Falls Church News-Press 8-22-2024

2 Launch Campaigns to Fill Vacant Council Seat

VIRGINIA VOTES FOR HARRIS!

Two prominent Falls Church citizens have stepped up in the last week seeking to qualify for the Special Election on Nov. 5 to fill the Falls Church City Council seat vacated by the resignation last week of Caroline Lian.

Former School Board chair Laura Downs and Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee and Board of Zoning Appeals member John B. Murphy are currently striving to obtain the necessary 125 valid signatures of registered City residents and to complete the paperwork required to qualify, and get it all done by August 30, now just over a week away.

A third city resident, Joseph Schiarizzi, chair of the City’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, made an initial inquiry about running, he told the News-Press , but decided not to proceed when he learned that Downs would be.

The new school year got off to a “roaring start” this Monday, according to Dr. Peter Noonan, in an exclusive interview with the News-Press this week. He made the rounds of all the City of Falls Church’s five schools on opening day, starting with helping preschoolers off the bus at the Jesse Thackrey Preschool at 7:30 a.m. and culminating at Meridian High School, where classes now begin at the new and later start time of 8:30 a.m.

The smooth start, he said, was a carryover from the calm experi-

enced throughout the now-shorter summer break since the high school graduation ceremony in mid-June.

A first glimpse at enrollment has established that earlier estimates for this school year of an overall increase of about 100 students, as predicted by the Weldon Cooper and George Mason University Fuller Institute was just about right.

“We had about 100 more students last year than the year before, will have about 100 more this year and 100 next year,” Noonan said, based on the aggressive new development of residential and mixed use housing in the City that

has contributed so much to the tax rate that pays for the schools.

At the two-day convocation of all FCCPS (Falls Church City Public Schools) employees held last week at the Meridian High auditorium, Noonan touted the Falls Church system as one of the best, if not the best, in the entire U.S.

That is due to the fact it is one of only seven in the nation that has incorporated the full, globally-renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) program into its entire system, from PreKindergarten through 12th grade, with the Pre-K program being introduced just last year.

Now, over 95 percent of students in the entire system take at least one IB course and the core skills that are the subject of IB courses are weaved into the entire range of course offerings.

Those core skills are designed to encourage students to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, risk takers, open minded, caring, balanced and reflective, according to IB materials, and this is achieved through an inquiry-based approach that, simply, involves asking questions.

VIRGINIA’S U.S. SENATOR Mark Warner casts the Virginia delegation’s votes for Kamala Harris for President at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Tuesday in a scene televised live worldwide. Others from Virginia visible here include Rep. Gerry Connolly, Rep. Bobby Scott and Rep. Alfronzo Lopez. More on Page 7 and 16. (Photo: Michael Smith)

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

N.Va.’s Dems at Convention Thrilled With Enthusiasm

Jeff Person, chair of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee and delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, is among the Northern Virginia delegates that includes U.S. Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. and State Sen. Saddam Salim. Person wrote the following to the News-Press : “Virginia Democrats, and especially us from the Eighth Congressional District, are super fired up. We’re so thankful to President Biden for showing humility in his decision to pass the baton on to the next generation. Virginia Dems are moving forward and are 100 percent behind electing Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz in November. The enthusiasm for Harris/ Walz is huge right now. In Virginia we’ve had over 100,000 new volunteers sign up since the Vice President became our nominee, and there is a lot of enthusiasm both on the ground in Virginia and here at the DNC.”

The Northern Virginia delegation to the convention includes the following: 11th Congressional District — Manisha Singh, Heidi Zollo, Joanna Collins, Syamali Hauth, Andrew Scalise, Bob Haley, Matt Bell, Matt Royer; 8th District — Rose Fabia, Jessica Nichols, Maureen Coffey, Carole Lieber, Bryan Coleman, Matthew Savage, Praveendharan Meyyan, Cisco Minthorn; Fairfax County at large — Jay Bhandari, Holly Seibold, Saddam Salim, Scott Surovell; City of Falls Church at large — Jeff Person; Democratic Party of Virginia (at-large) — Don Beyer, Gerry Connolly, Jennifer Wexton, Terry McAuliffe; Arlington County (at-large) — Paul Ruiz, Steve Baker, Alfonzo Lopez; City of Alexandria (at-large): Charniele Herring; Prince William County (at-large) — Jennifer Carroll-Foy, Hala Ayala, Amanda Linton; Loudoun County (atlarge) — Phyllis Randall.

F.C. EDA Meeting Put Off to September 17

The August monthly meeting of the Falls Church Economic Development Authority has been put off to Sept. 17, F.C. City Hall announced yesterday. It will be held in the Dogwood Conference Room at City Hall.

Amazon Peddling Modular Tiny Homes for Under $35k

Amazon is peddling a three bedroom barnstyle tiny home for under $50,000 and has dropped the price of a two-bedroom “sleek modern cabin” to under $35,000, according to a report by Lara Walsh at the Apartment Therapy website.

The cabin model is already sold out (for now) and the barns are going fast, Walsh reports. She describes them as “bite-size homes with aesthetic and compact living designs,” speaking to potential accessory dwelling units markets.

I-495 Beltway Lanes Shifted This Weekend

As part of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension project, a new Georgetown Pike Bridge over I-495 is being built in phases to keep traffic moving throughout construction. Over the weekend of August 23-26, all travel lanes on Georgetown Pike Bridge will be shifted to a new northern portion of the bridge so that work can begin on a new southern portion. Drivers are advised to stay away from the vicinity of the Georgetown Pike and I-495 interchange all weekend, as lanes will be reduced and Beltway ramps closed with detours in place.

Time Magazine Cutting 22 More Jobs

Time magazine is cutting 22 roles across departments, including editorial, technology, sales and marketing and Time Studios. In a memo to staff announcing the layoffs Tuesday, Time CEO Jessica Sibley cited business challenges, including lower advertising budgets, competition and shifts in consumer behavior, and a shift to focus on higher growth coverage areas, which include Climate, AI and Health.

“Like our peers, we continue to face significant challenges — from heightened competition for decreased advertising budgets to drastic shifts in consumer behavior, changes to search and social algorithms, and overall economic uncertainty. We are making changes now across our business to protect against this period of transformation and unpredictability in the media industry,” Sibley wrote in the memo. –Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter

2 Falls Church Leaders to Vie for Now-Open City Council Seat

Falls Church City registrar David Bjerke told the NewsPress that the paperwork includes a certificate of candidate qualifications, a declaration of candidacy, a statement of organization and declaration of economic interest form. Bjerke’s office provides prospective candidates with candidate forms, a summary of laws and policies for candidate campaign committees, a “do’s and don’ts” for campaigners and authorized resentatives and guidelines for campaigners and authorized representatives.

As of press time yesterday, then, only Downs and Murphy are in the race, although anybody could still jump in up to 5 p.m. Friday, August 30.

Meanwhile, City resident and attorney Anne Sherwood, a member of the Falls Church schools’ Advanced Academic Advisory Committee, has qualified, with the deadline already passed, to be the lone candidate on the ballot to fill a vacancy on

the Falls Church School Board following the resignation of David Ortiz. That election will also be Nov. 5. Both Laura Downs and John Murphy shared their announcements with the News-Press and they are reprinted here in full.

Statement of Laura Downs

I’m excited to announce that I’m running for Falls Church City Council! I will be running to fulfill the term of Caroline Lian who recently resigned. There will be an election for the seat. It will be on the November 5 ballot. As this special election was just granted, I’m facing a compressed timeline — with 125 signatures due by August 30 to get on the ballot.

