Falls Church News-Press 8-12-2021 by Falls Church News-Press

August 12 – 18, 2021

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FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 26

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Council Votes For Biggest Land Project In F.C. History Work On 2 Adjacent Sites Will Also Take Place BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

In a series of unanimous 7-0 votes Monday night, the Falls Church City Council gave final decisive approvals to special exceptions and the site plan for the biggest project in the City’s history, a 9.75-acre mixed use development at the site of the now-demolished old George Mason High School property. The project, with an estimated value of $380 million and to yield an estimated $5 million in net annual revenues to the City, now awaits a groundbreaking set for early next year. As pointed out by Council member Ross Litkenhous, the project will not only completely pay for the now-completed $122 million Meridian High School right next to it, but also promises to provide City taxpayers with a hefty reduction in property taxes.

Continued on Page 4

SEVERE STORMS rolled through the Falls Church area Tuesday evening, making its presence felt with a lightning strike near Annandale Road and Route 50 (left), and a downed tree off North Oak Street. (P��: C�� L�� M��)

Clare & Don’s Moves Dining Outside Due to New Delta Variant

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Restaurants and entertainment venues around the City of Falls Church were finally regaining their balance after a shaky year due to the Covid-19 pandemic...until the

surging Delta variant cast a cloud over the previously optimistic summer. Now at least one establishment is closing its indoor dining room to non-senior patrons, and is even open to screening customers for their vaccination status later this year.

That business is the popular Clare & Don’s Beach Shack on N. Washington Street, which shut down its indoor dining room for everyone except those 65 and older a few weeks ago. “We have a lot of immunocompromised people who come into

the restaurant, at least that I know of. And of course, we have a lot of elderly people as well,” co-owner David Tax said. “I just don’t feel the need [to leave it open].” Tax said the decision to limit

Continued on Page 9

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The 27th annual Tinner Hill Music Festival takes place in Cherry Hill Park this year, with all day music, food, and other events. It will be a great opportunity for neighbors to reunite for some community fun, the kind of thinjg many have been missing since the pandemic began. SEE STORY, PAGE 2

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SEE STORY, PAGE 10

SEE STORY, PAGE 23

Like the taste of country biscuits lathered with huge dollops of butter, Patsy Cline’s voice and songs are a taste of a sumptuous concert in Cherry Hill Park, the scene of Creative Cauldron’s newest show which runs through this weekend (pending rain).

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 News & Notes................................... 11 Crime Report .................................... 12 Calendar ........................................... 16 Business News ................................. 19 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Tinner Hill Music Festival Returns To Put On Covid-Safe Show Aug. 21 BY ALEX RUSSELL

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Another benchmark in our gradual return to normal will be felt again in two weeks when the 27th annual Tinner Hill Music Festival takes place in Cherry Hill Park. The festival, which is an all day music concert slated for Aug. 21, will be an opportunity for neighbors to reunite for a day of community fun, something that many people missed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. The growing presence of the Delta variant throughout the U.S. has not impeded the organization of the show, nor its preparation. Tori McKinney, the Executive Producer of the Festival for the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, noted how the venue of Cherry Hill Park permits ample room for social distancing. One logistical issue that was avoided was having to book new artists. Ed Henderson, the founder

of the Heritage Foundation, said that all the artists who had committed for the 2020 show are still onboard for this year’s show. “The musical artists played along” with the change in schedule and were more than willing to “change the booking dates.” Henderson remains optimistic about this year’s festival. “The community wins, the artists win, [and] everybody is going to have a real good time this year.” Loyalty from the performers could be a testament to McKinney’s bonafides among musicians and their representatives. Prior to setting up her Rock Star Realty business, she was a concert producer for venues in New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C. That experience informed her own passion for and knowledge of American music, and gives the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation as well as the attendees the confidence she can stage a successful festival. “It feeds my soul, given my

background in the music industry,” McKinney said. While “bringing the live music scene” is a big plus for McKinney, she added that “I feel like I’m participating in a very important cause.” For both Henderson and McKinney, the Music Festival will be a fun day to spend outdoors after a year-long pause brought on by the pandemic, but it will also be a good chance to spread “awareness for social equity” and “modern day racial reconciliation” within the Little City. The Music Festival itself has a storied history going back decades. Created to support Tinner Hill’s foundation in the mid-1990s, the festival has since maintained its role as one of the biggest public celebrations in the City of Falls Church. At one point going by the name “The Tinner Hill Street Festival,” it was later renamed “The Tinner Hill Blues Festival” in 2000.

Continued on Page 17

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Construction at West End Project Site to Begin Early Next Year

Continued from Page 1

The project will also be complemented by development of two adjacent sites, one now occupied by Virginia Tech and the other constituted by WMATA’s West Falls Church Metrorail station, which combined will constitute 44 acres of seamless development that will be unified by a boulevard running through its middle from Rt. 7 to the West Falls Church station. According to a spokesman from the team that is also involved in the WMATA development site, a go-ahead was received for that land Monday, and as a result all components of the overall plan could come on line roughly simultaneously. All the pieces have come together so perfectly to this point since the days just a few years ago, in 2014, when the City of Falls Church agreed to swap acreage upon which its old high school sat from Fairfax County in exchange for ownership of its beleaguered water system. Annexing the land into the Falls Church City limits, the first step was to divide it into two parcels,

one dedicated to the construction of a new high school and the other to economic development for the purpose of paying for the new high school and possibly more. So far, it has worked out like a charm, with the new Meridian High School now completed and awaiting the arrival of students in a few weeks and the economic development side, under the command of a first-rate development team, winning a critical series of unanimous votes of approval from the Falls Church City Council this Monday. That same day, the City Council unanimously approved a Special Exception Site Plan for Phase One of the West Falls Project, located at the intersection of Haycock Road and W. Broad Street The development is a 9.78 acre project with a million square feet of retail, office, hotel, civic space, senior housing, and a mix of condo and rental multifamily housing within a short walking distance of the West Falls Church Metrorail station. The approval marks a significant development for a project that started in 2014 with the boundary

adjustment that brought Meridian High (formerly George Mason High) and Mary Ellen Middle School campuses into the City limits. In 2017, City voters approved a $120 million bond issuance for a new high school on the site, which freed up approximately 10 acres of school property for commercial development to generate revenue to partially cover the expense of the new high school. The City chose Falls Church Gateway Partners (FCGP) to develop the site in 2018 after a competitive procurement process under the Virginia Public Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA), and executed a Comprehensive Agreement with FCGP and granted preliminary land use entitlements in July 2019. The site is leased to FCGP over a 99 year term. In addition to the lease payments, the City projects that the annual net fiscal impact (tax revenue minus cost of government and educational services) from the site will be over $5 million per year after stabilization of the site in 2029.

The West Falls project will provide 32 units of affordable rental housing committed for the life of the year lease, and an annual developer subsidy of $228,000 will be used to maintain affordable senior housing. Also this Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance establishing a Community Development Authority (CDA) which will issue infrastructure bonds and impose a special assessment on the 9.78 acre site to cover the annual debt service for those bonds. It is anticipated that the CDA will issue approximately $13 million in infrastructure bonds to pay for certain roads, stormwater facilities, and other public improvements on the site, and will impose a special assessment equivalent to 15 cents on the real estate tax rate on the West Falls property. The City is not liable for the debt issued by the CDA. The CDA method of financing public improvements has been used elsewhere in the region such as the Mosaic District, but this is the first one created by the City of Falls Church. FCGP stated at the meet-

ing that they plan to start construction of the West Falls Project in the first quarter of 2022. (In July, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors set the stage by approving a comprehensive plan amendment to facilitate the redevelopment of approximately 32 acres of land adjacent to the site, including the West Falls Church Metro Station and the Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center. The City and County have coordinated planning efforts on these sites, including road design and transportation improvements.) “All the time and effort that has gone into this over the past years and all the attention to the details have taken it to a much better outcome, if not perfect. This is a very nice project, it pays for the school, will bring tax relief and will be great for the City,” said Mayor David Tarter. “I am very excited about this project.” Council member Phil Duncan called it “a heroic effort by staff and the Council members.” The public “has only seen the tip of this iceberg,” he added. “It has been an exercise in commitment and passion.”

