Falls Church News-Press 8-19-2021

August 19 – 25, 2021

FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE

FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 27

T�� C��� �� F���� C�����’� I����������, L������-O���� N�������� �� R�����, S������ N. V�������

U.S. Census: F.C. Fastest Growing Locale In N. Virginia Population Jumps Nearly 20 Percent Past 10 Years

BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

The population of the City of Falls Church grew by almost 20 percent in the last decade, official data released by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed last week. As of April 1, 2020, the population of the Little City was 14,658, up by 19.4 percent from 12,332 a decade earlier.

This makes Falls Church the fastest growing jurisdiction in the Northern Virginia region by a considerable margin over its immediate neighbors, Fairfax County and Arlington. Further west, Loudoun County has experienced one of the highest growth rates, nationally, at 32.4 percent, but in much more of a suburban, not urban, context.

In the inner urban area that is the core of the Northern Virginia region, the City of Falls Church reigns supreme for growth. And there is no end in sight as the biggest boost to its housing stock has yet to be built.

For those examining the benefits of investing in this area, this is important news. Not just the growth to date, but the growth ready to happen means that Falls Church City is being perceived as tomorrow’s hottest spot in the broader Washington,

D.C. region. It is able to support commerce with a burgeoning, well-heeled population that is welcoming the wide diversity of populations with the skill sets and tastes to undergird a wide range of options for growth.

Unlike Loudoun County, Falls Church represents this in the midst of a fully urban, not suburban, environment with all that means. Education, both K-12 for City residents and secondary for tomorrow’s tech-savvy emerging leaders, is an existing reality with much more to come from Virginia Tech. In health care, the giant medical campuses now exploding around Falls Church will also enhance the region’s talent pool of smart citizens, and could even garner some attention from practitioners worldwide.

The Little City is in the midst of all this, and not just as an urban oasis. Its biggest project yet by far, the combined achievements of three contiguous properties adjacent to the West Falls Church Metrorail station, now awaits.

As far as prospects for continued high rates of growth, Falls Church has become the apple of the eye for regional

Continued on Page 4

R������ R������

FOLLOWING LAST WEEK’S STORMS, a rainbow appeared over the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, which reopens Sept. 7. Perhaps it’s a sign that brighter times are ahead. (P����: N���-P����)

F.C. Mayor Talks Covid-19, Projects in ‘State of the City’

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

It’s been another big year in the City of Falls Church. Some major projects are nearing the moment where they break ground just as others are ready to cut the ribbon, all the while there have been contentious issues such as school name changes and the everyday adherence to Covid-19 precautions.

Falls Church City Mayor David Tarter is a man on the forefront of a lot of these issues. He’s helped position the City as a developmentfriendly locale that can work with its larger neighbors to get things done.

And he’s experienced some of the trials of the past year, particularly as a parent who watched two of his seniors go through most of their final year virtually.

Tarter took some time to chat

with the News-Press when he wasn’t packing up the car to take those very same kids off to college. The full transcript of the conversation is below.

News-Press: Fairfax and WMATA have both agreed to redevelop their land next to the City’s own redeveloped 10-acre parcel, making Falls Church a partner in a

Continued on Page17

I����� T��� W��� V�. L���������� H������ ���� B��������� I������������� B���

For the next five years, this bill in its current form would include almost $550 billion in new federal funding, which is just half of the funding involved. Virginia specifically will receive $7 billion for highways and $537 million for bridge repair.

SEE STORY, PAGE 5

T����� HI�� M���� F������� K���� O�� T��� S�������

The 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.

SEE INSERT, PAGE 11

INDEX

Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ...................................7,8,15 Crime Report ...................................... 8 News Briefs...............................9 News & Notes................................... 10 Calendar ........................................... 16 Business News ................................. 19 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Critter Corner.................................... 22

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 2 | AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021

Free COVID-19 Vaccines Vacunas gratuitas contra COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine - 1st & 2nd Dose

Tinner Hill Music Festival Saturday, August 21 Vaccine Clinic: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Event: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Falls Church Festival Presented by The Kensington Saturday, September 11 Vaccine Clinic: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Event: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

City of Falls Church Community Center 223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church Admission/tickets not needed to attend the vaccine clinic.

Make Your Appointment Haga su cita Online / En línea: https://guest.vams.cdc.gov/?jurisdiction=FX Walk-in appointments welcome. Bienvenidas las personas sin cita.

Bring your COVID-19 vaccination card for 2nd dose.

Traiga su tarjeta de vacunación COVID-19 para la segunda dosis.

COVID-19 vaccines are: Las vacunas contra COVID-19 son: Safe

Effective

FOR YOU

Find more vaccine locations, types and appointments www.vaccines.gov

Seguras

Eficaces

PARA TI

Encuentre más ubicaciones, tipos y citas de vacunas www.vacunas.gov

The vaccine clinics are hosted by the Fairfax Health Department, 703-246-2411 (TTY 711).

AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021 | PAGE 3

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PROJECTED

OPENING 2023

defy expectations.

DISCOVER LUXURY OF A DIFFERENT KIND Introducing The Mather in Tysons, Virginia— a forward-thinking destination for those 62 and better.

Forget what you thought you knew about senior living.

Inquire today.

(703) 348.8522 | themathertysons.com

D e l i g ht • R e ve l • A spi re

7/21 PB FC

• INDOOR POOL • WALKING PATHS • CONCIERGE • ROOFTOP CENTER • Seminar EXERCISE STUDIO RESTAURANTS EVENT LAWN CLUB ROOM • DOG PARK Virtual FITNESS Information Wednesday, July •14SPA at •4:00 p.m. ET.• RSVP at themathertysons.com or email info@themathertysons.com.

21MAT023_Tysons_DefyExpectations_Falls Church_NoEvent_0721.indd 1

7/14/21 2:29 PM

LO CA L

PAGE 4 | AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

New Developments Result in Increased Population Density

Continued from Page 1

developers interested in offering a range of mixed use options, all centered on major multi-family projects, such as those already approved to go in at the West End Gateway project, the downtown One City Center project, the Founder’s Row 1 and 2, and the Whole Foods-anchored Broad and Washington project.

There are a couple thousand more people ready to fill those places with more on the drawing boards. These are the people who will help fill F.C.’s restaurants, shop at her grocers and retailers and contribute to its offering of world class education for its young.

An initial review of the Census data released last week also shows that the Little City’s average value of an owneroccupied housing unit now stands at $789,300. The City population remains 71.7 percent White alone (not Hispanic or Latino), followed by 10.7 percent Hispanic or Latino, 9.9 percent Asian, 4.9 percent Black or African-American and

3.7 percent two or more races.

Those under age 18 constitute 30.02 percent of the population, and those over 65 are 12.9 percent. Female persons constitute 51.4 percent.

Foreign-born persons are 19.2 percent of the population, and there are 908 veterans. There are 5,493 households, with 80.5 percent living in the same residence as a year ago. Among persons aged 5 and up, the percentage of households speaking a language other than English is 19.3 percent.

Of the population that’s 25 and up, 98.2 percent have a high school or higher degree, and 77.8 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Just over 74 percent of the population is in the civilian labor force. Only 3.0 percent of the population under age 65 have no health insurance.

Median household income is $127,610, and average per capita income is $72,325. Persons in poverty are 3.2 percent. There are 2,129 business firms in the City, 763 being women-owned and 503 being minority-owned.

Alo�a,

IT’S EASY TO UNDERSTAND how Falls Church had a nearly 20 percent jump in population when walking around the City, especially in its more congested spots, like Park Avenue. (P����: N���-P����)

SUMMER!

Friday, August 20 | 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Join us in the courtyard for tropical snacks, cornhole, games, and fun prizes!

LIVE MUSIC BY MCKINLEY & JUSTIN FROM 2 - 3 PM

Free and open to the public!

For more details or to schedule a visit, call 703-531-0781.

703-531-0781

A Caring Assisted Living Retirement Community

chesterbrookres.org 2030 Westmoreland Street Falls Church, VA

Coordinated Services Management, Inc.—Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LO CA L

AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021 | PAGE 5

Virginia Lawmakers Hopeful with Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

BY MARRETT CEO

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Virginia U.S. Senator Tim Kaine wanted to get legislation passed on infrastructure in order to send help to America’s crumbling roads and rails. He may not have to wait long to have that wish checked off his list.

President Joe Biden is close to securing a second legislative win when the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act likely passes with bipartisan support in the near future. The president invited several senators to the White House in a bipartisan effort to address the bill, including Virginia’s senior senator, Mark Warner, who was one of the lawmakers negotiating for the legislative language and spending. The bill passed the Senate in a 69-30 vote.

“What will be a once in 30-year investment in infrastructure, $550 billion in new infrastructure spending that will literally create tens of thousands of jobs in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Warner said, according to Roanoke-based WDBJ7 News.

For the next five years, this bill

in its current form would include almost $550 billion in new federal funding, which is just half of the funding involved.

Specifically, it would invest: $73 billion to rebuild the electric grid; $66 billion in passenger and freight rail; $65 billion to expand broadband internet access; $55 billion for water infrastructure; $40 billion to fix bridges (the single largest, dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system); $39 billion to modernize public transit like buses and $7.5 billion to create the first federal network of charging stations for electric vehicles.

Lastly, $25 million will be allocated for America’s airports and $16.3 billion for America’s ports, including the Port of Virginia to improve US competitiveness.

The significance of the Senate finally approving this package is palpable. When the House of Representatives takes it up and it heads to Biden’s desk, this bill would be the first to deal with infrastructure since then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower passed the Federal Aid Highway Act of

TIM KAINE speaking with News-Press Editor-in-Chief Nicholas F. Benton in 2017. (P����: N���-P����) 1956, also known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act. Virginia specifically will receive $7 billion for highways and $537 million for bridge repair

and replacement over five years.

This specific funding comes at a crucial time, when 577 of Virginia’s bridges and 2,124 miles of the commonwealth’s highway system are in extremely poor con-

dition. From this funding, Virginia will also see projects assisted, such as Norfolk Southern, Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express.

Continued on Page 18

PAGE 6 | AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021 

One of the Nation’s Foremost Weekly Newspapers

(Published by Benton Communications, Inc.)

