Falls Church News-Press 3-17-2022

March 17 - 23, 2022

Fa lls Chur c h, V i r g i ni a • ww w. fc np. c om • Fr ee

Fou n d e d 1991 • Vol. X X XII N o. 5

The City of Falls Church’s Independent, Locally-Owned Newspaper of Record, Serving N. Virginia

F.C.’s Assessor #s Rocket Up 11.42%

Stand And Deliver

Boost Attributed to Economic Growth

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

The total taxable assessed value for all properties in the City of Falls Church, as of January 1, 2022, is $5,093,848,600, the highest in City history and an overall increase of 11.42 percent from January 1, 2021, according to a report issued from City Hall yesterday.

The double-digit jump is “primarily resulting from extraordinary increases in sales prices of residential real estate in the city last year,” the City report noted.

Assessment notices will be mailed to property owners by March 25. Updated assessment information will be posted on the City website by this coming Monday, March 21.

City Manager Wyatt Shields has the responsibility to initially fold these numbers into his recommended budget for the coming fiscal year that begins July 1 that the City Council will then

Continued on Page 3

OVER 100 SHOWED UP from throughout the region Sunday for a rally at the Tinner Hill Heritage site in Falls Church to protest the national movement to eliminate ethnic and social equity studies from school curricula, initiated by the Stand and Deliver organization. (Photo: Gary Mester)

Mayor Tarter Delivers Upbeat Report to Chamber

by Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press

Falls Church’s four-term mayor David Tarter was right on time with a highly-upbeat summary of how things are going in the City delivered

to the first in-person monthly meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, as it preceded by a day the shocking announcement of a double-digit single year increase in residential real estate assessments (see story, elsewhere this issue).

It was a celebratory gathering at the Italian Cafe, the traditional location for a Chamber luncheon, marking the first time loyal members and some newcomers assembled without masks for some tasty luncheon fare, accompanied by distinctly

springlike temperatures outside.

Although promising to keep his remarks short, the mayor was hard pressed to cram everything he needed to say

Continued on Page 4

Inside This Week Meridian Girls Basketball Team Falls In State Finals

St. James Fish Fry Returns Every Friday During Lent

See Sports, Page 5

See Story, Page 12

The Meridian girls basketball team headed to Richmond last week to compete against Caroll County in the State Finals. In a close game, the Mustangs lost with a final score of 51-47 at the Siegel Center.

With over 100 volunteers, St. James Catholic Church has brought back their annual Fish Fry including both a dine in and drive-thru service. Over 1,000 meals are served weekly through Lent.

Index

Comment...................................... 5,7,8 Editorial................................................ 6 Letters.................................................. 6 Crime Report....................................... 8 Business News.................................... 9 News & Notes..............................16,17 Calendar......................................18,19 Classified Ads.................................... 20 Comics............................................... 21 Critter Corner..................................... 22

PAGE 2 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

Faces of Falls Church

Fa l l s C h u r c h

NEWS BRIEFS F.C.’s CBC Launches New Youth Application Process

SOFIIA HORDIIUKIS A very proud Ukrainian who came to Falls Church 5 years ago. She has been at demonstrations in DC ever since the invasion began. Both her parents were working in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine the night it was occupied by Russian forces. When asked for a quote she simply said, “Please join us at the rallies and consider donating to americares.org”(Photo: J. Michael Whalen)

2022 Real Estate Guide Coming • March, 24th Issue

Distributed to over 10,000 people Reaching The Falls Church, Fairfax and Arlington Markets

• The City of Falls Church consistently ranks at the top of household incomes in the United States • Featuring Design/Build, Real Estate Content & Recent Sales Numbers • Real Estate Agents/Offices, Architects, Builders, Mortgages, Remodelers/Renovators, Landscape Design and more

Promote your Business to our large readership

Sue Johnson

Contact: sjohnson@fcnp.com • 703-587-1282

fcnp.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church’s venerable Citizens for a Better City (CBC) civic organization announced this week that it is launching the application process for its ninth year of sponsoring Falls Church City youth representatives on City boards, commissions and civic groups.

The Youth Representatives Initiative was started by CBC in 2014 in an effort to involve the City’s youth in local government, support boards and commissions and promote civic leadership development.

Applications are now available on-line or can be picked up at the Meridian High School Guidance Department. Any high school aged student interested in serving on a City board or commission or on a participating civic group board may apply. The deadline for application submissions to CBC is Friday, April 8 and interviews will be scheduled for Thursday, April 28, Friday, April 29, Saturday, April 30, and Monday, May 2.

Thirty eight Falls Church City High School students are currently serving on these groups. The CBC says it is pleased to report the program is growing in popularity as more students apply every year – especially younger siblings of those currently serving.

CBC’s ultimate goal, says president Hal Lippman, is “to engender the spirit of community activism in our youth and through their interest and commitment inspire the participation of their parents.”

F.C. City’s EDO Opens Applications for New Small Business Financial Grants The City of Falls Church Economic Development office has opened applications for $5,000 grants to help eligible small businesses and non-profits, using the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided by the federal government for Covid-19 related expenses.

Small businesses and non-profit organizations which have received local, state, and/or federal grant financial assistance are not eligible to apply for the grant. This includes receiving funds from the City’s previous small business micro grant program. The application is available at www.fallschurchva.gov/ Grant.

The requirements for this grant differ from other City grants, so businesses and non-profit organizations are encouraged to review the terms to determine eligibility.

To be eligible for the grant, the business or nonprofit must have been in operation at least one year prior to January 1, 2019, had a 25 percent to 80 percent loss in revenue between the end of calendar years 2019 and 2020, had gross receipts of no less than $50,000 and no more than $1 million, and more.

If the business or non-profit is eligible and receives a grant, grant funds can be used for expenses directly related to the impacts of Covid-19 such as retaining and/or supporting employees, rent or mortgage payments, paying vendor invoices, and facility

cleaning/restoration.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. and completed in full, including an uploaded W-9 as well as a Letter of Determination or Form 990 if applicable.

Awardees will be chosen at random after eligibility is confirmed. The grant application is a public document and the names of the businesses awarded funds may be made public once funds are disbursed.

Grant recipients will be required to use the funds by July 31, 2022 and to submit a final report of how funds were spent by August 31, 2022.

This program is managed by the City of Falls Church Economic Development Office.

With Amazon $, WMATA Plans Affordable Housing at 2 Stops WMATA announced this week that 748 residential units will soon be built near New Carrollton and College Park Metro rail stations, which will offer modern, transit-oriented housing at belowmarket rates.

The two initiatives are Metro’s first affordable housing developments to receive support from the more than $2 billion Amazon Housing Equity Fund. In June 2021, Amazon made a $125 million commitment to support transit-oriented affordable housing development at Metro stations through low-rate capital to expedite the creation of more than 1,000 affordable homes so that moderateto low-income families in the National Capital Region can afford to live in communities with easy access to employment, schools, healthcare, education, and other amenities..

F.C. to Host Race, Equity Workshop on March 26 City of Falls Church leaders will hold a public workshop on Saturday, March 26 at 9:30 a.m. in the Meridian High School Library on racial and social equity issues. Registration is required on the City’s website.

“Moving toward a more equitable, inclusive future, in the wake of racial and ethnic incidents, this workshop is meant to help us -– City community members and those who work here -– grow in a friendly environment,” a City release says.

“We will learn and practice through a professional facilitator how to comfortably discuss our positions on equity and race issues, facts vs. feelings, misunderstandings, and potential change,” it promises. “The goal is that everyone feels understood and accepted, that we move forward, even when we sometimes must forge compromises.”

Coffee and other beverages and snacks provided. The event will adhere to the mask or other public health recommendations that are in effect the date of the event. If you feel sick or have suspected exposure to Covid-19, please do not attend.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LO CA L

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 3

Falls Church City Real Estate Values Reach All Time High

Continued from Page 1

modify and adopt finally by May 2.

City Council members who were contacted by the NewsPress were swift to respond to the news yesterday. Those who did said that, on the one hand, the huge jump is a testament to the good job the City has been doing in promoting economic development and making the City as desirable place to live and do business, while, on the other hand, bold mitigating measures will be needed to relieve City taxpayers and especially those with more limited abilities to pay.

Overall residential real estate values increased 13.72 percent over the last year. Single family home and townhomes had varying changes but overall were up 14.43 percent and 11.60 percent respectively; and residential condominiums had varying changes but overall increase of 12.31 percent.

Overall commercial property values increased 5.73 percent since January 2021 and multi-

family property values increased 12.39 percent over the last year.

New construction (valued at $34.62 million) has accounted for 6.6 percent of the increase in assessed value. Residential new construction accounted for $18.1 million of growth; commercial new construction accounts for the remaining $16.5 million of growth.

Yesterday’s City statement noted that “in anticipation of projected tax bill growth, the City Council had directed the City Manager as part of budget guidance in December 2021 to provide options for real estate tax rate reduction to mitigate the financial burden on homeowners.”

It was also noted that “as set forth in the Virginia Constitution, real estate is assessed at 100 percent of fair market value.

The City’s Office of Real Estate Assessment calculates property value annually using mass appraisal techniques that are standard in the real estate assessment industry.”

This year the assessments have been produced by new

software at the City Assessor’s Office, Shields told the City Council this week, that resulted in a delay in the delivery the annual assessments from the customary early February time frame.

Also, the City is working with a new assessor’s office director in Erwving Bailey.

The notice of assessment that will be sent to all City property owners is an appraisal of the fair market value of the property, not a tax bill, the City has stated.

Property tax payments will be

due in two installments on Dec. 6, 2022 and June 5, 2023; property owners will receive bills prior to these dates.

The real estate tax rate will be determined when the Falls Church City Council adopts the Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget and Capital Improvements Program and sets the tax rate. Public hearings on the budget will be held on April 11, April 25, and May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Individual assessments will be mailed in late March. After evaluating the assessment,

Open House Sunday, March 20th 2-4pm

homeowners wondering if their assessment is correct should ask the question, “Would my home sell for the assessed value if I put it on the market?” If the answer is “yes,” the assessment is probably accurate. If the answer is “no,” contact the Office of Real Estate Assessment at 703-2485022 (TTY 711).

Deadlines for assessment appeals are Friday, April 29, 2022, for an Office of Real Estate Assessment review and Friday, June 3, 2022 for a Board of Equalization review.

“May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends.”

- Irish Toast

When your house is too small for your friends and familyCall me to help you find the right sized home for you!!

2913 Cleave Dr. Falls Church

4BR/2FBA/1HBA 3 Level Home Beautiful hardwood floors and fresh paint Active on market 3/17

We are in a SELLERS MARKET. There are a lot of buyers and not enough homes to sell.

Thinking of selling?

LO CA L

PAGE 4 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Tarter Delivers Upbeat Report on Falls Church Growth Continued from Page 1

into a half hour, and it was all no nonsense updates on the many development oriented things going on in the Little City. Numbered off in crisp fashion the way the mayor did it made it all sound as incredible in fact as it indeed is, and led to calls for such an “annual report” type presentation to be made to the entire city.

“We’ve all been through a very tough stretch,” opened the mayor, referring to the Covid19 pandemic, but he reported that 82 percent of adults in the City have been fully vaccinated and 92 percent having gotten at least one shot.

“But Covid has not slowed the City down,” he quickly added, citing first the 10-acre West Falls Church development beginning to get underway now that will be “transformational.”

It will bring $5 million a year in tax revenue, and will catalyze development for the entire area, including for the adjacent properties of Beyer Automotive and Federal Realty, he said.

The project will include 100,000 square feet of hotel use, 125,000 square feet of office space, 120,000 square feet of retail, including a major grocery, and subsidized senior housing, multifamily residential, including rental, condos and micro-units, a conference center and civic spaces.

He said it is all being built at the same time, designed to “create a great sense of place from Day One” that will take about three years to complete, followed by a much smaller Phase Two that will be done by 2026.

The project accompanies the already-completed new high school, done on time and on budget, he said.

A second project the mayor reported on is the Insight’s Washington at Broad project that will center on a major Whole Foods grocery, a new home for the City’s Creative Cauldron theater, and 399 residential units, 10 percent of which will be affordable for their full lives.

This new affordable housing component, he said, marks

a significant achievement for the City, upping the level of affordable housing from six to 10 percent, and in some cases even higher, in new projects, and extending the length of their affordability to the full life of the homes.

Tarter said that public parking will initially be a challenge around the Insight project, as there will be some inconveniences at first with the erection of a wire fence around the entire 2.4 acres eliminating a convenience cut-through that patrons of the adjacent Beach Shack, Thompson’s Italian and State Theater patrons have been using to access a City-owned lot behind them.

The main objective is to have VDOT create a left turn into Park Place next to the State Theater for cars coming south on Route 29 (N. Washington) into that lot. Unfortunately, that will not happen for about a month yet, but in the meantime the City has negotiated a new and improved arrangement with the Kaiser Clinic across the street for use of the top

A FUN ALL AGES MUSICAL!

LIVE, IN PERSON THEATER WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

March 18 – April 3, 2022

CREATIVECAULDRON.ORG

703-436-9948

FALLS CHURCH MAYOR David Tarter gets his photo taken by local photographer Brenda Schrier at Tuesday’s Chamber of Commerce luncheon. (P����: N���-P����) levels of its structured parking garage on weeknights, as well as weekends.

Tarter hailed the “very generous” new Kaiser arrangement.

The official groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for next month.

The mayor said Mill Creek’s

Founder’s Row 4.2 acre development at the northeastern corner of the interaction of W. Broad and N. West Streets is nearing completion, with 329 residential units, 70 senior units and 88,000 square feet of commercial. He Continued on Page 15

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CO MME NT

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 5

Mustangs Fall to Carroll County in State Finals

by Ryan McCafferty Falls Church News-Press

In a vital day for Meridian High School athletics, the Mustangs traveled to VCU’s Siegel Center to take on the Carroll County Cavaliers in the State Finals as they attempted to repeat as Class 3 state champions.

It would figure to be their toughest matchup yet this postseason, as in addition to the high stakes, the number of students and fans supporting the opposition seemed to outnumber the Mustang faithful.

Carroll County jumped out to a 4-3 lead before a 9-0 run, capped off by a Zoraida Icabalceta layup, allowed Meridian to set the tone.

The Cavaliers came storming back, however, and would prove to be a much harder out than Meridian’s previous opponents. They tied the game at 20 points apiece midway through the second quarter before eventually taking a 27-22 lead, which the Mustangs cut to 27-24 on a Peyton Jones jump shot just before the half.