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AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021 | PAGE 5

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‘Eastern Seaboard’s Most Valuable Parcel’

The sequence of seemingly painless unanimous 7-0 votes by the Falls Church City Council late Monday night came without bells and whistles but were no less consequential. Taken together they marked the end of an amazing process that has birthed by far the biggest development in the history of the Little City’s 2.2 square miles and promises to make it among the richest in America. Going back aways, the City’s leaders were able to convert a cumbersome asset, its ownership since the 1930s of a 120-mile-long water system that its Fairfax County neighbor coveted, into a 9.75-acre chunk of real estate that it has deftly transformed into what it sold for a not-so-small fortune and promises to generate no less than $5 million in tax revenues, annually, to the City coffers. Those numbers could easily rise as two components adjacent to the 9.75 acres — one occupied by Virginia Tech and the other being WMATA’s West Falls Church Metrorail station site — move aggressively to develop in tandem with the F.C. site and deliver to the region one of its premiere mixed-use assemblages, transit-oriented and filled with housing, including senior and affordable units, a hotel and consumer-friendly amenities of a variety of types. Beyond all this are the prospects for the ways in which assembled Beyer Automotive and Federal Realty properties next to it will be folded in. As this moves ahead now with dispatch, the total ballgame will outstrip slower and more discombobulated developments in the nearby Tysons region, jumping to the head of the line in terms of establishing a premiere place to live, work and play for Falls Church area folks, existing and to be. It will massively enhance the property values of existing single family homeowners here, to boot, as it will make Falls Church, in conjunction with its having one of the finest public school systems in America, a highly preferred place to reside. So, Monday’s key votes set in motion the development that will arise on top of the recently demolished old George Mason High, sitting adjacent to a brand new state of the art high school, that will be the envy of the region, the nation and the whole wide world. The top drawer developers brought on to oversee its development only help to assure us this will be the outcome. We can’t wait to see it rise up on the rubble of the old high school. There’s a long history to Falls Church’s efforts to achieve the best outcome from that parcel of land, long before it was actually annexed into the City limits, that was underscored by those who, as this paper loudly touted since its earliest years, called the undeveloped real estate “one of the potentially most valuable parcels on the eastern seaboard.” The News-Press has called attention to that prediction repeatedly over its 30 years in business, so we’re really happy it’s actually coming to pass.

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Clark Column Understates How Arlington Boxes Out Small Business Editor, Charlie Clark’s characterization of Lyon Village’s response to the redevelopment plan for Langston Blvd. (formerly Lee Hwy.) was undeserved. Mr. Clark has lived in Arlington long enough to know how the development machine operates: Increasing the general land use plan’s (GLUP’s) allowable density supercharges the land’s development potential. It’s like throwing chum to sharks (aka speculators/developers). The greater the allowable density, the higher land values rise. As the land’s speculative value inflates, so goes real estate tax assessments. As tax bills skyrocket, household incomes for those on fixed or modest incomes barely budge. The cost of housing rises for everyone. Elderly, disabled and middleincome residents who cannot absorb successive tax increases sell out to developers, who stand ready to consolidate parcels and reap huge financial rewards. They know that their upzoning requests will be rubberstamped (supplemented by “bonus” density). Saying that the county doesn’t use eminent domain is disingenuous. The GLUP-to-upzoning, rinse-

and-repeat formula applied along the Metro corridors and then Columbia Pike is an equally effective displacement tool. Arlingtonians have repeatedly observed the human toll of Arlington County’s Darwinian policies: Seniors can no longer afford to age in place. Working-class residents are displaced as their rents skyrocket. Existing small businesses shut down or move (that’s why Clare and Don’s Beach Shack no longer resides on Clarendon Blvd.). As for “planning,” Arlington has failed to meet the service and infrastructure needs for its existing population. Its aged and inadequate stormwater system cannot manage all the new runoff from development—many Arlington businesses and homeowners have repeatedly paid the price from extreme flooding. Some students have spent nearly their entire school careers learning in trailers because the county cannot keep up with the growing demand for classroom space. Yet, the county refuses to purchase more land on which to build new schools, fire stations, libraries, parks and a host of other services to meet the needs of its exploding population. The notion that this redevelopment plan is only a “draft” is absurd. And those living and operating small businesses along Langston Blvd. know it. At a minimum, they deserve compassion, not scorn. Suzanne Smith Sundburg Arlington

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AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021 | PAGE 7

Success Of New School Year Is A Community Effort in F.C. B� P�� J. N��

Dear FCCPS Families, As the waning weeks of summer are upon us, I hope you and your family have been enjoying the time together. On the flip side, we have been busy planning for what promises to be a different and exciting school year. Monday, we hosted our annual administrative kick-off retreat at Meridian High School. On Wednesday, we welcomed all new teachers and professional staff to FCCPS as part of our schools’ onboarding week. Seeing everyone in person has been a real thrill, and is an excellent reminder of how relational our work as a learning community is! These are just a couple of the events that we had to cancel last year and are enthusiastically bringing back this year. The excitement in the room struck me as we talked about the year to come. The feelings of joy in returning were palpable. At the same time, I could hear and feel the concern in the room about how the impact of the Delta variant may influence our work as we move forward. I anticipate that the rest of our teachers and staff who will join us for our annual convocation in a couple of weeks, and many in the community, share a similar situatedness of excitement and concern. Holding both emotions simultaneously may seem to conflict, but it is normal and natural in the circumstance we find

ourselves. Thinking about it another way could mean that holding these two emotions is really what unites us as a school system and school community in the midst of a crisis. As a parent of a rising 7th grader, this is the time in the summer when any

“The beauty of Falls Church City is that we have a community of people who believe in a collective approach to problem-solving. As we witnessed last year, the schools cannot do the work alone, and we need you.” semblance of routine is in the rearview mirror. The summer days come and go like the ocean’s tides with no real daily schedule and bedtimes are flexible (when even discussed). Reading and math packets are negotiated as though doing a small reading response or a few problems rep-

resents the worst case scenario for a kid during the summer… the realization that summer is wrapping up and school is coming. As a parent, I want nothing more than for school routines to return with a clear start and end to a day; I know where my kids are, and they are safe and learning. I believe this is what we all want, and schools play a significant role in supporting our children, families, and our broader community. We relish that central role in FCC and look forward to starting school. At the same time, like families in the community, we are nervous for what the year will bring. As a system, we are committed to continuing the mitigation strategies that have slowed the spread of disease in our schools. But moreover, we are committed to seeking ways to support our students, teachers, and staff as we all reemerge from the altered routines of the past 20 months. We face the dual challenge of maintaining great mental health to give all we have to the students we serve and “doubling down” on the mental health of our students, ensuring they have all they need to be successful in our school and life. It leaves us as a system contemplating the best approach and how to resolve our questions and concerns. The answer is clear; we can only do it as a community — schools, students, parents, and the City of Falls Church — together. The beauty of Falls Church City

Q�� W�� Should businesses begin asking their customers for proof of vaccination? • Yes

• No

No - 50% Yes - 46% Not sure - 5%

[WRITE FOR THE PRESS]

Peter Noonan serves as the ninth Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools.

Last Week’s Question: Are you in favor of bringing back capacity limits to combat the Delta variant?

• Not sure

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is that we have a community of people who believe in a collective approach to problem-solving. As we witnessed last year, the schools cannot do the work alone, and we need you. It is a given that when your children hit our doors on August 30th for the first day of school, we will do what we do best. We will love them, teach them using best, research-based practices, and support them through the good and bad times. These core values are who we are as a school system. We need you as a community to work with us to support our learners. Help us ensure they get the support they need at home and in the community, ensure they have excellent physical and mental health, and continue to support our schools just like we support your children. We have incredible teachers and staff who promise to do all they can for the kids they serve, and conversely, to show your support as a community, we simply ask that you do all you can to support those who serve your students every day. This partnership is crucial to our success. I, for one, can’t wait to see the excellence our schools and community bring this year on behalf of our common goal: your children. Onward and Upward!

5% Not Sure

50% No 46% Yes

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

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

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NEWS BRIEFS Another F.C. School Board Candidate Drops Out The slate of candidates for the Falls Church School Board on the November ballot in Falls Church has been pared from nine to seven as another candidate dropped out last week. Adam Riedel joined Jennifer Halvaksz in withdrawing from the race, leaving seven candidates still in. Lori Silverman, Ilya Shapiro, Jerrod Anderson, Courtney Mooney, David Ortiz and Tate Gould remain in the race, all running for the first time. Advanced voting begins Sept. 12 ahead of the November 2 election day.

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All Public Facilities in F.C. Require Masks Masks and social distancing are now required for all visitors and employees — regardless of vaccination status — in City of Falls Church facilities, including City Hall, the Community Center, and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library when it reopens. This safety precaution mirrors the rules in other Northern Virginia jurisdictions. Masks, social distancing, hand washing, vaccines, and staying home when possible are part of the winning equation to stop the spread of Covid-19. The rise in Covid-19 cases has resulted in the Fairfax Health District moving from moderate to substantial community transmission. This is due to the ongoing spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus. Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest guidance, in areas of substantial or high transmission, everyone should wear a mask in indoor public spaces/settings to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant and protect others. In addition to masking, people should: Get vaccinated if they have not done so already. This remains the best way to fight Covid-19 caused

by the Delta variant. No appointments are needed and walk-ins are available. Vaccinations are free. Stay home when ill except to get tested or see a healthcare provider. Maintain 6 feet physical distancing from others. Practice good handwashing. Get tested if symptomatic or after time spent with someone who is sick or tested positive for Covid-19. Adhere to health department recommendations for isolation and quarantine if you are infected or are a close contact of an infected person.