FOUNDED IN 1991

Vol. XXXI, No. 27 August 19 – 25, 2021 • City of Falls Church ‘Business of the Year’ 1991 & 2001 • • Certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Publish Official Legal Notices • • Member, Virginia Press Association •

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

N��� G��� A���������� S������� A������������ ����������.���

M��� D������ N��� E�����

�������������.���

M������ M���� A������� � O��������� �����������.���

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

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

WWW.FCNP.COM The Falls Church News-Press is published weekly on Thursdays and is distributed free of charge throughout the City of Falls Church and the Greater Falls Church area. Offices are at 105 N. Virginia Ave.., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046. Reproduction of this publication in whole or part is prohibited except with the written permission of the publisher. ©2021 Benton Communications Inc. The News-Press is printed on recycled paper.

E��������

E D I TO R I A L

We Love All Our People!

What is the value of population growth? It’s a bizarre philosophical question given that we, as a species like almost all others, ascribe an almost supernatural importance to the emergence of a new one of us in a hospital delivery room. We’re not alone in this: elephants, octopi, fruit flies and shrimp all behave the same way when a new one of theirs comes into being.

It can only be among some of us humans that the idea of “being fruitful and multiplying” is not always smiled upon. Imagine, there are those among us who fret about something called overpopulation.

Maybe in a lifeboat adrift at sea can such a question credibly gain traction. But otherwise, what is the carrying capacity of Earth, when it comes to humans? You simply can’t have too many. If it’s a function of population versus resources, then the obvious answer is to expand the resources, not to starve the people.

This, of course, is the genius of being human, and not an apricot. Humans are those among us who can alter their environment to increase the resources at their disposal. We are not slaves to a diet of mice, the way your ladyship, the household cat, is. Cats, even yours, can’t open a can of tuna, much less go shopping for one.

The essential element of being human is our ability to accommodate more of us not just by stealing or expanding the perimeter of a corn field, but by inventing ways and means for more of us to occupy the same space, and with gains in medicine and health, adding to the life expectancy of everybody, too, All the while, each and every new one of us is greeted with love and empathy overflowing.

The City of Falls Church is only two square miles and readily sustains a population of, now, 14,618. That’s over 7,000 per square mile.

And we’d bet that added onto that are a few thousand doggies, kitties, hamsters and goldfish.

Surprisingly, there are only five nations with a population density greater than Falls Church’s: Macau, Monaco, Singapore, Hong Kong and Gibraltar, according to the encyclopedia. Populations and densities are: Macau (631,636 in 12 square miles, 54,531 per square mile), Monaco (38,684 in a single square mile), Singapore (5,757,499 in 276 square miles), Hong Kong (7,371,730 in 426 square miles) and Gibraltar (33,718 in two square miles). All of these very people-dense places make the case that it’s quite possible to remain comfortable in small places.

Nobody ought to be feeling cramped by the high population density of our Little City now, even though it’s among the highest in the world. Projecting ahead, we can double our population without having to enlarge our size. The only downside may be parking and traffic, but our local government is on top of preparing for what that might bring.

P�������

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

L������

pherable reasons, has waged a war on

F.C. City Needs To drivers. It should stop.

William C. Johnstone Falls Church Stop Waging War On Drivers With Reflection on Benton’s “The God of Our Its Road Work Editor, Does the City hate drivers? I ask that after seeing what the junction of Hillwood Avenue with South Washington Street is now looking like.

A smooth, gentle right turn from northbound S. Washington onto Hillwood before the traffic light has morphed into a traffic-light-controlled abruptly sharp right turn. Coming west on Hillwood, what once was two lanes from Annandale Road has merged into one, with a short rightturn lane onto Washington opening up just short of the traffic light. What was an easy to negotiate intersection has become constricted.

The extra space once occupied

by Hillwood and the turn lane from Washington has apparently been given to Coleman Power Sports and the taxi company.

Will this require them to pay more property taxes? If not, why was this done? This is not a “transit improvement.” It’s a boondoggle. I understand “improvements” are coming to the intersection of Columbia Street and North Washington Street. This is a very simple, straightforward intersection. How is the City planning to mess it up? It appears the City, for indeci-

Founders” Column

Editor, While I agree with most of Spinoza’s pantheistic thoughts — quoted in Benton’s August 5 commentary, “The God of our Founders” — I question some of his ideas, namely, “Stop asking for forgiveness, there’s nothing to forgive.” I believe asking for forgiveness and trying to make amends is good, even necessary, for the soul, and can lead to genuine healing for both the wronged party and the perpetrator.

“Stop going to those dark, cold temples that you built yourself and say they are my house!” While those dark, cold temples may have been the dominant mode in Spinoza’s time, I believe it is possible today to find some warmer, more accommodating churches that can feed your soul.

“Forget any kind of commandments, any kind of laws; those are wiles to manipulate you, to control you, that only create guilt in you.”

That’s a double-edged sword. The January 6 rioters at our Capitol and the anti-vaxers/anti-maskers seem to have this perspective on life.

Gerald Kamens Fall Church

[ LETTERS ]

Got Beef?

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

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

ADVERTISE IN THE

1. Keep the news clean and fair.

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

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

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

5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.

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

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

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

Call 532-3267 or visit www.FCNP.com

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

G � � � � C � � � � � �� ��

CO MME NT

AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021 | PAGE 7

Tinner Hill Music Festival is a Chance to Dance, Love & Hope B� T��� M�K�����

Music, food, and culture: all part of the pure celebration of being alive in our diverse D.C., Maryland, Virginia communities, and worldwide. The Tinner Hill Music Festival promises to bring us that and more. With a wide-ranging lineup of musicians and genres including Blues, Funk, and Reggae, this year’s Festival kicks off this Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Cherry Hill Park, Falls Church, VA. The music festival is presented by The City of Falls Church and the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation.

The festival is the premier charity event for the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization whose mission is to present and celebrate the African American legacy and promote racial reconciliation. Established in 1997 to preserve the early civil rights history of Falls Church and its surrounding vicinity, the Foundation has shared the civil rights history of Northern Virginia in schools, exhibits, and regional programs.

In addition to its music festival, the Foundation sponsors programs as well as community events that resurrect the rich and vibrant past of the African American communities of Falls Church and Northern Virginia. The Foundation’s newest initiative is a soon-to-be citywide mural project.

“Written in Stone” is a series of exciting, large-scale, inspiring and educational murals and sidewalk trails in the Tinner Hill

Historic District/South Washington Street Corridor. Proceeds from the music festival will contribute to that project.

For the past 27 years, the Foundation has produced this joyous festival in Falls Church. Initially, it took place in the Tinner Hill historic neighborhood on South Washington St. It then moved to the

“With a wide-ranging lineup of musicians...this year’s Festival kicks off this Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at 11 a.m.” high school campus until finally settling in Cherry Hill Park. We’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to the park to be a part of this experience.

We’re excited to announce Tinner Hill Music Festival 2021 Stage Sponsor Falls Church Distiller’s. In addition to the amazing music we have in store, there will be several interactive villages brought to you by our generous sponsors throughout the park. Tinner Hill Heritage Village will give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Heritage Foundation. Wearable and wall art can be found in The Artist Village.

Children and grown-ups will delight in The Kids’ Village featuring face painting by Vienna Singing Princesses, storytelling and

even a puppy petting party! The Relaxation Village will offer chair-massages, yoga and other stress relieving activities including a hammock hangout. And no festival is complete without sumptuous barbecue. This year we have a New Orleans Cajun food truck, Baddpizza pizza, and more will also be available. Craft beer, wine and other adult libations will be offered in The ROCK STAR Beer Garden.

Our amazing lineup takes the stage in Cherry Hill Park at 11 a.m. The B.B. King Blues Band Experience features Michael Lee of “The Voice,” alongside the musicians who traveled the world with “The King of The Blues” as well as two of his daughters, Shirley King and Claudette King.

Bonerama, a New Orleans high energy brass funk rock band fronted by four trombonists will also be with us. Whether it’s their inventive covers or funky, rocking originals, I can assure you that Bonerama will take you on the most memorable “RIDE ON THE SLIDE!” Returning to our stage for a second time are The Legendary Wailers featuring Julian “Junior” Marvin. It’s time for “One Love” and thanks to Junior, Bob Marley’s friend and guitarist, we’ll have plenty of it. This is reggae played in the true spirit of Marley.

And, speaking of love, during one of the breaks, you’re invited to a photo-op at the Virginia Tourism LOVE sign.

Vintage #18 is also returning to our stage for a second time. As their many fans can attest, this outstanding area Blues band

Yes: 54% No: 43% Not Sure: 4%

brings the WOW factor. Not only will you hear it, you’ll see it when vocalist Robbin Kapsalis takes the stage in one of her spectacular white beaded dresses.

The Twin Brothers Band who have entertained Richmond audiences for several years, have recently relocated to the Arlington area. These identical twins and their band play Blues, Rock & more.

Eric Scott, a bassist, vocalist and composer whose music is full of honesty, soul, and the celebration of life’s joy and pain, will also appear at the day-long concert.

East of the River Steelband plays Caribbean and Calypso music, R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Gospel. Since its founding in 1993, this D.C. youth group has performed at a variety of events. The program provides music training as well as cultural education through its steel pan and youth development programs.

Rocknoceros has found its way into the hearts of music-lovers of all ages. Their performances are guaranteed fun for toddlers, children, and the young at heart.

Special thanks to all of our Sponsors, Donors, and Volunteers who make this event an epic success — we could not do this without you. See you this Saturday!

Tickets can be found at THMF2021.

Eventbrite.com or TinnerHill.Org. Tori McKinney is the Executive Producer of the Tinner Hill Music Festival and a board member of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation

Q������� �� ��� W��� Do you plan to attend the 27th Annual Tinner Hill Music Festival?

• Yes

• No

Last Week’s Question: Should businesses begin asking their customers for proof of vaccination?

54% Yes

• Not sure

4% Not Sure Visit www.FCNP.com to cast your vote

[WRITE FOR THE PRESS]

43% No

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.

CO MME NT

PAGE 8 | AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Supervisor Penny Gross

Fairfax County boasts an outstanding Fire and Rescue Department, with well-trained personnel, state-of-the-art equipment, and quick response times. The County’s search-and-rescue component, known worldwide as Virginia Task Force 1 (VATF-1) was deployed to Haiti on Sunday to find earthquake victims and support local agencies with equipment and supplies to aid in the rescue and recovery effort.