If you can help gather signatures for me (taking the form to bus stops, sports events, etc.), please respond to this email or shoot me a text. To remind you, having someone sign the form is simply to help get my name on the ballot — it does not commit

anyone to vote for me.

In the meantime, I’d love your help spreading the word about my candidacy to your friends and neighbors — especially those who may not know me through the school system.

My four years on the School Board (including one year as Vice Chair and two years as Chair) provided me with valuable public service experience including working on the city and school budgets with the City Council and General Government. My husband and I have lived in FCC for 15 years and have loved raising our four boys here and watching our community grow into a vibrant, welcoming “little city,” even being recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the number one healthiest community in the nation.

There will be more to come. I value each of you as friends, mentors, community leaders, and colleagues, and wanted you to be the first to know of my plans to run.

Statement of John B. Murphy

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the vacant position on the Falls Church City Council. While the timeline is compressed to qualify for the November 5th ballot, I’ve hit the ground running. I know campaigning for City Council will be a challenge, but it is well worth it.

I was born on Marshall Street, spent my childhood at Mary Riley Styles Library where my mom worked for 43 years, and my wife and I watched our two sons thrive in Falls Church City Schools. I know Falls Church City. I love it here, and I choose to stay here to continue to give back to our community.

So far, I served six years on the Board of Zoning Appeals, including two terms as chair and was a member and Chair of the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee. I volunteered and served as both Board Member and Officer of the Village

Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) over the last 15 years. I’ve spent my spare time mentoring our youth as an Eagle Coach, and volunteering for multiple organizations within Falls Church City, from being the building manager of the Scout House on Spring Street to delivering mulch for the Athletic Boosters. When it comes to my community, I’m all in and ready to help. I would like to thank my early supporters for their help with petition signatures. I look forward to talking with Falls Church City residents, listening to their concerns and issues and working collaboratively with City Staff and Elected Officials. We live in an amazing place. With sustainable development, open responsive governance, and citizen input, we can continue to grow Falls Church, together. We can make it even better going forward. Feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or to show your support.

FALLS

Superintendent Noonan Explains Schools’ IB Program

“How does this information make you a more caring person,” students may be asked, Noonan said, as an example. Students may also be asked to take a course that is a bit of a stretch for them, he added, as an example of what risk taking might look like.

Being reflective about behaviors and interactions, what makes them positive, for example, and “doing the right thing for others” might be elements.

Actually, a large delegation from Falls Church schools attended a conference at the IB’s U.S. headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, this summer that included education leaders from Singapore, Japan, Korea, Costa Rica, Azerbaijan, and other countries, following on last year’s hosting by the FCCPS of participants of all seven school districts in the U.S. that are, like the FCCPS, “continuum districts” that offer IB frameworks for the entire Pre-K to 12th grade educational system.

“They like to call what the IB offers more of a ‘framework’ than a curriculum,” Noonan noted, and educators can access “training mod

ules” to improve their teaching skills. “It is a very powerful way to teach,” he said.

What makes the Falls Church system unique, Noonan added, is the connection of the system to the wider Falls Church community and the quality of the instructional staff. This is set against the pressure the system experiences in recruiting and keeping the best teachers and staff.

“I wish we could change our society’s appreciation for what our teachers do” in terms of compensation, he said. “I would love for ours to be the highest paid in Virginia. Our educators deserve it.”

He said the first negotiation with employee organizations for a collective bargaining agreement last spring went very smoothly, which, he said, coming from a labor family himself (of teachers), he was very appreciative of. The next round of such negotiations will come a year from now.

The new high school building and improvements to other buildings in the system “are one of a kind, with every institutional expectation met,” he said, fitting in perfectly with the collaboration and projectbased, inquiry approach, by contrast with multiple-choice approaches to

education.

The high school building “dignifies the students,” making them experience more of a community college than high school experience, he said, with strong relations with the community and parents.

Noonan said the current discussion on the proper role of student smart phones, as discussed at length in the season’s first school board meeting last week, will be decided by the School Board in October. The choices are between an all out ban on their use or one which for students above the eighth grade, permit use during lunch and passing periods.

Currently, he said, “the board is split.” Meridian Principal Peter Laub was among those involved in last week’s School Board forum who argued a more nuanced policy would be preferable at the high school level.

Noonan noted there is currently no wifi access at any of the schools other than what is used in teaching.

An executive order from the governor last week to remove all cell phone use in the schools from “bell to bell” was implemented by the Department of Education in the form of a recommendation only, leaving local school districts to implement

their own policies. Noonan said that so far, all the districts around Falls Church are inclining toward permitting high school student use during lunch and passing periods.

Dr. Noonan praised the work of the general government in Falls Church for developing a strong, diversified tax base through economic growth, which allows teachers

and others in the system to have their expectations met, which requires financial resources.

He said that based on projected enrollment growth this year and next, for teachers to be granted “step” costof-living increases based on inflation rates, a seven percent increase in the schools’ budget for the next annual budget cycle might be needed.

FCCPS SUPERINTENDENT Peter Noonan met with the NewsPress for an interview. ( News-Press Photo)

Hillary Clinton Won The Convention’s First Night

Nicholas F. Benton

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Hillary Clinton’s speech Monday night was the most, among many, inspiring to me on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention. I saw far more than what was on the surface when she spoke so eloquently and with such passion at the prospect of Kamala Harris being elected the next president of the U.S.

This was a battered but not beaten woman, against whom all the furies of hell had been unleashed to deny her the presidency in 2016. There were bruises and scars, blood stains and bloodied bandages, tears and a fierce, resolute anger for visionaries to see there. I’m sorry, but no one on that stage Monday night had gone through what she has to be able now to stand tall, speak loudly and boldly herald the very real prospect for the first ever woman to rise to the highest office in the greatest democracy on this planet.

Taking nothing away from Kamala Harris to be sure, but it was Hillary Clinton who dove headlong into a wall of ferocious male chauvinist hate and resistance to move the ball, so to speak, to within inches of the goal. As Kamala barges across the goal line this fall, it will be Hillary who will be cheering the loudest because she suffered so many of the sacrifices that will have made it possible. She’s the one who got the nation to see, to envision, this shining future.

Apologies for substituting metaphors related to a sporting event over ones about cracks in glass ceilings, but you get the idea.

Two of the photos I have up in my office that I value the most are of me with Hillary in one, and with Joe in the other. In the former, I am chatting with Hillary along with Mary Meredith, a huge Hillary fan and mother of my long time friend and now CEO of Boomi, David Meredith, at an event at the Clinton home

in D.C. sometime in the 1990s. In the latter photo, I am posing with a big grinning Biden, his left arm around my back, and legendary LGBTQ+ pioneer and my friend, the late Frank Kameny, with Biden’s right arm around his back. It was at a small White House event when Biden was VP and had beaten President Obama to the punch by coming out publicly in support for gay marriage in 2009.

As limited as it may be, I have used my “inside the Beltway” weekly general interest newspaper, the mighty Falls Church News-Press , in as many ways as possible to stand for the kind of justice-seeking, honesty, truth telling and compassionate qualities that Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden have brought to their jobs leading our nation and the world.

Since our Day One in March 1991, 33 years ago now, my newspaper has published a Seven-Point Platform that we have strived to live up to. It was written by the legendary Thomas More Storke, an FDR supporter who as a youngster in 1900 bought and developed what became the Santa Barbara (Calif.) News-Press . That was where I got my first paying newspaper job as a sophomore in high school. The News-Press’ Platform was printed in every edition of that daily newspaper such that it was the framework for everything not just the newspaper, but the entire community, collectively strived for.