F.C. Plans Hazard Mitigation Update The City of Falls Church and other Northern Virginia jurisdictions are preparing an update to the 2017 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan. The regional plan will identify local policies and actions for reducing risk and future losses from hazards such as floods, severe storms, wildfires, winter weather, and more. The plan will meet key federal planning regulations that require local governments to develop a hazard mitigation plan as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for hazard mitigation projects. This survey provides an opportunity for citizens to share opinions and participate in the mitigation planning process. The information provided will help officials better understand the public’s hazard concerns and can lead to mitigation activities that help lessen the impacts of future disasters. Participation in the survey is voluntary and none of the information provided will be attributed.

Journalists Seeking Local News Tax Credits Local journalists are urging the Senate to provide tax credits to stations that staff up their

newsrooms, citing, in part, Big Tech’s “devouring” of their local ad market, Editor and Publisher magazine has reported. In a letter to Senate leadership, associations have called for passage of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act. They said the bill “would provide local newsrooms a lifeline that would enable them to sustain, and in some cases, significantly improve the critical public service these local media outlets provide their communities.” The associations said that lifeline is needed in part because their advertising market has been disappearing, “devoured by massive online technology platforms.” The bill, which was introduced last month by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, along with Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), would provide tax breaks for stations as well as small businesses that support local media with their ad dollars. The goal, according to the bill’s sponsors, is to “revive and sustain trusted local media.” The credits go to support local newspapers, digital news operations, TV and radio.

Beyer Legislation Requires Big Biz to Pay Fair Share Today, United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Angus King (I-Maine), and United States Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.), who represents Falls Church, announced bicameral legislation to ensure America’s largest corporations pay their fair share and prevent them from paying nothing in federal taxes. The Real Corporate Profits Tax Act of 2021 would create a fairer tax system and stronger economy by establishing a new tax on book income that would ensure the most profitable corporations contribute each year. The lawmakers are pushing to include the bill as a payfor in the reconciliation package.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021 | PAGE 9

Beach Shack Owner Expects to Ask for Vaccine Proof ‘At Least Once’ Continued from Page 1

the inside to certain customers was made despite outfitting the restaurant with a new air filtration system and the region having a higher vaccination rate than the national average. He also acknowledged that this isn’t a costly decision for him at this time, since Clare & Don’s patrons mostly sit outside anyway (about an 80-20 split right now, according to Tax). For his other business, Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen, which he coowns with his sister Rebecca, there is some demand for indoor dining when people come in for breakfast. They’re letting people 60 and over still sit inside at the deli. Tax does believe he’ll lose some customers over this move, but once the weather gets chillier and people only want to sit inside, that’s when he’s considering screening customers for proof of vaccination. “Hypothetically, if we went into the wintertime, and we weren’t able to utilize the outside and...we have to go inside, 100 percent I will check vaccination status,” Tax said. Tax noted that the inflection point is usually pretty deep into the

colder months — in his estimation, people are typically comfortable sitting outside through Thanksgiving, even if they have to bundle up a bit. But if it does come to the point where he’ll ask for vaccination proof, he believes everyone should have, at the bare minimum, a photo of their vaccine card. And he does believe he will ask for proof “at least once” sometime later this year. Other restaurants in Falls Church haven’t been so steadfast in their plans for the future. Katherine Thompson, who coowns Thompson Italian with her husband Gabe, said that the restaurant has no intention of asking diners for proof of vaccination. Her primary concern is that asking for such proof could exclude families with young kids from coming to their restaurant. However, she did say “...that all could change depending on if/when cases go up in this area, what our local governments and [the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] recommend, and our overall comfort level.” Meredith Johnstone, the COO and primary talent buyer for the State Theatre, said she doesn’t fore-

DAVID TAX, the co-owner of Clare & Don’s, is again prompted to utilize the restaurant’s outdoor dining space as a result of the new Covid-19 variant. (Photo: J. Michael Whalen, 2020) see the live music venue asking for vaccination proof from anyone. She said that vaccine requirements become a “different animal” when,

between both staff and patrons, more than 600 people can be on premises at one time. With the theatre looking to allow more guests in soon, the

logistics of a vaccine requirement are too challenging to pull off.

Continued on Page 22

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PAGE 10 | AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LANTERN HOUSE is owned by Annie Tran (on right), with her sister, Hanh Payne, helping out with the new restaurant’s day-to-day responsibilities. One of the many traditional Vietnamese dishes that Lantern House specializes in is the banh mi, a crunchy, savory sandwich consisting of a toasted baguette and filled with meat and pickled vegetables. (Photos: Patricia Leslie)

New Restaurant Lantern House Shines a Light on Vietnamese Food by Patricia Leslie

Falls Church News-Press

It’s all in the family at the new Lantern House “Viet Bistro” in the West End Plaza on West Broad Street. Three generations of the Tran family have been restaurateurs whose experience and drive have enabled them to start a pho restaurant in Falls Church with “authentic Vietnam cuisine.” Last Saturday, between the lunch and dinner rush, Annie Tran, one of Lantern’s owners, took time from the eatery’s many chores to sit down at one of her table tops and talk about her family’s latest entry in the world of dining out in Falls Church. Joining her to fill in details was her sister, Hanh Payne, who helps at the restaurant. “Passion” for the business was a word both sisters used independently to describe their family’s drive to be successful. A huge selection — with everything from pho noodles, a traditional Vietnamese dish, to banh mi baguettes — fills the menu which the owners fre-

quently update, keeping the most popular items, of course. Most selections come with optional chicken, beef, tofu or pork. “Caramelized fish in a clay pot” ($16.85), deep fried squid ($13.85), and young lotus root salad with seafood ($14.85) are some examples of the variety, not to forget the freshly squeezed orange juice ($5.85). Fresh veggie or tofu rolls with lettuce, other greens and toppings plus meat are available from $5.95 to $6.95. Payne said that milk tea options of green, jasmine, honey black and oolong at $4.85 have extra toppings like boba, coconut, rainbow or coffee jelly ($1.15). “We cook fresh,” Tran said. “Everything has to be fresh,” so sometimes the cooking prep time of 15 to 20 minutes may be too long for some customers. The dishes are all “made-to-order.” I ordered the banh mi sandwich baguette with chicken ($9.45) which was huge and enough to easily last me two, maybe three, meals. A tangy barbecue sauce brings out the

flavors and the piled, melded cucumber, pickled veggies, and cilantro satisfied my hunger and crunchy needs. Lantern House has many choices of pho ($7.45 to $13.85), which includes rice noodles, onions, scallions and cilantro and toppings of bean sprouts, jalapenos, lime, basil and optional meat. I tried the pho seafood ($13.85) with oysters in the shell, scallops, and shrimp, and only later did I realize I was supposed to combine the foods with the spicy ginger soup! Nevertheless, the dish was satisfying and its low cal ingredients made me feel quite healthy and vigorous, almost enough pep to springboard to a championship. (Fairfax County’s Senior Olympics are coming up.) For extra strength per my Olympics practice, I finished with a delicious mango smoothie ($5.95), tasty and quite filling. (No need to count calories when you are in competition.) Other smoothie flavors are coconut, strawberry, avocado, lychee (a tropical fruit), taro (a starchy

vegetable with a sweet taste), pineapple and durian (a tree fruit). The sisters’ parents have had a restaurant in Annandale, though it was their brother, another owner, who heard his friends and neighbors wanting a new area eatery in Falls Church. And so, Lantern House was born right under the Washington & Old Dominion trail overpass. Tran wanted a place with a name that was easy to remember and “lanterns” fit the bill. Tran has decorated the restaurant’s outside as well as its interior with colorful lamps she bought in Vietnam. (After you enter the parking lot, you can’t miss the hanging lanterns.) The family worked on building out the restaurant for a year before it opened, scrupulously following the changes Falls Church regulators dictated and required throughout the long preparation to open doors, knowing the city’s code and specifications were necessary to launch. The Trans were not complaining. “We have a lot of support from the neighbors who are

so happy we are here,” Payne smiled. To meet their demands, Lantern House has applied for a liquor license approval, which is expected any day. Open for about two months now, business has been “pretty good,” Tran said. She realizes her good fortune to have family members like Payne who help out during the recent labor shortage as workers are in high demand everywhere. Tran’s family’s fourth generation stands at the ready to enter the business. Her son, now in college, has shown a “passion” for restauranting, but his mom prefers to wait and see. Maybe by then, the majority of their American customers will know what to do with the plain, to-go soup. The Lantern House restaurant has indoor and outside seating under the lanterns. To save waiting on orders, call ahead. The Lantern House is located at 1067 West Broad St., Falls Church 22046. (703) 268-2878. Lanternhouseva.co. Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021 | PAGE 11

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C�� N�� N�� Quarterly Book Sale In Time For Upcoming School Year Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) will be holding its quarterly book sale this summer with a large selection of books and media for all ages and interests. The dates and times are as follows: Wednesday, Aug. 18, by appointment only; Thursday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. On the final day of the book sale, all books and media will be half price. There will also be a special offer that will allow customers to fill up a bag full of books for $10 per bag. The increase in hours this season is an attempt to limit crowds. However, masks are still preferred. For more information, call 703790-4031, 703-338-3307 or contact tysonslibraryfriends@gmail.com.