One of the unique aspects of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is the partnership with 12 volunteer fire companies across the county. Fire volunteers in Fairfax County first organized in the early 1900s, and the career/volunteer fire and rescue system formally was established in 1949, when Fairfax County was a rural community.

Today, 718 men and women volunteer at fire stations, from Bailey’s Crossroads and Annandale, to Dunn Loring and Burke, Vienna and Fair Oaks.

Operational volunteers provide firefighting and emergency medical services; administrative members manage their non-profit status, fundraise, and operate canteen units called out for large and sustained emergencies. 40 percent of the volunteers are female.

Operational volunteers train at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy and can work side-by-side with career personnel. The volunteers also host blood drives, provide fire safety education at community events (virtually during Covid19), and raise funds to purchase fire engines, ambulances, and other apparatus. A fire engine or pumper can cost $650,000 to $750,000, relieving taxpayers of that expense.

Barely a month before Covid-19 shut down normal activity, professional and volunteer companies responded to the Poag Street fire in Groveton, the most expensive fire ($48 million in fire losses) in Fairfax County history.

The cause of the fire was smoking materials improperly discarded in a trash chute. The blocklong fire destroyed two multi-story buildings under construction, as well as 14 nearby occupied townhouses, and damaged five other apartment build-

ings, 14 additional townhouses, and 29 vehicles.

More than 100 units were assigned to the multiday emergency and 17 volunteer units covered 25 shifts at the fireground and supporting stations.

Covid-19 meant that volunteer fire departments took a huge hit on their fundraising activities.

Charitable gaming activities and facility rentals were suspended for seven months, and volunteer companies were unable to participate in community events.

Even recruitment suffered, since volunteers could not be processed for fingerprints and background checks. However, one of the principles maintained by firefighters is “assess, adapt, and overcome.” Volunteers responded to new calls from the pandemic: humanitarian assistance by distributing food to thousands of at-risk families and delivering prescription medications to older residents.

The 12 volunteer companies have their own governance structures, but are overseen by a Volunteer Fire Commission, appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The vice-chair of the Commission is Gerald B. Strider, longtime president of the Bailey’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department at Station 10.

Gerry has served our community for 50 years, and responded to the Lake Barcroft flooding from Tropical Storm Agnes, the Skyline Towers collapse, the Air Florida crash, the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon, the 2010 Snowmageddon that collapsed Station 10’s roof, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gerry has recruited more than 750 volunteers, and is a role model and inspiration to volunteers, whether long-time or rookie.

If you, or someone you know, would like more information about the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire Service, visit www.fcvfra.org. It’s a great way to support and give back to our Fairfax County Community!  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. 9 – 15, 2021 Destruction of Property, Roosevelt Blvd, Aug 9, 1 AM, unknown suspect(s) broke the glass entrance door of an apartment building.

Graffiti/Destruction of Property, Wilson Blvd, Aug 9, 12:18 PM, graffiti was observed on a signal box.

Driving Under The Influence,

Great Falls St, Aug 10, 12:12 AM, a male, 44, of McLean, VA, was arrested for Driving Under The Influence and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Assault, Hillwood Ave, Aug 11, 6:19 PM, a male, 42, of no fixed address, was arrested for assaulting a passerby.

Larceny from Building, E Broad St, Aug 12, 5:30 PM, unknown suspect(s) broke into a locker and took items of value.

Driving Under The Influence, N West St, Aug 14, 01:58 AM, a male, 25, of Falls Church, VA, was arrested for Driving Under The Influence.

Burglary – Commercial, S Washington St, between 7:30 PM, Aug 14 and 7 AM, Aug 15, the front door of a business was forced open and items of value were taken. Investigation continues.

WWW.FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Delegate Marcus Simon’s

Richmond Report Virginia will be a more just and prosperous state as a result of the important actions taken by the Virginia General Assembly and approved by the Governor during our Special Session last week.

The General Assembly returned to Richmond on Aug. 2 for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. This Special Session was called so that we could allocate $4.3 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and appoint judges to the newly expanded Virginia Court of Appeals.

The pandemic highlighted a series of cracks in our government services — this budget helps fix that.

Last week, we took the final vote on the budget and it will now go to the Governor for his signature.

Help for Small Businesses and VA Workers We invested $260 million to fully fund the Rebuild Virginia Grant Fund Program so that we can clear out the application waiting list. We also allocated $76.5 million for additional small business and tourism & hospitality programs and put aside $862 million to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The Virginia Employment Commission will also receive $73.6 million to upgrade their information technology system and to add additional call center staff and adjudication officers.

Public Health Continuing our Covid vaccine outreach, $20 million will go to an information campaign targeted for hard-to-reach communities. We’re also doing some major investing in our mental health services and substance abuse programs. $238 million has been allocated overall with specific set-asides for retaining direct care staff at Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) facilities, expanding community-based crisis services systems (like mobile crisis units and MARCUS Alert activities), renovating DBHDS facilities, and prevention programs.

Housing & Utilities To better connect all Virginians, $716 million will be used to expand universal broadband access across the Commonwealth. The budget continues our current rent relief policy by requiring a tenant or landlord to apply for rental assistance before proceeding with an eviction for nonpayment of rent and we put an additional $2.5 million to Legal Aid for civil indigent defense in eviction

cases. Customers with overdue utility accounts will have some more options with $120 million for the utility assistance program.

Education Educating our kids is one of our highest priorities. As such, we’ve got money for teacher recruitment and $250 million for HVAC and ventilation system improvements in the school systems that need it most. For our public colleges and universities, there is $100 million in need-based financial aid and $11 million for the TAG Grant Program.

Elections I’m proud of all the legislation we’ve passed in the past two years to expand voting rights and make the process more accessible. We’ve allocated $3 million to assist localities with the expansion of early voting, including Sunday voting. We also have $1.5 million for a voter education campaign on new election laws and to combat misinformation.

Public Safety We’ve also made a lot of progress in criminal justice reform. This budget continues that effort with $34.8 million for the Department of Corrections to include funding for expansion of telehealth services, video visitation, and PPE. There is also $13.2 million for the Department of Criminal Justice Services sexual and domestic violence victim fund and $2.5 million to support the Office of the Attorney General’s gun violence reduction programs. There is funding for bonuses for police officers, sheriffs, and new hires as well as compression adjustment bonuses from 2 – 8 percent as needed.

Expanding the Court of Appeals During the special session, we also appointed eight new judges to the recently expanded Virginia Court of Appeals. This legal reform broadens the court’s jurisdiction guaranteeing appellate review of all civil and criminal court decisions. Previously, Virginia was the only state that didn’t automatically grant appeals.

This group of newly appointed judges is also historically diverse in profession, race, and gender. Of these eight, four are women, six are people of color, three are former public defenders, and one was a Legal Aid attorney. The appointees come from across the Commonwealth, offering geographic diversity as well.  Delegate Simon represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be emailed at DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov

AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021 | PAGE 9

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Fa l l s C h u r c h

NEWS BRIEFS Metro Officially Commits To Redevelop W. Falls Church It’s official: Metro has committed to redevelop the West Falls Church Metro Site alongside the Falls Church Gateway Partners (FCGP) to create a vibrant, mixed-use community with over one million square feet of office, retail, and residential space by the City of Falls Church’s western edge.

In a formal announcement last week, Metro said it has signed an agreement with FCGP-Metro, LLC, which includes the affiliated partnership with EYA, LLC (EYA), Hoffman & Associates, and Rushmark Properties as the Gateway Partners.

The project is the result of a multi-year effort between Metro, the development team, and Fairfax County to amend the Comprehensive Plan recommendations for the site to enhance an underutilized asset in Metro’s portfolio.

In 2019, Metro’s Board of Directors agreed to seek proposals for the site and gave approval to move forward with a joint development agreement (JDA) and compact public hearing last December. The deal is expected to generate long-term revenue for Metro through 99-year ground leases, in addition to fares from new ridership.

“Building transit-oriented development is an important strategy for managing many of this region’s most pressing challenges, such as traffic congestion, sustainability, housing production, and transit ridership recovery,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The West Falls Church Metro Station is a unique opportunity that will convert underutilized parking lots to provide housing, jobs and economic opportunities, and create a cohesive development plan with the adjacent publicly-owned sites.”

On July 13, as reported earlier in the News-Press, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to its Comprehensive Plan to support development of both the Metro site and the adjoining Virginia

Tech site, with mixed-use development emphasizing safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian enhancements connecting to the Metro station.

“The plan presents an opportunity to better align the West Falls Church Transit Station Area with the County’s Transit Oriented Development Guidelines,” said Fairfax County Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust.

“I am pleased that it envisions a vibrant mixed-use, pedestrian friendly environment and attractive public spaces, while respecting nearby established residential communities.”

“The execution of the JDA and vote by the Board of Supervisors are critical next steps in enabling the transformation of the West Falls Church Metro parking lots into a walkable, bikeable, and welcoming neighborhood,” said Evan Goldman, executive vice president of Acquisition and Development at EYA. “There is an evident need to create a pedestrian friendly development and optimize the West Falls Church Metro Station, and our team of developers look forward to making this happen.”

Over the next year, the joint development team will proceed through Fairfax County’s rezoning process to advance the design and planning for the West Falls Church Metro Station site.

The rezoning application will include the detailed plans for the redevelopment of Metro’s parking lots with apartments, townhomes, neighborhood retail, and public green spaces. It will connect the proposed mixed-use redevelopment of the Meridian High School (formerly George Mason High School) site in the City of Falls Church to the West Falls Church Metro Station with new bike lanes, broad sidewalks, publicly accessible park spaces and a secondary grid of streets that will help alleviate some of the congestion in the area.

Later this year, Metro will also hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to commuter parking and bus facilities.

Together with the surrounding community and Metro, EYA, Hoffman & Associates and Rushmark Properties, have

created a thoughtful design that accommodates buses, Metro Kiss & Ride and Park & Ride users while transforming the property into an inclusive, and walkable neighborhood with open spaces, sustainable design elements such as enhanced stormwater management systems, affordable housing, safe pedestrian and bike connections and a community dog park.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023.

Beyer Introduces New “Choose Medicare” Act U.S. Reps. Donald S. Beyer Jr, of Falls Church, Jimmy Gomez of California and Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania last week introduced the Choose Medicare Act, legislation that would give every individual and business the choice to enroll in Medicare. Earlier this year, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.) introduced the Choose Medicare Act (S. 1180) in the U.S. Senate.

