Falls Church News-Press 3-18-2021 by Falls Church News-Press

March 18 – 24, 2021

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Nega�ng Net Tax Increase Now Up For Discussion Among F.C. Council Beyer: Federal Rescue plan WIll Gift $13.2 MIllion to City of Falls Church BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

The American Rescue Plan $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package that Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed into law last week will provide an estimated $13.28 million to the City of Falls Church, U.S. Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. reported in

a press release breaking down the money coming our way Wednesday. Virginia overall will get $4.4 billion, including $2.9 billion for fiscal relief to local governments, Beyer said. “On the day we passed it, I said my vote for the American Rescue Plan was the most consequential vote I had ever cast. Now people are

Founders Row’s 2nd Phase Plans To Break Ground in Spring 2022 BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Are you ready for another Founders Row? The Mill Creek Residential Trust development group that is pressing ahead with its giant 4.3 acre development at the intersection of W. Broad and N. West Streets — the biggest ever in the City of Falls Church to date — came before a work session of the City Council here with its first public presentation on plans for a second phase of its project right across the street. Most keen to the development scene in the City have been aware of Mill Creek’s plans for some time, but this was the first televised public airing of the plan and it appears to have considerable but not unanimous Council support so far. The Founders Row Phase 1 cur-

rently under construction was the subject of attention in the NewsPress last week as an impactful contributor to the tax revenue base of the City, allowing for the City Manager to recommend a one cent reduction in the real estate tax rate citywide. Catty corner from where the immense Founder Row project has currently risen out of the ground and moves to completion, in the area now occupied by a carpet store and former Rite Aid that is closed, and its large parking lot, is where Mill Creek has already put preliminary holds on the land and wants to construct another 319 apartments in a mostly-residential plan that needs the City OK for a variance on its height limit to seven levels at 85 feet. The proposed 319 residential

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beginning to see why we pushed so hard to get a big, ambitious relief bill through Congress. The pain and suffering of this pandemic have not been evenly distributed, and the American Rescue Plan will get aid to those who need it most as quickly as possible,” Beyer said. “The assistance in this bill is going to be huge for communities in Northern Virginia.”

For Falls Church, as an example, the aid will amount to about $1,000 for every man, woman and child living here. This is not counting the $1,400 per person stimulus checks that are due all eligible citizens (5,118,900 in Virginia) and aid coming through still other forms, such as child tax credits, and earned income tax credits.

Falls Church City Councilman Ross Litkenhous was quick to jump on the news Wednesday in comments to the News-Press, redoubling the call for a larger tax rate cut than recommended by City Manager Wyatt Shields for the coming fiscal year budget. Shields has recom-

Continued on Page 5

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A MOMENT WORTH CELEBRATING took place last Friday when regional leaders cut the ribbon on the new bridge connecting the Washington & Old Dominion Trail on the Falls Church-Arlington border. F.C. Mayor David Tarter (fourth from left) and Councilmember David Snyder (fourth from right) were among those in attendance. See Story, page 14 (P��: C�� C�� C��)

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SEE STORY, PAGE 2

SEE STORY, PAGE 9

Students are returning to school after nearly a year of virtual instruction since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and teachers at all levels of Falls Church City schools are bringing some of the new tricks they’ve learned while away back into the classroom.

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes.............................10-11 Crime Report .................................... 12 Business News ................................. 15 Calendar .....................................18-19 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22

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F.C. Native Launches Vaccine Website With Comprehensive Information for Each State BY BRIAN INDRE

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Falls Church native Eric Lin and one of his classmates at Harvard University found the state websites with necessary Covid-19 vaccine information to be confusing and not very user-friendly — so they decided to do something about it. “We were very saddened by news reports of people selling fake vaccines on Craigslist, as well as a lot of disinformation and distrust online which added to the confusion on exactly who can get a vaccine and when,” said Lin. A 20-year-old who graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, he was shocked when he and classmate Catherine Yeo spent hours searching to find if some of their family members were eligible to be vaccinated. “Catherine’s grandmother has been trying to get a vaccine for months now, and it was very [disorienting] for her to find the correct information,” Lin explained. “When Catherine and I tried to help her, we

found ourselves spending an afternoon trying to find where to sign her up for an appointment.” “This is where the inspiration came from,” Lin continued. “We want to help guide people that want to be vaccinated to know when they can get the vaccine and how.” Lin said that with so much clutter and friction found in the process of navigating state websites, they decided to put their computer science skills to work and design their own website called COVID Vaccines Info Guide (covidvaccinesinfo.com), which would act as a one-stop-shop that provides comprehensive information for all 50 states. This simple website quickly distills all the complex information and includes updates about Covid vaccines into one place, according to Lin. He added that he and Yeo list a few bullet points for every single state along with the policies on who is eligible and where to get the vaccines. The data is combined from state and federal government websites

such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state health sites. The bullet points for each state include important information, such as who is currently eligible for a vaccine, the current doses administered by the state, an estimated percentage of those vaccinated in each state and a link to the state’s government official website and page for vaccine information. States are updated at least once every week, per Lin. For instance, the number of doses administered, percentage of people fully vaccinated, and appointment links are updated twice per week. However, for state policies, Lin continued, he and Yeo rely on a combination of their automated computer program and manual curation, which means certain policies may fall through the cracks. Those who frequent the site can sign up to receive updates to their email inbox as well. Lin said that they wanted to make it easier to search other states, so that someone could easily help

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

ERIC LIN. (C�� P��) a family member who may live far away, is elderly or lacks computer access, so that they can get the information they need during the time where people can’t visit with them. “Other state and federal websites tend to be hard to read and consist of reports that are very legislative with guidelines that are sometimes 50-pages long,” Lin said. “We present information in more of a grassroots campaign style for the entire US that is more regularly updated than other news sites where people might get their information.” Since the duo is committed to providing information for the entire United States and not just a local area, they’ve found it challenging for them to gather and review infor-

mation to update for every state. As a result, both Yeo and Lin have started partnering with grassroots organizations to help speed up the process with their data collection; but as of now it’s just the two of them entering the data manually. “We are working hard to stay up to date with the latest information as more vaccines are becoming available, like the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is beginning to move states into new vaccination stages,” said Lin. Lin said that he hopes that the website demystifies some of the Covid-19 vaccine policy guidelines, and can be useful in pointing people in the right direction to getting as many people vaccinated as possible.

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MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 3

Thank You! To the Falls Church City School Teachers. For your innovation, patience and creativity in maintaining the high quality of education for our children during this challenging time. A Grateful Community!

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Heavy Dose of Residential Units in Part 2 of Founders Row Gives Some on Council Pause

Continued from Page 1

units will add to the almost 400 units (322 market rate and 72 senior) apartments at Founders Row 1 across the street. Those over 700 units will be augmented by the West End Gateway project and the Broad and Washington project to bring a total of more than 2,000 new apartments to the Little City in the next few years. That should cause the City’s population, which has exploded from 9,500 to over 15,300 in recent decades, to jump further toward 20,000. While the City has upgraded its school system with a new $120 million high school and expansions of its middle and elementary schools to accommodate the growth, it will enjoy the financial benefits of this expansion which will ensure that residential tax rates come down and that the quality of life is maintained. Mill Creek moved to acquire the Founders Row 2 property in early 2019 and have pressed ahead with construction of Founders Row

1 without delay through the pandemic. The first of its residential units could be ready for occupancy by fall, although the project is not slated for completion for another year from now. Joe Muffler, the principal spokesman for Mill Creek, told the City Council at its virtual meeting Monday that his outfit is “very excited” at the prospect of the new component to its Founders Row project in Falls Church that is a “complement” to Phase 1 that it has proposed will include up to 12 percent (38) of its units as affordable and 58 senior apartments, age restricted to 55 or above. The other apartments will be 75 percent studios, 1 bedroom or 1 bedroom with a den, appealing to a younger, more mobile renter. The architecture of the project will be more modern, and an effort is being made to provide connectivity to the nearby Washington & Old Dominion Trail that crosses over W. Broad Street in that block. The retail component slated for the ground floor of the project

will be limited to service providers that will address the needs of the residents there, such as a convenience store, cleaners and perhaps a pharmacy. He noted that there is now a need for something like a 7-Eleven in that area, since the 7-Eleven that used to be on the Founders Row 1 site is gone. “There is a lot to like about this,” said Councilmember Letty Hardi, noting the opportunity for affordable housing and greenspace expected around the site. The unit mix is “smart and needed,” said Councilman Ross Litkenhous, citing the “dynamism and aesthetic appeal” of the project. Councilman Phil Duncan said that the “child impact will apparently be much less than we thought,” due to the small size of the residential units. But Councilman David Snyder lamented the fact that the project is 94 percent residential, and that any notion of “a mix of uses” between residential and commercial is gone

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

JOE MUFFLER from Mill Creek lays out the blueprint for the second phase of the Founders Row project. The disproportionate amount of residential units made some Council members hesistant about it. (Screenshot: News-Press) from it. “This is not what we need,” he said. In a similar vein, Mayor David Tarter, who said he was in support of the Founders Row 1 because of its mix, including a movie theater (that is now up in the air due to the economy), complained that the “size and mass” of the project is too big and that the offer of 12 percent affordable residential units comes at the cost of any other voluntary concessions to the City from

the developer. “This needs work,” he said. No voluntary concession documents have yet been prepared, Muffler noted, as his group is “very flexible” on the affordable housing question. Work on the project, when approved, will commence in about a year, in February or March of 2022, at the point that Founders Row 1 is expected to be fully completed.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 5

2 on F.C. Council Clash on Lowering Tax Rates Vs. Keeping Services

Continued from Page 1

mended a one-cent cut in the rate, but with real estate assessments going up 4.2 percent overall, most City taxpayers would be facing a significant net dollar increase, nonetheless, an average $291 increase. Litkenhous made the call for no net dollar increase at Monday’s City Council work session, getting in an immediate spat with Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, who called Litkenhous’ preference “irresponsible” as it would “cut away at key city programs.” Litkenhous retorted that “it is not irresponsible to revisit the tax rate and offer more relief to taxpayers.” He added, “We have a moral obligation to be mindful of our taxpayers.” Connelly replied, “We’re going to disagree, because we also have a responsibility to provide key services.” What raised eyebrows about the brief tiff was not only how rare it was for the current City Council, but also because Connelly and Litkenhous are more likely to both be on the November ballot seeking re-election to another four-year term.