The second half would prove to be a tightly contested, back-andforth affair, as Carroll County scored the opening bucket before Meridian retook a 32-31 lead with an 8-2 run capped off by a Peyton Jones jump shot. The Cavaliers stormed back in front to take a 38-35 advantage into the final frame, to which the Mustangs quickly responded to go

ahead 40-39 on an Elizabeth Creed three-pointer. Meridian expanded their lead to 45-41 after another Creed three, but a 7-0 run put the Cavaliers back on top with under a minute remaining. Icabalceta, the Regional Player of the Year, was then fouled on a three-pointer and made two of three to cut the deficit to 48-47, and Carroll County’s Alyssa Ervin missed the front end of a one and one to give the Mustangs one last chance. But they were unable to capitalize as they turned it over twice, and two more trips to the free throw line by the Cavaliers ended Meridian’s season with a final score of 51-47.

Regardless of the defeat, head coach Chris Carrico had nothing but positive things to say about the Mustangs’ season. “The Meridian program is in good hands,” he stated during media availability.

“Obviously the goal is to get back (to the State Finals) and to win, but these girls have set a standard for the program, not only on the court but off the court.” Carrico mentioned that he has coached primarily the same roster throughout his four years at Meridian and praised their growth throughout that time, while Elizabeth Creed described the club as “tight-knit.”

Megan Tremblay led the Mustangs in scoring with 12 points, while Creed added 11. Ervin led the Cavaliers with 19.

Prepare for power outages with a Generac home standby generator REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

844-947-1479

FREE

7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!

Limited Time Offer - Call for Details

Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval

*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

MERIDIAN MUSTANGS PLAY in state finals held at VCU’s Siegel center. (Photo: Ryan McCafferty)

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

A collision is coming, with racial overtones, over the county’s longin-preparation initiative on missing middle housing. That effort to loosen zoning to permit more duplexes and other less-pricey multi-family structures will figure even sooner as planners finalize plans for reimagining Langston Blvd.

On March 7, the NAACP’s Arlington Branch sent the county board a preemptive strike: “As the county moves forward with plans to affirmatively further fair housing, we urge [it] to remember our community’s history—specifically, Arlington’s history of racist, exclusionary housing policies,” its officers wrote in a plea to ease the code’s preference for single-family homes.

“To reverse this shameful legacy and remedy the persistent effects of decades of discrimination against many of our most vulnerable residents, we call on the board to reform zoning laws to give residents of color better access to a wider variety of housing at lower cost.”

A contrary view from Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future came in a March 6 letter asking that the board to halt Langston Blvd. planning to better forecast the impact. Asked to respond to the NAACP, ASF leader Peter Rousselot said he shares its “goal to encourage diversity, better access to housing and undoing the horrible legacy of housing discrimination. But even the Arlington government has admitted that `Missing Middle’ housing in single-family neighborhoods will not provide affordability where it

is needed most at the lower-income levels.”

The racial roots of Arlington’s housing patterns were explored March 10 at Marymount University, in an Arlington Historical Society talk on ongoing academic research titled “Mapping Exclusion in Arlington.”

Kristin Neun, a specialist in housing law, described a “calm before the storm.” That was in 1900, when Arlington had a population of 6,430, of whom 2,467 were Black. “It was a fairly equal ratio,” she said, with both communities seeing “growth in purchasing power and homeownership.“ In 1902, the nascent Byrd Machine Democrats took over Richmond, bringing a new constitution and focus on segregation and homogeneity, Neun said. That formed the “backdrop for racial covenants,” the idea that both races “do better” separately. Hundreds of “bargain and sale” deeds stipulated that a property could “not be sold, leased or rented to any one not of the Caucasian race.” (Exceptions for “domestic servants of a different race.”) Similar standardized wording appeared in broader “deeds of dedication” for subdivision developers.

The principles were reinforced at local, state and federal levels — including under the 1930s New Deal’s Home Homeowners Loan Corp. and Federal Housing Administration. The housing covenants continued with the 1948 GI Bill until banned by the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Arlington’s 1930 zoning ordinance codified the preference for single-family homes, later baked into

the 1961 General Land Use Plan.

Marymount sociology professor Janine DeWitt listed subdivisions with racial covenants she found so far: Arlington Forest, Bellevue Forest, Country Club View, Jackson Terrace, Lyon Village, Lyon Park, Maywood, Barcroft Forest, Virginia Highlands, Flower Gardens, Allencrest, Woodlawn and Madison Manor.

Samia Byrd, the county’s chief race and equity officer, said, “The majority of Arlington was restricted to single-family detached homes,” and the Black population decreased significantly by 1950. “It is helpful to acknowledge redlining, blockbusting, and blacklisting built on this legacy of who should not be neighbors.” That “institutionalized, structural racism” continues, she said.

And yes, that history has entered the discussion of Missing Middle policymaking. *** Residential Arlington earned a mention (sort of) in the latest biography of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Of course the volume by Princeton University Professor Allen Guelzo provides great detail on Arlington House, with fresh takes on treatment of the enslaved by both Lee and his father-in-law George Washington Parke Custis.

But in his epilogue, the historian attempts to note Arlington Public Schools’ 2019 change of our high school’s name from WashingtonLee to Washington-Liberty. Alas, his description of the school as being “a few miles from Stratford Hall” confused our W-L with a high school in Westmoreland County that retains the name Washington & Lee.

PAGE 6 | MARCH 17 - 23. 2022

One of the Nation’s Foremost Weekly Newspapers

(Published by Benton Communications, Inc.)

FOUNDED IN 1991

Vol. XXXII, No. 5 March 17 - 23, 2022 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •

N������� F. B����� O���� � E�����-I�-C���� �������������.���

N��� G��� M������� E����� ����������.���

A����� S���� N��� E����� AS���������.���

S�� J������ A���������� S���� �������������.���

C������ C���� C�������� T�� W���� C��� E����� J���� I����� C���������� M������ �������������.���

T� C������ ��� N���-P���� �����: 703-532-3267 ���: 703-342-0347 �����: ���������.��� ������� ����������� �������������.���

���������� ��� �������������.��� ������� �� ��� ������ ������������.��� N��� � N���� �����������������.��� ������ ���� ���������������.��� ������������� ������������ � �������� �������������.���

WWW.FCNP.COM The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 105 N. Virginia Ave.., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046.

Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2022Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.

E��������

E D I TO R I A L

Huge Boost in F.C. Assessments

Holy Batman! The double digit jump in the City of Falls Church’s real estate assessments announced yesterday is the biggest in over a decade, since before the Great Recession hit in 2008 and some on the City Council reached by the News-Press yesterday are ecstatic that the new revenues this will generate will insure that the City continues its commitment to nationally-renowned quality education and quality of life services for its citizens that will improve things in many important ways in the coming year.

Certainly, Mayor David Tarter’s important remarks to the F.C. Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, as reported in this edition, set a positive tone reporting the kind of results that good local government here has achieved to, as Councilman David Snyder said in comments to the News-Press yesterday, “create a place that people want to be.” The assessments report released yesterday certainly reflect that, representing the highest single year leap for the City since 2004, when they almost doubled.

Of course, the Council will be tasked as it crafts the City budget for the next year, due for final approval by May 2, with offering some serious offsetting elements, such as a generous tax rate cut and other mitigating factors, to shield City residents from the full impact on their tax bills of what has transpired. It’s currently operating on the notion that a rate cut as high as four cents would be within the parameters set earlier this year, but that was before the new assessments came in as high as they have. Some on the Council are cautioning that no early predictions on tax rate cuts should be made until there is a serious consideration of what the City needs to fund on behalf of all its citizens, as Council member Debbie Shantz-Hiscott told the News-Press. Given that well-considered aspect, we’ll have to wait and see what kinds of proposals Council members come up with.

But Council member Phil Duncan said the big jump “creates a terrific opportunity…to meet all reasonable expenses for our schools and general government while also substantially reducing the property tax rate” that, he said, he’d like to see go down from $1.32 at present (down from $1.335 a year ago) to $1.25, and for expanding tax relief and deferral options for seniors. But he crowed that the total value of real estate in the City, topping $5 billion for the first time, “is thanks to the City’s sustained commitment to economic development, to great neighborhoods and to excellence in public education and municipal services.”

It will challenge the Council, now engaging the issue of affordable housing, in a way it hasn’t been to date, with some more serious efforts to make the City a truly diverse and welcoming place for persons of varying incomes and abilities to afford the robust taxes they’ll be having to pay to live here. Let’s see what new practical ideas they come up with.

P������� 1. Keep the news clean and fair.

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

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

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

5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.

6. Give “value received” for every dollar you take in.

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

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

L������

Accommodations For Construction Editor, As featured in the FCNP last week, there are major construction projects scheduled seemingly simultaneously for the City in the upcoming months, if not years. These projects will affect traffic at the city center and in the west end. I certainly hope that the city government is planning to coordinate and lengthen the green light cycle along Broad Street and avail itself of any other measures which will help Falls Church resident motorists navigate our way to I-66, the Beltway, and other main highways. It would be helpful if delays such as we’ve experienced, and continue to experience, with the Founders Row project could be minimized Charlotte McPherson Falls Church

New Condo Loan Guidelines Editor, I want to respond to the Business News & Note in the March 10 issue.

The note reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in response to the collapse of the Surfside FL condo, will not buy mortgages without documentation that a building has completed regular maintenance and hasn’t ignored requirements of local regulatory bodies to ensure buildings are safe.

The author, Elise Neil Bengston, expresses concern about the effect on the market: higher prices for home buyers, lower prices for sellers. I guess as head of the local Chamber of Commerce, that would be her natural concern. But I see it from the other side: this is a way to protect buyers from moving into a building that hasn’t been maintained, only to find out the problems when the building collapses or a huge assessment is imposed to pay for repairs that wouldn’t have been necessary if maintenance was done faithfully.

As far as I know, buyers can’t review the condo documents until they have made an offer–an offer that might be much lower if they’d known in advance the buildings hadn’t been maintained and there were insufficient reserves for said maintenance.

Ms. Bengston’s perspective suggests that she’d be okay with a seller hiding this information to sell at a higher price. If so, shame on her.

Chris Raymond Falls Church

Banning Assault Rifles Editor, Semi automatic assault weapons should be illegal in the United States of America. All the most deadly shootings in recent US history have involved the use of high capacity machine guns. Firstly, according to everytownresearch.org, between the years of 2009 to 2020, a total of 1,363 people in the United States have been killed and 947 were wounded in a total of 240 mass shootings. For example, in these shootings the most devastating impact was when semi automatic assault weapons were used. Also, assault weapons have no purpose except to cause mass destruction. These are weapons that are meant to be used in war, not for civilian self defense. According to everytownresearch.org, 5 percent of all mass shootings deaths between 2009 and 2012 involved an assault weapon and accounted for 76 percent of injuries. This means that even though it was not in the majority of shootings, it caused the most devastating impact. In conclusion, semi automatic assault weapons should be illegal in the United States of America.

Yusuf Lashin Falls Church

[ LETTERS ]

Got Beef?

Send us a letter and let us know what you think.

The deadline for Letters to the Editor is 5 p.m. Monday each week of publication Letters should be 350 words or less.

Email letters@fcnp.com Fax 703-342-0347 Mail or drop off Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 105 N. Virginia Ave., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Editor’s Essay

CO MME NT

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 7

Putin’s Failing Obsession With Ivan Ilyin’s Fascism Nicholas F. Benton FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

One might think that, if nothing else, evidence of the evils of a u t h o r i t a rian government and the benefits of democracy would be underscored in this time by the mere stark realities of the current cruel and stunningly inhumane Russian invasion of Ukraine. It’s all right there for the world to see, notwithstanding Russian efforts to deny its effects on social media and in their own broadcasts to their nation.

We see the effects of autocracy, in the unilateral decision of one person in power to inflict so much senseless misery and death on an entire nation. As imperfect

as democracy may be by comparison, evidencing the kinds of shortcomings that caused British author E.M. Forster to compose a lucid volume after World War II entitled, “Two Cheers for Democracy” (not three), in theory and actually to a greater or lesser extent democracy is based on a collective, and not an individual’s, will.

At its core, this is the distinction we must point to that elevates one system, that of democracy, wholly above the other, and must consign the sentiments of today’s autocratically-inclined type. Trumpians in the U.S., to the moral trash bin.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine comes as an act of desperation in the face of his failures in a many decades-long effort to advance his obsession of global dominion, as defined by his failure to orchestrate the re-election of Trump in the U.S. So going for the invasion of Ukraine this time was Putin’s Plan B, and its dismal effect is evidence that Putin

wasn’t really prepared for it.

Former Trump national security advisor John Bolton intimated just this on a recent Bill Press podcast, noting how Putin viewed Trump as his “useful idiot” who would do its dirty work for him by weakening NATO to the point it wouldn’t stand against a takeover of Ukraine. But then, Trump lost his re-election.

It’s the view of Yale’s Timothy Snyder, writing “God Is a Russian” in the April 5, 2018 New York Review, that Putin’s deep commitment to the nationalist theories of Ivan Ilyin, a Russian philosopher of fascism booted out of his country in the wake of the Bolshevik revolution, is at the heart of his passionate fixation on “annexing” Ukraine as part of an obsessive scheme to dominate the Eurasian landmass and the whole world..

Author of 23 works, Ilyin, a “white Russian” who wrote over his career of his admiration for Mussolini and Hitler, is frequently quoted by Putin. “Putin reha-

bilitated Ilyin as a Kremlin court philosopher with his addresses to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the reinterment of Ilyin’s remains in Russia,” Snyder observed. “Ilyin had imagined that Russia, as a spiritual organism, served not only all the Orthodox nations and not only all of the nations of the Eurasian landmass, but all the nations of the world.”

Snyder added, “In an article published in Moskovskie Novosti in 2012, Putin envisioned Russia overcoming the European Union and bringing its members into a larger entity that would extend from Lisbon to Vladivostok.”

“Democratic elections, Ilyin thought, institutionalized the evil notion of individuality… ’Freedom for Russia,’ as Ilyin understood it (in a text selectively quoted by Putin in 2014), would not mean freedom for Russians as individuals, but ‘the organic-spiritual unity of the government with the people, and the people with the government.’

“Citing Ilyin, Putin presented integration among states as a matter of virtue. The rule of law was not a universal aspiration, but part of an alien Western civilization; Russian culture, meanwhile, united Russia with postSoviet states such as Ukraine.

Ilyin had imagined that ‘Russia as a spiritual organism served not only all the Orthodox nations and not only all of the nations of the Eurasian landmass, but all the nations of the world.’

