Cauldron’s twelfth year producing and presenting live theater and music in Falls Church. “Girls of Madison Street” is a world premiere by Helen Hayes Outstanding Performer Iyona Blake. This work is presented as part of the second phase of Creative Cauldron’s “Bold New Works for Intimate Stages” program. The goal in this phase is to support the development of theater works written by women, and women-identifying writers and composers, and is sponsored by Jon Wiant. Girls of Madison Street runs from February 10 through March 6, 2022. “She Speaks,” an art exhibit featuring works by women of color will be in the gallery during the run of the show.
“Girls of Madison Street” centers on a tight-knit family of African American sisters confronting hidden truths and well kept secrets as they come together for their mother’s funeral. Conflicts emerge, tensions flare, but they soon learn that the bonds of sisterhood know no bounds as they unspool issues like illness, addiction, mental health, marriage, and more. This production is sponsored by Diener and Associates CPAs, and Community Engagement sponsor Tori McKinney.
Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at www.creativecauldron.org or by calling 703- 4369948. Performances will be socially distanced for the first two weeks, or until such time as the community spread of Covid-19 is greatly reduced. Masks are required for all patrons at all times, and proof of vaccination or a negative CDC approved Covid test is required for all patrons over 5.
JOIN FALLS CHURCH ARTS for their newest photography exhibit. Opening this Saturday. The exhibit features over 30 photographers showcasing over 60 images from around the world. The exhibit will be open Wednesday through Sunday until March 20. (Photo: Willa Friedman).
Winter Lanterns Return to the Kennedy Center
In celebration of the Lunar New Year, the REACH glows again with the return of the stunning Winter Lanterns! January 27 — February 6, 2022, visitors can stroll through approximately 100 lanterns made up of 10,000 colored LED lights, all crafted by Chinese artisans. Explore luminescent fields of playful pandas, butterflies and flowers, frogs and flamingos, sea creatures, and more. Plus, visit the hot beverage station for a warm drink! It’s a special commemoration of the Year of the Tiger that is guaranteed fun for all ages.
On Thursday, February 3 at 6 p.m., The Korean Cultural Center will present the group G – Hwaja performing “Sound of Korean Soul.” The performance will feature dancers and musicians playing various styles, including K-pop music, with traditional Korean musical instruments.
REACH Winter Lanterns PLUS Hours: Thursdays — Saturdays, 5:30 — 9:30 p.m.; Sundays, 4 — 9 p.m.
Volunteers Needed for Public Utilities Commission
Volunteers needed to serve on a brand-new City commission.
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will provide advice and guidance to the City Council and City Manager about the management and operation of the City’s stormwater and sanitary sewer systems.
Learn more about the PUC and how to apply on the CIty’s website, www.fallschurchva.gov/PUC
Since this is a new commission, there is no requirement to attend a meeting of the commission before applying!
Farmhouse Docent Training Next Month
Cherry Hill Historic House and Farm is seeking volunteer docents to give public tours of our beloved farmhouse.
Trained docents provide guided tours of the farmhouse Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, April through October. This opportunity is great for individuals with outgoing personalities and a love for history!
This opportunity is for age 16 & up.
Training will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
19 at Cherry Hill Farmhouse (312 Park Ave., Falls Church).
Pre-registration is required, email cjannicelli@fallschurchva.gov to register.
Blood Drive in Falls Church Next Weekend
Come help us support the lifesaving mission of Inova Blood Donor Services by donating blood at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints on Saturday, February 12. Sign up for an appointment at https://bit.ly/LDS0212 or come to the church between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. (2034 Great Falls St., Falls Church) Donors must be 17 or older to donate without parental consent. Donors who are 16 years old may donate with parental consent. For more information, call 1-800-BLOODSAVES or send a message to donateblood@ inova.org.