The Choose Medicare Acts creates a new Medicare program – Medicare Part E – available to every individual who is not already eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. Medicare Part E would be self-sustaining, fully paid for by premiums, and offered on all state and federal exchanges, giving people the ability to use the existing Affordable Care Act subsidies to help pay for it. Additionally, employers could choose to select Medicare Part E rather than private insurance to provide affordable and reliable health care to their employees.

“Simply put, our bill would give all Americans access to Medicare, one of the most popular and successful health care delivery programs in history,” said Congressman Beyer. “Allowing employers and the general public the option to choose Medicare would fill many of the gaps in our healthcare system, get more people covered, and make the nation healthier. Every American should be able to access affordable, quality health care, and this bill represents the kind of bold action required to make that a reality for all.”

PAGE 10 | AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021

LO CA L

News-Press

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Community News & Notes Falls Church High School Athletic Boosters Seek Help

Reminder: Collect for Kids Supply Drive Is Ongoing

The 2021 sports season is here and the Falls Church High School Athletic Boosters are in need of volunteers. Help is always appreciated with concessions for the season’s various sporting events; the tasks can include but are not limited to: selling food/drinks, wrapping up food and directing traffic.

Upcoming events are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 28. Visit signup. com/group/129578468099?utm_ source=group-badge-volunteergreen to add your name to the list and support Falls Church High School. Email Emily Reidel at emily.ticcamp@gmail.com or call/text 571-765-0329 for more information.

Fairfax County Public Schools is once again helping lead the Collect for Kids effort to secure school supplies for the students who need them most. Collect for Kids is a collaborative group of not-for-profit and for-profit organizations promoting and coordinating school supply and backpack drives to benefit Fairfax County students.

One easy way to support this community effort is with the virtual fundraising campaign, which can be found at fcpsfoundation. o rg / i m p a c t / c o l l e c t - f o r- k i d s .

All monies raised are used to purchase pre-made, grade-level appropriate school supply kits for students in need. This ensures that the schools know exactly what supplies they will receive and saves time collecting and distributing items.

With nearly 60,000 students in the county who need school supplies or backpacks, they are actively seeking business and community partners for additional support. If you or your organization is interested in assisting with this effort, contact Kathy Ryan at krryan@fcps.edu for more information.

Storms, Excessive Heat Hit Falls Church Falls Church has endured a wet weather week that’s left considerable damage throughout the City. It began with the stormcaused electrical outage and has led up to seven broken water main pipes, mainly concentrating around Lincoln Ave. Another weather-related concern has been what feels like 100+ degree weather that has persisted for the past week.

Fairfax Water technicians indicated that the break at 416 Lincoln would be the first one to be repaired; no time frame has been established as of yet.

Community Effort To Educate On Covid-19 Vaccination The MCCP Mobile Van, along with many community partners, is providing educational support surrounding Covid-19

WE - WOMEN ELECTEDS OF FALLS CHURCH announces the formation of a new political action committee.

Its purpose is to support F.C. candidates for election to state and local offices. PAC Founding Board members are Jody Acosta, Marybeth Connelly and Debbie Hiscott. WE is holding its inaugural fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 12, 3 – 6 p.m. For more information, email: WEofFC@gmail.com (Photo courtesy: Jody Acosta) vaccine safety, attending vaccine clinics throughout Fairfax County, providing incentives, increasing access to transportation to vaccine sites, and promoting this effort within the Fairfax County community.

The MCCP Mobile Van is made possible thanks in part to MAPs Clinics, Neighborhood Health Virginia, the Fairfax County Health Department, and Inova Health Systems Partnership for Healthier Communities.

The Medical Care for Children Partnership (MCCP), a commu-

nity partnership administered by the Fairfax County Office of Partnerships, is dedicated to providing medical and dental services to children of the working poor of Fairfax County who otherwise are ineligible to receive healthcare offered through Medicaid or other private and public sources.

The Fairfax County Health Department is also providing regular updates on the Covid19 vaccine, as well as eligibility updates for County residents.

Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/health/ novel-coronavirus/vaccine for

up-to-date information and to schedule a vaccine appointment.

F.C. Students Celebrate Academic Achievements Mary Clare Scalia Murray earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of NebraskaLincoln.

John Taylor, grade 11, has been recognized for Academic Excellence and was included on the Worcester Academy’s Honor Roll and Headmaster’s List for the 2020-21 school year.

Although the town of Falls Church was incorporated in 1875, followed by the city in 1948, the town was first settled in (C) 1699!

CDS offers unrivaled office technology solutions from printers, to IT services, or even mailing solutions. We say YES to saving you time, money, and stress. Visit www.cds-yes.com/officeplan to learn more.

Although we haven't been in business for 322 years, CDS is still proud to continue supporting the Chamber!

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021 | PAGE 11

and more!

PRESENTED BY

TM

Tickets and info TinnerHill.org

@TinnerHillMusicFestival

SCAN ME

PAGE 12 | AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

MAGAZINE

AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021 | PAGE 13

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

SATURDAY 11am - 9pm

Cherry Hill Park 312 Park Ave Falls Church City

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 14 | AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021

Park Ave Entrance

Playground

Kid’s Village Basketball Court

Photo Opp

Volunteers

Relaxation Village

Artist Village

Rock Star Village

Tennis Courts Coffee Bar

Merch THHF Village MUSICIAN LOADING AREA

Hammock Village Bathrooms

Sponsor Lounge

FARMHOUSE

Volleyball

BAND LOAD-IN DRIVEWAY

Beer Garden Picnic Tables

C

IT Y PO H LI ALL C E /

Food Village

CC Entrance

Limited Parking

C C OM EN M TE U R NIT (C Y C )

Barn

VIP Tent

Media & Super VIP Pit

Musician’s Lounge

Stage

PARK AVENUE

Mist Tent

LITTLE FALLS STREET

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Media Bias Against Biden’s Decision

“Over the past few days, the images from Afghanistan have put on vivid display an inability to plan, an underestimation of a foreign adversary, an ineffective effort to scramble and make up for it and, as Biden demonstrated in a brief address Monday, an attempt to deflect full responsibility.”

This quote by Matt Viser, in a front page article entitled “Chaos Undercuts President’s Vows of a Steady Hand,” in the Washington Post this Tuesday, Aug. FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS 17, constitutes an egregious violation of journalistic standards for its highly biased and opinionated characterization coming in the immediate aftermath of the Biden administration’s decision to end the 20 year debacle in Afghanistan. It is represensible and shameful for its effort to sway public opinion in the context of a so-called news article.

It is a blight on honest journalism. On the Post’s front page, this alleged news article about the situation in Afghanistan, including in one run-on sentence, contains no less than five highly-slanted negative assertions about Biden and his decision. Fortunately, this bald-faced attempt to sway public opinion has failed to work, at least so far, as polls show over 73 percent of Americans favor Biden’s decision.

Biden’s Afghanistan decision needs to be seen in the context of the historic infrastructure and national budget priority bills passed last week.

Taken together, they shift in a massive way national priorities on economic development and investment in the nation’s future.

On the one hand, they trigger an enormous new level of investment in the well-being of the nation and its people. On the other hand, they draw down the obscene numbers that have gone to prop up the nation’s war profiteering machine with guns, not butter. For Biden and his agenda, the good news of last week’s legislative victories are complemented by his decisions this week about pulling out of Afghanistan. Together, they represent one seamless whole, something that is clearly lost not only on his critics, but so-called objective journalists alike.

As far as the Afghani situation is concerned, one of the best and most succinct observations was published on Facebook by a powerful journalist and former friend, a respected contributor to the American Prospect, Mother Jones, the Nation and other publications. Robert Dreyfus summed up his view thusly, not shrouded in slanted excesses, but straightforwardly: “Let me just say that I agree 100 percent with President Biden’s decision to end the war in Afghanistan. 100 percent. It should have ended many years ago, and in fact it was the wrong move in 2001 to invade Afghanistan in the first place.

“President Bush II was wrong to go in, and neither he nor any of his aides knew anything about the country they went to war against. It was not, as Obama called it, the ‘good war.’

“The debate will turn political here, with Republicans blaming Biden’s decision to pull out, and Democrats pointing to President Trump’s decision to strike a deal with the Taliban last year. But this war was lost before it started, just like the far more catastrophic one in Vietnam.”

Well said. Of course, there is going to be pain associated with this courageous decision by Biden, and that also should not be sugar-coated.

But we have a president now who is willing to stand for his decisive decisions and not pander to public opinion or political pressures brought to bear. His political supporters need to redouble their resolve to stand with him on this monumental decision that will bring an end to a terrible period in our history.

In real life, contrary to fictions and fantastical story telling, few things come without difficult and painful consequences. While these should never be minimized or glossed over, it is most valuable to remind the public that embracing these downsides is evidence of political courage and leadership, not the opposite.

The wholesale collapse of the Afghani resistance to the Taliban has only confirmed the necessity of President Biden’s decision. It demonstrated that there was, and is, no appetite among the Afghani people for defending a regime or military propped up by an outside force. History teaches us a painful lesson in this regard.

CO MME NT

AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021 | PAGE 15

Nicholas F. Benton

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

Our Man in Arlington

By Charlie Clark

The county fair last year was de-scheduled due to the coronavirus. This week it returns, but still not free from the pandemic’s tentacles.

“We are asking everyone to MASK up when indoors at the fair,” says county spokeswoman Bryna Helfer. “The fair will also host a Vaccination Clinic — so folks can get VAXED up too. As always, we encourage everyone to wash their hands, social-distance where possible, and stay home if they are sick.”

The county’s Complete Vaccination Committee will be at the fairground at Thomas Jefferson Community Center Aug. 20 – 22 to continue outreach for the jab. Many valiant community groups, for-profit, nonprofit and political, will be present for exposure — and fund-raising.

I’ll be there, not on the tilt-awhirl, but to help man the booth for the Arlington Historical Society. There you can test your local history knowledge, find your home’s site on an 1898 map, and perhaps be inspired to donate toward the society’s upgrading of its museum at the Hume School.

The Historical Society provides a daily broadcast “On This Day in Arlington History’’ for Arlington Independent Media’s WERA (96.7 FM).