“The ongoing Russian campaign against the ‘decadence’ of the European Union is in accord with Ilyin’s worldview.

“As soldiers received their mobilization orders for the invasion of Ukraine’s Crimean province in January 2014, all of Russia’s high-ranking bureaucrats and regional governors were sent a copy of Ilyin’s “Our Tasks.” After Russian troops occupied Crimea and the Russian parliament voted for annexation, Putin cited him again as justification.”

Guest Commentary

Celebrating Women’s History Month in the City of Falls Church

By Beth Hahn

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Falls Church Women’s History Group is pleased to announce the 2022 Women’s History Walk Grand Marshals. The 5th Annual Falls Church Women’s History Walk will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., honoring women whose civic engagement and dedication helped establish Falls Church as a vibrant, responsive, and well-loved community. The collective contributions of this year’s honorees have enriched the lives and experiences of not only Falls Church residents, but people in surrounding jurisdictions and even across the country. Our 2022 Grand Marshals are: Sally Cole, in recognition of 17 years of service and unwavering commitment to Falls Church as Executive Director of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.

Her leadership, “above and beyond” service, and influential role in the business and nonprofit communities have substantially enriched the

Greater Falls Church community.

Cindy Mester, in recognition of 17 years of service and unwavering commitment to the City of Falls Church as the Deputy City Manager. As a facilitator, collaborator, and negotiator, she has helped to successfully implement the City’s complex Capital Improvement Program, shepherd the City’s legislative agenda in Richmond, and bring about Falls Church Arts and Creative Cauldron through her support of the Art and Cultural District. Her positive influence has helped to build community both within and among City employees and residents.

Ruth Rodgers, in recognition of decades of service and unwavering commitment to Falls Church through her leadership and service as a member of the Falls Church Planning Commission, the Architectural Advisory Board, and the Village Preservation and Improvement Society, as well as her influential role in many other civic organizations to which she has belonged.

Edie Smolinksi, in recognition of decades of service and unwavering commitment to Falls Church through

her leadership and service as a member of Citizens for a Better City, the Falls Church League of Women Voters, and the Library Board of Trustees, as well as her influential role in many other civic organizations to which she has belonged.

Derrica Wilson, in recognition of exceptional public service as the first African American female officer in the Falls Church City Police Department and subsequently as co-founder and CEO of Black and Missing Foundation. Her leadership and courage while serving in Falls Church paved the way for others and she successfully parlayed her experiences into compassion for and commitment to supporting those enduring the trauma of a missing loved one.

In addition to these five outstanding leaders, there will be eight new honorees whose signs will join the “Herstory Stations” positioned throughout the Walk. In 2017, the Walk began with 14 stations. This year there will be 62! Twenty-three Young Women of Action will also be recognized for fearless and groundbreaking work to make their school

communities better places.

The Women’s History Walk was conceived in 2017 by Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation’s Nikki Graves Henderson as a way to remember and honor the efforts, dedication, and sacrifice of the many women in Falls Church. Then Vice-Mayor Marybeth Connelly jumped at the opportunity to celebrate history-making women, focus on wellness, and build community in Falls Church.

The Women’s History Walk is planned, operated, hosted, and primarily sponsored by the Women’s History Group, the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, and the elected women of Falls Church. Nominees are selected on the basis of their years-long civic activism, leadership, commitment, and contributions to our community—women who have been considered, without question, role models by their peers.

Nominees are also selected to represent leadership in a wide spectrum of community involvement: civic, educational, business, political, and religious. Nominees must also reflect the ethnic, racial, and religious diversity of Falls Church.

As we spend the month of March reflecting on the integral role women have played in shaping our community, our nation, and the world, I hope we can also reflect on the questions posed by Marybeth Connelly in 2017 on the eve of the first Falls Church Women’s History Walk.

Marybeth asked, “What are you doing, today, to carry on the legacy of these women? What are you doing to make a difference in our local community and the world? How are you making life better for others?”

As we seek to learn more about the courageous, determined, altruistic, and self-sacrificing women of Falls Church, I hope we are all inspired to answer Marybeth’s questions and to work to ensure gender equity and equality to build a better tomorrow— not just for women, but for everyone.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Women’s History Walk on May 1 and to meeting many of the women who will be recognized on the Herstory Stations of the future.

Beth Hahn is a member of the Falls Church Women’s History Group.

CO MME NT

PAGE 8 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

When I first met Roxanne more than 20 years ago, she was a saleswoman at a local car dealership, then an untraditional occupation for a woman. She handled my vehicle purchase, and we kept in touch as she moved to other roles, continuing to call Mason District “home.” When she tackled the role of civic leadership in her homeowners’ association, we worked together on National Night Out and other community events.

Roxanne nearly always has a smile on her face, and her joie de vivre is infectious. When she told me, a few years ago, that she had been diagnosed with cancer, she was upbeat and determined to face it down. Fortunately, modern treatments put the disease into remission, but Roxanne called me recently, to tell me that the cancer has resurfaced, as leukemia, this time with a vengeance.

Leukemia killed my mother a quarter century ago, and I remember the difficult decisions she had to make about blood transfusions to extend her life. Sadly, transfusions didn’t help my mother, but they can help Roxanne and other patients who depend on the availability of blood to save their lives. Ever positive, Roxanne has arranged for the INOVA Bloodmobile to be at Glory Days Grill at Barcroft Plaza, 6341 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 on Sunday, March 20, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., for “Roxanne’s Celebration of Life Blood Drive.” It’s people like Roxanne who need donors like you. Find out if you are eligible to donate blood at https://www.inovablood.org/ donate-blood/eligibility, and reserve a donation time slot that works for you at www.inovablood. org. Or just come by and join Roxanne and her friends in a very special celebration of life.

As long as you are stopping by Barcroft Plaza, you can celebrate life, especially birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant occasions, at Jake’s Ice Cream, located on the western side of the shopping center. Actually, you don’t need a special occasion for ice cream, do you? It’s good any time. Jake’s Ice Cream is a small company that opened for business last August. Jake’s is owned by longtime Mason District resident Robin Rinearson, who employs about 20 adults who are differently abled, and who operate the store, from manager to clean-up crew. You can meet the actual “Jake,” for whom the shop is named, and enjoy all kinds of ice cream treats. On a warm day, it is not unusual to see families lined up to order their favorite treat, and some customers enjoying their desserts in the colorful Adirondack chairs on the front patio. Jake’s Ice Cream is a locally owned, independent business that has two missions: serving delicious ice cream treats, and ensuring that differently abled adults have good, paid, job opportunities in the community. Jake’s also has gift cards available. What could be better – gift cards and ice cream! Time for a new tradition – ice cream at Jake’s!

The long-awaited Chick-fil-A restaurant in downtown Annandale is nearing completion. The logo and sign have been installed, along with a “We’re Hiring” sign, and plans are underway for an April grand opening.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

C � � � � � F� � � � C � � � � �

CRIM E R EPO RT Week of March 7 — 13, 2022 Drunk in Public, S Washington St, Mar 7, 2:31 PM, a male, 64, of no fixed address was arrested for Drunk in Public.

Fraud, W Broad St, Mar 7, 10:37 PM, an incident of fraud was reported.

Larceny-Shoplifting, S Washington St, Mar 8, 9:07 PM, unknown suspect took items of value without paying. Suspect described as a male, 6’ tall, 20-30 YOA and wearing a black hoodie, black pants and white face mask.

Driving Under the Influence, E, Broad St, Mar 13, 8:24 PM, a male, 56, of Alexandria, VA, was arrested for driving under the influence.

Fraud, Gundry Dr, Mar 11,10:32 AM, an incident of fraud was reported.

WWW.FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Delegate Marcus Simon’s

Richmond Report The General Assembly adjourned last week having failed to accomplish the most important task of our 60-day legislative session. We left Richmond without passing a biennial budget.

The House of Delegates and State Senate took markedly different approaches to the Commonwealth’s 2-year taxing and spending plan, with the Democratically controlled Senate favoring a mix of tax cuts, rebates, and investments on long neglected and perennially underfunded state responsibilities.

The House of Delegates, now controlled by a very narrow Republican majority, instead wanted to spend billions of dollars on permanent tax cuts that would favor mostly relatively wealthy Virginians. This approach continues to neglect state responsible programs that were cut more than a decade ago during the great recession and never fully restored.

Unfortunately, the programs hit hardest during that period and that are still struggling funding-wise are things like K-12 education, school construction, etc. We also continue to underfund mental health services and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

It’s not particularly unusual for the two chambers to take different approaches in their initial budgets.

However, we usually spend time working out our differences, looking for places to meet in the middle, and splitting the difference to get a state spending plan all the parties can live with.

What’s different this year, based on all the accounts I’ve heard from people in or near the room where it happens, is that our new Governor has instructed the House negotiators not to negotiate. The Budget Conferees (the members of the special conference committee appointed by the leadership of the two chambers to negotiate the final budget) met only a few times, and not all during the final 3-4 days of our 60-day session.

There was no flurry of activity at the end. No racing to get the bill printed and placed on member’s desks before the deadline. Instead, just a demand that the Governor get his way. Making things more difficult, it wasn’t always clear what it was that the Governor’s way was. A political and Virginia Government neophyte, neither he nor any of his

staff seemed capable of articulating specifically what he was looking for from the budget conferees.

For better or worse, this wasn’t the only failure of the Session.

While I’m no fan of them, it’s remarkable that almost all of our new Governor’s signature initiatives were defeated or remain in limbo. For instance, his effort to defund public education and divert public dollars to charter schools.

There is a watered-down bill that would make it easier to create lab schools — but even the watereddown version is languishing in a conference committee of its own.

The House and Senate, by most accounts, remain far apart on the parameters of a Stadium Authority and incentive package designed to try and lure the Washington Commanders to Virginia. I can’t say that I’d be sorry to see this bill fail, but it is an example of another high-profile initiative the Governor called for in his State of the Commonwealth address that he’s been unable to bring legislators together on.

Another area where we continue to see friction and unwillingness to come together has been the election to fill two Supreme Court vacancies. Appointments became a flash point early in the session when the Governor tried to install Trump’s EPA Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, as the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.

Republicans retaliated by removing Angela Navarro from the State Corporation Commission along with 11 other reappointments, including removing the teacher of the year from the Board of Education.

Ironically, the Governor whose first executive action was to create a snitch line to report teachers teaching “inherently divisive topics” has, through inexperience, only widened divisions between the two parties in Richmond.

I hope that with the benefit of some experience and perhaps a renewed desire to learn what it is we do in Richmond, the Governor will begin using his office and his enormous power to bring folks together and find commonsense solutions to overcome the challenges all Virginian’s face.  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

Fa l l s C h u r c h Business News & Notes Nominees Announced for the Business and Community Awards The Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce has announced the nominations for the Business and Community Awards. These include: Small Business: Galleria Florist, Lemon Lane Consignment, Alison Miller, Clare & Don’s, Café Kindred; Large Business: Clare & Don’s/Lazy Mike’s, Diener & Associates, Burke & Herbert Bank; Nonprofit of the Year: Homestretch, The Arc, Creative Cauldron, Lost Dogs and Cat Rescue, Easterseals, NOVA Scripts and the Falls Church Education Foundation; Company Culture of Excellence: Diener & Associates, Bikenetic, New Editions Consulting and Love & Miller; and Pillar of the Community: Sally Cole, Rebecca Tax and Dave Crance. The winners will be announced at the Bourbon, Brews & BBQ event at The State Theatre next Thursday, March 24. This is a community-wide celebration of the business and nonprofit community and all that makes Falls Church special. The event features food, live entertainment, and a live and silent auction. Auction items include tickets to Wolf Trap, wine tastings, tubing, custom website design, dining and more.

Tickets are available at www.fallschurchchamber.org.

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 9

ABSOLUTE LAND Fri, Apr.8, 12:30pm at Hampton Inn,

AUCTION

5103 Plaza Dr, Hopewell, VA

Wed, May 12, 12:30pm at the Train Station, 414 Washington St, Altavista, VA

Prime Duck & Deer Hunting

228 Acres

on Leesville Lake

710 Acres near the James River

Prince George Co. - Great location off Rt.10. Mix of woodland and wetlands ideal for hunting and timber investment! Offered in 4 tracts and as a whole.

Details at TRFAuctions.com | 434.847.7741 | VAAF501

Kastle’s Back to Work Barometer The Falls Church-based Kastle Security, a national building security firm, is using swipe data to estimate the number of workers who return to their offices in 10 U.S. cities. This “Back to Work Barometer” survey is being used by city development authorities and companies. While some cities see a move back to offices, it is clear that many downtown areas are upping their game to make downtown more of a destination. This involves upgrading older office buildings and adding amenities. The DC area reflects a 36 percent move back to offices with a 40 percent average in the survey. Nationally, there is a much stronger return to in-person activities: NBA games at 93.8 percent, TSA checkpoints 84.1 percent, movie box office 81.1 percent and Open Table Diners 80.9%.

NAIFA Leaders at Intercompany Long-Term Care Insurance Conference Thought leaders of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) in Falls Church are presenting sessions at the Intercompany Long-Term Care Insurance Conference (ILTCI 2022) March 21-23 in Raleigh, NC. NAIFA is also hosting a special networking event. The ILTCI’s annual educational conference is for representatives of the long-term and extended care insurance community and other strategic allies, including providers, public policy institutions, professional organizations, federal, state, and local government agencies, and the public. Online registration for the event is open.

Local Women Business Leaders Spotlighted In the month highlighting women, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) has highlighted several local women in business. The number of women running businesses on the Fortune 500 hit a record of 41 women nationwide. Within the top 10, this includes Kathy Warden, chairman, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman, based in Falls Church. Also noted is Amy Gilliland, president of General Dynamics’ subsidiary General Dynamics information technology. Among the top entrepreneurs who fully own the largest women-owned firms, the Washington Business Journal cited Sophia Tong, CEO, T&T Consulting in Falls Church.

Prepare for Power Outages & Save Money REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

ACT NOW TO RECEIVE A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*

(833) 688-1378

*Offer value when purchased at retail.

Solar panels sold separately.

Lions Club Fruit Sale This Saturday the Falls Church-Annandale Lions Club will sell fruit at the Annandale Swim and Tennis Club. Look for the Craig Moving Van situated at 7530 Little River Turnpike, the sale opens at 8:15 a.m. and runs until they have sold out.