Charlie Clark Speaks on his First Full-Length Biography
Join Encore Learning on Monday, February 7, 2022, from 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
George Washington Parke Custis (1781-1857) was raised at Mount Vernon by George and Martha Washington. Young “Wash” appears in Savage’s 1789 painting of the first presidential family, his small hand placed symbolically on a globe. He would later make his mark on the national landscape by building Arlington House on the Potomac. A poor student, he emerged as an agricultural reformer and sought-after Federalist orator. He championed the plights of Irish Americans and war veterans. An important memoirist, he wrote well-received theatrical works and produced paintings rich in historical detail.
Inheriting much of the vast Custis fortune, he also became the enslaver of more than 200 people. The slow march toward their emancipation became the central struggle of his life, particularly after his daughter’s 1831 marriage to Robert E. Lee. This first full-length biography of Custis, which includes much detail on the development of Arlington County, offers a 21st century reappraisal of a life that dramatically bridged the American Revolution and the Civil War.
Charlie Clark, a retired journalist, published the first full biography of George Washington Parke Custis, an undersung “child of Mount Vernon,” with McFarland Books. His book is available through the Arlington Public Library. A native of Arlington, Va., he continues to write the weekly “Our Man in Arlington” column for the Falls Church News-Press. The group feels lucky to have him back for a timely talk during black history month.
Advance registration is not required, and this free event is open to all. You may be prompted to enter your name and email address before being admitted to the webinar.
This is an Encore Learning Presents event, cosponsored by the Arlington Public Library.
Connect to the event online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/84268052749
Or dial in by phone (for audio only): 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 842 6805 2749
This event does not require registration. Simply connect to Zoom just before the event begins. We look forward to seeing you all online! Please email questions to info@ encorelearning.net.
Woodlawn’s 2022 Needlework Show Entry Deadline
Calling all stitchers! This is your last chance to register for the 2022 Needlework Show. They will be collecting pieces on-site this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Register in advance online and bring your print out with the QR code, not attached to your entry, when you come to drop off your piece. Register online at woodlawnpopeleighey.org/annualneedleworkshow-1. If you have any difficulties with the online registration, email woodlawnevents@savingplaces.org or call 703-570-6903.
Tickets for the event are also on sale now. The Woodlawn Needlework Show and PopeLeighey House Tours are around the corner, opening March 2. Enjoy hundreds of exquisite needlework pieces on display at Woodlawn in the 59th Annual Needlework Show. Discover the history behind Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House from experienced guides at this midcentury modern Usonian house.
To purchase tickets or find out more, visit woodlawnpopeleighey. org.
The 59th Annual Woodlawn Needlework Show’s theme “Common Threads” focuses on the threads in life that connect us as a community and the commonalities that exist among all people, as demonstrated through the pursuit of craft. Passed down through generations of families, heirloom embroidered work crafted by family members holds intangible value because of the craftmanship, the personal intention of the piece, and the deep memories often associated with the work. It is impossible to place a value on work created for another out of pure love and affection. When family or community members take time to pass on their learned skills in needle arts, they inspire a new generation to acquire a skill that is therapeutic, creates greater self esteem and assuredness, and develops an appreciation for the craft’s history, while creating a lasting connection between people and the art. Throughout human existence, personal stories from all over the world are woven into the fabric of each society as a result of the passion, dedication, and skill of artists who share their knowledge and expertise. Join Woodlawn & PopeLeighey House in honoring all those who share their love of the needle arts with others.
Woodlawn programs and activities spotlight all who lived and worked here, while maintaining the long tradition of the needle arts, promoting emerging needlework artists, and raising needed funds to preserve the site today.
Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House as a historic site is on a journey to discover and share the full story of our history, especially the stories of the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation and in the region. As we refocus on the complete and truthful histories of our past, we remain a place of community — where people can gather, learn, experience, tour, create, and explore for years to come.
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FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2022 | PAGE 11
LOCAL AUTHOR and News-Press columnist, Charlie Clark, will be speaking about his new book and first full-length biography at a virtual event with Encore Learning and Arlington Public Library on Monday, February 7. (C������� P����).
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