VA Hall of Fame Announces Nominating Period for 2021 The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for its 2021 Student Athlete Achievement Awards scholarships. The nominating period will close on Friday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m. The Hall of Fame is looking for high school juniors and seniors from across the state who excel academically, athletically and in their communities. Nominees must meet the following criteria: attend high school in Virginia (public or private); be a junior or senior during

the 2021 – 22 academic year; letter in at least 1 VHSL/VISAA sanctioned sport; and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student athletes may nominate themselves or be nominated by a family member, coach, administrator or mentor. Individuals completing the nomination must include details and references that support the student’s achievements in each of the areas: academic, athletic and civic. At least one letter of recommendation and a personal essay from the student are needed to complete the nomination process. Nominations and all supporting documents can be submitted online at www.vasportshof.com. They can also be mailed to the Hall of Fame’s administrative office at Virginia Sports Hall of Fame c/o Student Athlete Achievement Awards, 283 Constitution Dr., Ste. 303., Virginia Beach, 23462. Scholarship winners will be announced during a reception to be held in Norfolk, VA in Jan. 2022. Date and time are to be announced.

F.C. Waives Yard Waste Sticker For Next 2 Collections Due to the damaging storm on August 10, the City will waive the yard waste sticker requirement for the August 18 and August 25 collections. Brush must be properly bundled for collection: Brush cannot be more than six inches in diameter and five feet long, Brush must be bundled with twine or cord and cannot weigh more than 50 lbs., community members can use their own container to hold brush,

ISLAMIC RELIEF USA, a nonpro�it humanitarian organization, distributed halal meat at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church. (P�� : I�� R�� USA) or place in brown kraft bags with no yard waste stickers needed, Bundled brush, yard waste bags, and brush containers should be placed away from storm drains and fire hydrants, No tree trunks will be collected. According to the City, trees and branches on private property -- such as a yard -- are the responsibility of the homeowner. Tree care companies must have an annual license to work for customers within the City, ensuring that they have met the City’s minimum requirements for bonding and insurance. The current list is on the City’s website, www. fallschurchva.gov/TreeContractors. After significant storms, it is not unusual for individuals calling

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Free Online Seminar For Better Soil Health Join Kirsten Conrad, Extension Agent for Arlington County and City of Alexandria, for an online lesson on improving your soil’s water retention, increasing your garden’s ability to fight off diseases, and ways to reduce your need for fertilizers and pesticides. Also, find out the benefits of compost-use and the importance of good soil drainage. Free. RSVP at mgnv.org/events to receive a link

to participate. Friday, Aug. 13, 10 – 11a.m.

Help Needed For Falls Church H.S. Athletic Boosters The first big event of the 2021 sports season, the Fairfax County Little League Football Weigh-In, is coming up and help is needed with concessions. The tasks include: selling food/ drinks; flipping burgers; wrapping up food; and directing traffic. The events will be held on Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28. Sign up by visiting signup.com/ group/129578468099?utm_ source=group-badge-volunteergreen.

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PAGE 12 | AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church By Supervisor Penny Gross

School renovations never are easy; they take a long time, often years, because construction must be coordinated with students attending classes in the building. These “rolling” renovations may mean that a student’s time at a school may never be without some construction in progress. Fairfax County’s bond referenda questions, scheduled for every other November, always include renovations to existing schools, along with an occasional new school to serve our growing student population. Renovations may include additional classrooms, upgraded science labs, modern cafeteria and gym spaces and, sometimes, improved administrative space, e.g., “the office,” for the principal and nonclassroom staff. Renovations to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology expanded the space, lightened and brightened student common areas, and provided state-of-the-art labs for new technologies. That renovation also took years! Falls Church High School was overlooked for years by the school system, but finally will be getting longawaited expansion and upgrades. Annandale High School upgrades included new athletic fields, as well as the usual classroom amenities. Of particular note, perhaps, is the proposed expansion of Justice High School, nestled between Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners, which serves more than 2,000 students in grades nine through 12. That number is forecast to increase, and the school requires additional classrooms to meet the needs of a diverse student body. More students means more staff for the many programs offered at Justice, which means more parking spaces must be provided. The school system’s request to use fewer than two acres of parkland at Justice Park, adjacent to the school, for expanded parking met with a firestorm of community opposition, and the Park Authority ultimately deemed the request as “simply not acceptable.” The school system has withdrawn that proposal and is working on another approach, one that will take at least a year longer, and will require action by the Board of Supervisors. The Board was not involved in the original proposal, as it was designed to be an agreement between schools and parks, two county

agencies that have responsibility for the parcels involved, not requiring any land use actions by the Board of Supervisors. Justice High School still needs renovation and expansion, the bond approval is there, and the parking issues have not been resolved. It remains to be seen what a new plan would entail; Justice already has fewer parking spaces than required by the county’s ordinance, so a waiver of the requirement would have to be considered. Some in the community have suggested that students and staff be allowed to park on neighborhood streets, but the surrounding roads have a Residential Permit Parking District (RPPD) designation, which allows vehicle parking by permit only in residential areas. It is doubtful that any neighbors, who have enjoyed relative peace from vehicle overparking during school hours on their roads, would consent to giving up that quality-of-life protection. Others have suggested building a parking deck on, or under, the existing parking lot. Parking decks may be commonplace in commercial areas; they also are very expensive to build and maintain. A typical space in an aboveground parking deck was estimated to cost $21,500 in 2019; underground, the cost to build that same space is $32,000 to $50,000! Building an expensive parking deck in a residential neighborhood, when our schools have so many classroom and teacher needs, would be a difficult argument to win, and not the intended purpose of the bonds that the voters endorsed. The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, is quoted as saying, “change is the only constant in life.” The human condition is changing constantly, which makes life both interesting and aggravating. Much as many would like to, we can’t go back, but we can move forward. Hopefully, a new and revised proposal for renovation and expansion of Justice High School will be the ticket for a new and exciting change for Justice High School students, families, and staff. Stay tuned...  Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor, in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

C � � � � � F� � � � C � � � � �

CRIME REPORT Week of Aug. 2 – 8, 2021 Trespass, S Washington St, Aug 3, 9:48 AM, a male, 64, of no fixed address, was issued a summons for trespass. Fraud, W Broad St, Aug 3, 4:24 PM, an incident of fraud was reported. Assault, Lincoln Ave, Aug 4, 9:55 PM, a male, 39, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for

Assault & Battery of a Family Member. Driving Under the Influence, W Broad/N West St, August 5, 12:53 AM, a male, 30, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Refusal and Destruction of Property. Larceny from Vehicle, Gundry Dr, between 11 PM, August 5 and 9 AM, August 6, unknown suspect(s) entered two unsecured vehicles and took items

of value. Tampering with Auto, Gundry Dr, between 10 PM, August 5 and 10 AM, August 6, unknown suspect(s) rummaged through an unsecured vehicle. Fraud – Credit Card, Wilson Blvd, August 6, 12:17 PM, an incident of fraud was reported. Larceny from Vehicle, Gundry Dr, between 8:30 PM, Aug 5 and 12:30 PM, Aug 6, unknown suspect(s) rummaged through an unsecured vehicle and took an item of value. WWW.FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

From the Front Row: Delegate Kaye Kory’s

Richmond Report My colleagues in Virginia’s House of Delegates and the Senate have passed an amended budget allocating the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) emergency relief funding to Virginia. Following the passage of the amended budget, the Democratic House Caucus made a formal announcement, covering how Virginia’s 2021 Special Session II concluded on Aug. 10, with the House Democrats keeping their promises on how they would allocate federal American Rescue Plan funding. Myself and fellow members of House Democratic Caucus advocated successfully for the following funding: • Broadband expansion: Over $700 million in funding to expedite the deployment of last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved areas and close the digital divide within the next three years. • Small businesses: $250 million to fully fund the Rebuild VA program, to reinvest in our economy and take strides to build a better Virginia in the aftermath of the pandemic. • Virginia Employment Commission: $862 million added to the Unemployment Trust Fund, with another $73.6 million is being allocated to update and modernize VEC systems to improve claimant services. • Public school infrastructure: $250 million to upgrade our public schools’ infrastructure by enhancing their HVAC systems. This will address ventilation needs and ensure improved air quality so our children only have to focus on learning in their classrooms. • Public health systems: This funding will go toward making sure our medical infrastructure is up to date and as safe as possible. $238 million is being allocated for substance abuse and mental health systems, and $280.8 million will go toward public health initiatives. • Clean water: $411.5 million to fortify wastewater treatment infrastructure, provide funds for homeowners who live below the poverty line to improve their wells and septic systems, and increase access to drinkable water in every corner of the Commonwealth. • Financial aid for higher

education: $111 million to provide aid for students who might not have been able to afford higher education otherwise. In addition, we continued to support voting rights during the Special Session, where we assigned $3 million to assist localities with the expansion of early voting, including Sunday voting, and $1.5 million to combat election misinformation. HB 7001 also left approximately $1.1 billion available if needed for the Commonwealth to manage another Covid-19 resurgence. The House of Delegates and Senate also reached an agreement to confirm eight candidates nominated for certification and election to the Virginia Court of Appeals. With cooperation between both chambers and in-depth review and vetting of all the candidates, this historic agreement will diversify the Court to more adequately reflect the makeup of our Commonwealth of Virginia. The nominees also reflect the diversity of our Commonwealth. I stand with Majority Leader Charniele Herring’s statement regarding the judicial appointments: “This is an historic vote. The General Assembly has elected eight impressively qualified candidates to the Court of Appeals of Virginia. This will be the most diverse bench in the history of this Court. I am proud of this step toward making our legal system more equitable and accessible.” The agreed-upon list of confirmed justices includes: • Dominique A. Callins of Front Royal; • Doris H. Causey of Henrico; • Vernida R. Chaney of Alexandria; • Frank K. Friedman of Roanoke; • Junius P. Fulton of Norfolk; • Lisa M. Lorish of Charlottesville; • Daniel E. Ortiz of Fairfax; • Stuart A. Raphael of Arlington  Delegate Kory represents the 38th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. She may be emailed at DelKKory@ house.virginia.gov.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