Harvey’s Now Open Another new restaurant, Harvey’s, opened in Falls Church and serves American cuisine with strong focus on using locally sourced ingredients. Thomas Harvey, owner, is putting his own little twist on menu items. He is filling a market on the premises with prepared foods, and local specialty meats, wines, and brews. The interior reflects the local commitment with a wine rack barrel from Falls Church Antiques among other finds. Harvey’s also features a patio and free parking.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschcurchchamber.org.

50

Save now with

Get the most out of your lawn this spring.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

%

OFF*

Your First Application

1-855-942-6217

*Requires purchase of annual plan. Special price is for first Lawn application only. Requires purchase of annual plan, for new residential EasyPay or PrePay customers only. Valid at participating TruGreen locations. Availability of services may vary by geography. Not to be combined with or used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Additional restrictions may apply. Consumer responsible for all sales tax. †Purchase of annual lawn plan required for Healthy Lawn Analysis, which is performed at the first visit. ◆Guarantee applies to annual plan customers only. BBB accredited since 07/01/2012. ©2022 TruGreen Limited Partnership. All rights reserved. In Connecticut, B-0153, B-1380, B-0127, B-0200, B-0151.

LO CA L

PAGE 10 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

Fa l l s C h u r c h

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

School News & Notes MHS College/Financial Aid Info Night The Meridian College and Career Center and the HEFAR Group invite MHS parents to a Financial Aid/College Info Night at 7 p.m. on April 20. Learn how to qualify for more grants and scholarships for college. Lower your EFC and qualify for more free money for college at any school your student is considering. If your child is collegebound, you don’t want to miss this workshop.

Registration is required for this webinar. See March 10 edition of the Morning Announcements for more information.

5th Graders Interview Pro Soccer Player 5th graders at Oak Street Elementary work in groups to research a topic of interest, and the final culmination is the PYP Exhibition — a presentation to parents and peers.

In addition to team collaboration and project planning, they work with an FCCPS mentor who helps guide them through the process.

For their exhibition project, Mr. Jeremy Ferarra’s 5th-grade exhibition group hosted a Zoom interview with a professional soccer player, Imani Dorsey.

Their topic is the pay gap between genders in sports and career, in which Imani is heavily involved. She plays for the NY/ NJ Gotham in the NWSL and has played for the USWNT.

Chemistry Class Field Trip to DEA Museum This week, Meridian Chemistry students took a field trip to the Drug Enforcement Agency Museum. Mr. Marc Silver organized the field trip for his Chemistry II class as a culmination of Unit 5 Finger Printing, Unit 6 Drugs of Abuse, and the most recent investigation into the opioid crisis and the nationwide repercussions of this crisis. The DEA Museum provided three guest speakers

specifically for the Meridian Students: a chemist, a fingerprint specialist, and a digital evidence specialist. Each presenter outlined their job description and details about their daily work schedule, including testifying in court and helping solve real-life federal investigations. They also highlighted that the DEA will be hiring all positions now and well into the future.

Softball Season Begins at MHS There is a new energy on the softball diamond this season!

This week, Meridian Softball started their regular season play with home games on Monday vs.

Lewis and Thursday vs. Sidwell Friends. The Mustangs also traveled to Heritage in Leesburg on Tuesday.

Return to Locker Usage at Henderson As Falls Church City Public Schools transition into the Spring and local Covid rates drop, students and staff at Henderson Middle School are excited to move back to some of their pre-pandemic routiness. The first big step back to normalcy is to return to locker usage.

Backpacks: As of Monday, March 21st, students will no longer bring their backpacks to class. They will be kept in lockers during the day. They take up much-needed space in classrooms and sometimes even pose a safety risk for students and teachers moving around the room.

Cell Phones: During the pandemic, students were allowed to carry and use their cell phones during lunch to help promote social interaction as they were still distanced within the building.

With the shift back to normal, this is no longer need this tool to assist in making connections. Per the student handbook (located on page 5 of student’s agenda), cell phones should be off and in their locker. They recognize that two years of no locker usage has made this difficult. Now that the schools are moving back to lock-

OVER THE WEEKEND students from Henderson Middle School put on their spring play of “HIgh School Musical Jr.,” based on the 2006 Disney film. The play took place in the Merdian High School auditorium, as well as streaming for those who could not make it in person. Students are pictured here during dress rehersal before their weekend performances. (Photo: Kieran Shakeshift) er usage, student’s cell phones will return to lockers. It’s time to reduce screen time and up to our social interactions.

Students Learn How To Express Emotions Using Kimochis, Ms. Lisa Murphy provided a whole-class lesson on dealing with big emotions to Kindergarten students.

Kimochi means “feeling” in Japanese. Each character has a special pocket where kids can store Kimochi’s feelings. Using the characters and feelings, kids can get in touch with their emotions in a fun and comfortable way through puppetry and play.

Students shared: “I was nervous when my mom went on a trip.”

“It made me feel brave when I had to get a shot. “When my friend moved away, it made me disappointed.” FCCPS thanks the FCEF for funding this program at Mt Daniel.

Fairfax Co. Public Schools Vaccines Updated Statement From FCPS: FCPS highly encourages all student athletes to be vaccinated for the spring athletic season.

During the spring athletic season, student athletes who are un-

vaccinated will not be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing but will be required to follow all CDC protocols pertaining to isolation and quarantine for Covid positive persons and close contacts.

Students who are unvaccinated and exposed to the virus as close contacts or become positive will miss both their sporting activities and valuable learning time in the classroom as they will need to follow the protocols for quarantine and isolation as outlined by the CDC. Please contact the FCPS Office of Student Activities and Athletics at fcpssaap@fcps.edu with any questions.

MYP Personal Project Showcase On Monday, Meridian sophomores held their MYP Personal Project showcase.

Each student pursued their passion with a purpose by working toward a learning goal and researching their topic of interest. Students participated in the self-directed inquiry by planning, taking action, and reflecting on the process.

Examples of topics include the history of Falls Church City, designing a costume, learning about family history, learning to play guitar, raising money for cancer research, and building a

little library for the community.

Community Notice for IB Evaluations Every five years, the International Baccalaureate Organization asks IB World Schools to undergo a self-study to examine the implementation of the offered IB programs. Falls Church elementary and secondary schools are slated to host IB evaluators to hold discussions with various stakeholders this year. These visits will be virtual using the Zoom platform and will occur March 21-23 (secondary campus) and March 28-30 (both elementary schools).

The self-study and the subsequent visits focus on the assessment of how well schools are aligned with the IB Programme Standards and Practices: Selected groups of students, parents and administrators will be meeting virtually with the evaluation teams throughout the three days. Some classrooms will be visited and recorded in advance, while other classes will be viewed live with our remote visiting teams. Both visits will conclude with a community meeting immediately after the team has completed the sessions required in the review. More details can be found in Wednesday’s Morning Annoucements

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 11

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR REVISION OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE, DESIGNATED RIDER E, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING NOVEMBER 1, 2022 CASE NO. PUR-2022-00006 •Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion”) has filed a Petition with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) for revision of a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

•Dominion requests approval for recovery in Rider E of a total revenue requirement of $101,233,000. According to Dominion, this amount would increase the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.70.

•A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on July 12, 2022, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.

•An evidentiary hearing will be held on July 13, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling.

•Further information about this case is available on the Commission website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.

On January 25, 2022, pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 5 e of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed a petition (“Petition”) with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) for an annual update of its rate adjustment clause, designated Rider E, for the recovery of costs incurred to comply with state and federal environmental regulations at the Company’s Chesterfield, Bremo, Clover, and Mt. Storm Power Stations.

Dominion states that it is filing this annual update to inform the Commission of the status of the environmental projects located at the Chesterfield Power Station, including the Chesterfield Integrated Ash Project, as well as the environmental projects at the Bremo, Clover, and Mt. Storm Power Stations, and their projected expenditures. The Company also proposes a new project at the Mt. Storm Power Station, the Bottom Ash Water Transport Project (“Mt. Storm Environmental Project”), which would replace the current discharge system for bottom ash transport water with a new system that would recirculate bottom ash transport water in a closed loop, separating the bottom ash for removal. According to the Company, the current discharge system is now prohibited by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines. The total estimated capital cost for the Mt. Storm Environmental Project is approximately $119.7 million, excluding financing costs.

In this proceeding, Dominion asks the Commission to approve Rider E for the rate year beginning November 1, 2022, and ending October 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”). The Company states that the three components of the revenue requirement are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor, the Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”) Cost Recovery Factor, and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor.

The Company requests a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $58,932,000, an AFUDC Cost Recovery Factor of $13,385,000, and an Actual Cost True-Up Factor revenue requirement of $28,915,000. Thus, the Company proposes a total revenue requirement of $101,233,000 for service rendered during the 2022 Rate Year.

For purposes of calculating the revenue requirement in this case, Dominion states that it utilizes a rate of return on common equity of 9.35% for the period subsequent to the Commission’s Final Order in Case No. PUR-2021-00058, which was issued on November 18, 2021 (“Triennial Review Final Order”), and an ROE of 9.2% for the period prior to the Triennial Review Final Order, consistent with the ROEs approved by the Commission in Case Nos. PUR-2019-00050 and PUR-2017-00038.

Dominion asserts that it will utilize the same methodology to calculate Rider E rates in the instant proceeding as was approved in its last Rider E filing.

Dominion proposes that revised Rider E be effective for usage on and after November 1, 2022. If the revised Rider E for the 2022 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its revised Rider E on November 1, 2022, would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by approximately $0.70.

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

The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Petition. On July 12, 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 July 8, 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 July 13, 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.

Electronic copies of the public version of the Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com.

On or before July 12, 2022, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition electronically by following the instructions 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 comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2022-00006.

On or before April 26, 2022, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at: scc.virginia.gov/ clk/efiling. Those unable, 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. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company. Pursuant to 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 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2022-00006.

On or before May 24, 2022, each respondent may file electronically 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, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. 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. 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, as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2022-00006.

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

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

LO CA L

PAGE 12 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Temple Rodef Shalom Celebrates Purim, Salutes Billy Joel

by Mark Dreisonstok

Falls Church News-Press

Wednesday evening marks the holiday of Purim, a festive day on the Jewish calendar which remembers the biblical Book of Esther.

Queen Esther becomes the Jewish wife of the gentile King Ahasuerus, who “set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen,” as we read in the Scriptures (Esther 2: 17). This places Esther in a powerful position to prevent the wicked designs of the villain Haman, who wishes to kill her uncle Mordecai and, indeed, the entire Jewish people: “I and my people [are] to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish,” Esther exclaims to her husband and king (Esther 7: 4), but it is Haman who is defeated and destroyed instead.

In addition to a reading of the Esther narrative from the Megillah or scroll, Purim celebrations traditionally include a “spiel,” that is, acting out the story, sometimes in a humorous way. Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church does so in an innovative and memorable fashion, saluting (as well as parodying!) Broadway and Broadwaystyle musicals such as (in years past) Meredith Wilson’s “The Music

Man” and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Recent Falls Church transplant Yoni Bronstein (New York native, son of a Rabbi and Cantor, and with an MFA in acting from Columbia University) has arrived just in time to take on the directorial honors.

The theme Mr. Bronstein has chosen for this year’s celebration is the music of pop star and balladeer Billy Joel. Mr. Joel writes songs celebrating the common man and woman’s experience with life’s loves, challenges, and disappointments, drawing on the musical traditions of rock and roll, blues, and even, on occasion, jazz. His music is about the jostle of life and what one makes of it, as well as the small joys which can be found even in times of adversity. In the current Purim celebration, Temple volunteers enact the Esther story, and for the music of the “Piano Man” (a famous song by, and a sobriquet for, Billy Joel himself) we have as sole musician the Piano Guy, as show pianist Gary Rimar calls himself. Mr. Rimar tells the Falls Church News-Press that he does not try directly to imitate the Billy Joel style but instead improvises on all of the piano work, based off of his own arrangements.

We asked Mr. Bronstein why he

has chosen Billy Joel’s music for this Purim Spiel. “The music is fun, approachable, intergenerational, and family friendly,” he tells us. “His music also has drama, and Purim attendees can perhaps relate to this very famous Jewish pop star.”

Attendees of this week’s Purim Spiel, however, should not expect the usual lyrics of Billy Joel songs such as “Uptown Girl,” “Moving Out,” and “The River of Dreams.”

The lyrics are instead altered in a way to reference the Queen Esther biblical narrative, as well as lampooning the players themselves and even Jewish tradition. Mr. Joel’s “Scenes at an Italian Restaurant,” a three-part ballad encompassing a restaurant visit, recollections of youth, and celebration of love, is here recast with Queen Esther and King Ahasuerus seated at an Italian restaurant, complete with checkered table cloth. There are also the women in the play who hurl insults at the villain Haman (anachronistically) in Yiddish!

On the point as to whether this satiric approach is irreverent of a classic and indeed holy text, Mr. Bronstein provides a thoughtful answer: “The Book of Esther is a biblical soap opera, but one with high stakes. This is about an attempt

JEN JACOBSEN AS QUEEN ESTHER and David Steinhorn as King Ahasuerus in the Purim Spiel. Notice the “king“ wearing a Billy Joel T-shirt under his leather jacket. The T-shirt of the “queen“ references the Billy Joel song “uptown girl“. (Photo: Mark Dreisonstok) to annihilate the Jewish people, and the spirit of Purim is one of laughing in the face of evil.”

Last year’s Purim Spiel at Temple Rodef Shalom was conducted virtually, and whether or not this year’s event would be live was “touch and go” until the very last minute. Fortunately, as it turns out,

it is live in the sanctuary of the Falls Church-based synagogue, and this year’s stars (including Jen Jacobsen as Queen Esther, David Steinhorn as King Ahasuerus, Larry Chalmer as Mordecai, and Jason Steinbaum as Haman) are happy to share the festive spirit of Purim with the congregation.

St. James Annual Lenten Fish Fry Is a Community Staple

by Patricia Leslie

Falls Church News-Press

For a good time on a Lenten Friday night, head on over to St. James Catholic Church on West Broad for live music and good fish eatins’ and all the fixuns’.

The music may be a some time thing, but the delicious, fresh food is not!

The meal comes with fried or baked fish, homemade coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, French fries or baked potato, carrots, rolls, and a choice of vanilla, chocolate or carrot cake (the latter, homemade every week).

Julie Theobald, the founder of the St. James annual celebration and the “kitchen operations coordinator” chatted about the fish fry while she bustled about the kitchen and dining area last Friday, carrying a tray of plastic utensils and wearing a St. James red apron.