Sadly, upon his retirement, Mr. Stroke sold his paper in the 1960s and subsequent deals found it in the hands of the New York Times for a period, and then acquired by a wealthy local who was a rightwing type, totally out of step with the community that the paper and its platform had helped shape, and the paper nosedived, going completely under in recent years.

That Seven-Point Platform has been published in my newspaper every week since its founding in 1991 and contains the kernels of what makes my newspaper tick, especially in terms of its so-called “business plan” being summed up in the last of the seven points, “Make the paper show a profit it you can, but above all, keep it clean, fearless and fair.”

That value defines Joe and Hillary, to our nation’s undying benefit.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

By Penny Gross

Growing up, I had the good fortune to have close relationships with my grandparents. My maternal grandmother could wring the necks of chickens for dinner, or drive trailers to Yellowstone and back. My paternal grandmother always packed a lunch for my grandfather, before sending him off to work each day on the docks of Portland. Both of them devoted themselves to raising their families, and did not pursue lifelong careers outside of the home, at a time when careers for women were most often limited to teacher, or nurse.

My own mother became a college professor, encouraged by her parents. She had a fulfilling career and achieved many of her goals, one of which was not to be a traditional grandmother. She loved her grandchildren, but rather than sacrifice her “post-menopausal” life to the care of them (who had their own parents, after all), she chose to grandparent them by teaching through example. She furthered her education. She

City

climbed mountains and traveled the world. Her grandchildren (especially her granddaughters) learned from her that women could lead independent, autonomous lives — fulfill their own dreams, depend on themselves. She showed them fearlessness and self-reliance, those hallmarks of the American spirit. She made her own choices, rather than simply abiding by choices that were made for her.

The “role” of women has been prescribed by many cultures and faiths for millennia — in often strict and limiting ways — and while we should respect the beliefs and tenets of others, as part of our diverse and varied society, this is 21st century America, not the Middle Ages. Women are full partners and participants in American life. It is, and should be, a woman’s right to choose how she wishes to participate in that life. No one — not a spouse, lover, parent, or politician — should stand in the way of a woman’s prerogative to make her own decisions. The thing that makes

of Falls Church CRIME REPORT

Week of August 12-18, 2024

Reckless Driving, S Roosevelt St, Aug 12, 11:21 AM, a male, 25, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Reckless Driving.

No Valid Operator’s License, Wilson Blvd, Aug 12, 5:21 PM, a male, 48, of Fairfax County, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Reckless Driving, N Cherry St, Aug 13, 9:09 AM, a female, 22, of Chantilly, was arrested for Reckless Driving.

No Valid Operator’s License, Wilson Blvd, Aug 13, 8:10 PM, a male, 21, of the City of Falls Church, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Larceny from Building, S Cherry St, Aug 14, between 10:45 AM and 11:45 AM, unattended belongings were taken from the victim’s front yard during a move.

Shoplifting, W Broad St, Aug 14, 7:20 PM, two unknown suspects, both black males, stole merchandise without paying.

Shoplifting, S Washington St, Aug 15, 1:07 AM, an unknown suspect stole merchandise without paying. The suspect is

described as a black male, wearing a black, yellow, and red jersey, and black shorts.

No Valid Operator’s License, W Broad St, Aug 15, 1:34 AM, a female, 28, of Fairfax County, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Driving Under the Influence, W Broad St, Aug 15, 3:37 AM, a female, 38, of the City of Fairfax, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence – 3rd Offense, Driving After Forfeiture of License, and Refusal of Blood/Breath Test.

Simple Assault, Park Ave, Aug 15, 12:09 PM, a male suspect and female suspect both reported being assaulted by the other.

No Valid Operator’s License, E Broad St, Aug 15, 12:57 PM, a male, 40, of Capital Heights, MD, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Simple Assault, Hillwood Ave, Aug 16, 3:03 AM, victim reported a known suspect assaulted them.

Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts, Ellison St, between 5:00 AM on Aug 15 and 5:00 AM on Aug 16, an unknown suspect removed the catalytic converter from a vehicle.

America great is that we all get a choice — how to live our lives, whom to love, what to believe in, what to strive for. We may fail, but we also have the choice to get back up and try again. Resiliency is also part of the American spirit.

We are currently witnessing two political parties lay out their visions for the future of America, and their visions for the role of women in that future. One party has chosen to elevate a “post-menopausal” woman to run for the highest office in the land. The other has suggested that the role of the “post-menopausal” woman should be nothing more than a glorified babysitter. They wish to return us to a time when the only choices for working women were teacher, or nurse. Maybe secretary. They wish to dictate to women what we can and cannot do with our bodies, and lives. They wish to undo the progress that so many women (and men) have fought and sacrificed for.

I have no difficulty making space for other’s beliefs, as long as they do not infringe on my, or my daughters’ rights. And if you believe that women’s roles should be limited to that of “traditional roles” I say, don’t worry. Kamala Harris’s cabinet will be full of Secretaries.

Larceny from Building, Wilson Blvd, Aug 15, 4:00 PM, two unknown suspects entered a business and inquired about purchasing jewelry. When an employee opened the showcase, one of the suspects grabbed a necklace and both suspects fled. The first unknown suspect is described as a tall black male in his 50s, approximately 6’0” in height, with short black hair and a mustache, wearing a long sleeve gray shirt and black pants. The second unknown suspect is described as a heavyset black male in his 40s, approximately 5’4” in height, wearing a dark gray short sleeve shirt and black pants.

Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts, Birch St, between 8:00 PM on Aug 15 and 8:00 AM on Aug 16, an unknown suspect removed the catalytic converter from a vehicle.

Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts, Birch St, between 11:00 PM on Aug 15 and 9:00 AM on Aug 16, an unknown suspect removed the catalytic converter from a vehicle.

Larceny of Motor Vehicle Parts, Seaton Ln, between 10:30 PM on Aug 15 and 3:00 PM on Aug 16, an unknown suspect removed

Continued on Page 18

Since 1991, an award-winning LGBT-owned general Interest community newspaper.

Vol. XXXIV, No. 28

August 22 - 28, 2024

• 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 •

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Dear Reader, We Need Your Support

Readers will see that on the front page of this edition a “QR Code” image in the lower right corner. Scan it, and the News-Press website appealing for cash contributions comes up. This highly-convenient method, we hope, will encourage those readers who recognize the importance of a free press as a vital and functioning component of our democracy to pitch in to help our version of that to keep going. We thank the many of our readers who have given to date, and we must expand that support base to, if you haven’t yet, include you!

It hardly needs mentioning how bad the current climate is for real newspapers to survive these days. As of now, this newspaper is the only one in this region that still prints and delivers for “total market coverage” of its targeted area. Compared to how it was when we first began in 1991, the decline is astounding.

The presence of a tactile printed newspaper is still a vital component of a strong community, and of a democratic nation. It functions as a social glue, so to speak, binding diverse elements of a community together by providing a context in which differences, including different views, are shared and debated in a civil and constructive manner. For a democracy, good newspapers are not just calendars of events or public notices, nor mere propaganda under the guise of news peddling a particular point of view. No, they are the grist that moves between people and puts everyone on an equal footing to debate, even if the debate is over how well a paper is doing its job.

At the News-Press we are proud of our role helping to get a lot done for Falls Church over 33 years. Look at the school system! Look at the economic development that helps pay for those schools while lowering real estate taxes! Look at the good government and the quality of life! Look at the shared, community-wide commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion! What a terrific place to live!

Housing prices are the downside, but of course not only here. If the powers that be here can remain focused on achieving significant affordable housing, and we intend to do our part in that regard, then this Little City will have even more to tout as being exemplary for the region and the whole country.