America’s Best Days Lie Just Ahead

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer appeared at a press briefing like the proverbial cat that ate the canary yesterday morning after a stunning sequence of massive Democratic-led initiatives passed his august body — a $1 trillion infrastructure bill followed by an unexpectedly swift $3.5 trillion budget — in the course of the last 24 hours. Of course, the measures will also pass the Democratic-majority FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS House soon enough, and the nation will be on course for its most transformative makeover since all the components of FDR’s New Deal in the 1930s, or of Lincoln’s sweeping Whig agenda in the 1860s, thrust the nation forward to become and to enhance its role as a formidable and subsequently dominant world power. This comes despite all the attention being given to the considerable problems with the Delta variant of the Covid-19 pandemic, the utter stupidity and duplicity of key Republicans trying to block straightforward public health measures to stem a horrible rise in the death rate as a result, the tireless efforts of that same GOP to rewrite voting rights laws at the state level across the U.S. to deter the public’s right to vote, and more. Despite all the bad news coming to light of sedition in the Trump administration that culminated in the January 6 sacking of the Capitol and ongoing election denialism, the less-sexy passage of hard-won legislative victories in the last day will have far, far more of a consequential impact on the nation going forward than any of the rest. From the standpoint of the big picture, the unholy alliance between certain U.S. elites and sworn enemies of the U.S. and its democratic institutions to rip up the U.S. Constitution has been dealt a mighty setback. I’d say it was an irreversible setback, but we all know that’s more than anyone can promise, at least as long as the nation is not in a state of high alert as it became under the treacherous Trump. It has been that state of high alert, of a U.S. citizenry aroused by the bald faced criminal intentions of Trump and his cronies from the time of his Russian-aided election in 2016 that will go down in history as one of this nation’s greatest achievements. We should never lose sight of the rallies and demonstrations that brought millions of Americans into the streets the day after Trump’s regrettable inauguration which kicked off a non-stop mobilization against him and all he stood for. This is what led to the Democratic takeover of Congress and Trump’s sound defeat in the 2020 election, factors which have been decisive for the legislative achievements of the last few days. When push came to shove, as it did with Trump’s rise, a significant majority of the American people were able to see through all the BS and to act accordingly. For some reason, which we should discuss going forward, the major media sought to focus its attention through all this on the trouble that Trump was able to cause, and the decisive minority who voted for him, rather than on the will of the majority that threw this bum out. The real news was how that happened, in the wake of all the power of an incumbency that Trump was able to wield, and willing to wield far beyond the bounds of decorum or legality. How about the valor of every democracy-loving American who joined the movement and voted against him? I think we all deserve medals! Certainly, everyone who stood and voted against Trump and his treacherous allies can take well-deserved credit for the good things that are going to happen for the nation and its people with the passage of the epochal legislation of this week. I could go on about what’s in those bills, and what they spell for the nation going forward, including free childhood and post-high school education, new and repaired infrastructure and a new civilian conservation corps that will create jobs and stem the effect of climate change and much more. But those details will be in all the papers. The bigger picture is that America will now enjoy its greatest days just ahead.  Nicholas Benton may be emailed at nfbenton@fcnp.com.

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AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021 | PAGE 13

Nicholas F. Benton

Lee Highway) and whether to alter the zoning to permit “Missing Middle” housing types in single-family neighborhoods. The old zoning ordinance was enacted April 26, 1930, by board of supervisors chairman Edward Duncan at a time when Arlington’s white establishment was reacting against gains by Black communities. It was critiqued recently by Hall’s Hill historian Wilma Jones in a June talk to the Arlington Committee of 100. She highlighted passages in the old code that, amidst the legalese about setbacks, allowed an exception permitting homeowners to install a “necessary retaining wall” up to seven-feet. That enabled white homeowners surrounding Hall’s Hill to construct — each on his own lot — segments of the (now memorialized) segregation wall. “The zoning ordinances of the 1930s have directly impacted housing options in Arlington,” Jones told me. “They made it illegal to develop row houses, townhouses, duplexes, etc. That’s why Arlington does not have a variety of homes and neighborhoods like Alexandria.” But efforts to loosen the modern ordinance to encourage less-expensive housing are being bashed by critics from, surprisingly, the liberal left. They object to higher building heights and portray the coming initiative as less a progressive housing plan than a gift to developers. “We cannot build our way out of ending housing affordability,” says housing activist John Reeder.

Our Man in Arlington By Charlie Clark

The delicate but timely topic of historic racism in county housing hit the limelight this summer. Eyebrows rose when D. Taylor Reich, an H-B Woodlawn alum and transportation researcher who worked on the Plan Lee Highway Community Forum, published a series in ArlNow on the history of local discriminatory zoning. His portrait of famed early20th century developer Frank Lyon as a racist who created whites-only subdivisions drew pushback in the online comments section. I personally found the series thought-provoking but too quick to attribute bad actions to individual villains when those attitudes of excluding Blacks were, unfortunately, mainstream white thinking. So I wasn’t surprised last month when ArlNow’s editor invited that author to (bravely) publish corrections. Among them: that Frank Lyon was mostly enamored of cars and also built apartments; and that Commonwealth’s Attorney Crandal Mackay conducted his raids of Rosslyn saloons more for moral reasons than to enforce white supremacy. But correcting technical errors, Taylor’s apologia asserted, “does not change Arlington’s history of racial exclusion through single-family zoning and does not change our responsibility to end this exclusion by legalizing multifamily housing county-wide.” Race will figure in the debate simmering over how to re-envision Langston Blvd. (no longer

“If single family lots could be divided or duplexes built, this would initially lower the cost of the land for new houses, but a logical step would be that land prices of all lots appreciate and that short term lower cost disappears.” Building new units “is just a corrupt enterprise with most funds going to builders and operators.” Right on cue, the evolving Langston Blvd. plan has won backing of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. The business group “encourages creating flexible land use policies and regulations so as to attract investment to the Langston Boulevard corridor,” its president Kate Bates wrote in an Aug. 3 letter to Arlington Planning. She called for design flexibility and welcomed “opportunities for bonus height and density for projects meeting community needs,” including “a framework for the construction of housing of various scales and types.” Expect more fireworks. *** Quiz time for black belts in Arlington trivia: Who was Wheeler “Johnny” Lipes? Answer: The Navy Lieutenant Commander (1920-2005) is on a plaque at the N. 16th St. Healing Garden across from Virginia Hospital Center. His wife Audrey gave the funds as part of a Campaign for Radiation Oncology to celebrate his career as a hospital executive. Lipes made his mark during World War II, when, as a pharmacist’s mate first class, he performed an emergency appendectomy onboard a submarine. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart.

PAGE 14 | AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Who's F.C.s Best?

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

2021 Best of Falls Church Finalists:

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

Retirement Community: Kensington • Sunrise • Chesterbrook

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RETAIL, SERVICES & MORE

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

Dry Cleaners: Spectrum Cleaners • Hillwood Cleaners Classic Cleaners • Dry Clean NOVA • Zips

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

American: Dogwood Tavern • Liberty Barbecue • Dominion Wine and Beer • Lazy Mike’s • Clare and Don's Beach Shack

Auto: Top Japanese Auto • Beyer Automotive • Liberty Smokey's • Integrity Auto

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

International: Lucky Thai • Panjshir • Haandi Thompson Italian • Maneki Neko

Grocery Store: Harris Teeter • Aldi • Giant Trader Joe's • Whole Foods Salon: Nash Hair Design • Perfect Endings • Kess Neighborhood Barbershop • Rex Day Spa

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

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

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

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

Gym/Fitness: Balanced Female Fitness • Orangetheory Fitness Fit4Mom • Falls Church Jazzercise • Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do City Event: Memorial Day parade • Farmers Market Concerts in the Park • Taste of Falls Church • 4th of July

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

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

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

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

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

School: Grace Christian Academy • Congressional School St. James School • Dulin Cooperative Preschool • Communikids

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

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

Chiropractor: Palmercare Chiropractic Falls Church Brooks Chiropractic and Rehab • Michael Armellino • Ray Solano Chantay Bess, Ascension Chiropractic

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

VOTING ENDS

AUGUST 15

BEST OF FALLS CHURCH ISSUE COMING ON AUGUST 26!