But while this may represent a philosophical difference between the two, it may not be as impactful as it might otherwise have been now that the City is going to be getting the $13.28 million stimulus from the federal government. On the other hand, it remains to be seen how that stimulus can be used to support programs in need of help in the City. City Manager Shields told the News-Press Wednesday that a lot of questions still need to be answered about matters like that, such as how the money may be used for tax relief. But he did say he thought it would have an impact on the City’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget now being debated by the Council that will be voted on at the end of April. “There’s a lot we need to figure out yet,” he said. “We will put together a team to think strategically about how to put the money to the best use. We definitely need it.” He said it is his understanding that the City will have to spend the federal stimulus money by 2024, and that once some options on its use are developed, the Council will probably bring the discussion of

options to its work session on April 5 and more such sessions as needed following its April 12 and 19 regular business meetings. It will impact the $106 million annual operating budget now under consideration, Shields confirmed, but it remains to be seen by how much and where as the Council deliberates over the next period. This includes impacts on the City’s proposed Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) over the next fiscal year and the next six years. For the next year, the CIP anticipates expenditures of $3.3 million for transportation involving a combination of earlier-allocated local, state and federal grants, including the West Falls Transportation Project, the Park Avenue Great Streets Project, and North Washington and Columbia intersection improvements. The budget also includes City tax dollars for neighborhood traffic calming ($100,000), and the Sidewalks and Streetlights Program ($150,000). The CIP also funds $8.5 million for six major flood mitigation projects prioritized by the Stormwater Task Force, and $986,000 in sani-

tary sewer funding for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. As of now, it includes $200,000 to replace or rehabilitate deteriorating components and systems of City buildings, with a total allocation over six years of $1,750.000. They include improvements at the Aurora House, Cherry Hill Farmhouse, Property Yard and Community Center. It currently includes $125,000 using capital reserves for the waterproofing of the Thackrey Preschool and flooring replacement at the Henderson Middle School, and $150,000 for ongoing park masterplan projects, such as trails and playground equipment. Some $250,000 is allocated for the coming year and $900,000 over the coming six

years for infrastructure replacement and cybersecurity upgrades for core firewall, intrusion and detection systems, library digital file storage and police body-worn camera video storage. These programs will be utilizing a qualitative “Equity Lens Diagnostic Assessment” tool starting this year. “The goal is to use this diagnostic tool to consciously address explicit and implicit biases when prioritizing and funding capital infrastructure investment,” according to a City staff document. The tool is modeled off the City of Roanoke framework. At the current time, the City staff is actively managing 28 general government CIP projects with 21 active grants.

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E D I TO R I A L

A Confirmation of Russian Interference

It was a friend who pointed out that we are living in a transition period like that in the Wizard of Oz movie, when what was once black and white becomes technicolor. Even this soon after the inauguration of a new U.S. president, it is seeming like what we came through was so foreign and bizarre. Could it really be that we lived for four full years with Trump actually running our country? Now comes the extraordinary report issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence this week, a new resource mandated by law as a consequence of earlier probes into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The declassified document shows us that everything the Mueller investigation attempted to reveal and report was, indeed, true in spades, and that Putin did not back away after 2016, but tried just as hard in 2020 to influence the U.S. election in Trump’s favor over Biden. The current GOP thinks that’s OK. The moral decay of that once proud political party, including many of its fellow travellers like the self-serving fakers calling themselves leaders of the evangelical movement and the fake Fox News and related operations passing themselves off as credible media, is a sad thing to see, indeed. They appear to have every intention of continuing their dissembling of the U.S. population even as hard core evidence like this week’s report show the extent to which they’ve been compromised by a hostile foreign power that seeks the devolution and destruction of the world’s most important democracy. Indeed, they’ve joined that cause. Most of what is in this week’s DNI report was known and shared in classified briefings that were available to many high level officials of both parties in the last year or more. Yet while top Democrats were compelled to operate within the strict confines of confidentiality, the GOP leaders were happy to know it was all being kept secret so they could proceed with impunity to be treasonous collaborators with the Russians and their dissembling operations, most of which remain intact to this day. There was a time when anything approaching the revelations in this week’s report would cause an enormous uproar in our land, notably including from political conservatives. But the bar of morality has sunk lower among Republican leaders today than at perhaps at any time in American history. They simply don’t care that they are in an active alliance with those who have been working their entire political lives for the destruction of the very foundational principles of democracy in the U.S. These Republicans are now engaged in one of the most active and comprehensive efforts to restrict access to the polls to Americans in history, pressing 243 obstructionist laws in 43 U.S. states right now. It can be assured that they are getting the total support of existing covert Russian networks in doing this, as well.

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More People Live Outside F.C. City, So School Name Belongs There Editor, Regarding a reader’s recent suggestion that Fairfax County change the name of Falls Church High School, according to Virginia demographic/zip code statistics, more than twice as many people live in the “Falls Church” part of Fairfax County served by “Falls Church HIgh School” than live in the City of Falls Church. In my view, the City lost any rights to the name “Falls Church High School” back in 1948 when it incorporated so as to have a school system separate from Falls Church High School and the rest of the Fairfax County public schools. Henry Petri Falls Church

Beyer’s Praise of Covid Relief Bill Belies Its Cronyism

Editor, Don Beyer’s referring to “It goes to show that the Republican Party stands for one thing: Trying to foil Joe Biden and the Democratic agenda” is a correct statement, and sadly he did not bother to look at why Republicans would have voted against this bill that handed each American a check for $1400 while also handing us a future bill of over $5000. A nice chunk of this money is to go to bail out states’ underfunded union pensions, direct relief to Democrat run cities, etc. In other words, a wealth transfer from well run states and cities to poorly run ones. Maybe if Don Beyer were in Congress to represent Virginians he would have voted against it too. Jeff Walyus Arlington

F.C. High Could’ve Gone To City If Not For Its Segregation

Editor, Falls Church City should have the name Falls Church High school, but only if they reincorporate the parts of the city they segregated. Falls Church City used to encompass a much broader area than it cur-

rently does. However in 1887, Falls Church City annexed the area south of Lee Highway, which was known as the ‘colored settlement’ back to Fairfax County. Falls Church City would have been much larger, and much more diverse, than it currently is if they had not annexed this part of the city to Fairfax County. Falls Church City, just like most of the U.S., should recognize their past and try to make right the wrongs they previously made. As such, they have no right to the name ‘Falls Church High School’, as they have a pro segregation past they have to own up to. Falls Church High School belongs to those who were wrongfully discriminated against just because of the color of their skin. Mark Hill Via the internet

New High School In F.C. City Deserves Its Own Name, Not Ours

Editor, No stealing of our Falls Chruch High name. The former George Mason High deserves its own new original name. Suggesting/demanding a neighboring (and an established/thriving) school’s name is...rude or at the very least stunningly unfeeling! Why dare to ignore the damaging angst this demand would cause the other school’s community and students?! This idea is so wrong and rude. Speaking of wrong, FCHS was not “lost” to Fairfax County back in the late 1940s, as the writer said. The county owned both the land and the building! Ironic is the fact the City did make a windfall gain when the county gave, for just $1 (one dollar) the land so as to help the City negotiate the VA Tech/UVA Grad Center! Falls Church High School, home of the Jaguars since 1945, is proudly located at 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, VA 22042. The name is not available. Craig Day Falls Church

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MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 7

The In�luence of Women Is Evident Throughout Falls Church B� C�� M�� A�� M�� C��

Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” The City of Falls Church is what it is because of the commitment of its women. Women are involved in every part of the community — churches, clubs, political parties, volunteers, employees of city and schools, and serving in elected office. There are more women leading in Falls Church than ever before. As Deputy City Manager and Vice-Mayor of Falls Church, it’s an honor for us to serve in a community where women are in all the places where decisions are being made. What follows is a long list of women — who are working in conjunction with another long list of men. Wherever decisions are being made, we need women and men. We need representation from all areas of the community. We need to tap into the life experiences of many people to lead our community to a brighter future. This is how we build an inclusive community. We have the most women ever serving in elected office. Joining Marybeth on City Council are Letty Hardi and Debbie Hiscott. Our School Board includes Shannon Litton, Laura Downs, Susan Dimock, Sonia RuizBolanos (and up until recently Shawna Russell), and Elisabeth Snyder serves as student representative. Jody Acosta is our Treasurer. The Planning Commission includes Melissa Teates,

Cory Firestone Weiss and Andrea Caumont. Falls Church is an example of the Council (elected)-Manager (administrative) form of government founded in Staunton, Virginia on April 2, 1908. Many City departments are led by women. In addition to Cindy, we are in good hands with City Attorney Carol McCoskrie,

“The City of Falls Church is what it is because of the commitment of its women.” City Clerk Celeste Heath, Police Chief Mary Gavin, CFO Kiran Bawa, Housing & Human Services Director Nancy Vincent, Library Director Jenny Carroll, Communications Director Susan Finarelli, and Becky Witsman in Economic Development. These leaders are backed up by dozens of women in key jobs who make great things happen for residents all over the City. Board & Commissions led by women include Urban Forestry chaired by Kathy Philpott Costa; Humans Service Advisory Committee chaired by Nicole Newman; the Library Board chaired by Stephanie Oppenheimer. Janis Johnson served as chair of the Police Use of Force Committee. Megan Dolan is the chair of the Electoral Board. The membership of these committees generously

share their lifelong expertise with the community. In the FCCPS the schools benefit from the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Kristen Michael, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Principal Valerie Hardy, Jessie Thackrey Preschool Director Angela Atwater, Executive Director of Special Education Rebecca Sharp, TJ Assistant Principal Amanda Davis, Attorney Patricia Minson, School Board Clerk Marty Gadell, HR Director Amy Hall, Finance Director Mechelle Coppock, Transportation Director Nancy Hendrickson, Day Care Director Katie Clinton, Director of Equity and Excellence Jennifer Santiago, Academic Directors Julie Macrina and Jeanne Seabridge. Teacher leaders are far too many to be listed, and they are the heart of our community. Falls Church has one private school, St. James, whose principal is Sr. Mary Sue Carwile, IHM. The School Board relies on advice from Advisory Committees. Laura Gould chairs the Health & Wellness Advisory Committee; Leanne Berthiaume chairs the Day Care Advisory Board; Shilpa Satoskar chairs the Gifted Education Advisory Board; Jennifer York chairs the Special Education Advisory Committee. The School Renaming Committees are chaired by Jamie Argento-Rodriguez and Sherry Witt. The work of School Affiliated Organizations create essential partnerships every year, and we are grateful to HS PTSA president Mary Asel; Henderson PTA president Vikki Spencer Ehrlich; Elementary PTA President Jenn Beck; Athletic Boosters President Becki Creed; Band Boosters

President Ari Autor; Choral Boosters President Becca Tice. So many non-profit organizations in Falls Church are led by women — Creative Cauldron is the creation of Laura Hull; Falls Church Chamber of Commerce is synonymous with Sally Cole, and Barbara Benson is the Chair; Falls Church Education Foundation is led by Debbie Hiscott and Cecily Shea. Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation is led by Irene Chambers, Rebecca Tinner Stotts, and Nikki Graves Henderson; Tinner Hill Music Festival is led by Tori McKinney. Adena Williams & Suzanne Hladky created “Better Together” Falls Church to support businesses and families. Peg Willingham continues to chair the Falls Church Democratic Committee. Adriana Palacios is serving as president of the Volunteer Fire Department. Nancy Brandon, Julie Krachman, and Lindy Hockenberry are leading the Citizens for a Better City Youth Representatives Initiative to prepare leaders of the future. The Women’s History Group led by Sally Ekfelt includes brilliant women on board, making sure to recognize those amazing women who came before us. These are the women who make decisions, make things happen, make a difference. The whole community benefits because each of these women bring considerable expertise and true dedication to the places where decisions are being made. Cindy Mester is Deputy City Manager and Marybeth Connelly is Vice-Mayor of the City of Falls Church.