The News-Press has been a free service to this community this whole time. But if starting in 1991, we’d had just 1,000 readers giving a mere $10 (two visits to Starbucks) a month over this time, we’d have almost $4 million more to work with now.

The bottom line is this: We want to continue but can’t do it without your support. We are hardly immune from the conditions that have devastated our industry. We must rely now on the good people in this community to step up and pitch in to keep us going. Won’t you?

Platform

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 content.

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 a profit if you can, but above all keep it clean, fearless and fair.

Editor,

Last Thursday I exited I-66 to connect to Washington Boulevard, just outside the Falls Church line. I got there at 5:11 pm. I eventually turned on to Broad Street at 5:32 pm and got home at 5:34. It should not take 23 minutes to travel about a mile, for which I blame the proliferation of traffic lights in Falls Church. The track I covered has seven lights. And since Falls Church

evidently cannot figure out how to coordinate them, the traffic hardly moves to the next red light before the previous one changes again.

I know there is a constituency in Falls Church to set speed limits so they could not be exceeded by a snail stuck in tar. But Falls Church had better decide what it wants, because it can’t build premium apartments and high-end grocery stores on Broad and Washington but then expect people to crawl in traffic for the privilege of leaving money in “the Little City.”

John M. Grondelski

Connolly & Va. Delegates Nominate Harris in Ceremonial Vote

by

Reps. Gerry Connolly and Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor of the Commonwealth, were both seated with the Virginia delegation stage left from speakers like Barack and Michelle Obama last night at the second day of this DNC nominating convention. Connolly helped Sen. Mark Warner announce the delegate vote over the 80-minute roll call complete with a hip-hop soundtrack.

“The last time I felt this level of excitement at a convention was in 2008,” said Connolly comparing the Harris for President campaign to the Obama campaign. “That is the sign of a winning campaign.

“Kamala’s message is addressing kitchen table issues that matter to people,” said Connolly at the Virginia delegation seats in the United Center arena. “Some of the economic items we talk about are kind of pie in the sky for a lot of people,” in terms of inflation rates or the jobs numbers.

“How does that help me bring down the cost of food or bread,” said the Congressman. “For her to talk about price gouging and how to wrestle some of that to

the ground, that really resonates with people. That’s a bread-andbutter issue and that is where most people live. We all don’t live watching the interest rates by the Federal Reserve.

“I thought she was spot-on with her economic and populist message,” said Connolly, who hopes this homespun messaging will continue.

“That combination is critical, and the Harris plan is performative statement on providing more housing stock and allowing first time homebuyers help with the downpayment. If you only do one, it’s not enough. You can actually aggravate the housing shortage situation. She is addressing both supply and demand.

“We have been saying this for years now, that there is not enough inventory in our region,” said Connolly.

“Time is our friend here. In Virginia, we start voting on September 20 so we are exactly one month away from the election,” noted Connolly of the compressed campaign timeline. “So there is not enough time for Trump and company to be able to sabotage things. The short timeframe helps us Democrats.”

“I am usually always the des-

ignated worrier,” said Connolly about his sharp focus on campaign momentum and poll data. “I am

feeling really good about this one; I think she is the real thing.

“She caught the

in a

Beyer Shares Harris Vision For The Economy and Fair Housing

by Mike Smith Special to FCNP

Rep. Don Beyer of Falls Church says there are just not enough affordable houses to go around. He knows a thing or two about inventory, supply and demand. Beyer endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’s economic plans including the promise to build three million new houses in America and provide first-time homebuyers with $25,000 toward a downpayment.

“I really like her plans to build three million new homes,” said Beyer at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday. “Here in Virginia we are short about 150,000 dwelling units and according to my friends at the National Association of

Home Builders, they say we need six million new homes to meet the demand. If you could cut that number in half, and build three million units, it helps with supply and demand.”

“Historically, if your parents owned a home, you could enter the market and cross that threshold,” said Beyer. However, those without such advantages may find home buying out of reach.

“It’s hard to enter the market here.”

According to recent data published this week by CNBC from Bankrate loans, the median price of a home is now about $402,300 and first-time buyers would need to earn over $110,900 in annual income. Compared to four years ago, that is a roughly 50 percent increase, the report says.

According to Bankrate, that tally

is up over the $100,000 mark in 22 states. “The higher the price of a home, the harder it is to come up with a down payment. Home values are at record highs.”

Zoning and permitting laws need to be reformed, according to Beyer, to remove builder barriers. “The homebuilders say it is too proscriptive.”

“I am excited about the Harris plan and let’s hope the interest rates come down to help reduce inflation,” Beyer said. “Chairman Powell needs to bring these rates down so people can buy, sell or move.”

He said the mood in the Virginia delegation is very upbeat. “Last night was a lot of fun with President Biden speaking and tonight it’s the Obamas. “There is something going on virtually every hour at this conven-

tion. It’s high energy and there is lots of optimism. We are moving back to honesty and decency,” in our politics.

As for the Trump campaign, Beyer quoted a now familiar term. “It’s weird,” he said. “They are not addressing the needs of our families that most people are focused on.” He mentioned the Biden-Harris economic legacy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act to build high tech processors as landmark legislation.

He said that most of the delegates in the Virginia delegation skew a little bit older, “because of the party nominating process. We held our state delegation meeting at T.C. Williams High School” (now known as Alexandria City High School).

“It takes time to rebuild our economy following the pandemic,” said Beyer of the recovery. “We must rebuild our manufacturing and our factories.” He said the Childcare tax credit idea would also help this return to work.

“Last night you heard cries for unity. The talk was about having one America appealing to larger values like compassion and honesty and decency. Trump has always been about dividing us and he doesn’t like people of different colors, or cultures, or languages,” said the Congressman. He noted that divisiveness doesn’t work in a city like Falls Church which is a melting pot of cultures and languages.

“We need our leaders to help us heal, and bring our diverse communities together.”

magic

bottle,” said Connolly of the Harris-Walz campaign momentum.

Mike Smith Special to FCNP

PICTURED ARE BOBBY SCOTT, Gerry Connolly and Abigail Spanbergerat at the DNC representing Virginia. (Photo: Mike Smith )

News-Press

Community News & Notes

Residents of Berry Street Host “Play Streets” Closure

This past Sunday, the residents of Berry Street hosted a play streets closure so that kids could access the streets to ride bikes, play ball, and friends could gather without fear of car traffic. It was a great way to squeak in some last minute fun before students returned to school on Monday. Berry street will be hosting additional fall play streets from 2:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. on September 15 and October 20.

PNC To Close Branch, DriveThrough ATM September 20

The PNC Bank at 402 W. Broad St. (the Read Building) in Falls Church is closing as of Sept 20, 2024. This includes the drivethrough ATM. Signs posted by the ATM and inside the branch alert customers of the coming change.

PNC closed hundreds of branches in 2023, with dozens more closures announced so far in 2024.

After the Broad St. branch closes, the nearest PNC will be south of Arlington Blvd. in Fairfax County. With only one branch remaining north of city limits, PNC customers in the City of Falls Church — and especially those near the northern border with Arlington — will become the most isolated from a local branch inside the beltway.

F.C. Commits to Promote Tobacco-Free Parklands

The City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks recently decided to commit to promoting 100 percent tobacco-free and vapefree parklands to provide a clean, healthy, and safe environment for all to enjoy.

The voluntary policy change was initiated by the Share The Air campaign of Y Street, a program of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) and Virginia’s largest youth-led movement. Share The Air aims to create 100 percent tobacco-free parklands by encouraging local park and recreation departments and government officials to adopt voluntary, comprehensive tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free outdoor policies.