BEST of

FALLS CHURCH BE

2021

STOFFC.COM

CAST YOUR VOTE AT

BESTOFFC.COM

Limit 1 entry per person. Best of Falls Church voting ends August 15, 2021 at 5 p.m. Contest rules available online at fcnp.com/bestofrules

Brainstorm Speech Therapy www.brainstormspeechtherapy.com Call/text: (202) 417 6609 Email: irene@brainstormspeechtherapy.com

Find me on social media at @brainstormslp

Se habla Español

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AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021 | PAGE 15

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Lincoln’s Wild Home Landscape Tour

President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site and museum located on a 250 acre campus in Northwest Washington, D.C. Here Abraham Lincoln made some of his most nation-changing decisions and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. Each day, we see how the significance of what happened here more than 150 years ago ignites courageous new ideas, encourages respectful dialogue, and promotes thoughtful compromise.

On this self guided, app based tour you will explore 9 unique stops on the grounds of President Lincoln’s Cottage and the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The entire tour including Stop 9 and returning to the Visitor Education Center covers about one and a half miles total. As you explore Lincoln’s Wild Home, you will be invited to interact with the landscape as he and the generations who lived on this land before him may have been inspired to do.

Located in the Petworth neighborhood of D.C., President Lincoln’s Cottage, its galleries, and its landscape feature experiences for all ages. We are offering new onsite and virtual experiences that allow us to safely share Abraham Lincoln’s legacy in a setting that he loved. Get your tickets and join us today.

To purchase your ticket and see all of our tours visit:

HOURS Open Daily 9:30AM – 4:30PM

lincolncottage.org/visit

140 Rock Creek Church Road, NW, Washington, DC 20011

lincolncottage.org Registration is OPEN for Fall classes! Call 703-348-3261 to register.

Falls Church

www.goldfishswimschool.com 7395 Lee Hwy., Suite K. Falls Church, VA 22042

CA L E NDA R

PAGE 16 | AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021

FALLS CHURCH

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

CALENDAR LOCALEVENTS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 Practice Your English. Those interested are welcome to join an English conversation group at the Conference Room of the Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church). Geared towards adult learners. 2 – 3 p.m.

served basis. Check in at the information desk for tickets. Weather permitting, the event will take place outdoors in a shady location. Participants are suggested to bring a towel to sit on, as well as a cap and a water bottle. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). 10:30 – 11 a.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14

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

Lorenzo the Great Magic Show (online). Local magician Lorenzo the Great will be visiting the Mary Riley Styles Public Library this weekend for some Summer Reading fun. Event will take place on the library’s Facebook page. For kids ages 3 & up. A recording of the event will be available from Saturday, Aug. 14 – Aug. 21. Call the Youth Services Desk at 703248-5034 for more information. 11 – 11:30 a.m.

Paws to Read with Lucy. Children and pre-teens are invited to read aloud to Lucy, a trained therapy dog. Kids can bring their own book or pick one from the library. Walkins welcome. Geared towards kids ages 6 – 12. Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 2 – 3 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 16 Storytime Fun for Preschoolers. Space is limited to 15 children with one caregiver each. Registration not required. First come, first

THEATER&ARTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 Nora Palka & Nathan EllmanBell. Following her Helen Hayes Outstanding Lead award for “On Air,” Nora Palka returns with partner and acclaimed producer Nathan Ellman-Bell for their trademark blend of comedy and music. The duo will traverse vari-

ENJOY A BLAST FROM THE PAST as D.C.’s biggest 80’s tribute group, The Legwarmers, will be performing live this Friday and Saturday, only at the State Theatre. (Photo: courtesy The Legwarmers) ous genres, like pop, musical theater, folk, jazz, and more in their third performance together at Creative Cauldron. Their debut single, “I Got a Thing for You,” is out now. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046). Free parking at the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St, Falls Church). For more information and for ticket purchase, visit creativecauldron.org. $30. 7:30 p.m.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, AUGUST 12 The Sisters: Outdoor Show. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-532-9283.

Tobin Sprout. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $18. 7 p.m. 703-255-1566. The Claire Show. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad Street). 7 p.m. 703-534-8999.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 Dreamsville Jazz by Jacque. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703-532-9283. ACME Band Company. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St., Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186. Dan & Chuck. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad Street). 7 p.m. 703-534-8999.

The Legwarmers: D.C.’s Biggest Retro 80s Dance Party. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $25. 9:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 Brook Yoder: Live and in Concert. Ireland’s Four Provinces (105 W. Broad Street). 7 p.m. 703-5348999. Pittsburgh’s Own Joe Grushecky and The House Rockers. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $22. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566. The Legwarmers: D.C.’s Biggest Retro 80s Dance Party. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $25. 9:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

7700 Leesburg Pike, Suite 402B Falls Church, VA 22043 Tax and Accounting Services for Small Businesses and Individuals. “We always try to make sure our customers get their money’s worth and are happy with our service. Good service at a good price, it’s simple.” Dan Gilliland Phone 703-448-9121 Fax 703-893-6485 dngg@gillilandcpa.com www.gillilandcpa.com

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021 | PAGE 17

Music Festival Celebrates African American History in Falls Church Continued from Page 2

As Henderson put it, “when talking about American popular music, you got to start with Blues,” which is “primarily an African American art form.” In terms of music history, Blues is also where many prominent, long-standing genres first began — styles like Jazz, Rock, and R&B all originate, in some shape or form, from the Blues tradition. Geographically, the Festival took place near Tinner Hill Park, at 106 Tinner Hill Road. Visitors can still find a 14-foot tall, pinkgranite arch at the intersection of Washington South Street and Tinner Hill Rd., with the arch symbolizing the Foundation and its work, as well as a metaphor for the inherent strength in unity and cooperation. The event’s current setting — Cherry Hill Park — was an idea proposed by then-City Council Member Lindy Hockenberry. She was also the one who suggested that Blues be the main, overarching musical genre showcased at the event. Henderson, himself a big fan of Blues, recalled how John

Jackson, Piedmont Blues guitarist and friend of the festival, gave his final live show at Watch Night, a Falls Church New Year’s Eve event originally sponsored by the Heritage Foundation. Watch Night, being a New Year’s Eve celebration originating from the late 1800s, is a local holiday event also sponsored by the Foundation. The Heritage Foundation itself — a nonprofit organization with the purpose of preserving and raising awareness of African American culture as it relates to the history of Falls Church — is a far more personal endeavor for Henderson than some might expect, as his grandfather, Dr. E. B. Henderson, was the principal organizer of the first rural branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), back in 1915. His work eventually spread beyond city limits to nearby areas as well as the nation’s capital. Dr. Henderson’s wife, Mary Ellen Henderson, was an educator and ran a segregated school in Falls Church. Her pioneering efforts within the community led

FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS are mindful of the new Delta variant, but believe that Cherry Hill Park will provide ample room for social distancing. (P��: J. M�� W��, 2019.) to the construction of the first new school for African American children in the area. Tinner Hill Rd. is a site that once housed enslaved people forced to work on the Dulany Plantation; in the early 1900s, it was the home of Joseph and

Mary Tinner, a couple whose lives would become intertwined with the fight for racial equality. After Dr. Henderson’s organizational efforts, Tinner would become the first president of the F.C. branch of the NAACP. An increase in local member-

ship would soon follow, as new branches of the NAACP began to form all throughout the surrounding region. The Tinner Hill Music Festival will be held on Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit tinnerhill.org/events.

PRESENTED BY

and more!

All proceeds benefit Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Cherry Hill Park Falls Church City