AIM, as I was recently reminded by longtime folkie radio host Mary Cliff, has been concerned about a budget crunch since the county manager announced a coming cutoff in funding. Cliff’s Saturday Night

“Traditions” show moved to AIM after decades at WAVA, WETA, and WAMU (I’ve been her fan since the 1980s).

My own WERA experiences in the studio at Wilson Boulevard and Franklin Street include appearances on the real estate show “This Sold House” and Andrew Schneider’s local affairs discussions.

But for the past 15 months, “AIM was forced to suspend most of our revenue producing activities,” I was told by longtime producer Jackie Steven.

Those frozen activities included “in-person media production classes and camps, facility rentals and commercial production work, causing the loss of essential streams of operating income for the organization.

“Even in the face of these challenges,” she said, “AIM remained committed to our core mission of providing people access to media education and production technology so they may produce content that informs, educates and entertains the community.”

The good news is that AIM received two loans, totaling $176,390, under the Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program, as AIM president Lynn Borton said in a recent report.

But a balanced budget depends “on our ongoing fundraising efforts and members’ continuing support” ($60,000 in individual contributions this fiscal year).

The search is on for a new executive director, and the building is under discussion for a

sale, though that doesn’t necessarily mean a move. Scouts are identifying potential locations in Green Valley, along Columbia Pike and Lee Highway (now Langston Boulevard).

On the upside, Borton added, “several shows are back live on WERA, with more coming on each week. We’re retraining folks to return to the studios and enjoying having a few more people around the building now!” ** Arlington (plus Falls Church, Fairfax and Loudoun) got a mention on the HBO live comedycommentary show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Aug. 13.

Examining the nothingbut-bad news coming out of Afghanistan, the host noted Census Bureau numbers showing that the wealthiest counties in the country are nearly all in D.C. suburbs.

Local defense contractors, during the 20 years of U.S. presence in that war-ravaged nation, continued to do well. ** At a funeral service at Columbia Gardens Aug. 15, attendees watched two bicyclists riding the cemetery paths.

The deceased was Arlingtonto-the-bone Rosemary Trone Lewis, 97, the mother of my good friend Todd. She grew up in Clarendon, attended Henry Clay Elementary, graduated in 1941 from Washington-Lee High School, was active for 64 years at Clarendon United Methodist and taught girls’ gym at several Arlington schools.

As the officiant mentioned during the ceremony, Rosemary also rode her bike through Columbia Gardens — nine decades before.

CA L E NDA R

PAGE 16 | AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

FALLS CHURCH

CALENDAR LOCALEVENTS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 Tysons-Pimmit Library Booksale.

Visitors will find a large selection of books and media for all ages and interests. This year, the sale will take place over an increased number of hours in an attempt to limit crowds, but masks are still preferred for those who show up for the event. For more information, call 703-790-8088 or visit fairfaxcounty.gov. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). Sunday is the $10 bag sale — fill up a bag of books for just @10. Thursday, Aug. 19 – Sunday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Tinner Hill Music Festival. The 27th Annual Tinner Hill Music Festival returns to Cherry Hill Park this Saturday to rock Northern Virginia with live music, food, arts & crafts, and other fun events for the whole family. The festival is sponsored in part by the City of Falls Church and is managed by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. The festival committee, under the leadership of Tori McKiney, is pleased to announce a dynamic lineup for this year’s day-long concert: BB King Blues Band featuring Michael Lee of “The Voice”; Bonerama; The Legendary Wailers featuring Julian “Junior” Marvin; Vintage #18; Twin Brothers Band; Eric Scott; East of the River Steelband; and Rocknoceros. For tickets and information, visit TinnerHill.org.

Information on the festival can also be found on Facebook & Instagram @TinnerHillMusicFestival. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Falls Church Farmers Market.

The Falls Church Farmers Market runs every Saturday, where attendees will find fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, flowers & plants, honey, music and more.

City Hall (300 Park Ave., Falls Church). 8 a.m. – noon. For more information, visit fallschurchva.

gov/547/Farmers-Market-To-Go.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25 Developer Networking Event.

Commercial development professionals are invited to an afternoon of networking outside of the office. Contact Benita Stocks at bstocks@naiopva.org for more information. Registration is $50 – $70. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St., Ste A Falls Church). 3 – 5 p.m.

VIRTUALEVENTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Bright Star Theatre presents Gus Goes Green (online). This new play from Bright Star Theatre follows Gus, a giant dog puppet, on a STEM-inspired adventure around the globe. The audience will see Gus use science and math to find creative solutions for a variety of problems. Geared towards students in grades Pre-K – 5. The show will air live on the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Facebook page this Saturday at 11 a.m.. A recording of the performance will be available until Sept. 4.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 Bouncin’ Babies (online). Returning in digital format, Ms. Kelly invites parents and their toddlers for a morning of music and storytelling fun. Geared towards kids ages 0 — 1 with the focus of helping parents build an early literacy foundation for their children. Register online through Fairfax County libraries at librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/ event/7957226. A Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants a day in advance. 10:15 — 10:45 a.m.

THEATER&ARTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 Erin Granfield: Live Return to Creative Cauldron. A National “YoungArts” Foundation Award winner, most recently seen in the role of Louise Seger in 2021’s

THE FUNKTRONICS will be performing live at the Falls Church Distillers this Friday, August 20, at 6 p.m. (Photo: Facebook.com/FunktronicsDC) “Always...Patsy Cline’’ as well as in the Helen Hayes Awardnominated ensemble of “On Air,” where she also portrayed Agnes Davis, the wife of radio pioneer Dr. Harry P. Davis, Erin will be making her return to the Creative Cauldron this Friday for an original cabaret performance in Cherry Hill Park. As part of the show, Erin will incorporate stories from her own life as well as some of her favorite songs from the musical theater canon for a one-of-a-kind, outdoor act.

The audience is invited to bring their own mats, blankets, or folding chairs for the performance.

Tickets can be purchased online at creativecauldron.org. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church). Free parking will be available in the lot behind the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church).

Friday, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.

LIVEMUSIC THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 CCB: Chris Collat Band. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $12. 7:30 p.m. 703-255-1566.

Pure Prairie League & Firefall.

The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $55.

7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

Daryl Davis & Josh Christina Show. JV’s Restaurant (6666

Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8 p.m. 703-241-9504.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 Shartel & Hume. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Big Tow: Live. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703532-9283.

Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 3:30 p.m. 703-2419504.

Ladywood: Live. Clare & Don’s Beach Shack (130 N. Washington St., Falls Church). 5 p.m. 703532-9283.

Zydeco Jed: Live and in Concert.

Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703-858-9186.

The Funktronics. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington St., Ste A Falls Church). 6 p.m. 703858-9186.

The Cactus Liquors: Free Outdoor Show. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). 7:30 p.m. 703237-0300.

Caligula Blushed. The State Theatre (220 N Washington St., Falls Church). $12. 7 p.m. 703237-0300.

Natalie Brooke and Humbalaya.

Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $10. 8 p.m. 703-2551566.

An Evening with Kathy Mattea.

The Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria). $35.

7:30 p.m. 703-549-7500.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

All ‘80s All Night with DJ D. Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna). $15. 8 p.m. 703-2551566.

The Roadducks: Live. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:45 p.m. 703-2419504.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Too

Damn

Big

Show.

JV’s

Kreek Water Band: Live and in Concert at JV’s. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 8:30 p.m.

703-241-9504.

Joel Vance: Live. Falls Church Distillers (442 S. Washington Street, Ste A Falls Church). 1 p.m. 703-858-9186.

Pickin’, Grinnin’, & Sinnin’ Live and in Concert. JV’s Restaurant (6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church). 4 p.m.

703-241-9504.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

LO CA L

AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021 | PAGE 17

Annual ‘State of the City’ Interview

Continued from Page 1

mega-development the likes of which it hasn’t seen before. What does being a part of this deal say about the direction the City of Falls Church is heading in?

Mayor Tarter: It is big news. The 10-acre West Falls project is the largest in the City’s history. Combined with the WMATA and Virginia Tech sites, you’re talking over 40 acres with prime metro access.

We spent years planning, soliciting developer bids, putting together a complex public-private partnership, working with our neighbors, holding dozens of town hall meetings, and hammering out an innovative development plan to create what I believe will be a show piece project.

To ensure long term economic viability and vibrancy, the City insisted on a mix of uses which include office, hotel, senior living, condominiums, and a retail promenade, all of which will work together to create a special sense of place and a regional destination. To top it all off, the project’s tax revenue alone should more than pay for the new high school and eventually allow us to lower our tax rate even more than we did this year.

With this project and others, we have set the wheels in motion with economic growth that will pay dividends for years to come.

N-P: Can you speak to how being a stakeholder in this deal is a boon for Falls Church’s reputation in the region?

Tarter: As a small place, it has always been important for the City to work well and maintain good relations with our neighbors. We have been in discussions with Virginia Tech, WMATA, and Fairfax County for some time about how to best utilize our 10-acre site, and perhaps more importantly, how we can all work together to ensure that our projects enhance each other and best utilize Metro accessibility. This project will continue to raise the City’s regional profile and affirms the City’s commitment to smart, sustainable development.

N-P: Speaking of development, we know Founders Row should be welcoming in residents within the next month. How satisfying is it to watch a major development you’ve been a part of from the beginning finally come to life?

Tarter: It is very satisfying to see projects finally completed and occupied. For most, the process has been years in the making, starting with small area plans, which re-imagined our commercial areas to be more

walkable, dynamic and economically successful.

With Founder’s Row, Harris Teeter, Target, the approved Whole Foods and West Falls projects, we are starting to realize this vision. These projects and others are creating a more vibrant downtown where residents and visitors can shop, dine and do business within the City. They’ve also provided important community benefits such as affordable housing, a new home for Creative Cauldron, our local theater, and tax revenue to support our schools. And they’ve allowed us, for the first time in years, to meaningfully lower the tax rate.

N-P: Can you tell us anything about the movie theater — if there’s going to be a movie theater at all?

Tarter: As you know, Covid dealt a tremendous blow to the movie theater industry, including the one planned for Founders Row, which declared bankruptcy. The project approval continues to require a movie theater and I know the developer is working hard to secure one. They have escrowed $3.6 million with the City for its buildout.

Falls Church needs more entertainment and places for families to gather and it is my hope and expectation that we will ultimately get a movie theater there.