The impact of the city’s commit-

ment is expected to reduce tobacco and vape litter and residents’ exposure to secondhand smoke, as well as promote positive role modeling for youth who visit the city’s parks and outdoor recreational areas. The City of Falls Church joins the growing list of localities with tobaccofree and e-cigarette-free voluntary outdoor policies, becoming Share The Air’s 24th partner. Anand Colby, a student representative from the Falls Church Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks, shared, “We want our parks to come across as clean, healthy, and welcoming for all ages.”

As part of its partnership with Share The Air, the City of Falls Church will receive free tobaccofree signage to post as a reminder to park visitors.

New FCA Exhibit ‘Home’ Opens August 24

Thirty-eight artists will be featured beginning this week in “Home,” an all-media show at the gallery of Falls Church Arts from August 24 to September 29. The exhibit theme was selected by social media followers in a bracketstyle selection process. The show will open with a meet the artists reception in the FCA gallery (700B W. Broad St., Falls Church) from 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. this Saturday, August 24. The reception is free and is open to the public.

For this exhibit, artists were invited to submit works that embody what home means to them. The show includes representational works. Artists depicted a wide range of subjects capturing the feeling of home in nature, at worship, with family and friends. Media include watercolor, acrylic, metal, mixed media, mosaics, and photography.

For gallery hours, more information about FCA, or to view or purchase artwork online, please visit fallschurcharts.org.

ArtsFairfax Awards Grants to Four

Little City Nonprofits

Last week ArtsFairfax announced it would fund 58 local arts and culture organizations to support outstanding arts experiences in the region — eight more than last year.

FY25 Operating Support Grantees represent all arts disciplines and all nine magisterial districts in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.

A total of $591,900 was awarded to 58 organizations for the coming fiscal year. ArtsFairfax notes that leaders for these organizations are 81 percent women, 28 percent BIPOC, and 24 percent veterans. Half of the recipients are considered small businesses with budgets under $100,000. As instituted last year, the minimum eligible budget for applicants remains at $5,000 to allow more organizations to apply.

Four FY25 grantees are located within the City of Falls Church, each the preeminent organization in their respective disciplines for The Little City. Creative Cauldron — the Tinner Hill based performing arts organization moving late this year into the new Broad & Washington complex — was the city’s theater grantee. Falls Church Arts — the only art gallery within city limits — was the visual arts grantee. Little City Concerts — a nonprofit that holds social justice themed fundraising events pairing musical performances with related charities — was the city’s instrumental music grantee. Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation — a nonprofit and cultural hub dedicated to preserving and presenting the African American legacy and promoting racial reconciliation in Northern Virginia — was a multidisciplinary/arts services grantee.

As ArtsFairfax’s largest grant program, Operating Support Grants provide critical funding for the basic operation of vital programs, performances, arts education, and services to residents of Northern Virginia. While ArtsFairfax saw a 20 percent increase in total requested funds, the available funding for this grant category remained flat from last year.

“Arts and culture vibrancy in Fairfax is growing year over year. For FY25, we saw a 16 percent increase in new applicants and a 20 percent increase in total requested funds. One of our goals at ArtsFairfax is to diversify our resources and increase our grants funding so that all the creative work in this community can be fully realized,” said Stuart Holt, ArtsFairfax President and CEO.

To learn more about ArtsFairfax, visit artsfairfax.org.

BERRY STREET residents hosted a play streets closure for kids and neighbors to gather without fear of car traffic. (Photo: Kenny George)

A NEW EXHIBIT, “Home,” opens Saturday at Falls Church Arts, on display through September 29. (Photo: “Light At The End” by Mara Flynn)

FALLS CHURCH DEMOCRATS chair Jeff Person is The Little City’s only voting delegate at the DNC this week in Chicago. (Pictured, clockwise from top left: Dave Leichtman, Virginia House majority leader Charniele Herring, DPVA chair Susan Swecker, Buta Biberaj, FCCDC chair and DNC member Jeff Person, Alexandria Dems chair Sandy Marks, and Barb Jones. Courtesy photo)

Fall Sports Season Set For Kickoff at Meridian High School

by Ryan McCafferty

The 2024-25 school year is underway, and with that, it means it’s time for the Meridian Mustangs to start their fall sports season. One team, the co-ed Varsity golf club, has already begun its campaign while football, field hockey, cross country, volleyball, and cheer will be joining them in the coming weeks. It figures to be another exciting autumn in Falls Church, and there will be opportunities aplenty to come out and cheer on Meridian’s boys and girls.

Football will be the main attraction, with the Mustang home turf set to be packed with local supporters on Friday nights throughout the season. PJ Anderson’s squad lost a few key players, including offensive lineman Matthew Downs, RBs Alden Harrison and Omar Dabbourah, and all-purpose star James Teague, but returns most of a core from last season that improved to 4-7 after going 1-9 two years ago. QB Cruz Ruoff is back healthy while RB Alex Jacobson and receiver Ben Kozbelt figure to be among his top weapons, and Domanic ZachariasMartin leads an experienced offen-

sive line. On the defensive side of the ball, Junior Martinez and Deosity Bantan headline the defensive backfield while Jack Mossburg, Oumar Thompson, and Grady Jinks offer additional support. Anderson cites the team’s depth as a strength, with about 75 kids currently in the program, and claims they have worked incredibly hard this offseason to put themselves in a position to compete against any opponent in their district. They’ll start their season on Thursday, August 29th at McLean.

The field hockey girls look to prove they’re here to stay after their best season in program history a year ago, in which the team went 21-1 with its only loss coming in the State Finals. The team lost many of its key contributors from that squad, including C.C. Carmody, Cassie DuBois, and goaltender Briana Corry, but on the bright side, key returners Lucy Hladky, Delaney Flanagan, and Sara Meade should be able to pick up the pieces. Consider it more of a reload than a rebuild, and the team will keep itself battle-tested with matchups against a number of quality opponents including Heritage High School and

Annandale High School. Their season opens against Wakefield next Monday.

As mentioned above, the golf club has already opened play as they look to leave the bitter taste of a disappointing ending in Regionals last year behind them. They have a new head coach in Tim Sample, who is feeling very hopeful in the group’s results thus far after they finished second in each of their two matchups against the six other teams in their district. Seniors Henry Brown and Noah Peng lead the charge while Sample named Alex Way, Sam Ettinger, Drew Fishel, and Charles Griffith as others to watch, and there has been a significant uptick in female representation on the team, with four new young ladies joining the squad after Era Inglis-Nela was the only one last season. Securing a Regionals bid once again should be the expecation for the Mustangs, while a trip to States is a reasonable and achievable goal. They’re next scheduled to compete on Thursday at Reston National.

Both cross country squads look to back up successful seasons a year ago, when the girls finished third

and the boys fourth at Regionals while the girls then went on to finish eighth in States. The girls feature a team packed with seniors, most notably Molly Moore, Lydia Sturgill, and Katherine Steyn, while sophomore Michelle Malheiro also figures to be a key contributor. The boys will have a bit of a different look after star Tucker Albaugh graduated, but senior Kyle Kuck, junior William Anderson, and sophomore Sagar Nangia lead a group that should be highly competitive in its district. Both of their seasons will begin on Friday, August 30th at Nokesville Park. Volleyball returns to the court as well, with the girls looking to build

upon a 10-13 campaign a season ago that ended strong while the new boys’ squad is set to join them. The girls open their season next Monday at home against Warren County, while the boys will start on the road that same evening at Centreville High School against South County. Their home opener will be two days after that, on Wednesday the 28th against McLean. Finally, the competitive cheer squad also gears up for another season, though theirs does not start until about a month later with their first competition coming on the 25th of September. We wish them the best of luck, as well as all the rest of our Mustang programs.