Tickets & info: TinnerHill.org @TinnerHillMusicFestival SCAN ME

SPONSORED BY MAGAZINE

PAGE 18 | AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA FOR APPROVAL OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER R, BEAR GARDEN GENERATING STATION CASE NO. PUR-2021-00113 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, Rider R. •In this case, Dominion has asked the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to approve a biennial update procedure for Rider R with two consecutive rate years. The proposed rate years for this proceeding are April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023 (“Rate Year 1”), and April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024 (“Rate Year 2”). •For Rate Year 1, Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $59,159,000, which would increase the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.07. •For Rate Year 2, Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $54,940,000, which would decrease the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.07 as compared to Rate Year 1. •A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on January 26, 2022, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony. •An evidentiary hearing will be held on January 27, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. •Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On June 8, 2021, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) a biennial update of the Company’s rate adjustment clause, Rider R (“Application”) pursuant to § 56 585.1 A 6 of the Code of Virginia. Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with the Bear Garden Generating Station (“Bear Garden” or “Project”), a natural gas- and oil-fired combined cycle electric generating facility and associated transmission interconnection facilities located in Buckingham County, Virginia. In Case No. PUE-2008-00014, the Commission approved Dominion’s construction and operation of Bear Garden. In Case No. PUE-2009-00017, the Commission approved a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider R, for Dominion to recover costs associated with the development of the Project. Bear Garden became fully operational in 2011. In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve a biennial update procedure for Rider R with two consecutive rate years. The proposed rate years for this proceeding are April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023 (“Rate Year 1”), and April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024 (“Rate Year 2”). The two components of the proposed total revenue requirement for Rate Year 1 are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True-Up Factor. For Rate Year 1, the Company is requesting a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $54,374,000 and an Actual Cost True-Up Factor revenue requirement of $4,785,000. Thus, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $59,159,000 for service rendered during Rate Year 1. The total revenue requirement for Rate Year 2 is comprised only of a Projected Cost Recovery Factor. For Rate Year 2, Dominion seeks approval of a total revenue requirement of $54,940,000. For purposes of calculating the revenue requirements in this case, Dominion used a rate of return on common equity (“ROE”) of 9.2%. This ROE was approved by the Commission in Case No. PUR 201900050. If the proposed Rider R revenue requirements for Rate Year 1 and Rate Year 2 are approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, for Rate Year 1, implementation of its proposed Rider R on April 1, 2022, would increase the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by approximately $0.07. The Company states that, for Rate Year 2, implementation of its proposed Rider R on April 1, 2023, would decrease the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by approximately $0.07 as compared to Rate Year 1. Dominion indicates it has calculated the proposed Rider R rates in accordance with the same methodology as used for rates approved by the Commission in the most recent Rider R proceeding, Case No. PUR-2020-00101. This Application is one of six filings Dominion made on or about June 8, 2021, for recovery of funds related to capital projects. If the revenue requirements in these filings are approved as proposed, the cumulative impact would be a monthly increase of approximately $0.41 for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month for the period April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023. Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Application and supporting documents in full for details about these and other proposals. TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Application and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Application and supporting documents. The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Application. On January 26, 2022, at 10 a.m., a Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses, with no public witness present in the Commission’s courtroom. On or before January 21, 2022, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting. On January 27, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means, a Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence offered by the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff on the Company’s Application. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the declarations of emergency issued at both the state and federal levels. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”). Confidential and Extraordinarily Sensitive Information shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, Confidential information, of the Rules of Practice. Any person seeking to hand deliver and physically file or submit any pleading or other document shall contact the Clerk’s Office Document Control Center at (804) 371-9838 to arrange the delivery. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission has directed that service on parties and the Commission’s Staff in this matter shall be accomplished by electronic means. Please refer to the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing for further instructions concerning Confidential or Extraordinarily Sensitive Information. An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Lisa R. Crabtree, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or lcrabtree@mcguirewoods.com. On or before January 26, 2022, any interested person may file comments on the Application by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments or by filing such comments with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00113. On or before November 3, 2021, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at the address above or at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00113. On or before November 23, 2021, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at the address above or at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, and serve on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00113. Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The public version of the Company’s Application and other documents filed in this case, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021 | PAGE 19

B�� N�� N�� FC Chamber Hosting Meet the Virginia House Candidates The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Merrifield Business Association are co-hosting a Meet the Virginia House Candidates event on Tuesday, August 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Incumbent Marcus Simon (D) and challenger Sarah White (R) will address issues important to the 53rd District and our local business community during the lunchtime event at the Italian Café, 7161 Lee Highway. The event will be moderated by local attorney and Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee Chair Andrew Painter. Reservations are required. Visit www.FallsChurchChamber.org or www.GreaterMerrifield.org.

Staples Hosting Very Important Teachers Event Staples is hosting a Very Important Teachers event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15. Teachers will be eligible for raffle prizes and discounts on supplies for the coming school year. There are two Staples in the Falls Church area, one in the City of Falls Church at 1104 W. Broad Street, and the other in the Bailey’s Crossroads at 5801 Leesburg Pike. For more information, visit www.Staples.com.

Tysons-based LMI Acquires Falls Church-based Suntiva Tysons-based LMI has acquired Falls Church-based Suntiva, an award winning technology enabled solutions company focused on public heath and defense. The purchase expands LMI’s client access and brings the government and defense contractor’s workforce to more than 2,000 consultants. Suntiva has been recognized by both Washingtonian and Inc. magazine as a best place to work and by the Washington Business Journal as one of the area’s fastest growing companies. For more information, visit www.suntiva.com and www.lmi.org.

Several Falls Church Businesses Offering Free Services Several Falls Church businesses are offering free services for a limited period. United Bank is offering free checking, Goldfish Swim School is offering a free trial swim lesson, Crescendo Studios is offering a free initial trial music lesson, and Capital City Sports Academy is offering a free initial group training session. Additionally, Clare & Don’s Beach Shack is offering a free kids meal to The Toy Nest customers. For details on these and more special offers, go to www. FallsChurchChamber.org and click on Hot Deals just below the scroll of new members.  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.

Thanks for voting, FCNP readers! Grace Christian Academy Finalist - Best School in Falls Church Serving PreK - 8th grade since 1973 www.gracechristianacademy.org

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

PAGE 20 | AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021

C L AS S I F I E DS

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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

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

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ACROSS 1. Suitor 5. Bonfire residue 8. Base-runner’s goal 12. Like 13. Large antelope 14. Toe the line 15. Squeal 16. Ambition 17. Meet defeat 18. Exclude 20. Beseech 21. Put through a sieve 24. Bitter brew 25. Some amphibians

26. Bestowed 30. Certain prepositions 31. Grumpy’s pal 33. Past 34. Scout’s shelter: 2 wds. 36. Criminal 38. Tiny 39. Most impolite 40. Bent 43. Snack place 44. Incline 45. Brother’s sib 46. Londoner’s farewell: 2 wds. 50. Tip slightly 51. Debate side

52. Farm animals 53. “____ the Lonely” 54. Certain evergreen 55. Cattail, e.g. DOWN 1. Howl 2. ____ out (make do) 3. Be ill 4. Disburden 5. Encore! 6. Temper tantrum 7. Bustle 8. Shout 9. Clarinet’s relative

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PUZZLE NO. 95

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 93

ACROSS 1. Holepunching tools 5. Pod vegetable 8. Wool eater 12. Send away 13. Coat sleeve 14. Cockeyed 15. Nails 16. Chat 17. Slender 18. Sleep 20. Homework 22. Relieves 24. Fee 28. Fodder 33. On a boat 34. Feather accompaniment

9. On one’s ____ (alert) 10. Egg-shaped 11. “Wish You ____ Here” 19. Song of praise 21. Fine powder 22. Hunch 23. Fence 24. Corral 25. Aquatic mammals 27. Except 28. Kitchen hot box 29. Skating arena

24. Soda ____ 26. Change to fit 27. Gamblers 31. Floral wreath 32. Appear as a ghost 34. Contest 35. Most peaceful 37. Occurrence 39. Unruly kid 40. Sips 41. Current measures, for short 44. Fair: hyph. 45. Golfer’s target 46. That dude 47. Tosses 51. Bloodhound’s clue

52. Prior to, in poetry 53. Nobleman 54. Evergreen shrubs 55. Married 56. Waiter’s aid

DOWN 1. Reserved 2. Iced ____ 3. Branch 4. Busybody 5. Between 6. Part of a sentence 7. Female sheep 8. Handwriting

DOWN 1. Some vipers

2. At what time? 3. Advertising symbol 4. All right: hyph. 5. Costumed parade 6. Distinctive time 7. Walk leisurely 8. Blob 9. Nighttime hooters 10. Singing group 11. Sacred song 19. Final letter 21. Initial for Superman

A RTS&E NTE RTA I NME NT

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

30. Tennis-game units 33. Certain snake 36. Stingy people 38. Purple flower 40. Having an arched ceiling 41. Sailor’s call 42. A la ____ 43. Farm implement 44. Regal form of address 46. Chop down 48. Rowing device 49. Bikini top 50. Tricky

PUZZLE NO. 96

ACROSS 1. Antlered deer 5. Fearful wonder 8. Load 12. Brave person 13. Trim, as a lawn 14. Sheltered nook 15. Thanksgiving dish 16. Mine shipment 17. Back end 18. Desert floor 20. Land surrounded by water 21. Exhausting

36. Per 37. Pier 39. Keepsake 41. Slip-up 43. Practical 47. Slanted font 52. Angler’s tool 53. Approves, shortly 55. Filled tortilla 56. Storm 57. Great success 58. Across 59. Otherwise 60. Product pitches 61. Concocted

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 95

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

ACROSS 1. ____ Wednesday 4. Not this 8. Take off, as clothes 12. Service charge 13. Roomy 14. List of dishes 15. Roofing material 17. Breakfast flakes 18. Type of snake 19. Remorse 21. Bridge payment 24. Milky stone 26. Lacking moisture

27. Hunch 28. Zeroes in 30. Make ready to publish 31. Lodging house 32. Scored on serve 36. Brink 38. “The ____ Boat” 39. Finished dinner 42. Single 44. Unfold 45. Game tile with dots 47. To each his ____ 49. Yoked beasts

50. Salad-bar items 55. Ice arena 56. Female wool-givers 57. Noah’s transport 58. Wraps up 59. Printer’s term 60. Cheerful

DOWN 1. Fore’s opposite 2. Ocean 3. This lady 4. “____ the night before . . .”