N-P: Another thing our readers have mentioned to us is the traffic congestion Founders Row has caused at the Broad St. & West St. intersection. Others are worried that Haycock Rd. & Leesburg Pike will be next once the West End project gets underway. With these developments attracting more people, the congestion is likely to stay, so is there anything the City is doing — or can do — to make these major arteries less of a nuisance for drivers?

Tarter: We know that traffic can be a real problem here and so the City requires traffic studies and usually developer-funded traffic improvements with each new development. With these additions, most new projects are estimated to maintain or improve pre-existing traffic throughput. Both Founders Row and the West Falls project include significant measures to minimize congestion and provide better pedestrian and bike routes. Founders Row is still under construction and their traffic measures have not yet been fully implemented. Once completed, traffic flow around the site should improve.

In addition, the City continues to seek and obtain state and regional funding for congestion relief, pedestrian and bike improvements and mass transit. Recent successes

include $15 million for traffic and pedestrian improvements at Haycock Road and Leesburg Pike, $10 million for a smart streets program with Virginia Tech at the West Falls site, $8.3 million for Park Avenue as part of the Great Streets program, and in the longer term, Bus Rapid Transit along Leesburg Pike.

We are also working hard to make the City more pedestrian and bike friendly and to provide better last mile connections to the Metro to make it easier for folks to get out of their cars.

The reality is Falls Church is a small part of a large region. Most of the cars travelling on Washington and Broad Streets aren’t from City projects but are passing through from neighboring jurisdictions. We should not miss out on our own redevelopment opportunities in an attempt to single-handedly solve the region’s traffic problems.

N-P: We’ve come a long way since the start of the pandemic, but Covid is still with us. What do you think is the best way for Falls Church to learn to “live with” the virus?

Tarter: I hope that we won’t need to learn to live with the virus, but can vanquish Covid through increased vaccination, masks, possibly booster shots, and other health measures.

City residents and businesses have been cooperative and done their part throughout the pandemic, which has kept the City’s hospitalizations and mortality relatively low. Our vaccination rates are also among the highest in the state. With the Delta variant and resurgent infections, however, we must not let down our guard. If you have not already done so, please get vaccinated.

N-P: The pandemic is also why there’s now $18 million in federal relief money coming to the City. How would you like to see it be used?

Tarter: I am grateful for our federal and state aid, which will be a significant benefit to our community.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have been providing rent, utility, and food assistance to our most vulnerable residents. We have also provided hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief to our small businesses.

Many are still suffering, however.

Going forward, we need to ensure these folks get back on their feet, the unvaccinated get their shots, and our schools have the resources to get kids back in the classrooms. Longer term, to the extent permitted, I would like to see us invest in City infrastructure and other capital improvements, to provide long-term, recurring benefits to our community.

N-P: I should’ve mentioned this

F.C. MAYOR DAVID TARTER speaks at the Regional Covid Remembrance Ceremony in June of this year. (C������� P����) earlier, but congratulations on two of your kids graduating in June! It was definitely a unique year for students, especially for seniors in a milestone year. What was it like as a parent navigating the past year and a half of schooling?

Tarter: It has been a difficult stretch for all of us, but I think the real challenge was with the kids.

I am sorry that they missed out on cherished school memories and some great life experiences. I hope that we can get the kids back to a relatively normal school experience soon.

Despite the difficulties of the past year, in many ways, they brought us closer together. I enjoyed the long walks, drives, movies and extra time we were able to spend together. As they head off to college, I will miss this, and I will miss them.

N-P: One other thing about the schools, but there are still some raw emotions about how the Mason/ Meridian name change was handled.

A few of your colleagues on the City Council lent their voice to this issue.

I was wondering if you have an opinion on how the schools went about the process?

Tarter: I know that there are a number of people with strong feelings about the name change. I have heard from many of them. That’s

understandable. This country has many unresolved issues around race, equality and the administration of justice that permeate our history. Many of our Founding Fathers, while instrumental in the creation of the United States and its democratic institutions, were deeply flawed and active participants of abhorrent practices like slavery. Whatever your feelings about the outcome, as best as I could see, the School Board provided all a chance to speak their mind and be heard. I know many are not happy with the outcome but I believe that the Board has always had good intentions and the best interests of the students at heart. It’s time to focus on getting the kids back on track.

N-P: How do you view your job differently now than when you first became mayor?

Tarter: I would say I am more confident and comfortable in the role but I continue to learn. I view my job as I did when I started, namely to do all I can to make this City a great, welcoming place for all to live and work, and ensure that our kids grow up happy, safe and well educated.

N-P: What has been the most challenging issue you’ve had to face in the last 12 months?

Continued on Page 22

PAGE 18 | AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021

Backto

School If your child is entering 7th grade they must have the Meningitis, HPV, and Tdap vaccines in order to enroll. Talk to your doctor and vaccinate them now!

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

844-947-1479

FREE

7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!

Limited Time Offer - Call for Details

Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval

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

LO CA L

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

THIS MOSAIC OF ASPHALT PATCHES along E. Columbia Street might not be a top priority for infrastructure spending on the national level, but it does symbolize the amount of work that needs to be done around the country. (P����: N���-P����)

An Estimated $1.2 Billion to be Used to Improve Virginia Public Transportation Continued from Page 5

The bill becoming law also reauthorized federal funding for the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority through fiscal year 2030 at its current annual levels. The WMATA reauthorization is based on legislation previously introduced by both Warner and Kaine. It will also contribute an estimated $1.2 billion over five years to improve public transportation in Virginia, and additional $39 billion over five years for public transit systems across the nation as a whole.

Out of $65 billion allocated for broadband deployment to increase access and decrease costs associated with internet connections, nearly $100 million will be given to Virginia to address the upwards of 473,000 who lack dependable internet in the commonwealth.

Finally, about 23 percent of Virginans will now be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which is geared towards helping low income families afford internet access.

“Broadband isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, but many Virginians still don’t have reliable access to [the] internet,” Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement when announcing over $14 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide broadband service to people in central Virginia through the ReConnect Program.

“That’s why we’re glad to see

these federal dollars go toward connecting people across Virginia, which will improve access to job opportunities and educational resources and help small businesses grow.”

In terms of getting more electric cars and charging stations, Virginia will also receive $106 million over the next five years to help support the expansion of an EV charging network in the Commonwealth. The state also now has an opportunity to apply for $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging.

Separately, Virginia will receive $238 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program for ecosystem resiliency and restoration.

One of the more minor provisions to the legislation includes Kaine and Senator Roger Wicker’s (R-MS) bipartisan Reaching America’s Rural Minority Businesses Act, introduced in May 2021.

The provision will help the Minority Business Development Agency to partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to establish business centers to support minority-owned small businesses in rural areas to provide education, training, and technical assistance to help them grow and thrive.

Kaine is Virginia’s junior senator, having been elected in 2012, he was re-elected by a comfortable margin in 2018. Like Virginia’s senior senator, Mark

Warner, Kaine is a former governor of Virginia. They are both two of only a group of 13 men who have made the transfer to the US Senate after serving as Virginia Governor. Prior to serving as Virginia 70th governor, he served under Warner as lieutenant governor and is a former mayor of Richmond.

In 2016, after Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate nominated by a national party, she chose Kaine from a diverse field to be her running mate. Kaine would have become the first Virginian since President John Tyler to seek national office. On election night, despite the loss, (Kaine’s only election loss in his life even though it was not him at the top of the ticket) Virginia was the only southern state to go to the Clinton-Kaine ticket. That victory is primarily attributed to Kaine himself.

But this is behind Kaine now, as he is focused on getting more accomplished in his work in the Senate and helping Democrats in 2022. He is now working on immigration reform on a bipartisan committee. Kaine is glad that a bipartisan bill has gotten forward but acknowledges that he did not want it to be paid for in deficit spending. The Senate will most likely have to go into reconciliation in order to get additional elements added to the infrastructure bill, such as education spending among other items.

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

F� � � � C � � � � �

LO CA L

B������� N��� � N���� Virginia Hospital Medical Brigade Hosting Special Giving Day The Virginia Hospital Medical Brigade is hosting a special Giving Day on Thursday, August 19 to raise funds and awareness of the critical health needs for people in Honduras. The Brigade is working to halt the rapid spread of the virus by supporting the Comayagua Triage Center, where they are running low on supplies given the monumental numbers of patients. For more information about Virginia Hospital Medical Brigade and this event, visit VHMB’s Facebook page.

AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021 | PAGE 19

Galleria Florist Of�icially Welcomed To The Little City With A Celebration

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation Celebrating 20 Years Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation is celebrating its 20 Year Anniversary by hosting Pave the Way Virtual Auction that will run from Friday, August 20 at 5 p.m. – Friday, August 27. Auction items include a wide variety of vacation getaways, professional services, goods, gift certificates, and more that will be of interest to many, regardless of pet owning status. Funds raised will go toward Lost Dog’s life-saving rescue work and ”pave the way” for the next 20 years.. Visit the nonprofit no kill shelter’s Facebook page or www.LostdDogRescue.org/pavetheway/.

Preservation Biscuit Company Hosting Biscuit Battle Preservation Biscuit Company is hosting a biscuit battle to select three new biscuit sandwiches to be highlighted during National Biscuit Month in September. Sweet and savory biscuit recipes can be submitted by Wednesday, August 25 for consideration.

Preservation’s culinary team will select the winning biscuits to be added to the menu for the month. A donation of $1 for each of the winning biscuits purchased will go to the winners’ choice of charity. At the end of the month, the winning “chef” with the best selling biscuit will win a $100 gift card to Preservation Biscuit Company, located at 102 E. Fairfax Street. For more information, visit www.preservationbiscuit.com.

Crescendo Studios Hosting the FC Chamber Mixer Crescendo Studios will host the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce’s Networking Mixer on Tuesday, August 24 from 5:30 to 7 pm. Crescendo is a community-based music school with classrooms and performance space. The event, free to Chamber members and prospective members, will include refreshments, tours of the studio, and a chance to meet teachers and staff. Crescendo is located at 8101A Lee Highway in Falls Church. For more information, visit www.crescendostudiosva.com.

Galleria Florist Officially Welcomed to The Little City Galleria Florist was officially welcomed to The Little City with a ribbon cutting with the Falls Church City Council and members of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, August 14. Galleria Florist moved from their previous location on Lee Highway to their new location at 248 W. Broad Street. In addition to floral arrangements for individuals and events, the boutique now offers wine and a variety of gift items. For more information, stop by the floral shop or visit www.galleriaflorist.biz.