School News & Notes

STUDENTS LINED UP in the halls (left) and met with mascots (bottom) at Mt. Daniel Elementary, and superintendent Peter Noonan welcomed teachers and staff (top), as the 2024-2025 school year began. (Photos: Chrissy Henderson)

LEARNERS PAINTED their own studio spaces at Acton Academy Falls Church. (Courtesy Photo)

AUGUST 22 - 28, 2024

CALENDAR

THIS WEEK AROUND F.C.

THURSDAY AUGUST 22

Historical Commission Meeting

The Historical Commission and Historic Architectural Review Board meet. City Hall (300 Park Ave., Dogwood A-B, Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

FRIDAY AUGUST 23

Zombie Prom: The Musical!

Presented outdoors Friday and Saturday by STARS Performing Arts.

“Zombie Prom” tells the story of Jonny, a high school student who returns from a nuclear waste dump as a teenage zombie. A lighthearted exploration of love, acceptance, and youth rebellion, all set to a rock and roll soundtrack reminiscent of the 1950s. Tickets at theatrestars.org.

Mason District Park (6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA), 6:00 p.m.

Irene Jalenti

Italian vocalist Irene Jalenti brings her rich cello-like tone to Cauldron's 2024 Summer Concert Series. Tickets at creativecauldron. org. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.

Sunset Cinemas: Kung Fu Panda 4

The first of three monthly outdoor movies, part of the 21st Annual Sunset Cinema Series. Viewers are encouraged to arrive early to get a good spot and bring blankets, bug spray, and a picnic. Drinks, popcorn, and snacks will be available for purchase. Free to attend. Details at fallschurchva.gov/sunsetcinema. Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY AUGUST 24

Falls Church

Farmers Market

Shop the award-winning market every Saturday, year-round! City Hall

Parking Lot (300 Park Ave., Falls Church), 8:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

Around the World

Cultural Food Festival

Enjoy delicious foods from around the world while watching a diverse folk show with singers and dancers from different countries, then take a break and shop a variety of ethnic artisans and crafters. Admission is free, with plenty of traditional dishes and beverages avaialble for purchase. Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA), 11:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m.

Hideaway Circus:

Canvas Sky

Hideaway Circus flips into Fairfax with an all-new outdoor show, "Canvas Sky," an immersive sensory experience that transcends boundaries and transports audiences of all ages to new realms of wonder and delight. Showings Saturday and Sunday. Tickets at hideawaycircus. com. Van Dyck Park (3720 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, VA), 4:00 p.m.

Exhibit Opening: "Home"

Falls Church Arts (700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church), 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

Veronneau: Blue Tapestry

The husband and wife team performs their "Blue Tapestry" show, a celebration of two artists, Joni Mitchell and Carole King, and their milestone albums "Blue" and "Tapestry," which definied the era of the singer-songwriter, putting women center stage as composers and performers. Tickets at creativecauldron.org. Creative Cauldron (410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church), 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

AUGUST 25

Great Falls

Philharmonic

The Great Falls Philharmonic performs at the Second Annual Honey Harvest Festival. This performance features the world premiere of Sylvie Bodorová’s “Quo Vadis Overture,” as well as a daring performance of Strauss’ “Second Horn Concerto” by U.S. Army Band SSG Emerson Miller. In the second half, the orchestra will perform Dvorak’s magnificent “8th Symphony” as a contribution to the

international 2024 “Year of Czech Music”. Tickets at gfphil.org. Christ The King Lutheran Church (10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA), 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY AUGUST 26

Voting By Mail: Civil War to Covid-19

This new exhibition reflects on past examples of national voting by mail, and includes objects from the National Postal Museum collection, including a mailed tally sheet from 1864 recording the votes of soldiers from Highland County, Ohio; an absentee ballot request postcard for an Alabama soldier during World War II; a five-cent postage stamp reminding citizens to register and vote; and a complete absentee ballot kit and instruction sheet from the last presidential election in 2020. National Postal Museum (2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC), 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

TUESDAY AUGUST 27

Soft Power

After the 2016 election, when a Chinese American playwright is attacked by an unknown assailant, he hallucinates a Golden Age musical comedy about a Chinese theater producer and Hillary Clinton falling in love. Hilarious and biting, this political satire dares to ask: Does American Democracy still work? And is it worth believing in? Signature Theatre (3200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA), 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28

The Healing Project: Listening Party

Eliot Seppa is well known as one the most sought-after bassists in the D.C. area in jazz, R&B, gospel, musical theater, and more. Through years of experience in so many diverse musical situations, he has developed a band sound that is eclectic and uniquely his own. Free to attend. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC), 6:00 p.m.

HIDEAWAY CIRCUS performs their new outdoor acrobatic show, "Canvas Sky," this Saturday in Fairfax (Courtesy Photo)

T h e LGB T Q + R e ach

by Brian Reach Falls Church News-Press

Harley Caves to “Anti-Woke” Activists

On Monday, Harley-Davidson announced that they were caving to pressure from “antiwoke” activists, led in part by conservative influencer Robby Starbuck, who posted a call to action on X (Twitter) last month accusing the company head, Jochen Zeitz, of a litany of inexcusably “woke” behavior.

Zeitz’s crimes, the post says, include supporting a transition from fossil fuels, addressing climate change, targeting sustainability, increasing workplace diversity, fighting misinformation, supporting Trans-inclusive bathroom access, and forming a nonprofit to help migrants in Europe rebuild their lives.

In an accompanying video Starbuck complained that Harley-Davidson, under Zeitz, was given a 90 percent rating by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), donated to United Way, recognized Black and Women’s History Month, and sponsored a boot camp for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

What a monster!

“The @harleydavidson board needs to remove him if they want to save the company,” Starbuck posted. “If he’s not gone, we all know these policies aren’t leaving. At best they’ll be renamed.” This quickly took off with incel idols on social media.

Sean Strickland, an MMA fighter, also posted a video. Wearing a shirt reading “A Woman In Every Kitchen, A Gun In Every Hand,” he claimed to be ditching his HarleyDavidson, called Zeitz a “zealot,” and asked if he should sell his Harley-Davidson or “blow it up with a machine gun.”

‘That said...’

The statement Harley-Davidson posted to social media said “we are saddened by the negativity on social media over the last few weeks, designed to divide the HarleyDavidson community.” It continued that an “internal stakeholder review” had taken place earlier in the year, based on which several commitments were made.

It said an employee base must reflect its customers and geographies, and that “it is critical to our business that we hire and retain the best talent and that all employees feel welcome.”

Then Harley-Davidson hedged.

“That said, we have not operated a DEI function since April 2024, and we do not have a DEI function today. We do not have hiring quotas and we no longer have supplier diversity spend goals,” it said, adding that Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) will, moving forward, “exclusively focus on professional development, networking and mentoring,” and that all sponsorships will now be centrally reviewed and limited to motorcycling.

In the only direct reference made to another entity, it added that “Harley-Davidson will not participate in HRC scoring going forward.”

This is in reference to the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index, for which 1,384 companies (with 500 or more employees) actively participated this year. Companies are rated annually across three categories of criteria: non-discrimination policies, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers

and their families, and supporting an inclusive culture and social responsibility.

For 2022-2023, Harley-Davidson received a score of 80 (out of 100). For 2023-2024, their score dropped — to 45. Though they are still listed as a Platinum Founding Member level corporate partner of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce — a partnership that has stood for over a decade — it seems this and many other local outreach initiatives by Harley-Davidson will likely soon expire.