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 94

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021 | PAGE 21

5. African animal, shortly 6. Citrus beverage 7. Land 8. Urban problem 9. Got word 10. Become a member of 11. Powdery 16. Roof of the mouth 20. Popular street name 21. Hitch 22. Unusual 23. Hawaiian necklace 25. Group of judges

29. Parlors 31. Spurned 33. Dirty Harry, e.g. 34. Abel’s mother 35. Cozy place 37. ____ Quixote 39. Revere 40. Poison 41. Change, as text 43. Sing like the Swiss 46. Signs 48. Sharp-witted 51. Admiration 52. Witch 53. Historical epoch 54. Heaven

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 96

Last Weeks answers!

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

www.FallsChurchChamber.org/events/calendar/ Meet the 53rd District House Candidates Luncheon Tuesday, August 17—11:30 to 1:15

Join the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Merrifield Business Association at The Italian Café to hear Delegate Marcus Simon and challenger Sarah White discuss their thoughts on important issues that impact our local business community. Registration required. Visit our website or scan the QR code for more info and to register. $30 for members/$35 for nonmembers.

Delegate Marcus Simon (D)

LiveLocalFC Partner Sponsors

Networking Mixer at Crescendo Studios Tuesday, August 24 — 5:30 to 7:00 pm

If you haven’t been to Crescendo Studios, now is the time! They are a creative music school and studio with lesson spaces, recitals, and an amazing black-box theater. Join us and meet the people who make Crescendo special, take a tour of this great facility, and enjoy refreshments while you mix and mingle with other chamber members. Visit our website or scan the QR code for event info.

Sarah White (R)

@FallsChurchCham

@FCChamberofCommerce Gold Sponsors

Live Local Falls Church! Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors Body Dynamics John Marshall Bank John N. Rodock Baker, Donelson

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | AUGUST 12 – 18, 2021

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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25 � 10 Y�� A�� N��-P�� Falls Church News-Press Vol. VI, No. 21 • August 8, 1996

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No. 25 • August 11,, 2011

Neighbor Files Suit to Block City Sale of Frady Park Land

Mayor Baroukh Offers Views In ‘State of the City’ Interview

A neighbor to Frady Park has filed suit in circuit court to reverse the decision of the Falls Church City Council to relocate the so-called Proctor House onto Frady Park. Alan B. Rudd of 301 Broad St. names both the City of Falls Church and the Historic Falls Church, Inc., in the suit.

This last week marked the time for the News-Press’ annual “State of the City” interview with the mayor of the City of Falls Church. With economic woes felt around the world, Mayor Nader Baroukh has been at the helm of Falls Church, leading the City through austere times with caution.

Delta Variant Continued from Page 9

Michael Paluzzi, the owner of Falls Church Distillers, and Chris Leftbom, the owner of Dogwood Tavern, both said separately that they also don’t plan to ask for proof of vaccination unless instructed to do so by state or federal authorities. The federal government said back in April that it had no interest in requiring Americans to carry around a vaccine “passport;” the term referring to a portable form that verifies a person’s vaccination status. However, as the Delta variant has taken up more space in the public consciousness over the past two weeks, President Joe Biden issued vaccine mandates for all federal workers and members of the military. Other arms of the federal government, including healthcare workers at Veterans Affairs hospitals, have also been required to be fully vaccinated. Some state governments, including Virginia’s, have followed suit for its employees, as has the county government in Fairfax and the city government in Falls Church. New York City has been the most stringent with its vaccine requirements. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that, come mid-September, all City residents will need to provide proof of vaccination if they want to go to the gym, restaurant, bar or enjoy other indoor leisure activities. Some Republican-led states, most notably Florida and Texas, have passed legislation barring businesses from being able to request vaccination proof from customers. These laws were passed months ahead of the Delta variant becoming the dominant strain of the Coronavirus in the U.S., which has prompted certain businesses to take it upon themselves to screen patrons for proof of vaccination before allowing them into their stores, including those in Washington, D.C.

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THIS IS THEO, a local dog who loves to snack on tasty pupcups to escape the dog days of summer! Just because you’re not famous doesn’t mean your pet can’t be! Send in your Critter Corner submissions to crittercorner@fcnp.com.

JON COOMBS, a Native of Detroit, Michigan, has been with Preservation Biscuit from the very start. When asked about his feelings of Falls Church he quickly answered, “It’s very supportive. Local supports local and it’s a very tight knit family community.” (P��: J. M�� W��/ JM��W��.��)

AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021 | PAGE 23

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA FOR REVISION OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER U, NEW UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES, FOR THE RATE YEAR COMMENCING APRIL 1, 2022 CASE NO. PUR-2021-00110 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, Rider U. •In this case, Dominion has asked the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to approve Rider U for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022, and ending March 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”). •For the 2022 Rate Year, Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $95.879 million, which would increase the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.39. •A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on January 19, 2022, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony. •An evidentiary hearing will be held on January 20, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. •Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. On June 8, 2021, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) an annual update of the Company’s rate adjustment clause, Rider U (“Application”) pursuant to § 56 -85.1 A 6 (“Subsection A 6”) of the Code of Virginia. Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with its Strategic Undergrounding Program (“SUP”). The Company asserts that Subsection A 6 provides that the replacement of any subset of a utility’s existing overhead distribution tap lines that have, in the aggregate, an average of nine or more total unplanned outage events-per-mile over a preceding 10-year period with new underground facilities in order to improve electric service reliability is in the public interest. The Company further states that Subsection A 6 provides that these conversions are deemed to provide local and system-wide benefits and to be cost beneficial, and that the costs associated with such new underground facilities are deemed to be reasonably and prudently incurred. Moreover, the Company asserts Subsection A 6 mandates that the Commission approve recovery of such costs so long as the aggregated costs associated with the replacement of overhead distribution tap lines with underground facilities do not exceed an average cost per customer undergrounded of $20,000, including customers served directly by or down line of the tap lines proposed for conversion, exclusive of financing costs, and an average cost per mile of $750,000, exclusive of financing costs. In addition to an annual update associated with the previously approved phases of the SUP, the Company seeks cost recovery for phase six (“Phase Six”) of the SUP, designed to convert an additional 295 miles of overhead tap lines to underground at a capital investment of approximately $173 million, with an average cost per mile of $586,326 and an average cost per customer undergrounded of $7,068. Dominion states that its actual expenditures for Phase Six incurred through March 31, 2021, are $57.5 million, and projected expenditures for the period April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022, are approximately $115.4 million. The Company is requesting to recover the costs of Phase Six through Rider U for only those projects that will be completed prior to April 1, 2022. In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve Rider U for the rate year beginning April 1, 2022, and ending March 31, 2023 (“2022 Rate Year”). The two components of the proposed total revenue requirement for the 2022 Rate Year are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True Up Factor. The Company states that the revenue requirement associated with the costs of the previously approved SUP phases totals $61.181 million, which includes a Projected Cost Recovery Factor of $59.637 million, and an Actual Cost True-up Factor of $1.545 million. The Company also states that the Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement for Phase Six costs totals $34.698 million. In total, the Company seeks approval of revised Rider U with an associated revenue requirement in the amount of $95.879 million for the 2022 Rate Year. For purposes of calculating the revenue requirements in this case, Dominion utilized a rate of return on common equity of 9.2%, approved by the Commission in Case No. PUR-2019-00050. If the proposed Rider U revenue requirement for the 2022 Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its proposed Rider U on April 1, 2022, would increase the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by approximately $0.39. Dominion indicates it has calculated the proposed Rider U rates in accordance with the same methodology as used for rates approved by the Commission in the most recent Rider U proceeding, Case No. PUR-2020-00096. This Application is one of six filings Dominion made on or about June 8, 2021, for recovery of funds related to capital projects. If the revenue requirements in these filings are approved as proposed, the cumulative impact would be a monthly increase of approximately $0.41 for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Application and supporting documents in full for details about these and other proposals. TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Application and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Application and supporting documents. The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Application. On January 19, 2022, at 10 a.m., a Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses, with no public witness present in the Commission’s courtroom. On or before January 14, 2022, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting. On January 20, 2022, at 10 a.m., either in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by electronic means, a Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence offered by the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff on the Company’s Application. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the declarations of emergency issued at both the state and federal levels. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”). Confidential and Extraordinarily Sensitive Information shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, Confidential information, of the Rules of Practice. Any person seeking to hand deliver and physically file or submit any pleading or other document shall contact the Clerk’s Office Document Control Center at (804) 371-9838 to arrange the delivery. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission has directed that service on parties and the Commission’s Staff in this matter shall be accomplished by electronic means. Please refer to the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing for further instructions concerning Confidential or Extraordinarily Sensitive Information. An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Lisa R. Crabtree, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or lcrabtree@mcguirewoods.com. On or before January 19, 2022, any interested person may file comments on the Application by following the instructions on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments or by filing such comments with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00110. On or before October 29, 2021, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation with the Clerk of the Commission at the address above or at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00110. On or before December 8, 2021, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at the address above or at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, and serve on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case, and each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00110. Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The public version of the Company’s Application and other documents filed in this case, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY d/b/a DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | AUGUST 12 - 18, 2021

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Falls Church News-Press 8-12-2021

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