 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.

Photo above with confetti: Council member Ross Litkenhous, Council member Letti Hardi, Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly, Galleria owner Alisa Rabinovich, Mayor David Tarter, Council member Debbie Hiscott, Council member Phil Duncan, Chamber Board Member Rachelle Barimany.

We are OPEN and ready to safely serve your dental needs!

Currently accepting new patients

PAGE 20 | AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021 LEGAL NOTICE Invitation For Bids (IFB) IFB 0913-21-WMI South Washington & South Maple Improvements Project City of Falls Church PASSWORD-PROTECTED ELECTRONIC BIDS (SEALED) will be accepted by the City of Falls Church via electronic submission to the Purchasing Agent, James Wise, jwise@fallschurchva.gov (email) for the S Washington & S Maple Improvements Project.

Due date for the electronic submission of Bids is September 13, 2021 @ 11:00 AM. A Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on August 31, 2021 @ 1:30 PM (see IFB for details). The IFB including all details and requirements may be downloaded from the City’s procurement website: www.fallschurchva.gov/Bids. Notice of the IFB may also be accessed via eVA, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s electronic procurement portal for registered vendors/suppliers, www.eva.virginia.gov.

For more information and/or questions regarding this IFB contact the Purchasing Agent; (703) 248-5007; jwise@fallschurchva.gov. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call (703) 248-5007 (TTY 711).

PUBLIC AUCTION In accordance with the Virginia SelfStorage Act, section 55-419 F, notice is hereby given that the contents of the following rental storage spaces located at Fort Knox Self-Storage will be offered for sale:820-John Hunter & 946-Manager’s Unit.

Sale will be held online at LockerFox. com. Pictures can be viewed at that site.

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

Other Payments by Credit Card Only To: City of Falls Church City Council & Social Justice Advocates Dear Friends, To fill out the picture of civil rights achievements at all levels in the City of Falls Church, I submit the following to represent the LGBTQ aspirations and achievements here by way of one of our LGBT champions, Nicholas Benton: LGBTQ Representation In 1985, a founding pioneer in the modern LGBTQ movement, Nicholas Benton, moved into Falls Church and within five years founded and has run a progressive-oriented general interest weekly newspaper, the Falls Church News-Press, that has continued to serve as a binding force in the F.C. community for over 30 years, including spearheading many causes and interests promoting civil rights for all, in addition to the LGBTQ movement in particular.

Some of those issues include: 1. In only its second year, in 1992, Benton and his newspaper sided editorially with students of “The Lasso” local high school newspaper in defense of their decision to run a display ad from a gay youth advocacy organization, SMYAL, in what was very heated issue in the City, 2. Benton’s newspaper editorially routinely advocated for equal rights for all in its weekly editions that have been distributed to every household in the City

C L AS S I F I E DS for 30 years..

3. Benton founded the Diversity Affirmation Education Fund as a component of the Falls Church Education Foundation with two large contributions. The fund’s resources were used to bring diversityaffirmation education programs to the local high school and middle school.

4. Benton sponsored a forum at a local coffee shop in 2003 that featured legendary gay pioneers Frank Kameny and Lili Vincenz.

5. Benton gave over a space weekly for a decade in his newspaper for a column, “Anything But Straight,” written by LGBTQ advocate Wayne Besen.

6. Benton gave over space weekly for over a year in his newspaper to a column

by LGBTQ-advocate Johnny Weir.

7. In 2019, Benton and his newspaper co-hosted a seminar in the City in conjunction with the Social Justice Committee of Falls Church, an arm of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that featured a series of important speeches that will soon be published by Benton in the form of a book.

8. Benton has published best selling books on LGBTQ themes, including, “Extraordinary Hearts, Reclaiming Gay Sensibility’s Central Role in the Progress of Civilization” (2013), “Gay Men in the Feminist Revolution” (2019) and “The Education of a Gay Soul” (2021).

9. In 2019, Benton officially founded LGBT Falls Church as an educational and advocacy organization on behalf of LGBT people. The organization looks to engage the Falls Church community as much as the pandemic allows.

10. Benton has been honored by Equality Virginia as an “OUTstanding Virginian” in 2012 and by the D.C. Pride organization as a “Capital Pride Hero” in 2014.

For these reasons and more, I propose that annals of civil rights achievements in the City of Falls Church include recognition of Mr. Benton and these achievements.

Best,

chase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts.

Call 1-877-614-6667 Dont let the stairs limit your mobility!

Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today!

1-888-510-0805

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

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Concrete

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

Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company- 844-509-1697 or visit www.Life55plus.info/vapress Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-608-4974

R

571-308-6559

Home Improvement

Lawn Services CHARLES JENKINS TREE SERVICE

Good deal- Spring Special Mulching

www.gagnonsgutterworks.com

703-512-9166 Licensed and Insured

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

Other Services

Cleaning Services House Cleaning Service Handyman Service All repairs, plumbing, drywall, windows, doors, rotted wood, siding, lighting +

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

For Information Call Susy

703-901-0596

FREE estimates, Licensed & Insured

Call Doug (703)556-4276 www.fallschurchhandyman.com

classads@fcnp.com

NEW from Best Seller Nicholas Benton

Dean R.P. Edwards Director, LGBT Falls Church

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT Vinyl Replacement Windows Starting at $235* Installed w/Free Trim Wrap Call 804-739-8207 for MORE details! Ronnie Jenkins II Siding, Roofing, Gutters and More!

fcnp.com What they said about Nicholas Benton’s Extraordinary Hearts, upon which this volume is based:

GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now.

Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today!

Call for additional terms and conditions.

1-877-636-0738

"A vital, moral book about who we are and who we should be. I admire it and its author enormously."

Larry Kramer

The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-833-688-1378

"Over the decades, Nick Benton has been a pioneer, daring to express points of view few would risk, the consequences too grave. Fundamental at the beginning of our LGBT movement, as now, is the affirmation of our core values, defined by Benton as the desire for love, truth, commitment and compassion.”

Steven F. Dansky

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Pur-

Avaliable on Amazon NOW!

AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021 | PAGE 21

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR AN UPDATE OF THE 100 PERCENT RENEWABLE ENERGY TARIFF, DESIGNATED RIDER TRG CASE NO. PUR-2021-00138 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has filed an annual update of its 100 percent renewable energy tariff, designated Rider TRG. •Rider TRG is a voluntary tariff whereby participating customers can elect to purchase 100 percent of their energy and capacity needs from renewable energy resources.

•Dominion proposes to maintain the same rate for Rider TRG of $3.98 per megawatt hour that was previously approved by the State Corporation Commission in Case No. PUR-2019-00094.

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

On July 1, 2021, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed an application (“Application”) with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) pursuant to §§ 56-577 A 5 and 56-234 A of the Code of Virginia (“Code”) for an annual update of its voluntary 100 percent renewable energy tariff, designated Rider TRG. The Application explains that Dominion began offering Rider TRG in July 2020. According to Dominion, as of June 14, 2021, approximately 2,438 customers were enrolled in Rider TRG, and participation continues to grow as more customers become aware of it.

In Case No. PUR-2019-00094, the Commission approved Rider TRG, whereby participating customers can voluntarily elect to purchase 100 percent of their energy and capacity needs sourced from a portfolio of renewable energy resources owned or contracted for by the Company (“TRG Portfolio”) that meet the definition of renewable energy in Code § 56-576. In that case, the Commission approved the following resources for inclusion in the TRG Portfolio: the Scott, Whitehouse, and Woodland solar facilities; the Essex, Williamston Speight, HXOap, Cork Oak, and Sunflower solar power purchase agreements; the Gaston and Roanoke Rapids hydro facilities; and the Altavista, Hopewell, and Southampton biomass units.

Customers electing to participate in Rider TRG pay a premium over standard service that is based on the prevailing market value of retail renewable energy, using the market value of renewable energy certificates (“RECs”) as a proxy for this premium (“Rider TRG Rate”). In Case No. PUR-2019-00094, the Commission approved a Rider TRG Rate of $3.98 per megawatt hour (“MWh”), which was the weighted average value of the RECs produced by all of the resources in the approved TRG Portfolio.

Dominion is not proposing to add any new renewable energy resources to the TRG Portfolio at this time. Further, Dominion proposes to charge participating customers the previously approved Rider TRG Rate of $3.98 per MWh. This represents a charge over standard service of 3.28% for participating customers.

The Company states that it calculates the current market value of the RECs in the TRG Portfolio to be $6.91 per MWh. Dominion, however, is not proposing to increase the previously approved Rider TRG Rate in order to “ensure a successful start of the program,” which is still in its first year of implementation, and to “facilitate new customer enrollment.”

Instead, Dominion proposes for the Company to cover the difference between the $3.98 per MWh charged to customers and the full market value of the RECs of $6.91 per MWh, for the period July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.

Dominion asserts that Rider TRG continues to be just, reasonable, and in the public interest and is designed to hold non-participating customers substantially harmless. Further, the Company states that Rider TRG continues to advance the policy objectives of Code § 56-577 A 5, the Commonwealth Energy Policy set forth in Code §§ 67-101 and 67-102, and remains consistent with the goals of the Virginia Energy Plan to accelerate the development of renewable energy resources in Virginia to ensure a diverse fuel mix and promote long term economic health.

Interested persons are encouraged to review the Application and supporting documents for further details of the Company’s proposals.

The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health concern related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”). Confidential and Extraordinarily Sensitive Information shall not be submitted electronically and should comply with 5 VAC 5-20-170, Confidential information, of the Rules of Practice. At this time, any person seeking to hand deliver and physically file or submit any pleading or other document shall contact the Clerk’s Office Document Control Center at (804) 371-9838 to arrange the delivery.

Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, of the Rules of Practice, the Commission has directed that service on parties and the Commission’s Staff in this matter shall be accomplished by electronic means. Please refer to the Commission’s Order for Notice and Comment for further instructions concerning Confidential or Extraordinarily Sensitive Information.

An electronic copy of the Company’s Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com.

On or before September 24, 2021, 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-2021-00138.

On or before September 24, 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 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 5-2030, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00138.