The opening hour was 30 minutes away, and already early birds were pouring in which was okay with Theobald who knows

how to run a good eatery.

The fish fry, she emphasized, is not a fund-raiser: “It’s a community event gathering, a social event” to foster good relations between churchgoers and others.

“We pay for the food and try not to lose money but our goal is to cover the cost.” Any extra money goes to the Social Outreach Committee which buys groceries which the church gives to 100 to 150 needy families on the first Friday of every month.

Thursday nights start the fish fry food prep when the homemade coleslaw group meets to chop and prepare 100 pounds of cabbage which they mix with purple cabbage (“for color”), carrots, and “we make our dressing from scratch.”

On Fridays someone comes in around 8 a.m. to start baking the potatoes, and the set-up begins.

In an ideal week, 125 volunteers come to bread fish, cut cake, run food from the kitchen to the dining hall or drive-thru assembly (must be fourth grade or older), and help in the kitchen.

Last Friday adults and students wore gloves and big smiles while they worked the assembly lines, cooked (only adults fry), placed food on carry-out plates, and served dine-in customers who waited in line which ran out the door.

Covid-19 started the drivethru service in 2020 which was so popular, the church has kept it.

Theobald apologizes to nearby residents: “We distribute flyers to neighbors and invite them to eat for free. We try to manage the traffic as best we can.”

This is the 13th year of the fish fry and upwards of 1,300 meals are served weekly.

“People enjoy it and come back. It’s a community thing,” Theobald beamed. “Some people stay and chat; some eat and leave.”

Whatever they do, the eatins’ are delish and coming back is an easy decision. Fish fry hours are 5 - 8 p.m. and will be served March 18, March 25, April 1, and April 8. “Suggested” dona-

A FISH FRY MEAL includes fried or baked fish with sides of hush puppies, french fries or a baked potato, cole slaw, a roll, macaroni & cheese and a beverage. Dessert options include a choice of three types of cake. (Photo: Patricia Leslie) tions are $7 for adults, $5 for children (ages 6 to 13), free for younger children, and there’s a family pass for $25. “The prices are suggestions only and

no one has to pay,” Theobald said. St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046, ph. 703-532-8815, https://stjamescatholic.org

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CO MME NT

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 13

Commentary: Can Germany Break Up With Russian Gas?

P��� K������ NEW YORK TIMES

Germany is one of the world’s great trading nations. In 2019, it imported $1.2 trillion worth of goods from all over the world.

Only about 2 percent of that total came from Russia. In fact, the Russian Federation, with roughly 144 million people, was only slightly more important in German trade than Ireland, with around 5 million people.

Ordinarily, then, you wouldn’t expect a disruption of economic relations with Russia to have a big effect on the German economy.

Unfortunately, Russia is a key supplier of one good Germany will find it hard to replace: natural gas. Nearly all of Germany’s natural gas consumption is imported via pipelines, and about 55 percent of its gas comes from Russia.

This situation should never have been allowed to happen; successive U.S. administra-

tions going all the way back to that of Ronald Reagan have warned Germany not to let itself become so dependent on a despotic regime. (I witnessed some of those discussions during my own brief stint in government, in 1982-83.) But here we are.

And while democratic nations have imposed a wide range of economic sanctions on the Putin regime, restrictions on Russian gas sales remain conspicuously absent from the list.

Yet Russian atrocities — and, to be honest, the surprising incompetence of Russia’s vaunted military, as the expected blitzkrieg enters its 20th day of apparent stalemate — have been rapidly changing the political calculus of the West’s response. Three weeks ago, it seemed inconceivable that German politicians would be willing to impose any significant pain on their voters in response to Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

Now there are serious discussions underway about whether and to what extent Germany can wean itself from Russian gas.

A small reduction in gas consumption shouldn’t be hard to

achieve. Precisely because gas has been cheap, some of it is currently being burned in lowpriority ways, easily discouraged with moderately higher prices and/or modest regulation. Large reductions, however, are another matter.

Put it this way: An important new study by a group of German economists (there are nine authors, so I’ll just refer to it as Bachmann et al.) estimates that eliminating gas imports from Russia would require cutting gas consumption by about 30 percent, to around 600 terawatt-hours from around 900 TWh. Why not 55 percent, the Russian share of German gas? Because Germany can probably get somewhat more gas from other sources and limit the use of gas for electricity generation by relying more on coal and nuclear power. (Yes, coal must be phased out to save us from climate catastrophe — but not in the middle of a war. It’s the St. Augustine principle: “Make me chaste, but not yet.”)

Even a 30 percent fall in consumption will, however, be hard to achieve on short notice.

Cutting consumption from 900 to 800 TWh might not be that costly; the reduction from, say, 700 to 600 TWh would be a lot more painful.

The German economists focus on a key economic concept called the elasticity of substitution — roughly speaking, how much demand for natural gas falls off for every 1 percent rise in its price. If that elasticity is low, the amount Germans would be willing to pay for an extra bit of gas once consumption has already been substantially reduced is large, implying that the economic cost of further reductions is also large.

Unfortunately, empirical estimates suggest that the elasticity of substitution for natural gas is low, at least in the short run. It’s not zero: Given high gas prices, households will turn down their thermostats, consumers will stop buying goods whose production requires burning a lot of natural gas, and so on. Still, the best guess is that we’re talking about an elasticity of around 0.18, which in turn means (if I’m doing the arithmetic right) that the price

of natural gas would have to rise by around 600 percent to cut demand by 30 percent.

That sounds like a lot, and Bachmann et al. deliberately use an even more pessimistic estimated elasticity of 0.1.

Yet even with those pessimistic assumptions, they find that Germany could, in fact, do without Russian natural gas, precisely because the country currently spends so little on Russian imports. The costs would be serious: German real income might fall by around 2 percent, the equivalent of a moderate recession. But it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Such drastic action would have been inconceivable a month ago. But Putin seems to be in the process of achieving something remarkable: reminding the world’s democracies what they stand for. He has already ruined Russia’s reputation as a military superpower; he’s now in the process of reducing whatever economic power it had, too.

By PAUL KRUGMAN © 2022 The New York Times

133 Virginia School Superintendents Assail Virginia Dems Block GOP Youngkin’s Executive Order Efforts to Restrict Voting

The organization of Virginia’s 133 school superintendents issued a letter to Gov. Youngkin’s office on March 10 assailing decisions the governor made contained in his Executive Order 1 on key issues of public education, including against a 30-day report on the impact of the order issued to the governor’s office pertaining to the impact of the policies. The News-Press was provided a copy of the letter from Howard Kiser, executive director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS), to Virginia Department of Education Superintendent Jillian Balow on behalf of the 133 superintendents by Falls Church School Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan today. The letter was in response to a meeting Tuesday between Balow and VASS representatives.

The letter spelled out seven areas of disagreements the superintendents had with the way Executive Order 1 was carried out and characterized by Balow. Those areas were out-

lined as follows: “Division superintendents and other stakeholder groups should have been consulted prior to the development of the 30-day report.

“Division superintendents disagree with your having rescinded much of the Ed Equity work by the Department of Education. This work had been completed by many quality educators over a number of years to provide support for the success of children in underserved communities and in select population groups.

Division superintendents disagree with your assumption that discriminatory and divisive concepts have become widespread in Virginia school divisions without your having involved educators in formulating that position or without having provided evidence to support that position.

“Division superintendents disagree with your using ‘equitable outcomes’ as the basis for determining what divisive concepts are and unilaterally

suggesting that this approach is discriminatory.

“Virginia’s public education system has consistently ranked as one of the best throughout the country in expectations and in student outcomes.

“Your use of ‘equitable opportunities’ in lieu of ‘equitable outcomes,’ without considering those factors that impact student achievement in underserved communities, can set public education in Virginia back many years. Quality education in Virginia has to be more than providing opportunities and hoping for the best.

Virginia’s accountability system relies heavily on student outcomes, not opportunities.”

Division superintendents disagree with the administration’s goal of “restoring excellence” in Virginia’s public schools, since that implies an inaccurate assessment of Virginia’s public education system currently and historically. Again, by most measures, Virginia ranks near the top and surpasses most states throughout the country.

This just-ended legislative session in Richmond saw Republicans attempt to roll back Virginia’s progress and pass a flurry of voting restriction bills, from repealing same-day voting to gutting access to absentee ballots.

But at every turn, Virginia Democrats and the Brick Wall Caucus reiterated their commitment to protecting our democracy and defeated every Republican voting restriction bill.

Here are some of the failed Republican attempts aimed at restricting Virginia’s right to vote: HB1090 / SB127 Reinstates photo ID requirements.

HB34 / SB236 Repeals drop-boxes for absentee ballots.

HB35 / SB552 Repeals no-excuse absentee voting.

HB185 / SB167 / SB235 Repeals same-day voter registration.

SB697 Restricts same-day voting.

SB460 / HB956 Limits the timeframe for when absentee ballots can be counted.

HB39 / HB178 / HB945 Dramatically cuts early in-person voting period.

HB175 Repeals the permanent

absentee voter list.

HB149 / HB310 Reinstates unnecessary requirements to obtain an absentee ballot.

SB162 Creates unnecessary requirements for voter registration.

Last year, Governor Youngkin launched his election campaign with an “election integrity task force,” and continues to be all-in on far-right conspiracy theories aimed at eroding the democratic process.

This session, the Governor and his Republican allies continued with their conspiracy crusade and sponsored voting restriction legislation under the “election integrity”. That included an attempt to spend $70 million of Virginia’s taxpayer dollars to run a “forensic audit” of the 2020 election based on false election fraud claims.

“This session, Republicans threw everything at the wall attempting to restrict Virginians from their most fundamental right — the right to participate in their democracy,” said DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker.

“Despite Republican efforts, Virginia Democrats thwarted attempts and worked tirelessly to ensure that every Virginian has the ability to cast their vote.

LO CA L

PAGE 14 | MARCH 17 -23, 2022

I� M�������: E��� J��� M������

Erin Jean Messner, 40, of Falls Church, VA, passed away in her home on Monday, March 7th , 2022 in the presence of her mother, husband, and children, and surrounded by the love of so many others. She waited for her children to come home from school on that day so she could be close to them one more time before she let go. Erin’s life journey was cut short by colon cancer but her spirit lives on in the memory of her bright smile and infectious personality.

Erin Jean Warfield, daughter of James M. Warfield of Germantown, MD and Margaret A. Warfield (Pauls) of Gaithersburg, MD was born October 24th, 1981, in Washington D.C. She attended Whetstone Elementary and Montgomery Village Middle schools and graduated from Watkins Mill High School in 1999.

Following High School, Erin went on to attend East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing in December of 2003. Erin was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority where she became lifelong friends with

many talented and inspirational women.

After graduating from ECU, Erin moved back to the Washington D.C. area and began working for Technical Analysis Center, a company supporting the Peace Corps in their downtown office. Erin gained her security clearance in 2004 and transitioned to supporting the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) inside of the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. It was while working at the Pentagon that she met her future husband, Joshua. Erin quickly mastered her job at DOT&E and after two years, was ready to challenge herself with a career in Marketing. In January 2006, Erin joined Investor Place Media in Rockville, MD, as a Marketing Associate and shortly after was promoted to Marketing Manager. Erin spent a short time with 1105 Media in Falls Church before becoming a self-employed Marketing Consultant in 2010. No matter where she was employed or what her job, Erin was a highly regarded employee and cherished colleague.

Erin grew up in a very lov-

ing family that provided her a constant source of support and comfort. Though four years younger, her brother Patrick is like a twin they are so much alike. Her mother was at her side through the darkest days of her battle with cancer. She appreciated her father’s help with opening her store and his regular phone calls, and the enjoyable visits from her brother Marc. Throughout her life she shared a special bond with her aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Family gatherings are always awash in a warm and welcoming feeling, full of loud cheerful voices and laughter, and none louder than Erin’s.

Erin and Josh were married on a splendid day, September the 20th 2008. The wedding was held on her aunt and uncle’s farm near Adamstown, MD, and is remembered by all who attended as being the most fun wedding ever— it was Erin’s wedding after all! They bought a house in Falls Church in 2008 and welcomed their son, Benjamin, in the Summer of 2012 and their daughter, Emma, in the Spring of 2014. Erin made the choice to stay at home with her babies but was a stayat-home mom in title only. She was always on the go with her children, meeting people and staying active in her children’s preschool education.

Erin served as the Fundraising Chair and then President of the Dulin Cooperative Preschool in Falls Church between 2015 and 2017.

In early 2017, Erin set out on her most ambitious enterprise yet— Lemon Lane Consignment, LLC, a children’s clothing consignment store in Falls Church. From the first time Erin spoke to anyone (including her husband) about opening a store, until opening weekend, was a mere 6 weeks.

It was a grand adventure for Erin and the small group of friends who helped her turn her dream into a reality. Lemon Lane continued to thrive even through the pandemic, and her beautiful store front has become a fixture of “The Little City”.

Through Lemon Lane, Erin has employed and mentored several amazing young high school and college age women who will undoubtedly go on to be successful leaders. Erin met so many wonderful people through Lemon Lane, and being a part of that community brought her

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM so much joy. She also shared her woman owned small business influence as a member of the Falls Church Economic Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce.

Erin had a magnetic personality that could be felt from across a room and she attracted anyone that resonated with her energy. Her heart shaped every arc of her life journey and she couldn’t be anything but genuine. She had many, many good friendships and a few that were as deep and vast as an ocean.

She was a smart and savvy business woman, a badass boss, a cherished daughter, a one of a kind sister, a loving mother, a great life partner, and a treasured friend. Erin was intelligent, decisive, fun, cool, sexy, and in a word, unforgettable.

Erin’s family would like to thank the small army of friends and extended family who supported them during these very difficult 15 months. Your caring words and generosity have helped us to endure this most trying time. Josh would like to acknowledge the tremendous support he has received from his office and his co-workers in the Department of Defense. They have given him the most valuable gift of all, the gift of time.

Time to be a husband, father, and care giver.

Erin is preceded in death by her grandparents, Gustav

and Jean Pauls, and James and Janice Warfield. She is survived by her husband, Joshua; children, Ben and Emma; her mother, Margaret Warfield; her father and stepmother, James and Lisa Warfield; brothers, Patrick (René) Warfield and Marc (Jessie) Warfield and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a Family and Friends gathering at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18th at Peace Lutheran Church, 6362 Lincolnia Rd, Alexandria, VA. Anyone who was a friend of Erin’s is welcome to come and share memories. Dress is casual and masks will be optional.

Children are welcome.