Q�� W�� Should F.C. lower its tax rate below the increase in assessments? • Yes

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Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

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PAGE 8 | MARCH 18 – 24, 2021

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NEWS BRIEFS New Categories Open For Vaccines Now The City of Falls Church announced yesterday the news from the Fairfax Health Department that it has expanded the Covid19 vaccine registration eligibility to three more groups in Phase 1b: Grocery Store Workers, Food and Agriculture workers, including Veterinarians, and Manufacturing. Persons living in the Fairfax Health District (which includes Falls Church) or work in those industries in the Fairfax Health District, can register to get a vaccination appointment. The next three priority groups of frontline essential workers in Phase 1b as outlined by the Virginia Department of Health, which is now accepting registrations for the first six categories on this list, include: Police, fire, and hazmat (currently eligible), Corrections and homeless shelter workers (currently eligible), Childcare/K-12 Teachers or Staff (currently eligible), Food and Agriculture (currently eligible), Manufacturing (currently eligible), Grocery store workers (currently eligible), Public transit workers, Mail carriers (USPS and private), Officials needed to maintain continuity of government, Clergy/Faith leaders, and Janitorial/Cleaning staff personnel.

Falls Church Joins Youth Restorative Practices Effort The City of Falls Church Police Department and the Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA) have partnered to bring youth restorative practices to the City of Falls Church. Through the Promoting Empathy through Equitable Resolution (PEER) program, City Police and CYFA are transforming systemic responses to adolescent harm through community-based initiatives that aim to prevent young people from entering the legal system and improve public safety. City Police officers can offer PEER to youth from ages 10 to 17 who have engaged in harmful behavior that would amount to a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony. There is no residency requirement

for referral into PEER and participation is entirely voluntary. “Officers of the Falls Church Police Department understand the privilege and responsibility that comes with serving this amazing community,” said Chief Mary Gavin. “We stand boldly in our commitment to justice, fairness, and equality, and we stand proudly with CYFA in our collective work of achieving accountability through empathy and compassion for victims and young people involved.” PEER employs practices to go beyond punishment. The program holds young people who commit harm accountable for their actions without exposing them to the risks of a criminal record, provides victims an opportunity to be actively involved in the resolution of their case, and promotes community safety through meaningful reintegration. The process brings together the victim, the wrongdoer, and the community through facilitated dialogue. It empowers victims by providing a voice in the outcome and an opportunity to heal, enables wrongdoers to learn from their mistakes and make amends, and allows the community to affirm its values and reinvest in its members. CYFA and FCPD will engage in robust data collection to evaluate the manner in which PEER is utilized and to inform programming. CYFA will analyze and report on outcomes twice per year. CYFA has developed a comprehensive curriculum focused on the legal system, power, identity, trauma, and restorative practice. This curriculum is used to train youth facilitators to work closely with experienced restorative practitioners in developing case-specific conferencing plans. CYFA recognizes the important role youth play in our community, and it endeavors to instill youth leaders with the agency, confidence, skill, knowledge, and empathy necessary to create a just legal system. CYFA is a nonprofit organization that works to transform the fabric of family and community through restorative practices, education, and advocacy. CYFA employs collaborative approaches to create comprehensive solutions to the complex

issues of racial and social justice. CYFA’s cross-system prevention initiatives are research-based and mission-focused: CYFA works to disrupt systemic oppression to create healthy and equitable outcomes for young people and families.

F.C., Va. Tech Join in ‘Smart City’ Initiative The City of Falls Church and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation, are collaborating to develop a Smart City test bed on and adjacent to the university’s campus off Haycock Road in Northern Virginia. The biennial budget recently approved by the General Assembly includes $10 million to support the project, a request submitted and championed by Sen. Dick Saslaw. The budget will be final after the Governor signs it later this spring. “I’m pleased to see Virginia Tech and the City of Falls Church coming together on this smart infrastructure project because I know it will lead to improvements in the quality of life for our community, and greater efficiency and sustainability,” Saslaw said. City of Falls Church Mayor P. David Tarter echoed Saslaw’s excitement about the project. “The city is delighted to partner with Virginia Tech on the Smart City technology program that will bring cutting-edge transportation solutions to Falls Church, including support for autonomous vehicles, adaptive lighting, and parking garage utilization indicators. These solutions will reduce pollution and traffic congestion and improve public safety,” Tarter said. “We are excited that the Virginia General Assembly included $10 million in the recent budget, and appreciative to Senator Saslaw for his efforts to bring this important program to the city.” Myra Blanco, director of advancements, partnerships and outreach at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, said this test bed will be unique in Virginia because it will utilize multiple smart technology components.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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MARY ELLEN HENDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL counselor Matt Sowers gives parents some tips on how to spot and address mental health problems during the pandemic (S��: N��-P��)

F.C. Therapists, Counselors Discuss Mental Health Strategies for Kids Amid Pandemic BY PATRICIA LESLIE

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Parents can do a lot to help their children cope in today’s pandemic world and, at the same time, help themselves. That was the thrust of Tuesday night’s session during a joint PTA meeting on mental health hosted virtually by the Falls Church Education Foundation, with Sunstone Counseling on hand to lead and answer questions. Parents can limit screen time, institute structure and let their children interact socially with gaming, for example, said Erika Davis, one of Sunstone’s counselors. “Reasonable expectations” can be set, and studying and homework can be shifted to another place besides the bedroom where “we unwind.” In breakout sessions for elementary, middle-school and high school groups, Davis led the middle-school session. “It’s important that our kids see how we are coping, and if things don’t work, adjust,” she said. “Take a pulse and ask yourself and your kids: ‘How was today? Are you doing okay?’” Give children opportunities to socialize. These skills may be “rusty,” but they’ll come back, “like riding a bicycle.” Davis said parents should set boundaries for themselves and their children by turning off devices, avoiding constant email exchanges and putting off those things which can wait until tomorrow. The health crisis hasn’t been totally negative, and some students have actually benefited from the slowdown. “Involve your kids,” Davis said, and ask them “’What have you enjoyed by being at home?’” Packed children’s schedules may not be such good ideas. They create stress. Parents can take a step back and analyze whether nonstop activities are worth it. Children experience a lot of self-stress and they have high expectations for themselves. Before the breakout sessions, Davis and other Sunstone counselors outlined symptoms of anxiety and depression which parents may observe, such as sleeplessness, stomach aches, headaches, irritability and reduced interaction with others. But, some

anxiety is normal, noted Sunstone’s Gina Hafez. According to the Sunstone presentation, anxiety usually affects eight percent of children, and depression, a little over three per cent. Comparing April 2020 to April 2021, anxiety levels are up 93 percent, and depression has grown by 83 percent, per the counselors. Depression’s symptoms may include changes in behavior, emotional outbursts, frequent irritability and/or crying, withdrawal and a sense of worthlessness. In the break-out session, Rob Carey, the assistant principal at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, and Matt Sowers, the school’s counseling director, chimed in with school observations and recommendations for parents. No one has to be perfect, and it’s okay to fail when, for example, children can’t find or log on to a class, Sowers said. Parents struggle with pushing unmotivated students without going “over the edge,” Vikki Spencer Ehrlich, the PTA president at Henderson, said, but Carey noted: “It’s okay to step back and be a parent and let the school focus on academic work.” That academic push has eased somewhat with more attention to families and the importance of the wellbeing of offspring. Sowers said he returned to a 2013 student survey to learn why student stress levels were measured at an all-time high then and discovered a fixation on academics, studying hard for tests and making good grades. Now, there’s a lot more emphasis on making and sustaining friendships. A new survey is coming up and he is anxious to see the results. “You don’t have to be completely falling apart to ask for help,” Davis said. It’s better to seek aid “when a problem is small and manageable.” But if someone feels out of control, lost and helpless, Hafez noted, it may be time to seek professional help. It’s been “a really hard winter,” Davis finished, and “I think we are all feeling pandemic fatigue,” but everyone is excited about moving on and asking “’What will life be? What can it look like?” Ask your children, too.

MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 9

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PAGE 10 | MARCH 18 – 24, 2021

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes

Application for F.C. Youth Reps Now Live Citizens for a Better City (CBC) has launched the application process for Year “8” of 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 our Boards & Commissions and promote civic leadership development. Applications are now avail-

able online at fallschurchcbc.net and youthrepsinitiative.net or they can be picked up at the City high school’s 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 April 12. Interviews will be scheduled for April 22 – 25. Fifty Falls Church City High School students are currently serving on these City Boards, Commissions, and Civic Groups:

ELLA DAVID is the Military Child of the Year for the Marine Corps. Read more about David in the item on page 11. (Photo: Courtesy Operation Homefront)

The Architectural Advisory Board, The Arts & Humanities Council, The Advisory Committee for Recreation & Parks, The Electoral Board, The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, The Falls Church Homeless Shelter, The Housing Commission, The Human Services Advisory Committee, The Historical Commission, The League of Women Voters, The Library Board of Trustees, The Urban Forestry Commission, The Citizens Advisory Council on Transportation, The Environmental Sustainability Council, The Economic Development Authority, The Falls Church Education Foundation, The Village Preservation & Improvement Society, The Falls Church

Democratic Committee, Creative Cauldron, The Tinner Hill Social Justice Committee, The Lions Club, and The Falls Church Women’s History Group. CBC reported the program is growing in popularity as more students apply every year — especially younger siblings of those currently serving.

F.C. Women Talk Immigration Policy Changes in Community The Falls Church League of Women Voters invites the public to attend a virtual program on recent changes to immigration policy. Our guest speaker will be Archi Pyati, Chief of Policy with the Tahirih Justice Center, a national organiza-

tion headquartered in Falls Church that provides direct legal services, policy advocacy, and training and education to immigrants fleeing gender-based violence. The program will address recent changes to immigration policy, including executive actions and bills before Congress. Archi Pyati will also discuss impacts for Virginia and Falls Church, as well as local efforts to welcome immigrants to our community. The program will take place on Saturday, March 20 at 4 p.m., via Zoom. The Zoom link is posted on the website of the Falls Church League of Women Voters at my.lwv.org/virginia/falls-church. For additional information, please email Barbara Lipsky, blipsky@ cox.net.

FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS, Langley’s students, parents, and faculty/staff have participated in the “Give S.O.M.E. Love” food drive benefiting So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.), a Washington, DC-based service organization that supports those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Together, the Langley community raised more than $5,000 and collected more than 2,000 non-perishable food items to donate to S.O.M.E. (Photo: Courtesy Sharon Vipperman/The Langley School)

Send Us Your News & Notes!

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

Community News & Notes: newsandnotes@fcnp.com | School News & Notes: schoolnews@fcnp.com Mail: News & Notes, Falls Church News-Press, 105 N. Virginia Ave #310, Falls Church, VA 22046

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

engineering and viola performance in college.