“Decisions to cut Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives send a clear signal to employees that their employers simply don’t care about equality in the workplace. Putting politics ahead of workers and consumers only hurts the same folks that these businesses rely on,” said HRC vice president of programs and corporate advocacy, Eric Bloem. “HarleyDavidson’s choice to back away from the Corporate Equality Index is an impulsive decision fueled by fringe right-wing actors and MAGA extremists who believe they can bully their way into dismantling initiatives that help everyone thrive in the workplace.

“With nearly 30 percent of Gen Z identifying as LGBTQ+ and the community wielding $1.4 trillion in spending power, retreating from these principles undermines both consumer trust and employee success.”

The statement also suggests other common functions of ERGs will cease, such as recruiting from more diverse sources, volunteering for or supporting community organizations, or advocating for a more equitable or welcoming workplace.

Behind The Curtain

Harley-Davidson is not the only company to make this change. Though most are holding steadfast, notable companies cutting DEI programs include Zoom, Microsoft, Meta, DoorDash, CNN, John Deer, Polaris, and Tractor Supply.

Many of these scalebacks were direct results of conservative influencer videos, criticizing “woke” policies of the companies, receiving millions of views.

Though in these cases the bullies seem to have won, at least for now, their influence seems propped up by its own bluster.

Since July 29 the Starbuck video has been viewed 673,000 times, but only liked 17,000 times. The Strickand video has been viewed 2.5 million times, but only liked 25,000 times.

And even then, likes aren’t people (or votes, for that matter). A single person can open up unlimited profiles to garner free likes — or pay a fee for a great deal of engagement. A simple search quickly found a company that for $119.99 guarantees delivery of 20,000 likes for the post (or posts) of your choice within five days.

These companies are being persuaded by metrics that are breathtakingly easy to manipulate, led by influencers who openly admit they are pandering for attention.

“I tweet for the love of the game, not the money. But hate = engagement,” read a subsequent tweet from Strickland. “‘Those democrats really are ruining this country’ vs. ‘these dirty f***ing commie freedom hating f***s, they try to censor us, turn your kids gay, tax you to pay for illegals.’ What tweet do you think trends?”

Falls

Church Business News & Notes

30 Minute Hit: Anniversary Celebration

30 Minute Hit Falls Church, the only women’s kickboxing studio in the area, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with an Open House on Saturday, August 24, 8:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. Join a workout, check out the studio, and enjoy birthday treats from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Discounted memberships will be offered to those who sign up that morning. There will also be a raffle for gift certificates for local businesses.

NUE Extends Restaurant Week

NUE Elegantly Vietnamese has participated in the Washington Metropolitan Summer Restaurant Week and has extended its specials through August 25. They have a five-course dinner menu with signature cocktails. NUE is also offering two special upgrades.

Opportunity for Startups

Backstage Capital supports underrepresented founders by investing in startups led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. They focus primarily on U.S.-based, scalable businesses with the potential for high growth. Investments typically range from $100,000 and up, predominantly targeting early-stage companies. Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund has invested in over 180 companies in the last five years. They offer resources for founders as well. backstagecapital.com/ for-founders.

The Arc: Dine Out for People with Disabilities

The Arc of Northern Virginia is holding its fundraiser, Dine Out, at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack on Wednesday, August 28, 3:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. The nonprofit will “shake the shack” with the popular band, Big Tow, which continues to support The Arc’s mission with their performance. Clare and Don’s is donating 10 percent of food and drink sales for both in-person and take out.

Small Business Grant

Faire has a call out for its first grant cycle with the deadline of August 31. The Faire Small Business Grant provides $5,000 grants to select new retail businesses to help them stock their stores and cover their inventory expenses. The small business grant program was created to kickstart those with a dream shop. It is open to independent retail stores based in the U.S. and started the business in 2023 — 2024 or plan to open by the end of 2024. The award recipients will be announced on September 30. Faire is an online wholesale marketplace used by hundreds of thousands of independent retailers to discover unique products and save time with their wholesale buying. On Faire, retailers can shop a wide range of wholesale brands — from locally made to eco-friendly — all on one, easy-to-use site. faire.com/small-business-grant.

Last Concerts in the Summer Series

The annual Summer Concert Series at Creative Cauldron concludes this weekend. Friday evening, Irene Jalenti an Italian vocalist will perform improvisations, and Saturday evening, Veronneau, the husband-and-wife duo will perform original and award-winning songs from bossa nova, blues, and jazz to pop. Tickets are available at Creative Cauldron.

Contract Win

Falls Church-based Northrop Grumman received a $1.46 billion contract modification from the U.S. Navy for nine E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and related support.

 Business News & Notes is compiled by Elise Neil Bengtson, Executive Director of the Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at elise@fallschurchchamber.org.

At the DNC Convention in Chicago, Sen. Mark Warner made his case that we may be facing digital enemies, both foreign and domestic, in this year’s election cycle. He continued his clarion call to guard against election interference, as reported by FCNP

“Remember back in 2016, we were all caught off-guard and in many ways the Russians had to create fake personas,” to fool Americans, said Sen. Warner during an interview in Chicago.

“Unfortunately, Americans now are creating this fake stuff, including the other candidate Trump, himself. All the Chinese and Russians have to do is amplify it.”

“In the 2020 election cycle, we had a collaboration between social media companies to point out fake political content and the foreign interference. However, Twitter and

Senator Mark Warner at The DNC Says All Politics is Local Riskified Names F.C. Native Meredith to Board of Directors

Riskified, a leader in ecommerce fraud and risk intelligence, today announced the appointment of Falls Church native David Meredith to its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome David Meredith to our Board of Directors,” said Eido Gal, CEO and Co-Founder of Riskified. “David brings extensive experience in corporate strategy, customer acquisition and organizational leadership having worked with, and led, a number of leading SaaS and cloud-based application businesses. David’s deep expertise and track record in scaling technology businesses aligns with our strategic priorities, and his appointment is expected to help Riskified continue to deliver long-term shareholder value.”

David Meredith expressed his enthusiasm for joining Riskified’s Board, stating, “I am honored to join Riskified’s Board of Directors at such an exciting time for the company. Riskified’s innovative approach to managing eCommerce fraud and risk intelligence makes it

X has become the worst offender with their owner Elon Musk. The owner of X is a promulgator” of disinformation, said the senior Senator who is chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

“We are not seeing the deep fakes that way we thought in this cycle –we see the British and French electorate getting them (fakes) worse right now,” said Warner.

“The barriers to entry for foreign interference and malign influence in our elections have become almost vanishingly small,” said Virginia Sen. Mark R. Warner in a warning letter last spring from his perch as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. His warnings proved prescient, and Iran has indeed hacked both of the major partypolitical campaigns this past week.

New Energy at DNC

“I thought there was great energy last night,” said Warner.

“I was invited to listen up close and Biden went through all his accomplishments. There is frustration in our party because people don’t see how well the economy is doing, the millions of jobs and small businesses started, and people have not fully felt the benefit of all those things yet.”

“Biden was tremendous on the coalition he put together to go up against Putin,” in Ukraine, said Warner. “The Israel and Gaza issue has been really hard. There could be a hostage deal very soon. We have to stay optimistic,” said Warner, predicting that a deal could come soon during the last five months of the Biden Administration.

“Think how different it would have been if it were (President) Donald Trump. Nobody would call him the great coalition-builder,” said Warner.

“He had the lights on him last night and took the time to remind

Americans what he has done, but there was a sense of grace in passing the mantle to Kamala Harris,” said Warner.

Va. Delegation coming together

“There is a cross section in our Virginia delegation this election cycle between the regular suspects and then there are a lot of new people, too, which is refreshing,” said Warner about the delegates on the convention floor.