Funeral Services will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 19th at Peace Lutheran Church, 6362 Lincolnia Rd, Alexandria, VA. Children are welcome.

Masks will be optional. The funeral will be live streamed on the Peace Lutheran Church Website. There will be a link to click on the main page. https:// sharingpeace.org/ There will be a celebration of life following the funeral service at Claire and Don’s Beach Shack 130 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046 (food will be catered).

In lieu of flowers, the family honors Erin’s wishes by requesting donations to Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation https://www.lostdogrescue.org/

Your Paper Without the Paper See the News-Press Online Just Like you See it in Print With our

E-Issue

www.fcnp.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 15

Mayor Delivers Upbeat Speech

Continued from Page 4

noted that Mill Creek has placed $3.2 million in escrow for use in the buildout of a movie theater complex at the site, for which letters of intent have been obtained.

The “One City Center” project of Atlantic Realty at the opposite corner of the Broad and Washington intersection from the Insight project is also pressing ahead, awaiting a final City Council OK for 246 residential units, 10 percent affordable, and 109,000 square feet of commercial, including a grocery, a new facade on the old George Mason Square building (above the Ireland’s Four Provinces) and a pocket park.

Mill Creek’s “Founders Row 2” project, catty corner at W. Broad and West Street from Founders Row 1, is nearing Council final approval that will allow for another 280 residential units, 12 percent of which will be affordable and half of those at the low income end of the affordability scale.

Mayor Tarter noted that the City seems to be emerging as a

“medical office niche” space for its new commercial uses.

He noted that the City is on the verge of having 45 attractive new “wayfinding” signs posted around town.

He cited the City’s ability, despite its spending on a new high school, a newly renovated library and recently-renovated City Hall, to lower its residential tax rate last year from $1.355 per $100 of assessed valuation to $1.32, and that the Council has already suggested that another cut of up to four cents may be permitted in the City Manager’s projected FY23 budget that he’s expected to recommend later this month.

The Council will make its final decision on the new budget by May 2.

The mayor touted the success of the City in landing federal relief funds related to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as grants from Amazon, one of $3.7 million and another of $5 million for affordable housing acquisitions.

There’s also been funds flowing in for the City’s “Great Streets” project on Park Avenue

between the library and State Theater, on S. Washington St. where a multimodal intersection is now under construction, improvements around the 10-acre West End site, a connector between the W&OD trail and Haycock Road, and various transportation and traffic calming initiatives around town that include bumpouts, crosswalks, signage and the like.

There are three electric school buses coming, and the mayor said he’d like to see all the Falls Church Police Department cars go electric as “a nice statement of who we are as a City” (he recalled the time when all the City’s police cars were Volvos, which became its own kind of statement about the City).

He noted new businesses just opening in the City, including a Five Guys location, the Cuates Mexican Grill, Harvey’s at the Byron, and the Smoothie King coming to the location of the Sun Trust bank on W. Broad.

He said that “preserving existing businesses” is another City priority, and to advance an image of the City as “eclectic, fun and funky.”

EASTER & PASSOVER Advertise your Services and Events to our readership

Distributed to over 10,000 people

Reaching The Falls Church, Fairfax and Arlington Markets

Contact: Sue Johnson

sjohnson@fcnp.com • 703-587-1282

Bruches, Easter Egg Hunts and Holiday Themed Events

My child is going to college at

Their tomorrow depends on your words today.

Help complete your child’s future by encouraging them to get a college degree. Call the Hispanic Scholarship Fund today at 1-877-HSF-INFO or visit YourWordsToday.org to learn more.

.

LO CA L

PAGE 16 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes Birch & Broad to Welcome New Tenant Birch & Broad, formerly known as Falls Plaza (1200 W. Broad St) will be welcoming a new tenant this year, taking the property to full occupancy. The Little Gym, a premier enrichment and physical development center for children ages 4 months — 12 years, plans to open at Birch & Broad this summer in a 5,637 square-foot space located next to taekwondo school Jhoon Rhee Institute. The Little Gym will offer activities for kids including parent and child fitness classes, kids dance, gymnastics, sports skills, and karate. The gym’s arrival follows the completion of an extensive renovation and repositioning process for the shopping center. The recent improvements have amplified interest in the property and attracted new concepts such as Crumbl Cookies, Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen (a concept created by Chris Gannon, son of Outback Steakhouse founder, Tim Gannon), and Aqua-Tots Swim School — all set to open this year.

Senior Vice President of Asset Management for Federal Realty Deirdre Johnson stated that “the renovation and rebranding of Birch & Broad reinvented the center by providing appealing outdoor amenities that are attractive to both customers and retailers,” adding that “the addition of Aqua-Tots along with Conte’s Bike Shop, Road Runner Sports, and Jhoon Rhee adds to our offerings for the fitness enthusiast regardless of age.” To learn more, visit federalrealty.com/ birch-and-broad.

FCCPS Chief Operating Officer On Importance of Role Models Kristen Michael, the Falls Church City Public Schools Chief Operating Officer, reflected on Women’s History Month, expressing gratitude for the support she’s received, and underscoring the importance of setting a positive example to younger girls.

Speaking about her career in the public school system, she said that “so many women have encouraged, taught, and mentored me. I wouldn’t be at FCCPS today without the guidance and support of so

many women. A female leader who believed in me, suggested opportunities to learn at multiple points in my career, and provided me with honest feedback that I needed to grow, encouraged me to apply to FCCPS. I feel that I owe so much to her and all of the people who have led the way and encouraged me.” Michael expressed her hope that she can “repay the encouragement, support, [and] inspiration I received to our future leaders.

Education truly is the path to success, and I am so thankful to be part of Falls Church City Public Schools.”

FCCPS Reminds Families of #HandleWithCare Returning to school during the pandemic has and will continue to impact everyone differently, so if your student is experiencing difficulties, FCCPS wants to make sure they have the extra support they need at school. If your student is coming to school after a difficult night, morning, or weekend, send their teacher(s) a #HandleWithCare email or Schoology message. No other explanation needed and nothing will be said or asked. The #HandleWithCare message will let staff know that your student may need extra time, patience, or help throughout the day. FCCPS cares and is always here to help. Visit the FCCPS SEL/Mental Health Page (fccps.org/page/mental-health-support) for more support resources.

Contact your school counselor, social worker or school psychologist for additional assistance or just to talk. Contact 911 if you encounter an emergency situation.

5 Cent Plastic Bag Tax Starts Apr. 1 in the Little City The five cent plastic bag tax starts Apr. 1 in the City.

Neighboring jurisdictions started the tax on Jan. 1. Certain retailers will charge 5 cents at checkout per each plastic bag used. Skip the tax by bringing your own reusable bags, or opt for paper bags. There are about 20 stores in the City that will be affected: grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores. Some plastic bags — like those used for meat, seafood, and

A GRAND OPENING for the Falls Church-based first Virginia location for the AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF) healthcare center was held at its Sleepy Hollow Road location last Friday that featured (L. to R.). Zoraida Jimenez, Janetter Alvarez, Donna Temperta (the AHF Northern Virginia Bureau Chief), Danbi Martinez, Mike McVieker and Marcel Vinegar. The AHF has facilities in 46 countries. In the first five weeks at the new drop-in location, 60 patients have been served. AHF is now the nation’s largest provider of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medicine in the U.S. Other offices in the region include two sites in D.C., one in Baltimore and one in Temple Hills. As of 2019 there were 23,691 people living with HIV in Virginia and 56.4 percent of those are Black Americans with 822 new HIV diagnoses in 2019. Every AHF healthcare center includes a wellness center and a pharmacy focusing on closing the gap on HIV/AIDS disproportionately affecting minority communities. (Photo: News-Press). vegetables — are exempt. The City provided tote bags to neighbors in need. SNAP or WIC beneficiaries can pick up a bag from Housing and Human Services in City Hall (300 Park Avenue), from 10 a.m.

— 3 p.m., Monday — Friday. For more information, contact Housing and Human Services at hhsinfo@ fallschurchva.gov or 703-248-5005 (TTY 711). Revenue from the tax will go toward environmental cleanup programs, pollution and litter mitigation programs, educational programs on environmental waste reduction, and for providing reusable bags to neighbors in need.

Read more at www.fallschurchva. gov/PlasticBags.

Washington Sinfonietta To Finish Up 2021 — 2022 Season The Washington Sinfonietta is pleased to announce two concerts within the remainder of the 2021 — 2022 season: Saturday, Mar. 26, the Sinfonietta will perform “Three S’s,” Andante Festivo

by Sibelius, Cello Concerto No. 1 by Saint-Saens featuring cello soloist Eric Kutz, and Schubert’s Symphony No. 2; Saturday, June 25, the Sinfonietta will present “In Memory”: Debussy’s Claire de Lune, Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 (“Unfinished” Symphony), and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor” Concerto) featuring piano soloist Rachel Franklin. Both concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. at The Falls Church Episcopal, located at 166 E. Broad St. Concert attendees are asked to visit washingtonsinfonietta.org/ covid19, which has details regarding the Sinfonietta’s Covid-19 policy. Tickets can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com/ event/5388499. For more information, visit washingtonsinfonietta. org.

Notice: Treat Dark Traffic Lights as Four-Way Stops If you ever come across a traffic light that is not functioning, treat it

as a 4-way stop. If the traffic light is flashing red, stop as if it is a stop sign, look both ways, then proceed when safe. If the traffic light is flashing yellow, the other vehicles have the right of way. Stop completely, and proceed when it is safe.

Updates for N. Washington and E. Broad Streets The private development project at N. Washington St. and E. Broad St. will start demolition soon and with that will come temporary lane and sidewalk closures and other changes to the flow of traffic. In this first phase, the parking lot behind 130 N. Washington St. remains open, but the E. Broad St. entrance will close. The only entrance to the parking lot will be off of N. Washington St. via Park Pl. There is currently no left turn into Park Pl., so drivers from the north either need to find a safe way to turn around and approach from the south, or park elsewhere. The top two levels of the Kaiser Permanente

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Park Ave.) are open to the public on the weekends and after 5 p.m. on weeknights. This is an easy option for drivers from the north; turn right onto Park Ave. then right into the garage. This phase will also create intermittent lane closures in front of the project along N. Washington St. and E. Broad St. The sidewalk along a portion of Lawton St. will also be closed temporarily. Future phases of the project will require more sidewalk closures, intermittent lane closures, and other temporary disruptions. Find updates on the City’s website homepage at fallschurchva.gov.

Free Webinar: Safe Bike Infrastructure in F.C. Building safe bicycle infrastructure in a dense urban environment presents a variety of opportunities and challenges. Learn from the success of local bike advocates and discuss how the City of Falls Church can create a safe, sustainable network for bicyclists of all abilities by building protected bike lanes and other non-automobile transportation infrastructure.

Representatives from the District Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, and Washington

Area Bicyclist Association will speak at the event; hosted by the City’s Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC) and Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation (CACT). To access the Microsoft Teams link for this event, visit fallschurchva.gov/ esc; the webinar will take place Thursday, Mar. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Capital Improvements Project Proposal In Development The proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) was presented to the Planning Commission (PC) and is scheduled to be approved at the Mar. 16 PC meeting. This information will then be incorporated into the City Manager’s budget proposal.

The five-year CIP identifies capital needs of the community and indicates how these needs will be funded over the five-year period.

Typically, only projects that cost more than $150,000 and have a useful life in excess of five years qualify for funding in the CIP. The CIP is updated annually and is subject to change with each update. The full budget development schedule and all budget documents and meeting videos will be posted on fallschurchva.

LO CA L gov/Budget. The budget calendar includes multiple opportunities to speak at a Council meeting (Mar. 28, Apr. 11, Apr. 25, and May 2) and at Town Hall meetings (Mar. 31 and Apr. 21). Comments can be submitted to the City Clerk at any time. Email cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov with any questions.

NOVA Nightsky Theater Announces Cast of New Play “The Feral Child,” by Rand Higbee, a comedy in two acts about a girl who believes she is a cat, will run through Mar. 25 — 26 and Apr. 1 — 2, from 8 — 10 p.m. Directed by Ward Kay, the cast features Melody Dillon as Mary, Katie Carter as Edith, Carla Baechtle as Irene, Robert Gorman as James, and Zach Adams as Victor. Visit novanightskytheater. com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Black Real Estate Association Presidents Take Part in Panel Board presidents from the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR), Prince George’s County Association of Realtors (PGCAR) and Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors

Restaurant Spotlight

Last week of every month Contact us today to advertise!

Call: Sue Johnson • sjohnson@fcnp.com • 703-587-1282

(VPAR) joined Reggie Copeland, 2022 president of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) last month for a special program hosted by NVAR’s African American Realtor Advisory Forum.

The event focused on the obstacles and opportunities on the path to creating equity and inclusion, not only as it relates to Black homeownership, but also Black representation in the industry. With Black Realtors currently serving as 2022 presidents of four regional Realtor associations representing more than 27,000 real estate professionals in the Washington, D.C. Metro region and Southeastern Virginia, there is an historic opportunity this year to address systemic challenges facing both real estate professionals and prospective homeowners.

The forum offered perspectives from Black Realtors about their experiences and those of their clients seeking to break historic homeownership barriers. Panelists shared tactics for educating buyers, sellers and real estate professionals, but emphasized that there is not just one Black lived experience. “The DEI conversation is very multifaceted,” said Kaéra Mims, 2022 president of VPAR. “Be mindful of the plurality of the Black experience.” Strategies are still needed

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 17

to address disparities in access to homeownership. “NAR reports that the gap in homeownership rates for Black and White Americans has widened,” said NVAR CEO Ryan McLaughlin. “As front-line professionals in the industry, it’s important for our members to understand the unique challenges that minority home buyers face and to play a leadership role in identifying solutions.”

Copeland explained that the Forum was created to generate awareness and provide education not only for mebers, but for everyone.

Attention Rising Kindergarten Families in Falls Church To be eligible for Kindergarten, students must be five years of age by Sept. 30, 2022, and a resident of the City of Falls Church.

Pre-registration for Kindergarten will open Apr. 4. Mount Daniel’s Principal and staff will present a virtual Kindergarten Information Night for parents of prospective kindergarten students on Thursday, Mar. 24 at 7 p.m. There will be a brief overview of the school day, curriculum, daycare program, and registration requirements. Contact (703) 248-5644 or email Nora Pishner at pishnern@fccps.org with any questions.