Justice High Student Chosen as IT Award Winner in VA

THE ADAPTATIONS MUST GO ON! All City of Falls Church students are figuring out how to navigate the hybrid schedule, and that goes especially for theatre students who will be doing a stage reading of a piece adapted for Romeo and Juliet. Half the students are rehearsing in person, and the other half are virtual. (Photo: Courtesy FCCPS Photo/Steve Knight)

F.C. Teen Wins Child of The Year for Marine Corps Falls Church resident Eleanor “Ella” David is the 2021 Military Child of the Year for the Marine Corps. She’s a senior at McLean High School and is an aspiring professional musician. She is the daughter of Medha and Col. George David, commanding officer of the Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group based at Fort Meade, Maryland. David has performed as principal violinist and violist in her schools’ orchestras and in community groups. While her arm was in a cast due to a broken wrist, David documented the progress of her fellow

student musicians, then used her violin as physical therapy to regain range of motion. She began playing viola in eighth grade at the suggestion of a quartet coach, who became her private instructor. Music has provided David an avenue for connecting with other students when her family has moved with the military. Her family have lived in Japan, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, having relocated seven times in her life. David’s father has deployed for a total of 50 months since she’s been born. In addition to music activities, David excels in academics and on the soccer field. She combined her interests in music and science for a study of

the mechanics of sound production in string instruments, a winning project in the 2020 Fairfax County Science Fair. She has achieved top scores on all nine AP tests taken and earned the distinction of National AP Scholar for 2020. David serves as a chemistry and math tutor at her high school and helped develop virtual tutoring sessions in chemistry and calculus to adapt to online learning in response to Covid-19. Outside of school, she enjoys scuba diving, sailing, and watercolor painting. Living overseas inspired an interest in languages and cultures. She has studied Spanish and Arabic and is learning Latin and Brazilian Portuguese. David plans to study chemical

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Yabesra Ewnetu of Justice High School (3301 Peace Valley Lane, Falls Church) was selected as one of three 2021 National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Virginia affiliate winners for participating in computer-related extracurricular activities; leadership through teams, clubs, and teaching peers; and advancing their own computing experience and technical skills. Ewnetu is part of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Impressionists group, an afterschool mentoring program that works with middle and high school minority girls interested in participating in career-related STEM activities. Through that organization, they have had the opportunity to facilitate their own STEM seminars. HackSIP, a hackathon financed with an NCWIT grant, teaches girls from around the country how to code using a microbit. This summer, after securing a second NCWIT grant, the students will be hosting HackSIP2, a weeklong summer STEM camp for girls.

Statewide Clean Up Effort Is Active Until March 31 Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB), a Richmond-based nonprofit organization dedicated to cleaning up litter and beautifying the state, is seeing numbers rise as more people sign up for its Shiver in Virginia initiative. This year’s initiative is designed to be Covid-safe and give people more choice in how they contribute to the beautification of their communities. Registration for Shiver in Virginia will be open until March 31.

MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 11

Shiver in Virginia participants can engage in activities such as litter cleanups, recycling, trail cleaning, graffiti removal and other good deeds. For a small and impactful donation of $20.21, participants will receive a free one-day Virginia State Parks parking pass and a chance to win fantastic prizes. After registration, participants will receive a link to the KVB Mission Challenge website, where they can map the collective progress on the 2,021-mile path across the state. With each act reported, participants will be entered into drawings for additional prizes. KVB is challenging participants to share their pictures, contributions, and successes with others on social media. Help spread the word using the hashtag #shiverinvirginia. For more information, visit keepvirginiabeautiful.org/events/ shiver-in-virginia-2021.

Grace Christian Hosts Fundraiser at Flippin’ Pizza Grace Christian Academy (3233 Annandale Rd., Falls Church) will be hosting a carryout fundraiser at the Falls Church Flippin’ Pizza (800 W Broad St #103, Falls Church) on Thursday, March 18 from 4 – 8 p.m. Interested patrons just need to mention Grace Christian Academy when they order and Flippin’ Pizza will donate 30 percent of their total check to the school.

Best Native Plants for Gardening Program on Friday In this overview of native plants, Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills will explain what they are and how they attract and support local pollinators, butterflies and birds. She will describe how to choose native plants appropriate for the conditions of a gardener’s yard, Free. RSVP at mgnv.org/events. to receive a link to participate.

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PAGE 12 | MARCH 18 – 24, 2021

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

Few things elicit more passion and emotion than flying a flag of one’s choice. A flag can represent allegiance to a nation (yours or someone else’s), a distinguished career in the military, support for a favorite school or university, or a political statement about a candidate, cause, or social movement. Flags can welcome new babies, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and even welcome Spring, but it wasn’t variegated flags that raised hackles when flag size restrictions were proposed in Fairfax County’s Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project (zMOD). It was “Old Glory.” Fairfax County’s current Zoning Ordinance was last overhauled in the late 1970s, and incremental changes have ballooned the ordinance to 1200 or so pages, sometimes with sections that disagree with each other. The new zMOD draft is slightly less than 700 pages, has clarifying photos and diagrams, and is designed to be easily accessible and interactive in an online format, something the unwieldy original is not. The proposed flag language covers just 17 lines of those 700 pages, and quickly provoked outrage about restricting flag size. Some of the more thoughtful comments were from veterans or veteran families, who pointed out that a 40-square foot restriction (a 5x8 flag) would prevent flying the American flag that rests on the casket of a loved one. Those flags, also called “Fallen Hero Flags,” range between 45 and 50 square feet. As the daughter and granddaughter of World War II veterans, I had the same concerns about flag size. Casket flags are treasured and often are preserved in memorial presentation boxes, but should have no restrictions about flying. Other comments, sadly, were not so thoughtful. Supreme Court cases have ruled that the content (what’s on it – colors, symbols, words) of a flag cannot be subject to restrictions. That’s protected by the First Amendment, so the U.S. flag, flags of other nations, a Black Lives Matter flag,

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an LGBTQ flag, etc., all have free speech protections. The legal cases have not ruled on size, only content, but there is no discernible support on the Board for size restrictions. Under consideration are the heights of flagpoles – flagpoles are classified as structures, and so can have some requirements as to height and number. A 25-foot flagpole would be permitted in most residential zoning categories, and could be installed without a building permit. A taller pole would need a permit to ensure that it has the proper footings and could withstand severe weather without collapsing onto adjacent properties. The zMOD project got underway in 2017, and more than 100 public meetings – in-person prior to the pandemic; virtually during the past year–have been held, in addition to on-line video presentations available on the county website. Most of the proposed updates result in simpler language, without changing the legal basics. Accessory Living Units (ALUs) and Home-Based Businesses elicited more interest. Public testimony about zMOD has been varied: some speakers at the Board’s March 9 public hearing wanted greater flexibility, especially for affordable housing; others wanted any changes to be subject to more intense neighborhood scrutiny. Parking appeared to be a major issue, for both accessory living units and home-based businesses. The current Zoning Ordinance has no parking requirement for those uses; the staff recommendation adds one designated off-street parking space to the language. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to act on zMOD at its meeting on March 23. Most likely, there will be considerable debate, but flag size will not be on the agenda.  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@ fairfaxcounty.gov.

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

CRIME REPORT Week of March 8 – 14, 2021 Shoplifting, 500 blk S Washington St, March 5, 12:00 PM and March 8, 3:30 PM, two unknown suspects entered a business and stole multiple items of value. Suspects described as: 1)

skinny build, black male, approximately 180lbs, between 5`085`10 wearing a black jacket and black face mask. 2) large build, black male, approximately 250lbs, between 5`10-6`00 wearing a black jacket, glasses, a black face mask, and dreads. Investigation continues. Graffiti, 200 blk Douglas Ave, March 11, 3:00 AM, an officer observed graffiti on a fence.

www.FCNP.com

Drunk in Public 900 blk Park Ave, March 13 1:25 PM, a male, 27, of Arlington, VA, was arrested for appearing drunk in public.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Delegate Marcus Simon’s

Richmond Report When I decided to run for office for the first time in 2013, I needed to print out dozens of paper petition forms and collect at least 125 signatures from registered voters in the 53rd House District. I had to show I was a serious and committed candidate and have my name appear on the primary ballot. I collected them in person at the Falls Church Farmer’s Market, at Democratic party events and meetings, and by going door to door introducing myself to voters on their doorstep. In addition to my thanks, every signer got a firm politician’s handshake. This week, I filed my paperwork to run for reelection. Some of my petition signatures were collected at a socially distanced outdoor patio event, but the majority were signed electronically by voters I never got to meet or thank. Even the folks that came out to the patio got an elbow bump this year in lieu of handshake. The pandemic has changed the way we work, play, learn, and how we conduct elections. In some of those areas, I, like many of you, can’t wait to get back to normal. My kids are thrilled to return to school a few days a week and make contact with “other humans” as they put it. (I guess Rachel and I don’t count). Some of the changes, though, are likely to remain with us even after the last waves of the pandemic are behind us. Many of the changes we implemented here in Virginia to make voting easier during a pandemic actually just make voting easier. And that’s a good thing. In the last two sessions, we passed historic voting legislation aimed at expanding access and strengthening voter rights. During my 2013 election, voting access was limited – you either voted in-person on Election Day or voted absentee as long as you had an “appropriate” excuse. The 2021 Election will look dramatically different. Here’s how. Last year, we started allowing no-excuse absentee voting. This year, we updated the procedures on when registrars can start processing those ballots. For the elderly or those that aren’t physically able to enter a polling place, they can now take advantage of curbside voting. This provision is extended during a declared state of emergency re-

lated to a public health threat, like the one we are in now. Or you can simply drop your ballot in a ballot box outside the polling location or registrar’s office. Local electoral boards and registrars can now offer voting on Sundays and Election Day is a state holiday. To keep voters and poll workers safe, we’ve prohibited anyone from carrying a firearm within a polling place or within forty feet of the building. Safeguarding against last minute tech glitches, there is now a provision to extend the voter registration deadline if the state system crashes. Sixteen-year-olds can preregister to vote. Starting October 2022, we’ll have same day voter registration, which means you’ll be able to register to vote at any point up until Election Day. Automatic voter registration is also available – anyone applying for or renewing a driver’s license or identification card at the DMV will automatically have this information shared with the Department of Elections for voter registration purposes. We even passed a bill giving localities the option of using ranked choice voting in their local elections. In this process, voters rank candidates in order of preference with succeeding tabulation rounds until the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled. Of all the election-related bills we passed this year, the most notable is the Virginia Voting Rights Act. Virginia became the first southern state to pass such an Act, prohibiting any discriminatory voting practices in the Commonwealth. Although it won’t be active this year, it is worth noting that we passed the first reference for a Constitutional Amendment on the right to vote and for allowing the automatic restoration of rights for former felons. This measure must also pass during the 2022 Session and then it will be included on the ballot in 2022 for voters to decide. One thing that hasn’t changed in the years since my first election is my commitment to representing our community. With your support, we’ve accomplished so much in the past few years and I’m looking forward to what we can do next.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Pope’s Disappointment On Same-Sex Marriage