“You can never keep all democrats happy. There is a special place in heaven for our district chairs and our state party chairman. They may need some therapy after trying to bring everyone together,” Warner teased. “You have been around this game for awhile and you know there is some truth to that need.” Susan Swecker from Highland County is the state democratic party

chair. Manish Singh is the 11th district party chair from Fairfax.

“I remember when Mame Reilly was running things ten years ago and we were buttoned up. We all miss her,” said Warner of the democratic party operative. She was a veteran political organizer in the Democratic Party who moved with ease in both Virginian and U.S. national political circles.

“I think Jesse Ferguson has done a nice job. I know he is also battling cancer and he has the DCCC to manage and he’s been adept at raising funds and votes,” said Warner. As director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s independent expenditure arm, Ferguson is responsible for the more than $60 million in television ads attacking Republicans this cycle, but he doesn’t plan for this money to be spent on personal attacks like the opponent.

a leader in the industry. I look forward to working with Eido and Riskified’s leadership team as they continue to execute on their strategy to drive further growth and success for both their merchants and shareholders.”

Mr. Meredith has spent three decades serving in senior executive leadership and board director roles across both multi-billion-dollar public companies as well as private equity backed technology-focused firms.

As CEO of Everbridge, the global leader in software to provide resilience to organizations, Meredith led during a period of rapid growth which moved the company into the large-cap Russell 1000® Index and earned him the award for Top 50 “Best CEO 2020” in the Largest Company Category by Comparably. Prior to Everbridge, Meredith held leadership positions at Rackspace, CenturyLink, VeriSign, CGI, and Capital One Financial Corporation.

In his role as CEO at integration-software leader Boomi, Mr. Meredith was also named as a “Best CEO 2022” for his work

related to the spin-out of Boomi from Dell to become a standalone global company. Most recently he served as Board Director and Committee Chair for digital transformation leader SADA (an Insight company).

Mr. Meredith grew up in Falls Church, attended Bishop O’Connell High School, graduated with honors from James Madison University and earned his master’s degree from the University of Virginia, where he serves on the UVA McIntire Advisory Board.

I’M DOING THIS FOR ME, AND FOR THAT PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN ME.”

by Mike Smith Special to FCNP

by Nicholas F. Benton Falls Church News-Press

David Meredith. (Courtesy photo)

Legal Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

The following was given first reading at the May 28, 2024 City Council meeting. A public hearing and possible recommendation for City Council action is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TO24-11) ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH CHAPTER 48 “ZONING,” ARTICLE V “SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS,” DIVISION 2 “OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS” TO EXCLUDE THE FIRST 1,000 SQUARE-FEET FOR NEW COMMERCIAL USE OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENT CALCULATIONS

The proposed amendments to the Zoning Code would have the effect of excluding up to 1,000 square feet of commercial floor area from the City’s minimum parking requirement calculations.

The purpose of the proposed commercial parking relief is to expand the number of commercial uses that are eligible to occupy existing commercial buildings, so that existing commercial buildings may be more easily re-purposed over time.

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@ fallschurchva.gov.

Legal Notice

Noti cation is hereby given that JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240 has led an application with the O ce of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) on or about August 22, 2024, as speci ed in 12 CFR Part 5, for permission to establish a domestic branch at the southwest corner of the intersection of Warwick Avenue and Fairfax Boulevard (aka Lee Highway), Fairfax, Fairfax City County, Virginia, 22030. If you have any additional comments, you can send them to the Director for Large Bank Licensing, O ce of the Comptroller of the Currency, 7 Times Square, 10th Floor Mailroom, New York, New York 10036 or LicensingPublicComments@occ.treas.gov ., within 30 days of the date of this publication. The public portion of the ling is available upon request from the OCC. The public may nd information about the ling (including the closing date of the comment period) in the OCC’s Weekly Bulletin available at www.occ.gov .

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing and possible recommendation for City Council action on the following is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

(TR24-30) RESOLUTION TO AMEND AND READOPT BICYCLE MASTER PLAN: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES, PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION 2015-13

The amended Bicycle Master Plan: Connecting Communities, is a guiding document for implementation of future bicycle facilities included in the Comprehensive Plan, and notes the numerous benefits of enabling bicycling as a safe and accessible form of transportation.

The materials for the above item will be available on the city’s webpage prior to the public hearing: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/PC. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. For copies of materials and other information, contact Kerri Oddenino koddenino@fallschurchva.gov.

All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia. All persons desiring to present their views on the items will be heard. Comments may also be sent to jtrainor@fallschurchva. gov. Remote participation information at www. fallschurchva.gov/pc. For copies of legislation and other information, contact Jack Trainor jtrainor@fallschurchva.gov. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 571-421-7943 or e-mail jtrainor@ fallschurchva.gov.

ABC NOTICE

Dgms LLC trading as Gate House Sunoco, 3070 Gate House PLZ, Falls Church, Fairfax County Virginia 22042 is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Specialty Establishment Application - Convenience Grocery Store, Wine, Beer, Consumed Off Premise license. Sreedhar Dangatla Authorized Signatory, Dgms LLC. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of 2 required newspaper legal notice. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200

CAREGIVERS

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS - job is for 5 Days a Week – 5 Hours per Day – Salary is $30 per Hour.clean record, good recommendations, mobile, with many skills For more details about the position, email (jamiecarsonbroker@ gmail.com)

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

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-947-1479 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Prepare for power outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-866-447-0001.

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-614-6667

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material – steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer – up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-844-902-4611

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-591-9950

The bathroom of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-844-945-1631

SERVICES

Need a Small Business website? We’re your experienced small team of local web designers! Contact us for a quote today- visit Webizyte.com or call 202-656-7416.

DIVORCE-Uncontested, $475+$86 court cost. WILLS-$295.00. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook). 757-4900126. Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. https:// hiltonoliverattorneyva.com.

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-888-550-3083 www.dental50plus. com/virginia #6258

Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-888-366-7596 or visit dorranceinfo.com/vapress

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-608-4974 Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100%

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753.

Continued

the catalytic converter from a vehicle.

Sexual Assault, Hillwood Ave, Aug 16, 5:05 PM, police received a delayed report of sexual assault.

Shoplifting, Hillwood Ave, Aug 16, 4:54 PM, two unknown suspects, both black males, stole merchandise without paying. The first suspect is described as a black male in his 20s, approximately 6’0” in height, roughly 170 pounds, with dreadlocks, and wearing a Navy blue Tshirt and dark pants. The second suspect is described as a

black male in his 20s, approximately 5’6” in height, roughly 140 pounds, wearing a black hat, a white sleeveless undershirt, and blue pants.

Driving on Suspended License, N Spring St/W Broad St, Aug 16, 7:05 PM, a male, 25, of Fairfax County, was arrested for Driving on Suspended License.

Public Intoxication, S Washington St, Aug 17, 1:57 AM, a male, 38, of no fixed address, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

No Valid Operator’s License, Wilson Blvd, Aug 17, 8:05 PM, a male, 33, of Arlington,

was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

No Valid Operator’s License, Wilson Blvd, Aug 17, 8:49 PM, a male, 36, of Fairfax County, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

Simple Assault, Wilson Blvd, Aug 18, 1:42 AM, victim reported an unknown suspect punched them twice in the face.

No Valid Operator’s License, N West St, Aug 18, 11:44 AM, a male, 24, of Fairfax County, was arrested for No Valid Operator’s License.

(Photo: Laura Downs)

25. Clara or Bee

26. Butterfly snares

27. Petty dispute

28. Elaborate solo

Geek

Chore

Sniffer

Shoe or clothes

Darns

Horrible

Fusses

PUZZLE NO. 254

PUZZLE NO. 256

PUZZLE NO. 255

PUZZLE NO. 257

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