On or before September 24, 2021, any interested person may file a written request for a hearing with the Clerk of the Commission at the address above or at scc.virginia.gov/clk/ efiling, and the interested person simultaneously shall serve a copy of the hearing request on counsel to the Company. Requests for a hearing shall include: (i) a precise statement of the filing party’s interest in the proceeding; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; (iii) a statement of the legal basis for such action; and (iv) a precise statement why a hearing should be conducted in this matter. All requests for a hearing shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00138.

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 Comment, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Rules of Practice.

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

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

LO CA L

PAGE 22 | AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021

BACK IN THE DAY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

C������ C�����

25 � 10 Y���� A�� �� ��� N���-P���� Falls Church News-Press Vol. VI, No. 22 • August 15, 1996

Falls Church News-Press Vol. XXI, No. 26 • August 18,, 2011

Talking Economic Growth: Council Hears Biz Leaders’ Economic Ideas

1 Dem Primary Race on F.C. Ballot Tuesday, Tough Challenges Nearby

Reflecting the Falls Church City Council’s intensifying focus on economic development, the Council held two work sessions this week to determine its objectives and, in preparation for those meetings, heard from representatives of three key business organizations during its regular meeting Monday.

Due to delays in Richmond in completing the once-a-decade redistricting process, the primaries were pushed back from their usual June date until August this year.

That will leave many citizens unaware of the new date, and even more out of town on their summer vacations.

F.C. Mayor Continued from Page 17

Tarter: Covid. In Falls Church as elsewhere, the virus has been a matter of life and death and has caused more American casualties than World War II. Covid has been unrelenting.

Our local government response has had to constantly change and evolve to keep up with this virus.

In addition to my mayoral duties, I spent the last two years as chair of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, which represents the area’s 2.5 million residents and coordinated its response to the virus. At the height of the pandemic, we were meeting three times a week to coordinate our efforts, adopt best practices and advocate for the region’s interests.

It has been one heck of a year for all of us. I know better days are ahead.

N-P: How do you see the road ahead — say, the next 8-9 years left in the decade — and what are any potential hiccups to that vision?

Tarter: I am optimistic about our City’s future. We have planned for, and are now beginning to reap the rewards of smart, measured development.

This growth has allowed us to construct a new $120 million high school, renovate our library and city hall, purchase new park land, and continue to make investments in traffic calming, affordable housing, storm water, pedestrian and other needed infrastructure — all while lowering our tax rate.

Could there be issues with the economy or inflation? Of course, but I am confident we are well positioned to ride out any storm as we have the most recent Covid crisis. Falls Church is a community of smart, engaged and caring folks.

We have a great future ahead of us.

F���� �� F���� C�����

NALA is a 4 month-old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog who is loving life in the Little City! She loves eating everything she sees, napping, and rolling in the grass. She is sad that there are no more cicada snacks in her backyard, but will still be a good girl in exchange for other treats.

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

JESSICA, a Northern Virginia native, worked with Chanel while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Upon graduation, she became a Master Make-up Artist.

Currently, she is the Creative Director for Evergreen in Falls Church. When asked for any parting words she simply said, “Don’t look for any outside validation.” (P����: J. M������ W�����/JM������W�����.���)

LO CA L

AUGUST 19 – 25, 2021 | PAGE 23

TRANSFORM YOUR BATH OR SHOWER

Betsy Sherman, Longtime Falls Church Resident & Civic Mainstay, Dies at 91

Offer Expires 9.30.2021

Military & Senior Discounts Available

844-945-1631

Upgrade Your Home with a

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Guaranteed to Last a Lifetime!

YOUR INSTALLATION

NEW METAL ROOF

60% off +

TAKE AN ADDITIONAL

10% off

Made in the USA

Betsy’s life on Friday, Sept. 24, from 2 – 5 p.m. at Murphy’s Funeral Home in Falls Church.

Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, New York at roberthjackson. org.

Install for Military, Health Workers and First Responders

Call today to schedule your

FREE ESTIMATE

BESTY SHERMAN

1-844-902-4611

Limited time offer.

Expires 12.31.21

Warranty- Limited Lifetime.

Transferable to 1 subsequent owner from original purchaser.

Terms and conditions apply.

Hail up to 2.5”, Appearance of the surface coating beyond normal wear and tear.

New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required.

Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placed on behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not be available in your area. Offer expires December 31st 2021. If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages

by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved.

A Smarter Way to Power Your Home.

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

ACT NOW TO RECEIVE A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*

(833) 688-1378

*Offer value when purchased at retail.

Solar panels sold separately.

BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND

CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!

15% & 10 %

BILL SHEPHERD

OFF

YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE *

+

TT

NATIO

5

ER GUA

% OFF

TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS ONLY! **

SENIORS & MILITARY!

OFF

WE INSTALL

YEAR-ROUND! LIFETIME WARRANTY

FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1 Promo Code: 285

2

1

’S

E

N

Shepherd; mother, Haydelene Pearl (Rogers) Shepherd; brother, John Wayne Shepherd; and son, Stephen Bruce Shepherd.

There will be a Celebration of Live services in Casa Grande, Arizona, on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Church, 3151 N. Piper Ave., Suite 101 Casa Grande, AZ 85122.

GU

Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and Galveston Bay. Bill loved people and had a kind and generous heart. He enjoyed gathering with customers, co-workers, friends, and family — always ready to share a cup of coffee, a tall tale, his dry wit, and a hearty laugh. He enjoyed a good movie, especially Westerns and musicals.

And of course, his favorite — a Western musical!

Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He loved God, his country, and his family.

Bill is survived by his wife of 26+ years, Kimberley Joy Shepherd; son, Robert (Lada) Shepherd; daughter, Renee Shepherd; step-son, Stuart Patterson; four grandchildren — Nicholas A. Shepherd, Benjamin P. Shepherd, Amanda C. Shepherd, and Michael L. Shepherd-Mott; and sister, Sue Carol Dougherty.

He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Bertram

Off *

NO PAYMENTS & NO INTEREST FOR 18 MONTHS**

*Includes product and labor; bathtub, shower or walk-in tub and wall surround. This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Other restrictions may apply. This offer expires Sept 30, 2021. Each dealership is independently owned and operated. **Third party financing is available for those customers who qualify. See your dealer for details. ©2021 BCI Acrylic, Inc.

N. Virginia Businessman, Bill Shepherd, Dies Bill Jay Shepherd, age 82, passed into eternal rest on Wednesday evening, July 14, 2021, in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Bill was born in Post, Texas, on March 4, 1939. While he was raised in Los Angeles, California, he lived much of his adult life in Northern Virginia, Texas, and Arizona.

Bill was a remarkable man who had an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong work ethic, discovering early on his love for the culinary arts. He applied his talents to open and manage several restaurants and hotels in Northern Virginia and Houston, Texas, including the Mining Company, Old Spaghetti Mill, Three Chefs, Miguel’s and Bentley’s Family Restaurant.

For a time, Bill also worked in construction, where he developed a keen eye for residential architecture and home design.

He also had a spirit of adventure, expressed by his joy of fishing and sailing on the

$500 OR

D

Church. After Harvey’s death in 1989, she spent her time gardening and traveling in the US and abroad. In 2018, she relocated from Falls Church to the Sunrise at Bluemont community in Arlington.

Betsy leaves behind her sisters Frances Reddaway of Flowery Branch, Georgia and Rosemary Stark of New Bern, Connecticut; her children Andrew (Deborah) of Springfield, Virginia, Lisa of Arlington, Virginia, Peter (Betsy) of Smithsburg, Maryland, and Mary (Jonathan) of Annapolis, Maryland; her grandchildren Ben (Ali) of Richmond, Virginia, Sarah (Jake) of Collingswood, New Jersey, Dave (Liz) of North Olmstead, Ohio, Isaac of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Jenny of Smithsburg, Maryland; and her great-grandchildren Jacob, Liam, Walter, and Olivia.

Friends are asked to join the family for a celebration of

CALL NOW

FOR

TH

Betsy Sherman, 91, a 60-year resident of Falls Church, VA, died peacefully on Aug. 3, 2021, at her home in Arlington, Virginia.

She was born in Jamestown, New York, on Feb. 8, 1930, the eldest of three children of the late Ernest and Mary Leet.

She attended Cornell University where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, graduating in 1951. She married Harvey R. Sherman in 1952 in Jamestown and in 1958 settled in Falls Church, where the couple raised their family.

Betsy was active in city politics for many years as a member of the Falls Church Democratic Committee and the nonpartisan Falls Church Citizens for a Better City organization. In the 1960s, she served a term as president of the old Madison elementary school PTA. She later worked for many years as parish secretary for St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Falls

IN AS LITTLE AS ONE DAY

R

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Subject to credit approval. Call for details.

1

CALL US TODAY FOR

A FREE ESTIMATE

1-877-614-6667

Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Offer valid at time of estimate only 2 The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

PAGE 24 | AUGUST 19 - 25, 2021

LIKE YOUR WHEELS? SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT TOO 10% OFF WHEEL LOCK KITS

Maximum Discount of $100. Coupon must be presented at the time of purchase. Does not include installation or tax. Not valid with any other coupons, discounts, or offers.

Limit one coupon per customer. Cannot be applied to any previous purchase. Not redeemable.

ROCK STAR Realty ... ROCK STAR Service

SOLD!

COMING SOON!

TM

JUST SOLD!

2-4

$1,750,000 212 E Jefferson St, Falls Church City 5 Beds

Historic Gardens

3 Full & 2 1/2 Baths

Tree-top Owner's Oasis

504 Meridian St, Falls Church City 6 Bedrooms

Home Movie Theatre

5.5 Bathrooms

2-Car Garage

JUST SOLD! Located in sought-after Potomac Green, a premier 55+ community in Ashburn!

This Somerset Model with loft has upgrades galore and is located on a premium lot surrounded by a private common area. The main level has beautiful hardwood floors, 2 bedrooms and a den including primary bedroom with full bath. The upper level has the 3rd bedroom, full bath, and loft area. Total of 3 Bedrooms + den and 3 full baths. 2 car garage! Prices at $669,950. Come for a visit Sunday!

Call Karin for more info. 703-626-3257. 20727 Adams Mill Place in Ashburn.

600 Fulton Ave, Falls Church City 4 Bedrooms

Main Level Hardwoods

3 Bathrooms

Screened Porch

CALL 703-867-TORI

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

REALTOR®

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

© 2021 Tori McKinney, LLC