Comfort, my people. Here’s more from Walt Whitman: “This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and the mothers of families, read these leaves* in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body.” *This a reference to his collection of poems, “Leaves of Grass,” as this quote was from his preface to it. Truly, this is to be read often. It was powerful and worked when Trump was president. It works as we go through the stages of our lives, the highs and lows. It works for my people, millions of them, who whether of the Catholic faith or not, or agnostics or despisers even, have been bummed out by the Pope’s unhappy word this week that priests cannot bless same-sex marriages. A young gay friend posted this on Facebook when learning of the Pope’s words this week: “The Vatican missed an opportunity this week, no doubt. But, whenever I’ve gone to Mass since baptism, my relationship with Catholicism has never been defined by what a cabal in Rome says. Rome at odds with the teachings of Jesus is not now nor will ever be a surprise. Christ is LOVE.” I seconded his words with the following, “The author of this universe loves you and his/her whole creation through and through, and no imperfect words of mere mortals can alter that certainty.” That’s kind of along the lines of what Whitman was talking about in the quote above insofar as it is not an argument about God but a mere affirmation about our role in creation. It is ironic that the Pope’s words this week come on the eve of the first hearing on Congress on the Equality Act that was slated for yesterday morning. Here is a clear case where our civil democracy proceeds ahead of stillborn religious dogma exactly as virtually every one of our Founding Fathers prescribed. It is fascinating to recall how the issue of support for same-sex marriage came into the corridors of our nation’s highest discourses. As some may recall, in 2004, President George Bush made opposition to gay marriage a key cornerstone of his re-election campaign. It was a winning strategy at that time, and it worked. But for all of the hate and bigotry that was engendered in that effort, what Bush and his allies failed to see was that it was igniting something great and noble in the American people. The parallel of that period to the rise of mass opposition to Trump in the period leading up to his crushing defeat last November is poignant and instructive. By 2008 the nation’s first African-American president was elected who had come out foursquare for gay marriage. Now, to be clear, he followed the lead of his Vice Presidential nominee: you guessed it, Joe Biden. Biden was first but Obama followed quickly. Just a few months after taking office, on June 25, 2009, I was invited to a special reception hosted by Biden that included many of the top names of the LGBT movement. That’s when I first met Joe. He was gracious and a delight with everyone there, including my friend, the late LGBT pioneer Frank Kameny. A devout Catholic, Joe had outrun the Pope to affirm the fundamental dignity and franchise of the last segment of the U.S. population that was denied those basic things before he came along.

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MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

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

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

Odd timing: During a pandemic, Arlington Public Schools appears ready to remove the name of Walter Reed from a building named for him in 1938. That would be the Virginia-born Reed (1851-1902) who as an Army pathologist led life-saving experiments proving that deadly yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitos. It’s a complex tale for which controversy is heating up. The impetus comes from a shuffling of elementary school programs the school board approved last year in preparation for this fall’s opening of the building under construction in Westover alongside the Reed School. Pay attention: The Spanish immersion program at Key School near the courthouse will move to the current site of Arlington Traditional School on N. George Mason Dr. The traditional program will move to McKinley School in Madison Manor. McKinley students (and some current Tuckahoe kids) will move into the new building on the Reed site. On Feb. 10, a 12-member committee (representing the affected school staffs, PTAs, and civic associations) began quietly meeting to rethink names for Reed and McKinley. “There are five names the committee agreed on, and Reed is not one of them,” I’m told by APS spokesman Frank Bellavia. “The committee agreed that because multiple communities are coming together, the name needed to represent a fresh start.” A

survey went out to affected families, staff and neighborhoods test-marketing five names: Cardinal, Compass, Exploration, Kaleidoscope and Passport. (Perhaps exhausted by controversy, APS is moving away from naming schools for persons — witness Discovery Elementary — though in 2018 it changed Stratford to Dorothy Hamm Middle School. The board last week voted to rename Key “Innovation Elementary School.” I personally find the abstract names sterile. Might as well name one “Quality School.”) Most unhappy with the state of affairs is Susan Campbell, a retired instructional designer who attended Reed in the mid-1960s. On reading an item in ARLNow, she launched a moveon.org petition on NextDoor and Facebook to preserve the Reed name (253 signatures as of Tuesday). She complains of a process not transparent and praised the “exemplary” life of bacteriologist Reed, to whom no one has objected on moral grounds. The Reed school name “is a strong and powerful brand,” she argued. “Reed in particular stands out because the success of its integration efforts gained the attention of the U.S. Department of Education” in the late 1960s, she wrote. “It has a history of welcoming students from other schools and serves as an excellent model for combining schools today.” A similar discussion unfolded about McKinley. And though some fault President William McKinley as an imperialist, 65 percent of

respondents to a survey by the McKinley PTA wish to keep the name. (Tradition, convenience.) Jon Judah, McKinley’s PTA president and speaking for himself, told me that Campbell has a point that the opaque process makes it hard for all voices to be heard. “School board members seem to prefer not to deal with names of people because they’re lightning rods,” he added. But the committee’s process “is not nefarious,” Judah said, noting that members include history professors and are “polite and helpful.” A lot is going on in America at this time, a watershed moment,” he said. “There must be a way to bring the community together.” The board will receive final recommendations March 25 and decide on April 11. *** Celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day this week did not include one long-standing tradition at Arlington House. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, beginning in 1956, have honored the site’s creator and Irish-American benefactor George Washington Parke Custis by assembling at his grave. The practice was halted several years ago by authorities at Arlington National Cemetery. This year, I’m told by an Arlington House volunteer, a woman seeking to resume the tradition during the pandemic was denied. National Park Service spokeswoman Katie Liming confirmed that the site remains “closed due to the rehabilitation.” But “NPS looks forward to planning future events/programs at Arlington House in coordination with partners, community members and volunteers.”

PAGE 14 | MARCH 18 – 24, 2021

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New W&OD Trail Bridge Crossing Rte. 29 Avoids Chaotic Intersection by Matt Delaney

Falls Church News-Press

The anticipated opening of the Washington & Old Dominion trail bridge over Route 29 along the City of Falls Church and Arlington’s border is finally here, letting pedestrians and cyclists alike breathe a sigh of relief. A ribbon was cut for the bridge on Friday, signaling the completion of one major part of the Dual Trails project that is being started in Falls Church and eventually expanded to other sections of the W&OD, according to NOVA Parks executive director Paul Gilbert, the agency that primarily manages the trail. But more importantly, the bridge’s construction removes one of the 45-mile trail’s harrowing road crossings that lies at the intersection of Route 29 (Lee Highway) and the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 66, allowing for safer passage for the 1,500 – 2,000 users it sees each day. It’s been a running theme for NOVA Parks to find these sketchier spots along the path and build either a bridge or an underpass to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. Gilbert said that started with the Citizens Bridge over Route 7 in the City of Falls Church back in the early 90s, but has really picked up in the past decade to address areas such as the underpass at the Route 7 and Route 9 junction just west of Leesburg and another one running underneath Belmont Ridge Road in Ashburn. Future sites that have been targeted include a bridge over Wiehle Avenue in Reston and one going over Sterling Boulevard in Sterling.

“We have 70 cross streets on the W&OD... and we’re trying to prioritize the busiest and most challenging roadways and have great separation. So either the road goes over the trail or the trail goes over the road,” Gilbert said. What the bridge would eventually look like went through multiple iterations. Gilbert said he wanted a railroad trestle-style bridge. Falls Church City Councilmember David Snyder, who sits on the Transportation Planning Board for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, was more in favor of a bridge that resembled Victorian or Colonial architectural styles. But the public shook their heads at both of those preferences and Gilbert said they wanted something “more modern, more sleek,” with the main idea being that the bridge would serve as a gateway into Falls Church. Doing something about the Route 29 crossing was initially a solo effort taken on by Falls Church City years ago, but the Transform 66: Inside the Beltway Project Eastbound Widening Project made it into a regional endeavor back in the fall of 2017. The Virginia Department of Transportation came through, in Snyder’s words, on delivering the bridge with minimal funding needed from the City. Other parts of the project that have materialized are the direct ramp to the West Falls Church Metro station on eastbound I-66, with the overarching goal of widening the interstate to three lanes an ongoing process. “It’s a very complicated and dangerous

THE EAST FALLS CHURCH METRO STATION was one of 19 stations that was proposed to be permanently closed last fall when WMATA was assessing its budget. If the station is eventually shut down, it would undermine part of the bridge’s pitch as helping a segment of commuters. (Photo: News-Press)

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

THE NEW BRIDGE was already getting steady use during daytime hours on Wednesday, with bikers and walkers alike making their way across it. (Photo: News-Press)

intersection. This bridge just takes people right over that,” Snyder said. “It’s a great example of how you can achieve a lot with one project, and especially in the funding of that project was made possible due to its relationship to much larger entities because of 66.” The new gateway bridge to Falls Church is also intended to decongest I-66 traffic by giving commuters an environmentally friendly route to the East Falls Church Metro. The station lies about a half mile away from the Lee Highway intersection. The uncertain future of that station does take away from the bridge’s opening, if only slightly. With its ridership plummeting by more than 90 percent due to the coronavirus pandemic throughout most of 2020, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it needed to cut $200 million from its budget. In response, WMATA’s board began weighing permanent service cuts and station closures last fall. That situation appears to be looking up thanks to an influx of federal relief funding that came with $610 million at the start of the year and now $1.4 billion in the American Rescue Plan bill. One would think that Metro announcing that it was building new rail cars would mean the transit agency is feeling healthy again. But in a March 10 news release, Metro Board of Directors Chair Paul C. Smedberg only committed to averting the expected service cuts and layoffs for its revised Fiscal Year 2022 budget. While the budget itself won’t be finalized until April, F.C.’s Snyder didn’t plan on entertaining a discussion about shutting down one of the two stations associated with Falls Church, calling it a “non-starter.” Fortunately, Snyder doesn’t anticipate the

station will be lost given recent relief money; however, he was vocal about the poor configuration of the latest proposed budget. WMATA originally front loaded all the December relief money to get Metro through FY2021 — which still only managed to carry out 80 percent of its normal service — but would then resume its plan to cut half of bus service, put 30 minute gaps between trains and close 19 stations, including East Falls Church, come FY2022 in July. “This is the second time that budget proposal has shown up. The first time was prevented [by federal stimulus funding in December]. And now they trot out the same agenda. The same approach and they’re bailed out a second time by the federal government,” Synder said. “Well...at some point, they’re not going to be bailed out. And when it occurs then they have to make service cuts.” Again, Snyder isn’t as concerned about the station’s future. But he did say he would recommend the City Council pull its own budget commitments to Metro as a part of its WMATA Compact if the East Falls Church station remained a target for closure. For FY2021, the City’s direct subsidy to WMATA is $4,244,618, however, $400,000 is provided as a credit by WMATA from the CARES Act passed last spring. For FY2022, the City’s proposed direct subsidy to WMATA is $3,867,143, which is about $23,000 more than FY2021 once CARES Act funding is discounted. Snyder said he restated his position about the possible station closure to Metro during its budget’s public comment period on March 9. The Dual Trails project, which was originally supposed to be completed prior to the opening of the bridge over Route 29, is expected to be finished by June, according to Gilbert from NOVA Parks.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

SPO RTS

MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 15

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Welcomes the Falls Church News-Press as the SPOT OF THE WEEK IN THEIR FIRST MEET of the “fall” season, the Mustangs’ girls cross country team placed sixth in the field. (P��: FCCPS P��/J�� B��)

Sports Roundup: Volleyball Rolls to 5-0, Cross Country Opens Season BY CARTER MACKINNON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Field Hockey It was an up and down week for the Mustangs’ field hockey team after they started with a uneven loss before bouncing back in a score-doesn’t-do-it-justice win. On March 11, the Mustangs fell to the visiting James Monroe High School by a score of 6-0. James Monroe Sophomore Sarah Rigual netted five of six goals for the Yellow Jackets in a game where the Mustangs offense never really got it going. After a scoreless, gritty regulation against Fauquier High School, Mustang senior Natalie Boldt netted the deciding goal in overtime to defeat Falcons by a score of 1-0. As a result of a tenacious Mustang defensive effort, junior goalie Hannah Anacko never had to touch the ball. The victory improves Mustangs field hockey to a 3-2 record on the season.