CA L E NDA R

PAGE 18 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

FALLS CHURCH CALENDAR LOCALEVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 17 The D.C. Center’s Fresh Produce Program (All Day). The D.C. Center for the LGBT Community has partnered with Hungry Harvest to provide those in need with fresh farm produce. Registration for a weekly spot is required as produce is limited. Registration opens Mondays at 12 p.m.; to maintain fairness with who receives boxes, the Center will continue to utilize a lottery system. Those who registered will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. whether or not they are eligible to receive a produce box that week.

No proof of residency or income is needed. Face masks are required in the building; a mask will be provided for those without one.

Register at thedccenter.org/. Email: supportdesk@thedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245 for more information. (2000 14th St NW #105, Washington, DC 20009.)

Falls Church Fiber Artists. Those interested in knitting and crocheting are invited to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library for an informal, weekly knitting group. Share what you create, get advice from other knitters, or just chat while you work on your own project. All are welcome to attend. (120 N. Virginia Ave.) Call (703) 248-5030 for more information. 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Solace Outpost Trivia Night. Join Solace Outpost for live trivia every Tuesday and Thursday night, presented by Pour House Trivia. Come drink, eat and win. First place teams win a $30 gift card. Second place teams win a $20 gift card. (444 W. Broad St., Falls Church). 7 — 9 p.m.

District Trivia. Returning to Clare & Don’s every Thursday night. Bring friends and show off your trivia chops. (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 7 p.m.

“Getting Ready for the 1950 Census.” Those interested are invit-

ed to attend a virtual event sponsored by the Fairfax Genealogical Society; presented by Thomas MacIntee, professional genealogist.

Free and open to the public; registration is required at www.fxgs.org.

The Fairfax Genealogical Society (FxGS) provides education and training for family history researchers in the Fairfax County area.

Although based in Fairfax, many of its members are not native to the area, so several of the research endeavors are not restricted to local genealogy. The Society’s interests are often national and international in scope. 7:30 p.m. — 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18 Davis Mansion Tours. In its 240year history, Morven Park’s Davis Mansion transformed from a modest fieldstone house into the impressive Greek Revival building we see today. Guests will pass through living areas that include a lavish entry hall, an ornate drawing room, an elaborate dining area, a grand billiard room, and a wellstocked library, as well as an expansive kitchen and charming personal quarters. There are no ropes or barriers within the mansion museum rooms; visitors of all ages are welcome. Registration required; tours are offered on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday each week.

Tickets are available for 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m., with the last tour leaving the Visitor Center at 3:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $16; guests ages 18 and under are allowed in for free. For more information, visit insidenovatix.com.

(17269 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg, VA 20176.) On-going event.

Fish Fry Fridays at Dogfish Head Alehouse. All are invited to try out a rotating selection of fried fish dishes throughout the entire month at Dogfish Head Alehouse, featuring the return of an old favorite: the fried grouper sandwich with beach fries. Email fallschurch@dogfishalehouse.com or call 703-534-3342 for more information. (6220 Leesburg

Pike.) Dogfish Head Alehouse is open 11 a.m. — 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. — 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Falls Church Farmers Market. Every Saturday, visitors can find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, and so much more.

Please review and abide by the Covid-19 health guidelines. (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 9 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Furniture Painting Basics Class.

In this class, led by Beth West, Manager of Stylish Patina, attendants will use Jolie matte paints to learn the basics of painting and waxing furniture. Much of what will be taught can be used on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and many other sections of one’s home. The class features 2 hours of focused, hands-on instruction; all materials will be included; oneon-one feedback will be provided.

Attendants will be provided with a take-home bag of supplies such as paint, wax, brush, color card, and an everyday tutorial guide. $125.

Stylish Patina Home (450 W. Broad St. Suite 120A). Those interested in a digital version of the class can sign up at stylish-patina.mykajabi.com/.

Visit stylishpatinashop.com/collections/classes/ or email shop@stylishpatina.com for more information and to register. 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Meet New People, Create Comedy, Laugh Hard. Improv is easier than most people might think, anyone can learn! Reflex Improv’s new classes incorporate a range of ages and cultural backgrounds, helping everyone learn, have fun, and make new friends. Intro to Improv is accepting enrollments now; the course takes place on Saturdays, spanning between Mar. 19 — Apr. 30 (off Apr. 23). NOVA Nightsky Theater (1057 West Broad St Falls Church, Virginia). Visit refleximprov. com/falls-church-virginia/ for more information and to register. $225.

10 – 11:30 a.m.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Big Fat Gay Yard Sale. The D.C. Center for the LGBT Community is throwing open the doors to its community clothing closet. Visitors will find racks of shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, suits, sneakers, shoes, and many other kinds of apparel. The suggested donation is $1 per piece of clothing, or give what you can and take what you need. The sale will take place on the sidewalk in front of The DC Center at 2000 14th street NW. 10 a.m. — 3 p.m.

Wine Tasting Saturdays at Dominion Wine & Beer. Join an industry professional every Saturday for wine tastings featuring different selections each week. Call (703) 533-3030 for more information. Located in the back parking lot; no reservations required. (107 Rowell Ct.) 1 p.m. — 4 p.m.

Family Movie: The Angry Birds (2016). Enjoy family day at a showing of “The Angry Birds Movie” (2016) at the Woodrow Wilson Library (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church). The film is rated PG and stars Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Maya Rudolph, and Bill Hader. An all-ages event. No food or drink is allowed during the movie to ensure Covid-19 safety. Per county standards, all visitors ages 2 and up must wear a mask while in the building. 3 — 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20 NOVA Central Farm Markets. This year-round farmers market, located on Beulah Road at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Vienna, features fresh local pork, chicken, fish, cheeses, produce, dairy, baked goods, prepared foods to go, eggs, flowers, and ice cream. Table seating will be available; the market will also feature live music, kids’ activities, chef demos, and other activities. For more information, visit nova.centralfarmmarkets. com. (543 Beulah Road, Vienna, VA 22180.) 9 a.m. — 1 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 21 City Council Work Session. City Council Work Sessions are held the first and third Monday of the month, with the exception of Aug. and Dec., when only one meeting takes place. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. Watch the meeting at fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings or FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Email cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov for more

information. Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. 7:30 — 11 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22 AARP Tax Assistance. Get help with income taxes using this free program provided by the AARP & IRS. Tax Assistance is by appointment only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays between 10:30 a.m.

— 2:30 p.m, running through April 18. Visit the upper level Service Desk at Mary Riley Styles Public Library during regular hours; pick up an AARP tax packet, call the number provided in the packet to schedule an appointment; then follow the instructions in the packet and bring all necessary documents to the library for your scheduled appointment. (120 N. Virginia Ave.) Call 703-248-5031 for more information.

Movie Night: Brooklyn (2015).

Celebrate Women’s History Month with a screening of “Brooklyn” at Thomas Jefferson Library.

“Brooklyn” tells the story of a young woman emigrating from Ireland to New York City in the 1950s, finding herself torn between a magnetic Italian suitor and a charming lad back home. Directed by John Crowley and starring Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, and Julie Walters. No food or drink allowed during the movie to maintain Covid-19 safety. 6 — 8 p.m.

(1545 Arlington Blvd.)

Trivia Night at the Casual Pint. Do you know that the capital of Virginia is Falls Church? Do you know that Elvis was a member of the Beatles?

If you know these things you should come to trivia Tuesday at 7:00 pm at the Casual Pint. As always trivia is outside in a covered breezeway and is contact free. Just download TrivNow on your phone and play along. (6410 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 — 8 p.m.

Veterans and the Arts Initiative Spring 2022: Exploring Self & Social Identity with Women Veterans.

Join Andi Benge, George Mason University School of Art instructor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, will teach how to combine several different art mediums that you already have at home using collaging techniques as well as how to incorporate your own personal experiences for artistic expression. This three-part, hybrid workshop — in-class or virtual — is free and open to women veterans. Space is limited; registration required. Located at the Hylton Center for the Performing Arts

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

as well as online over Zoom. Call 703-993-7550 for more information. Visit hylton.calendar.gmu. edu/ for more information and to register. (10960 George Mason Cir, Manassas, VA 20110.) Tuesdays, 7 — 8 p.m., running from Mar. 22 — Apr. 5.

Great Books Discussion Series. Join the Mary Riley Styles Public Library for a virtual discussion of “The City of God” by Saint Augustine (Imperfect Ideal, Great Books Foundation). A PDF is also available online. This program will take place over Zoom; email Marshall Webster at mwebster@fallschurchva.gov for an invite and more information. The Great Books Discussion Series concentrates on literary classics both traditional and modern and meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Open to all; no registration required. 7 — 8:45 p.m. Call (703) 248-5141 for more information.

Trivia Tuesday at Audacious Aleworks. Join Audacious Aleworks every Tuesday for trivia at 7 p.m.

The winning team of 1 to 6 receives a $25 gift card to the brewery as well as entry into online quarterly championships for $2500. (110 E Fairfax St., Falls Church). 7 — 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 Afterschool Activities and Adventures. Introducing After School Activities and Adventures: the after-school activity of the week at Woodrow Wilson Library.

It might be games, activities, or crafts! It's always a surprise and fun. Ages 6—12. Limited to the first 12 participants. (6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church). 4:30 — 5:30 p.m.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, MARCH 17 Gerry Timlin, Brook Yoder. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad St).

11 a.m. 703-534-8999.

Bobby & Jenny. Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. (2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-573-2011.

The Rob Hornfeck Enterprise.

Dogwood Tavern (132 W. Broad St, Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-237-8333.

CA L E NDA R

and Don’s Beach Shack (130 N Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-532-9283.

Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Gerry Timlin. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad St). 6:30 p.m. 703-534-8999.

Traditional Irish Music Session.

Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W Broad St., Falls Church). 8 p.m.

703-534-8999.

The Medicated Headsmen and Gordon Sterling & The People with Natalie Brooke. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $12. 8 p.m. 703237-0300.

Shartel & Hume. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Lil Maceo (Kareem Walke). JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Medicated Sunfish, Higher Education, Garrett Gleason Trio.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $25. 10 p.m. 703-2551566.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Stealin The Deal. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.

The Creaky Bones. Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. (2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703573-2011.

Gerry Timlin. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad St). 6:30 p.m. 703-534-8999.

Kreekwater Band. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church). 8:45 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Melodime with Steve Everett. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $20. 9 p.m. 703237-0300.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20 Crowded Minds. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m. 703-241-9504.

Wolf Blues Jam. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

MONDAY, MARCH 21

St. Patrick’s Day with Thrillbillys.

JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church). 8:30 p.m. 703241-9504.

Tom Saputo & Friends. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

TUESDAY, MARCH 22

Dan & Chuck in the Swamp. Clare

Open Mic with Josh & Andy. JV’s

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 19

FCNP Featured Event

The Spring Equinox March 20th

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 Open Mic with Bob & Martha.

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

703-241-9504.

THEATER&ARTS THURSDAY, MARCH 17 Daphne's Dive (Running through Mar. 20). A tribute to found family, Daphne’s Dive focuses on a neighborhood watering hole run by the warm and enterprising Daphne.

Her north Philly bar becomes home to a colorful, disparate band of society’s outsiders. Over the course of 20 years, they drink, dance, rejoice, and grieve together in a captivating weave of interconnection. Written by Pulitzer Prizewinner Quiara Alegría Hudes, writer of “In the Heights.” Upcoming shows are: Thursday, Mar. 17 at 8 p.m.; Friday, Mar. 18 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Mar. 19 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Mar. 20 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at sigtheatre.org/events/202122/ daphnes-dive/. (4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, Virginia 22206.)

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 The Adventures of Mr. Toad.

Generations of children have roamed the countryside in the company of Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger. Ceative Cauldron’s Learning Theater ensemble will bring these heartwarming and hilarious tales to life in a show that will capture the imaginations of both young and old. Adapted from “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame, with music by Matt Conner and lyrics

by Stephen Gregory Smith. Running from Mar. 18 — Apr. 3; 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Adult tickets are $20; student tickets are $18. Visit creativecauldron.org/toad.html for more information and to purchase tickets.

All patrons must wear masks; social distancing will be observed. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test within 24 hours of the performance is required for everyone age 5 and up. (410 South Maple Avenue, Retail 116, Falls Church, VA 22046.) 703436-9948.

FALLING ON MAR. 20 OF THIS YEAR, the Spring Equinox marks the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Also known as the Vernal Equinox, this event sees the Sun "cross" the equator line, heading north. As this goes on, the Northern Hemisphere will tilt more towards the Sun, resulting in longer days. The Southern Hemisphere will experience the opposite, as it tilts away from the Sun. Following the cold, erratic weather of recent months, March will be a welcome change of pace for many. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave), the “crown jewel” of the City’s park system, will be the perfect place to see these changes take place as well as to spend some quiet time out among the blooming plants, skittering squirrels, and plethora of chirping birds. (Photo: Alex Russell.)

PAGE 20 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA The ordinance referenced below was given first reading on September 27, 2021. A public hearing, second reading, and final City Council action is scheduled for Monday, March 28, 2022 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matters may be heard.

(TO21-08) ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, BY REZONING APPROXIMATELY .98 ACRES OF LAND FROM T-1, TRANSITIONAL TO B-1, LIMITED BUSINESS LOCATED AT 1001 & 1003 WEST BROAD STREET (REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 52-102-065 & 52-102-060) ON APPLICATION BY MILLCREEK RESIDENTIAL TRUST, LLC A public hearing and final City Council action is scheduled on the following resolution for Monday, March 28, 2022 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matters may be heard.

(TR21-06) RESOLUTION TO GRANT A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL USES WITHIN A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND TO INCREASE THE BUILDING HEIGHT WITH A BONUS OF THIRTY (30) FEET TO A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF EIGHTY-FIVE (85) FEET FOR A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ON APPROXIMATELY 2.09 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 1001 &1003 WEST BROAD STREET REAL PROPERTY CODE NUMBERS 52-102-065 & 52-102-060) ON APPLICATION BY MILLCREEK RESIDENTIAL TRUST, LLC Public hearings are scheduled be held in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA. The public may sign up at the meeting or sign up to speak remotely at www.fallschurchva.gov/PublicComment before noon on the day of the meeting. Written public hearing comments may be sent until noon on the day of the meeting to cityclerk@ fallschurchva.gov.

For copies of legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office at 703-248-5014 or cityclerk@ fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703-248-5014 (TTY 711).

CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

C L AS S I F I E DS ATTN. AUCTIONEERS: Advertise your upcoming auctions statewide and in other states. Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audiences. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net

HOME IMPROVEMENT Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-614-6667 GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions.

1-877-636-0738 The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option.

Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today.