Cross Country During the Mustangs cross country team’s first meet of the season, the boys team produced five of the meet’s top six finishers in a winning effort. Leading the team for the Mustangs was senior Colson

Board with a time of 16:51, eighteen seconds faster than any other runner. The girls team placed sixth place at the meet. Sophomore Alexis Niemi finished 17th with a time of 22:58. The Mustangs next meet will be on March 24 at Manassas Park High School.

Volleyball There’s no hitch in the stride of the Mustangs volleyball team as of yet. Mustang Volleyball continued their undefeated season by downing Central High School in four sets Tuesday night. Senior middle hitter Roza Gal finished with 10 kills, and senior designated setter Olivia Pilson contributed four service aces. The Mustangs took the first two sets of the match before dropping the third set, but the Falls Church natives held off Central’s comeback effort and managed to close out the victory by winning the fourth set 26-24.

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Golf Boys Golf lost their opening match of the season against visiting Brentsville District High School. Sophomore Ethan Bartlett led the Mustangs with a 43 (+7 over par). The Mustangs look to bounce back on Thursday versus Skyline High School and Central High School.

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Transit Equity Principles for Emergency Fund & Budget Allocations in Metro • The following is special guest commentary written by Stewart Schwartz (Coalition for Smart Growth), Alex Baca (Greater Greater Washington) and Ron Thompson (DC Transportation Equity Network) on the “Ten Transit Equity Principles” suggestd for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to adopt.

Transit is Essential The pandemic has spotlighted just how critical transit is for our essential workforce. While Metrorail ridership has declined by 90 percent, reflecting the high percentage of office workers who can telecommute, Metrobus ridership declined by 60 percent. Metrobus and our local bus systems have continued to carry our health care workers, grocery store employees, public safety and maintenance staff, and the many other people upon whom daily life depends. We also know that 52 percent percent of Metrobus riders come from households making $30,000 or less per year, and 81 percent are people of color.

We Supported Federal Emergency Funding: Many of our groups campaigned for Federal emergency funding for transit, helping win three rounds of national transit funding: $25 billion in Mar 2020, and $14 billion Dec 2020, and the just passed $1.9 trillion American Recovery Act which includes another $30.5 billion for transit. WMATA received $767 million in the first round, and $610 million in the second round, and while the three-state region is expected to receive $1.4 billion in the third round, the allocation to WMATA has yet to be determined.

Federal, State, & Local Should Fund Needs in FY22 The proposed WMATA FY22 budget included the $514.4 million in federal emergency funds from the December 2020 legislation, but showed a $209 million shortfall and led to proposals for draconian service cuts. Over 18,000 people commented about the proposed cuts and we expect that they were overwhelmingly negative.

In fact, during the hearings we were heartened to hear the strong support for both Metrobus and Metrorail and the essential role they play in people’s lives. WMATA now says it will update the budget to reflect the new round of emergency funding, which will eliminate the draconian cuts. WMATA should have the funds it needs to carry the system into FY23. However, in the event of remaining shortfalls, our state and local governments should redeploy spending from highways to fully fund WMATA and local transit service.

• Build dedicated bus lanes, and implement signal priority, all-door boarding, mobile fare payment, and other technology to make service faster and more reliable. • Invest in bus shelters and safety improvements for walking and biking to the bus. • Ensure universal safe access for people with disabilities. • Begin bus network redesign studies to improve frequency, ridership, and access to jobs, while ensuring coverage for those most dependent on bus transit.

Faces of Falls Church

Funding Priority 3: Allocation of Federal Funds Fare Relief And Restoring Service We urge WMATA to budget and plan for full restoration of pre-pandemic service by the end of summer 2021. Restoration of bus service should continue to be a top priority. We also urge WMATA to budget and plan for expanded service, particularly Metrobus service, to respond to the region’s changing needs: As we recover from the Covid-19 crisis, we expect that fewer people will commute at traditional peak times to the District’s downtown core, allowing for more frequent service throughout the day.

Funding Priority 1: Operations • Use emergency funding to restore transit service, and prioritize bus service. • Ensure frequent, reliable service; cleanliness and personal safety; and provision of additional service to ensure extra capacity. • Develop a marketing plan in conjunction with elected officials and with business and nonprofit leaders to demonstrate the safety and benefits of returning to transit. • Readjust Metrorail service to reflect increased telecommuting and the benefits of shifting peak hour service to daytime, evening, and weekend, to support workers whose livelihoods are outside of the scope of the 9-5, white-collar, downtown paradigm.

Funding Priority 2: Improving The Bus • Place funding priority on improving the frequency, reliability, and quality of bus service.

• Adopt permanent free or reduced bus fares to help lowerincome residents by saving their travel costs and leaving more room in family budgets for food, health care, and housing. • Smaller transit systems in our area that have very low farebox revenues can most easily go fare-free, and can save on fare collection and enforcement costs. Fare-free buses can also reduce boarding time and speed trips. • If free fares are not feasible for some systems, provide easyto-access passes for reduced fares. • Free and reduced fares shall not come at the expense of service improvements. We can and should do both, by ensuring that transit service is our top transportation funding priority. • Eliminate the transfer penalty We do not support: • Service cuts (exceptions include cutting express commuter service if demand has evaporated) • Fare increases • Storing stimulus funds in rainy day accounts • Using emergency funds for redundant or unnecessary studies • Cutting local and state funds and replacing those funds with the emergency federal funds. The federal funds should be additive. Looking forward: • DC-area transit investment must align with this set of national Transit Justice Principles, which lays out how public transit can be equitable, sustainable, economically productive, safe and accessible, and affordable through policies at the local, state, and federal level.

BORN AND RAISED IN NEW YORK, Ellen was caught coming out of Sweet Frog on West Broad St. When asked if frozen yogurt was a rare treat or a staple of her diet she replied, “Frozen yogurt will get us through this pandemic!” (Photo: J. Michael Whalen/JMichaelWhalen.com)

It’s time to talk about

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B�� N�� N�� Preservation Biscuit Company Opens In Falls Church at 102 E. Fairfax Drive Preservation Biscuit Company has opened at 102 E. Fairfax Drive in Falls Church. The new restaurant offers house-made biscuits baked fresh daily and dressed up with savory fillings like slow-roasted pulled pork or sausage and gravy, or sweet toppings such as southern fried apples and strawberries and cream. Menu items include other sweet treats, salads, and a kids menu, all created by Chef Jon Coombs. Preservation Biscuit will be open daily from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information about the menu, the business, or job opportunities, visit www.preservationbiscuit.com.

MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 17

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F.C. Chamber Hosting Wine Tasting with Dominion Wine & Beer The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce is hosting a wine tasting with Dominion Wine & Beer on Tuesday, March 23 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Registration provides 3 half bottles of exceptional white wines: Honig Sauvignon Blanc 2019 from Napa Valley, CA; Lubanzi Chenin Blanc 2019 from Swartland, South Africa; and Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio 2019 from Alto Adige, Italy. The fee is $35 for pick up at Dominion Wine & Beer, located at 107 Rowell Court, or $40 for local delivery. Registration is required by 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 18. For more information, visit the calendar at www.FallsChurchChamber.org or email info@FallsChurchChamber.org.

Flippin’ Pizza Donating Percentage of Carry Out Purchases Made Flippin’ Pizza in Falls Church is will donate 30 percent of carry out purchases made mentioning Grace Christian Academy on Thursday, March 18 from 4 – 8 p.m. to the school. Grace Christian Academy is a K4 through grade 8 private Christian school located at 3233 Annandale Road in Falls Church. Donations will only be generated from carry-out/pick up and providing the school’s name is mentioned. For more information, visit www.gracechristianacademy.org.

Erik M. Pelton & Associates is Hosting a Spring Used Bike Collection Erik M. Pelton & Associates is hosting a Spring Used Bike Collection March 22 – 27. Used bicycles can be dropped off at 111 Park Place in Falls Church from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bike donations will go to Phoenix Bikes, a nonprofit community bike shop that eduates youth, promotes bicycling, and builds community in Arlington. For more information, visit Erik M Pelton & Associates social media pages.

The Arc of Northern Virginia is hosting “A Life Like Yours” The Arc of Northern Virginia is hosting “A Life Like Yours” on Thursday, March 25, from 8 – 8:30 a.m. This virtual fundraising event will provide the opportunity to learn more about the local nonprofit and hear stories about the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have been helped by the organization. Attendees will hear firsthand from self-advocates who have lived with their disability, and the family members who fight so hard to ensure they can live “A Life Like Yours.” For more information, visit www.thearcofnova.org.

Rio Medical Supplies Reaches Settlement with Attorney General Rio Medical Supplies, located in Leesburg Pike Plaza at 3535 S. Jefferson Street in Falls Church, has reached a settlement with Attorney General Mark Herring to resolve allegations of significantly overcharging for hand sanitizer during the Covid-19 pandemic. Rio Medical Supplies has agreed to pay $2,500 in civil penalties and attorney fees and refrain from further violations. The company has also disgorged nearly $1,650 in profits from 32 sales that were made during that time. Consumers who purchased hand sanitizer from Rio Medical Supplies between March 14 and March 23, 2020 are urged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section (www.oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/) in order to get reimbursed.  Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCHCALENDAR LOCALEVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 18 News-Press “Spot of the Week.” Interested readers and supporters of the Falls Church News-Press can join the staff at a restaurant in or around the City of Falls Church to celebrate the paper’s weekly publication. Learn how to become a member of the News-Press, get a chance to purchase one of the paper’s books, “The Front Page: The First Five Years: 1991 – 1996” or just get to know members of the staff better. This week the News-Press will be at Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church) from 6 – 8 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 Spring Sunrise Trail Hike. Interested participants can join the staff at Arlington Parks for a

sunrise hike around Glencarlyn Park, which is a part of the Long Branch Nature Center, to welcome the first day of the astronomical spring. The group will keep our eyes and ears open for wildlife as they walk through old age woods and along local streams. Families. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. To register, contact 703228-4747. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 6:45 – 8:15 a.m. Falls Church Farmers Market. The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church) 9 a.m. – noon. For more information, visit the Calendar item’s page at fallschurchva.gov/547/ Farmers-Market-To-Go.

Equinox Campfire. Families can gather at Long Branch Nature Center for the Equinox Campfire. The group will learn, tell stories and do other fun things. Fire and sticks will be provided; attendees should bring their own s’mores supplies. Register adults and youth by contacting Bobbi Farley bfarley@arlingtonva.us. 7 – 8 p.m. Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington).

SUNDAY, MARCH 21 R.I.P. — Remove Invasive Plants. Want to restore habitat and increase native species diversity in Arlington? Groups help every month to make a difference with the return of vegetation and animals that depend on areas once covered in invasive plants. Adults, teens and families ages 8 and up. For information, call 703-2286535. Registration not required. Long Branch Nature Center at

Glencarlyn Park (625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington). 2 – 4 p.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 18 Online Preschool Story Time. Those who are interested can join the Mary Riley Styles Library staff live on the library’s Facebook page for a virtual fun time of stories, songs and rhymes. For ages 0-5. Visit facebook.com/mrspl to join in on the activities. 10:30 – 11 a.m. Jane Austen Book Discussion (online). A monthly discussion covering the works of literary icon Jane Austen, hosted by Mary Riley Styles Public Library staff. This month’s book is a unique biography of Austen titled “The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things” by Paula Byrne. This program will be held online via Zoom.

For more information, email Marshall Webster at mwebster@ fallschurchva.gov. 7 – 8 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 22 ESOL Conversation Group (online). Interested participants can practice their English with a weekly ESOL conversation group. This program meets online via Zoom. To request a Zoom invite, email Marshall Webster at mwebster@fallschurchva.gov. 7 – 8:30 p.m. City Council Meeting (online). City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues and the public is invited to speak. All participating members of the City Council will be present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this electronic meeting via www.fallschurchva.gov/ CouncilMeetings. The meeting may also be viewed on FCCTV

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(Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. The virtual meeting will be held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the Covid-19 declared emergency. 7:30 – 11 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 23 Great Books Discussion (online). A “Great Books” discussion concentrating on literary classics (both traditional and modern) meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday most months, hosted by Mary Riley Styles Public Library staff. This month’s book is “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allen Poe. This discussion will be held online. Email Marshall Webster at mwebster@fallschurchva.gov for more information. 7 – 8:30 p.m.

THEATER&ARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 19 “Passport to the World of Music” Live Streaming Series. Creative Cauldron returns with two performances this weekend as a part of its ongoing and completely virtual “Passport to the World of Music’’ series for this year. On Friday, March 19, Irene Jalenti returns to the Cauldron for another evening of sensational jazz vocals and instrumentation. And on Saturday, March 20, Kara-Tameika Watkins bares her soul in an evening of selfdiscovery and reflection of life during a pandemic through her music. All Tickets are $15; both concerts will be live-streamed 7:30 p.m. on their respective show dates. Visit creativecauldron.org for tickets and information.

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MARCH 18 – 24, 2021 | PAGE 19

songs from the composer’s canon. The quintessential “Finishing the Hat,” “Another Hundred People,” “Losing My Mind” and “The Worst Pies in London” meet lesser known gems including “Country House,” “Saturday Night” and “Goodbye for Now” and are fused with new orchestrations by longtime Sondheim collaborator Jonathan Tunick. Presented by Signature Theater via On Demand Streaming. $35. sigtheatre.org.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, MARCH 18 Jameson Greene. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-2370300. Mitchell Norton Live — Solo Show at the Distillery. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186. Cramer & Ivy Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-2419504.

SEAN TRACY TRIO will be at The State Theatre on Sunday. (Photo: Courtesy Sean Tracy Trio)

Emo Trivia Night (Indoors + Distanced). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Lush live and In Concert. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

The Cactus Liquors. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-2370300.

So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience Live and in Concert. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

Daryl Davis presents “Thanks For The Memories 2020!” The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $29.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

NOMAD. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-8589186.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19

Sol Roots Band featuring Mike Kelley Live and in Concert. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:45 p.m. 703-2419504.

Arnaud Sussmann, violin — Chamber Music at The Barns. Virtual concert presented by Wolf Trap. Stream anytime. 703255-1900.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Broke Superstars. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

“Simply Sondheim.” Created specifically for Signature Theatre with special permission from Sondheim himself, this jampacked revue features over 30

Chris Timbers Band Live and In Concert. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-8589186.

A Song & A Slice: Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir (Indoors + Distanced). Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 Shag British Invasion Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 3:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Dale & ZDubs with Brian Harris Live and In Concert. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). 7 p.m. 703-255-1566. Josh Christina Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703-2419504. An Evening with Tom Rush ‘First Annual Farewell Tour’ (Reschedule Date from March 25, 2020 — all tickets purchased for that performance will be honored at this show). The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $45. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

SUNDAY, MARCH 21 Cramer & Ivy Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 3:30 p.m. 703-2419504. Sean Tracy Trio. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-2370300. Open Mic Night at the Distillery featuring Michelle Swan. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-858-9186. Ave, Alexandria). $35. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500. Josh Allen Band Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 7 p.m. 703-2419504. Meli’sa Morgan. The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $39.50. 7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

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

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

PAGE 20 | MARCH 18 - 24, 2021 HELP WANTED Local drain cleaning company looking

for reliable, honest non-smoker able to help lift heavy machine and ride along as helper on jobs. Must have transportation to & from office. Knowledge of drains or maintenance a plus. Call Debbie at Sparkle Drain Cleaning 571-237-4604

AUCTIONS 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

FARM EQUIPMENT OWN LAND IN VIRGINIA? Our Hunt-

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LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing for Falls Church Residents

ers will Pay Top $$$ to lease your land. Call now for free info packet 1-866309-1507 www.BaseCampLeasing.com / Ref# VA11721

Find out about: West Broad Street

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VDOT Project No. 0007-110-197, UPC 11483

Vinyl Replacement Windows Starting

The City is planning a project called West Broad Street Multimodal Improvements and has 30% design prepared. The proposed project would provide improvements at

at $235* Installed w/Free Trim Wrap Call 804-739-8207 Siding, Roofing, Gutters and More!

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The City of Falls Church ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in

The following public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 22, 2021 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard: (TR21-04) RESOLUTION CONSENTING TO AND DESIGNATING THREE NEW FALLS CHURCH SPECIMEN TREES In accordance with City Code Section 44-90, the Tree Commission has recommended, upon the advice of the City Arborist, that the following trees, all located on City-owned property, be designated by the City Council as Specimen trees: 30” DBH Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandifolia) at 604 South Oak Street. 28” DBH Sourwood (Oxydenron arboretum)

Home Improvement Handyman Service All repairs, plumbing, drywall, windows, doors, rotted wood, siding, lighting + Call Doug (703)556-4276 www.fallschurchhandyman.com

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CELESTE HEATH, CITY CLERK

Other Services

Accounting www.gagnonsgutterworks.com

Robert Beatson II Attorney/Accountant, Former IRS Attorney All Federal, State, Local & Foreign Taxes Admitted to DC, MD, VA & NY Bars 703-798-3590 or 301-340-2951

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at 604 South Oak Street. 49” Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) at 604 South Oak Street. Public hearings will be held electronically. To speak on a public hearing item, complete a speaker form at www.fallschurchva.gov/ PublicComment before noon on the day of the Council meeting. Following submission of the form, you will receive emailed instructions to join the virtual Council meeting. Written public hearing comments may be sent until noon on the day of the meeting to cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov. Council members will attend the meeting through electronic means and members of the public may view the meeting at www.fallschurchva. gov/CouncilMeetings and on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting at the same link. 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).

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Cow Sale. March 27th, 2021 12:00 noon. G&E Test Center Gretna, VA. Call George Winn at 434-489-4458.

If your concerns cannot be satisfied, the City of Falls Church is willing to hold a Public Hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Susan Long at SLong@fallschurchva.gov. Please reference “West Broad Multimodal” in the subject heading. Or mail comments to Susan Long, City of Falls Church Department of Public Works, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. Requests must be received prior to April 2, 2021. If it is deemed necessary to hold a public hearing, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

844-947-1479

ATTN. CONTRACTORS: Advertise your

G&E Virginia Premium Assured Heifer/

Elements of the project are: increase pedestrian accessibility, sidewalk widening, removal of sidewalk obstacles, redesign of intersection geometry, one new mid-block crossing between Virginia and Pennsylvania Streets, increase transit access by accommodating bus shelters and bus stops; and reduce automobile congestion by increasing mode choice and reducing automobile dependence. Review project information at the project webpage http://www.fallschurchva.gov/ or the City of Falls Church Department of Public Works, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046, tel. 571-651-0133 (TTY 711). Please call ahead for staff availability.

accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For information call 703-248-5004 or (TTY 711).

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

FORECLOSURE

LIVESTOCK SALES

five intersections on West Broad Street to improve accessibility for pedestrians. The intersections are West Broad and Virginia, Lee, Oak, Spring and West Streets.

Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Cleaning Services

Lawn Services

House Cleaning Service

CHARLES JENKINS TREE 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

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KIDS LOVE SCALLIWAG By Eileen Levy Peanut butter comes first, Then milk to help the thirst.

Week of 3/15/21 - 3/21/21

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Crossword

A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT

MARCH 18 - 24, 2021 | PAGE 21

by Margie E. Burke

The Weekly Crossword ACROSS 1 Up to the task 5 Come from ___ 9 Flat floater 14 Stir up 15 Symbol of peace 16 One way to read 17 Lingerie tops 19 Tossed over the shoulder 20 Tavern perch 21 Icicle former 23 Black 24 Scale deduction 26 Endocrine, for one 28 Crispy cookie 31 One-time link 34 Kiss member since 1973 35 Braille bit 36 Pekoe packet 38 Colony members 39 Candle topper 41 Snoop (around) 42 Sonora snooze 44 ROFL alternative 45 Party snack 46 Pay-___-view 47 Step up the pace 50 Shady problemsolver 52 Perched on 53 Petty quarrel 55 Fizzled fireworks 57 Divine for water 61 Linda Lavin role 63 Astonishment 65 Wood-turning tool 66 Eye layer 67 Rebel Wilson film, "___ It Romantic" 68 Gas additive 69 Bothersome one 70 Adjusts, as a clock DOWN 1 Pendulum paths 2 Wake maker

by Margie E. Burke

47 50

3 VIP car 4 1920's-30's lawman 5 Big fuss 6 Foolishness 7 Declare firmly 8 Call it quits 9 Some four-year degs. 10 Bold poker bet 11 Traffic circle 12 Sticky buildup 13 High-strung 18 Foundry waste 22 Blood clotting aid 25 Visibly embarrassed 27 Jungle dweller 28 Wish granter 29 Between different religions 30 Old 32 Spoonful, say 33 Quite a while 34 Shocked reaction 37 Naval Academy locale

40 Slow-flowing syrup 43 Invoice add-on 48 Billy of "Almost Famous" fame 49 Took a bus 51 In need of scratching

53 Shopaholic's delight 54 Surveyor's map 56 Plunge headfirst 58 Like Solomon 59 Transmitted 60 Small lizards 62 Sushi selection 64 Slugger's need

Sudoku

Level 1 2 3 4

Answers to Last Week's Crossword:

A L I B I

L E M O N

S A F E

M O A N

T E M P E R A N C E

A S A P

G E N E

E D G E

O R E D I R T E C S H E T O Y A S N T G E E R L

C O I N

A B A T T T O H I E R R E S T H O R I M P

M I T E R T O T M A N I A

S T B E E R R E E A T O W L D E D E E A P C L O A L N G E T E R E N R T

D I M L Y

E L B A

A B E T

L O R E

T O U R N A M S E I N S T

A U N T

P R E Y

M E C C A

A T T A R

T R A W L

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

NICK KNACK

STRANGE BREW

By The Mepham Group

3/7/21

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk. © 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

JOHN DEERING

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | MARCH 18 – 24, 2021

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

C�� C��

25 � 10 Y�� A�� N��-P�� Falls Church News-Press Vol. V, No. 52 • March 14, 1996

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No.1 • March 3,, 2011

Lasso Seeks New Business Development Initiatives in Budget Message to Council

Shields Proposes F.C. Budget With Stiff Take-Home Pay Cuts, 6 Layoffs

Citing flat business revenues as a major contributor to the City’s tax increase in the coming fiscal year, City Manager David Lasso recommended to the City Council that it embrace new business development initiatives to spur a growth in economic activity here.

Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields unveiled his long-awaited recommended Fiscal Year 2012 budget to the F.C. City Council Monday, and while the balanced revenues and expenditures for $64,511,451 represent a modest 0.7 percent increase over the current year, there are salary cuts coming.

Andy Rausch, Long�me F.C. Resident, Dies at 83 Andre “Andy” Heath Rausch of Mountain Brook, Alabama, died Feb. 1, 2021 at his home following complications from a stroke. He was 83 years old. Andy was born on Aug. 28, 1937 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Andrew W. Rausch and Norma (Heath) Rausch. He grew up in Ridgewood, NJ and earned an Engineering degree from the US Merchant Marine Academy in 1959. He served as an officer in the Navy after graduation and subsequently in the Navy Reserves. He later earned master’s degrees in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Columbia University and a PhD in Applied Physics from West Virginia University. While living in New York City, he met his wife, Beverly Evans (Youngers) Rausch, and they married in 1964. After living briefly in Columbus, Ohio where Andy worked for the American Gas Association, they moved to Falls Church in 1973 following the birth of their first daughter. Their second daughter was born shortly thereafter. Bev and Andy resided in Falls

Church until 2009. Andy’s professional career in the DC area included work for AGA, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Booz Allen Hamilton, Defense Communications Agency/ National Communications System and the Federal Communications Commission from which he retired. While at the IIHA he co-led a research project that was pivotal to the introduction of the third brakelight in the automotive industry. Andy loved classical music, art and cats. His favorite activities included sailing, reading, and painting. He combined his love of modern art and cats by creating Cubist paintings of many family cats. Bev and Andy enjoyed a wonderful circle of friends in Falls Church and the D.C. area and loved to entertain at their home. Upon moving to Alabama to be closer to grandchildren, they frequently discussed how much they missed their dear friends and community back in Falls Church. Andy is survived by his daughters Andrea R. White (Goodloe)

ARCHIE is a rescue dog from Arlington Animal Welfare League. He joined the Read family in August. Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

ANDY RAUSCH and Tallison H. Rausch, grandchildren Virginia and Robert White, brother Joel B. Rausch (Deborah) and niece, Rebecca. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister Jean L. Rausch. His ashes will eventually be committed in New Jersey near the Hudson River.

VISIT US ONLINE

www.fcnp.com News•Photos•Online Polls E-Issuu•Twitter•Sports and More

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MARCH 18 - 24, 2021 | PAGE 23

Where to Pick Up The • 7 Eleven (Box), 3019 Annandale Rd • Amazing Smiles, 444 W Broad St – D • Anthony’s Restaurant, 3000 Annandale Rd. • Audacious Aleworks, 110 E Fairfax St. • Ballston Quarter (Box) 4238 Wilson Blvd. • BB&T Bank, 225 W Broad St. • Bentley’s Restaurant, 6654 Arlington Blvd • Bikenetic, 201 W Jefferson St. • Bowl America, 140 S Maple Ave. • Clarendon Blvd & Courthouse Rd. Bus Stop (Box) • Broad Falls Apartments, 809 W Broad St. • Broadway Apt (in mailroom), 500 W Broad St. • Brown’s Hardware, 100 W Broad St. • Burke & Herbert Bank, 225 West Broad St. • Byron Apartments, 513 W Broad St. • Timberlane Condos Bus Stop, 7368 Lee Hwy • Lee Hwy/ Hollywood Rd. Bus Stop • Café Kindred, 450 N Washington St. • Celebrity Delly – Graham Park Plaza, 7263A Arlington Blvd. • Clarendon Metro, 3021 Wilson Blvd. • Clay Café Studios, 101 N Maple Ave. • Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N Washington St. • Courthouse Parking Lot, 2100 Wilson Blvd. • CVS, 1150 W Broad St. • CVS (Box), 134 W Broad St. • CVS (Box), 6404 N Williamsburg Blvd. • Falls Church Distillers, 442 S A. Washington St. • Across from Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center (Box), Route 7 & Rio Dr. • Differences Hair Designer, 8122 Arlington Blvd. • Dogwood Tavern, 132 W. Broad St. • Don Beyer Volvo, 1231 W Broad St. • East Falls Church Metro (Box), 2001 N. Sycamore St • Einstein Bros. Bagels, 913 W Broad St. • El Tio Restaurant, 7630 Lee Hwy. • Elevation Burger (Box), 442 S. Washington St. • Exxon Gas Station, 400 W Broad St. • Fairfax Auto Parts, 431 S Maple Ave. • Falls Church Animal Hospital, 1249 W Broad St. • Falls Church City Government, 300 Park Ave. • Falls Church City Public Schools, 150 S. Washington Street, Suite 400 • Falls Church City Public Utilities, Gordon Rd. • Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. • Falls Church News-Press, 105 N. Virginia Ave. Suite #310 • Falls Green Apartments (formerly Oakwood), 501 N. Roosevelt Blvd. • Flippin’ Pizza, 800 W Broad St. • Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, 8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax • Foxcraft Design Group, 110 Great Falls St • Galleria Florist, 248 W. Broad Street • George Mason & Wilson Blvd (Box), 5015 Wilson Blvd • George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike • Giant – Graham Park Plaza, 7235 Arlington Blvd. • Giant Food, 1230 W Broad St. • Goodwin House, 3440 South Jefferson St. • Grand Hunan Restaurant, 5845 Washington Blvd. • Harris Teeter, 301 W Broad St. • Hillwood Cleaners, 165 Hillwood Ave. • Hilton Garden Inn, 706 W Broad St. • Idylwood Towers Condominium, 2300 & 2311 Pimmit Dr. • Indian Spices, 1067_B W Broad St. • Inns Virginia Hotel, 421 W. Broad St. • Ireland’s Four Provinces, 105 W Broad St. • Joe’s Place Pizza & Pasta, 5555 Lee Hwy. • Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, 1136 W Broad St. • Kensington Falls Church, 700 W Broad St. • Lazy Mikes Deli, 7049 Leesburg Pike • Ledo Pizza, 7510 Leesburg Pike • Liberty Barbecue, 370 W Broad St. • Lil City Creamery, 114 W Broad St. • Lincoln At Tinner Hill Apartments, 455 S. Maple Ave. • Long Foster Realtors, 6299 Castle Rd. • Madison Apartments, 600 N Roosevelt Blvd. • Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, 7130 Leesburg Pike • Merrill House Apartments, 210 E Fairfax St. • Metro Diner, 4711 Lee Hwy. • Metro Dunn Loring, Gallows Rd & Belleforest Dr. • Mr Tire Auto, 105 Falls Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 • Moby Dick House of Kabob, 444 W. Broad St. • Munson Hill Apartments, 6729 Leesburg Pike • N Virginia Av & W Broad St (Box), 105 N Virginia Ave. • N. Washington & E. Columbia St., 106 E Columbia St. • Neighborhood Barbershop, 417 W Broad St #103 • Northern Virginia Center, 7054 Haycock Rd.• Northgate Apartments (lobby), 450 N Washington St. • Northside Social, 205 Park Ave. • Original Pancake House, 7395 Lee Hwy. • Park Towers Condos, 200 N. Maple Ave. • Peach Tree Towers, 2042 Peach Orchard Dr. • Pearson Square Apartments, 410 S. Maple Ave. • Pete’s Barber Shop, 5847 Washington Blvd. • Pho 88 Restaurant, 232 W Broad St. • Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7700 Leesburg Pike • Pizzeria Orso (Tax Analysts building), 400 S. Maple Ave. • PNC Bank, 402 W. Broad St. • Point of View, 701 W. Broad St. • Professional Building, 313 Park Ave. • Providence Recreation Center, 7525 Marc Dr. • Quick Copy, 417 W. Broad St. • Rare Bird Coffee Roasters, 230 W. Broad St. • Read Apartments, 402 W Broad St. • Re/Max West End, 710 W Broad St • Roosevelt Towers, 500 N Roosevelt Blvd.• Safeway, 5101 Wilson Blvd. • Safeway, 2500 N Harrison St. • Safeway – Route 29, 7397 Lee Hwy.• Sfizi Café, 800 W Broad St. • Silver Diner, 3200 Wilson Blvd. • Sislers Stone, 7139 Lee Hwy. • Smokey’s Garage, 1105 W Broad St. • Sonic Car Wash, 1050 W Broad St. • The Spectrum, 444 W. Broad St.• Spectrum Cleaners, 444 W Broad St. • Stratford Motor Lodge, 300 W. Broad St.• Sunrise of Falls Church, 330 N. Washington St. • Super A Market, 2800 Graham Rd. • Target, 500 S Washington St. • Target – Skyline Mall (Box), 5107 Leesburg Pike • West Broad Building, 301 W Broad St. • Thomas Jefferson Library, 7415 Arlington Blvd. • Towne Place Suites – Marriot, 205 Hillwood Ave. • Unity Club, 116-B W Broad St. • UPS Store Seven Corners, 6312 Seven Corners Ctr. • US Post Office, 2045 Wilson Blvd. • Virginia Hospital Center (Box), 1701 N George Mason Dr. • Virginia Hospital Center ER (inside), 1702 N George Mason Dr • Virginia Tech, Courthouse 7054 Haycock Rd. • Washington & S. Broad St. (Box) 101 W Broad St. • West Lee Apartments, 2200 N Westmoreland • Wendy’s – Bus Stop, 7391 Lee Hwy.• West Falls Church Metro (Box) 7040 Haycock Rd. • Woodrow Wilson Community Library, 6101 Knollwood Dr.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | MARCH 18 - 24, 2021

2021 VOLVO

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Falls Church News-Press 3-18-2021

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