Call 1-833-688-1378

LIVESTOCK SALES G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer/Cow Sale. March 26th, 2022 12:00 noon. G&E Test Center Gretna, VA. Call George Winn at 434-489-4458.

RECRUITMENT HIRING? We can help you fill your open positions! Promote job listings regionally or statewide! Affordable Print and Digital Advertising Solutions reaching potential candidates. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net

Outdoor Living

SERVICES DIVORCE-Uncontested, $395+$86 court cost. WILLS-$225.00. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook). 757-490-0126. Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. https://hiltonoliverattorneyva.com.

Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company- 844-509-1697 or visit www.Life55plus.info/vapress

703-992-8787

www.AllGreenlandscaping.com

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-6084974

ROOFS Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer - $500 Discount + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-844-497-0453

CABLE DISH Network. $59.99 for 190 Channels!

Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1-844-648-8812 AUCTIONS

Services and Specialties Include: • Design & Build • Patios (flagstone, stone, or brick) • Fire pits • Outdoor Kitchens • Driveways & Walkways • Retaining Walls • Outdoor Lighting • Seasonal Landscaping & Botanical Upgrades

Concrete

495 Concrete

Other Services

www.495Concrete.com Bobcat Grading • Excavation & Trenching Slab • Footing • Patio • Concrete Demolition We pour brand new Concrete Driveways

R

571-308-6559

Home Improvement

Lawn Services

www.gagnonsgutterworks.com

Follow Us Online

AUCTIONS

Cleaning Services House Cleaning Service Avaliable 7 days a week Weekly - Bi Weekly - Monthly or One time Jobs Move out - Move in 28 years Experience • Good references • Free Estimates

For Information Call Susy

703-901-0596

PUBLIC AUCTION In accordance with the Virginia Self-Storage Act, section 55-419 F, notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental storage spaces located at Fort Knox Self-Storage will be offered for sale: David Alan-Unit 663, Arthur Cramp-Unit 672, Esther DelekajewUnit 682&691.

Sale will be held online at LockerFox.com.

Pictures can be viewed at that site. Bidding will begin at 9:00am on March 20th and will conclude at 9:00am on March 25th winning bidder will be required to pay a $100.00 per unit refundable clean-out deposit (cash).

twitter.com/fcnp

facebook.com/newspress

Other Payments by Credit Card Only

fcnp.com

instagram.com/fcnewspress

classads@fcnp.com We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530.

Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

Copyright © 2022, Penny Press

ACROSS 1. Ship defector 4. Herring’s kin 8. Graceful bird 12. Past 13. Music system: hyph.

14. Evergreen 15. Hair cream 16. Carney et al.

17. Tiny pests 18. Border 20. Admission slip 22. Savior 24. Gravy 26. Portrayal 28. Brush part 32. Orchestra ____

33. Brick house 35. Balloon input 36. Navigated 38. More mature 40. Fend off 42. GI’s supper 43. Covered passageway 46. Licks 48. Oceans 49. Orderly 51. “Tea for ____” 54. Plate of glass 55. Dealer’s vehicle 56. Line of seats 57. Ran 58. Hit

59. Mate of hither DOWN 1. Scrap of cloth 2. Iron or Stone 3. Put up with 4. Kind of carpet 5. Takes on 6. Foreand-____ 7. Bother 8. Gaps 9. Blink of one eye 10. Add a share 11. Robin’s roost 19. Pug or collie 21. Frostier

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 124

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 21

PUZZLE NO. 126

22. Rude look 23. Require 25. Undesirable plants 28. Rude glance 29. Chance 30. Some resorts 32. Underground prison 33. Free time 36. Not pro 39. Restaurant customer

dy

ale

t of

knob output ring

dora f t l

40. Young’s opposite 41. “The Sun ____ Rises” 42. Coil 43. Loafing 45. Laze around 48. Green veggie 49. As well 50. Squirt gun, e.g.

51. Shepherd’s charge

STRANGE BREW

Copyright © 2022, Penny Press

ACROSS 1. Derby, e.g.

4. “____ a Wonderful World” 8. Long narrative 12. Spud bud 13. Long-eared animal 14. Heroic poem 15. Harbors 17. Egg holder 18. Acorn bearer 19. Browns bread 21. Roger Moore role 24. Fast 26. Iron or Stone 27. Surrounds

31. Santa’s vehicle 33. Relay portion 34. Gather a crop 35. Won over 37. Time division 38. Harsh sound 40. Mine products 41. Straightens 44. Each part 46. Mine deposit 47. Current: hyph.

52. Song for one 53. Film segment 54. Currently 55. Diner sign 56. British noble 57. Hair tint

DOWN 1. Males 2. Pirate’s yes 3. Afternoon gathering 4. Halt!

5. Listens 6. Painting or photography 7. Sampling 8. Member of Congress 9. Copycats 10. Meaning 11. Behaves 16. Legume holder 20. ____-thewall 21. Deep tone

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 126

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

SPORTS QUIZ

By Ryan A. Berenz 1. Which team used the oval “G” logo first: the Georgia Bulldogs, the Grambling State Tigers or the Green Bay Packers?

2. In 1891, James Naismith created “basket ball” using wooden baskets designed to collect what fruit?

3. College football’s LA Bowl began in 2021 with what late-night TV talk-show host serving as title sponsor?

4. Name the ESPN sportscaster and columnist who authored the books “The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty” and “How Lucky You Can Be: The Story of Coach Don Meyer.”

5. What member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame was known as “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” during her professional career from 1989-2012?

6. In 1994, what Cleveland Indians relief pitcher broke into the umpire’s room at Comiskey Park and stole an allegedly corked bat belonging to Indians outfielder Albert Belle?

7. Jud Heathcote was head coach of what college basketball team from 1976-95?

Last Week’s Answers 1. Glenna Collett-Vare • 2. The Brooklyn Dodgers • 3. Marvin Harrison.

4. Duckpin bowling •5. Cuba •6. The Ninety Nine All Stars.

7. The Michigan State Spartans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. (c) 2022 King Features Syndicate, Inc

JOHN DEERING

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Critter Corner

25 & 10 Years Ago in the News-Press Falls Church News-Press Vol. VI, No. 52 • March 13, 1997

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXII, No. 3 • March 15, 2012

Don Beyer Comes Home to Launch Run for Governor

Shields Proposes 6.7% Budget Hike With No Tax Rate Increase

Naming education as his highest priority, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Beyer, Jr., a Falls Church businessman, announced Monday he’s an official candidate for Governor of the Commonwealth.

Beyer made a whirlwind tour of the state Monday to formally annouce his candidacy.

Based on indicators of a modest improvement in the local economy, including both residential and commercial real estate values, the City of Falls Church’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget recommended by City Manager Wyatt Shields calls for a 6.7 percent increase over the year’s current budget.

In Memoriam: Charles “Ben” Sisler

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of longtime Falls Church resident and businessman, Charles Benjamin “Ben” Sisler, 95. He passed away peacefully on February 24, 2022 at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, Woodstock, VA. Ben was President of Sislers Stone Incorporated, a familyowned masonry/hardscape business, now run by his son, Stephen. During WWII, Ben served in the Navy as a gunner’s mate aboard the USS Intrepid CV-11 in the Pacific theater.

Ben served as Fire Chief of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years and a life member for 74 years. He was a member of the Virginia State Fire Chiefs Association, the American Legion Post 166, and Fraternal Order of the Eagles Post #4264. He was an avid outdoorsman, farmer, and a

stone mason by trade.

Ben is survived by his wife Mary of 64 years, four children Nelson, Donald (Gayle), Kathy Price, and Stephen (Debra Neely); several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A visitation and funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 3 at 11 a.m. at Woods Chapel Independent Bible Church, presided over by Glen Turner, located at 58 Splinter Ln, New Market, VA 22844. The interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, New Market.

Pallbearers are members of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the New Market Fire and Rescue, 9771 S. Congress St., New Market, VA 22844

MOCHA is a mutt that was rescued by the Tombul family from Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in 2019. She loves the weather here! Her favorite pastime is soaking up some sun in the front yard of her Little City home!

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

The Bath or Shower You’ve Always Wanted

IN AS LITTLE AS 1 DAY

500* OFF

$

OR

No Payments & No Interest for 18 Months** Military & Senior Discounts Available

OFFER EXPIRES MARCH 31, 2022

CALL NOW!

(844) 945-1631 *Includes product and labor; bathtub, shower or walk-in tub and wall surround. This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Other restrictions may apply. This offer expires Mar 31, 2022. Each dealership is independently owned and operated. **Third party financing is available for those customers who qualify. See your dealer for details. ©2022 BCI Acrylic Inc.

MARCH 17 - 23, 2022 | PAGE 23

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

We want to thank the supporters who’ve stepped up to become FCNP members and contributors.

Your support is extremely valuable to us!

Members Acosta, Jody Bartley, Diane Bobb, Mary Caceci, Gina Chancellor, Eric Chancellor, Richard Crain, Julie Darne, Mary DeRienzo, Matt Feeley, Roger Gustafson, David Guthrie, Priscilla Hamme, Nate Hernandez, Buddy Highnam, P. Jeffers, Olivia Kawar, Mark Koran, Elizabeth Krachman, Julie Kuhman, Meagan Laub, Peter Leach, Liesl Mallory, Carol McCall, Richard Miller, Andrew Morse, Melissa Muria, Magali Nicholson, Jodi Op de Beke, Anton Prendergast, Brad Rankin, Andy Riedel, Adam Rogers, Steve Rush, Tonda Ruth, Stephen Savoldelli, Steven Sonderman, Jeff Tate, Whitney Theisz, Gordon

Urrutia, Joanne Wells, Rita Wiant, Jon

Contributors Andalora, Susan Anderson, Gerald Armstrong, Sue Ellis Balazy, Kristi Bartley, Cynthia Bastarache, Rosalie Bastarache, Suzanne Bennett, Mica Beyer Automotive Brain, Shawn Brand, Norman Brown, Rob Brown, Theresa Brozi, Kristen Brozi, Peggy Burleson, Edward Campbell, MaryBeth Carter, Chris Caumont, Andrea Chirico, Sara Chung, Yoona Clewett, John Collins, Jennifer Conaty, Barbara Connelly Family Conway, Joe Coyle, James Crain, Julie Curry, Frick David, Patrick Deering, Stephen DeMarce, Virginia Diaz, Michael Dierksen, Deane Dimock, Susan

Donlavage, Robin Dunbar, Cynthia Dunie, Justin Durham, Susan and John Dworken, Morton and Anna Eisele, Kitty Ekfelt, Sally Epstein, Mark Eskew, Jonathan Famaglietti, Michelle Feltman, Ken Freudberg, Stuart Garon, Philip Garriga, Miriam Gawen, Joy Giambo, Pamela Gilliam, Leslie Gilman, Sarah Glaize, Susan Goldrosen, Suzanne Gutierrez, Maralee Hale, David Hall, Michael Handly, Jacquelyn Hanson, Nancy Harter, Thomas Hartmann, Catherine Henderson, Bethany Hill, Paul Hilsen, Louise Hjort, Marienetta Cannito Hochstadt, Ted Holland, Kevin Howard, Wanda Hull, Laura Iverson, Roy Jennings, Ryan Johnson, Cathy Jones, Karen Kamens, Gerald Kane, Jody Kelly, Jean

Koch, Gregory Kosinski, Taryn Kroboth, Angela Lamb, Rebecca LaToracca, Rebecca Laub, Beverly Layton, James Lebowitz, Shayna Lemke, Judith LeNard, Stephen Magee, Thomas Mann, Marilyn Marcangelo, Gregory Martin, Laura Martinez, Laura McCullar, Alisa McKee, Sean McCleary, Kathleen McGunagle, Mark Messick, Tim Miller, Clyde Miley, Stephanie Mitchell, Sandy Mockenhaupt, Robin Morgan, Sydney Moses, Adam Mosher, Sue Nathan, Dick and Joy Newman, Shelia Oppenheimer, Peter Padilla, David Joseph Parker, Mary Pridemore, Peggy Quiroz, Manuel Razzi, Elizabeth Read, Julia Reinhard, Beth Rhode, Michael Rice, Carol and John Richards, Fred Roche, Tim Romer, Theresa

Roth, Debra Schick, Jack Schoeller, Sharon Schrodt, Mary Scioville, Sandra Sedei, Ruth Sharpe, Kieran and Barbara Shatz, D Shaw, Brian Shaw, Diane Shea, Cecily Sidhu, Manny Simon, Sam Smolinski, Tom and Edie Snyder, David and Edith Soto, Emily Stanonik, Frank Stenseth, Jackie Stoner, Ben Swift, Luther Thomas, Donavan Trunk, Martha Lee Tysse, James Van Duizend, Richard and Sharon Vantuyl, Joanne Wagner, Renee Wanlund, William Wasilefski, Kelly Wells, Martha Wesling, Timothy Westergard, Curt Whalen, Nancy Wicks, David Willingham, Margaret Willson, Michael Winters, Rohini Wishrad, Vinnie Wright, Nicholas Yangdon, Tsering

To become a Member or Contributor give us a call at 703-532-3267 or send us an email at: ngatz@fcnp.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | MARCH 17 - 23, 2022

March Sales Event

2022 Volvo XC90

2022 Volvo XC60

Bring this ad in and receive $250 off any new or used vehicle for the month of March.

Beyer Volvo Cars

Falls Church • Winchester • Dulles

SOLD!

beyervolvocarsfallschurch.com • 703.237.5000

ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service

TM

COMING SOON!

5948 3rd St N, Arlington 3 Bedroooms

Fully-Fenced Yard

2 Bathrooms

Walk to Bluemont Park

Lovely all brick townhome features 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms, 3 gas fireplaces, and a private patio accessible from both the main and lower levels of the home. The two-story foyer welcomes you to the elegant main level full of natural light. The updated Kitchen has granite countertops and stainless steel appliances and opens to the family room with gas fireplace and built-ins. The upper level features a primary bedroom with tray ceiling, gas fireplace, custom walk-in closet and luxurious bathroom, plus 2 additional bedrooms, a full bath, and laundry room. Lower level 1 provides a private suite with bedroom, full bath, gas fireplace and walk out to the rear patio. Lower level 2 provides a huge storage room and an opportunity to build out additional finished space. Enjoy nearby restaurants, shopping, and specialty grocery stores such as the Organic Butcher and Balducci's. Amazing Walk Score of 73.

CALL 703-867-TORI

703-626-3257 merelyn@kayes.com

Tori@ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com 2111 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

REALTOR®

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

© 2022 Tori McKinney, LLC